Turtles announce Bradley as new senior coach

Old Eltham Collegians will commence their 2017 premiership campaign under the tutelage of new senior coach, Damian Bradley.

Bradley has a long background in community football, spending 18 years at Mernda where he spent time as captain and senior assistant. He made seven grand final appearances as a player and captained the Victoria over 35’s four times.

In a statement released by the club, the Turtles said Bradley’s distinguished career makes him a leader in the coaching field.

“Damian lives and breathes football and brings with him the significant experience required to take the Turtles to their own premiership success,” the statement read.

Read the full announcement below:

“The Board of the Eltham Collegians Amateur Football Club is excited to announce Damian Bradley as Senior Coach for the 2017 season.

Damian started with Collingwood Football Club’s under 19’s side before he spent the following 19 seasons playing senior football for a select number of clubs, including 18 seasons at Mernda and a year with North Heidelberg, while he focused on his career.

Damian captained the Mernda senior side for three seasons and was Senior Assistant Coach across a further five seasons. He played in a senior premiership with Mernda and has made seven grand final appearances.

Since then, as Senior Coach of the Northern Districts Master’s side, Damian has taken the team from 2nd bottom in 2009 to grand finalists in 2010 and premiers in 2011.

Damian has captained Victoria in the over 35’s on four occasions, represented the state seven times in this league, and named All Australian on five occasions including one as captain.

His distinguished football career makes Damian a leader in the field of coaching and his passion for the game is evident in all he has achieved both while playing his own games and as a coach.

Damian lives and breathes football and brings with him the significant experience required to take the Turtles to their own premiership success.

We welcome Damian to the club and look forward to working with him in the coming season and beyond.”

• Eltham Collegians Amateur Football Club