Outgoing Belmont Lions co-coach Andy Walsgott is confident he is leaving the club in a better place than when he arrived four years ago.
Walsgott, who has shared the co-coaching role with Brent Vermeulen since being appointed for the 2023 season, chose not to seek a contract extension for 2027.
The duo guided the Lions to three consecutive finals appearances, including the club’s first grand final berth in 17 years in 2024.
Assistant coach Kaine Murphy will step up to partner Vermeulen next year.
“I think the feeling, when you go there on a Tuesday and a Thursday night, it’s a desirable place,” Walsgott said.
“It’s a desirable place in terms of wins and losses, to be honest
“In our tenure, even though we lost several games in our first year, we’ve had the third-most wins of any team,
“We’ve turned the on-field performance around, but that is a combination of culture and buy-in, the environment, and the footy program that we’ve been able to deliver
“It’s a place that people want to be. Our reserves win the flag, playing at 45 to 50 points some weeks.
“I think for myself and the rest of the coaches, that’s the thing I’m most proud of: that Belmont’s seen as a really good place now.”
Walsgott, who retired from playing in mid-2024 following a concussion, is keen to coach again.
“I love coaching,” he said. “I love the process, I love bringing together so many different people from different backgrounds, and bringing them as a part of a community and then delivering them a program that has for the last four years been really effective.
‘I love the teaching process, and the building of a place and a program.
“It definitely won’t be my last coaching job. I really am wanting to develop myself.
“I love the game of footy, and I love learning about it. I’m a bit of a student of it or a nuffy, some people call it in some respects.
“I’m not sure what that looks like just yet, but certainly that’s the plan.”
Walsgott, who played with Bellarine club Barwon Heads before joining Lions, hasn’t ruled out applying for the vacant Seagulls coaching job.
“I’ve obviously got such a close tie there; I grew up there and played all my footy there, so there’s always that connection piece to going back there,” he said.
“It is pretty early after a great mate of mine, Sammy (Schaller), has moved on.
“I think it’ll depend on what the club wants… what direction they want to go in.
“I’ve always envisioned I would coach there at some point. Whether that’s now or down the track, I’m not sure.
“It is a bit soon at the moment. I’m still celebrating the time I had at Belmont, and I want Sammy to have his space as well.
“So, I’m not sure what coaching looks like for me. I’ve got a number of things that I’ve spoken about in previous days to people.
“Whether I follow those up or just let it sit for a bit, I need to make that decision in the next couple of weeks.”
X: @krockfootball
