Belmont Lions has confirmed it has retained all its coaching team, headed by Brent Vermeulen and Andy Walsgott, until at least the end of 2025.
Club co-president Rhett Smith said it was an easy decision, and the club is hopeful of making the finals next year, although not where they wanted to be this year.
“Despite dropping a few close games that could have gone our way this season, they have shown an incredible desire to improve the standards of the playing group and general culture on and off the field,” Smith said.
“In our last six weeks, we got over Bell Post Hill by a couple of points, which was nice. We beat West (Giants), and Anakie on the weekend, so just looking at all that, it was pretty easy for us to give them the nod for another two years.”
Smith admitted a lack of fitness in the team was apparent early in the season, but some strong training has seen them get on top of that.
“The guys are putting in the work, definitely,” he said.
Vermeulen returned home from St Albans, where he was captain, while Walsgott was recruited from Barwon Heads in the BFNL.
Although there were hopes of reaching the finals this year, Vermeulen accepts that it is out of reach, and the club is focussing on the next two years.
“You don’t want to really talk about finals at all, but I feel like we’ve got good young guys around the club, players and staff, and I guess that will help us take the next step,” he said.
“We’re showing good signs, but it’s just taking that next step.”
“I think the next couple of years are going to be good.”
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Smith said the club’s reserves coach and senior football coordinator Kieran Hodge was instrumental in recruiting Vermeulen and Walsgott for this year and will also be staying on at the Lions.
“Hodgie kind of brings this all together,” Smith said.
“He was the mastermind behind getting Brent and Andy together… so very important in our structure.”
“Also, signing the assistant coaches, Matt Waters and Kane Murphy, for an extra two years gives the playing group a bit of stability and a chance to grow together.”
The Lions (9th, 4-7) host Winchelsea (7th, 6-5) at Winter Reserve in Round 12 action tomorrow (Saturday).
