WODONGA has reappointed Dean Harding as coach for next season.
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President Steve Murphy announced to Bulldogs members after Saturday’s loss to Albury that the former Fitzroy player would take charge for a third season at John Flower Oval.
The Bulldogs have made steady improvement since Harding took over from Ben Hollands at the end of the 2014 season.
They climbed from the wooden spoon to sixth last year, winning six matches, and they have already improved on that this season with seven victories to be just outside the top five.
Murphy was delighted Harding would continue in the role, saying he was the right man to lead the club back into the finals.
“He’s grown into the job and is just getting better all the time,” he said.
“Three years ago me and ‘Hards’ sat down to put a plan together.
“We’ve got a plan and we’ve stuck to that plan.
“For our first year we wanted six wins and we got five, so we were reasonably close to our target.
“This year we wanted to win seven or eight, to make that steady progression without going out and spending money that we didn’t have.
“Our plan for next year is to win an extra couple and hopefully sneak into the five.
“We’re working to plan and we want to keep tracking down that same path.”
With the player points system introduced and salary cap imminent, Murphy said the Bulldogs wanted to be a sustainable club on and off the field.
“We don’t want to waste our money and have a crack at winning a flag this early,” he said.
“We really want our club to be sustainable
“We want to build up a really strong base of junior players and be able to call on them in two or three years’ time.”
In another bonus, the Bulldogs’ major sponsors – Cohen Homes, Murphy’s Salvage and Demolition, the Birallee Tavern and the Clubhouse Bar and Bistro – have recommitted to the club for next season.
Harding’s reappointment follows Daryn Cresswell’s decision to sign with Wodonga Raiders for a third season.
Myrtleford is on the hunt for a new playing co-coach for next season after Brad Murray’s decision to stand aside last month.
Leigh Corcoran will take charge again off the field.