CHFL: Auld to coach Hepburn

HEPBURN has appointed former Loddon Valley Football League success story Troy Auld as its new senior coach.He fills the vacancy left by four-time premiership coach Shane Robertson, who finished his tenure with the club after this year’s Central Highands Football League grand final loss to Daylesford.Auld, 31, led Bridgewater to back-to-back premierships in the past two years and was selected from almost 30 applicants.The Bendigo resident and non-playing coach has committed to at least two years with the Burras. Auld said it was exciting to be joining a club with such a proud history. “I’ve been impressed in my dealings with the club thus far and look forward to working alongside them to hopefully create their next wave of success,” he said.“I’ve never met Shane (Robertson) personally but look forward to doing so, and he has achieved some great things with the club.“ I will be glad to take over a core group of players that have had strong football principles instilled in them.”Auld began his coaching as an assistant with the Bendigo Bombers in the VFL in 2007 before returning to his home club Stanhope in 2008 as an assistant coach.Bridgewater was his first role as senior coach.Auld also coached the Loddon Valley league representative team to victory over Maryborough Castlemaine.Burras president Jason Olver said Auld had a “very intelligent football brain”.“He went to Bridgewater, which was a middle-of-the-road club, and he’s taken them to back-to-back flags.“His communication skills are very good and the game plans he has put in place he’s already shown us, show why he’s been successful.”Robertson’s shoes will certainly be big to fill.He arrived at the club in 2004, winning a premiership in his first season.Further flags followed in 2005, 2008 and 2010.Olver said the club acknowledged finding another Robertson would be unlikely, but in Auld there were some of the same qualities.“His work ethic and his passion is already on par with what Robbo had,” Olver said.