It’s a clean slate for new St Albans coach Shaun Thompson in the Essendon District Football League division 1 competition.
Thompson, who had been an assistant coach at the club, has stepped into the head coaching role after Zammy Muhtari stood down.
Thompson said it was a challenge he was up for.
“I’m really excited to take over from Zammy and it’s going to be a good challenge,” he said. “It’s something I aspired to do and I’ve done a really long apprenticeship at reserves footy.
“I did seven or eight years at Hillside and then came across to St Albans the past four years, two years as a reserves coach and two as a senior assistant coach.”
Thompson said having been at the club the past four years would make the transition easier for him and the playing group.
He said he already had an idea where the club needed to improve.
It hasn’t been the ideal off season for the Saints with a number of key players departing.
Brandon Coletta, Nathan Carroll, Thomas Eckel and Alex Lancaster are among those that have signed elsewhere. Former skipper Jack Sims has retired despite claiming the best and fairest this year.
Thompson said they would use this as an opportunity.
“It’s not an ideal start with people exiting,” he said. “It gives the younger guys an opportunity.
“I see this as a transition period rather than a rebuild with some of the older statesmen moving on.
“We’re going to have some youth. There’s excitement to focus on them.”
While they’ve lost a number of players, Thompson said the likes of skipper Jake Galea, Joshua Klaromenos, Mason Dipetta and Jayden Kretiuk had all re-signed.
He said that 31 players had re-signed and he had interviews lined up with another 17 players.
Thompson said one area they know they need to improve is depth.
With injuries to a number of key players this season, the Saints struggled at times and eventually ended up missing finals.
Thompson said having got games into young players this year, it would help in that area.
“The young guys are the keys and we’re heading down a different pathway,” he said.
“It’s a blank canvas. Kyan Kretiuk Clarke … is ready to take the next step for the club.
“Brodie Lyons-Jones on the wing is only 19. They’re ready for more senior experience and more game time.”
Joining Thompson in leading the way for 2026 is former player Ben McManus who has taken on the football manager role.
