Steve Hammond, who coached the Tongala reserves to the flag in 2022, is the Blues’ new senior mentor.
Ironically, Hammond was sacked by Tongala after that flag win, which he now finds a little amusing, but says is enthusiastic about the new challenge.
‘‘I stewed over it (sacking) a bit last season but got over it and watched games this season and thought there was a lot of young players who could be developed,’’ Hammond said.
“So when the coaching job came up I decided to apply. Now I’m really keen again that I’ve got it.”
Hammond said selective rather than mass recruiting was needed to get the club back as a finals contender.
‘‘I think there are plenty of good and also promising players already at the club, so we don’t need wholesale recruiting,“ he said.
Hammond said he wanted to retain this year’s coach Billy Barnes. He said he had seen Barnes play in his prime and still had a big opinion of his ability.
“I’d love him to stay on,” Hammond said.
Hammond played his football with Hampden League club Cobden — nearly 300 games — and is a three-time best and fairest club winner and also won the Maskell Medal for the best and fairest player in the Hampden League in 1996.
He also had a three-year coaching stint with Cobden, leading it to the 2007 grand final in his first year as coach.
Hammond was also assistant coach in a Victorian Country under-18 team to Hawthorn legend Peter Knights and also assisted Knights in a three-year stint with the Victorian country open team.
Fellow Murray League clubs Numurkah and Cobram have also named new leaders for next season.
Numurkah’s three-man coaching panel of Sean Harrap, Jamason Daniels and Patrick Riordan have made way for Chris and Jordan O’Dwyer, with current Numurkah cricket captain Tim Arnel joining them as assistant coach.
Cobram has appointed triple Waaia premiership player Mark Meyland to take the reins from Tim Garlick and Tyron Baden.
Baden will remain with the Tigers as a player but Garlick has got the top job with Picola League club Strathmerton.
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