Wahgunyah Lions football coach Kodee Lowe believes that connection between juniors and seniors will be crucial to establishing a sustainable future. Photos: Ben Black
Photo by
Ben Black
After several difficult seasons, the Wahgunyah Lions are beginning to turn a corner according to playing co-coach Kodee Lowe.
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Ahead of their 150th anniversary in 2027, the Lions are optimistic with a stronger club culture, returning local players and experienced recruits.
For a club that has endured heavy defeats and struggled to remain competitive, the focus is now on building a foundation capable of delivering sustained improvement.
Lowe, who managed just eight games in 2026 while working FIFO, believes the Lions made significant strides last season under fellow coach, John Luci, who remains in the role, particularly in strengthening the connection between players and the broader club.
“I feel the club connection is better than it has been for a long time, and they want to get better; the will to get better is there,” Lowe said.
However, the challenges of previous seasons aren’t forgotten, with Lowe recalling a 400-point defeat highlighting the distance Wahgunyah needed to travel.
“It was pretty hard for me to watch,” he said.
“It was a really hard pill to swallow when you had your blood, sweat and tears go into the previous seasons.”
It’s been a tough few years for the Wahgunyah Lions but co-coach Kodee Lowe believes the club has turned a corner, on and off the field.
Despite those struggles, the 31-year-old credited the volunteers and committee members who continued supporting the club through its toughest periods, ensuring Wahgunyah maintained a presence in the local football landscape.
The Lions are looking to build on that resilience, with experienced recruits Mark Anderson (Wangaratta Magpies), Majok Bol and Bol Kolang expected to strengthen the playing group.
Anderson brings close to 200 senior games of Ovens and Murray Football League experience at Wangaratta, including premiership success, and Lowe believes his influence will extend beyond the field.
“What Mark brings off the field is pretty much just as important as what he's going to bring on it,” Lowe said.
“Leadership and training standards are what we're after.”
For Lowe, the recruits provide an opportunity for younger players who have endured difficult seasons to learn what is required to build a competitive club.
“Some of the young fellows that have come through have had to go through a few hard years, they deserve to see some success and what it takes to get success,” he said.
The return of former juniors Brady Bartlett and Locky Conboy is another boost for the Lions as they look to reconnect with players who have come through the club's ranks.
Bartlett brings proven goalkicking ability after previously kicking 100 goals in a season in the Ovens and King Football League, while Conboy is expected to add strength through the midfield.
Their return forms part of a broader commitment to rebuilding the playing list, with approximately 11 one-point players returning or committing to the club.
While not all are expected to play senior football, their involvement will provide valuable depth across the senior and reserve grades.
Kodee sees brighter days ahead for Lions after tough years in the wilderness.
Photo by
Ben Black
The club has also strengthened its off-field structure with a large, active committee and coaching staff supporting its junior grades through to the senior program.
Lowe believes the connection between juniors and seniors will be crucial to establishing a sustainable future, with regular training, social activities and greater involvement across the club among his priorities.
“The connection has to grow and has to build, but it has to start out on the track together, and it has to start with a bit of time, social gatherings and functions, and actually buying into the club culture,” he said.
The 2027 season will carry added significance as Wahgunyah celebrates 150 years of football, having competed under different identities across the Rutherglen District, Coreen and Tallangatta leagues.
For Lowe, the milestone provides additional motivation to ensure the club remains an important part of the community.
“It's a really good sort of chip on my shoulder to try and show the supporters and the town that we're still relevant, and we want to keep being relevant for as long as we can be.”
While finals remain an ambition, Lowe is reluctant to place expectations on ladder positions before the club establishes greater consistency.
“I'd love to say the F (finals) word, but I don't want to jump the gun too much,” he said.
“I just want more continuity between the club as a whole ... to see us build together and try to get somewhere.”
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