Lara co-coach Shayne Stone opens up on his decision to step down after two decades in local football

Lara co-coaches Shayne Stone and Devon Smith will depart the club at season’s end. Stone reflects on why he made the call and what the club means to him.

Lara coach Shayne Stone has reflected on his decision to step down. Picture: Mark Wilson

Lara co-coach Shayne Stone knew the 2024 season would be his last, citing the increased demands of recruiting and a willingness to spend more time with his family as his reasons for stepping aside.

Stone and high profile playing co-coach Devon Smith told the players a fortnight ago that they would depart the club at the end of the season, with Lara announcing the news ahead of their win over North Shore last week.

He has been involved in Geelong local footy coaching for more than two decades, beginning as coach of Thomson in 2002. Stone also coached in various senior and assistant coaching roles at Lara, Inverleigh and Werribee VFL, before returning to the Cats back in 2019.

Stone conceded that injuries to Smith, who sat out the entire 2023 season with an achilles blow have hurt their progress over the past two season but is bullish about where the club can get to.

Smith already had a connection with Stone through their involvement with the club and Stone has thoroughly enjoyed working alongside him, with the former Essendon and GWS player ready to devote more time to his pro golf pursuits.

Stone, a Lara life member, said he has felt worn down by the all-year nature of GFNL football and that it was time for a break, planning to spend more time with his family.

Football GFNL - St Albans v Lara Lara coach Shayne Stone Picture: Mark Wilson

“His (Devon’s) coaching and that has grown and he has been outstanding for the club and I think for me it is just such a ruthless competition,” Stone said.

“The recruiting and what you have to do over the summer, and I probably realised towards the end of pre-season that this was going to be my last. The footy stuff is fun, during the eighteen rounds where you are actually coaching and that, that’s the fun stuff.

“But you get about a week or two off and then you have to flick over to recruiting. I have been senior coaching for 20 years, probably a little bit more without a break so it was just, ‘all right, looking at what’s next’.

“You just go on from one pre-season to the next and the family, you make a hell of a lot of sacrifices and it is probably time that I spent a bit more time doing the things that you miss out on, especially during the summer period when you have pre-season and recruiting and all that sort of stuff.

“I think for the group as well I think it is a good time for somebody to come in, a different voice, some different ideas and see what they can do with the young fellas. We have got competitive as a club and now it is about somebody coming in and taking that next step I guess and push for finals in the next couple of years.”

Stone is intrinsically linked with Lara, having also played 220 games for the club – including the 1994 premiership – after moving from his hometown of Territa.

“My uncle was president when I came down, came down when I was 18. This is my home club and both of my boys are here and they’ve played their juniors, it means a hell of a lot,” Stone said.

“I guess when you play in a premiership it means that little bit more. One that you’ve worked for, because we were a young group when I come down. Lara had just been in the GFL for two years and a couple of years later we were playing in a grand final and then we won one in 1994.

“It is a pretty special place to be around and even the facilities and how far they’ve come, from clubrooms now to a full-blown sporting club, it is pretty good facilities and I think whoever takes over from us has a pretty good club to be a part of.

Stone is unsure what will come next after seeing out the season, but you can count on seeing him around Lara Sporting Club in 2025.

“My boys will probably still be playing here so I will come down and have a bit of a look.”

Originally published as Lara co-coach Shayne Stone opens up on his decision to step down after two decades in local football