SKOB part ways with p’ship coach, appoint club champion

In the biggest move of the off-season so far, St Kevin’s OB have announced the appointment of Anthony ‘Plugger’ Lynch as senior coach for 2022.

Lynch, who played more than 250 games and captained three flags at St Kevin’s OB before retiring at the end of the 2019 season, will replace outgoing premiership coach, Guy Martyn.

“Guy has been an integral part of SKOB’s greatest era and we will be forever thankful for his commitment, dedication and effort in making that happen,” SKOB Football Operations Director Michael Christian said.

Martyn carved out his own storied career at Hampton Rovers before joining SKOB in 2017 as an assistant coach and helping them to their first William Buck Premier flag. He took the reins of the seniors alongside Tom Williams in 2018 and oversaw their second straight premiership.

“Guy was appointed Senior Coach in his own right in 2019 and carried the Club into a third consecutive Grand Final,” Christian said.

“But it was his commitment and dedication over the wasted Covid year in 2020 which shone through and then again in 2021 with the Club contending for competition leadership when the season was regrettably cancelled.”

Despite a COVID-interrupted 2021 season, SKOB finished in second spot on the ladder with nine wins from their 11 games.

Plugger returns to SKOB after 18 outstanding years as a player which included two senior B&F awards (2010 & 2013), three premierships, club captaincy and six Big V guernseys.

He spent two years as an assistant for Essendon’s VFL side (2019-20) and, despite being cancelled due to COVID, was appointed coach of the senior Big V side for the past two years.

“He has clear philosophy on how he will coach but his strengths extend far beyond this,” Christian said.

“His ability to build relationships, and nurture and set behavioural standards is unparalleled. We look forward to continued success under the stewardship of Plugger.”