A much-loved figure at the Goulburn Valley League club, Lindon, alongside Xavier Stevenson, has led Shepparton to September action for the past two seasons after he placed his hands at the helm in 2022, and will aim to go one further in 2025 to finish the latest Bears coaching era with a fairytale ending.
The decision comes as a change in priorities arrives for Lindon with his marriage scheduled later in the year and, while his playing future remains undecided, the Bears defender admits it is time to pass the baton from a coaching perspective.
“(Stepping down) was a combination of a few things,” Lindon said.
“Next year it would be my fifth year in charge and I’ve got some priorities shifting.
“I said to the playing group you need to be chips in during October and November and I can’t completely commit to that this year.
“However, I am chips in for the remainder of this season and into our finals campaign.”
After nearly half a decade into the co-coaching venture with “best mate” Stevenson, Lindon will leave the coaching reins with the club better positioned than when he began, and buoyed by the strength of the youth coming through the ranks.
“Clearly the on-field stuff has been pleasing, but from an all-encompassing point of view — the reserves and under-18s as well as seniors,” he said.
“Having the best seat in the house to see all our players develop, particularly our younger players, has been rewarding.
“It’s been the greatest privilege of my life and I’ve been very lucky to work with someone like Xav as a co-coach.
“He’s my best mate, but as two playing coaches we’ve made it work.
“The support across the whole football program has been amazing.”
The on-field results could see Lindon stick around for another season though in the hunt for premiership success with the Bears, as they sit locked in to a top six spot this year.
“I was not 100 per cent sure at the start of the year (if I’d continue playing in 2026),” Lindon said.
“I was leaning towards hanging up the boots, but now I’m 50-50.
“But for now I’m focused on this season and we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.”
The Bears will continue the co-coaching system that has worked wonders this season and in years prior, with Stevenson to remain with the mantle next to his name while being joined by Jason Wells.
Wells has a wealth of high level coaching experience, spending the past six years as an assistant coach at the Murray Bushrangers pathway, as well as various assistant coaching gigs for Victoria Country’s under-16, under-17 and under-19 teams.
Lindon expects the transition to be seamless and is excited by the next voice to command the playing group.
“He is obviously well-equipped with his experience and he’s a club legend who’s already done some work with the boys,” he said.
“It’ll be a seamless pass of the baton.”
The Bears host ladder-leader toppler Mansfield in a high stakes early finals preview this Saturday, with a trip to Seymour to follow to close out their home and away campaign.
Poised to finish the season in fifth unless results out of its control fall favourably, Shepparton will be required to run the gauntlet in this year’s September campaign if it is to claim its first flag since 2018.
