Butch remains a Blue for two more

WINCHELSEA Football Netball Club senior football coach Christian “Butch” Shaw will remain at Eastern Reserve until at least the end of 2025.

Shaw, who is in his second season as Blues’ head coach and third as a coach, said it was an easy decision to accept the club’s extension offer with six games left in the campaign.

“Daniel [Greskie] and I caught up last week and had what was a really quick chat, shook hands and it was a done deal, it’s something I’m really excited about.

“Firstly, Winchelsea is a fantastic club, football and netball combined. Secondly, the people are second to none, they love their footy and love their club.

“Coaching football is probably the third reason after those two, and it’s a bonus that our footy is doing really well at the moment, you can see there’s something really special in the works.”

Winchelsea sits a win outside the Geelong & District Football League’s top five with seven wins and five losses.

The Blues (132.28 per cent) hold a higher percentage than East Geelong (4th), Werribee Centrals (5th) and Bannockburn (6th) – all three sides boasting an eight-win, four-loss record.

Inverleigh, currently in third with a percentage of 160.50 per cent, has also won eight games and four losses.

Winchelsea president Daniel Greskie said Shaw had put in a tremendous amount of effort over the past three seasons as an assistant coach under Brendan Forssman and as head coach.

“Butch is a fantastic person both on the field and off the field, he’s been great with our supporters and players and he’s much-loved around the club.

“We were able to agree on two more years and it will provide the club with some extra sustainability moving forward.

“Pushing onwards and upwards is a driving factor for us as a club and that includes finals.

“Christian shares that goal and he’s very motivated to make that happen, which makes it easier for us.”

The Blues travel to Bell Post Hill this week to take on the Panthers.

Following matches against East Geelong, Inverleigh, Corio, Geelong West and Anakie will determine whether the Blues will play finals.