Langwarrin appoints co-coaches to take it back up the ladder in season 2018

NEW Langwarrin co-coach Blake McCormack believes the Kangaroos are the “sleeping giants’’ of the MPNFL and can re-emerge as a contender next season.

Former Frankston YCW premiership player Blake McCormack has been appointed co-coach of Langwarrin.

NEW Langwarrin co-coach Blake McCormack believes the Kangaroos are the “sleeping giants’’ of the MPNFL and can re-emerge as a contender next season.

The two-time Frankston YCW premiership player will launch his coaching career at Langy in partnership with former Mornington mentor Josh Beard.

McCormack, 30, will play, while Beard, 39, will run the bench.

The pair spent recent seasons at Red Hill under master coach Tony Blackford.

The McCormack-Beard combination heralds a new era at Langwarrin, which will compete in Division 2 of the MPNFL next season.

“I see it as a real reset for our club,’’ Langwarrin club spokesman Tony Collins said.

“It’s just about connecting people. We have lots of good people and it’s just about getting them all together, all on the same page.

“These two blokes, Josh and Blake, are impressive young men.’’

McCormack said Langwarrin was fortunate to have a strong group of juniors coming through and the priority was to retain them.

“We will be looking to recruit some leaders to help these juniors develop with their on-field leadership skills,’’ he said.

He said Langwarrin was close to signing a VFL player and other recruits.

Langwarrin co-coaches Blake McCormack (middle) and Josh Beard (right) with new Under 19s coach Gav Hiku (left).

McCormack played in Frankston YCW’s 2010 and ’12 premierships before joining Red Hill in 2014 to embark on a coaching “apprenticeship’’, while continuing his playing career, under Blackford.

“My footy journey has always been about challenges, starting at YCW,’’ McCormack said.

“A lot of people have asked me why I left YC and my reason was that I’ve always had an ambition to coach and to be able to start an apprenticeship under Tony Blackford, I feel like I’ve developed under two wonderful coaches in Tony “Bugs’’ Barry — Scott Mathers was a mentor as well — and Tony Blackford, to do four years under him, I’m ready.

“And I just want to inject some energy and excitement into the group (at Langwarrin). Once they’ve got a bit of belief I reckon we can really have a crack in 2018.’’

Beard coached Mornington for three seasons from 2010-12. He was caretaker coach of Pearcedale in 2006 and also spent time at Sorrento.

New Langwarrin co-coach Josh Beard.

“What he can do with a group, I’ve never seen anything like it,’’ McCormack said of Beard.

“The way that he engages not only kids but people of all ages is unbelievable and Langwarrin Football Club is going to benefit from his experience tenfold.’’

In other coaching appointments at Langwarrin, club legend Ash Moore has returned to be an assistant coach. And Gav Hiku will coach the club’s Under 19s, with Travis Lee and Matt Davis his assistants and Matt Prosser as runner.

Since being appointed a week ago, McCormack and Beard have contacted between 45-50 Langwarrin players, who have committed for next season.

“To me it’s all about culture,’’ McCormack said.

“We’ve got to set new standards for the football club off field and we believe once we put those foundations in place the whole club will get buy-in and the on-field performance will be a reflection from what we set off-field as well.

“I look forward to taking this club to new heights.’’

Langwarrin is holding a meet the coaches night at its clubrooms on Wednesday, October 11.