MDFL - Tatyoon Football Club will look to its young leaders to launch the Hawks' assault on the 2010 Mininera and District Football League season.
Josh McDougall and Matt Harris have been named joint playing coaches and are looking forward to sinking their teeth into their first senior roles.
The duo will bring a good mix of youth (both men are under 30) and experience to the top job, as the club undergoes adjustments in preparation for next year.
As a former Under 16 and reserves coach, McDougall views the senior position as the next logical step.
Both McDougall and Harris consider their appointments as the perfect opportunity to `play what they preach'.
Tatyoon secretary Neil Robertson believes the fact that McDougall and Harris have already earned the respect of fellow players and other senior club members will be of major benefit.
''Josh and Matt are the perfect choice to steer the blokes in the right direction and will be looking to go one better next year,'' Robertson said.
''Matt's been around the club for a while so it's really good that he put his hand up and Josh was the reserves coach last year, so the two together should be a good combination.
''The club is really happy with the appointment and the fact that they're local blokes will create more of an interest within the community.''
McDougall and Harris have been actively recruiting during the off-season and have already signed seven handy recruits.
''We've lost a couple of blokes and have had to fill a few spots, but we're really happy with where we're at,'' McDougall said.
The Hawks will be short three key players when they line up in 2010.
Dual club best and fairest winner Rich Tucker and Cameron Gellie are both heading overseas, while star backman Julian Sambell is moving north for work commitments.
One player accounting for those losses is former North Ballarat Rebel Jarryd Graham, who will provide leadership in his role as assistant coach.
The utility/backman spent the last four years as a member of the Wimmera representative senior team and is a welcome addition.
Ex-Tatyoon player Damian Cameron returns to the fold after two years with St Mary's in the Geelong Football League.
''Damian's an athletic footballer who has the ability to be dangerous in any position on the ground,'' McDougall said.
''He's very fit and he's going to be a huge asset for us.''
The side also welcomes back two Tatyoon premiership players in hard running backman Bradd Wilson (Ararat Eagles) and backman/midfielder Jarrod Blandford (Minyip-Murtoa).
Agile leading forward Steven Nicholson played more than 100 games with Redan in the Ballarat Football League and will provide a strong focal point in the goal square.
''Last year we struggled kicking goals, so we've picked up a few blokes to add a bit of depth to the forward line,'' McDougall said.
Finally, the Hawks have picked up two players from Bairnsdale. Tim Whelan is a strong leading forward while Matt Whelan is a tough utility/backman.
Both men will make the regular trip up from Melbourne.
With the new recruits, the experienced bodies around the club and a number of under 16 players ready to move up, McDougall and Harris are more than happy with their prospects.
''We're hoping to keep the majority of our under 16s and hope they will benefit from some of the more experienced heads around the club,'' McDougall said.
''We'll also rely on players like Sonny Walton, Aaron Jenkins and Tim Barr to help us out with leadership roles and will look to young footballers like Andy Maconachie to make a consistent contribution each week.''
Pre-season is already underway with players training at Tatyoon on Wednesday nights in the lead up to Christmas.
''We're also meeting on Monday nights at the YMCA at 6pm for a run,'' McDougall said.
''Anyone willing to have a run is most welcome and we're always interested in anyone looking to move across.
''Nick Lloyd has been appointed coach of the reserves and is looking to add to his team as well, which will really help to strengthen the squad.
''We just want all the players at Tatyoon to really enjoy the year and enjoy being part of a close-knit group.
''We want the team to enjoy training as well as playing and hope that as young coaches, we can lead by example.''
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