Fitzroy Senior Coach Luke Mahoneys coaching panel is taking shape with a familiar name making a very welcome return.

Michael Pickering will be the Senior Assistant Coach in 2018 and Sam Bishop has come across from Lukes former club to take on the Development Coaching role at Fitzroy.

Michael, who had a lengthy AFL playing career with Richmond, coached the Fitzroy senior team from 2012 to 2016, successfully taking the team into the Premier C grand final and into Premier B. More on Michaels career can be found here.

Sam was an assistant coach at Brunswick NOBSPC with Luke, played at SKOB and Strathmore and was with Kew AFC as a playing assistant coach for four seasons. During that time, Sam played in three premierships which saw their dramatic rise from D3 to Premier C.

With pre-season just underway, Luke said he was looking to set top class training standards. I want us to train like a Premier side to get the best out of ourselves. We know it is a very even competition in Premier C and there is not much between the sides, so we need to be the best we can be. There is no room for complacency./p>

In more good news, 2017 Assistant Coach, Bernie Carter, has been successful in his application to take on the Reserves coaching role, after Richard Willingham stepped down.

And Simon Jackson has been appointed coach of the Womens 2 team. With a strong background in strength and conditioning, Simon will be a great addition to the team.

Simon played football for 16 years, was playing Reserves Coach with Old Carey and played in three premierships with Old Carey and Old Camberwell. Last season he was the Strength and Conditioning Coach with the University of Melbourne MUGARS and has been in similar position at TAC club Sandringham Dragons.

We will bring you more stories on the new coaches early in the new year.

The club is still recruiting for an Under 19 (2) coach.