Tara Murray
Albanvale has locked in its new coach for next year’s Western Region Football League season.
The Cobras announced that Nick Smith would take over the coaching responsibilities after Andrew Bryson and Dean Formosa stepped down after co-coaching this year.
Smith brings more than 20 years of coaching experience across all levels including in the Victorian Football League and NAB League competition. He has also coached at Mt Waverley, before most recently coaching Werribee Centrals for four seasons.
After 12 months off coaching, Smith was keen to get back into coaching.
“After a couple of COVID years I needed a break,” he said. “A took a year off and realised I was keen to have another crack at a senior coaching role.
“I want to help with the game plan and get the club out of division 3.”
The Cobras first came onto Smith’s radar when a former Centrals player, now Cobra, mentioned how much he would love the club and that he would be a good fit.
When the coaching job became available it went from there and Smith was appointed coach.
Smith said there were plenty of good signs from the club this year that finished second before going out in straight sets.
“I want to try and prepare them to play finals footy all the time,” he said.
“The group said this year they noticed how different finals footy was and the bigger grounds. It can be particularly challenging with a big gap between the top and bottom. We need to play our brand every game.”
Having knocked off the two grand finalists during the season, Smith said they weren’t far off.
“We will look to get some improvement from the list and look to add a bit of talent from outside the club as well.
Bryson coached the side for the last four years, while Formosa joined him as a co-coach this year.
The club thanked both for their contributions.
“Andrew returned to Cobraland in 2019 where he began his football journey as a player and junior coach,” said on Facebook.
“Andrew made an immediate impact on his return, driving to continue the Albanvale culture within the playing group but also adding professionalism within the club.
“In 2019 Andrew led the team to a grand final in his first year back at the club.
“With a few interrupted seasons and full season 2022 that didn’t go our way Andrew felt his commitment level couldn’t fully be there for 2023 and thought for the best interest of the club that he would step down.
“Club game record holder Dean Formosa who stepped in as a playing coach in 2022 has also stepped down as a coach for season 2023 to spend more time with family.
“Dean’s passion and love for his club is so respected. Coaching has always been Dean’s vision but with a young family Dean has put a holt on full time coaching for now”
