NORTH Ballarat Roosters have turned to one of their all-time great players Marc Greig to lead them for the next two years in the VFL.
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He fills the vacancy left by his long-time mentor Gerard FitzGerald, who did not have his contract renewed beyond the end of the 2015 season.
Greig, who is a three-time Roosters premiership player and their VFL games record holder, steps into the full-time position after spending five seasons as part of FitzGerald’s coaching panel.
He was senior assistant coach this year.
The announcement on Friday ends a protracted and sometimes controversial search for a coach, which began mid-season when FitzGerald was told by the North Ballarat Football Club board he would not be at the helm for a 10th consecutive year.
North Ballarat legend and three-time AFL premiership coach Mick Malthouse led a panel formed to find a new coach.
The search was forced into a second phase when the initial attempt to make an appointment from more than 40 applications came to nothing.
Greig said he had not applied when the position was first advertised.
He said it was only after the process stalled that he lodged an interest in the job.
“I love a challenge. I’ve always been up for a challenge.
“I have always wanted to coach at the best possible level.”
Greig, who only a short time ago took a position on the NBFC board, said it had been entirely his call to put his hand up for the job.
He said there had been no prompting from anyone.
Greig is a builder by trade and not long ago went into business in his own right.
He said given this and having two young children, there had been a lot to consider before making himself available, but he was more than comfortable with the decision.
NBFC chief executive officer Mark Patterson and acting chairman Peter Carey announced the appointment.
Carey said the selection process had been rigorous. “We are delighted with the outcome.”
“Marc is a legend of the club and has always held an ambition to coach this club at the highest level.”
Patterson said while the process had taken longer than initially expected, he believed the timing was fine with a view to re-signing players and recruiting.