Rick Horwood locked in as the new coach of EDFL club Avondale Heights
NEW Avondale Heights coach Rick Horwood says he is excited to be back in the Essendon District Football League and is determined to help lift the club off the canvas.
The Heights reached no great heights this year, battling their way through the Premier Division season to finish ninth on the ladder with just four wins.
There were post-season rumours a host of players would depart the club, including star goalkicker Patrick Rose who bagged 84 majors this year.
However, Horwood said the Heights had retained “90 per cent” of their list, including Rose, and were busy talking to prospective recruits.
Former Brisbane, Collingwood and Carlton ruckman Cameron Wood was the first confirmed signing, and Horwood is confident more will follow.
“That will obviously entice other players as well, when you get a bloke straight out of the AFL signing with you,” he said.
“It all has a roll-on effect, and a new coach brings some excitement as well.
“We want some sustained success, and with the points cap and the salary cap coming in, I think that’s going to help Avondale a fair bit.”
A former captain of Airport West, Horwood was an assistant coach at Taylors Lakes in 2008 and spent two years with Mick McGuane as an assistant at Keilor.
He then moved to Ballarat Football League club Sunbury as senior coach, where he spent the past six seasons, leading the Lions to four grand finals including a premiership in 2012 before deciding to step aside this year.
“Avondale gave me a call the day after I resigned and it just went from there,” Horwood said.
“We made finals the last six years at Sunbury and four grand finals. I want to bring the experience I learnt there.
“They’re a pretty powerful club in country footy, but it’s a step up to the premier league and I’m excited to be back.”