Matt McLennan will move into an off-field role at Northcote Park after stepping down at season’s end

Northcote Park coach Matt McLennan has explained his decision to step down as senior coach at the end of the season after three years in the top job at Bill Lawry Oval.

Northcote Park coach Matt McLennan. Picture: Hamish Blair

Matt McLennan’s three-year tenure as coach of Northcote Park will come to a close at season’s end.

McLennan took over from Harmit Singh in 2017 and led the Cougars to a preliminary final in his first season at Billy Lawry Oval.

This year has been a roller-coaster ride for the NFL Division 1 club with four straight wins to start the season followed by a six-game losing run as injuries took their toll.

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McLennan led Northcote Park’s under-19 team to a premiership in 2012 and coached the reserves for two years before taking the top job.

The club stalwart is set to move into an off-field role in 2020.

“I announced it to the (playing) group a couple of weeks ago,” McLennan said.

Northcote Park coach Matt McLennan will step down at season’s end.

“I’d spoken to the committee earlier in the season … I think after three years of the same voice, same structure, same message, it was time for someone else to come in.

“I suggested I wouldn’t be offended if they started putting the feelers out … there’s nothing concrete but they’ve had a couple of conversations with people.

“I’ll still be at the footy club, just changing my shift and my role. Just like the players we all have roles to fill and mine’s changing.

“My Saturday role will be limited and I’m looking at more administration and management type roles.”

Northcote Park remains in finals contention but will need results to go its way to extend its campaign after finishing eighth in 2018.

Matt McLennan after being appointed Northcote Park coach in 2016.

The Cougars produced a shock upset against Macleod to keep its season alive on Saturday and faces Hurstbridge and Heidelberg in the final fortnight.

McLennan joked that after the win over the Roos he might backflip.

“It was funny, after the game. I was saying ‘I’m taking it back, I’m not going anywhere’ and the president just looking at me and said ‘no, mate’,” he said.

Northcote Park is the fifth club on the lookout for a new coach for next season.

Division 2 clubs Eltham, Thomastown and Diamond Creek and Division 3 wooden spooner Reservoir are all in the market.

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