Football
9 April, 2026
WFNL 2026 preview: Ryan snaps up 'great op' at Nhill
When it comes to experience both as a coach and a player, you'd be hard-pressed to find one locally who's more knowledgeable and seasoned than Trevor Ryan.
So it's no surprise Nhill and District Sporting Club have again backed Ryan, together with co-coach Jake McQueen, into coaching the senior footy side in 2026.
McQueen has been at the helm of the Tigers since 2024, when after eight years elsewhere he returned to the district and the club where he played juniors.
Ryan, when asked about his background in the sport, modestly summarised that as a player he played more than 380 games while as a coach he's coached nine premierships for five different teams.
He's also led interleague teams and holds a level three coaching accreditation.
Further to this, Ryan has also coached AFL Talent academies for both juniors and boys' and girls' youth.
Ryan has had plenty of time to develop his coaching style – and said he focused on an approach that was clean, fair and honest, caring for all players.
"(My aim is to) educate game knowledge and improve individual player development," Ryan said.
The decision to step into the coaching role alongside McQueen wasn't a challenging one, Ryan said, with Nhill presenting a great opportunity to him.
"Nhill FC presented an opportunity to coach and develop a young group of local players who are all starting to make a big step towards playing finals and the opportunity to develop young boys in their first two years," Ryan said.
"I've really enjoyed the challenges and culture we have at the club (and look forward) now going into 2026."
A sales representative for Cropsmart, Ryan said all of his time away from footy focused on family: his wife Nerdene and their twin boys Josh and Lachlan and daughter Gemma.
But family time won't be as plentiful for the next few months as Ryan hopes to lead Nhill, together with co-coach McQueen, to finals.
"We want to develop our younger players along with all our other players on our list and make finals," Ryan said.
Last season Nhill finished second, making it to the preliminary final before being defeated by a formidable Ararat side.
"We did well make the prelim," Ryan said.
"I don't think we lacked anything; it was more about being more consistent forward.
"Our defence held up well.
"(We) just needed more options to score."
Ryan confirmed the arrival of former Bendigo Pioneer and SANFL player Lachlan Ryan, along with Tom Wheaton, to the side for 2026.
"Both players will bring on-field experience and leadership to the rest of our young list," Ryan said.
"Both are highly talented and can play all parts of the ground."
The club has also announced the recruitment of Will Rowlands, who has spent a couple of seasons on the Gold Coast Suns' AFL list.
Preseason for Nhill started in mid January, with a focus on fitness and game structure, with McQueen and Ryan hoping it will lay the foundation for a successful 2026 season.
