Terry Burgess will have to call on his 30-plus years in the game after signing as Corowa-Rutherglen coach.

The 1983 Morris medallist, who was also linked to the Wangaratta Rovers job, was appointed this week as non-playing coach for the next two seasons. 

Burgess said promoting youth and helping the Roos become sustainable were his main priorities.

“We need to put some things in place to help them in the long-term,” the 53-year-old said.

“I’ve got no doubt you’re going to need at least 75 per cent of local content in that sustainable model.

“We need that local support so the club can be sustainable moving forward.

“We’ve just got to role up the sleeves, do some hard work and try and improve from an internal point of view, the results from an external point of view will come.”

Burgess is no stranger to “tough” coaching jobs, having coached Tallangatta league struggler Wodonga Saints for three years.

He was coaching director at Walla this year and has also held coaching roles at Barnawartha, Wodonga, Wodonga Raiders and Myrtleford.

He also worked under Jeff Gieschen at Richmond.

Raised in Myrtleford, Burgess won three best-and-fairests at the club and also coached the Alpine Saints.

Burgess, who was also a interleague player and selector, said he knew the challenges that the Roos faced.

“No doubt this certainly has some challenges,” he said.

“It’s not a lot dissimilar to where I grew up at Myrtleford, a small town playing in a major competition.

“What I have found out of that though is it creates opportunity for people.

“The same applies at Corowa.

“There’s opportunities and people have to step up to the plate and give the town something to hang their hat on.”

Burgess replaces Bryce Campbell and faces a tough task putting together a competitive team after the departures of several key players, including Sam Carpenter, Luke Gestier and Al Austin.

But Burgess said he wasn’t focused on wins or losses.