BALLARAT continues to lose more grand final players, with finals series captain Nick Garner the latest to depart Alfredton Oval.
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Garner will join teammates Chris Prockter and Jackson Hogan at Donald in the North Central Football League as an assistant coach, where Central Highlands Football League best and fairest winner Luke Fisher is heading as coach.
His departure means at least four players from the 2014 grand final side have left, with question marks hanging over the future of at least two more Swans.
Coach Ash Baker said Myles Sewell, who only played in the latter stage of the season, appeared likely to return to the VFL, while ruckman Sam Conroy could move to Queensland.
Baker said while it was disappointing to lose the players, especially those who had been around the club for such a long time, it was a sign of the times in country football.
Garner played all his junior football at Alfredton Oval and stepped into the captain’s role in the second half of the season when Mark Cunningham broke his wrist.
“You always lose a few at this time of year for one reason or another,” Baker said. “It’s disappointing, but you have to accept it and look elsewhere.”
Baker said the club would look towards signing recruits before the end of the year, but was yet to sign any deals.
Meanwhile, Melton South has also lost its captain after Matthew Sullivan walked out on the club.
Sullivan, who was this year appointed as the youngest captain in Panthers history, has left to play for Sunbury Kangaroos in the Riddell District Football League.
Melton South president Peter Earl said he was extremely disappointed to lose Sullivan, who had a strong family connection with the club.
“The players voted him as captain so for him to leave after just one year is disappointing,” Earl said.
Melton South is yet to appoint a senior coach.
patrick.nolan@fairfaxmedia.com.au