A recommendation from a current player has led Portarlington to appoint Darren Findlay as its next coach.
The Demons have revealed Findlay, who has coaching experience at VFL clubs Port Melbourne and Werribee, will take charge of the club on a three-year deal.
A former reserves player at North Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs, Findlay replaces Warren Finlayson, who chose not to reapply for the role he held for the past two seasons.
“We’re pretty excited about the appointment; he comes to us with high qualifications for the position,” Portarlington president Steve Cogger said.
“And particularly our position, that we understand he’ll fill nicely to take us forward.
“He is known to one of our players, and he recommended Darren to us, and he was part of our (coach selection) process.
“It all panned out quite well.”
Findlay is no stranger to the Bellarine.
He was involved at Barwon Heads and Angelsea, featuring in the Roos’ 1991 premiership team.
Findlay also has strong ties to Melbourne’s westernb suburbs, including leading Point Cook Centrals to the Western Region division three premiership in 2019 during a five-year stint at the club.
Cogger says Findlay was keen for a three-year contract.
“We like the idea of stability, and the opportunity to build on what Warren’s done over the last couple of years, and, I might add, done very well, under extreme circumstances at times,” Cogger said.
“It’s a good result all round, and I think Warren will be happy we’ve brought in a mentor and a teacher and a guy with qualifications to take us on.”
Nathan Storer will continue as senior assistant coach for at least another two years, while Cheyne Kelly has been retained as under-18 coach.
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