Shepparton East has locked in its senior football coach for the 2022 season with former clubman Rob Osborne back at the Eagles’ nest.
After two months of searching for a replacement for outgoing coach Duane Hueston the Eagles have landed their man.
The Kyabram District League club revealed its new mentor at the weekend.
Osborne, a multiple premiership player and two-time best-and-fairest winner at the club, returns to Central Park Recreation Reserve after three years at Shepparton Swans.
East president Stewart Cook said the club was rapt to welcome back one of its former star talents.
“It's great to have him back at the club. It was a no-brainer for us when he applied for the position,” Cook said.
“He's won a few premierships, he's a past captain and he has won two club best-and-fairests. He is a really well-liked bloke at the club and we felt he was the best person for us moving forward.”
Cook said he was unsure whether Osborne — who won the 2019 Goulburn Valley League reserves best-and-fairest — would don the boots and be a playing coach at the Eagles.
Osborne takes over from Hueston, who spent two seasons at the helm after joining in 2019.
Both of those campaigns were impacted by the coronavirus pandemic and the Echuca United great stepped down in July due to family reasons.
“Duane did a fantastic job in the time he spent as coach,” Cook said.
“He came in when the club was going through a bit of upheaval after a few years bouncing around different leagues.
“He really settled the club; he built a great base and platform for the club's younger group as well.
“Hopefully ‘Ozzie’ (Osborne) can continue to work with those young guys and build on what Duane has done, but also add to that base which is something that is really exciting for the club.”
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