THE man with the most decorated coaching record in the Hampden league is charged with delivering a maiden premiership to North Warrnambool Eagles.
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Six-time Hampden league premiership coach Adam Dowie was announced as the Bushfield-based clubs new mentor on Friday.
Dowie, 50, has signed a two-year deal with the option of a third.
The Eagles hope the renowned mentor can add to his flags at Terang Mortlake (2004-05), Warrnambool (2010) and a hat-trick at Koroit (2014-16).
Dowie, who will replace Graeme Twaddle after four years at the helm, said he was hungry for another challenge after two seasons on the sidelines.
I just cant lose that urge of coaching and improving people. And it certainly happens with my teaching and with a footy club, the Warrnambool College teacher said.
The desire is still there to take a group from one spot to another. Its just in my DNA.
Dowie, who won his first premiership with Warrnambool and District league club Nirranda, said his break had come at an ideal time.
Coaching in the country is part-time, so you have your job you do for a living and I know for me, and I think probably for a lot of other coaches and speaking to a few people I can confide in, we think three or four years is as long as you can go (in one job), he said.
I was at Koroit for four years. For me, the breaks been really good. I feel really refreshed and energised.
Dowie said the Eagles task was an intriguing proposition.
My time at Koroit was brilliant and I loved it and I have a lot of good friends out there but I saw this as a really good opportunity, he said.
It took me a little while to get my head around it but now its done, I feel like the hardest part in terms of letting go of Koroit has happened, I am really excited about the future and job at hand.
The real positives are the age and demographics of the side. I think theyre on 20 or 21 (capping) points so theyre just about all home-grown.
I think 85 per cent of their players are under 23.
I suppose for a long time I have really admired the way North Warrnambool have built their club. Theyve really focused on building their juniors.
Theyve really worked hard in that area.
If you had to look at something that was going to appeal, I suppose for me, that was the right recipe.