The Southern Football Netball League are pleased to announce Ben Lockwood as Senior Coach of the SFNL representative team for the 2016 AFL Victoria Community Football Interleague Championships.
The East Malvern coach takes over from former North Melbourne premiership player David King, who will be involved in the Interleague team again in an assistant coaching capacity.
Heatherton Senior Coach Clint Einsiedel and Dingley’s Senior Assistant Coach Brad Collins join the Interleague panel as assistant coaches.
Lockwood served as an assistant under King during last year’s AFL Victoria Metro Championships and his involvement in the Interleague program dates back to 2008.
Lockwood has been a prominent and successful coach in SFNL circles for several years, including a highly successful three-year stint as Senior Coach at Chelsea Heights that yielded three consecutive Division 1 finals berths and a Grand Final appearance.
He coached Division 2 club Hampton this year before signing on to lead the Panthers in 2016.
King’s work commitments meant he could no longer continue as Senior Coach, but his knowledge as a decorated AFL player and respected football analyst will no doubt be of great value to the team again in 2016.
Einseidel has been the Senior Coach of Heatherton since 2013 after an earlier stint at Springvale Districts, while Collins has played an integral role in Dingley’s rise to their maiden Division 1 flag last year.
The SFNL will host the Ellinbank & District Football League on Saturday 21 May.
