The Western Bulldogs have made two assistant coach additions for the 2022 season, welcoming Matt Spangher and Marc Webb to the Club.
Spangher and Webb replace Ash Hansen and Steven King, who departed the Bulldogs after the 2021 campaign following long stints with the Club.
Spangher will take charge of the Dogs’ forwards and offensive systems, while Webb will be responsible for the midfield and stoppages. Rohan Smith will continue in his role coaching the defenders and overseeing defensive systems.
Webb arrives at VU Whitten Oval as a highly credentialled coach and player, with vast experience at AFL and WAFL level.
He spent seven years at Fremantle Football Club in various positions, including as midfield assistant and in development coaching, development program management and stoppage coordination roles.
Prior to his time at the Dockers, Webb was senior coach of Claremont in the WAFL, guiding the team to the Premiership in his first year and being named WA Coaches Association Coach of the Year in 2013.
As a player, Webb had a distinguished career in the WAFL with Subiaco, winning four premierships, captaining the Club from 2005-09 and winning the Lions’ Best and Fairest in 2003. He also won the Simpson Medal for best afield in the 2006 Grand Final.
Spangher spent 11 years as a player at AFL level and was surrounded by success in his time with Sydney, West Coast and Hawthorn.
He played in Hawthorn’s 2014 Premiership in the same year he won the Best Clubman award, and was involved in the Hawks’ three-peat of flags from 2013-15, and the Eagles’ triumph in 2006.
Since the completion of his playing career, Spangher further developed his strong management and people skills in various roles outside the football industry, before he returned to the AFL realm early in 2020 in an engagement and operations role with the Collingwood Football Club.
“In Matt and Marc, we have two outstanding characters with rich football history and strong communication and management skills. They will both be critical people for us as we continue to build capability into our playing group from 2022 onwards,” said Bulldogs’ Senior Coach, Luke Beveridge.
“Bringing two new coaches into our program will provide us with fresh ideas and some different voices, which will be imperative for our future as we endeavour to achieve a period of sustained on-field success.
“Matt and Marc will provide their own unique skill set, and they will be indoctrinated into a close-knit coaching team. They will be provided every opportunity to flourish in their roles through a foundation based on collaboration and empowerment.”
