By: KRISTEN ALEBAKIS
Werribee Districts have unveiled three-time Geelong premiership hero Paul Chapman as its new senior coach for 2016.
The club announced the AFL champion, who recently retired from the Essendon Football Club, has been appointed as head coach.
Community clubs from across Victoria have been chasing Chapman including several clubs from the Ovens and Murray League, however the 33-year-old made the decision in the past 24 hours to be involved in the Western Region Football League.
Werribee Districts president Rod Harrington said the entire club was buzzing with the news of Chapman's signing.
“It is fantastic news for the entire club,” he told the WRFL.
“It is exciting for the footy club, it is exciting for the WRFL, and it is exciting for the City of Wyndham.
“He will bring a great deal of excitement and awareness for the competition and help promote the game and the club throughout the west.”
Harrington said Chapman has only appointed coach of the senior team, however the option was open for him to become a playing-coach.
“As it stands he will be appointed coach, he will make the decision on playing as we get closer to the start of the season,” he said.
“There is no pressure for him to play from the club, if he does decide to play any games that will be a bonus.”
Chapman will replace Wade Chapman, who stepped down after the Tigers lost by 136 points to Deer Park in the Division 1 Grand Final in September.
Harrington said the club’s players will meet with Chapman at their ‘Meet the Coach Night’ next Wednesday.
The Tigers have also announced Josh Huxtable and Matt Taylor have committed to the club in 2016.
Chapman's signing comes after Brian Lake signed on to play with Caroline Springs and Brendan Fevola's signing with Deer Park.
Last Modified on 29/10/2015 12:14