Bannockburn has become the second GDFNL club publicly searching for a new coach in 2026 after Ron Pilgrim announced he will step down when the Tigers’ campaign concludes.
Pilgrim, who has been a player or coach across 513 matches in yellow and black, told Bannockburn’s playing group on Thursday night that he will bring his third stint in charge at Victoria Park to an end.
He says it will also allow the Tigers to start the process of finding a replacement.
“You’ve got to know when your time’s up,” Pilgrim said. “I’ve had a pretty good run, and I just think it’s time for a change of voice and face, to be honest.
“I’d obviously been thinking about it for a while.
“I just thought I’d give them, with five, six weeks to go in the year, a bit of notice.
“They can put it out there that we’re looking for someone and see who’s available.”
Pilgrim’s first stint was alongside Dan Gibbs in 2007, while his second across 2010-11 was in tandem with Ross Dillon.
He returned, in partnership with Jack Brauman, ahead of the 2022 season, delivering a flag in the first complete season following the outbreak of the COVID pandemic.
Pilgrim says he won’t have an official role in searching for his replacement, but he is happy to use his contacts if Bannockburn looks outside its current coaching staff, which includes former Winchelsea coach Christian Shaw.
“I’ll definitely help them; I’ve already made a couple of phone calls,” Pilgrim said.
“I don’t want to have an official role in doing that, but in saying that, I think I know who’s who around Geelong and who’s who in the footy world.
“I just spoke with Sheridan (Harding, president), today (Monday) and said, “Form a committee, to search for a coach, but I’ll definitely sit in the background and advise”.
Pilgrim hasn’t ruled out taking his coaching talents elsewhere in the future.
“I think I’ve got a fair bit to offer, (but) I haven’t decided whether I want to still coach,” he said.
“I love coaching. Particularly, the Thursday to Saturday – you can’t beat that.
“I’ll never say no because I love being around a footy club and I think I’ve got a bit to offer
“It just depends on whether there’s somebody out there I’m suitable for or vice versa
“I definitely won’t say no, and just see what happens.
“And if not just take a year off, refresh and see what happens.”
Bannockburn missed the finals last year, and after suffering a 26-point loss to the Belmont Lions yesterday (Sunday), the Tigers will likely need to win their four remaining matches – and have results go their way – if they’re to secure a top five berth.
They face Bell Post Hill at Myers Reserve this week before hosting East Geelong, Inverleigh and Corio in consecutive weeks.
“When you look at the draw, we know it’s tight, and we’re a couple of games out,” Pilgrim said.
“We play Hill at Hill, but then we’ve got the three in a row at home.
“We’ve beaten the next four earlier on in the year.
“It doesn’t mean you can do it now, but we need to win those. If we drop one more, we’re no chance.
“But all the other teams play each other a little bit in that top order. So, things can still go our way.”
Geelong West, which parted company with Scott Frangos in May, is in midst of finding a successor.
X: @krockfootball
