Spangher's Shock Departure Rocks Bulldogs
In a move that has sent shockwaves through the AFL community, premiership-winning cult hero Matt Spangher has abruptly left the Western Bulldogs, returning to his former club Hawthorn on the eve of the pre-season. The unexpected departure has created immediate challenges for the Bulldogs, whose first-to-fourth year players returned to training without a forwards coach.
Homecoming to Hawthorn
Spangher is set to reunite with his 2014 flag-winning teammate Sam Mitchell at Hawthorn's Dingley headquarters, taking on the newly created position of Head of Football Strategy and Projects. This marks a significant homecoming for Spangher, who becomes the fourth member of Hawthorn's 2014 premiership team now employed by the club.
The current Hawthorn football department now includes several 2014 heroes:
- Sam Mitchell (Senior Coach)
- David Hale (Midfield Coach)
- Jarryd Roughead (Recruiter)
- Matt Spangher (Head of Football Strategy and Projects)
Forward Jack Gunston also remains on the playing list, maintaining a crucial connection to that successful era.
Bulldogs Left Scrambling for Replacement
The timing of Spangher's move has created a significant headache for the Western Bulldogs, with the club informed of his decision only late last week. As Bulldogs players returned for pre-season training, the forwards coach position remained vacant, forcing the club into a hurried search for a replacement.
Compounding the challenge for the Bulldogs is the fact that many potential coaching targets have already been secured by rival clubs for the upcoming season. The forwards coach role is considered particularly pivotal for the Bulldogs given their emerging attacking talent, including young superstar Sam Darcy playing alongside Aaron Naughton and the returning Cody Weightman.
While Spangher's departure creates immediate pressure for the Bulldogs, his new role at Hawthorn represents a broader football department position rather than pure coaching, signaling a strategic appointment for the Hawks as they continue their rebuild under Mitchell's leadership.
