THE final Wimmera Football League senior coaching appointments have been made for the 2017 season.
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Both the Ararat Rats and Stawell Warriors announced who would lead their senior sides last week.
Leading the Rats will be Terry Keilar and Mick Fratin who will take on joint coaching roles.
Fratin is a life member of the club and has previously been an assistant coach of the side.
“I am very excited at the opportunity at hand to lead such a prestigious club like the Ararat Rats,” he said.
“Being a past player at the club and being involved for the past 17 years and to see the current group and what David Hosking has created is exciting.”
Keilar joins the club from Moyston-Willaura and said the new coaching team would start a new approach.
“We want to come in with a clean slate,” he said.
“We want to give all the players an opportunity to prove to us what they are all about and what they can offer the team.”
Shane Fisher also joined the club to fill the new role of director of coaching.
Stawell announced 2016 Toohey medal runner-up Tom Eckel as its new senior coach.
He steps into the role following the departure of Brad Thomas.
“After talking to a few ex-players and close friends I was keen to do it,” Eckel said.
“I approached the football department and had a go at it.”
Eckel is a young coach but believes he is ready.
“I’ve captained the club for four years and helped Brad out last year,” he said.
“I have great support around me with other coaches and players that are willing to help out.”
The final two appointments mean there will be six new senior coaches in 2017.
Luke Fisher will coach reigning premiers Horsham Saints and Damian Cameron will coach Minyip-Murtoa after the side was defeated in the grand final.
The Demons will be under the guidance of Louie Dalziel for the new season.
Dimboola stalwart Allistair McKinnon will step up to the senior coaching role for the Roos. Nhill’s Alan Bennett and Warrack’s Ryan McKenzie are the only two coaches continuing in their senior roles from the 2016 season.