MANGOPLAH-Cookardinia United-Eastlakes coach Nathon Irvin is confident he can replace defected defender Geoff Spriggs.
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Spriggs informed the club this week he had agreed to terms with rival RFL club Collingullie-Ashmont-Kapooka to assistant coach the Demons in 2013.
The 29-year-old fullback has been with the Goannas for the best part of a decade, joining the club at the age of 18 in 2001.
He won the club's 2011 best and fairest and is considered one of the best defenders to play in the RFL over the past few years, representing the league on numerous occasions.
Irvin yesterday admitted Spriggs was a big loss to MCUE but said it wasn't the end of the world.
"From a playing perspective obviously he is important to us," Irvin said.
"But we've got a lot of defenders and this will give someone else the opportunity to step up.
"I don't think it's as dramatic as people are making out.
"We would certainly like to keep him, and we tried to, but Gullie was appropriate for what he wanted to do with his football."
Spriggs completed a coaching course a number of years ago and will act as assistant to experienced leader Shane Lenon at his new club.
Lenon was thrilled to welcome Spriggs to the Demons in what has been the biggest signing in the RFL off-season to date.
"We are very happy to have him," Lenon said.
"We were close to getting him last year but it's good to have him on board for next season.
"He is a very handy player who can play a number of positions."
Spriggs generally played fullback for the Goannas but is capable of playing centre-half-back, swinging to a key position forward and even onball. Lenon is looking forward to utilising Spriggs' athleticism and testing him out around the ground.
Irvin is confident of retaining the majority of his playing group for next season and plans to begin pre-season next month.