Former coach Adam Donohue will be part of Inverleigh’s quest for consecutive GDFNL premierships after re-signing with the Hawks for the 2024 season.
Inverleigh announced earlier this week that Donohue and fellow star Matt Tyquin have committed for next year.
Donohue has played 72 games and kicked 191 goals since arriving at Morton Power Oval as coach ahead of the 2019 season.
He stood down from the top job at the midpoint of the 2023 season, with Inverleigh sitting on the edge of the top five with a 5-4 win-loss record.
Trusted assistant Chris Moore moved into the hot seat and guided the Hawks through the rest of the season unbeaten as they claimed their first flag since the club came out of recess in 2002.
Without the pressure of coaching, Donohue was a shining light, winning the club’s best-and-fairest and being named the player of the finals by the GDFNL.
Donohue is closing in on 250 games across the GDFNL, GFNL and the BFNL.
After 144 appearances for Grovedale and 19 for Geelong Amateur, the former Geelong-listed Donohue has played a combined 235 games for 418 goals.
After missing the first half of the season as he battled osteitis pubis, Tyquin’s return coincided with Inverleigh’s unbeaten run.
He was among the Hawks’ best players on grand final day as he added a premiership medal to the one he claimed with Bannockburn in 2019.
“We’re rapt to have Buck and Tikka re-sign for 2024,” co-coach Chris Moore said.
“Buck is still one of the most dynamic players in the competition, and Tikka showed how important he is to our team in the second half of the season.”
Inverleigh will also welcome back the classy Toby Manganelli in 2024.
The 28-year-old sat out the 2023 season, save for making one appearance in the reserves mid-season.
“We’re looking forward to having Mango back in action,” Moore said.
“He’s a quality player who uses the ball really well.”
Meanwhile, former captain Justin DiBlasio has been appointed coach of Inverleigh’s reserves team for next year.
DiBlasio, who has previously coached the Hawks’ under-18s, replaces Ben Webb.
A popular figure at Inverleigh, Webb guided the seconds to their first flag since Leigh Districts won the division two reserves flag in 1974.
