The Western Bulldogs have appointed Stewart Edge as its VFL coach for the 2021 season.

The experienced coach has been part of the Bulldogs’ AFL and VFL programs since 2014, and will lead Footscray in the revamped VFL and East Coast Second-Tier Competition.

Edge will take over from Daniel Giansiracusa, who coached the Club’s VFL team in 2019 and was due to begin a second year in charge before the coronavirus pandemic caused the cancellation of the 2020 season.

“This is a great opportunity for me to continue from the great work of the Footscray coaches before me.  I can’t wait to get started in the role,” Edge said.

“I’ve got some big shoes to fill.  ‘Gia’ did a great job to take us to the finals last year, and I want to maintain the high standards we’ve developed in the VFL program over the years.

“Despite the major changes to the structure of the second tier competition, and the disruption that covid-19 created, pleasingly we’ve managed to remain stable with our coaching personnel.

“We’ve also been able to retain the majority of our core playing list, who had been preparing well for the 2020 season, which puts us in good shape for 2021 and beyond.”

Edge spent four years with the GWS Giants in their inception years as a forwards and defensive coach, before arriving at the Bulldogs as a development coach at the start of 2014.

He was a key member of the Footscray coaching team which secured the 2014 and 2016 VFL premierships, and has most recently been the team’s senior assistant coach, working closely with the likes of Giansiracusa and Steve Grace.

Edge has also been the Director of Football with Melbourne Grammar School over the last two years.

“We’re excited to have someone of Stewart’s experience and knowledge of our VFL program be able to take on the head coach role with Footscray next year,” said Bulldogs’ Head of Football, Chris Grant.

“Given how integrated our AFL and VFL programs are, it was vital to have someone in the position who has an intimate knowledge of both, and the inner workings of the Club and its people.

“Having been a highly-respected member of our VFL program for the last seven years, Stewart will be able to hit the ground running in preparation for the 2021 season.”

The VFL and East Coast competition will be the largest second-tier football competition in Australia, featuring 22 clubs from Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland.

It will begin in April 2021 and consist of a 16-round season.