Adam Sewell appointed Newlyn coach

NEWLYN is abuzz about the homecoming of Adam Sewell.Sewell is back from a six-year stint with Ballarat and has been appointed alongside Chris Gardner in a senior joint coaching role at the Cats.Newlyn has followed an increasing Central Highlands Football League trend, opting for one playing and one non-playing coach.Sewell, a 2003 premiership player and best and fairest with the Cats, will combine coaching and on-field duties next season, with Gardner his eyes and ears on the sidelines.A brother of Hawthorn star Brad and North Ballarat Rooster Myles, Sewell is excited about his return to the Cattery.“I was always going to come back to Newlyn at some stage, and when this opportunity presented itself, I thought it was probably the right timing for myself to go back and help the club build to be a successful one again,” Sewell, who was assistant to Ballarat head coach Shane Hutchinson in 2011, said. “I’ve also always had aspirations to coach and it just seemed like the right time and opportunity to have a crack at it and see how we go.”Sewell, 26, was hopeful of leading the Cats into the top eight.“Obviously the number one goal would be to play finals,” he said.“I was out there watching a couple of games this year when (Ballarat) had a bye, and there is a fairly good core group of players out there, and they have got a couple of younger guys coming through as well, which you need.“Hopefully we’ll be able to recruit a few guys from the Ballarat league to supplement what is already there.” Sewell’s sidekick Gardner, who has been struck down by persistent shoulder injuries, said the notion of a joint role was appealing.“The opportunity come up to do it in a joint capacity, and that was certainly an attractive way for us both to take it on as first-year coaches,” the 25-year-old former North Ballarat Rebel said.“I went and watched Newlyn a lot (in 2011), I had a few connections out there and had a good look at what they’ve currently got. There’s some really good, positive young kids coming through, so we will work with those guys and build on the core group.”Gardner, who played his junior footy with Lake Wendouree, was with the Ballarat Swans in 2009 and 2010.The pair take over the top job from Shaun Smith, who was at the helm for the past two seasons.