GERARD FitzGerald will coach North Ballarat Rebels in the TAC Cup next season.
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His appointment comes after a controversial end to a nine-season tenure at the helm of North Ballarat Roosters in the VFL this year.
This is the second time FitzGerald has coached the Rebels.
He was in charge of the AFL under-18 pathway team in 2005 and 2006.
Ironically, he will continue to work at the same facility as the Roosters
Although like the Roosters based at Eureka Stadium, the Rebels are independent of North Ballarat Football Club operations - administered as an arm of AFL Victoria under the guidance regional talent manager Phil Partington.
FitzGerald’s return to the Rebels’ top job comes just a few weeks after he was knocked back by the North Ballarat Football Club board for the Roosters’ head coaching role for a second time.
The three-time VFL premiership coach was told mid-season his contract would not be extended beyond this year.
He then re-applied when applications were opened and was shortlisted – ultimately being offered a one-year contract before negotiations broke down, leaving him open to apply for the Rebels’ job.
FitzGerald fills the Rebels vacancy left by David Loader, who has joined AFL club North Melbourne as a development coach.
FitzGerald has been either a VFL or TAC Cup coach since 1997.
1997-2002 – North Ballarat (VFL)
2003 – Springvale (VFL)
2004 – Port Melbourne (VFL)
2005-2006 – North Ballarat Rebels (TAC Cup)
2007-2015 - North Ballarat Roosters (VFL)
2016 - North Ballarat Rebels (TAC Cup)
Eight Rebels players were drafted into the AFL in FitzGerald’s two years a coach, including seven in the second season.
2005: Stephen Owen (Geelong)
2006: Nathan Brown (Collingwood), James Frawley (Melbourne), Mitchell Brown (West Coast Eagles), Shaun Grigg (Carlton), Tim Houlihan (West Coast Eagles), Matt Tyler (Brisbane Lions), Tasman Clingan (Richmond)