News

From Moonee Valley Leader
Reported by Sam Landsberger
Full Story Click Here

FORMER Essendon toiler Hayden Skipworth has moved into the box seat to claim the vacant coaching post at Victorian Football League affiliate Bendigo.

Skipworth, who played 11 games with the Bombers under Matthew Knights in 2009, has impressed with his leadership and intrinsic knowledge of the game since his 55-game career drew to a close.

The 28-year-old would become the youngest coach in the competition, but took the reins at Bendigo for one match during then-coach Shannon Grant's club-imposed suspension last year.

Grant won an AFL assistant role with Brendan McCartney at the Western Bulldogs, leaving Bendigo after two seasons where the Bombers made an elimination final in both years.

Skipworth enjoyed a bumper season for Aberfeldie in the Essendon District Football League this year and is tipped to fight a clutch of local and interstate candidates for the top job.

Bendigo and Essendon have agreed to split their alignment after next season, with the Bombers to enter as a stand-alone second-tier club from 2013.

Bendigo has dropped its Bombers nickname from next season and reverted to traditional colours.

Star Bendigo duo Ben Duscher (captain) and Tory Dickson are hot AFL chances at this year's rookie draft, while Tom Campbell is gaining late interest.

Former Western Bulldogs champion Scott West won Werribee's coaching gig on Friday, replacing Paul Satterley who is Melbourne-bound, while ex-Calder Cannons master Rob Hyde was a surprise winner of the Northern Bullants top job.