NORTH Warrnambool Eagles has plucked two new assistant coaches from the Seagulls' nest.
Herb Barlow and Tim Sheldon have crossed from Port Fairy to the Bushfield Recreation Reserve.
The pair, who joined the Hampden league last year, are the Eagles' biggest recruits as they search to replenish their coaching ranks.
While North is yet to appoint a senior coach, the Barlow-Sheldon announcement is sure to steady the blue and gold ship as preseason training approaches.
Eagles recruitment committee spokesman Josh Parkinson said the club was pleased to lure two fresh faces to the coaching panel.
"These days it's hard to attract coaches and assistant coaches that play as well," he said.
"We found out they were interested and we approached them.
"They fit the bill really well.
North posted just the five wins last season and did not make finals.
But the young outfit showed some promise when it upset Terang Mortlake late in the season and produced joint Maskell Medal winner Liam Ryan.
Parkinson said the Eagles had retained 95 per cent of their playing list, with an average age of 21.
About 17 former under 18s will also be pushing for senior selection next year.
Parkinson said Barlow and Sheldon - both 26 years old - would slot into the job seamlessly.
"They are the perfect age to help develop the list," he said.
"They're not too old so they're not out of touch.
As for the senior coaching role, the Eagles are not crowing just yet.
"That's an ongoing process," Parkinson said.
"We're not going to rush into any decision."
Barlow, brother of injured Fremantle Docker Michael, joined the Seagulls last season as a key defender.
He played nine games as he struggled with injury.
Sheldon was also an anticipated Port Fairy recruit but suffered a severe neck injury in a practice match, sidelining him indefinitely.
North president Peter Doherty said Barlow was set to play but Sheldon would coach from the outer for the time being.
"We're just pleased to have them on board as part of the coaching committee," he said.
The Eagles have also picked up two handy recruits in Harrow-Balmoral premiership player Larry Leeming and Caramut's Luke Howlett . Matthew Jellie, who played with Koroit's seconds last season, will return to North as the reserves playing coach.
Port Fairy coach Shane Threlfall conceded the loss of Barlow and Sheldon had significantly depleted the Seagulls flock.
"We're losing players at the moment," he said.
"But we're busy trying to replace them.
"I think the lure to coach has been the attraction."
Threlfall hoped Port Fairy's vacant assistant coaching position would catch the eye of a potential recruit.
Barlow and Sheldon did not return The Standard's phone calls yesterday.
