Sale Football Netball Club has finalised its 2026 senior coaching group, which offers nearly 1400 games of combined senior experience, multiple premierships and an unmatched passion for developing players and club.
The team headed up by senior coach
Jack Leslie is committed to turning
things around through hard work, development and high standards both on and off the field.
With AFL and VFL experience, plus 80 senior games for Sale, Leslie
understands what it takes to perform at the highest level.
After a recent knee reconstruction, he’ll be a non-playing coach for the 2026 season and returning to play the following year.
This allows him to dedicate all his energy to developing players and setting elite standards across the program. His clear vision and drive for improvement will set the tone for what’s ahead.
Jamie Sweeney will be in charge of the backline where his passion for building a defensive unit that’s a team within a team will be on show, driven by good organisation and the capability of launching attacks from turnover.
Sweeney played 167 senior games for Sale, was involved in two premierships and has deep understanding of Sale’s culture. He brings a calm and experienced voice to the defensive group.
Kane Martin returns to the club after a playing stint at Sale City, taking the reins as midfield coach.
Martin is a 200-game player for the Magpies, league best and fairest winner and dual premiership player, and knows what elite midfield standards look like.
He’s eager to work closely with the developing group of mids to lift their games and drive competition.
With some recent departures, there is going to be opportunties for others to step up and take ownership in this sector of the ground.
Six-time club best and fairest winner Shane Fyfe will be in charge of the forwards, who will get the benefit of his 300 plus games, premiership experience, while he still continues to play a selfless development role in the reserves.
Fyfe is focused on helping the forwards grow by building structure, confidence and a faster, more aggressive attack. He will be assisted by playing assistant, Jordan Dessent.
Approaching 200 games, Dessent, also a premiership player, is committed to using his skill, leadership and experience to help the forwards perform at their best while out on the ground.
Ashton Wright will coach the under 16s, in his second season at the Magpies.
Extremely level-headed and a great leader, Wright is well-placed to develop the under 16s, aligning closely with the senior coaching group.
Wright will help bring high standards, structure and development focus to the team. With previous football experience at WAFL level and coaching across numerous junior programs, Sale is excited to see what he can achieve with the group.
Sale recently announced the resigning of Jack McLaren, Tom Glenn, Josh Butcher and Wright, joining new addition Kaden McCulloch (Sale City), but they will be working hard in the coming months, with a large group of players leaving the club.
Theses include Shannon Lange, Jack Johnstone, Mitch McMaster (all Cowwarr), Harry Tatterson (Heyfield), Zac Russell and Riley Cottrell (Stratford), Nathan Whitford, Bohdi Walker, Tyson Dobson and Sam Treglown (all Sale City).
