Tara Murray
Newport has signed a new coach and a three-time AFL premiership player as it prepares for life in Western Football League division 1.
The Panthers last week announced that this season’s coach Rodney Van Riet wouldn’t return to the club next year.
They then announced Ali Hamad would take over as coach followed by the news that former Essendon and Richmond star Bachar Houli had signed on to play for the club.
Hamad said he jumped at the opportunity to take on the role at Newport.
He thanked the people who had left the club in a good state to move forward.
“I’m very excited and more so excited that it is my community club,” he said. “My relatives are here, my nephew is here and my mum and dad go here.
“It was a no-brainer when it came up and I’m looking forward to it. Everyone from the local Muslim-Lebanese community goes here.”
Hamad has never held an official role at the club, but it has always been close to his heart.
He said the new challenge of being in division 1 was something he was excited about.
“There’s a good crop of young kids coming through,” he said. “I want to help that transition into division 1.
“We had three senior teams this year and had 10 players in under-18s who are stepping up. They made finals in division 1. It will be a new build and we want to be competitive in division 1 and I’m looking forward to it.
“We want to shake it up as much as we can.”
Hamad had been co-coach at East Keilor the past 18 months and has been an assistant coach at Western Jets previously.
He said his time at East Keilor had allowed him to get a good idea of what senior men’s football is about.
“It was good to be able to see how adults operate,” he said. “You’re coaching against the likes of Mick McGuane.
“The game is quicker and if you turn it over they punish you. The WFL is a little bit different to the EDFL, but I’m looking forward to it and I feel like I’m well equipped.”
The signing of Houli is the perfect start for Hamad as coach.
Houli played 232 AFL games, was All-Australian in 2019 and won three premierships with Richmond.
Hamad said it was pretty special to have him on board.
“He is a legend,” he said. “He plays a big role in our community.
“We have the most passionate supporter base and they have the conversation with him whenever they see him.
“He will not just be great on field, but with the off field stuff as well.
“There’s a lot of respect for him and we will work around his availability.”
