THE urge to coach his own side again has seen Damien Lock take over the senior coaching role of Loddon Valley Football Netball League club Marong.
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Lock previously coached Heathcote District Football Netball League clubs Colbinabbin and North Bendigo before spending the past two seasons as an assistant coach to Luke Monaghan at his home club Eaglehawk.
There was strong speculation at the end of the Bendigo Football Netball League season that Lock would replace Monaghan as the Hawks’ senior coach for 2016, but Monaghan retained the job.
“I was really keen to get back into coaching and I was keen to get the Eaglehawk job, but things didn’t work out,’’ the former Carlton midfielder said.
“I didn’t want to stay at Eaglehawk as an assistant because that would have been three years in the assistants role.
“I put my hand up for the Marong job because the club has a good list and they’ve shown in the past couple of years that they are not far off challenging for a flag.
“I know a few of the players at the club and Marong is not far from home, so it’s a good fit for me.”
Lock, who takes over at Marong from Corey Gregg, said he was better prepared to be a senior coach third time around.
“At Colbo and North Bendigo as a playing coach I was more of an on-field leader,’’ Lock said.
“The experience I’ve had in the last few years will make me a better coach tactically.”
Lock, a keen amateur boxer, didn’t rule out pulling on the boots for the Panthers.
“I still might pull on the boots for a few games, we’ll see how the boys are tracking,’’ Lock said.
“I have another (boxing) fight next month and I’m as fit as I’ve ever been, so I might play a few games.”
Lock said the Panthers were well placed to make a charge towards the LVFNL top three.
“The nucleus is there of a very good side,’’ he said.
“The under-18 team was undefeated this year, so there is a lot of good talent coming through the ranks.
“If we can pick up a couple of key players then there’s no reason why we can’t play finals.”
Marong president Craig Gadsden said Lock’s signing was a coup for the club.
“His experience in coaching senior sides (Colbinabbin and North Bendigo) to grand finals was attractive to us,’’ Gadsden said.
“We wanted someone who had experience at senior level and someone who could bring our younger talent through. Damien has those qualities.”
Marong made it to the first semi-final in 2014, but finished outside of the top five this year on percentage.
Gadsden said the club would be actively recruiting, but at the same time leaving spots open to develop its youth.
“We’ll get Craig Morris back from his knee reconstruction and we don’t have any departures,’’ Gadsden said. “With the kids coming through we’re pretty excited about our future.”
The experience I’ve had in the last few years will make me a better coach tactically.
- Damien Lock