By David Nagel
Over the Christmas period, the News’ sports team will be re-sharing some of the most popular stories from over the course of 2024.
Thank you for supporting our newspapers over the course of the year. We hope you enjoy the selection and have a wonderful holiday period, however you choose to celebrate.
The thought of sharing the next phase of his football journey with his growing family is the most significant reason behind Matt Shorey signing on as senior coach of Nar Nar Goon for the 2025 West Gippsland Football Netball Competition season.
Originally slated to take over as coach of the Goon’s under 18s, Shorey became involved in elevated talks at Spencer Street after the recent departure of 2024 senior premiership coach Justin Stanton.
Shorey agreed to terms on the weekend after a tumultuous two-week period; ending his three-year coaching stint with Heatherton in Division Three of the Southern Football Netball League.
“It’s all been a bit of a whirlwind; I only decided on Saturday to take the job, so it’s all a bit of a head-spin to be honest,” Shorey explained.
“My mind was made up to coach the under 18s but, at the end of the day, I love senior footy and I love coaching senior footy.
“I’m leaving behind some really good relationships that have been built over the last three years, and there were some emotional moments at presentation night last week because I’m leaving at a really good time for Heatherton.
“But, at the end of the day, I was leaving behind my wife (Julie) and kids on Saturdays to go and coach senior footy and it just didn’t feel right.
“But for us to be in the one place now; it’s just super exciting to be a part of it.
“My wife has sacrificed so much for so long; I want to be there and be part of my kids footy as well.
“This whole scenario means a lot to me, because I can be part of the junior system as well as the senior system.”
With the family living in Officer, Archer Shorey played under 18s for Nar Nar Goon this season, while younger brother Fynn was a key component of the under-16 team.
Shorey played his junior football at Hampton Park before beginning a 200-game senior career with the Redbacks.
He coached Kooweerup for four years from 2012 to ’15, leading the Demons to the big dance in 2014 when the Ellinbank League split into East and West Divisions.
He returned for a one-year stint at Hampton Park in 2016, before coaching Nilma-Darnum until 2021 in the Ellinbank League.
He has spent the last three years at Heatherton, building a then struggling club into defeated preliminary finalists this year.
The challenge at Nar Nar Goon will be different; as Shorey attempts to take a premiership-winning side to back-to-back glory.
“In regards to my previous roles; I’m not a glutton for punishment, I just really enjoy the process of building culture and standards; I just love it, I love that challenge of building from the ground up,” he explained.
“I only applied at Heatherton because I knew the captain, and got it, and they were at rock-bottom.
“It was probably the worst coaching role in the first year that I’ve ever had in my life.
“We lost every game in year one; but then turning it around and being 20 points away from a grand final this year was an exciting time for the footy club.
“That’s what I enjoy most; building culture and standards for players so it becomes successful for years to come.”
The now 43-year-old believes Nar Nar Goon is well placed to continue its reign at the top.
“I had the opportunity to watch a few games this year, when Heatherton had byes, and the grand final of course, and the club is in a really good position,” he said.
“I thoroughly respect the club, I always have, people like Paddy Noonan, and it’s exciting to have this opportunity.
“To have the twos and the ones winning, and the juniors making finals, it’s encouraging to walk into a very good list, but I’ve still got a mountain of work to do.
“Relationship building is key; and a change of coach can affect things sometimes and I’m going to do everything I possibly can to make sure things are unaffected.
“Every coach is different, how they work with players, structure their game plan, but I am different, I know I am, and I’ve started at clubs and always left on good terms.
“If I’m doing that then I must be going okay with what I’m doing.
“I’ve built relationships because of who I am, and not being something I’m not.
“But time will tell; talk is cheap as they say; it’s a pretty good saying that one, isn’t it.”
