Weekly Times | BEAU Vernon is only in his first season as coach at Leongatha Football Club, but already club president Mal Mackie believes he could go far in coaching circles should he choose to.
The Parrots are perched in second place on the Gippsland league ladder and are gathering momentum towards the finals, where they are guaranteed a second chance.
They locked in their 12th win on Saturday by 137 points against Warragul, with Vernon watching the action unfold from a newly finished coaches’ box, an old timekeeper’s room that was once nearly demolished, but has been converted.
“I had no real expectations, I had no idea at all where we were going to be placed at this time of the year,” Vernon said.
“To be giving ourselves an opportunity of a second chance, and a double chance come finals time, is pretty exciting for us.”
Vernon’s own playing career — which included stints at Gippsland Power, VFL side Casey, Phillip Island and Leongatha — came to a tragic end in 2012 when an on field clash left him a quadriplegic.
But his football nous is carrying on in an off-field capacity and this week the club confirmed he would coach the Parrots again next season.
Vernon’s younger brother, Zak, who plays for the Parrots, said he was contemplating returning to Phillip Island in the Alberton league — he lives nearby at San Remo — this season. That move was instantly put on hold when he found out who his new coach might be.
“I’m just happy he’s getting back into the sport he loves.” Zak said.
Mackie said what Leongatha’s committee really loved about Vernon’s application to coach the Parrots was that it wasn’t just about the seniors, but the club as a whole.
“I honestly believe in the next couple of years there’d be nothing better for Leongatha than to win a flag under Beau’s guidance,” Mackie said.
The new coaches’ box not only gives Vernon an elevated view of the ground, but also serves the practical purpose of protecting him from the elements as his injury means he cannot regulate his own body temperature.
His father, Daryl, a former Leongatha coach himself, joined him there on Saturday. Even though Vernon initially wanted to show people he could do it alone, he said Daryl had been more involved in the past few weeks, and had been “fantastic”.
Vernon’s wife, Lucy, is another huge support, along with all the volunteers at the club.
In Saturday’s final term, even though he could relax, confident the four points were in the bag, Vernon kept pushing his side. The prospect of what lies ahead was obviously not far from his mind.
He is focused on ensuring Leongatha improves every week. With three games left in the season they are expected to feature prominently in September. “It’s a fantastic club and we’re privileged to be a part of it,” Vernon said.
