THE Cohuna Kangas have wasted no time in preparing themselves for next season, appointing Golden Square’s premiership captain Jack Geary as their senior coach.
Geary comes to the Kangas with an impressive CV which includes six premierships at Golden Square, including three Nalder Medals as best on ground in the grand final and the 2018 Michelson Medal as the Bendigo Football League’s best and fairest player.
Geary captained the Bulldogs to a six-point win over Sandhurst in this years’ BFL grand final, having also played his 200th senior game with Golden Square this season.
His appointment at Cohuna will be Geary’s first time as a senior coach, the Kangas’ newest leader looking forward to getting started in his new role.
“I’m very excited,” Geary told The Guardian this week.
“I wavered about it for a few weeks but it’s a relief to have finally made a decision and now I’m just getting ready to get stuck into it.
“I’ve held a few assistant coaching and leadership roles at Golden Square over the years but this is definitely my first one with my own team.
“I reached out to a few past coaches and people I respect in footy circles who helped me make the decision, as well as helped shape how I see myself doing the job as well.
“I’d never really contemplated leaving (Golden) Square.
“It wasn’t until this year, and when (Neil) ‘Bricky’ Bradley rang, that I even considered it.
“I didn’t have much interest at first but a week later he rang back and asked if I had changed my mind and even though I was still not really considering it the idea grew on me over time.
“There’s always been a bit of a connection between Cohuna and Golden Square over the years.
“I’ve played with a lot of great players who have come from Cohuna so there was a bit of a lure to come here and help.”
Those familiar faces include Tom Toma and Jake Thrum, who are now premiership teammates with Geary at Golden Square, along with former teammates Will Lee, Dylan Anderson and best mate Zac Holmes.
Geary will take over the reins from Tyson Findlay and will be hoping to return the Kangas to the finals next season after a nine win, seven loss record saw them miss the finals by percentage alone.
“I’ve spoken with a few of the boys already but I hope to just bring a bit of professionalism and the high standards that I’m used to with me to the club,” Geary said.
“I’ve only ever known Bendigo footy.
“I know that’s not the highest level but that’s what I’m accustomed to so I’ll be trying to emulate that.
“Whether that improves the club based on what their current professionalism or standards are, that’s early days, I suppose.
“The boys I’ve spoken to seem really enthusiastic.
“They played in a grand final two seasons ago and they only just missed the finals in what looked to be a pretty competitive season this year so I don’t think they’re too far away.
“The way I see it, regardless of who we recruit, I’d like to see us improve by 10-15 per cent with the guys who are already there.
“If we all improve by just 10 per cent, that will go a long way towards us playing finals.”
Cohuna president Rick Easton spoke in glowing terms of Geary and said he was hopeful about what the long-time three-time club best and fairest would bring to the club.
“We’re stoked,” Easton said.
“He’s got a very impressive resume and he’s the type of coach we’ve been chasing for a few years now.
“He has a high profile.
“He’s a great guy, humble, professional, and with what he’s achieved, you’re not able to do that without having a really high work ethic.
“I think he’ll be a great fit for our club.
“There’s a really good buzz around our club and playing group at the moment off the back of his appointment.”
While Geary has hit the ground running, his first task is to retain the majority of Cohuna’s playing list from this season, as news is breaking that full-forward Rhys Free will depart the club to play with the Noosa Tigers in 2024.
