It’s not terribly often you see a premiership-contending side announce its coach is departing in mid-August.
So it has been written at Lancaster, however, as the Kyabram District League juggernaut prepares for a new man at the helm in 2025 and beyond.
The club announced Tuesday night that current senior coach Tom Davies would step down from the role at the conclusion of what could still go down as a highly successful season at the Wombats.
There has been, of course, no shortage of accolades already for the Lancaster boss, who first came to the club during the 2019 campaign.
Not only has he revved his charges up to deliver back-to-back senior football premierships in 2022 and 2023 — with every chance of an outgoing three-peat still on the table — but Davies also claimed the McNamara Medal as the league’s best-and-fairest in 2021.
It’s those playing heights that he seeks a return to in handing over the whiteboard.
“The main reason for it was that I’ve missed a year and a half of footy with my knee, so it’s just about focusing on getting back to playing good football again,” Davies said.
“I’ve got three kids who are a bit older, so I wanted more family time; I think the time’s just right, personally.
“Beyond this year, my priority is just getting back as a player and being able to play to the potential I had before.
“I’ve enjoyed coaching in the last year and a half and still being connected to the game, but when you can’t play, you definitely miss it.
“Hopefully I can regain some of the form I had in the past.”
Taking his place as the new man in charge at the Burrow is Nick Ryan, already a member of the Lancaster leadership group through which Davies will stay closely connected.
The early timing of this announcement, he suggests, was to help Ryan hit the ground running with an eye to next year.
“I think the main idea was to shore up the club now as Nick has time to start building his list,” Davies said.
“If you wait too late to start your recruiting process, clubs might get to your players. We believe retention is the key to success, so setting him up for that would have been the reason.
“He’s got the support around him with people who will be able to help with anything he needs.
“He’s mates with everyone, so I think it’s a good decision from the club to promote from within.”
Retention certainly doesn’t hurt when you’re Lancaster, at least, with all the recent pedigree to bolster your standing and help minimise turnover.
Premiership credentials will certainly be put to the test when the Wombats close out their home and away season in a mini-qualifying final with Shepparton East this Saturday.