Ned Aulsebrook will guide the fortunes of the GDFNL club East Geelong for a third season after signing a new deal for 2026.
The Eagles, who claimed last year’s minor premiership and sit third on this season’s ladder, confirmed the re-signing of Aulsebrook earlier this (Tuesday) evening.
“I think we’re in a pretty good spot,” Aulsebrook told K rock Football.
“We’ve consolidated a top-three spot to this point in the season, and it’s looking like there’s a fair bit of upside still.
“We’re adding elements to our game that we haven’t previously had, and I’m still really enjoying it.
“So the no-brainer for me was to jump on again for next year.”
Originally from Warrnambool, Aulsebrook joined East from Bellarine League club Barwon Heads, where he featured in the Seagulls’ 2019 and 2022 premierships.
After losing his first match in charge, to Bell Post Hill, the Eagles went on a 16-game winning streak to claim the minor premiership.
However, a final-round loss to Winchelsea was followed by consecutive finals defeats to Belmont Lions and Thomson.
East sits one game behind the only two teams to beat them in 2025 – North Geelong and Belmont Lions.
The Eagles face the Magpies and Lions in the final eight rounds, with Aulsebrook not ruling out snatching the club’s third minor premiership in four seasons.
“We’ve figured out a few things offensively that we probably didn’t have last year,” he said.
“Defensively, we’re still the lowest points against in the comp like we were last year.
“But, we’re the second-highest scoring team in the comp this year behind North so far, and they’ve had some really big scores against some sides.
“So, for us to bridge that gap this year is really promising.
“And I think there’s still a bit of improvement in our side with ‘Flez’ (Caleb Ezard) to come back, (Ben) Crombie to come back.
“We get a few more games into (recruit) Jake McLean off halfback, Aussie Mulvahil’s really starting to stand up off halfback, and Benny Mulvahil’s in a rich vein of form, and I think he’s only going to improve as well.”
East Geelong will look to maintain its two-game buffer on fourth spot – and its 13-game winning streak at Richmond Crescent – when it hosts Winchelsea on Saturday.
X: @krockfootball
