NICK DILLON
RAMCO Football Club’s new A grade coach Jamie O’Callaghan hopes to become the club’s first premiership coach in the RFL Independent competition.
The 33-year-old ruckman has taken charge of the Roosters, following the departure of Mick Kilsby midway through this year.
Kilsby coached the Roosters for one year, guiding them to fourth spot on the table in 2019.
O’Callaghan has been involved with Ramco intermittently since joining the club from the now defunct Morgan Cadell in 2010.
He played several seasons with the Roosters before heading to Queensland for a few years and then returning to Ramco more recently.
Ramco joined the Independent competition in 2009 when the Mid Murray Football Association folded, but is yet to secure a flag in its new surroundings.
The Roosters have come close on several occasions, playing in grand finals in 2012 and 2016 along with a host of finals apperances.
O’Callaghan said while there is no pressure to deliver a flag, he is hopeful he can be the man to break the club’s drought which dates back to 2006.
“Ramco’s always had the talent there, but it’s the commitment and endeavour to take the next step,” he said.
“The flag is the ultimate goal, but to make finals and improve on our finish in 2019 would be good.
“It’s a two or three-year plan for me to try and make the top two and go from there.”
The Roosters have been able to keep the majority of the recruits the club had secured for the aborted 2020 season and O’Callaghan is excited about seeing them in action.
Onkaparinga Valley big man Ben Raymond is one to watch in particular according to O’Callaghan.
“He hasn’t played for a few years, but we might see how he goes in the ruck,” he said.
“We’re pretty spoiled for choices when it comes to talls and I don’t want to spend too much time there.”
Others to join the club are big-bodied Onkparinga Valley midfielder Josh Andrewartha, Victor Harbor half forward Brodie Whitbourne and tough Goolwa-Port Elliot half back Peter Elliott.
The club has lost gun forward Justin Antony and star half back Allen Sparks to rival club BSR.
O’Callaghan hopes his on-field leadership will translate to wins as a coach, but admitted to being nervous about taking on the role.
“I’ve always been a bit of a leader on field without a title, so I’m pretty excited to get into it,” he said. “Nervous and excited to be honest.”
“It’s going to be a hard thing going from mate to coach.
“But I hope to inspire the boys to want to come out and enjoy their footy.
“If that’s happening and they’re putting in the hard work, then the success will follow.”
Ramco had planned on commencing its pre-season this Friday, but due to new COVID protocols, will postpone until it is safe to do so.