Werris Creek’s presentation night wasn’t just about naming the club’s award winners for 2017 but also to announce a new coach for 2018.
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Former Newcastle Knight Matt Parsons has stepped into the role of co-coach.
Ron Dellar will also take on a co-coaching role, similar to the arrangement in 2017 with outgoing coach Lindsay Bowne – who won’t be lost to the club after being appointed the club’s senior vice president.
Parsons had success with the Magpies in 2012 with a Second Division premiership – also in a co-coaching role with Dellar – following a successful stint with North Tamworth.
The Magpies had a tough 2017 with a side not too dissimilar to the premiers’ side of the 2016 season. However, with significant injuries throughout the season, the Magpies limped to the end of the Second Division season in a disappointing eighth.
“It’ll be important to kick off in the First Division with the right frame of mind. We’re not planning to just make up numbers. We want to be competitive but we’ll need more players and a good pre-season,” Dellar said.
The club has reacted to the step up to the new first grade competition with the appointment of Parsons while also nominating an under 18s team.
The Magpies also wrapped up their annual presentations with Zac Leonard taking out the coveted Magpies best and fairest award as well as player of the year for 2017 for the men while Casey Hatch took out the best and fairest for the women.
Other awards on the night went to Hatch for the Frank Sodden memorial highest female points-scorer while Cody Tickle picked up the highest points scorer for the men. Marcus Doran won the Ritchie Parsons memorial “Team Man” trophy, Zac Buckely for the “Wizzo” Porter most consistent trophy, Chris Wilson won the supporters award while the “Darby” Sherlock president’s award went to Darren Clarke for the men and Tanya Barnett for the women.
