A Falcon in Swans nest

... as Clark tipped for Queenscliff homecoming

SOUTH Barwon president Roger Blacksell says the appointment of David Farrell to the Swans’ senior coaching position was an inspired choice.

The Geelong Falcons assistant impressed in South Barwon’s search for a new mentor after co-coaches Clinton Wells and James Maas announced their resignations late in the GFL season.

The latest appointment leaves Grovedale, Leopold and St Albans remaining in the search for senior coaches.

Queenscliff is set to announce its new coach as early as today, while St Albans is also days away from revealing its new coaching set up.

Former Coutas mentor and Leopold premiership coach Steve Clark is considered the frontrunner for Queenscliff position after stepping down from the Lions after seven seasons at the helm.

Clark, who coached under-16 footy at Queenscliff this year, led the Coutas from 2000 to 2006, before spending three years at St Albans and then moving on to Leopold.

Blacksell said Farrell’s experience working with elite youth was a selling point in landing the South Barwon job.

“We knew the sort of people we were targeting and he fits the mould exactly with our young group. He’s perfect,” he said.

“The way he sold himself, he knows our group inside and out already. He knew everything we were up to and he already knows who he wants to recruit and who he wants to get back. He was all over it.”

Farrell remains a vital cog in Geelong Falcons’ TAC Cup tilt, with a preliminary final beckoning this weekend.

He said he was excited about what next year would hold.

“While I have a commitment to the success of the playing group and club during what we hope is a successful TAC finals campaign, I am super grateful and excited about the opportunity we have at South Barwon in 2018 and beyond,” he said.

“I look forward to the challenges and do not underestimate how much hard work is involved but with the professionalism and energy I have been greeted with I know we can achieve great things.”

Blacksell said Maas would remain an important part of the senior program at South Barwon, while Wells would be taking an interest in the club’s junior program with his children coming through the ranks.