Walsh, 31, who was appointed the Warrnambool and Disitrct powerhouse club’s new mentor on Thursday night, has served under premiership coaches in his time as an assistant with Kolora-Noorat and dominant Hampden league club Koroit. 

His predecessor at the Power, Danny Finn, has one Warrnambool and District premiership to his name and newly-appointed North Warrnambool Eagles coach Adam Dowie has six Hampden and one District.

Walsh, a VCE sports teacher at Emmanuel College, has coached under first cousin Finn for two years and has recently been a mentor with the Western Bulldogs Next Generation Academy.

The midfielder, who will be an on-field coach, said little would change about the Power’s style.

“The way we play won’t change a lot because Danny and I are pretty similar in the way we think about the game,” he said.

“I’m really excited about the young players at the club and will focus on retaining our players and continuing to build a strong club.”

Walsh mentioned Luke Justin, Nick Hoare, Ben O’Sullivan, Luke McConnell, Isaac Kenna, Ned Payne and Charlie Scanlon as some of Power’s future talent he is eager to see improve.

Kolora-Noorat president Paul O’Sullivan said the club was excited to have Walsh on board for 2019 and that the departing Finn had impacted the club significantly.

“Danny has been great for the club after he came in at a real tough time with Ben Kenna leaving,” he said.

“Ben had been there and been successful with three premierships. It was always going to be a tough job for anyone to come in after a coach like that but Danny has been terrific since he came to the club.

“We finished fifth in his first year, third the second and won the flag last year so hopefully we can continue on and do the same thing this year and finish off his time.”

O’Sullivan said Finn and Walsh, who are both teachers, were similar which would mean a smoother transition for the club.

“They are both a great fit for the club as far as the club’s family culture goes,” he said. “They really suit the club and the teacher side of it is good for coaching and it will help the club improve.”