Clinton Young is Gisborne’s new senior coach.
Young, who spent this year as a playing assistant coach at the Bulldogs, was announced as senior coach on Sunday, following the reserves’ finals win.
President John Wood was thrilled to have Young as the club’s new coach. Young , who will be a playing coach, replaces Brad Spear who decided to step down from the role after two years in charge.
“We’re really pleased about,” Wood said of the signing of the former Hawthorn and Collingwood AFL player.
“He’s been involved here for two years. He was a playing assistant coach this year, while his first year he was playing with his junior club Minyip Murtoa and as it was a long way to go he trained with us.
“He’s worked really closely with Brad this year and they did a terrific job with a young list. He’s got a good handle on things and knows what is going on.”
Wood said one of the most pleasing things from the coaching appointment process, was the number of quality applicants that applied for the job.
With a coach on board, Wood said the Bulldogs were now focused on looking at bringing in a few players to the club.
He said they would be very specific with who they targeted.
“We’ve locked away a coach this early and it gives our recruiting guy a really good opportunity to speak to players about coming across,” he said.
“Having a coach on board really helps that.
“We feel we are in a pretty good position. We used the least number of player points from just about every club across Victoria .
“We’ve developed a good base. Clinton has some really good contacts through his AFL career and I’m sure he’ll use some of them.”
Wood said Spear would remain involved with the club, with his three sons all playing the Bulldogs.
“Brad had some pretty tough times last year when more than 12 of our senior players left,” he said.
“It was a really young team last year with an average age of about 19. This year it was a touch over 20.
“He did a fantastic job.
“He spoke to us prior to the end of the season and said he thought he had taken them as far as he could and they needed a difference voice.”
