NOW that the 2015 Mininera and District Football League season is done and dusted, attention now turns to next year.
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It is expected that there will be fresh leaders at several clubs. So far, four coaches have confirmed that they will not continue in their role in 2016.
SM&W Rovers’ Joe Carmody was the first to flag his intentions, telling the Bulldogs in July that he wasn’t continuing as coach due to the amount of travel involved.
Ararat Eagles’ 2015 leader, Lewis Baker, has also decided to step away from the job next season.
It was a tough year for the coaching debutante, with his young side not winning any matches. A club review is underway while Baker ponders his future at the club. While he did not achieve success on the winning side of things, Baker relished the coaching experience.
“It made me a better footballer,” he said.
“At this stage, I’m taking a break and see where things are at. I haven’t confirmed (to playing at the Eagles in 2016) yet, we’ll see what happens.”
Moyston/Willaura is also on the look out for a new leader following the loss of 2015 coach Jacob Hamilton.
Hamilton has decided not to coach the Pumas next year due to family commitments and is unsure if he will remain at the club as a player.
“I haven’t made up my mind yet. Football’s not on my radar at the moment,” Hamilton said.
“(But) I thoroughly enjoyed coaching and had great support from the club.”
Meanwhile, Wickliffe/Lake Bolac has lost its coach Chris Hilet for season 2016.
Hilet leaves the Magpies after three years in the job, and the decision was also related to work commitments as well as the desire to give someone else the opportunity to lead the club. His assistant for 2015, Jock Cameron, was impressive this season and could be a contender for the role.
“There’s no doubt Jock could step up and do the job,” Hilet said.
Tatyoon coach Damian Cameron was unavailable to comment, although Hawks’ president Sue Knight said arrangements for 2016 weren’t confirmed yet.
Another coach unsure about his future is Great Western’s Andrew Bach. First year coach at the Lions, Bach was “waiting on a few things” and said that he will know more by mid-October.
