WRFL: Clay Smith to replace Brett Jacobs as Point Cook senior coach
A Western Region league Division 1 club on the rise will have a new look next season with the appointment of a former Western Bulldogs favourite as coach.
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Point Cook’s goal of moving further up the ladder will be led by a new man.
The club has confirmed Western Bulldogs premiership player Clay Smith will take over from Brett Jacobs as senior coach for the 2023 season.
Smith arrived at Saltwater Reserve as Jacobs’ senior assistant after spending the 2021 season with VAFA club Williamstown CYMS.
Point Cook president Ivo Havard believes Smith is the right man to lead the club forward and could help the Dogs to another level.
“Clay has been terrific since arriving at the club as an assistant coach and thought the transition was going to happen eventually,” he said.
“Brett has done a great job to help get us to where we are today. It looks like we’re going to have a real dip next year and hopefully move up the ladder.
“With some recruits we’re excited about adding to the potential of our young group. Clay knows the strength of our junior program and is hoping to build on that.
“Hopefully in two or three years we could be challenging for a senior premiership in Division 1.”
Jacobs has stood down from the role due to “personal and family commitments”.
He was first appointed as co-coach alongside Michael Boothey for the 2019 season where the Bulldogs would go onto win two games.
They won just one game during the Covid impacted 2021 season but have made major ground on the rest of the competition this year.
Jacobs’ side sits ninth on the ladder with three wins and appears set to maintain their Division 1 status, two games clear of last placed Sunshine.
“The club thanks Brett for his service and dedication as senior men’s coach for the last three seasons and senior assistant for the two seasons prior,” the club said in a social media post.
“We will continue to see Brett and Kylie around the club supporting their boys Noah and Sam on their own footy journey.
“Outgoing Coach Brett Jacobs fully endorses the new appointment and has spent a big part of the season in mentoring Clay for a smooth transition in a planned succession.”
They’ll next face Altona next weekend.
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