NFL 2018: Blair Harvey joins Whittlesea as senior coach
ONE of the Northern Football League’s all-time greats has joined Whittlesea as senior coach.
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ONE of the Northern Football League’s all-time greats has joined Whittlesea as senior coach.
The Eagles have swooped on six-time premiership winner Blair Harvey, signing the decorated ex-player to replace outgoing mentor Jim Atkins.
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Harvey had stints with four clubs — Northcote Park, Heidelberg, Hurstbridge and North Heidelberg — during a playing career which included an incredible 11 Division 1 grand final appearances for five flags and a Division 2 premiership.
Heidelberg champ & North Heidelberg premiership player Blair Harvey announced as Whittlesea's new @northernfnl coach
— Tim Michell (@tim_michell) October 1, 2018
Whittlesea football manager Jamie Russell said Harvey’s success as a player made him a standout candidate after the club spoke to 24 prospective coaches.
“He will know what it takes to get us there,” Russell said.
“He has been there and done it five times in first division and one time in second division. He knows what it takes to be successful.”
Harvey had several years as a senior assistant coach and took charge of Heidelberg as a playing coach midway through the 2011 season.
“(He wants) to come on board, build the club up to be a force,” Russell said.
“Teach the juniors, come through with the kids. We think that will be really good as well. “And just get some of the older players around the club back involved as well.
“Create a bit of excitement again and to develop us to aim to be a good Division 1 club when we get there.”
Whittlesea was relegated from Division 1 this year, finishing one game and percentage behind Hurstbridge in 10th.
“We wanted to get that excitement back into the club after having three hard years really,” Russell said.
“Even though we stayed in first division, it was a hard slog. We’re looking to breathe a bit of excitement in, build and take it forward.”
Russell said the club was confident of retaining 90 per cent of its senior list.
Captain Andrew Fairchild has been appointed coach of AFL Outer East club Kinglake, while Russell conceded “we might lose 2-3 others”.
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