Balwyn premiership coach Brenton Sanderson says he was “devastated’’ to be sacked by the Eastern league powerhouse.
After four consecutive losses, the Tigers parted ways with their two-time premiership mentor last week ahead of a bye.
Speaking publicly for the first time since the announcement on SEN, Sanderson said he was on an overseas holiday with his family when he heard his assistant coach, a “close friend” and teacher at Mentone Grammar, had been tipped out.
Sanderson said he called a committee member about the decision and tensions reached a boiling point.
He said “it can be a little bit political but the people that obviously pay you, they can do whatever they want really”.
“One of the committee guys let go one of our coaches while I was away. I wasn’t told about it,” Sanderson said.
“When I called up to question that decision and how I wasn’t consulted, the conversation didn’t go as I was hoping it would.
“Just a few things said which I think made it really hard for me to come back. I’m obviously devastated because I love the club.
“It’s disappointing because I do really have high standards and high expectations around behaviours. And I’ve got some really strong values around footy as well.
“A lot of that is around respect and I’m disappointed it had to end this way.
“There’s definitely no bitterness because I’m really grateful and the privilege to coach a team like that and have that premiership success is memories that I’ll always have.”
The former Adelaide AFL coach Sanderson said he understood the club’s decision after a form slump in the past month.
He said there were “definitely no regrets” and that he had positive relationships with a number of people at Balwyn.
The ex-Geelong defender guided the Tigers to back-to-back premierships in the Eastern league’s top flight in 2024 and 2025.
“I was told when I took the role four years ago you’ve got to have premiership standards, you know, and I said, ‘Yeah, for sure, you know that’s the attitude that I’ll bring and you know there’s behaviours and expectations’ and as I said a really strong set of values which I think every coach has got to have.
“And if they’re not being met then it’s probably time to step away but sometimes people make mistakes and I’ve made a lot of mistakes this year. We lost four games in a row and the buck stops with the coach. I certainly don’t agree with the decision but you have to respect that people have their opinions on how things should be done.
“My commitment to the club was challenged this week but it couldn’t be further from the truth because I love coming to the club every Tuesday, Thursday night.
“And on some of my darkest, most horrible days when I get to the club I just love it. You leave with a big smile on your face because there’s some genuine great people.
“I went 10 out of 10 with effort and intensity. We got a couple of flags which is awesome.
“I’ve definitely got no regrets. Maybe some relationships could have been different but you move forward and you look forward to whatever’s next.“
The Tigers appointed former AFL player Lachie Young to take over as coach, assisted by Sydney Swans great Leo Barry.
In announcing Sanderson’s departure, Balwyn gave no reason for the decision.
But it’s understood a number of senior players had expressed disappointment with the coaching staff this season.