Rovers set with continuity in coaches

By Rowan Frazer

Jan 31, 2025

Alex Hay is returning as senior coach for Rovers for season 2025.

The Deniliquin Rovers Football & Netball Club have announced they have locked in their line-up of coaches for the 2025 season.

Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content

Alex Hay has been announced as senior coach for 2025 continuing his role, and is integral to the group having another purposeful campaign.

The club says his dedication, work rate and effort on and off the field command respect.

He helped the side to finish ninth on the ladder in the 2024 season, just missing out on finals by percentage.

Matt Horne and Ben McCalman will again come together to coach the reserves.

The duo helped the side finish fifth on the ladder last year, eliminated from premiership contention in the semi-finals by grand finalist Katandra.

The club says both Horne and McCalman have been leaders at the club for a long time and will look to lead the side further again this year.

Brendan East will continue for year two to coach the thirds, which Rovers’ say will build on the trust, respect and rapport he gained last year, and will be looking forward to another highly competitive season in 2025.

The side finished fifth on the ladder and lost in the preliminary finals to premiers Katandra.

Peter Wills will return as coach of the fourths, having been responsible for the development of the young Rovers and teaching them the skills of the game for 10 years.

His dedication to the kids and passion for the game has seen many of his young footballers go through the ranks, take what they have learnt and grow into senior football players.

The fourths finished third last year and were also knocked out in the preliminary final against grand finalists Berrigan.

The fifths will again be under the guidance of coach Chris Sartore, who the club says has been superb in his role developing the large number of juniors and helping them transition to competitive football, leaving the club’s youngest players in great hands as they take the first steps of their football journey.