Bacchus Marsh games record holder Daniel Velden is departing the Ballarat Football League club to head to Ballan.
The Central Highlands club announced the signing of Velden as well as revealing its coaching panel for next year.
Harley Bongart will lead a new-look coaching panel, stepping up at the club having previously been captain, junior coach and assistant coach.
Tristan Batten, Luke Mullane and Blake Colley round out the coaching panel.
Velden, who has played 316 games for the Cobras and is a premiership player, said it was time for the next part of his career.
“I was looking at the next chapter in my footy career, and a potential coaching position came up with Ballan.
“So I thought I would go for a chat and after meeting with Owey, Blake [Colley] and Harley [Bongart], listening to their future plans and seeing the new facilities and ground, I was pretty keen to give it a crack! The amount of young talent we have to work with makes it all the more exciting.”
Ballan president David O’Hanlon said it’s unbelievable to have someone like Velden joining the club and who has two of the most important things in football; loyalty and commitment.
Colley will be a playing assistant coach, having crossed from Darley. He played 17 games this year, 12 in the seniors including the side’s first final win on the way to a premiership.
Colley said there was a history of family involvement at the club.
“My grandfather Neville Wilkie was senior coach, my uncle, Simon Wilkie, was player and coach and also winning a league medal, cousin Jake Wilkie is a past captain of the club, my dad Matt Colley played over 100 games here and my brother Zane Colley is already here, so it was a pretty easy decision to come. Also the ground and new facility.”
