Saints lock in Dupljanin as senior women’s coach

St Mary’s Salesian’s search for a new senior women’s coach has ended with the William Buck Premier side appointing Mitch Dupljanin to the position.

Dupljanin, who played 116 games with Eley Park Sharks, commenced his coaching career with Aquinas Women’s in 2018 before joining Caulfield Grammarians and leading their women’s team to the Premier B premiership.

Despite a COVID-riddled 2021 season, the Fields were fixtured to play in the William Buck Premier preliminary final under Dupljanin after winning seven of their 10 home and away matches.

“I’m looking forward to helping St Mary’s Salesian get back to the top end of the competition once again,” Dupljanin said.

“We have a proud and passionate playing group who are hungry for success and are looking towards 2022 with great excitement to begin that journey upwards.”

The Saints have implemented one of the most successful women’s programs since VAFA Women’s started in 2017, winning back-to-back premierships in 2017 (Development Division 1) and 2018 (Premier B Blue).

After winning seven games in William Buck Premier in 2019, the Saints suffered their toughest year to date with just the one win this season.

Dupljanin replaces Simon Brownhill after he announced he was stepping down last week.