CORRYONG has appointed favourite son Evan Nicholas as coach for a second stint at the helm.
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He replaces Andrew Reid, who guided the Demons to third and runner-up in his two seasons in charge.
Nicholas, 28, coached Corryong from 2009 to 2012 when the club endured one of the darkest periods of its proud history.
The Demons suffered a 30-match losing streak as they battled a chronic player shortage, with many locals leaving town seeking employment opportunities.
Nicholas said he was looking forward to the challenge of coaching again with the Demons in a much stronger position after making their first decider since 2008 this year.
“It should be good and it will be a lot different circumstances to when I last coached,” he said.
“We have got a lot of locals back playing and have got about 30 to pick from, whereas in 2009 we had five or six.”
In a further boost for the Demons, Adrian Rijnbeek has re-signed as assistant coach.
Nicholas said utility James Paton had also recommitted.
League medallist Shannon Gilson would more than likely play a second season with the Demons after crossing from Thurgoona this year.
Troy Cooper, Johnathon Pearl, Ryan Rhodes, Russell Anderson and Tommy Renshaw are confirmed departures.
“Signing Adrian as assistant is a huge coup for the club,” Nicholas said.
“Not only is he the best forward in the competition but also among the top handful of players running around.
“Reidy (Andrew) done a good job in his two years at the helm and was able to attract plenty of recruits who are keen to stick around and go one better than we did this season.”
Nicholas is considered the premier player in the competition, having won seven club best and fairests and three league awards.
The Demons start training next Wednesday at Tallangatta and will train once a week in the lead-up to Christmas.