Barooga welcomes AFL experience with former Richmond and O&M legend Craig Ednie appointed as co-coach

It now means the bottom-ranked Murray Football League side has arguably the best coaching set up in the comp.

At least, that’s the view of Barooga Football Netball Club president Darrell Bowden.

“If people can’t be inspired by these two, then I give up — they certainly inspire me and I’m well past playing,” Bowden said.

“It’s very exciting to have him on board; obviously his resume speaks for itself.

“(Ednie and O’Brien) can both communicate very well with young people, which is a separate skill set.”

Ednie’s honours list reads long and proud.

Following seven games for Richmond in the AFL, the “Little Master” had a storied career in the Ovens and Murray League for Yarrawonga with three flags, five club best-and-fairests and a Morris Medal to name but a few of his achievements.

Bowden revealed Ednie’s name popped up when Barooga was headhunting coaches during the off-season and, though there was dialogue, the timing was off.

Now, it’s just right.

Ednie voiced an interest in working alongside his old mate O’Brien and, with both having successful track records of turning clubs around in Picola District Football League, Bowden thinks there’s no reason why the duo can’t repeat that success with Barooga.

“They’ve done it before and we’ve got a very young group that needs guidance from people like this,” he said.

“We’re having a ‘back to Barooga’ motto; we’re not out to chase high-end marquee players who want money like some sort of mercenary — we’re rebuilding locally first.

“We’ve got at least a dozen Barooga boys out playing at other clubs, so we want to build the depth of our group first and foremost.”

Ednie spoke with the club’s under-17 group before his appointment was announced outside the club and Bowden indicated he’ll “cruise into the position nice and comfortably” for the rest of 2025, largely focused on list management.

Barooga’s focus for the season’s remainder is more about future proofing than finals.

The Hawks are yet to win a senior fixture in 2025, but there are promising signs in the form of green shoots rising up the ranks.

Injuries to as many as eight of Barooga’s top-end talent has meant a dozen under-17 players have stepped up to seniors, while the Hawks’ under-14s ticked off a milestone earlier in the season by beating Moama, a feat Bowden “doesn’t remember Barooga ever doing”.

“We’ve got a great junior development program, which is something we’re working very hard on,” he said.

“We initiated a junior pathway program this year right down to under-10s and under-12s playing on Friday nights.

“We’re concentrating hard on building from the bottom of the tree.”

Barooga’s young crop is already motivated by O’Brien’s data-driven and ‘Kaizen’ approach, meaning improvement in Japanese.

And with Ednie now along for the ride with him the Hawks look set to soar.