AFL legend Doug Hawkins is returning to Bacchus Marsh to coach the Cobras’ under-18 side in 2016.
The 55-year-old, who played 329 games for Western Bulldogs and 21 for Fitzroy, has previously coached junior and senior sides at Bacchus Marsh.
He led the under-16s to a premiership in 2011, and three members of that team were selected at last year’s AFL national draft. Liam Duggan joined West Coast, Dillon Viojo-Rainbow was taken by Carlton, and Brenton Payne went to St Kilda.
Hawkins then led the Bacchus Marsh senior side for two years, finishing up at the end of the 2013 season.
Cobras president Adam Sutherland said regaining Hawkins was a coup for the club. “Doug has amazing coaching credentials in junior football and has the score on the board with the under-16 premiership side he coached,” Sutherland said.
“I think all the boys love having Doug as coach.
“We think we have a really good crop of under-18s and he seems like the perfect fit for them.
“Preparing the boys for senior football is one of Doug’s biggest strengths. The other thing is he’s great at getting boys to enjoy their football.”
Bacchus Marsh is hoping Hawkins’ appointment will further strengthen its home- grown junior push.
The Cobras have been preparing for next year’s statewide player points cap for some time and has made a point of promoting young talent from within. Sutherland expects the 2016 senior side to run out each week with at least 15 home-grown players.
They will be led by first-year coach Travis Hodgson, who replaced Cameron Richardson.
Hodgson joins the Cobras from Northern Football League club Fitzroy Stars.
“Travis has started off really well,” Sutherland said.
“We did our homework before appointing him.
“Everything we heard about and his preparation … we couldn’t have asked for more.
“He’s a great guy, he has met all our players already, he has spoken to numerous recruits and has organised pre-season camps.
“We’re just rapt to have him on board.”
