By Jackson Russell
Laurimar coach Justin Sherman has left the Power to pursue higher levels of coaching after three seasons at the helm.
As the Power’s inaugural coach, Sherman guided the club from a 2-14 debut senior season in 2017, to a 10-6 record and its first finals appearance in 2018, to 14-2 and a preliminary final in 2018.
President Alasdair Walker thanked Sherman for his contribution to the club.
“As the senior arm of the club is still in its infancy, Justin was instrumental in developing many processes that place us in good stead moving forward,” Walker said.
“To that end, we’re extremely thankful to Justin (and his family) for the positive impact he made on the club and I’m sure many people individually. We wish him the very best for what lies ahead.”
Walker said the club would undertake a structured process to appoint a new senior coach for the 2021 season.
In a Facebook post, Sherman thanked the players, board, coaches, volunteers and wider Laurimar community.
“It’s been a hell of a ride, [I’ve] loved every minute of it. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to develop a new club’s core values, culture and identity into the competition,” he said.
“I feel like I have left [the club] in a great place to strive for further success in the future and have left absolutely nothing in the tank.
“I leave with a heavy heart but know the club is in a fantastic position.”
Sherman said the decision was mutual between himself and the club.
“The club wanted a change in direction, they’d been heavily impacted by coronavirus and I agreed because I had a month or two to think about things and realised that I needed a new challenge as well,” he said.
Sherman said he wasn’t sure of his next steps but had his sights set on an AFL development coaching role in the future.
“Development is one of my strengths, working with good young talents and working with the mental side of the game and their skills to make better footballers but better people as well, that’s something I want to concentrate on over the next period of time,” he said.
Sherman said he was proud of his achievements with Laurimar since taking on the inaugural coaching gig.
“I can’t thank the club enough and sincerely say that from the bottom of my heart,” he said.
“Everyone there supported me and we were able to build a club from the ground up and bring it to a prelim in a two-year period.
“If you had asked me at the start if that was possible, I would’ve shook my head. I wish them all the best and hopefully they go well in the future.”
