HIGH-PROFILE south-west footballer Brad Sholl’s next move is up in the air after ending a two-year coaching stint with Timboon Demons.
The former Geelong AFL star, who was sixth in the 1997 Brownlow Medal, is yet to commit to playing next year, suggesting his long and distinguished onfield career could be at an end.
The 37-year-old, who moved from Geelong to Port Fairy for the 2003 season, has enjoyed success with the Seagulls, Hawkesdale-Macarthur in the Mininera league and the Demons, taking each to grand finals as playing coach but premiership glory has eluded him.
Sholl, who coached the Demons to the 2009 grand final, was severely restricted by injury this year, playing 12 games and kicking 27 goals.
The former Cats defender said he was unsure what, if any, role he would take in footy next season.
Speculation has Sholl returning to Port Fairy in a yet-to-be determined role but he fended off the suggestion.
“I live in Port Fairy,” Sholl quipped. He said he had enjoyed his time with the Demons despite them finishing seventh this year.
“You think because we didn’t make the finals we had a bad year but I think we had a good year,” he said.
“They have been up for a long time and they have to rebuild. There are some good kids there. I think it was good to see them develop.”
Sholl said injuries to key players had hurt Timboon this year.
“We had one of those bad years with injuries, that’s when it was frustrating. But all in all I think it was a good year.”
Sholl said the club had a bright future with its under 17s qualifying for next week’s grand final and that he was still part of the Demons.
“It’s all good, it’s all out in the open,” he said of his decision not to seek another year.
“We have a couple of functions to go and I will be attending those.”
Club president Noel McKinnon said the Demons had advertised for a playing coach after Sholl told officials of his decision.
He said Sholl had helped the club’s development.
McKinnon said Sholl had boosted the club’s standing during his stint.
“To have an AFL-profile playing coach in bush footy brought the club a profile. Two times this year when he kicked those bags (13 goals and nine goals), they were talking about him and the club in national media.
''A similar performance by someone without that profile wouldn’t have been noticed.”
He said the club had hoped Sholl would have been able to play more games but injuries were part of football.
McKinnon said reserves coach Chris Fleming had expressed an interest in continuing his role next season.
He said the club had interest in the senior coaching job from a couple of candidates.
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