Omeo District: Wilfred Carter appointed coach of Swan Reach

Two highly decorated former East Gippsland players have agreed to take on coaching jobs at clubs coming off difficult 2023 seasons. See the appointments here.

Wilfred Carter has accepted the challenge of resurrecting Swan Reach’s fortunes in the Omeo District Football-Netball League after a troubled 2023 season.

The club went from top to bottom of the ladder when it was stripped of premiership points from eight wins due to a major player points breach.

Swan Reach also suffered an exodus of players before the June 30 deadline with Carter among those who stepped up to help the club in the back half of the year.

Wilfred Carter, right, playing for Wy Yung in 2012. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

Wilfred Carter in action for Lindenow South against Swifts Creek in the Omeo District grand final at Ensay in 2013. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

He is widely regarded as one of the best players in the East Gippsland region in the past two decades with three EGFNL league best and fairests and five club best and fairests during a lengthy stint with Wy Yung.

Carter also played in two flags with Wy Yung in 2005 and 2008.

Either side of his involvement at Wy Yung he coached and played in premiership winning teams at ODFNL club Lindenow South.

Swan Reach is also expected to usher in a new off-field line-up in 2024 after its annual meeting next week.

It will also host next year’s ODFNL grand final as part of the league’s policy of rotating the venue for its premiership-deciding match.

Meanwhile, another well-credentialed coach has agreed to take on the senior job at EGFNL club Paynesville, which claimed the wooden spoon in 2023 with only two wins.

Triple Orbost premiership player and multiple century goalkicker Darren Vickery has been appointed to the job.

Vickery also coached Orbost-Snowy Rovers in 2006 when the club finished runner-up to Bairnsdale.

He has most recently coached Bairnsdale under-16s in the Gippsland league with his son Cooper drafted to Sydney last year.

Wy Yung’s 2023 premiership coach Rod Bills has been reappointed for another season and Swan Reach’s coach this year, Joel Waters, has come onboard as an assistant.