Casterton Sandford has ticked off its top bucket list item heading into next year, with senior football coach Jarrod ‘Waldo’ O’Brien re-signing for season 2025.
President Shane Foster announced O’Brien’s reappointment last week and said the club and his committee were pleased to have the top-job appointment locked in.
“Waldo’s done a great job for a first-year coach, he’s learned a hell of a lot as the season’s gone on and we have certainly pushed every side in the league, which is something we have not been able to do the past few years,” Foster said.
“We first sat down with him a few weeks ago and he indicated he was keen to continue on with the job and we were rapt.”
He said the senior side’s development under O’Brien and assistant coach Cal Currie had been outstanding and, paired with pending recruits for next year, boded well for 2025.
“I think there was the initial shock of that round one loss against Millicent, but the way we have managed to get the side to gel together and continually improve from that point, to where we really pushed Millicent, that home game of theirs over there in the mid part of the season, we have just seen constant improvement,” Foster
said.
“Having that coaching position locked in, a clear direction, makes recruiting easier.
“We’re really keen to get all the players signed before the end of the season … Waldo’s keen to get everyone back on board … to lay down the program for pre-season and for the start of next year, so everyone understands what’s in front of them.
“And if we get even three of the fellas we have been chatting to, new recruits … the chats have been pretty positive … along with our current list … we’re looking good for next season.”
Recruited to the Cats in 2023, O’Brien put his hand up for his maiden senior coaching role with the Cats this year and said he was keen to take his side and the club to the next level in 2025.
“I’m really proud to be the coach here, rapt to be representing Casterton,” he said.
“I learned a lot of things as a first-time coach, my own coaching style, how to address the players, those you have gotta be brutally honest win and those not so harshly.
“And we have been pushing players all season in their positions on the field and they have just performed … beyond expectations.”
