Rutherglen has appointed Steve Owen as coach to complete the Tallangatta and District league coaching jigsaw.
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In a major coup for the Cats, Owen replaces Daniel Athanitis who announced last month that he would be stepping down after two years at the helm.
Owen is no stranger at Barkly Park and was set to assist Athanitis this year before COVID-19 forced the season to be abandoned.
"I was keen to help out Daniel this season as an assistant coach before the season was scrapped," Owen said.
"When Daniel stepped down the club approached me and I jumped at the opportunity to coach."
Owen boasts an impressive record as a player and was drafted by Geelong at the end of 2005 from the North Ballarat Rebels.
He was plagued by injury during his two-year tenure at the Cattery which robbed him of the chance of playing at the elite level.
After being delisted by Geelong, Owen joined VFL outfit North Ballarat but his injury curse continued after suffering a torn ACL.
Owen showed his true potential playing in a hat-trick of flags for Queenscliff including two as coach.
The 33-year-old is hoping his playing days are behind him.
"I'm hoping we can recruit well enough so I don't have to play," he said.
"I will do a pre-season with the boys and see what happens from there.
"We have a relatively young list which I'm excited about.
"There is a lot of talent there and now it's up to me to develop that."
The Cats finished seventh last year with a 8-10 record.
Owen said the majority of the list had re-committed.
"My first priority was to keep the players we had," he said.
"We are now just trying to recruit blokes who we think will improve the club.
"We want players who will contribute both on and off the field."