The 2008 premiership coach was granted permission to scale back his involvement to part-time last year, but will again assume full-time coaching and development positions for 2010.

Murray region manager Andrew Carson said the club would only benefit from the move.

“Phil was spending a lot of time working through various issues with his business last year, so we negotiated with AFL Victoria to allow Phil to go back to part-time,” Carson said.

“TAC Cup coaches are generally full-time, assuming the role of development manager as well.

“So this year he’s back to full-time and will pick up the work with our development programs, which can only strengthen the club.”

Meanwhile, several Bushies will be nervously waiting ahead of Thursday’s national draft.

Lavington midfielder Dylan McNeil, Alexandra’s Brayden Norris and Wangaratta key position prospect Sam Reid appear to be good chances of being selected after testing well at last month’s draft camp.

Brendan Allen, Nick Lawless, Chaz Sargeant, Taylor Duryea, Jonathon Ceglar and Sam Myors all took part in Victorian state screening, meaning at least one AFL club was interested in them.

Carson said it was always a tough time for young footballers in the lead-up to the draft.

“They have a lot on their minds around this time of year, with school exams and the draft,” he said.

“They have to play a waiting game which is really difficult because it’s out of their control.”

Carson said it was always difficult to predict which players would get drafted, but considered McNeil, Norris and Reid to be possible chances.

“Sam tested exceptionally well at draft camp, he’s an exceptional athlete and I would expect him to have a lot of appeal for AFL clubs,” he said.

“Dylan did everything he could possibly do to get drafted this year, he’s got a huge appetite for hard work and really improved as a player.”