FAST FACTS
COACH: MICHAEL GALVIN 2021 FINISH: 15TH (0-11) 2021 BEST-AND-FAIREST: MITCH VAN DE DUIM 2021 LEADING GOAL-KICKER: RYAN CUMBERLAND (14) GROUND: LONGWOOD RECREATION RESERVE NICKNAME: REDLEGS
INS: Kyle Withers, Caleb Johnstone, Geordie McMurtrie, Bailey McMurtrie, Ty Howard
OUTS: Tom Rennie (Stanhope)
Longwood is about to enter the final stage of life with Michael Galvin as the club’s senior football coach.
It has been a challenging tenure for the Redlegs’ mentor, with COVID-19 and other roadblocks standing in the way of a smooth journey.
Personal reasons have meant Galvin has opted to step down upon completion of the 2022 Kyabram District League campaign.
The club’s beloved leader made the early call in summer to allow the club enough time to organise his replacement.
Galvin, who is preparing for his fourth year as coach, hopes the club is well placed when he does sign off come the end of the season.
“Everyone knows that this will be my last year at Longy,” he said.
“When I do step aside, I want to make sure the senior side is in a better spot to when I started and is in a good spot heading into the future.
“I hope everyone sticks around because there is a bright future for the club with the juniors coming through.”
And he’s not wrong with the crop of talented youngsters rising through the ranks.
Dakota Pellegrino is chief among the gifted under-18 outfit, who would have played finals in 2021 if the season did not get cancelled.
Ryley and Jack McDonald, along with Tyler Speedy, Harry Skinner and Harry Shiner are in the thirds system, but players who will be handed senior game time.
A handful of new faces have walked through the club’s doors since January, while the Redlegs’ senior leadership group of Mitch Van De Duim, Nathan Watson and Reece Dimech are driving the bus.
“Our leadership group has been fantastic over pre-season and have helped me out a lot,” Galvin said.
“And Ty (Howard) has done a superb job with our fitness. I’m thankful for the work he has put in.”