Bulldogs development coach to lead Footscray VFL team
Nathan Schmook October 14, 2013 10:19 AM
THE WESTERN Bulldogs have announced Chris Maple as coach of the club's re-launched standalone VFL team, the Footscray Bulldogs.
Maple replaces Peter German, who coached the club's VFL affiliate Williamstown in 2013.
A member of the Bulldogs' coaching panel since 2008, Maple has headed the club's development program for the past four years.
He was recently awarded the 2013 AFL Coaches Association development coach of the year award.
Maple, who will continue in the role of development manager, said he was thrilled by the appointment.
"I am really looking forward to getting stuck into building the Footscray Bulldogs into a professional, top notch team that nurtures and develops our future AFL players," Maple said on Monday.
The Bulldogs announced in August that their standalone VFL team would be known as Footscray, recognising the club's original name.
The Bulldogs were called Footscray when they joined the VFL in 1925 until 1996, when president David Smorgan pushed for the change to build wider appeal for the club.
Bulldogs acting CEO Shannon Rees said Maple had played a significant role in developing the club's young talent and he was the perfect person to lead the VFL club.
Chris Maple played for the winning Tassie team when they beat the VFA in 1988 at North Hobart Oval. Also paying for Tassie on that day were ex Hawk Ian Paton, Ross Christensen who played for Werribee as well as Andrew Bennett who had a run with Hawthorn and has been a commentator on Tassie's ABC for quite a few years.
In reply to Chris Maple played for the by vfa
I think you've got another Chris Maple there VFA.
I checked with him this morning as I didn't think that he played in Tasmania.
He reckons you might be getting mixed up with another club starting with T.........Tattyoon.
Sorry Digs my error.
It was David Maple that played for Tassie against the VFA in 1988.
In reply to vfa wrote:Chris Maple played by digs
Tatyoon, plays in the Mininera League.