A VFL-calibre defender will lead preliminary finalist Terang Mortlake in 2016.
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Paul Dirago arrives in the Hampden league via VFL club Northern Blues.
Dirago played 33 senior games and 37 development league matches for the Northern Blues – the affiliate for AFL club Carlton.
The 191-centimetre centre, 96-kilogram centre half-back won the club’s development league best and fairest in 2013.
Dirago, 24 next month, replaces Matthew Irving as Terang Mortlake mentor.
Irving spent the past two seasons in the role in a non-playing capacity, taking the Bloods from fifth to a preliminary final this year.
Terang Mortlake president Robert Arundell said the Bloods were thrilled to appoint Dirago.
“He’s a good young bloke and a good player,” he said.
“He’s turned up at the right time. It’s a good fit for both of us.”
Arundell said the Melbourne-based Dirago would relocate to Terang and would work alongside current assistant coach Chris Bant.
He said the first-time coach was enthusiastic and would bolster the Bloods’ back six.
“He is 110 per cent ready to go,” Arundell said.
“Good little blokes are hard to find let along good big blokes.
“He’ll be a good asset to our team.”
Hamilton Kangaroos are the only Hampden league side still searching for a coach for 2016.
Warrnambool (John Cook) and South Warrnambool (Mathew Buck) have already announced new mentors after Scott Carter and Nigel Kol stood down at the end of the season.