HE’S back.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Match winner Ben Dobson is returning home to Koroit in a major boost for the Hampden football league’s reigning premier.
Dobson, who can play as a dynamic midfielder, be a key target in attack or constructive off half-back, has been appointed an assistant coach for the 2015 season.
The 24-year-old missed Koroit’s against-the-odds premiership triumph last September after shifting to Geelong, where he played with St Mary’s.
Dobson will join his teammates for the resumption of pre-season training tonight.
Coach Adam Dowie said Dobson’s homecoming was a boost for the club’s premiership defence.
“He’s better having played in the GFL,” Dowie said.
He said Dobson would be given significant responsibilities.
“One of the reasons he wants to come back is Ben needs a challenge,” Dowie said. “He is getting his head around developing a coaching philosophy and we’ve said we will help you as much as we can.
“He needs to challenge himself and get involved in preparation, planning. He is not there as a token assistant coach, he will be getting his hands dirty and finding out a bit about the game.”
Dowie said Dobson was one of several significant recruits for the club.
Former Port Fairy defender and Deakin University coach Trent Anderson, North Warrnambool Eagles key position player Michael Darmody, ex Warrnambool defender Tim McPherson, who played with Panmure last season, are also joining Koroit. Former Saints Alex White (Panmure), James North (Bendigo) and midfielder Brett Harrington (overseas) are also returning home this season, alongside dual Panmure premiership coach Simon O’Keefe.
Dowie said McPherson, Darmody and Anderson would bolster the club’s key defensive options, potentially freeing up players like Dallas Mooney and Tim Carter to move up the ground.
“We saw how good Dallas Mooney was on a wing in the grand final,” he said.
“We think those three are capable of playing the positions. There were times last year when we came up against three big forwards like Rowan and Staunton and we probably struggled to cover those players.”
McPherson, who was coached by Dowie at Warrnambool before moving to Panmure, will make a late start to the season because of overseas commitments.
“The only incentive to come to Koroit was playing for the Koroit footy club. You are not having to deal with numbers or how much per game. They just want to come and play.”
Dowie said the Saints’ depth would be significantly better than last year.
A number of emerging teenagers have also joined the club, including premiership player Jayden Brennan’s brother Heath, forward Jesse White’s brother Kelby and Jayden Whitehead’s sibling Brad.
The Saints have lost premiership defender Tauryan Zimmer, who has moved to Geelong, while question marks remain over White and Brennan, who had significant roles in the grand final, as they consider options after completing VCE studies.