Balranald has signed Wodonga Raiders' star Jydon Neagle as co-coach

The move has been mooted for months, with the Central Murray Kangaroos confirming the co-coaching role yesterday.

"Jydon's a very high-profile player and with the quality of football he will bring to the club, he will improve us," club president Tony Stead said.

It will be a sentimental move for Neagle, who turned 27 on August 29, after his late father and 1984 Essendon premiership player Merv led the club to the 2006 premiership.

"I didn't see a lot of Jydon play here prior to moving away as a kid," Stead offered.

"For everyone around the area and who had something to do with the club when Merv was here, it means a lot to the club to have his son return as coach.

"It's just great, Jydon played his junior footy here, so he's come back to the club where he started."

He will co-coach with Ben Mahon, who was a first-year coach this season.

The Kangaroos were seventh with four wins when COVID stopped the league.

Neagle has been one of the O and M's best players during his stints and could rightfully lay claim to being in the best three, alongside magical Raiders' team-mate Brodie Filo and Wangaratta forward Michael Newton, when he left after the 2018 season to join SANFL outfit Central District.

Seven-time premiership mentor Roy Laird believed Neagle was on the verge of becoming an outstanding moving forward when he left.

He returned to Raiders this season and while he missed the first three games due to suspension and a calf injury, he quickly regained his silky touch, kicking five goals apiece in the first two games against Wodonga and Myrtleford.

Neagle played 10 games and featured in the best in the first eight.

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