By Molly Magennis
The Western Bulldogs have appointed two new assistant coaches for the 2022 season.
Matt Spangher and Marc Webb will replace Ash Hansen and Steven King, who left the Bulldogs at the end of the 2021 season.
Spangher will be in charge of the Bulldogs forwards and offensive systems and Webb will be responsible for the midfield and stoppages.
Assistant coach Rohan Smith will continue coaching the defenders and overseeing defensive systems.
Webb spent seven years at Fremantle Football Club in various roles, including midfield assistant and in development coaching. Webb played in the WAFL Subiaco where he won four premiership and captained the team from 2005-09. He won the Lions’ Best and Fairest in 2003 and the Simpson Medal for best afield in the 2006 Grand Final.
Spangher spent 11 years as an AFL player and played in Hawthorn’s 2014 Premiership where he won the Best Clubman award that same year.
At the end of the 2016 season he was delisted from Hawthorn and in 2020 he made the return to AFL in an engagement and operations role with the Collingwood Football Club.
Bulldogs’ Senior Coach Luke Beveridge said that the two additions are outstanding characters with rich football history.
“They will both be critical people for us as we continue to build capability into our playing group from 2022 onwards,” he said.
“Matt and Marc will provide their own unique skill set, and they will be indoctrinated into a close-knit coaching team. They will be provided every opportunity to flourish in their roles through a foundation based on collaboration and empowerment.
“Bringing two new coaches into our program will provide us with fresh ideas and some different voices, which will be imperative for our future as we endeavour to achieve a period of sustained on-field success.”
