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WEDDERBURN will have co-coaches in the North Central league next year, with Sam Barnes joining Danny Benaim at the helm of the Redbacks.
Benaim is the longest-serving of the current coaches in the NCFL having taken on the Redbacks' role in 2016.
Barnes, one of the region's most decorated key forwards, returned to Wedderburn last year following a successful stint at North Bendigo, but his 2019 season was cut short after suffering an eye injury.
Barnes is a five-time premiership player with the Redbacks (2007, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014), while he also played in North Bendigo's back-to-back flags in 2015-16.
"It was great to get Barnsey back involved with the club last year... wherever he has been he has had great success," Wedderburn president Chris Holt said on Wednesday.
"For him to come back and support us again, we're really happy with that and we're looking forward to him working with Danny."
Benaim too is a five-time premiership player at Wedderburn and in August last year played his 300th senior game for the Redbacks.
As well as announcing the Benaim-Barnes co-coaching set-up, the Redbacks have also confirmed the return of key forward Will Holt to Wedderburn.
Holt previously played with the Redbacks and has had stints with the Bendigo Pioneers and Sandhurst. He played 11 games for the Dragons last year before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury.
Wedderburn has finished 5th, 5th, 6th, 8th and 6th since winning the last of its four flags in a row in 2014.
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