In a surprising turn of events, the Western Bulldogs have lost their forwards coach, Matt Spangher, who will join the Hawthorn Football Club in a newly created role. This development comes as the Bulldogs’ first-to-fourth year players report for pre-season training without a forwards coach, raising questions about the team’s preparations for the upcoming season.
Spangher has been the Bulldogs’ forwards coach since 2022. Less than a week ago, he announced his decision to leave to the team. In the second, he moves to Hawthorn, joining former West Coast compatriot and 2014 premiership teammate Sam Mitchell. Currently, he serves in the more interesting capacity of Head of Football Strategy and Projects. This new position is set to be much more wide-reaching within the football department, instead of just coaching.
Jack Gunston, a key player in the Hawks’ forward line, remains on the roster and continues to play an instrumental role in the team’s offensive strategies. Gunston is one of the four players from that 2014 premiership-winning team still employed by the club. The other three are Mitchell, David Hale, and Jarryd Roughead. Hale serves as the midfield coach while Roughead works as a recruiter, contributing to the club’s efforts to build a competitive squad.
The timing of Spangher’s departure makes it all the more inconvenient for the Bulldogs. The forwards coach role is key ahead of a critical season. The club has shown a desire to add to its impressive forward trio of Sam Darcy, Aaron Naughton and Cody Weightman. With pre-season under way, the Bulldogs are now in a race against time to secure the right replacement for Spangher.
Hawthorn has made it official, welcoming Spangher to the team. Fans can’t wait to see how his expertise develops the club’s attacking strategy, going forward. The Hawks’ response has been to shift Spangher’s role into a much wider football department capacity. This exemplifies their desire to maximize greater team success with creative approaches and problem-solving.
