GSFL 2024: Albany Sharks announce Roy Addis as premiership-winning coach Jamie Ramm’s successor for 2025

New Albany Sharks coach Roy Addis said a flag three-peat is still the ultimate goal after replacing outgoing dual premiership coach Jamie Ramm for the 2025 Great Southern Football League season. Ramm has coached the Sharks for the past five seasons — making the final in four of those — and won the club’s maiden GSFL premiership in 2022 before going back-to-back last season. Nicknamed “Radar”, Addis has served under Ramm as an assistant coach for the past three seasons but will take on the mantle as head coach after Ramm stepped aside following their 21-point grand final win over Royals in September. Addis confirmed his appointment was always part of the club’s long-term succession plan, with the Sharks’ lofty expectations remaining firmly in place as they chase an elusive three-peat. “It was a very good succession plan in place but at the end of the day, from a football club perspective, nothing changes,” he said. “I spent three years as an assistant coach through our system. “I think it’s important to continue to strive for excellence and always look for success and that’s certainly the objective. “We still want to maintain our culture, develop players and keep a family-focused environment.” Addis boasts premiership-winning experience having coached Gnowangerup to two Ongerup Football Association premierships in 2021 and 2022. He confirmed star ball-winner and perennial State Country midfielder Bailey Taylor and veteran forward Brett Peake would play on with the Sharks in 2025. He believed the game style would look similar to the one that brought the club their premiership success but insisted he would inflect his own flavour on operations. “We will have a very familiar game plan, similar ways of playing football, continue to be bold and enjoy it,” he said. “I have expectations and I’ll add my spin on things. “We’re really excited about 2025 and we don’t believe premiership hangovers exist . . . and we will continue to be focused.” Sharks president Tracy Blaszkow was excited by the appointment and insisted Addis’ relationship with the playing group made him a fitting candidate for the role. “Jamie (Ramm) always talked about a five-year plan, and he’s done his five years,” Blaszkow said. “When we became aware Rammy (Jamie Ramm) was looking to move on we spoke to Radar (Addis) a fair bit. He has the players’ respect, the players love him and the club loves him. “We took applications and interviewed all candidates but (Addis) has been under Rammy and knows the system. “He will provide a fresh set of eyes and was head and shoulders above any other candidate.” The club has also announced Jarvis Jones and star defender Kane Pinney as Addis’ assistant coaches. Other coaches include Jaxon Liddelow (reserves), Kieran Zilm and Marcus Gleave (colts), and Scott Sedgwick (16s) with Tait McLean as his assistant.