Sport
25 January, 2026
Premiership Panther still to commit to new season
KAIN Robins’ playing future with Loddon Valley Football League premiers Marong footy club remans up in the air.
The club legend has been mulling retirement since the end of last season, in which he co-coached the Panthers to a fourth straight Loddon Valley premiership. The Panthers had hoped for an answer from Robins before training resumed on Monday from the Chrismas break.
However, Robins told the Loddon Herald this week he had still not made up his mind.
“I’m not putting any pressure on myself – I’m keeping myself fit, and maybe I’ll make a decision over the next week or two.
Coach James Flaherty told the Loddon Herald on Monday that he had “given (Robins) space with his family and from his stepping down as coach.”
He said assistant coach Jacob Ede, a teammate of Robins’ last season, had been in contact with the gun full-forward as well.
Flaherty said: “We have got some good young kids there that we feel will take the opportunity if Kain is not there.
“It would be great to have him in the side, but if not, it changes things up and gives other people opportunities.”
Aged 41, Robins’ form was good enough in 2025 to make the league’s Team of the Year after kicking 56 goals for the season.