Macleod president Ean Newbold discusses the club’s relegation back to NFNL Division 2
Macleod’s 15-year stint in the top-flight is over but Kangas president Ean Newbold is confident of a quick bounce back in Division 2 next year.
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Macleod’s 15-year time at the top is over.
The Kangas will return to NFNL Division 2 for the first time since 2009 in 2025 after suffering relegation.
The club had been safe in mid-table for the past two seasons but one bad campaign, winning just two games, proved untimely.
Five of its 16 losses came by three goals or less as it finished last by three games behind Bundoora and Eltham.
President Ean Newbold said while it was disappointing to lose top-flight status the club had a positive outlook.
“It is disappointing, but going back to Division 2 will give us the opportunity to reset and re-build the club back up into Division one,” Newbold said.
“We’re a young team but our under-19s played in the grand final and our junior affiliate Colts boys won the (under-18) premiership in the YJFL.
“We have put a season of experience into some of our younger players and there’s some good talent coming through that I think can help us make a quick return to Division 1.”
Macleod departs having arguably been the league’s most successful clubs of the 2010s.
After winning the 2009 Division 1 premiership, the Kangas made Division 1 finals for the first time in 2014 and won the flag in 2015 – the club’s first top-flight title since 1971.
In a period of dominance, they won two minor premierships and made three consecutive grand finals between 2016-2018 but finished runner-up each time.
Now dropping down, Macleod will look to follow Whittlesea after the Eagles were winless in 2023 before winning the minor premiership in Division 2 this season.
The Kangas will be under new management next year when club great Nick Lynch takes the coaching reins, replacing Craig Hayes.
Lynch is a two-time premiership player and will be joined by 2015 flag teammate John Andrew as an assistant.
Newbold was looking forward to seeing where the pair could take the club.
“Obviously Lynchy has deep ties to the club and a history of success here,” he said.
“He’s got an ability to connect to young players and we’re confident he can develop our existing and future group of young players.
“JA was a real leader as a player on field and has great experience in working with younger people.”
The club has moved quickly to tie down some of its key players for next year.
Skipper Justin White, gun ruckman Zac Hudson and midfield weapon Mackenzie Hogg are locked in, as is Jordan Corelli and Kurt Manuel.
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Hudson, Corelli, Darcy Barden and Ryder Jones were the only Kangas to play all 18 games this season.
However, the club did blood young exciting young talent in the likes of Jones, who only played one senior game in 2023, Will Tsitsis, Jack Medley, Caleb Karavas, Gabriel Narkiewicz and Joel Anderson.
Barden finished the season as the club’s leading goalkicker with 26 majors, while Anthony Doherty booted 19 and Hogg 17.
When available from VFL duties, Darcy Hogg was one of the competition’s leading midfielders.
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