Suns pinch ex-Lion for coaching assistance

THE Gold Coast Suns have appointed former Brisbane Lions defender Josh Drummond as an assistant coach.

After playing 94 games for the Lions in an injury-disrupted career, Drummond joined former teammate Brad Scott at North Melbourne, where he has spent the past six seasons.

“We are delighted to have someone of the calibre of Josh join our team,” Suns football operations general manager Jon Haines said.

“He will be a great addition and comes from a wellrespected football club.”

Drummond, who will return to Queensland for family reasons, turned to coaching at the end of 2012 when injury forced an early end to his playing career.

Initially signed as a development coach working with the club’s North Ballarat-affiliated players, he later moved into the AFL coaches box alongside Scott.

Most recently, he looked after the defenders and worked closely with the likes of Scott Thompson, Jamie Macmillan, Marley Williams, Robbie Tarrant and Luke McDonald, and was instrumental in Majak Daw’s transition to defence.

Kangaroos football general manager Cameron Joyce said Drummond had brought “an invaluable amount of knowledge and experience to the club over the past six years”.

“Josh has been an integral part of our football department, a vital resource for the players and a great support to Brad Scott and his fellow coaches,” Joyce said.

Drummond will join the Suns in the next few weeks.