FORMER Barnawartha and Rutherglen coach Mark Sarau has taken on the role of leading the Tallangatta and District league out of the representative doldrums.
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Sarau will return to the coaching box after a 12-month break when the league takes on the Ovens and King at Sandy Creek on May 18.
The TDFL hasn’t won an inter-league match since 2014 when it defeated Kyabram by 13 points.
“Rex (Gray) called me before Christmas and asked if I’d be interested in doing it and I didn’t hesitate in saying yes,” Sarau said.
“It’s an honour and a privilege.
“As a coach you try and get the best out of the players you have and to coach the best is a great opportunity.
“Rex says he’s got good feedback from the presidents and players regarding the inter-league and hopefully everyone buys in.”
The TDFL has lost their last three matches to Hume (98 points), Ovens and King (29 points) and Riverina (46 points) and sat out last year due to complications with the draw.
Sarau will have Darren Hatton, Brett Skinner and Clinton Harvey as his deputies.
“We’ve had a meeting and plan to look at every side in the first three weeks of the season,” he said.
“We want to do things right from the start.”
Sarau, who was Lavington’s director of coaching in 2016 and 2017, spent three years as coach of Barnawartha and four at Rutherglen.
He led the Tigers to the flag in 2013.
“Mark’s done so much work already,” Gray said.
“He’s very passionate.”
