KOROIT'S premiership defence has received a welcome boost with former AFL midfielder Tom Couch joining the club on the eve of the Hampden league season.
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Senior coach Chris McLaren said he didn't need to persuade the 30-year-old, who will play against Hamilton Kangaroos on Saturday, to join the club.
"We went for breakfast one week and he said 'I'd love to come to play'," he said. "We had a few brief chats several times when he was down this way. He had watched a few Koroit games because of (his first cousin) Will Couch.
"That's how easy it was and given someone of that quality it was a no-brainer."
Before heading to Koroit, Couch spent time as captain-coach of North Launceston, where he won back-to-back Tasmanian State League flags in 2017-18.
The son of late 1989 Brownlow medallist Paul Couch played three games for Melbourne between 2012-13.
In his time at the Demons he won Casey Scorpions' best and fairest and finished second in the VFL's Liston Trophy in 2012.
"For people and players at Koroit it's a big pat on the back for someone like him, who knows a little about the club, to say 'I want to come in'," McLaren said.
"Credit to the club for creating an environment to have someone like him want to come down and play."
McLaren said the Tennis Australia physical performance coach would play a majority of the season, work permitting, alongside Saints skipper Brett Harrington, Liam Hoy, Damian O'Connor and the returning Ben Dobson.
"His fitness base is really good and he is feeling good in his body," McLaren said.
"He trains mid-week with Collingwood's VFL and he has been doing a lot of footy so he is in great shape.
"No doubt we will be tapping into his job for tips on preparation, recovery and strength and conditioning. He will be super valuable."
- Full Hamdpen and Warrnambool and District league teams tonight.
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