CDHBU has appointed Damian Payne as coach for next season.
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He replaces favourite son Brad Talbot who will remain at the club after three seasons in the job.
Payne, 29, said he was looking forward to the challenge of coaching a talented young list that this season played finals for the second consecutive year.
“I’m very excited to be given the opportunity with such a young group,” Payne said.
“By all reports it is one of the youngest lists in the competition, that has really started to develop over the past few years.
“The average age is 23 years old with the side made up of a lot of local talent.
“Brad has obviously done a terrific job in his three years at the helm and has really laid the foundations for future success.”
Payne has played at Mulwala and has spent the past seven years with Picola South East league heavyweight Tungamah.
The key forward has been an integral part of the Bears golden era, winning back-to-back flags in 2008-09 and 2013-14.
Payne coached Tungamah in 2012-13 and was interleague coach for the Picola South East league against the Riverina league this season.
The prolific goalkicker also cracked the 100-goal milestone in 2010.
Payne has also signed Bears’ teammate Kade Rowe, who booted 46 goals this year as a small forward and has the ability to rotate through the midfield.
“After making finals for the past two years, the goal for next season is to win a final,” he said.
“Getting Kade to the club has kick-started our recruiting and he will boost our firepower and also add further depth to the midfield rotations.
“After making initial contact with the playing group it sounds like we will keep most of the list together and we will try to add a few more recruits.”
Payne said high profile recruit Luke Cowan was keen to play on again after battling a shoulder complaint this year.
The appointment of Payne completes the Hume league coaching jigsaw puzzle.
Payne joins Danny Stevens (Billabong Crows), Brendan Way and Adam Eady (Culcairn), Josh Gaynor (Henty), Shane Lenon (Lockhart) and Matt Jaensch (Walla) as new faces in the coaching ranks.