Club president Ian Hardinge approached Dave McGowan who gladly accepted.

Since he moved to the area in 2011 McGowan has played for Wagga United.

“In his first year here he was the first grade captain, he’s very knowledgeable, and so well respected within the club,” Hardinge said.

He suffered a career-ending ACL injury last season and wanted to remain involved with the sport.

Wagga United could stand to lose eight players according to former coach Weir but that hasn’t dampened McGowan’s optimism.

“It will be a rebuilding year,” McGowan said.

“We’ve won two premierships over the last three years, I want to be back winning competitions, I’m not going to aim any lower than that.

“We have plenty of good young fellas coming through, it’s a matter of getting some older heads in to guide them.”

The healthy competition will keep him on his toes.

“Junee looked good, Coota’s improving and Henwood Park has a strong young team.”

At the presentation night on Saturday Wagga United announced Ryan McKenzie won the best and fairest award and Nathan Trinder won the player’s player award for first grade.

McKenzie played upfront and was a crucial part of the team’s attack, creating and sealing countless goal scoring opportunities. 

Trinder played in goals, was named as the league’s goalkeeper of the year, boasting one of the most powerful goal kicks in the local comp and one of the lowest goals against counts.