After playing most of the grand final on a broken leg, The Rock-Yerong Creek forward, Andy Carey, will step up to lead the club’s premiership defence next season.
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Carey and former Osborne and Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong defender, Andrew Clarke, will take over from premiership coach, David Pieper.
“We’ll co-coach and help each other out,” Carey said.
“He’s a pretty good player and I’m looking forward to working with him.”
The appointments were confirmed at the club’s presentation night, which Carey attended on crutches after X-rays on Friday revealed his grand final calf injury was, in fact, a broken fibula.
“I’ve had corkies before, and you can play through them, but I had a bit of a funny feeling it was more than that because it was pretty painful,” Carey said.
“I didn’t really feel it Saturday and Sunday but I woke up on Monday and, holy hell, it was sore.”
The full-forward played most of the game against East Wagga-Kooringal with the injury, kicking four goals.
I've had corkies before, but I had a bit of a funny feeling it was more than that because it was pretty painful.
- Andy Carey, TRYC co-coach
The club is already preparing its title defence, signing former Coolamon and RFL representative player, Mitch Stephenson.
“He’s been playing mainly as a key position player in the Ovens and Murray League (with Wodonga Bulldogs) but he’ll probably play through the midfield for us,” Carey said.
“He’ll be pretty handy with his size and his skills, so he’ll be very good.”
The Pies have also retained almost all of their grand final-winning squad including Pieper who will be a valuable sounding board for the two first-year coaches.
“He’s done a good job with what he got out of everyone and he’ll be there for advice and will help out, I’m sure,” Carey said.
“We’ll play the same way, he’s got a pretty good game plan.”
Clarke is looking forward to joining the Pies and building a partnership with Carey.
“Most definitely, he’s a wealth of knowledge, I can’t wait to pick his brain, and form a coaching friendship,” Clarke said.
Born and bred at Osborne, Clarke said the atmosphere at The Rock appealed to him.
“From what I’ve been told it’s really welcoming and family-based,” he said.
“It’s perfect to come into a team that’s successful on and off the field, which makes my job easier.”
TRYC president, Gavin Hofert, said Carey and Clarke stood out for what they bring off the field as much as on it.
“We’re really looking at blokes that worry about the club more than themselves,” Hofert said.
