 In October 2015, Sam was appointed Senior Playing Coach of the Launceston Football Club returning to his home state and his junior club, where he played the majority of his junior football.Sam's original junior club - Tamar Cats - were based near his home town of Beauty Point.Lonergan, along with 33 other Essendon players, was found guilty of using a banned performance-enhancing substance, thymosin beta-4, as part of Essendon's sports supplements program during the 2012 season.