WITH the 2020 season still to play out, Leeton-Whitton already have an eye on the future, signing a former AFL player as their coach for next two years.
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Sam Darley, a former Greater Western Sydney Giants and Western Bulldogs AFL player, has signed on the dotted line as the club's first grade coach for 2021 and 2022.
The star midfielder, aged 27, had been due to pull on the Crows colours this year, but the COVID-19 pandemic and border closures put an end to this.
However, Darley's commitment to his new club has seen him take on the top job.
Leeton-Whitton said Darley would be moving to town early in the new year to begin preparations for next year's AFL Riverina season.
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He will take over from current coach Daniel Muir, who had earlier indicated to the Crows this would be his last season.
Leeton-Whitton football operations manager David Meline was ecstatic to secure the prized signature for the club.
"We are very a happy to secure a footballer of Sam's pedigree for our club," he said.
"With (Muir) indicating this year would be the final of his four seasons with the Crows, we were very keen to lock away Sam and provide the club with some clear direction for the future.
"Obviously we are in a great position this year under Daniel's coaching and he will always hold a special place in the history of our club.
"His is a premiership player and has led us to our first minor premiership since 1975.
"We are hopeful he can finish his tenure here at the club on the highest possible note."
Darley has played with Richmond's VFL club where he captained the club to the 201 grand final, playing a significant amount of football with Crows junior Jacob Townsend.
The Crows face Wagga Tigers this weekend in the AFL Riverina Championships second semi-final this weekend, looking for a place in their third grand final in five seasons.
