Rayner named new St Mary’s coach

ST MARY’S Sporting Club Geelong has announced its incoming co-coach for 2024 with assistant Luke Rayner to take over from outgoing co-coach Travis Robertson come season’s end.

The announcement, made to the playing group last night (Wednesday, August 30), comes just a week out from the side’s finals opener at West Oval next Saturday against either Colac or South Barwon.

Rayner boasts more than 20 years of coaching experience at clubs such as Myrtleford (Ovens & Murray), Bell Park, Torquay, and the Geelong Falcons to name a few, before signing on as an assistant coach at St Mary’s three years ago.

“There were two parts to coming on as co-coach next season I guess, the first being the professionalism that has really been built up at the club the last few years under Glenn and Trav,” Rayner said.

“Second, there’s the personal connection of not only having been a part of the club for several years now, but also having a son playing football and a daughter playing netball at the club, too.

“It was also good to get the question of the team’s next co-coach answered before the boys get finals started.

“I’m excited to get back into it.”

Rayner praised Robertson for the contributions he had made to the club over the years, providing the perfect balance of leadership alongside Glenn Keast that led the club to two premierships in 2019 and 2022, with a potential third looming this season.

“Travis will feel good knowing he made a positive impact on the St Mary’s football program, he was always instrumental in developing good relationships at the club and the team itself,” Rayner said.

Robertson notified the club of his intent to leave his coaching role at the end of the season at about the final bye round.

From there, Robertson and Keast met to collate a shortlist of candidates, which Rayner was named on.

“Luke’s contributions over the past couple of years have been terrific, we’ve really worked well with him and had some good synergies on how we operated together,” Keast said.

“It seemed like the natural step to take.

“Regarding Trav, the premierships are great, but I think we’ll both leave the club at some point knowing that we left the club a long-lasting effect, especially through those COVID times.

“Just maintaining that sense of connection and unity during, trying to guide young men through their late-teens and early twenties.

“Those long-lasting relationships will be something Trav will hold dearest to him, I’m sure.”

Keast will remain the Saints’ co-coach for at least another year, after he extended his tenure a further season.