Former Donnybrook coach Julian Burgess signs with South Bunbury for 2022 South West Football League season

A “delighted” South Bunbury president John Castrilli has unveiled Julian Burgess as the club’s new coach. The move comes after Burgess stepped away from the Dons at the end of the season. He replaces Tigers club legend Stephen Bilcich in the role, after he stepped away for family reasons, having guided the club to a first finals appearance since 2018. Castrilli said the club was pleased to have the experienced head coach on board as it continues its forward planning. “We are delighted. We went through an exhaustive process,” he said. https://www.instagram.com/p/CU67se2hGNE/ “We are very excited he is on board and we are looking forward to next year. “Just his general experience, the way he interviewed and the overall package he presented to us made him stand out. “His football knowledge overall is very good.” Castrilli said the club had began its planning for next year ahead of the end of this season in a bid to have its off-field staff in place before players returned for pre-season. “Getting things squared away close to the end of this footy season in readiness for next year is what it’s all about,” he said. “We are looking forward to next season and we are in the midst of planning for next year as all clubs are.” After a successful playing career with Perth in the WAFL, Burgess initially took over at the Dons ahead of the 2008 season, before returning and guiding them to a famous drought-breaking premiership in 2018. He announced he would part ways with the Dons ahead of the club’s final league game for 2021 against Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault. The Tigers finished fifth this season, with a 10-7 record, before being bundled out of the finals by Busselton in the first week. Earlier this month the club announced experienced midfielder Shaun Crane as its best and fairest.