NORTH Melbourne premiership player Shannon Grant has been appointed coach of the Bendigo Bombers.Grant, who won the 1999 Norm Smith Medal, replaces Adrian Hickmott at the helm of the club.The 32-year-old joins the Bombers after coaching VFL rival Frankston this season.Grant will be based in Melbourne where he will help develop Essendon’s younger players.A yet to be appointed assistant coach will take care of the Bendigo-based Bombers players.“It’s an important role for both clubs and I will work closely with both groups,’’ Grant said.“In the last 12 to 24 months at Frankston and the Kangaroos I really enjoyed working with the kids and seeing their development was staisfying.“Essendon has a young, developing list that could become a great list and Bendigo has some exciting young players as well.“The opportunity to be a part of building a successful VFL team is an opportunity worth chasing up.’’Essendon’s general manager of football operations, Paul Hamilton, said there were several quality candidates for the job. “Shannon has boundless enthusiasm and energy for the Bendigo job which will be important,’’ Hamilton said.“He has a good football brain, is a hard worker and enjoyed a successful AFL career, so we think he is a good fit for Bendigo.’’