RELATED:
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
EAGLEHAWK’S BFNL premiership defence will begin with a new leader at the helm.
The Hawks have appointed former Kerang premiership coach Travis Matheson as their successor to 2018 flag mastermind Josh Bowe, who chose not to seek reappointment following two seasons in the role.
Efforts are already in overdrive to ensure Bowe remains with the club in a playing role.
It’s a homecoming of sorts for Matheson, who spent the 2011 season with Eaglehawk before embarking on a successful period with Kerang.
He was a part of a run of six straight premierships for the Central Murray league’s Blues, including two as joint playing coach alongside current Strathfieldsaye coach Troy Coates in 2015-16, and one as the lone leader in 2017.
The Blues missed a place in this season’s grand final, after they were eliminated in the preliminary final by Mallee Eagles.
Matheson, who has signed a two-year deal, is clearly delighted to be back in the Hawks’ nest.
“Since playing here in 2011, I have kept in contact with a few current players and few people on the committee … it’s always a place I have wanted to get back to at some point in time,” he said.
“Given my time in Kerang was up, I thought now is the right time to get amongst it.
“I grew up in Kerang and moved down to Bendigo when I was 18, so have been up and down the highway for nearly 10 years … I’m looking forward to some quick trips to training.
“A lot has changed since my last time here, there’s new facilities, new netball courts and the ground looks immaculate.
“I am rapt to be back and looking forward to getting into it.”
Matheson, a former Bendigo Pioneers TAC Cup player, underwent a shoulder reconstruction on Monday and at this point will be a non-playing coach.
The 29-year-old, who is a teacher at Bendigo Senior Secondary College, said he watched Saturday’s grand final win with a ‘vested interest’ and ‘definitely liked what I saw’.
“I like how the boys go about it, you can see just how close the group is,” Matheson said.
“They’re young, certainly have lots of talent and play for each other and that certainly appeals to me.
“I don’t think it’s a matter of bringing too much new, it will be about developing the great work of Bowey and Luke Monaghan before that in the lead up to where they are now.”
He said a definite focus will be keeping their premiership 22 in Hawks’ jumpers.
(Eaglehawk) is always a place I have wanted to get back to at some point in time.
- Travis Matheson
Eaglehawk will have a new under-18 coach also, with Ash Grant, who played a crucial role on the bench in Newbridge’s 2018 Loddon Valley premiership triumph, taking on the role.
Linton Jacobs remains at the reserves coach.
Hawks president Peter Ritchie said landing Matheson had been a priority for the club.
“Once we knew Bowey wasn’t going to coach again Travis was our number one pick and we’ve secured him,” he said.
“He brings a wealth of knowledge and he might be able to bring a few players with him.
“He has indicated to us that eventually he wants to go higher places, so maybe back into the Pioneers system, but he’s contracted to us for two years with a further option there if he wants it.”
The new coach will inherit a squad bristling with young talent, with the Hawks using 17 one-point players in their premiership year.
“Contracts have been done and some are being done as we speak, but all (premiership players) have indicated they are going to hang around,” Ritchie said.
“Travis is stepping into a club with a lot of youth that has a lot of improvement in it after a flag.
“There’s a few 18, 19 and 20 year-olds who will take the next step …. Bowey’s left a great impression.”