by Grant Condon, Maryborough Advertiser
Luke Treacy will go it alone as senior coach of Carisbrook in the Maryborough Castlemaine District Football Netball League 2014 season.
Coaching partner for the previous three seasons, Ben Kick has stood down as co-coach of the Redbacks citing family and work commitments for the decision but will remain at Carisbrook as a senior player.
“Ben had some family and work commitments which are going to increase which meant he couldn’t commit to coaching so he will stay involved but I’ll take over the sole coaching for next year,” Treacy said.
The announcement marks the end of the coaching duo’s tenure at Carisbrook which began in 2011, with the pair coaching the side to a astonishing record of 46 wins, six losses, and one draw across three seasons which also included the 2012 premiership title and an unbeaten 2013 home and away season.
"He's been fantastic," Treacy said of his now former coaching partner.
"He spent three years as an assistant to Craig Mortlock prior to us taking over as joint coaches in 2011".
"He's had three years as an assistant and three years as a senior coach and had he been more local or had he not had an increase in work commitments or a young family he would have been able to continue but it certainly won't be the end of his coaching."
After being sensationally knocked out in this year's preliminary final against eventual premiers Navarre after an undefeated home and away season, Treacy said his first priority as coach was to ensure the bitterly disappointing end to the season did not fracture the playing group.
"The first plan was to make sure that we stuck together," Treacy said.
"The most important thing after a loss like that is to stick together. We won together throughout the year and we lost together on that day so we put some steps in place to make sure we all stick around and make amends."
"Each year's a different one and we've got some good players who are staying around but it's too early to start looking at anything like redemption so we just want to get fit, have a good break from footy, and get into it next year."
While Treacy expects to retain the majority of the 2013 playing list for next season he said it was impossible to ignore the heartbreak of this year.
"It was a disappointing loss and there is no hiding from that", Treacy said.
"We knew that we weren't a sure thing to win, we were a good side that played well during the year but as we showed the year before when we won it, your form at the right time of the year is the thing that matters."
"We're disappointed but we're country footballers so we get on with it and hope to make amends next year".
Planning some fitness training for his side before Christmas and scheduling full scale preseason to begin in January, Treacy said he is hoping for a bigger and better season next year for the Redbacks.
"There is no real goal for us next season but I think every team is aiming to play finals and every team is wanting to win it", Treacy said.
"How that fits into the picture of other footy sides and where they are in terms of their experience and their list I don't know, but we're certainly aiming for finals and the higher end of the ladder".
"There is no shame in aiming for the top of the ladder if that can happ
Last Modified on 15/11/2013 15:46