NEWLY-appointed Wangaratta coach Luke Morgan has put a key forward at the top of his recruiting wish list.
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Although the Magpies fell just eight points short of Albury in this year’s grand final, Morgan said he would love to take some of the pressure off star spearhead Michael Newton.
Newton has kicked 81, 74 and 42 goals in his three seasons at the Magpies and was at his most lethal working with fellow tall Josh Porter in 2017.
“It’s a good list already but they fell a little short so there are areas we can improve,” Morgan, 29, said.
“A second key forward is obviously an area we will look at straight away, some extra midfield depth and we will look to add some run from the half-back line.
“They are areas we can work on.
“I’m big on developing players so that development might come from players who are already here.”
Morgan, who has signed a one-year contract with Wangaratta, has coached Benalla for the past six seasons including the drought-breaking 2015 premiership.
It was the Saints’ first flag since 1973.
The Goulburn Valley representative coach said he had hesitation signing at Wangaratta after Dean Stone announced he would be stepping aside.
Morgan will continue to live and work in Benalla.
“It’s a position I’m really excited about,” he said
“When it presented itself, I immediately thought I wanted to do it.
“Over the past two years Dean has been able to implement some really good team philosophies in terms of his footy team and I’ll look to develop that.
“I’ll also look to bring another edge and my style to the footy club and one that I can see might improve the football team going forward.”
Although Morgan played thirds and reserves for Wangaratta Rovers, he is no stranger to Norm Minns Oval after playing for the Magpies in 2011 under coach Judd Porter.
“I did want to get back to the Ovens and Murray as I’m a Wang local,” he said.
“It was appealing in that way but very difficult to leave Benalla.”
Wangaratta president Tony Goodison said the Magpies were rapt to have Morgan taking over from Stone who took the club to a premiership and runner-up in his two years at the helm.
“He’s shown he can develop young players, he’s played VFL, he’s coached for six years now in the Goulburn Valley and won a premiership there,” Goodison said.
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