FORMER Wodonga Raiders coach Adrian Whitehead has returned to the coach's box after 10 years out of the game, signing on with Holbrook for the next two seasons.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
It was a matter of right place, right time for Whitehead, who will replace outgoing senior coach Brett Doswell.
“I do a fair bit of work in the Holbrook area, and after forming business relationships with a few people one thing led to another,” Whitehead said.
“Coming from Corryong, country footy is not new to me, and I'm excited about the prospect of the top job.”
The former Carlton premiership player will be hoping to avoid a similar outcome to that of his last season as a senior coach, a last place finish at the helm of the Wodonga Raiders back in 2005.
Following a two-year stint at Upper Murray league club Bullioh as an assistant under Peter Dean, Whitehead said he'd rediscovered a passion for coaching.
“The appetite to coach is back,” he said.
“When you look at the list at Holbrook, the time is right for them to have a non-playing coach, and I'm looking forward to taking on a prominent role.”
Whitehead said he was optimistic about guiding Holbrook up the ladder after their tenth-placed finish this season, citing their extensive youth stocks as an excellent base to build from.
“The average age of the senior side at the moment is about 23 years old,” Whitehead said.
“Hopefully I can fast-track their development.
“I was really impressed with the thirds out there as well, I'll be looking to spend as much time with them as I can.”
While the club was yet to announce any potential recruits, Whitehead said the club would look to add some experience to its mix in 2016.
“Like any club, there are deficiencies in a few areas,” Whitehead said.
“The club has done well to get the list it currently has, and we're talking to a lot of different people at the moment to add a few others.”
While Whitehead has been out of the coaching game for some time, he does bring with him an extensive resume.
He joined Carlton after winning an Ovens and Murray premiership with the Wodonga Bulldogs in 1992, before going on to coach Yarra Glen and Donvale.
Whitehead spent a year with the Raiders before work and other commitments caused him to forfeit the job.
The Brookers finished with six wins last season after winning just one match in 2014.
