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ANDREW Lovick says Geelong Amateur is “well placed moving forward” after announcing he and co-coach Cory Bauer will stand down at the end of the season.
In a shock development, Lovick and Bauer told their teammates at training last night that this season would be their last.
“It was something we stewed over for a long period of time because we think the club is really well positioned at the moment,” Lovick said.
“A lot of hard work has gone in to getting our culture and our values right, as well as a strong leadership group and some depth in our playing group.
“We always thought if we could get our culture right and the structure in place then we would be able to attract other players and we think we’ve been able to achieve that.”
Lovick and Bauer informed Ammos football director Gavan Clark of their decision to step aside last week.
“Looking at where we are in our lives, I’ve got three kids and a new job so the demands at home have just become too much,” Lovick said.
“And we’re not the greedy type of guys. We hopefully can see some success this year, if not a premiership, hopefully something close and maybe some sustained success.
“We’ve leaving for the rights reasons and we’re not hanging around to bask in the glory if we have any.”
Lovick said the joint resignation was more coincidental than planned.
“Cory has just had his first child and he’s also started a new job, so we certainly didn’t discuss that (leaving together),” Lovick said.
“But we work so well together and we’re both on the same page, so the partnership just seemed to work well that it was a case that if one wasn’t there, the other wouldn’t be either.
“I think it was more so to do with family commitments. I’m 35 at the end of the year and Cory has just turned 33, so we’ve dedicated a fair chunk of our lives to football.
“And I’ve got a daughter who’s 5 ½ and starting to play sport herself and two young boys and a supportive wife and I thought it was time to start giving back to them.”
Bauer has retired effective-immediately, while Lovick will complete the season before hanging up the boots.
“He (Bauer) hasn’t played a game and he’s just realised he hasn’t had a pre-season and we’ve got a good side at the moment, there’s some depth there and you need to earn your spot so he’s decided to retire.
“And I will be at the end of the year too.”
Ammos have already began the hunt for a successor and Lovick believes there is plenty of candidates from within.
“We’ve worked with James Welsh as our assistant for the last two years and he’s dedicated his time on a volunteer basis. He’s passionate, has a good understanding of the game,” Lovick said.
“We’d put up Rowan McSparron as well. He’s an Ammos homegrown, passionate about the club and has a tremendous knowledge of the game and a huge amount of experience at GFL level.
“The club is looking at others as well and there’s potentially guys in the GFL and other competitions that they might look at.”
