Bulls Hook a local coach for 2018

Mt Barker’s change of tack to opt for a local coach for the 2018 Great Southern Football League season has led to former president Brad Hook taking the reins.

Hook, who has assisted Shane Thompson for the past two seasons, will step into the role as the Bulls aim for a stronger local playing base over Perth travelling players. A grand final loss and preliminary final exit were the results of Thompson’s two seasons, with the former coach joining East Fremantle as a league assistant coach.

Mt Barker president Gordon Reid said Hook was the ideal man for the role.

“He’s had a good grounding as an assistant under Thompson and before that Ryan Ballard so we are quite fortunate to have someone like Brad,” Reid said. “He’s very vested in the club and a stalwart of our club.

“He will bring a lot of unity to the club and bring the Perth guys and locals together.”

Travelling defender Tyson Sujdovic will move into an assistant coaching role.

Reid said the club had so far failed to attract any new players from within the league.

“At the moment we haven’t attracted any new local players,” he said. “We have spoken to a few and if they had come across we would have reduced our travelling players to about three or four.”

Reid confirmed the league’s leading goalkicker Kym Monteath, veteran midfielder Nic Chidgzey, reliable defender Adam Tissott and wingman Tyron Miller would return.

The Bulls begin their pre-season tonight.