Ovens & Murray: Steve Johnson stepping down as Yarrawonga coach
Steve Johnson led Yarrawonga to its first flag in a decade last year, but will step down at end of the season. We take a look at where he could go next.
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Yarrawonga is perfectly positioned to farewell Steve Johnson as a dual premiership coach after a dominant display against one of its biggest challengers, Wangaratta, on Saturday.
Johnson will step down at the end of the Ovens & Murray league season with Yarrawonga two wins clear on top following a 31-point win against his original club, which is yet to announce that its coach, Collingwood 2010 premiership player Ben Reid, will be coaching in 2025.
Johnson has flagged a potential move back to Geelong where he was a champion player, triple premiership player and Norm Smith Medal winner for the Cats.
Geelong league clubs are aware of a possible return which would make his AFL Sunday commentary commitments less demanding than the present arrangements of travelling to Melbourne from Wangaratta.
Last season, Johnson led Yarrawonga to its first premiership in a decade when the club also went back-to-back under co-coaches Chris Kennedy and Drew Barnes.
“In 2024, he has the club in a strong position to contend once again, which both he and the club are excited about, knowing what could be achievable,” Yarrawonga president Ross Mulquiney said.
“It will be hard to find someone else working harder to secure the silverware again.
“The Pigeons wish Steve and his lovely family all the very best for their potential move south and next chapter.
“We are extremely grateful for the time he has been part of the club.”
Johnson has made the early call to allow Yarrawonga plenty of time to secure his replacement with the job one of the most attractive in the state given its ability to recruit and retain top-end talent.
Yarrawonga’s team that beat Wangaratta on Saturday was missing Mick Gibbons, Willie Wheeler and Nic Fothergill.
Wangaratta is keen to retain Reid as coach for a third season with Lavington also yet to confirm whether another former AFL premiership player, Adam Schneider, will coach the club in 2025.
The option for Schneider to return to his original club, Osborne, has been closed with the reappointment of Myles Aaalbers, who has the perennial powerhouse of the Hume league sitting on top of the ladder.
Albury recently appointed former Collingwood and Hawthorn player Max Lynch as coach and Corowa-Rutherglen is trying to woo Daryn Cresswell to his third O & M club.
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Originally published as Ovens & Murray: Steve Johnson stepping down as Yarrawonga coach
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