With Round 1 fast approaching, Scoop has caught up with all ten senior footy coaches as they prepare for season 2026!
After an up-and-down 2025, how will Redan fare under first-year coach Marc Greig this year?
SCOOP: Welcome to the BFNL coaching ranks Marc - how has the off-season been for you in the role and for the group more broadly?
MARC GREIG: Like all clubs, it has been a busy pre-Christmas period with lots to do and get organised for season 2026. One of our main focuses was the retention of our players and we’ve been very pleased with that outcome. Getting a few weeks of training in before Christmas was great, with education and craft being a focus.
S: Heading into the new role what was your take on standard of play in the BFNL?
MG: I’ve watched various games involving most teams over the last few years and the BFNL is a very high standard of footy in country Victoria. The top players in the league have elite traits and there is an abundance of young talent in the league which will hold the BFNL in good stead for many years to come if we can keep these youngsters playing the highest level of footy they can.
S: You’ve been around footy a long time, what are realistic goals for Redan in 2026?
MG: Great question. I’ve seen the lads at Redan play some high intensity, fast ball movement footy and have really taken it up to the better teams for quarters and halves of games. I would hope that with some of the things we’ve discussed and taught the players pre-Christmas and what we will continue to teach and train, this will allow us to stay in games for longer and put us in winnable positions more often than not. In a perfect world we want to have all Redan teams in the finals and if you can get an opportunity in September then anything is possible.
S: Taj Bond and Rory Gunsser have spent time with Geelong VFL this pre-season, where are they at currently with their footy?
MG: Taj and Rory both had the opportunity to head down to Geelong and train with the VFL program. They both impressed on the track with their training and character and were offered VFL contracts which is a great achievement. Rory has been learning more tricks to playing the half back role and had an opportunity to train with the Geelong AFL team pre-Christmas. Big Taj has been learning lots of forward and ruck craft and is setting himself for a super season. When they are not selected for the VFL, they will return to Redan where they’ve been developing their football over the last few years.
Both personally and as a football club, I/we will always encourage our players to play at the highest level they can.
S: Lachie Bond is a promising talent, versatile at either end of the ground - where do you best see a role for him?
MG: It is great to have players that can play multiple roles at a high level and Lach is one of those. He reads the game and marks it very well and he is very hard at the player and the ball which his teammates want to see. Bondy will roam around in the front half and get involved in the midfield at times.
S: Have veteran pair Lachie George and the returning Liam Hoy put their hands up to go around again? How are they travelling and what roles are they likely to take on in your first year in charge of the Lions?
MG: A focus for us was to add some leadership to the group. Obviously, there is a large number of young pups in the squad so to get Liam back to both the coaching group and playing list is an incredible get for Redan. Liam can play in any role to be honest, but we’ll use him down back for his leadership and hardness. Georgy still has the fire in the belly to help his teammates win more games of footy. He’s had a busy summer with family and work and as a veteran he has been weighing up if he’ll have another crack in season 2026. I can see Lachie playing deep in the forward line kicking goals and helping our young players continue to develop their craft.
AREAS OF IMPROVEMENT
MG: Education and craft
INS & OUTS
In: L. Hoy (CHFL), G. Bell and J. Werts (Return from injury)
Out: J. Short (Horsham), S. Broadbent (travel), K. Jess (Balranald),R. Forde (Buninyong), Z. Lee (Leopold GFL), L. Farnsworth (Balranald), W. Louwe (Hurstbridge)
VFL AFFILIATED PLAYERS
Cooper Craig-Peters (Western Bulldogs), Rory Gunsser (Geelong), Taj Bond (Geelong)
PRACTICE MATCH SCHEDULE
March 21 v Grovedale @ Sebastopol
CLUB IMPROVERS TIP
MG: Sebastopol
FLAG TIP
MG: Darley
SCOOP SAYS
The Lions are in the same boat as a number of rivals having lost key personnel in the off season. New coach Marc Greig takes over the rebuild (of sorts), in what looms a difficult assignment on the win/loss front.
The Lions' mix of youth and experience will trouble a few sides on their day but it’s the void of 23-27 year old top end talent that will challenge consistency levels over an 18-game season.
With external expectations tempered, Greig gets a throw at the stumps in his first year in charge with other priorities (likely) top of the agenda.
The appointment of Greig, the return of veteran Liam Hoy and injury free duo Grant Bell and Jacob Werts will ensure the pride is well led at City Oval - not a bad place to start!
Projected finish: 9th-10th
