THE Ovens and King’s coaching jigsaw is taking shape, with just five of the 14 clubs yet to confirm their senior coaching appointments for next season.
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Greta and Whorouly are the latest to secure their men, with former Wangaratta Rovers and Yarrawonga hard nut Daniel McLaughlin locked in for a second season as playing coach at the Blues and Brendan Roche confirmed as Scott McMasters’ replacement at the Lions.
But North Wangaratta, Glenrowan, Bright, Goorambat and Bonnie Doon are yet to name their coaches.
Moyhu’s premiership coach, John McNamara, Tarrawingee’s Finton Eames, Milawa’s Luke Sims, Benalla All Blacks’ Ben Wapling, King Valley’s Jono Rea, Swanpool’s Darby Morrison and McLaughlin are all continuing on next season.
So far there will be two new faces.
Andrew James will replace his father Steve at Tatong and Roche takes on the top job at Whorouly.
Steve Bozicevic is likely to be offered another season at Bright, while current Goorambat mentor Terry Greaves is likely to put his hand up for the Bats job if they can’t find a suitable playing coach.
The Hawks are weighing up whether to remain with Wayne Lovett, Glenrowan is interviewing candi- dates after John Paola’s decision not to extend his stay and Bonnie Doon is on the look-out for a replacement for Tony Cooksey.
Whorouly president Allan McNeil said the club was delighted to land Roche as a playing coach.
“We are very excited to get hold of him,” he said yesterday.
“He’s held in very high circles and to get a playing coach of his quality is fantastic.”
Meanwhile, McLaughlin said he was looking forward to a second season at the Blues.
“I always had the intention of doing two years,” he said.
“Hopefully as a side we can take the next step next year.”
Cooksey said he couldn’t devote enough time to the Bonnie Doon job.
“I’m going to retire,” he said.
“They are looking for a playing coach which I’m helping them out with.
“It’s been seven years.”
