Caples enters Redbacks’ web

By Marc McGowan
HAMPTON Park has wasted little time replacing Jason Chapple as coach, with former Springvale Scorpion star Jason Caples signed and delivered this week.
The Casey Cardinia league club’s pursuit of Caples began almost as soon as Chapple resigned last month and the four-time premiership star was the club’s sole target.
Caples, who retired in 2004 after 231 VFA/VFL games, was an assistant coach at the Scorpions for the past two years.
“I felt that the thing with Hampton Park was that I didn’t want to take on a top or a bottom team,” he said.
“So basically anywhere from third to eighth was what I was after and someone with a reasonable list to work with, but where I was not expected to do miracles.
“They chased me pretty hard and I was pretty impressed with them and I’m happy to be there.”
Caples said David Biagi was a possible recruit for Hampton Park following his disappointing year for Casey.
“I’ve encouraged him to stay at Casey and play at the best level he can for as long as he can,” the coach said.
“If he doesn’t make it or feels he can’t put the commitment in any more, we want him at Hampton Park, but either way I’ll be happy.”
Redbacks president Darren Amos is delighted by the Caples appointment.
“We like his mannerisms and the way he approaches football,” Amos said.
“You have to act quickly because if you leave it too late the best candidates are gone.”
In other Scorpions news, a dozen prospective coaches had expressed interest in the vacant head coaching role by yesterday (Wednesday) morning, which was the final day for applications.
The club is holding its best and fairest presentation night with the naming of the Gardner-Clark medallist at Castello’s at Berwick Springs tomorrow (Friday) night.