PETER Copley has been lured from the coaching wilderness to take over at the helm of Tallangatta and District league club Thurgoona.
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Copley accepted the Bulldogs’ top position yesterday in his first senior appointment since leading fierce rival Mitta United to back-to-back flags in 2004-05.
Bulldogs committeeman Ray Mack was instrumental in enticing Copley to the kennel, with the pair playing together at South Melbourne in the late ’70s as well as at Lavington and Holbrook.
Copley replaces Jason Sheather who led Thurgoona to finals appearances in his two seasons at the helm including the preliminary final this year.
“I never thought I wouldn’t coach again and I just ended up watching a lot of footy out in the country towards the end of the year and caught the coaching bug again,” Copley said.
“Thurgoona advertised its coaching job and with Ray being involved, one thing led to another.
“I’ve really missed the involvement you get with a footy club and meeting different people outside of the work environment.
“I’m pretty excited about the challenge and the club has really developed off the field and has been agonisingly close to the ultimate success over the last four years.
“Hopefully I can pass on some of my experience and help develop the kids and the playing group and see where it takes us.”
A former star wingman with Lavington, Copley has an outstanding coaching record which started with Holbrook in 1991.
Copley led the Brookers to the premiership in the Tallangatta league in his first season at the helm.
He spent two years with the Brookers before crossing to Hume league club Culcairn where he guided the Lions to their first flag since joining the competition in 1991.
Copley completed a dream year by taking out the league’s Azzi medal and club best and fairest award.
His phenomenal run continued in 1994 when he took over from Simon Meehan as non-playing coach of Wodonga Raiders and steered them into their first O and M final series.
The league newcomer’s were only a step away from the grand final in 1995 when they lost to eventual premier Albury in the preliminary final.
Copley, who was lured to Lavington from South Melbourne, played in the Panthers’ 1983 and 1986 premierships and tallied more than 150 matches for the club.
The four-time premiership mentor said an assistant coach to be an on field leader was high on the recruiting wish-list.