Skipton has turned to two players from within its own ranks to fill its senior coaching position for the 2021 Central Highlands Football League season.
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Andrew Pitson and Sam Willian have been appointed joint coaches to fill the big shoes of Greg Middleton.
Each played in the Ballarat Football League before joining the Emus.
Pitson has been with Skipton for two seasons, having joined the club in 2018 from Monash Blues in the VAFA.
He had just the one year playing in Melbourne after a distinguished career with Lake Wendouree, where as a leading goalkicker he represented the BFL and was selected in a BFL team of year.
Willian is yet to play with Skipton, but is not completely new to the club.
He joined from North Ballarat at the end of last year, but COVID-19 has delayed the start of his career with the Emus.
Middleton stood down from the senior coaching role in November for family reasons after leading Skipton into its first CHFL finals campaign in 2019.
Skipton president Andrew Bodman said the appointments followed a lengthy and exhaustive process.
"Andrew and Sam are both quality young men. Along with apparent leadership and football nous, they bring great enthusiasm and passion to the club," he said.
Skipton football director Chris Gawne said it was pleasing to get the appointments finalised before the end of the year. "It's a great Christmas present."
He said as well as youthful exuberance, Pitson and Willian displayed football maturity and had some great ideas.
Gawne said they were fully committed to the direction Skipton was heading as a football club.
Ryan Symonds and Tim Huglin have also been appointed reserves joint coaches.
