THE Warrnambool Football Club’s regeneration is underway, with the Hampden league powerhouse unveiling a new captain, assistant coach and recruit to bolster its leadership stocks.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Star forward Sam Cowling has been handed the reins as captain for next season – replacing Blues legend Jason Rowan at the helm – while ruckman Dan Weymouth will step up as assistant coach.
Will Jacobs, Brad Bull and Damien McCorkell will round out the club’s leadership group for next season.
The Blues have also signed former Redan defender Matt Colbert from the Ballarat Football League.
Warrnambool coach John Cook said Cowling was the standout choice as a senior on and off field leader.
“He’s a young guy, but he understands what leadership is about. He’s had an injury for the last couple of months but he has spent time studying things about strategy and how to be a leader,” he said.
“He has put a time into it. He was the captain in 2015 when Jason Rowan had a knee reconstruction so he has that experience and that will hold him in good stead.”
The second-year coach said the three inductees to the club’s leadership group would undertake professional development to compliment their new roles.
“The guys in the leadership group are role models around the club,” he said.
“They are the upcoming captains, vice-captains and even coaches around the place. They’re quality people and their characteristics are important.”
Cook said the appointments meant more opportunities for the Blues’ young charges to step into senior roles.
“It’s time for the guys like Sam (Cowling) and for people of his ilk to stand up and be leaders like their predecessors – guys like Josh Walters and Paul Looney – were.”
