Kalgoorlie mentor keen to build on squad’s 2024 success

Rick Butterfield says he wants to build on the squad’s 2024 success in the Goldfields Football League by continuing at the helm next year.

The Roos were just two games into this season when Butterfield was thrust into the senior coaching role, replacing Justin Tarasinski.

In a rough start to 2024, Kalgoorlie lost five of their opening seven games before rallying late in the season and finishing with seven wins.

It matched third-placed Boulder’s record and they stormed into the grand final against Railways following stirring wins against the Tigers and Mines Rovers in the first two weeks of the finals.

Kalgoorlie lost the grand final by 28 points, but they were still in the game early in the last term and carried a three-game winning run into the clash.

“It was only a (one) year contract, just to see how it panned out,” Butterfield said of his 2024 tenure.

“But from the feedback I received (after the grand final) it was positive and very welcoming so I probably will put my hand up again to coach, yes.

“I was quite nervous (heading into the grand final), right up until team selections, but after that, I realised it was all out of my hands.

“You can only do so much as a coach and sometimes you wish you could be out there, but it’s been a great experience.”

Butterfield indicated that forward Ricky Whitehead, who missed the grand final with an Achilles injury, could play on next year.

“I’ve had a few chats with him and he said that the expected time to heal would probably put him back a month or two at the start of next season,” he said.

“But I think he’s keen and was one of the main guys who got around me, as far as what I’ve done with the group and being very supportive, so I was absolutely gutted that he couldn’t be out there and playing.”

Butterfield assumed the league coaching role in April as one of the Roos’ most respected figures, underpinned by a 200-game career, three premierships and life membership.