Brent Vermeulen and Andy Walsgott recommit to Belmont Lions for two years
A deliberate approach to share the load, either at coaching or administrative level, has given the Belmont Lions a strong sense of security.
A deliberate approach to share the load, either at a coaching or administrative level, has given Belmont Lions a real sense of security as it also looks to rebuild its junior playing stocks.
In a sign of strength for the future, the Lions reappointed its senior co-coaches: former Lion and St Albans skipper Brent Vermeulen, and Barwon Heads stalwart and school teacher Andy Walsgott for a further two years, after first signing on last September.
There’s been a conscious decision by the club to shoulder responsibility with the Lions also having co-presidents, Rhett Smith and David Marks, and co-vice presidents.
“It’s somewhat deliberate, I think it strengthens out committee and our coaches,” Smith said.
Smith can see a real improvement in the ninth-placed Lions in the GDFL this year, with a far healthier percentage and strong feedback from supporters and even opposition coaches.
The past two months has yielded a two-point win over Bell Post Hill, a 15-point loss to fellow top four team Inverleigh and a thumping of Anakie.
“Our first home game against Thomson, we were leading by seven goals,” Smith said.
“We just ran out of legs in that last quarter, we lost Brent and a few other players.
“We had control of that game (against Inverleigh), I think we were a couple of goals up and ‘Buck’ Donoghure put on an absolute masterclass.
“I think he kicked three or four goals himself and got them over the line.
“We’re building each week, the last four or five weeks we’ve been pretty strong.”
Players are now expected to run five laps before training starts while the value of “respect for the jumper” has been fostered.
He said Vermeulen and Walsgott’s strong leadership and professionalism was bolstered by assistant coaches: “footy nerd” and school teacher Matt Waters and Kane Murphy, who have also re-signed.
“It really helps Andy and Brent when they’re playing,” Smith said, with reserves coach Kieran Hodge also recommitting for two years.
“Andy and Brent might speak before the game, after that they just play footy.
“You’ve got four coaches there. You’re kind of feeling it when you’re in the rooms.
“We’re just really happy with what we’re seeing.
“We’ve narrowed the gap, we’re tracking in the right direction.”
He said the club had been guilty of instability at a coaching level in the past.
“You look at our last four or five coaches, they’ve all lasted about two years,” he said.
Meanwhile, the club is in the process of rebuilding its junior stocks, with its resources currently expiring after under-12s.
Smith said the club’s proximity to Grovedale, St Mary’s and South Barwon meant it sometimes missed out on young talent with parents favouring GFL teams.
“We fell off the map there with our under 18s,” he said.
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However, that’s not to discount the efforts of current younger players including Brock Mahoney, Ben McPherson, Jake Wood, Bailey Trevorrow and Christian Barsic who came through the junior program.
“There’s a real optimism around the club and people want to get on board,” Smith
“Hopefully we can find some more younger families with kids in the under 14 to 18 age bracket and keep building.”
Originally published as Brent Vermeulen and Andy Walsgott recommit to Belmont Lions for two years
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