Shayne Newell appointed coach of Albury-Wodonga Spitfires for 2021 Capital League season

Shayne Newell returns to the top job and is after the perfect start in the season opener against ANU in Canberra on Saturday.

Former coaches Jeremy Payne and Tony Donnolley will remain heavily involved, but Payne is keen to see what Newell can bring to the side.

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"He coached us about five years ago when we were still playing in Melbourne and took us all the way to the final in state league two," Payne said.

"He's definitely got the experience to push us to the next level.

"Tony and are I are stepping aside. We'll help out and be part of the leadership group and assist with training and selection."

The Spitfires lost both practice matches against Old Canberrans at Albury Hockey Centre on the weekend, but Payne said Noah Erdeljac, Patrick Baine and Taz Kearney had all taken their games to another level.

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