Guy Smith to coach Big W

Former Horsham premiership mastermind Guy Smith will coach Wimmera Football League in Victorian Community Championships next year.

Smith, a key architect behind a period of Horsham domination in Wimmera football, accepted the offer to lead the Big W against Murray on May 18.

Wimmera will play Murray for the second time in two years, at a Murray ground yet to be announced.

Smith has an acute knowledge of the game in the region, which he has sharpened through his guest commentary role with 3WM’S Local Football Live radio commentary team, calling Wimmera and Horsham District league games.

He takes the interleague reins from Shayne Breuer, who couldn’t commit to another year at the helm, with Wimmera sitting 17th on a Victorian league comparison table.

Wimmera league chief commissioner Trevor Albrecht said Smith was the man they wanted for the job and was happy to appoint him.

“We believe it will be a two-year tenancy at least – it’s good to get some continuity with our interleague coach if that can happen,” he said.

“He obviously has a good record, is also of a high character and is well respected, and he really understands Wimmera league footy.”

Mr Albrecht said representative football and the league’s standing in the state was critically important and why the commission had been desperate to appoint a high-quality coach.

“I’ve said it is our most important date on WKH FDOHQGDU DIWHU WKH JUDQG ¿QDO :H KDYH WR keep scraping away and climbing up rankings to maintain our standing,” he said.

“Last year we lost to Bellarine and before that to Murray, but it was close on both occasions and we have been fortunate to stay 17th on the table.

“I think Guy remains highly relevant to young players and that’s important. We want people to bust their boiler to play interleague football and I’m proud to say this has been very good of late. It really became instilled under Louie Dalziel, which carried on with John Delahunty and Shayne Breuer. I think Guy will generate the same thing.”

Horsham District league is also playing in the championships and will play Loddon Valley at Horsham City Oval.

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