SUBIACO premiership coach Scott Watters has been appointed as an assistant coach at Collingwood Football Club ahead of the 2010 AFL season.
Watters, 40, will be the defensive line coach, and replaces Blake Caracella, who recently resigned to take up an assistant coaching role with Geelong.
Recruited from South Fremantle at the end of 1988 by West Coast, Watters played 109 games of AFL football from 1989-96, firstly for the Eagles (1989-‘92; 46 games, including the 1991 grand final), then Sydney (1993, ‘94; 37 games) and Fremantle (1995, ‘96; 26 games).
He was vice-captain of Fremantle’s inaugural
team in 1995 before retiring at the end of 1996.
In recent years Watters forged a fine coaching career with Subiaco in the West Australian Football League.
He coached the Lions for the past three seasons, including premierships
in 2007 and 2008, and for the past two years has coached the WAFL State representative
side to wins over Queensland and South Australia.
Prior to leading Subiaco's league side, Watters coached the club’s Colts
team in 2006.
The Lions are thrilled that their past two senior coaches have moved into the AFL ranks after successfully leading the club to four premierships in the last six years. Peter German, who coached the league team from 2003 to 2006, moved to Fremantle and has since been appointed as an assistant at the Western Bulldogs.
In replacing Watters, Subiaco is in a great position with many of the Club’s existing assistant coaches being regarded as worthy replacements, and there has already been strong interest from other highly credentialed coaches from around Australia.
Subiaco Football Manager Andrew McBean said: “Scott’s appointment at AFL level is of no surprise to us, as right through his time at the club he has been a prominent leader and innovative thinker. Scott has been able to build on a young list which will ensure the club remains a force in 2010 and beyond.”
The West Australian Football Commission congratulated Watters on his appointment and wished him the best in his new role after years of invaluable service to football in WA.