Thomastown has announced its new coaching structure for the 2024 Northern Football League season.
The Bears have opted for a co-coaching approach that sees Sash Spiroski and David Folino take the helm.
Spiroski and Folino have played over 400 games at the club, including four premierships spanning across three decades.
Via social media the club said this will shape the future of the club.
For the 2023 season Spiroski was the reserves coach, and guided them to a grand final while Folino was a senior assistant under former coach Peter Bugden.
The pair are an extremely tight duo with both of them featuring in each other’s bridal parties, their bond will be a key to a successful coaching relationship Spiroski said.
“We’re both pumped,” he said.
“We’re keen to work together, we applied separately but after some talks between ourselves we thought two heads are better than one.”
Another key to their coaching partnership is that they already know the group inside and out, from their respective prior roles at the club.
“We’ve played with all of them, we know what the group is all about,” Spiroski said.
“We know what makes them tick, to get the best out of themselves, so being involved helps.”
Spiroski said he is keen to bring in a few recruits to help bolster the Bears up the ladder, he said he is hoping to focus on internal and natural development.
“We’re in discussions with a few players, and hopefully there will be announcements in the not too distant future,” he said.
“We’re looking to add a couple more players but we’re not going out to recruit a whole new team.
“We’re looking to just fine tune a few areas of the ground but we’re looking for internal growth as well.
“We’re looking for some running backs and a ruckman, you’re always looking out for a ruckman.
“I don’t think we’re lacking in one specific area but when you look at it, we’re not just looking for great players on the field but quality individuals off it.”
After finishing just two premiership points off a finals berth, Spiroski said playing in September is the goal for 2024.
“I think we did under-achieve this year,” he said.
“I have no doubt that with the group we have with a few additions there’s no reason why we can’t play finals.
“Everyone pushes to win premierships but for us it’s finals and we’ll see how we go from there.”
Harper Sercombe
