BY ALEX TIGANI
The Muswellbrook Cats have confirmed their new coaches for season 2022.
Club stalwart Ken Garland will continue as the club’s women’s coach while ball winner Matt Dunn will take on the role as men’s playing coach.
Garland, who won the AFL Hunter Central Coast’s coveted James J Arnold Club person of the Year award in 2016, will commence his fourth season in role following previous stints in 2017-18 and 2021.
Muswellbrook Cats vice president Mark McLaughlin confirmed the appointment to the Hunter River Times last week.
“Ken has been playing since 2004 and now has 180ish games for Muswellbrook,” McLauglin explained.
“His coaching style is leading by example at training.
“He will be involved in all drills doing everything he asks of the girls and developing a more attacking game plan.”
Garland urges all aspiring recruits to come have a look at training and try no matter what skill level.
“We are a very inclusive club and encourage everyone to come down for a try,” Garland added.
“You never no, you may love the sport.”
Garland hopes to turnaround his side’s narrow losses this year and cement the women’s side in the finals for the first time in club history.
“Meanwhile Matt was a Muswellbrook junior who has moved up through the ranks, playing more than 50 senior games, being a previous caption and best and fairest winner and is now trying his hand at coaching,” McLaughlin added.
The Cats had a 3-2 record with Dunn this season (celebrating wins over Cardiff, Wallsend-West Newcastle and former Black Diamond Cup side Lake Macquarie) and a 0-6 record without the midfielder.
He hopes to steer the side to their first premiership since 2005.
“We have an exciting young group of players and would love to get a good local crowd up to games to experience AFL for what it is all about instead of just a perception of it,” Dunn concluded.
“So come up and give it a go.”
Honours for Tegart and Garlick
Second year Muswellbrook Cat Dominic Tegart capped off his first complete season at the Cattery with a club best and fairest victory.
The former Batemans Bay Seahawk, who came out of retirement last year, polled 28 votes clear of Nathan Connor (55) and Jacob Connor (54).
The race for this year’s award was open following captain Cameron Benkovic’s absence due to injury in key matchups.
There was no surprise in the women’s best and fairest after Elise Garlick added to her league best and fairest title.
Garlick finished 14 votes in front of teammate Shae Pemberton.
Muswellbrook Cats best and fairest votes
MEN’S
1. Dominic Tegart………..……..83
2. Nathan Connor………….……55
3. Jacob Connor…………………54
4. Luke Damico……..…………..41
5. Jayden Galvin………………..37
6. Dominic White……….……….35
7. Mark McLaughlin…………….24
8. Sam Sawkins…….…………..24
9. Matthew Dunn..………………16
10. Jordan Goldman …………….16
WOMEN’S
1. Elise Garlick..…………..……. 87
2. Shae Pemberton…………….. 73
3. Emma Knowles……….………56
4. Chloe Annandale……..………47
5. Kimberley Page………………41
6. Charlotte Heaton……………..33
7. Kylie Dennis..…………………31
8. Andrea Watts..……………….30
9. Natalie Heard…….…………..26
10. Tenayha Dennis…………….22
