SFNL: Carrum Patterson Lakes coach Brad Canavan has retired
A premiership coach, who has mentored footballers for over two decades, has called time on his career. He explains why and details his future plans.
Southern
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Carrum Patterson Lakes coach Brad Canavan has “hung up the magnets”.
His 21-year stint included time at Bonbeach, Edithvale-Aspendale, Keysborough, Bentleigh, Chelsea Heights, Somerville and CPL.
Canavan, who will coach out the remainder of the season, attributed fatigue as his main reason to retire.
“I am a bit worn out, to be honest,” he said.
“I have hung up the magnets and the whistle.
“It’s been a 21-year haul, it’s been really good.”
Canavan’s Lions have struggled the past month, losing their grip on second and third position on the Division 3 ladder.
He does dream of a fairytale finish but is keen to get back on the winner’s list first.
“We knew it was going to be a hard three weeks and we’ve just been a little bit off the boil,” he said.
“It’s been racking my brain, I have been thinking and spending heaps of hours trying to figure it out – I am just trying to get our next win and sing the song.”
Canavan has steered each of his side’s to finals and took home premierships at Bentleigh and Chelsea Heights.
But the relationships are still his favourite.
“I was saying to the boys the other night when I told the group, it’s easy to pick out premierships and finals,” he said.
“But one of the biggest things has been the relationships, friendships and being a part of the community.
“I think when you’ve been in it for so long, the relationships you build, the friendships and the mentoring – that part of it for me is really satisfying.”
Canavan was rumoured to be in line for a pair of other coaching jobs but he and his mates have already planned time off in 2025.
“My mates have already started planning my winter weekends for me next year, (they’ve planned) a bit of golf, going to the footy, the races,“ he said.
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