RIVERINA FOOTBALL LEAGUE
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RIVERINA Football League heavyweight Narrandera has ended its search for a new coach with the signing of club junior Lachlan Hutchins.
The Eagles yesterday unveiled Hutchins as their new captain-coach for next season, replacing 2012 premiership duo Jim Rice and Shaun Brooker after two years at the helm.
Hutchins spent last year away from football on the ironman circuit, but is an accomplished midfielder that has spent time most recently with Thurgoona, Culcairn and Albury Tigers.
The 31-year-old said he cannot wait to get started back at his home club.
“It should be good, I’m pretty excited about it,” Hutchins said.
“I’m looking forward to getting home and spending some time with my family.
“It sounds like a fair few of my good mates will be back playing as well.”
Hutchins last played with Narrandera in 2003.
He then went on to forge a successful career at Albury Tigers, Culcairn and Thurgoona, where he played in five grand finals in his last six seasons on the paddock.
Hutchins said the year off has him keener than ever to get back playing.
“Having the year off, I don’t think I’ve been this keen to play before,” he said.
“I suppose I had got a bit stale and losing the last four grand finals didn’t help either.”
Hutchins, the owner of Hume Health and Fitness in Albury, will have a strong emphasis on fitness and the club’s local players.
“I’m pretty confident that we’ve got a lot of good local guys there to use,” he said.
“I know a few of them took off after winning the grand final and I can understand that.
“There is a few guys we’ll look at getting in, but I think a lot of the time people concentrate too much on getting guys in and they’re no better than the guys that were already there.
“I’m keen to play the local blokes, look after them and keep them there.”
Narrandera has already appointed local footballers Ian Donaldson and Ben Powell as reserve grade coaches for next season.
Premiership captain Wes Kiley is also expected to return to the club.
Hutchins will continue to live and work in Albury, but will attend every training session due to the flexibility in owning his own business.
Hutchins’ appointment completes the Riverina Football League coaching landscape for season 2014.