West Adelaide extends Colville’s Contract

By ZAC MILBANK

West Adelaide has placed its faith in Gavin Colville to continue its rejuvenation after handing its senior coach a two-year contract extension.

Colville, who will now remain at City Mazda Stadium until the end of 2021, began at Richmond as the club’s Reserves mentor in 2016 after previously coaching in Division 1 of the Adelaide Football League with the Henley Sharks.

The former Woodville-West Torrens captain then guided West’s seconds from the Elimination Final into the 2017 Reserves Grand Final.

Since taking over from 2015 premiership coach Mark Mickan, Colville has been forced to deal with a playing list in transition due to high-profile retirements as well as a consistent flow of injuries which has resulted in the Bloods currently sitting ninth on the ladder.

But the relationships Colville has built with his players and the development seen in young players like Elliot Dunkin, Patrick Fairlie and Riley Thilthorpe this season has left the club’s hierarchy in no doubt they have the right man at the helm.

”Gavin is an unbelievable leader and an asset to our club,” West Adelaide chief executive Ben Hopkins said.

”We’re really excited that he’s going to be continuing as senior coach for the next two years.

“Gavin is a brilliant tactician and has incredibly strong relationships with our players. We see a lot of potential in our current group and look forward to seeing Gavin and his coaching team bring our their best over season 2020 and 2021.”

Colville said he was excited to continue rolling up his red-and-black sleeves for the next two seasons.

“The job of the senior coach is a huge commitment and I am proud to continue with West Adelaide,” Colville said.

”I’m really pleased that the club has the faith in me to continue and that I have the support of my family to continue.”