Mornington legend Simon Goosey returns to coach the Bulldogs in season 2018

THE rumours were right…Simon Goosey has returned to coach Mornington.

Back home: Simon Goosey will coach Mornington in 2018.

THE rumours were right…Simon Goosey has returned to Mornington.

Just days after leaving Cranbourne, the legendary goal kicker has signed a one-year deal to coach Mornington, the club he guided to four premierships and eight grand finals in the 1990s and 2000s.

“It feels like a homecoming,’’ Goosey said on Wednesday afternoon.

“I really enjoyed my time at Cranbourne. The premiership is something no one will take away from us but to come home…I’m excited about the challenge.’’

Straight away, Goosey is talking up the Bulldogs’ 2018 hopes.

“We’ve got some tremendous kids,’’ he said.

“I’ve got to go through the list, but from outside — I only saw a couple of games and obviously my son (Will) is down there — I know roughly the group and I reckon there’s a heap of talent there.’’

Mornington football manager Paul Garrett said Goosey’s appointment had already created a buzz around town.

“I think he knows what we need and we believe he’s presented a pathway for us to head in the right direction,’’ he said.

“We’re rapt. It’s a good fillip for our sponsors and we think support will grow again because we basically think we are going to improve. And with the change of the leagues we’ve got no choice but to improve.’’

Mornington legend Simon Goosey. Picture: Colleen Petch.

Goosey kicked more than 1700 goals for Mornington in a stellar career and the scoreboard at Alexandra Park is named after him. He says he always feels good walking into the club.

“I always do because it’s where you’ve spent so much of your life, you certainly do,’’ he said.

“When I left many years ago the only reason was to accept a higher level; I didn’t leave for any other reason than to improve myself.’’

Goosey coached VFL club Frankston for five seasons from 2010-14 before a successful three-year stint at Cranbourne, including the 2016 SEFNL premiership.