Luke Carr to join Hopetoun as joint senior coach

Carr joins the Mallee Football League club as joint senior coach, sharing the role with 2011 coach Kain Robins.

Hopetoun president Brad Fisher said the appointment was officially made last week.

Carr is a six-time premiership player with Horsham in the Wimmera Football League. He left Horsham to play for Horsham District Football League club Taylors Lake for the 2010 season.

He was appointed as senior coach of the Lakers in September after two seasons as assistant coach.

"Luke brings with him a lot of experience, so he'll be great in the coaching role," Mr Fisher said.

Joining him at the club is former Lakers team-mate Deek Roberts, who finished runner-up in the Dellar Family Medal this year.

"Deek is an exciting talent who will liven up our forward line," Mr Fisher said. "They're both fresh faces and will be good to have around the club. They're both going to be huge assets."

Mr Fisher said the club appointed Paul Aikman as non-playing assistant coach.

Aikman is relocating from Ballarat to take the principal's position at Hopetoun P-12 College.

Aikman was the North Ballarat Roosters reserves coach in the Victorian Football League this season.

"He has a fair resume and will be a great help to our coaches," Mr Fisher said.

Mr Fisher also announced the club had signed Anthony Baker from Bridgewater.

Baker, a midfielder, won the best and fairest award for the premiership winning team in the Loddon Valley Football League this year.

Mr Fisher said Liam Price, a Hopetoun local who had relocated to Ballarat for tertiary study, would also return to the club.

"We've been trying to get ex-Hopetoun boys back to the club," he said.

"We're still talking to a few more."

Mr Fisher said the club's strong recruiting drive should help it improve on this year's fourth place finish.

"We're looking forward to next season," he said.

"We've had to work hard in the off-season, like everyone else.

"You've got to start early and we're really happy with what we've got."