The Macleod Football Netball Club has announced that senior men’s coach Craig Hayes will depart the club at the conclusion of the 2024 season.
Hayes joined the Roos at the end of the 2021 campaign following five years as senior men’s coach at Diamond Creek.
He took the side to two seventh place finishes in the Melbourne Greyhounds Division 1 competition during his first two years with the club.
Currently, Macleod sit in tenth position with a 2-11 record with five matches to play, one game behind teams currently in ninth and eighth position.
A club statement said:
Macleod Football Netball Club senior coach Craig Hayes has advised he will not be seeking reappointment in 2025.
At a mid-year review earlier in the season, Hayes advised he would not coach past season’s end.
Since then, the club has been working on finding a replacement coach to take their young group forward.
Hayes was appointed ahead of the 2022 season when the club and the competition were coming off two tough years, mainly due to Covid.
Club president Ean Newbold paid tribute to Hayes and his support crew for transitioning the senior team during a difficult period.
“We have lost a fair bit of top-end and experienced talent, but ‘Hayesy’ has done a great job blending our senior players with our emerging young talent,” Newbold said.
“He has given many of our under-19s players the chance to display their wares at senior level and this is now paying dividends.
“Our under-19s are on top of the ladder and with finals approaching it’s an exciting time for the club.”
“We thank Hayesy for his dedication and commitment to the club through the past 3 seasons and look forward to a strong finish to 2024”
