Shepparton Swans has wasted no time in confirming its senior coach for next season and beyond, announcing on Tuesday afternoon current Katamatite mentor Jedd Wright will be taking over the top job in 2023.
Sporting one of the youngest playing lists in the Goulburn Valley League, Wright will be given the reins for the Swans’ rebuild over the next two seasons, with current senior coach Andrew Riordan stepping back into a sole playing role next season.
He comes to Princess Park after a storied career with Katamatite in the Picola and District Football League, and currently has the Tigers sitting fourth on the senior football ladder.
It’s an exciting new chapter for Wright as he hangs up the playing boots at the end of the season, and he said he was thrilled to be making the move to Shepparton Swans, and the Goulburn Valley League, in 2023.
“I am really excited to be coming across to Swans,” Wright said.
“When Riordo (Andrew Riordan) who’s a really good mate of mine asked me if I was keen, I sat down and had a look at such an exciting young list and it was pretty hard to say no.
“Stepping into the GV, which is one of the top country leagues in Victoria, is very exciting and a challenge I can’t wait to get stuck into.”
Currently sitting eighth on the Goulburn Valley League ladder with four wins, the Swans will be hoping the appointment of Wright will help them go to the next level in 2023.
Wright said his primary focus would be to retain the club’s young core of players, before hitting the recruiting scene hard, with his brother Sam (who played 136 games for North Melbourne) at the top of the list.
“First of all we just want to make sure we keep the whole list from this year which is looking really promising,” he said.
“And then after that it will be a case of having a look at what areas we might need to try and improve and recruit really good people that want to help the club both on and off the field.
“In terms of Sam, he’s very committed to Katamatite, it has always been a dream of ours to play footy together and obviously it didn’t happen for a while, but now as I pull up stumps on my playing days we will probably sit down and have a chat.”
Taking over from Riordan, who has been in the role for the past 12 months, Shepparton Swans president Jarrod Sutherland was incredibly thankful for his hard work as senior coach and thrilled that he would be continuing to play for the club in 2023.
“Andrew is a club person through and through and has been fantastic as both a coach and player before that,” Sutherland said.
“He is all about what’s best for the club moving forward, and what he’s given to the group as coach over the past 12 months has been fantastic and we will always be thankful for his efforts”
But as the dawn of a new era begins at Princess Park, Wright said season 2023 would be all about continued improvement as the club hopes to push up towards the top six.
“The goal every time is to try and play finals footy, and with such an exciting young group I am confident that’s a possibility next year,” Wright said.
“Speaking to Riordo, their willingness to work hard and follow the game style is second to none, so I think the scope for improvement is very exciting.
“So if we can add a few more experienced players to that list we will be aiming to push finals.”