By RUSSELL BENNETT
SCOTT Gowans has coached Longwarry for the last time.
With a heavy heart, he stepped down effective immediately after the Crows big loss to local rivals Bunyip on Saturday.
But his decision had absolutely nothing to do with that clash – it was made long before it, with an eye to an exciting future as a coach in the AFL women’s set-up (the National Women’s League).
Gowans, who has held a range of coaching roles in elite girls footy over recent years, has been at the Crows nest for four years – initially serving as an assistant coach to former Carlton and St Kilda star Dean Rice, and then taking on the role when Rice vacated the position before last season.
Gowans said he could no longer continue to divide his coaching time and needed to watch more football at the elite level for the remainder of the season to better prepare himself for his role moving forward.
The Gazette understands there are two AFL women’s clubs keen on securing the services of Gowans for next season, and he’ll take up a position with one of those.
His departure from Longwarry is bittersweet – sad to leave, but excited for what the future holds.
“It’s a great club with great people,” he said of the Crows.
“I love the place to death, and I know I’ll be missing out on something special they’re building there.
“But coaching opportunities in the AFL system are so rare. I had to take my chance.”
Gowans said right from the minute he told the club five weeks ago of his decision, all of the reaction to his move was “extremely positive”.
“They’ve been amazing,” he said.
“I told them I didn’t know which club I’d be at, but I knew I was in the mix for a role.”
In the past four seasons since joining Longwarry, Gowans has also served as the head coach of the Dandenong Stingrays Youth Girls Academy, been a senior assistant coach with the Vic Metro under-18 girls, and last year was the head coach of the Vic Country under-18 girls.
Outside of Longwarry’s EDFL East grand final appearance against Buln Buln in 2014, Gowans said two of the most memorable games in his time at the club were a rare win at home over Garfield in Round 2 last year and – more recently – an impressive first-half showing against the Cobras at Cora Lynn earlier this season.
He said he had loved playing a part in the senior development of the Crows exciting crop of young guns, such as Harley Jones, Kane Oldham, Jesse Davies and Jedd Serong.
He’s also adored the friendships he’s made at the Crows, adding: “The relationships I’ve built with the people at Longwarry will last a lifetime.”
He leaves behind a legacy of leadership at the club, with key players such as captain Aaron Serong, Leigh McDonald, Troy Lehman, Josh Bourke and Stephen Hawkins combining to coach the senior side for the remainder of the season with the help of club president Aaron Jones on the sidelines.
As for a possible return to Longwarry down the track – Gowans said not to rule it out.
“I’ll be back whenever I can next year,” he said.
“Even if that means running the water, I’ll do it.”
