Bell Park coach James Saker has signed a two-year contract extension that will see him lead the Dragons until at least the end of the 2025 GFNL season.
Saker joined the Dragons at the start of this year, with a one-year contract.
After a successful playing career with Werribee in the VFL, he was appointed playing coach of the Lavington Panthers in the Ovens and Murray Football League.
From 2012 to 2017, he guided the Panthers to six consecutive finals series including Grand Finals in 2015 and 2016.
Saker was an assistant coach at VFL club Werribee in 2022, before signing with Bell Park for 2023.
“He’s a great teacher, a great communicator, (and) for our group he’s a perfect fit”, club co-president Brett Campigli said.
The extension of his contract illustrates the faith the club has in him to lead it back to finals for the first time since 2017.
“It’s a work in progress and obviously it will take time, but we’re prepared to take time”, Campigli said.
“We aim to get back to where we once were, but it’s a tough comp and it can’t be done in a minute.
“We believe we’ve got a really good group of young players… and with James we believe he’s as good a teacher as there is around.”
Saker said he is really happy to extend his term with the club, and is focused on improving the club’s consistency.
“We’re young and still learning a lot, but I think we’re going about it the right way,” he said.
“We just need to get a little more consistent and that really is our goal, especially this next month.”
Currently in eighth place on the ladder, Bell Park meets fourth-placed St Joseph’s this Saturday, but Saker believes the Dragons can mix it with the best.
“I think that our best footy has shown it can match it with the best in the competition, but we need to be better at sustaining that level, which is our challenge,” he said.
“I see a huge amount of growth within our list.
“If we can keep building together and growing together I think there are some good opportunities.
“We’ve been able to get a commitment from our leadership group of players as well, and that also helps with the stability in the club.”
“These are very good young men and they want to get better, and I want try and help that happen.”
