Geelong premiership legend Steve Johnson revealed as new senior coach of Newtown & Chilwell

A three-time AFL premiership hero has been unveiled as the new head coach of a GFNL team, with the competition set to have at least five new mentors in 2025.

Geelong premiership legend Steve Johnson has been unveiled as the new senior coach of Newtown & Chilwell.

Johnson has guided Ovens & Murray League team Yarrawonga for the past two seasons, yielding a premiership in 2023 and a grand final loss last Sunday by three points to Wangaratta Rovers.

The club announced the news on Sunday afternoon following a meeting with Johnson.

It comes after the Eagles announced in August it would cut ties with senior coach Damien McMahon at the end of the GFNL season.

Johnson’s name was also previously linked with a move to BFNL club Geelong Amateur after Johnson had flagged a potential move back to the area.

Steve Johnson coaches Yarrawonga early in 2023. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

However, the Eagles and the 41-year-old began having serious discussions in recent weeks.

Johnson played 293 games in a decorated AFL career, with the majority at Geelong before moving to GWS Giants and eventually retiring in 2017.

It means nearly half of the competition will have new senior coaches in 2025.

The Eagles dropped to eighth this season after being knocked out in week one of the finals last year after a string of injuries and key players leaving, including Matt Boag.

Johnson will be the fifth new coach in the GFNL next season with St Albans (Rick Munn), Lara (Brett Henderson), Colac and Leopold to boast new mentors in 2025.

St Mary’s co-coach Glenn Keast has also stood down after Luke Rayner replaced Travis Robertson this season.

Originally published as Geelong premiership legend Steve Johnson revealed as new senior coach of Newtown & Chilwell