Jake Sharp and Dawson Simpson agree to co-coach Myrtleford next season

The welcome news at McNamara Reserve is a major boost to the Saints' chances of snapping their 51-year premiership drought.

The club had originally planned for Simpson to coach outright next year before opting to once again go with the popular clubmen as co-coaches.

Sharp, who led the Saints to the preliminary final in 2019, said it wasn't a tough decision for him to coach again.

"It was an easy decision for me to make when the club approached me to coach again," Sharp said.

"I love the club, the playing group and how committed they are alongside a very supportive team of officials, volunteers and supporters."

Sharp felt that Simpson had already had a significant impact in his short tenure as a co-coach and sharing the role was the best fit for the club.

"The two of us have bonded into the role together really well and feed off each other," he said.

"We are really comfortable in the position together and feel we are the best fit for the club going forward.

"I definitely enjoy coaching with Dawson and learning from him and am looking forward to what the club can achieve over the next few seasons."

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Sharp arrived at McNamara Reserve at the start of 2019 after five seasons with Werribee in the VFL.

The then 23-year-old became the youngest Saints' coach in 68 years.

President Ian Wales said it was a calculated gamble by the Saints to lure Sharp back to his hometown club as coach despite his inexperience.

"We are delighted with the news of their commitment," Wales said.

"We feel initially Jake and now both Jake and Dawson have put the club in a strong position for future success both on and off the field.

"Originally Dawson was going to take over from Jake next year but both the guys have now got young families and realise how big the job is.

"So they are both happy to work together and share the load.

"It's fair to say the club took a gamble by appointing Jake as coach at such a young age.

"But with Jake being a local, we all knew him fairly well and that he had all the attributes of a leader.

"Jake was already well respected in the community and has only enhanced that during the past two-and-a-half years.

"Getting Dawson was like the cream on top."

Simpson joined the Saints last year in the biggest signing of the off-season.

However, his highly anticipated debut at McNamara Reserve was delayed by 12-months after COVID-19.

Simpson has played all seven matches this season.

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