The Greater Western Sydney GIANTS are pleased to announce the appointment of former Melbourne and Richmond forward Brad Miller as the club’s NEAFL coach.
The GIANTS also today announced changes to the club’s welfare structure with former NEAFL coach Brett Hand taking over as Development and Welfare Manager and former GIANTS player Dylan Addison appointed as Welfare Manager.
Brad Miller joins the GIANTS after a two-year stint as a development coach with the Melbourne Football Club. He moved into coaching after finishing his 157-game playing career with Melbourne and Richmond in 2012.
The 32-year old will take over coaching the UWS GIANTS in the NEAFL from Brett Hand who'll move into the newly created role of Head of Development and Welfare.
Miller said he was looking forward to playing an integral role in the GIANTS’ development program.
“I’m really excited by the opportunity to work with the GIANTS playing group,” Miller said.
“The AFL team made some big strides in 2015 and I, like a lot of people, particularly enjoyed the exciting brand of football they played under Leon Cameron. The NEAFL team is littered with talented players and I’m looking forward to joining them with a view to building on an extremely strong 2015 season.
“It’s an exciting opportunity to be able to live in Sydney, be closer to my family and work at a club on the rise like the GIANTS."
Miller is the latest addition to the GIANTS coaching staff, with former St Kilda Champion Lenny Hayes also set to join the club as an assistant coach.
Hayes will work with the GIANTS midfield while Mark McVeigh will take over the role of backline coach.
Former NEAFL Coach Brett Hand will oversee a restructured Development and Welfare department which will include Dylan Addison as Welfare Manager.
Addison’s new role sees the 28-year old's 93-game AFL career come to a close, a career which included five games with the GIANTS.
Originally from Sydney, Addison was drafted from St George to the Western Bulldogs in 2005 where he played 88 games before joining the GIANTS ahead of the 2014 season.
Addison said the opportunity to take up a welfare role with the GIANTS made his decision to retire easier.
“I’ve really enjoyed my ten years as a player and it’s terrific to be staying at the GIANTS to take on a role that I’m really passionate about,” said Addison.
“Having just finished my playing career, I have a clear understanding of the challenges the players face today, including living away from home at a young age.
“I’m looking forward to working closely with the players and their families as the club enters a new phase of growth."
GIANTS General Manager Football, Graeme Allan, said the new appointments further strengthen the GIANTS welfare and development programs.
“We’re delighted to have Brad Miller come on board and to have two highly respected people in Brett Hand and Dylan Addison move into new welfare and development positions is terrific,” Allan said.
“Brett and Dylan know the club and the players extremely well and I have no doubt they’ll continue to build on our outstanding player welfare program.”
Miller Named NEAFL Coach
The GIANTS are pleased to announce the appointment of former Melbourne and Richmond forward Brad Miller as the club’s NEAFL coach.