The Cats have bolstered their coaching ranks once again with the addition of Darren Ogier to senior mentor John Lamont's arsenal.
Ogier has moved back to the Greater Shepparton region and will bring his vast experience to a forward line role at Mooroopna Recreation Reserve.
“We're really excited by it,” Lamont said.
“He was a really, really good footballer in his own right of course, but he's been heavily involved in footy since then.
“He has a massive amount of coaching experience at VFL level as an assistant and line coach, and was head coach of the Murray Bushrangers for six seasons.
“He's been a really committed football person and we're excited to have him join us.”
That experience includes time as an assistant at the Murray Bushrangers before his head coaching tenure, 23 games at the top level throughout the 1980s across stints at Carlton, North Melbourne and Sydney as well as work with the Blues and Melbourne behind the scenes.
Lamont hopes Ogier can pass on some of that experience to his young group.
“He's already had a positive contribution around the place, he's developing relationships with the forward group at training,” Lamont said.
“Lachie Devine played under him at the Bushies and is really excited, as are guys like Ben Hicks.
“We think it's a really positive appointment.
“Experienced people pass on that knowledge to the youth and that's how they can develop really well. We're trying to create a positive atmosphere at Mooroopna and that comes from the appointment of people like Darren.”
The Cats have approached their coaching appointments with specific goals in mind ahead of the 2021 GVL campaign, with Lamont confident it will pay off in the long run.
“His appointment completes the line coaching structure that we've gone for this season, rather than having a group of assistants,” Lamont said.
“Darren will take the forwards, Travis Waters the backline and Jason Whittaker the midfield.
“That specificity will hopefully help across the board at the club, it gives a player — whether they're in juniors, 18s or all the way up to seniors — one coach they can report to and go to for help and development.”
Club president Bill Dowling was also buoyed by the signing — as well as more developments across the club.
“We think it's a really exciting appointment,” Dowling said.
“We will also have new coaches’ boxes up before the start of the season and nets up behind the goals, keeping with our theme of developing the club on and off the field as much as we can.”
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