The Waite is over to see who will lead Benalla next season.
With 2023 co-coaches Will Martiniello and Mark McKenzie stepping down the Saints have announced ex-North Melbourne star Jarrad Waite has walked into the role for 2024.
Waite, a former Benalla junior, rejoined the club last season after a lengthy AFL career and served as the side’s spearhead again in a disappointing campaign results-wise.
Martiniello voiced his reasoning behind himself and McKenzie standing down after two years at the helm.
“Being based in Melbourne and now having a little family, it’s just got a bit too hard for me,” Martiniello said.
“I can’t give it the time it probably deserves and also my thoughts are on reflection, you really need a coach based in Benalla that can be at training on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
“I was really hopeful that the club could find someone to replace myself and I think Macca at that stage was also keen to step away.
“We both just hoped they could find a good candidate and I think Jarrad Waite is definitely the best person to put his hand up and take the role on ― I think he’s going to do an amazing job, so I’m excited to see how he goes.”
Waite finished the season as Benalla’s leading goal-kicker, the bulldozing 194cm forward booting a healthy 27 goals from nine games.
But while his prowess in front of the sticks is a sight to behold, his vision for the future is what has really impressed Martiniello.
“He’s been 100 per cent invested,” Martiniello said.
“I was blown away with his positiveness and just being a leader too with the young guys on the ground.
“I think the main thing I’ve seen from him and what he’s been great with is the youth at Benalla.
“He ran a program last year for young kids all the way down to under-12s and built a connection with some of these young kids coming through ― they’re the future of the club.
“And just his presence around the club, keeping players at the club next year and hopefully potential recruits as well going forward. His name, an AFL player who’s played over 240 games.”
The Saints were cruelled with injuries and suspensions in 2023, handed the wooden spoon after amassing three wins for the season.
However, with Waite’s profile, existing talents signing on and a crop of youth ripe and ready for senior footy, there’s a palpable buzz at Benalla Showgrounds.
“If we had of had our best team available this year I personally think we would’ve made finals,” Martiniello said.
“With suspensions and people away on top of that it didn’t go our way.
“But in saying that we need to strengthen our depth, so the focus from now is retaining players and hopefully recruiting and adding players on to the squad.”