Pekin to lead Roos
Nick Pekin will coach Harrow-balmoral in Horsham District football next year.
The talented on-baller, 27, confirmed he would step up from his assistant-coaching role to fill the shoes of coach of the past three seasons Paul Cleaver.
“I thought the time was right to take on the role,” he said.
“Perhaps we can take it to the next level next year.”
Pekin, who starred with Wimmera league club Horsham before joining the Southern Roos, was part of a Harrow-balmoral playing group that finished runner-up to Southern Mallee Giants for this year’s flag.
“We left our run a bit late in the grand final – you have to play four good quarters, not just one,” he said.
Pekin said planning was already well underway for 2018, with utility Simon Close – on Geelong’s VFL list for the past three years while playing with Leopold – set to return to the Roos.
“He’s coming back home to the family farm and we’ve managed to snaffle him, which is great news,” Pekin said.
Pekin said he had already met with club officials and identified areas where the playing group could improve.
“We’ve identified a few areas we need to target, so we’ll get on the front foot with that,” he said.
“One area is a need for a key forward in our group to step up and have a crack.
“Ideally we don’t want to be chasing any big-name players, although we wouldn’t mind if they dropped into the club.
“We already have a talented crop of juniors coming on – nine in all stepping up from under-17s.”
Pekin also paid tribute to Cleaver and said he was happy Ryan Mcclure would again take on the club’s under-17 coaching role.
“Paul did a lot of groundwork, especially in his first year, and built the club to where it is now,” he said.
“I’ve learnt a lot from him and will certainly be picking his brain.
“And I’m keen to work with Ryan to help turn our young blokes into senior footballers.”
Harrow-balmoral hopes to announce assistants for Pekin and a reserves coach in the near future.