Damian McMahon has labelled his decision to step down as Barwon Heads co-coach to return to GFNL club St Mary’s as a “really difficult process”.
The star midfielder has spent the past two seasons with the Seagulls, who were beaten by Newcomb in Sunday’s elimination final, joining the Bellarine outfit as an assistant coach to Sam Schaller in 2025 before being elevated to co-coach alongside Schaller this year.
He’ll rejoin the Saints, where his family is intrinsically linked, as a playing assistant coach under Luke Rayner and Ryan Pendlebury – the latter confirmed last week as the replacement for Ben Boseley for 2027.
“We’ve been on a bit of a journey together over the last few years, with coming on as an assistant coach and then being lucky enough to be elevated to be a senior coach with one of my good mates in Sammy Schaller,” McMahon said.
“It was super tough, and knowing that we got back into finals this year and we were starting to build some momentum… it was really tough to make the call to go back.
“But, just for me at the moment in my life and the opportunity that’s come up at St Mary’s, it’s just the right time for me.
“It was super hard to tell Barwon Heads – it was pretty tough.”
McMahon says he had some “good chats” with Rayner, his dad, Kevin, who is still influential at Anthony Costa Oval, and football boss Scott Hosking about what role he could play at the Saints, who are chasing consecutive GFNL premierships in September.
“To come back and play at the club I love so much and then probably extend on my coaching development, while probably still trying to play good footy,” McMahon said.
“I’ve just turned 30, so I still feel like I’ve got a fair few good years in me.
“It was probably the right time with the mix of coaching opportunities and learning off Reigns and Pendles from all the experience they have.
“And then getting back and playing footy with some mates and hopefully chasing more success, which, unfortunately, we just didn’t get at Barwon Heads.
“But it’s still been an awesome experience.”
McMahon made his name at St Mary’s as a wingman in their 2019 and 2022 premiership teams, winning the best-on-ground medal in the latter of the two.
However, he played predominantly as an inside midfielder at Barwon Heads, which he hopes will hold him in good stead for his GFNL return.
“To be able to go and learn a bit of contested craft as well, rather than just running up and down the wing all day, hopefully develops me from that sense of the opportunity of playing multiple roles when I get back,” McMahon said.
Barwon Heads thanked McMahon for his “professionalism” through the process, stating it had started the appointment process for next year.
“Our senior playing group has been informed, and we are now progressing through a structured recruitment plan to ensure stability and continuity,” president Russell Hyland said.
“We are excited to build on the success we enjoyed throughout the 2026 season, and with the opening of our new clubrooms in 2027, we look forward to strengthening our football program and providing an even better environment for our players, coaches and community.”
X: @krockfootball
