Cudgewa sign Beechworth veteran Brayden Carey as playing coach

Carey has wasted little bolstering the Blues’ stocks by signing Kylin Morey (Brock-Burrum), David Low (Corryong), Dayne Carey (Beechworth), Ben Hall (Yackandandah) and Adam Healy, Jake Hill, Robbie Smith and Ethan Riddington (Tallangatta).

He takes over from Nathan Lefoe who had one year in charge.

Carey, 31, is looking forward to his first senior job after having a taste of coaching with Beechworth’s thirds several years ago.

“Obviously I’m getting a bit later in my career so I thought it was a good time,” Carey said.

“Post footy it’s something I can go on with.

“I’m pretty excited about it.”

Carey has played 197 matches with Beechworth and 40 with Wangaratta Rovers as well as having a stint in Western Australia for two years.

He played in the Ovens and Murray club’s second semi-final loss to Yarrawonga at Norm Minns Oval when star recruit Barry Hall missed a shot after the siren.

Carey said he was pleased to lock away eight recruits early.

“It’s been good,” he said.

“We have been working away for a while now and been lucky enough to sign a few.

“Hopefully we can have a successful season.”

Cudgewa ‘s recruiting isn’t finished yet with the Blues speaking to several other well-credentialed district league footballers.

The Blues bowed out of the premiership race in the first week of the finals this year when it went down to Corryong.

Bullioh has appointed Aaron Gordon, Clint Ried and Hamish Clark as co-coaches while Mitch Fennessy will lead Tumbarumba for a second term.

Fennessy helped the Roos break a 27-match losing streak this season when they upset Border-Walwa. 

Border-Walwa and Federal are looking for replacements for Craig Bosley and Gerard Midson.

Bosley spent three years at the helm, taking the Magpies into the 2017 finals.

“It’s been a good three years but I think it’s time for a change of direction,” Bosley said.

Midson guided the Swans into the 2017 and 2018 finals with the Swans proving competitive against raging favourite Bullioh in this year’s grand final.

Corryong is yet to make a decision on its senior coaching appointment with the club holding its annual general meeting on Thursday night.

Evan Nicholas has been in charge of the Demons for an extended period.