Footy merry-go-round in full swing

JUST weeks after another footy season the coaching merry-go-round is spinning.

Among the clubs looking for new senior coaches are Mount Pleasant, Kangaroo Flat, and Strathfieldsaye Storm.

After guiding Mount Pleasant to a drought-breaking premiership in the Bendigo Bank Heathcote DFNL, Adam Baird and Ben Weightman have relinquished the joint coaching roles.

Baird to spend more time with his family and on business, and Weightman on recovery from a back injury which meant he was sidelined for the Blues’ run through the finals.

Also stepping aside is Darren Walsh who was director of coaching as Mount Pleasant capped a superb run from being fourth at the end of the finals series to beat the Andrew Saladino-coached Heathcote on grand final day.

All other senior coaching appointments in the Heathcote DFNL have been finalised.

A newcomer is the athletic and high-leaping Hamish Morcom who after another premiership victory with Golden Square will tackle coaching at the Harlowe Huntly Hawks.

In the Bendigo FNL, Strathfieldsaye Storm is on the hunt for a senior coach after triple premiership coach Darryl Wilson marked the end of an incredible era for the club.

Kangaroo Flat is also in the market for a new senior coach.

Assistant coach Jeremy Hayes took charge after the club terminated Nathan Johns’ contract when handed a four-match penalty for abusing an umpire after the round 10 loss to Sandhurst on the Kangaroos’ ground at Dower Park.

South Bendigo has appointed Steven Stroobants and Isaiah Miller as joint coaches following the run of Nathan Horbury which began in 2019.

After leading the Bloods to finals in ’22 and ’23, Horbury has headed north and will play for Noosa Tigers in 2024.

There are some exciting developments on the coaching front in the Loddon Valley.

After a brilliant career which included four premierships, a Michelsen Medal, and three Ron Best Medal wins as the league’s leading goalkicker, Lachlan Sharp will make his way from Strathfieldsaye to Bridgewater.

Sharp will be assistant coach for the Rick Ladson-coached Mean Machine.

Bridgewater will be trying to break the dominance of the Linton Jacobs-coached Marong Panthers.