DECORATED country football coach John Northey will be in charge at Learmonth next season.
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The former Sydney, Melbourne, Richmond and Brisbane coach has parted with the Ballarat Swans, where he has spent the past seven seasons.
Northey's move has been confirmed by Ballarat club president Shane Manley, who said the Simonds Swans were extremely grateful for the veteran coach's contribution at the club.
"John goes with our blessing. Our club is extremely grateful for the seven years John has contributed to us," Manley said this week.
"He has in that time changed the culture in so many ways and helped us to win first premiership in 20 years.
"He has made many good friends at our club."
Northey, who was this year elevated to Legend status in the Ballarat Football League hall of fame, could not be contacted by The Courier, while Learmonth is yet to formally announce his appointment.
However, a number of sources have confirmed the Central Highlands Football League club is the 69-year-old's destination next season.
Northey has been director of coaching at Ballarat since 2010. He was senior coach from 2006, leading the club to its drought-breaking 2008 premiership.
Ballarat will be in the hunt for a new senior coach as well after Shane Hutchinson announced he would not be coaching the club next season.
"Shane (Hutchinson) has advised us he plans to travel with his family next year," Manley said.
"He is taking a year off. As far as we're concerned he is still a Ballarat player and he has expressed to us his intention to return to us in 2013.
"We've started the process of looking for a new senior coach. We think it is a very exciting opportunity for someone out there.
"We've re-signed 95 per cent of our senior players and we consider this batch of young talent is one of the most exciting groups we've had for some time.
"We're now looking for the right person.
"We'd be looking for the right coach, whether that is a playing coach or non-playing coach," Manley said.
gavin.mcgrath@thecourier.com.a