North Tamworth may have lost a mountain of experience in departing coach Brad McManus but the Bears have appointed the mentor’s apprentice as his successor.
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After serving a two-year apprenticeship as captain under McManus, Scott Blanch will captain-coach the Bears in 2018 with Richard Ingram named assistant coach.
Blanch has said previously whoever replaces McManus will have “bloody big shoes to fill” but that hasn’t deterred the five-eighth.
“I first thought I’d get into it at a junior level, 15s, 16s or even 18s, but working alongside Spitter [McManus] has given me the confidence that I’d be able to take on the first grade gig,” Blanch said.
“In saying that, those older players and core group of players also give me the confidence to have a go at it.”
Blanch said his main aims were to continue the culture McManus helped create at the club and to keep the side together.
“We had a great year. We’ve got a lot of young talented blokes,” Blanch said.
“Without trying to recruit so much, we’ll just try and keep the guys together which I’m sure they'll all be keen to to try and have another good season.”
One of that group Blanch will be out to keep at the club is North Tamworth’s best and fairest Jake McManus.
The backrower/centre was named the Bears’ best at the club’s presentation night on September 16.
“He’s had a great year. We’ll have him on board again next year and he’s a great asset to the team,” Blanch said.
“He’s been at the club for a couple years and he’s bringing a lot to the club.”
Blanch didn’t leave the presentation night empty-handed as he picked up the club person of the year award as well as the player’s player award for first grade.
“To be given that accolade from fellow players is something I’m very proud of,” he said.
“That’s why I personally play footy, for the mateship.
“The club person of the year was sort of a shock.
“Normally it’s someone who doesn't play and puts in a hell of a lot of work to the club, so I was shocked to get that one but also very proud.”
The other North Tamworth coaches for 2018 are Nicholas O'Leary (reserves), Ken Allen (under 18s) with a league tag coach still to be named.
BEARS PRESENTATION NIGHT
Club person of the year: Scott Blanch
110% award: Luke Byrnes
FIRST GRADE
Best back: Richard Clegg
Best forward: Shane Wadwell
Cliff Pearce award/player’s player: Scott Blanch
Best and fairest: Jake McManus
RESERVE GRADE
Best back: Justin Johnson
Best forward: Shaq Ervine
Coaches award: Alex Seckold
Player’s player: Lachlan Wilcox
Best and fairest: Zhan Chisholm
UNDER 18S
Best back: Trent Taylor
Best forward: Jack Patterson
Coaches award: Sam Wentworth
Most improved: Jarod Peachey
Player’s player: Cody Byrne
Best and fairest: Mitch Sheridan
LEAGUE TAG
Most improved: Ange Trickett
Coaches award: Georgia Holcombe
Best and fairest: Kate Ferguson