FORMER Kalkee joint-coach Jay Tucker will coach Mildura Football Club in 2010.
Mildura announced Tucker would coach the Sunraysia Football League club for the next two seasons.
Tucker, 31, coached Kalkee to back-to-back Horsham District Football League flags in the past two seasons and has also spent time at a number of Wimmera clubs, including Horsham United, Edenhope-Apsley and Donald.
A talented midfielder, Tucker has played in six senior premierships in his career and was a member of the Victorian Country Football League state team in 2007.
After reaching ultimate success in the district league, Tucker said he looked forward to a new challenge at the Demons.
``I'm really excited,'' Tucker said. ``It's a major league and a new town so I'll meet a lot of new people.
``Their under-18s won it last year and I'm hoping to sign a pretty high calibre assistant coach as well so things are looking up and I'm really excited.
``The people I've met at the club have all been really supportive and welcoming and they really bent over backwards to get me there.
``I've been impressed with the philosophy and culture at the club and that's why I decided to move.''
Mildura president Gary Dawson said the club was thrilled to have an experienced playing coach to lead its young list.