Wodonga Raiders have missed out on signing a coach rated the greatest in Ainslie's history.
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Chris Rourke led the ACT club to six premierships in 14 seasons, prior to leaving last year.
He's currently living in Sydney suburb Camden and had offers from Raiders and Noosa, informing officials of his decision over the weekend.
"It was a really tough decision, Raiders were very professional, they've been fantastic, the coach Jarrod (Hodgkin) has been terrific and their playing list looks good," Rourke offered.
"My only reason for going (to Noosa) is I've got family that are going to move up there, unfortunately we've had a pretty rough time the last couple of years, so it's probably good if we all stick together as a family.
"If it (the decision) was purely on football, it (Raiders) would be the first place I'd go but, in the end, family always comes first."
If it (the decision) was purely on football, it (Raiders) would be the first place I'd go but, in the end, family always comes first.
- Chris Rourke
A father of four daughters, Rourke lost his wife Julie to lung cancer late last year.
He developed an enormous reputation in the ACT, with his people management skills so strong that any player under his tutelage was regarded as family.
Raiders targeted Rourke after coach Hodgkin announced in May he would step down after the season due to work commitments.
Speculation was rising that Hodgkin would coach Mitta United next year, but he's committed to Raiders.
"I've heard those stories about Mitta and I will go there at some stage, but while I'm still playing good footy, I'll stay at Wodonga Raiders," he suggested.
ALSO IN SPORT:
Hodgkin claimed the league's Morris Medal on his coaching debut in 2019.
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