Mick Harford explains decision to quit as Greensborough senior coach

Northern league power Greensborough is hunting for a new coach after one of the most winningest coaches of the past two years walked away.

Outgoing Greensborough coach Mick Harford. Picture: Josie Hayden

In a move that will send shockwaves through the Northern Football League, Mick Harford has not reapplied for the Greensborough coaching job.

Harford confirmed his departure on Tuesday night, saying he needed a break from coaching after two difficult COVID-interrupted years.

“I’m not coaching. I’ve having a break,” he said.

“I just need a rest, it’s been bloody hard but it’s all good I’ll spend more time at the farm.

“I might pop up somewhere in the future, the phone’s been ringing, but I’ve made the decision to have some time.

Mick Harford talks to his Greensborough players. Picture: Nathan McNeill

“I’ve been doing it a long time and my Saturdays, Tuesdays and Thursdays (will be free) and it’s not just that, it’s all encompassing.”

Harford will instead focus on his construction/maintenance business and family farm in the Macedon Ranges.

Under his tenure, Greensborough won 27 of 32 games and won the minor premiership in 2019 before a heart-breaking loss in the grand final to West Preston-Lakeside.

It saw Harford named the 2019 AFL Victoria Northern Region Male Coach of the Year.

The club finished third this season, winning nine of 12 games as the campaign was cut short due to COVID lockdowns.

Surprisingly, Greensborough have not yet confirmed the parting of ways.

However, it is understood the club is already interviewing applicants as they look to replace one of the competition’s most successful coaches of the past two seasons.

The Borough advertised the head coaching role under its constitutional obligations last month but Harford did not reapply.

He took the reins in 2019 after two seasons serving as Rob Hyde’s assistant.

Harford is not the only major departure from War Memorial Reserve with star midfielder Ben Fennell moving to Geelong and joining Bellarine club Drysdale.

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Fennell spent two years at Greensborough, where his grandfather is a club legend, and spent time on Collingwood and Essendon’s VFL lists.

In positive news, the Borough have secured the return of 2014 premiership players Tristan Stead and Tom Rogers.

Meanwhile, breakout young gun Tom Brindley, star defenders Jack Johnston and Michael Croxford as well as Matthew Haynes, Josh Callaway, Brodie Tickell and Andrew Stellas have all re-signed for 2022.

Brindley, Tom Bell and Nick Riddle were all named in the NFL Division 1 Team of the Year, while Bell finished third in the Rosbrook Medal.