HENTY’S chances of returning to finals has soared with Matt Klemke and Simon Hillier signing as co-coaches.
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The Swampies dropped out of the top six for the first time since 2010 this year and have reacted swiftly on the recruiting front.
Tallangatta spearhead James Breen and his Hopper premiership teammate Rhett Thomson, MCUE utility Dusty Rogers and Federal ruckman Brent Ohlin have been locked in.
Rogers, who has represented the Riverina league, will be assistant-coach.
Josh Spencer is returning to Henty from Rutherglen while Barton Medallist Jared Farwell is a chance of joining him.
“It’s exciting to get the opportunity to coach my home club with ‘Hilly’ (Hillier),” Klemke said.
“I think it will work well having a playing coach and non-playing coach.
“Henty were disappointed to miss the finals and hopefully we can get back up the ladder.
“We won the thirds premiership this year and I’m sure a few of the young blokes will push up as well.”
Klemke coached Rivcoll Bushpigs in 2005 and 2006 before taking over at Culcairn the following season and leading the Lions to a flag in the first of his three years at the helm.
He has ran the bench at Culcairn and Henty for six of the past seven years.
Hillier took Mitta United to the grand final in his first season as coach of the Tallangatta and District league club this year but opted not to continue in the top job.
The midfielder previously spent three years as an assistant at Henty including the Swampies’ 2014 premiership campaign.
Klemke said Henty targeted certain areas in its recruiting.
“Getting James Breen will take some pressure off Sam Terlich as he’s a proven goalkicker and Tyson Muller rucked by himself last season as a 17-year-old and Brent will be great support for him,” Klemke said.
“We really wanted to get some locals back and top up with a few recruits.”
Breen has kicked 90 and 65 goals in the past two seasons.
Outgoing coach Josh Gaynor will play on at Henty while forward Shannon Terlich is set to return from a knee injury.