Andrew Collins

[Bluedemon]

The President and Board of the WAFC regrets to advise that Head Coach Andrew Collins has chosen not to renew his contract at the conclusion of the 2013 SANFL season.

'The reason for this decision is both personal and professional, and I am proud to say that I have worked incredibly hard to assist the growth of the club on and off the field,' as communicated by Collins this week.

WAFC President Richard Sykes commended the efforts of Andrew Collins during his coaching tenure at the club.

Over the past six years Andrew has worked hard to lift the West Adelaide Football Club to a grand finalist position in 2012 and the more recent national success in the Foxtel Cup.

We wish Andrew every success in his future. During his time with the Club he has had a positive and long lasting impact on so many players and members across the West Adelaide Football Club community.

As we head into the 2013 finals series we are optimistic that all those involved at West Adelaide can support the team and Andrew to finish strongly and continue the premiership aspiration. The ongoing support of our West Adelaide partners and fans has been highlighted this week by the positive response to the launch of the Bloods Bench, an initiative to assist the future direction of West Adelaide.

[Brodlach]

Should make some people happy.

Reckon he will end up at Glenelg.

[southee]

Should make some people happy.

Reckon he will end up at Glenelg.

South bound ?

[PhilH]

Going back to Melbourne according the Channel Nine,

What a big week of SANFL news ... hard keeping track of it all

[Brodlach]

Should make some people happy.

Reckon he will end up at Glenelg.

South bound ?

Would you like that Southee?

[dedja]

Should make some people happy.

Reckon he will end up at Glenelg.

Will he fly over each week or coach from Melbourne through his earphones?

[Brodlach]

Doesn't say in that statement he is going back to Melbourne.

[southee]

Should make some people happy.

Reckon he will end up at Glenelg.

South bound ?

Would you like that Southee?

Not really to be honest. Have heard the negatives with him.

[dedja]

Doesn't say in that statement he is going back to Melbourne.

So why is he leaving?

[Brodlach]

Doesn't say in that statement he is going back to Melbourne.

So why is he leaving?

Reduced wages and less control. I could be wrong though

[dedja]

Well he wouldn't do very well at the Bay with the Board interference and all that ...

[Brodlach]

I should also say what a great coach he has been for West. Took the club from a basket case to playing finals. I certainly have the up most respect for him and what he has done. All the best to him and his family with whatever he does in the future.

[Brodlach]

Well he wouldn't do very well at the Bay with the Board interference and all that ...

Would you like him as your coach?

[dedja]

In a word ... no

[Jim05]

In a word ... no

Oh come on, im sure the snouts would love to see only 1 player forward of center at the Bay.
Andy Collins school of coaching manual
Plan A : 1 man forward, 17 back
Plan B : ??????????????????

[Mark_Beswick]

He has been a fantastic coach and a wonderful person. His kids are now in early high school so I guess it was inevitable he'd return one day back home to Victoria. He has turned WAFC from a rabble with no respect in the SANFL to a competitive unit. He has been big on history and trying to establish a culture of past present and future at the club, a battle which i think is well on the way to winning. Many have tried to change the culture at westies from a party club that never achieves, and Andy has done this.

Look at the facilities the players have - He was the driving force for change. He recruits on character first... He is very focused, loyal and single minded - If he lacked in any of these areas, he would have failed at Westies like most coaches have at our club. What he leaves behind is a playing culture worthy of a new coach to work with. He always said he'd leave westies better than he found them and he has regardless of the way we finish this year.

I am proud to call Andy a friend and wish him well in his future endeavors. He certainly coached in a league that was the best it could be - Shame we sold out.

[southee]

Maybe the sell out by the club and the future on the SANFL made his decision easier !

I don't blame him either !

[blood bath]

Collins took on the challenge many others would have baulked at, moving interstate to coach a very ordinary club in westies at the start of 2008. His could have remained in Melbourne coaching Box Hill and Coburg, yet took on a challenge. He is a teacher of football and I have no doubt he will continue to look for many more challenges in the future.

As stated by many others, he turned the club around both on and off the field. Credit to the board for appointing the right man for the job 6 years ago (certainly a better appointment than Weidemann!!!). He will leave the club in a better position then he found it and the incoming coach should be thankful for the work Andy has done.

[SDK]

This may surprise some but .....
He did turn a basket case into a premiership contender ( still contending actually ) and won $100,000 for the club a few weeks ago.
If his game plan was a bit more adventurous maybe he would have been ( might still yet ) a premiership coach.
Really think this man could well have set up the next coach ( if they pick the right one ) for premiership glory..... just like Phil Carmen did at Sturt and Robert Oatey at Norwood.
Will make a good assistant at an AFL club.
Good luck to you Collo.

[Pseudo]

Should make some people happy.

Reckon he will end up at Glenelg.