LIVEWIRE forward Mark Clissold will make a celebrated return to Kolora-Noorat next season.
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Power coach Danny Finn yesterday confirmed Clissold would return to the club as an assistant coach, overseeing the forward line.
The signing is a coup for the Warrnambool and District league club, which is seeking to return to finals after finishing sixth in 2014.
Clissold’s last match with Kolora-Noorat was the 2013 preliminary final, when his final-quarter heroics almost lifted the Power to a win.
He shifted to Colac and District league club Simpson in 2014 and played a major role as the Tigers won their first premiership in 21 years.
Finn said Clissold, who has broken his Simpson contract to return to Kolora-Noorat, would be a good fit as an assistant coach.
“He’s still quite young and he’s really keen to learn and give a bit back to a club that has given him so much,” he said.
“His partner is going to be back playing netball and it’s going to be a good fit.
“He’s gone away and had some success and played at a different club, which is really important for his development.
“But he’s very keen to get back to the Power and we’re rapt to have him.”
Finn believed Clissold would add much-needed goalkicking power to a side which lacked a potent target last season.
Luke Tebble, Luke Kenna and Martin Wynd were the only three players who kicked more than 20 goals. Tebble led the way with 31.
By contrast, Clissold kicked 37 in 14 matches with Simpson and managed 216 from 67 appearances in the four seasons prior with Kolora-Noorat.
“I’ve never seen him play so I’m looking forward to working with him and having a look at what he can do,” Finn said.
“I think he’s very good one-on-one and he’s damaging, he can hit the scoreboard,” he said.
“Assessing where the Power are at the end of this year, they needed a forward. Hopefully he’s one among a few we can develop.”