ZAC Fulford will take over as Wodonga’s senior coach in 2018.
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Fulford, who has spent the past three seasons in charge of Tallangatta, will return to John Flower Oval as a development coach next year before taking the reins from Dean Harding.
Harding, who recently signed a one-year contract extension, will remain at the club as coaching coordinator when Fulford takes over.
Fulford, who played about 80 senior matches with the Bulldogs, returns to Wodonga having guided Tallangatta to a fairytale premiership in 2015.
The 31-year-old said he gained invaluable experience with the Hoppers and was looking forward to working with Harding again, having started his junior career at the Bulldogs under the former Fitzroy player.
“It’s an exciting opportunity to be able to work with ‘Hards’ and contribute to the improvement the club shown over the last two years,” he said.
“Obviously I will be stepping up a level but it’s a step I’m really comfortable taking.
“I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Tallangatta.
“I think it will hold me in good stead going forward, I think you do need to be in control of your own group and your own footy department to experience everything.”
Fulford was an assistant at Wodonga in 2013 under Ben Hollands before heading to Tallangatta but his role next season will focus primarily on player development.
Harding said Fulford was the perfect man to take charge of the Bulldogs, who only missed the finals by percentage after going 6-3 in an impressive second half of the season.
“We always knew Zac was going to be a great coach and he proved that during his time at Tallangatta,” he said.
“He has the respect of our players and supporters and he will make a real impact on our playing group in 2017.
“As a club, we strongly believe that our future depends on developing our younger players and particularly the transition from juniors to seniors.
“Zac will work with coaches across all grades but will also provide a level of one-on-one mentoring to players that have the potential to play senior football.”
In a further boost, Tom Johnson, Josh Hicks, Damien Jones, Harry McKimmie, Harry Pole, Joel Heiner, George Haynes, Dylan Beattie, Zak Collins, Louie Miller, Dan Wortmann, Tom Bowring and Aaron Proctor have all re-signed for next season.