Bacchus Marsh coach Tom German is hoping for just one normal year at the helm after re-signing for the 2022 Ballarat Football Netball League season.
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The Cobras' leader first took on the job at the end of 2019, only for the 2020 season to be abandoned due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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This year was the first he's been able to take to the field for his new club, but even then, it's been hampered by two lockdown-forced breaks in the season.
"Look, it's been a tough two years to take on a coaching job, that's for sure," German joked to The Courier.
"I always wanted to go another year. It's been a bit of an up-and-down season this year with all the lockdowns, but I feel the club's in a really good position.
"We have a lot of good people around the club. The playing group is fantastic, and the club culture is really good. They've really welcomed my family and me in."
Once rookie listed at Essendon, German had a distinguished VFL career with the Bombers, Williamstown and the Nothern Bullants before moving to country football. He joined Bacchus Marsh after three seasons with Mansfield in the Goulburn Valley League, bringing a host of players in two - including assistant coach Ryan Bartlett.
German has been an important addition to the Cobras' midfield and once ranked in the top three of The Courier's player of the year voting.
The 31-year-old was still planning to pull on the boots next year and form part of a playing group he feels is nearing its prime.
"(It's going to be good) having that on-field experience from this year," German said.
"We have a 5-5 record at the moment, but we've been in every game we've played, and it's always going to take a bit of time to streamline the game plan when a new coach comes in.
"We have a good list that we'll continue to build on, and a good junior program coming through as well."
"Our list is in a good age bracket at the moment. We've got good experience from our older players, and they're still playing well. Then we've got some good young players coming through as well as that mid-tier bracket of players between 23 and 27."
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