NFL 2018: Garry Ramsay to depart Macleod at the end of the Northern Football League season
MACLEOD premiership coach Garry Ramsay has detailed the reasons behind his decision to stand down of the flag favourite at season’s end.
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MACLEOD premiership coach Garry Ramsay will depart De Winton Park at the end of the year, desperate to end his six-year tenure with another flag.
The Roos are in the box seat to feature in a fourth consecutive Northern Football League decider as they look to erase the heartache of consecutive grand final defeats.
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But, sitting three games clear on top, Ramsay said his legacy at Macleod would be judged this finals series.
“Realistically, a lot of it is going to come down to the next five weeks,” Ramsay said.
“I would suggest four grand finals, two flags would be a fantastic legacy but four grand finals and one (premiership), we may feel there’s a little left in the tank.”
Ramsay informed his playing group on Tuesday night that 2018 would be his last season at the helm, but he will coach elsewhere next year.
Ramsay arrived at Macleod after coaching stints at Watsonia, Panton Hill and Lower Plenty, establishing himself as one of the most respected coaches in local football.
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“I came to Macleod and it was only a moderate coaching record, I’d coached for a lot of years, there hadn’t been a heap of finals and only one flag so it wasn’t like I came as a big name,” he said.
“This playing group has been amazing for me, we’ve been amazing for each other, it’s been a really good relationship.”
The Roos have also become one of the leading community clubs under his watch, featuring in five consecutive finals series and winning the 2015 flag — their first Division 1 premiership since 1971.
“This is probably the most important time for this group,” Ramsay said.
“We’re adamant, the whole lot of us, we sit around and talk and there can only be one result that satisfies us I’m afraid.
“It’s either win the flag or we’re going to be extremely disappointed.”
Ramsay said he was unsure what 2019 would hold.
“I love footy coaching so, yeah, I’ll definitely be coaching football, but where I’m not 100 per cent sure,” he said.
“It could be anywhere but that will be decided after the season, my full focus is on these next five weeks because I would never sell this playing group short.”
Macleod ended Heidelberg’s finals chances on Saturday with an 82-point victory, while North Heidelberg locked away a top-three finish after a 32-point win over Northcote Park.
In Division 2, James Kroussoratis kicked a season-high 11 goals as Banyule hammered Fitzroy Stars by 173 points.
In Division 3, Heidelberg West finished its season with a 99-point win over Mernda.
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