Wangaratta premiership coach Kellie Keen returns to former club Benalla

Keen will return to the Goulburn Valley League next season after rejoining Benalla Saints as the club's A and B-grade coach.

In her five-years with the Magpies, the playing coach helped lead the club to their first A-grade flag in 2018, before going back-to-back in 2019.

Wangaratta co-president Ellyn O'Brien praised Keen for her leadership and wished her well as she returns to her home club.

"Kellie's been fabulous and she's very well respected amongst the club," O'Brien said.

"She wasn't too keen to commit to us for the 2021 season but did, so it was always the intention that she wouldn't be coaching in 2022.

"It'll be sad to see her go and she's been a big part of our club and our netball community.

"She will leave quiet a spot to fill, not only as a coach, but as a player as well.

"Change is as good as a holiday sometimes."

Keen helped the Pies to a third-place finish this season scoring 180 goals over 13 matches.

Wangaratta was on the hunt for their third consecutive flag and were well in the finals mix before the league was forced to make the call to abandon the remainder of the season.

Keen is no stranger to success at Benalla, having already won seven premierships and eight best and fairest awards at the club.

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On top of having over 10 years' coaching experience, she has already played just over 400 games in the Goulburn Valley League alone.

Throughout her career she has played in 11 netball premierships, claiming two with Wangaratta Rovers.

Former Ovens and Murray star defender Rhiannon Dolahenty is coming off the back of her first season with Benalla, recently taking out the GV League's A-grade Most Valuable Player award alongside Mooroopna's Maddison Wong.

Wangaratta this week announced an exciting football signing, with former Murray Bushranger and junior Magpie Jackson Clarke returning to the club.

He arrives following stints in both the VFL and Northern Football Netball League.

"I haven't met Jackson yet, but Ben Reid speaks very highly of him," O'Brien said.

"I'm excited to get him onboard and to get preseason started so we can start moving.

"It's great that he's coming back to grassroots footy and returning to the club."

O'Brien said anyone interested in Wangaratta's A and B-grade netball coaching positions for next season can contact her directly.

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