New Footscray coach Cooper Vuna was looking to step away from rugby union when he returned to Australia at the end of his career.
The dual-code Tongan international and former Wallaby returned to Melbourne early last year and moved back to Melbourne’s western suburbs.
He attended a few training sessions with his former club, Footscray, and it kept him involved.
With his vast experience, Vuna has taken on the coaching role at the Bulldogs in the Rugby Union Victoria Dewar Shield.
“I didn’t know it was going to happen,” he said. “I had been overseas for a really long time.
“I thought I would step away from rugby in general. It is hard to come back home and the local team isn’t too far from home.
“The passion lures you back into the game and it got me back into the game. The opportunity came to get me involved a bit more.”
Vuna said it was exciting to have the opportunity to share his experiences with the Bulldogs line up.
He played in the NRL before moving across to rugby union. He played two games for the Wallabies and 16 games for Tonga as well as playing overseas.
While Vuna played for the Melbourne Rebels, he also played for Footscray.
“It’s quite exciting to share with the local and aspiring athletes that want to get to the top level,” he said.
“The main reason I came back was because I played with them. I want to see the young ones flourish and grow at the club as well.”
With the Rebels no longer, Vuna said pathways for young Victorian players were made harder.
He said he was hoping he could use his contacts to help them to achieve their goals.
Tumai Edwards and Sione Puamau, who coached the club last year, will remain at the club.
The pair will take on the operations manager and director of rugby roles.
Vuna said it was important to keep them involved in the club.
“Without them, I don’t think I would be able to do it,” he said.
After a few tough years including losing their rooms to flooding, the Bulldogs had one of their best years on the field last year.
It had three sides make the grand finals.
The Bulldogs senior men’s team made the Dewar grand final which had not won since 1937.
The women’s side claimed their premiership, while their men’s second side also made the grand final too.
Vuna said he wanted to continue the progress at the club and hopefully take the side one step further.
Off field, the club is hoping to get more of the western suburbs community involved, as well as lights at its ground.
