Matt Spangher will join the Western Bulldogs as an assistant coach.
Luke Beveridge has gone outside the square to revamp his coaches box, appointing former Hawthorn cult-hero Spangher as a forwards coach for 2022.
Spangher had spent the past two years at Collingwood as the Pies’ AFL engagement and VFL operations manager – the latest stop in a diverse career path post-footy.
Spangher played 56 games at West Coast, Sydney and Hawthorn, becoming a fan favourite at the Hawks where he played in the club’s 2014 premiership. He and Beveridge worked together for two years at the Hawks.
The colourful ex-forward has completed a Bachelor of Business, two master’s degrees and worked in London as a business and account manager.
But he has been lured across the Whitten Oval to help steer a talented Dogs forward line that includes Aaron Naughton, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, Cody Weightman and Josh Bruce.
The Dogs will soon announce their midfield assistant coach for 2022, with Rohan Smith remaining in charge of the backline.
Long-time assistants Steven King (Gold Coast) and Ash Hansen (Carlton) left the club after the Grand Final loss to Melbourne.