Outgoing Modewarre coach Mark Hovey is confident the club is well-placed to challenge for future Bellarine success despite likely missing finals this year.
The experienced mentor and club great told the Warriors playing group last (Tuesday) night he will be stepping down when the current season ends after two years in charge.
“I’ve really loved the Bellarine; it’s a great comp,” Hovey said. “It’s full of some great clubs and great people, and really competitive from top to bottom.
“Each week, you don’t know whether you could win by three goals or lose by five goals, but it’s a great comp.
“And the footy club itself, I grew up there, and to be honest, it hasn’t changed much. It’s just a blue-collar, no ego football club full of great people.”
“We’ve set some pretty good foundations playing some kids, with six or seven of them now having between 30 and 40 games under their belt, which for the next person to come along, is going to be a pretty good base for them to start with.
“And hopefully most of the boys will stick around, and if they can pick up a couple there, they’re not that far away.”
A Modewarre premiership player, Hovey returned to the club ahead of the 2024 season with a resume that included taking St Joseph’s to a GFNL grand final, and assistant coaching roles with the Geelong VFL program, Geelong Falcons, and South Barwon.
After finishing fifth at the end of last year’s home-and-away season thanks to four wins by 12 points or less, the narrow results haven’t gone the Warriors’ way this year.
They sit 7th with a 5-8 record, with three of those losses by under 14 points.
“That’s the big difference,” Hovey said. “Ladder-wise, our season looks a little bit different to last year.
“But really, it’s not that much different when you really look at the results.”
President Dan Morter says Hovey, who guided the Warriors to a semi-final appearance last year, leaves the club in a good position.
He says a subcommittee has been assembled to find Hovey’s replacement.
“‘Hoves’ came in with a clear agenda to get games into some young guys, and he has done that very well,” Morter said.
The experience they have gained, with the trust he has put in them, will hold us and the new coaches in good stead.
“Hoves is an amazing person to have at your club. He builds relationships with everyone, from the players to the committee and supporters. “
“The club and league are in extremely good shape, and coaching the Modewarre Football Netball Club is a very attractive proposition.”
Hovey has ruled out coaching again, but with maroon and blue coursing through his veins, he will still be a familiar sight at Mt Moriac Reserve.
“I’m not going anywhere; I’m not doing anything else,” he said.
“I know clubs like Modda are always calling for people to help, and I’m happy to help out wherever I can.
“Whatever that is, we haven’t worked that out yet, and I’ll be guided by them.
“If they need a hand to do anything – my family’s got a long history with the club – I’ll help.”
Modeware is the second club searching a permanent appointment in 2026, joining Portarlington.
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