Gleeson reflects on a season of youth and opportunity

The 2025 season for the Euroa Football Club was one of transition, opportunity, and growth under the guidance of senior coach David Gleeson. The veteran was tasked with leading a team that had lost much of its experience, a senior coach, and time to recruit. Gleeson faced the challenge head-on, focusing on developing young talent and keeping the group competitive in the Goulburn Valley League. “From the start, we knew it was going to be a bit of a battle,” Gleeson said. “But the positive side was giving our young kids, straight out of our thirds, the chance to play senior footy. "They were given consistent games, and most of them performed really well. "That’s something I was pretty happy with.” Several young players, including Keily Jager and Will Jackson, made their mark on the season, with Gleeson noting their strong development. “Keily got a full year of senior footy and did a great job, while Will Jackson came in late and showed real potential. "It was great to see these players rise to the challenge,” he said. Remarkably, twelve players aged 20 or under took to the field during the season, and all the players had some part of Euroa's junior program. “It was important they got opportunities they may not have otherwise had if the senior list had remained the same,” Gleeson explained. Among them, a 19-year-old recruit from England Sam Day also featured, despite having very limited prior footy experience, making his five senior games a notable achievement. The team managed five wins across the season, with an average margin of just 18 points, despite three heavy defeats. Gleeson attributed the resilience of his squad to their attitude and willingness to improve. “Even in games where we were down, the boys stayed in the fight. "They were a really good bunch to coach,” he said. Captain Jett Trotter proved invaluable both on and off the field, kicking 35 goals for the season. “Jett’s leadership and sacrifice to allow younger players game time was crucial. "We gave some younger kids midfield time, but he stuck with his role and delivered consistently,” Gleeson noted. Emerging talent like Cohen Paul also benefited from the senior experience. “Paul has the ability, and before he injured his back, was on track for further opportunities. "I’m sure we’ll see more from him in the coming seasons,” Gleeson said. The team faced the challenges of a split squad, half based in Melbourne and half local, yet Gleeson praised his assistant coaches and committee for maintaining consistency in training and preparation. “Even when I wasn’t on site, I had confidence the sessions would be delivered to the standard I wanted,” he said. Looking ahead to 2026, Gleeson expressed optimism about the future under incoming coach Brad Gleeson. “We’ve got a strong base of young players, and I think we’ll see the results over the next two or three years when they reach their peak. "It’s important we keep this group together, and Brad’s experience will help with that,” he said. Reflecting on his long coaching career spanning 15 years, Gleeson expressed pride in what the team achieved in 2025. “We squeezed everything out of the group, and even when we didn’t have our best 22, the boys showed they could compete. It’s a testament to the talent in our little town,” he said. With a solid core of young talent, strong leadership, and a clear vision for the future, Euroa Football Club appears well placed to build on the foundations laid in 2025. For Gleeson, the season was about more than wins and losses; it was about nurturing the next generation of senior footballers and setting the club up for long-term success.

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