Already well-positioned for another finals berth under Steve Johnson, Newtown & Chilwell has received a mid-season boost with former Werribee VFL captain Nick Coughlan successfully negotiating Saturday’s reserves clash against St Mary’s.
A member of Johnson’s coaching staff at Jardon Oval, the weekend hitout was the first time the ex-St Kilda rookie had taken the field since July 2024, when he suffered a season-ending injury that cost him the chance to lead the Bees to their first flag in 31 years.
“I loved it; it was a great win for the boys,” Coughlan told K rock Football after the match.
“It’s great to be back playing footy; it’s been two years.”
When asked if he was eyeing off two o’clock action, Coughlan was very diplomatic.
“I’ll leave that one up to Stevie (Johnson), that’s Stevie’s choice,” he said.
“But, I obviously want to get in there. The boys have been fricken’ awesome. I’ve been helping out coaching down there for a while.
“If I get in there (seniors), I’ll take it, but I’m very happy in the development (team) with the boys.”
Speaking after the senior loss to the Saints, Johnson confirmed Coughlan was in his senior plans.
“He’s probably a few weeks away, but he will be a key position player that will help us be able to move some magnets,” Johnson said.
“We’ve just got to ease him through and get him to senior footy, but he looked pretty good behind the ball today.
“Whenever the ball went in his area, he marked the ball, so we know he can play.
“But that will give us a bit of flexibility if he does come up.”
Coughlan’s introduction will allow either veteran swingman Braden Hocking or co-captain Luke Maddock to go into a forward line that will be missing Mitch Dodos until August.
“We thought it was a really bad corky because it didn’t come up on the X-ray,” Johnson said.
“He’d done really well to push through and have a crack, but he got really sore in the first quarter against St Albans.
“We sent him away for another X-ray, which showed a crack in his tibia, so I think he’ll be out for six weeks.”
X: @krockfootball
