St Mary’s has looked internally to fill the co-coaching position made vacant by Travis Robertson’s pending departure from Anthony Costa Oval.
Assistant coach Luke Rayner, who has previously coached locally at rival GFNL club Bell Park, BFNL club Torquay, and Winchelsea in the GDFNL, was confirmed as Glenn Keast’s partner for 2024
In a social media post overnight, the Saints said Rayner has an impressive football pedigree.
“Luke has been involved with our senior coaching group .. as an assistant over the past few years. Luke has coached in his own right at a number of clubs, including Bell Park and Torquay in Geelong, along with some other senior appointments outside of Geelong,” the post read.
Rayner played for the Geelong Falcons in their inaugural year in 1992 before being picked up by Carlton. He also had brief stints with the North Melbourne and West Perth in the WAFL
He has also worked as a midfield coach for Essendon’s VFL team and coached Torquay from 2009 to 2011.
Keast has agreed to continue with St Mary’s for one more season, describing 2024 as a year of transition for the club.
He said he did not believe the changes would affect the players as they prepare for their flag defence.
“They’re probably not focussing on that too much,” he told Geelong Broadcasters.
“It’s really what lies ahead over the next month; we’re really excited about what that looks like.”
