New Macleod coach Nick Lynch says one big factor has the club looking strong for 2025
Macleod could have imploded after relegation but new coach Nick Lynch says one major factor has the club strong positioned for a bounce back in 2025, with a couple of big recruits too.
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Macleod has been back in training for nearly a month as it chases a bounce back season in 2025.
The Kangas were relegated from NFNL Division 1 this season, ending a 14-year stay in the top-flight.
And new Macleod coach Nick Lynch believes retaining the vast majority of the club’s list will be critical to any potential success.
In a further boost, the club has also regained the services of club great Brad Leggett, defender Liam Wanders and secured youngster Nathan Pyers from Greensborough.
Lynch – a two-time premiership player for Macleod – takes the reins for the first time as a senior coach, replacing Craig Hayes.
He said being a club person was a major factor in keeping the list together.
“We’re tracking well, obviously going down to Division 2 is a bit of a reset but we’ve signed our whole list back up,” Lynch said.
“Training as been really good, we’ve had almost 80 attend so far, which is really positive.
“Luckily I got announced with six weeks to go in the season, so the No.1 thing was to start signing players straight away.
“I’ve got a history at the club and a connection with a lot of the players already and a lot were keen to stay on board and get back to the highest division as soon as possible.
“If a new person had have come in, I’m not saying they wouldn’t have done a great job, but it might have been easier for blokes to say ‘it’s time to move on’.”
Critically, Macleod has re-signed best-and-fairest winner Darcy Barden, midfield duo Darcy and Mackenzie Hogg, captain Justin White and 2022-23 club champion Kurt Manuel.
Star ruckman Zac Hudson is also back on board but has earned a VFL contract at Northern Bullants.
Meanwhile, Michael Hurley is expected to play again in 2025 but will be limited by his Essendon AFL coaching duties.
Getting the likes of Leggett and Wanders back was vital.
“We’ve got Brad back, one of our all-time best defenders, and he’s going to help out as a defence assistant coach,” Lynch said.
“Liam, who was at Heidelberg West for a season, has re-signed with us as well.
“Nathan Byers has come across from Greensborough, he’s a young fella who’s played senior footy.
“They’re obviously a strong club so he’s been in and out and he’s looking for more opportunity.”
The next step will be bringing the next generation through to regenerate the club.
Macleod’s under-19s made the Division 3 grand final this season, while the under-17s won the Yarra Juniors Youth Division 2 premiership.
“I’m keen to work with the young kids coming through the system, having done it myself – making mistakes and learning,” he said.
“Being a bit more mature now, hopefully I can pass on some knowledge, now that I’m 38 and a young family I’ve got a different perspective on life.
“The Colts boys, under-17s, have been at training and the under-19s.
“Through necessity a lot of the 19s boys played a lot of senior footy because our list hasn’t been as deep and injuries.
“We’ve got a good bunch of kids that have experience at Div 1 level, which is really good for long-run, and they understand what they need to get to to be successful.”
Lynch adds Macleod Football Netball Club coach to his time as Macleod Cricket Club coach.
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A strength and conditioning coach by trade, he said it was a natural progression for him.
“I can’t play anymore, so I guess (coaching) is the next progression,” he said.
“I coached the Macleod Cricket Club for a few seasons, so I’ve had experience in coaching in general, and the footy club, we had a bit of an unspoken agreement that one day I’d take the reins.
“Deep down I’ve had the dream to coach, outside of footy, in my work I’m a strength and conditioning coach so I’m a full-time coach in a lot of aspects of my life.”
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