Goulburn Valley: Chad Owens to step down as Mansfield coach at end of season

Mansfield has moved early to find a coach to replace Chad Owens next year. See who it has settled on.

Mansfield coach Chad Owens will hand over his job at the end of the season to a replacement who “ticks every box” for the club to remain a force in the Goulburn Valley league.

It is the first club in the GV to lock in a new coach for next season, with the plan for former VFL club captain Jack Hutchins to succeed Owens confirmed last week.

Owens will take a break from coaching to spend more time more with his young family, but has his sights firmly fixed on another GV finals campaign.

The Eagles lost the preliminary final to Euroa last year and sit fifth on the ladder with a 3-2 win-loss record after losing on Saturday against Seymour, their first defeat since round 1.

Owens is in his third season as Mansfield coach and came to the club from an assistant coaching role at VFL team Coburg.

Chad Owens coaching Palm Beach Currumbin in 2018. Picture: Albert Perez/AFL Media

Originally from Wodonga Raiders, which is sitting on the bottom of the Ovens and Murray ladder, Owens began coaching in Queensland.

He first coached at senior level when he replaced Daryn Cresswell as coach of Palm Beach-Currumbin.

“I’ve had enough,” he said.

“When the kids get a bit older I might coach again, but that’s it for now.”

Owens said when he informed the club he would be stepping down at the end of the year, Hutchins emerged as an obvious successor.

Mansfield coach-in-waiting Jack Hutchins playing for Casey in 2018. Picture: Robert Prezioso/AFL Media/Getty Images

Hutchins played 100 games at VFL level and captained Casey Demons before returning to Mansfield, his original club, last year.

“He was the first name we all came up with,” Owens said.

“He’s a smart operator. He is a really good bloke, has a really good demeanour, is very knowledgeable and has a huge network with VFL players considering he was a VFL captain.

“He’s also a Mansfield local and ticks every box really.”

Mansfield lost to Seymour by 27 points with victors emerging as a genuine flag contender with wins over two other finals contender Euroa and Mooroopna the previous two weeks.

Mansfield will regain Frazer Dale from a one-match suspension this round with his brother Lachie also playing at the club this season.