It is the end of an era at Mooroopna Football Netball Club.
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One of the game’s brightest minds to venture to the Goulburn Valley League and one of the longest tenured helmsmen in senior football, Mooroopna head coach John Lamont will step down from his position at season’s end.
Lamont announced the news to players on Tuesday night after training.
The Cats coach has been in charge of the navy blue and white hoops’ football program since his appointment in late 2019, becoming one of the league’s more familiar faces and voices.
Known for his iconic vernacular, phrases and three-quarter time rev ups, Lamont has led Mooroopna to three finals series in 2022, 2023 and 2024, while the Cats were also sixth in 2021 prior to the season’s cancellation in a COVID-19 impacted year.
Lamont recently surpassed his 100th game as senior coach of the Cats to add further recognition to his time as coach.
However, with five home and away games left to play and a finals charge on the cards yet again, Lamont decided the time was right to announce his decision in order to best notify the club in its search for a 2027 replacement.
The decision wasn’t an easy one, but Lamont felt alleviated by giving the club plenty of notice.
“I just feel the club is ready for someone else to lead or be at the helm,” Lamont said.
“I’m still enjoying it, don’t get me wrong, I just have a strong gut feel that the time is right.
“I’m very pleased with where we are at as a football department, but you can’t do these jobs forever.
“It wouldn’t have been crazy to continue (in 2027) in my mind, but I just had a gut feel that this is what’s best for the club.
“Announcing it now definitely made it easier.
“It would’ve been simpler to just roll along, but I’m pleased with the young group and also the older guys, who will show a lot of maturity when the next voice comes.”
Lamont said the playing group wasn’t completely taken aback by the news.
“We trained and then had as many of the Melbourne boys Zoom in on a call with the rest after training,” he said.
“I don’t think there was complete shock, I haven’t quizzed them, but I think they understood.
“It’s a big job as head coach and there’s a lot of layers to it. If it was as simple as Tuesday, Thursday training and match day, I’d be able to keep going.
“I’ve got young kids too, I’ve started parenting later in life, so there’s that going for me at a personal level as well.”
The Mooroopna magnet mover felt a moral code to dedicate a long stint to the Cats, believing stability to be vital, but also stated seeing dedication in return only furthered his decision to remain coach for the seven-season period.
“Initially those COVID years were crazy and I wanted to see that through to make sure we got back on track,” he said.
“But what kept me coming back was the core group of players.
“My style isn’t suited to everyone and we had a bit of change over, but we had a core group that have stuck fat with me ... I love trying to get the best out of people and I’m glad they could see that.
“Also having a committed group of coaches and support staff too.
“Stability is important, if you’re changing coaches regularly it makes it difficult.
“Hopefully whoever I hand the baton onto next can also have a good long period at the club.”
When reflecting on some of the memorable moments at the Cats, a few great games stuck in mind.
Loving the ‘uniqueness’ of a draw, Lamont recalled a 2021 tie with Rochester as well as a four-point final round win over Seymour that secured its would-be spot in the top six.
Again in 2022, the Cats required a round 18 win to make finals, but this time they had to knock off 16-1 Echuca.
“We did it by six points, it was unbelievable,” Lamont said.
“Then we won the final the next week against Rochester.”
A finals win under lights against Kyabram in 2024 and an after-the-siren comeback thriller against Rochester will also live long in the memory and, perhaps, one last special is to come for Lamont before season’s end.
But what’s next for the former North Melbourne development and Werribee VFL head coach?
“I’ll take a deep breath I reckon,” he said.
“I’ve coached continually for 30 years or more.
“While it’s been on my mind for a while, it’s still very new.
“My initial response is a year off, but I think I’ll keep my hand in footy at some level.
“I think I’ve got another coaching stint in me, but probably not in 2027.”
One thing is for sure, wherever Lamont ends up, his Mooroopna legacy will follow him.