Sport
13 March, 2026
Magpies begin rebuild with new coach and strong recruits
Wickliffe Lake Bolac’s senior footballers are embarking on a rebuild in 2026 and are optimistic about their future after securing several key recruits ahead of the new Mininera District Football Netball League season.
Nathan Kenyon has joined the Magpies from Corio in the Geelong & District Football League to take on the coaching role and believes the club is moving in the right direction.
“It’s the start of a rebuild. After finishing ninth last year, there’s a fair way to climb, but we’ve had good numbers at training, and there’s a really positive vibe around the group,” Kenyon said.
“The attitudes have been fantastic, and it feels like the club is heading the right way.”
Kenyon has spent his entire playing career around Geelong and previously coached Anakie in 2019. He said conversations with the late Chris Hilet and Harley Hunter helped spark his interest in the role.
“Last year I met Chris Hilet, who sadly passed away in a car accident last month, and Harley Hunter, and I really liked what they had to say,” he said.
“It was a good opportunity for me. I’m nearing the end of my playing career, and I’d love to finish it by getting back into finals football. Wickliffe Lake Bolac is a proud club, and I’m excited to help get the club back to September.”
The Magpies have strengthened their list with a number of recruits, headlined by former Fremantle Docker Tobe Watson.
Watson was selected with pick 22 in the 2019 AFL Rookie Draft and made his debut for Fremantle in round eight of the 2020 season. The defender played 12 AFL games before being delisted at the end of 2021.
The club also welcomes back 2019 premiership captain Taylor Hall, who returns after coaching Waubra in the Central Highlands Football League the past two seasons.
Midfielder Alex Bowd arrives from Avoca in the Maryborough and Castlemaine Football Netball League, Brock Van Doren joins from Lara in the AFL Barwon Football Netball League, and is expected to play at full forward, while strong midfielder Blayne Sharp has come across from Anakie in the Geelong and District Football League.
Corio duo Trent Smith and Blake Podnar have also signed with the club. Smith is expected to play across half-forward and centre half-forward, while Podnar, a former Geelong Falcons player who has experienced senior premiership success, returns to football after time away from the game.
“Blake is a great player,” Kenyon said.
“Even though he hasn’t played for a few years, he’s fitter than ever and really keen to make a statement.”
Kenyon has also been impressed by several returning players during the pre-season, including Lachie Makin, Nicholas Vallance and Jock Cameron.
“Lachie is one of our Melbourne-based boys, and he’s extremely fit. He’s shaping for a big year rotating through the midfield and half-forward,” he said.
“Nicholas Vallance also lives in Melbourne but will travel down to play and looks set to lock down a role at fullback.
“Jock Cameron has been at the club for a couple of years now and has had a really strong pre-season. He’ll fill a midfield and half-forward role.”
Harley Hunter will captain the club through this transition and has had a huge pre-season and is another to watch.
With the club entering a rebuilding phase, Kenyon said the immediate goal is to remain competitive in every match.
“We want to be in the game at three-quarter time and go from there,” he said.
“If we can do that consistently, hopefully we can pinch a few wins and push toward the top five.
“We want to win more last quarters than we lose, and that will set the tone for where we’re heading.
“If you’re getting blown out before half-time, that’s not a good sign, but if you’re in games for long periods, people can see the progress and what you’re building toward.”
MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT ANGUS GILMORE
2026 is a big year for Wickliffe Lake Bolac as we celebrate our 40th anniversary of the merger between Wickliffe and Lake Bolac.
In senior football, we have recruited quite well. We have lost a few players, but have recruited well and brought in a new coach, Nathan Kenyon. Nathan, alongside Harley Hunter, have been doing all the legwork on the senior football.
Unfortunately, at this stage, we will not field an A-Grade netball team this season, but our B and C Grade numbers are strong.
Our under-17 and under-13 netballers numbers are strong. At this stage we won’t be fielding an under-15s team due to numbers.
We will have under-13 footballers again. The under-16s, we are hoping to still field a team even though the numbers are low, but we will welcome any new players.
The club is still mourning the loss of great players and extraordinary clubmen, Alexander Black and Chris Hilet, who passed away following a car accident near Skipton in early February.
Our thoughts are still with the Hilet, Fay and Black families. It is an emotional time for the club and community, but our focus is more on the immediate family members and helping them get through this difficult time.
We have a strong core group of volunteers, and the club couldn’t run without them. We are putting a call out for more if anyone can help.
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