Border Mail |
CHILTERN has landed a major coup and signed Wodonga Raiders champion midfielder Mark Doolan.
The five-time best and fairest winner will join the Swans next year as an assistant coach under co-coaches Shaun Pritchard and Kirk Wilson, who have re-signed for another season.
In a three-year deal, Doolan will then replace Pritchard and Wilson as senior coach for the 2015 and 2016 seasons.
Doolan, 28, who is recovering from a knee reconstruction, said it was a tough decision to leave Birallee Park.
“Leaving Raiders was a very hard decision and I will always consider myself as a Raiders person,” Doolan said.
“I believe Raiders are heading in the right direction, with some positive signs with recruiting and they have already re-signed most of their list.
“I just felt the time was right for me to have a change and I am excited with the opportunity at Chiltern and the potential their young list offers.
“Everyone you speak to at Chiltern are really driven to get themselves in a position to compete for a maiden flag in the Tallangatta league.
“I hope I can help them achieve that in the next few years, but there is a lot of hard work to be done yet.”
Doolan has spent 12 seasons at Birallee Park after debuting in 2001 and has racked up 185 games.
He played his entire career at Raiders, except for a one-year stint with West Perth in 2008.
The Wodonga Raiders skipper suffered a season-ending knee injury against North
Albury in round 9 but hopes to be ready for round 1 next season.
Former Wodonga Raiders teammate and cousin Dane O’Neill plays for Chiltern and was instrumental in luring Doolan to the Swans.
Kirk Wilson said Doolan would be fantastic for Chiltern.
“With his O and M experience, Doogs is going to bring a lot to Chiltern and be a really good mentor for the kids coming through,” Wilson said.
“We’re very excited to be able to pick up a quality person and player.”
Wodonga Raiders president Stephen Hudson wished Doolan all the best at his new club.
“Mark Doolan’s record at the club speaks volumes,” Hudson said.
“He is a true leader on and off the field.
“Seeing our junior players grow and develop like we have seen with Mark is what this club is all about.
“He’s put in the hard work and it’s fabulous to see him get this opportunity and begin his coaching career.
“His footprint at this club will remain long into our future — we wish him every success at Chiltern.”
