Mitch Herbison has called time on his second stint as coach of Barwon Heads.
The Seagulls great, who has shared the role with Sam Schaller for the past two seasons, was previously in the top job from 2017-2021 alongside Bobby Wallace (2017-18) and Troy Mitchell (2019-2021).
The Herbison-Mitchell combination delivered the club its first premiership in 26 years in 2019.
Herbison was an assistant coach to Dan Donati when the Seagulls saluted again in 2022.
“I’ve got a few things going on outside of footy,” Herbison, who will step down as the longest-serving coach in the club’s 102-year history, said.
“I’m getting married in March and looking at having a little stint overseas at some stage next year.
“Given all that, it was probably a little bit tough to commit to coaching.”
However, the 36-year-old has stopped short of calling time on his playing glittering playing career, which has included 29 VFL games for Geelong, three premierships with GFNL club South Barwon, and two flags with the Seagulls.
“I haven’t ruled out playing (in 2025) yet,” Herbison said.
“I want to give it a bit of time and a bit of thought and see how the body’s feeling at the end of this season.
“There’s still a little bit of footy left for us to play, and hopefully, we can get into the final five and continue on for a little bit longer.
Despite his advancing years, Herbison is still one of the most dangerous players in the competition.
From 14 games, he has kicked 39 goals to sit fourth on the BFNL goal-kicking table.
“I’ve probably a little bit more than I was expecting or hoping to,” Herbison said. “I got a reasonable pre-season under my belt, and that’s probably helped.
“I was a bit unlucky last year. I was probably on track to play a similar amount of games and then I had that PCL injury in the middle of the year.
“The body’s not feeling too bad at the moment; I’m pulling up pretty well and surviving through the season.”
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Herbison is hoping that the season will extend for another six weeks.
However, Barwon Heads has some work to do to book a sixth consecutive finals berth.
Sitting sixth on the ladder, two points behind Drysdale and Modewarre, who occupy fourth and fifth, respectively, anything but a win over Queenscliff – which it set to farewell former captain Jake Hedley – this weekend will put the Seagulls’ season on life support.
“We’re in a situation where we’re playing elimination finals each week,” Herbison said.
“With Jake playing his last game – he’s been a stalwart for Queenscliff and a heart and soul player – they’re going to be up and about and ready for the fight.
“We’re going to have to be at our best.”
Herbison said Schaller will continue as coach, with discussions to be held around whether he goes solo or in a joint role again.
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MITCH HERBISON COACHING RECORD
| YEAR | WINS | LOSSES | DRAWS | FINISH |
| 2017 | 15 | 6 | 0 | 3rd |
| 2018 | 17 | 3 | 0 | Runner-up |
| 2019 | 16 | 5 | 0 | Premiers |
| 2020 | COVID-19 | |||
| 2021 | 8 | 4 | 0 | 3rd (Covid-shortened) |
| 2023 | 14 | 7 | 0 | 3rd |
| 2024 | 9 | 6 | 1 | ? |
| TOTAL | 79 | 31 | 1 |
