Beaten GFNL grand finalist St Joseph’s has made a slight tweak to its coaching structure for 2026, with three-time best-and-fairest James Gow promoted to co-coach alongside Ron Watt.
The announcement was made at the club’s presentation night last Friday, where Gow, 28, shared the St Joseph’s Medal with defender Luke Webb.
“I’ve always had an interest in coaching, and I had a few conversations with Ronnie around this time last year about my interest in it,” Gow told K rock Football.
“I’ve learned a lot from him. For him to take me under his wing a little bit, in the sense of having the opportunity to co-coach with him, it’s pretty great.
A product of Hawkesdale Macarthur in the Mininera and District league in Victoria’s south-west, Gow made his senior debut with Hampden powerhouse Koroit as a 15-year-old.
He played at Talent League level with North Ballarat (now GWV) Rebels, before earning a spot on Geelong’s VFL list.
Gow joined Bell Park in 2018, but returned to Koroit in 2019.
He linked up with St Joseph’s in 2021, won their best-and-fairest in 2022, before planning to spend 2023 playing in Cairns.
However, Gow only played one game with South Cairns before again returning to Koroit.
He was back in a Joeys jumper last year, again winning the best-and-fairest.
Watt, who this year became just the third person in GFNL history to coach 200 games, has been in charge at Drew Oval for three seasons.
Gow says his coaching deal with the club is for 2026 only, and, at this stage, not a succession plan.
“Test the waters and see how it goes,” he said. “We’ll see how we go after next year.”
Meanwhile, Newtown & Chilwell have added Taj McMillan from North Ballarat.
McMillan, who is the cousin of Eagles’ young gun Jedd Coburn, spent this year with VFL club Port Melbourne.
A Swan Hill product, he played six Talent League games with the Bendigo Pioneers in 2023.
McMillan is Newtown & Chilwell’s second confirmed signing, following the return of Cam Fowler from Ocean Grove.
X: @krockfootball
