TWO sets of brothers will lead the Mudgee Dragons next season with the ultimate goal of getting the three teams into the Group 10 grand finals.
Brothers Mat and Andy Stott - both of whom played with Dubbo Macquarie Raiders in 2010 - will be joined by former Gulgong Terriers mentors Shane and Aaron Weatherley in the coaches’ box in 2012.
Mat will lead the Dragons in premier league, Andy the under- 18s, and the Weatherley boys take charge of first division.
They take over from Peter Hickman (premier league), Greg Ward (first division) and Chris Ward (under-18s).
It is the first time in Dragons’ history two sets of brothers will coach Mudgee at the same time.
Mat has coached at the top level before, leading the Dubbo Macquarie to the Group 11 semi-finals in 2010.
But he said it was great to be part of the Dragons’ new coaching line-up.
“Andy takes over from Chris who spent the last two years there and did a really good job,” Mat said.
“They’re (under-18s) a good age to coach, Andy will do well there. Aaron and Shane coming back is really good and positive for the club. They bring a wealth of experience to the role.”
The Weatherley boys last coached a rugby league side in 2009 when they led the Gulgong Terriers to the Castlereagh League preliminary final.
This year, they switched codes and played rugby union for the Mudgee Wombats. But they are “league boys through and through” and find themselves back in the red and white for the first time in five years.
“Aaron and myself, we have done what we can in Gulgong as players and coaches,” Shane said.
“Looking for a new challenge. We are both Gulgong boys born and raised but we wanted to do one last thing before we do give it away.”
Andy said he was hoping he could nurture the under-18s into future premier league first graders.
“I thought I was ready to take it on,” the former Canberra Raiders under-20s player said.
Dragons’ president Roger Lang said the club could move forward and focus on next season now the coaches had been announced.
“It’s great news for us that we have local boys coaching again,” Lang said.
“It’s good to see they (the Weatherley brothers) back, they bring a wealth of experience.
“They will also play, which gives us two more players in the club.”
Aaron will captain-coach the first division as too will Mat in premier league.
Mat paid a tribute to former head coach Peter Hickman.
“Pete is a Mudgee stalwart,” Mat said. “I think in his 18 years as a senior football coach he made 13 grand finals. That’s a pretty impressive record.
“He did a great job for Mudgee and I wish him all the best.”
Hickman remains as Dragons’ treasurer and Mat said he would look to him for coaching advice.
“I’ve still got him on speed dial,” Mat joked.
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