Rutherglen FNC are over the moon to secure former player Cameron Barrett as head coach for the upcoming season. Photos: Rutherglen FNC
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Rutherglen Cats FNC
Cameron Barrett is backing the Rutherglen Cats Football Club to challenge for a top-three finish in 2027, declaring the club has the playing group to make its mark in its 150th anniversary.
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The newly appointed senior coach is confident the Cats can take a significant step forward after an injury-affected 2026 campaign, with a group of experienced recruits expected to strengthen the side and help drive standards across the club.
“I think this group is good enough to finish top three and play top-three footy, and I’m not going to shy away from that,” Barrett said.
“That will be the message into pre-season, that we have the squad to do it. It just comes down to the want for success.”
Barrett’s appointment comes at a significant time for Rutherglen, which celebrates 150 years in 2027, and he believes the club’s history provides further motivation for the season ahead.
Having played with the Cats in 2017, Barrett said returning to the club made sense after discussions with officials revealed a shared vision.
“I had a bit of history with the club and very fond memories out there,” he said.
“Speaking to the head officials at the club, the stars just really aligned and we had very similar views on where the club wanted to go; in the end, it was a no-brainer.”
President Amy Lealiifano said Barrett’s football ability, experience and natural leadership made him stand out, but his personality and approach to relationships were equally important.
“Cam is an incredible footballer, he’s incredibly loyal and just an absolute natural leader,” Lealiifano said.
“He’s all about that mateship and creating a real sense of belonging, which is what we want.”
That emphasis on culture has helped shape Rutherglen’s recruiting, with the club targeting players who can contribute beyond their performance on Saturdays.
Former Cats players Jack Addison, Damien Wilson and Marty Brennan are among those returning, while Michael Bordignon and Tom Goodwin are also expected to play important roles in strengthening the senior group.
Barrett said Bordignon would bring a wealth of experience, having played more than 200 senior games with Wangaratta Magpies, won two premierships and claimed a best and fairest while serving as club captain.
“First and foremost, those blokes we are bringing in are good blokes and will do anything to help each other,” Barrett said.
“Marty Brennan, is a league medallist, premiership player at Lavington, and sets a strong example on and off the field.
“We targeted good players and people, and I’m just glad it fell into place.”
Goodwin was another recruit Barrett was particularly pleased to secure, after playing with each other at Corowa Rutherglen in 2022.
“Tommy brings an aura about him and people want to be around him,” he said.
“He brings the mould of a good player and good bloke, and the way he plays and trains, and his will to win, I’m wrapped that Tommy has signed.”
While the senior side’s ambitions are clear, both Barrett and Lealiifano want the club’s progress to extend across football, netball and its junior pathways.
Lealiifano said the club was working to build a welcoming, family-oriented environment in which people felt connected and wanted to remain involved.
Rutherglen FNC president Amy Lealiifano helped work to build a unified club identity following the coming together of football and netball in September 2025.
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Rutherglen FNC
The club changed its name in September 2025 to recognise netball alongside football, reflecting the importance of a program that has been part of the organisation for 40 years.
“We are one club and one team, with one connected playing group as a whole,” Lealiifano said.
Barrett said ensuring netballers felt equally valued was an important part of building a successful club.
“Building a culture is massive, for football and netball,” he said.
“At the end of the day, you just want to see everyone have success.
“A lot of the time the focus does go to the football, but it’s just as important that the netballers feel loved, are winning and the vibe is great and enjoyable.”
As the Cats prepare for their landmark season, Barrett said the ultimate objective was to establish foundations that would keep the club thriving long after the celebrations had finished.
“For a club to last 150 years, it’s an amazing effort and as a senior football group it’s something to look forward to,” he said.
Barrett paid tribute to outgoing coaches Dylan Van Berlo (No. 15) and Reid Bonat (No. 6) as they set foundations for the club, going forward.
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Rutherglen FNC
Barrett also acknowledged outgoing coaches Reid Bonat and Dylan Van Berlo, saying their work had been instrumental in developing the playing group.
“The group wouldn’t be at this stage of their development without the work they’ve done,” he said.
With a stronger list, a milestone year ahead and clear expectations for the season, Barrett believes the Cats have the ingredients to compete while continuing to build a club that future generations can be part of.
