Redan has been dealt a heavy blow with the departure of multiple best and fairest Nathan Horbury.
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The 2017 Henderson Medallist has agreed to coach South Bendigo in the Bendigo Football League – a club he almost played with 2016.
Horbury leaves after another stellar season, having taken out his fourth consecutive club best and fairest.
He played four games with Geelong in the VFL at the start of this year before playing out the season uninterrupted with Redan.
A two-time premiership player and regular Ballarat league representative, he signed on as a South Bendigo assistant coach at the end of 2015 while still contracted to Redan for another season.
Lions stood firm in a bid to keep him at the time and after a clearance wrangle ultimately retained his services.
This will be Horbury’s first time as a senior coach.
Horbury said there were some nerves in taking on the job.
He said coaching was something he had wanted to do at some stage, although this opportunity had come a little earlier than he had anticipated.
Redan president Damian Linton said Horbury had served the Lions well. “We wish him all the best.”
Linton said he had seen a growth in Horbury’s leadership qualities over the past few years and the coaching role was a great opportunity for him.
MEANWHILE, Gus Cleary is returning to Redan.
He spent this year with his home club Casterton in the Western Border league.
Cleary progressed through the North Ballarat Rebels to join the North Ballarat Roosters in the VFL in 2016.
He made 18 appearances with Redan in 2017 while still listed with the Roosters, with the versatile Cleary often playing as a pinch-hitter in the ruck.
Youngster Keenan Waterbury will also resume his playing career with the Lions next season after missing this year with injury.
Waterbury required a knee reconstruction after a semi-final in 2017, when he also played five games with the Roosters.
He made 11 senior appearances for Redan after moving from East Point under-18.5s.
TWO former North Ballarat Rebels have been delisted by Port Adelaide in the AFL.
Small forward Jake Neade and Dom Barry have each been cut.
Neade has been delisted after 66 games in six seasons. He played eight games this year.
Initially with Melbourne in the AFL in 2013-14, Barry went to Port Adelaide with pick 61 in last year's draft.
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