Redan rues another missed chance

REDAN has named former premiership player Steve Kane as its interim coach for the remainder of the 2025 BFNL season.

Kane – a member of the Lions’ 2009 flag-winning team and a former under-19s premiership coach – replaces Gary Learmonth, who coached for the last time in the club’s two-point loss to in-form Sebastopol on Saturday.

The club parted ways with Learmonth the following day, despite having a year to run on his contract.

First appointed for the 2023 season, Learmonth was given a two-year contract extension through until the end of 2026 in May last year.

But following a wide-ranging review of the club’s football operations in recent months, the decision was made by the Lions to go in a new direction.

Learmonth, whose long involvement as a senior coach has included stints with rival BFNL club Darley, and Gordon, has overseen a tough season for the Lions, cruelled by injuries.

They are currently ninth on the ladder after 14 rounds with a 3-11 record.

An encouraging past three weeks yielded a stirring two-point upset win over third-placed Melton, a competitive outing in a loss to second-placed East Point, and a nail-biting loss to Sebastopol.

In a performance that mirrored much of their season last weekend against Sebastopol, the Lions, who led at every change, were not quite able to finish off an opponent that was ripe for the picking in the final quarter, leaving the Burra to grind out a gutsy win that catapulted them into the top six for the first time this season.

Speaking to the Times News Group immediately after the game at Marty Busch Reserve, Learmonth said it was a lack of composure that undid the Lions in the second half.

“We had our chances. The third quarter cost us… our poor decision making and poor execution going in to the forward line,” he said.

“Sebas are playing as good as anyone at the moment, but we controlled most of the game.

“The first and second quarters were good, but our composure in the third let us down.

 

“Our last quarter, a few forward entries we went shallow instead of getting it in deep to a dangerous spot, which would have put them under pressure.”

Reflecting on the season to date, Learmonth was left to rue what might have been had the Lions found their way through to the other side of the ledger in some close losses and good performances against finals- calibre opponents.

“There has probably been five or six games where we have lost by four goals or less,” he said.

“Win half of them, we’re not far off. But you don’t get much for almost.

“[Against East Point] we thought we played better than the scoreboard showed. But again, East are an experienced side that make you pay.

“Before that we beat Melton and against Sunbury, we were pretty good as well. The third quarter undid us there.

“There’s only been a couple of games we haven’t been in the game in the second half, which is pleasing.

“But you are here to win games.

“It’s good getting games into the young blokes, but we want to get them to experience winning.”

In a statement posted on its social media platforms on Monday afternoon, Redan Football Netball Club acknowledged and thanked Learmonth for all that he had done at Redan over the last three years.

“Gary is a terrific local footy person, and he has made a significant contribution to a number of local footy clubs and the broader footy community,” it read.

“Gary has brought considerable skill and care to his coaching at Redan over the last three seasons, taking the team to the finals in his first season in charge.

“Importantly, Gary has played a key role in the development of our young players and invested a lot of effort in setting them up to be better players and people.

“Gary also demonstrated that he is a great club person, building strong connections right across the club and showing a keen interest in the broader football and netball programs.

“The club is thankful to Gary for the contribution he has made and wishes him all the best in his future footy endeavours.”

Kane, who previously served as a senior defensive coach, will take charge as interim coach for the first time tomorrow (Saturday, August 2) against top-placed Darley.