Lockyer wins race to coach under-18s
National championship-winning coach Andrew Lockyer will return to the WAFL talent academy next season, beating a strong field to be named WA under-18 coach.
The former West Coast defender coached WA to their last under-18 title, in 2009, and finished his two-year stint with eight wins from 10 games.
He has spent the past five seasons as Collingwood's WA recruiting manager.
Current under-16 coach John Hancock will continue in his role for a third season.
_The West Australian _understands the WA Football Commission will sound out dual West Coast premiership player Chris Waterman for a senior assistant coaching role with the under-18s, with former Perth league coach Damien McMahon and two colts coaches from this season, Steven Armstrong (Subiaco) and Arthur Maskos (South Fremantle), also expected to be offered positions.
Waterman and Armstrong applied for the under-18 job.
Lockyer was appointed by a panel including AFL talent manager Kevin Sheehan, WAFC commissioner Neil Randall and general manager of pathways and competitions Steve Hargrave.
"It was only because of a two-year rotational policy that I gave up the position in 2009," Lockyer said.
"I suppose sitting five years on the hill with a great club in Collingwood, I've seen that maybe the talent in WA, we've got some issues, and I just wanted to put my hand back in the ring and help wherever I can."
WAFL talent academy manager Raff Guadagnino said the commission was overwhelmed by the number of quality coaches putting their hands up and was confident it had the right man.
"We felt that Andrew's prior experience as a national championship coach just put him ahead as a preferred candidate," he said.
Meanwhile Lockyer's son, former Sydney defender Jordan Lockyer, will play for Subiaco next season after rejecting West Perth's bid to attract him back to his original WAFL club.
·Former WA Football Commission director Grant Dorrington, 66, was last night elected to the organisation's board for the next three years. He replaces Woodside chief executive Peter Coleman as a WAFC commissioner.
Peet chief financial officer Brett Fullarton and former East Perth and Claremont footballer Larry Kickett were both re-elected for new terms.
