Cootamundra's playing plans for 2021 remain uncertain but the club is preparing for a season, appointing former star junior Jordyn Ballard as captain-coach, in partnership with Aaron Byrne.
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Ballard made his senior debut with Cootamundra in 2012 and was then a junior representative in the Canberra Raiders system, including in their under 20s.
He returned to Group Nine, including for two seasons at Temora, before coming back to the Bulldogs in 2018 under Glen Buttriss.
"After seasons of being consistently one of Cootamundra's best, Jordyn Ballard has agreed to take the next step and become Captain-Coach of the Bulldogs for the first time in season 2021," Cootamundra said in a statement on their Facebook page.
"Jordyn will partner Aaron Byrne in taking charge of the Bulldogs men's side, with Jordyn's knowledge, footballing ability and willingness to learn coupled with Byrne's experience in the role, hopefully a formula for success."
The club has been in talks with Group Nine recently regarding its future, with one option under consideration being to field lower grades only next season.
Group Nine said that proposal is yet to go to the board formally.
The Bulldogs said the coaching appointment is a step in the right direction as they assess their plans for next year.
"With a decision yet to be made on which direction the Bulldogs head in to play the 2021 season, the announcement of Ballard as senior men's coach shows some stability," the club said.
"The appointment will no doubt set a good platform for the club to work from to ensure not only next year, but the years following, the club itself keeps striving for improvement."
Cootamundra sat out the shortened 2020 season, along with Temora, after the disruption caused by the coronavirus outbreak.
Byrne and his previous co-coach at Cootamundra, Haydn Cowled played for Junee.