RIVERINA FOOTBALL LEAGUE
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EXPERIENCED Narrandera utility Brett Powell has become the second premiership player to leave the Eagles' nest after he accepted a coaching job in the Hume League.
Hume League club Billabong Crows won the race to secure Powell's signature and has appointed him as the club's senior coach for the next two years.
Powell achieved his career-long goal this year by playing in a Riverina Football League premiership with his home club Narrandera.
He was heavily pursued in a coaching capacity 12 months ago but wanted to play one last season at Narrandera, a decision that paid the ultimate dividend.
Powell was again in discussions with several clubs from the Farrer and Hume leagues before choosing Billabong Crows to take on his first senior coaching job.
"The coaching role is something I've thought about a few times and I thought it was about time I took the next step," Powell said yesterday.
"It's going to be a big challenge but a coaching role is something I've always wanted to do.
"The club have struggled a bit in the Hume League so it's going to be a challenge but it's one I'm looking forward to."
Ben Kerr coached Billabong Crows this year and has decided to stay on at the club, something that Powell is very happy about.
The 31-year-old plans to play at either centre-half-forward or centre-half-back at his new club.
Powell said it was a very difficult decision to leave Narrandera.
"It was, but obviously winning the flag made things a little bit easier," Powell said.
"I've achieved what I wanted to achieve and that was playing in a flag at my home club.
"I'm getting on a bit now and this is something that I've wanted to do."
Billabong Crows finished one from the bottom of the Hume League ladder this year.
Powell undoubtedly wants to take the Crows up the ladder in his two years in charge.
"They finished second last but lost a lot of close games," he said.
"So if we try a few different things hopefully that can get us up to the middle of the ladder.
"I think it's a matter of just trying a few different things."
The Crows will start pre-season training in January.