Hepburn legend Shane Robertson is back with the Burras.
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The four-time premiership coach has committed to the Central Highlands Football League club for 2017, but he won’t take charge of the senior team.
Instead, Robertson has been secured as Hepburn’s general manager, an administration role that is new at the club.
Burras president Jason Dooley said the position would entail the day-to-day running of the club, secretarial duties, driving membership and sponsorship, future planning, program implementation and ensuring the club makes the most of all available opportunities.
“Shane’s record speaks for itself in football, but this opens another page in the book with Shane taking on an administrative role instead of a coaching position,” Dooley said.
“Shane is a person who gives 200 per cent to anything he does and we are sure he will have a positive impact in many ways around the club in 2017 and beyond.”
Robertson took the Burras to grand final triumphs in 2004, 2005, 2008 and 2010 before leaving the club after the 2011 campaign.
He was back in charge late in 2012 following the sacking of Troy Auld, then shifted to lead Seymour before spending the last three seasons as coach of Castlemaine.
Meanwhile, Jason Olver has been reappointed to his second season as head coach of the Hepburn senior side. Olver took over from Clive Raak ahead of season 2016 and got the Burras to a preliminary final this year.
His reappointment is part of a succession plan at Hepburn, with his new assistant Johnno Leoncini expected to take over the top job in the future. Leoncini will also oversee the coaching structure at the club.
Shane is a person who gives 200 per cent to anything he does...
- Hepburn president Jason Dooley on Shane Robertson
Olver said he was ready to hand over the senior job to Leoncini right now.
“I’m happy for him to coach in 2017, he just doesn’t feel quite ready to do that,” Olver said.
“I’ll go another season and hopefully this time next year he can be announced as our senior coach.”
Rory Ford has also been reappointed as Hepburn’s reserves coach.
Newlyn, Rokewood-Corindhap and Clunes are CHFL clubs yet to announce leaders for next year.
The Cats are still chasing a replacement for Kal Young, the Grasshoppers are looking to fill the void left by Mick Hynes, while the Magpies haven’t publicly detailed their plans.
