“We were keen to let the players know as soon as possible,” club recruitment manager Dale Ferguson commented to the Yarrawonga Chronicle about the appointments.
The successful duo of non-playing coach Rohan Davies and on-field coach Jackson Gash has ended, with work commitments meaning Davies is working in Melbourne and Gash, this year’s league best and fairest O’Dwyer Medallist headed interstate.
The last two years have meant wonderful history for Mulwala. In 2022, the club appointed – in what’s believed to be unheard of in Australia – three senior coaches in Davies (non-playing), Gash and Butts (playing coaches). The Lions broke a 32-year premiership drought with the trio at the helm, beating Cobram by 3 points, 7.5.47 to 6.8.44.
Davies and Gash continued in their roles. Butts didn’t play this season. A first back-to-back premiership followed, with Mulwala defeating beating Congupna by 33 points, 14.14.98 to 9.11.65, which included 13 players from the victorious 2022 team.
The coaching appointments have proved masterstrokes by the Mulwala management. Ferguson has been in the key role of recruitment manager for some 15 years and president Chris McNamara, a premiership player with Yarrawonga in 1989, in the top job for about five years. Along with the Lions committee, the pair want to put the club in the best position as early as possible to go strong towards a hattrick of flags in 2024.
With Mulwala’s two coaches for season 2024, it’s a return to the club after a year’s break from football for Butts and a return for Rowe after 11 years.
“I just love the boys and I love the club,” 30-year-old Butts, said. “Kade and I are best mates – straight down the line – and I’m bigger!”
Butts played his junior football with Mulwala and a total of about 200 senior games with Mulwala and Tungamah, which included three best and fairests, about 80 senior games and was a member of three premierships with Tungamah before returning for Mulwala’s 2022 flag.
Rowe played his junior football at Mulwala and made his senior debut, on the wing, at just 16-years-of-age, straight from the thirds and moved into the mid-field before heading to Tungamah at age 19, playing in two premierships.
His career has included the last four years as coach of Tocumwal. Word got back to the Mulwala hierarchy during this season about Rowe’s ability to coach. The manner in which he addressed his players impressed the Mulwala president.
“I actually heard Kade speak to his players in one game and it confirmed the good reports I heard about him,” Mr McNamara said of the three-time best and fairest winner at Tocumwal. “We’re very excited to have him and Buttsy coaching us next season.”
Rowe is also excited to be back at Lonsdale Reserve. “The recent years I’ve been back here, there’s been such a vibe around the place and I’ve thought wow, this club’s going places!” he said. “I’m very grateful for the opportunity.”
Rowe and Butts team up on and off the footy field, with both working together in B & D Refrigeration Yarrawonga.
“Communication – that’s what our coaching will be about. If there’s a difference, we’ll work our way through it,” Rowe said.
The president praised the performances of outgoing coaches. “Rohan’s been fantastic – he just made such a difference with all his planning and communication. And Gashy’s form from rounds eight to 15 was as good football I’ve seen him play in his history. He was a fantastic on-field leader. We wish them all the best for their futures,” Mr McNamara said.
“In good news also for our supporters, we’ve signed the majority of our senior players. We are seeking a couple of recruits and hoping for a threepeat of flags.”
