New coach Lyndon Sheppard wasn't expecting it. Nor the players or officials at Lakes. Not even outgoing Seagulls mentor Glenn Agland himself.
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However, Lakes will approach Sunday's grand final replay with South Newcastle at Townson Oval knowing there will be a change at the top for the rest of the season.
Sheppard will take over the reins at Belmont after this weekend.
"It was a bit of a surprise for everyone," Sheppard said.
It follows Agland standing down from the position and announcing the decision to the Seagulls' squad at training this week.
Agland, a former premiership-winning player at Lakes in his first year of the coaching role, made the call after taking up a new job in the mining industry at Mudgee.
"It's bittersweet," Agland said.
"I had been enjoying being a coach at Lakes but this job was too good to pass up.
"For the last 20 years I've probably put footy above family too much and I couldn't this time."
Agland and the Lakes committee endorsed Seagulls reserve grade coach Sheppard to step up.
Sheppard, an NRL development officer, joined Lakes' junior ranks in 2013 before progressing to seniors in 2015. He was assistant to now Cessnock coach Todd Edwards in firsts last year.
"I'm excited and quite honoured to coach at such a proud club," Sheppard said.
"I want the boys to continue enjoying their footy and Ags [Agland] has set a good platform for us."
Agland will oversee Sunday's fixture before parting ways, but wants to remain involved behind the scenes by helping with video analysis.
"I won't disappear completely, but I just can't commit to it [coaching] full-time anymore," Agland said.
Only 15 of the 34 players from September's decider between Lakes and title holders Souths have been named to play on Sunday.
Seagulls playmaker Jack Kelly will be rested for another week as he prepares to return from knee surgery, now eyeing off Macquarie on May 19.
Elsewhere in round four on Sunday, the Pickers host Western Suburbs at Maitland Sportsground in a top-of-the-table clash between the two remaining unbeaten sides in the competition.
The Goannas and Bulldogs will be equally desperate in their Coalfields derby at Cessnock Sportsground on Saturday with both coming off losses last round.
Macquarie have their first game at home this season, welcoming winless Central to Lyall Peacock Field on Saturday.
