CULCAIRN has appointed Josh Hillary as coach for next season.
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After spending the past four years with home club Jerilderie, Hillary will take over from Adam Eady and Brendan Way.
The Lions charged their way into the preliminary final this year and look set to keep their list together with Peter Cook (Barnawartha) the only confirmed departure.
Hillary coached Jerilderie this season and previously tasted success as coach of Albury’s reserves in 2013.
“The guys who have been in charge for the previous three years have done a fantastic job so it’s going to be a hard act to follow,” Hillary said.
“I watched Culcairn play in the finals and it’s exciting times.
“My wife (Katie) is a Culcairn girl and I’ve been mates with Adam Eady for a long time as well and I guess it all just led from there.
“I’ve always been big on family ties and associations at footy clubs and I’m just looking forward to what lies ahead.”
Despite being injured towards the end of this season, Hillary hasn’t totally ruled out playing for Culcairn.
He believes the Lions are well placed to continue to improve in a competition that is again expected to be even.
“I was really impressed with the passion and enthusiasm Culcairn played with during the finals,” he said.
“The list looks good with a lot of younger players like Nick Wright, Joel Merkel, James Pitson and Josh Feuerherdt playing 30 or 40 games and gaining experience in finals.
“I’m also hoping ’Waysie’ plays on because he was fantastic in the finals.
“There is momentum at the club and I’m really keen to continue the improvement.”
Hillary was a member of Lavington’s 2001 premiership team and played in Marc Duryea’s winning side at Holbrook in 2004.
He coached Albury’s reserves to glory in 2013 and lined up for Jerilderie in its 2014 flag.
“The past four years have been great,” Hillary said.
“It was really good to be able to take the kids and spend time with my grandmothers and be around family a bit more.
“My wife’s grandfather, Ray Schultz, goes to all the games and does the stats at Culcairn so it will be good to catch up with him now as well.”
Culcairn president Brendan Sheather said Hillary was the ideal person to build on the Lions’ surge up the ladder.
“We didn’t rush into an appointment because we wanted to get the right man for the job and we’re really happy to have Josh on board,” Sheather said.