THE Ovens and Murray coaching jigsaw is starting to take shape, with Albury the latest to announce its coaching structure.
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Just days after Wangaratta locked in Brendan Cairns for 2016, the Tigers have confirmed premiership duo Chris Hyde and Daniel Maher will coach the club again next season.
It’s a huge boost to Albury, and means the powerhouse can focus on finishing the 2015 season - without any coaching uncertainty hanging over its head.
And in another positive for the Tigers, Hyde says he has no immediate plans to hang up the boots.
The 93-game former Richmond midfielder turns 33 next month, but wants to play as long as his body allows him to.
“As long as I’m still contributing, I’ll keep playing,” Hyde said.
“I’m looking forward to continuing on as coach with ‘Frank’ (Maher).
“We’ve got some young guys going well and I want to be a part of it, for sure.”
Hyde and Maher were unveiled as Albury co-coaches in October, 2012 - believed to be the first time the club had appointed two playing coaches.
They led Albury to the grand final in their first year – 2013 – and turned the tables on Yarrawonga in last year’s grand final.
The Tigers are unbeaten after 13 rounds this season, meaning they’re on a 19-game winning streak.
Maher, 34, previously shared the co-coaching role with Danny Stevens in 2012.
The Benalla-raised defender will also play on in 2016 and is excited to continue his partnership with Hyde.
"We work well together and we've known each other for a long time now," Maher said.
"Our off-field support is fantastic as well.
"We're pretty positive that we'll keep most of the list together which is really positive moving forward.”
With their coaching structure locked in, the Tigers will now turn their attention to finishing on top of the ladder and claiming another minor premiership.
“It’s great to work with ‘Frank’, but the focus for us and our footy club is 2015,” Hyde said.
“It’s great to get next year sorted but our focus is the remaining five games and finals.”
Albury’s tough finish to the season doesn’t get any easier on Saturday.
A week after being pushed by North Albury, the Tigers come up against big-improver Wodonga Raiders at the Albury Sportsground.
Albury then finishes the season with matches against Wodonga, Lavington, Yarrawonga and Wangaratta Rovers.
