Rooke back with Cats
10/27/2011 03:55:44 AM
Dual premiership player Max Rooke is set to rejoin the Cats as a development coach.
Forced to retire prematurely due to a chronic knee injury, the 29-year-old said he was pleased to be returning to Geelong after spending the past season assisting at local club, Newtown and Chilwell.
"This is an exciting role and I am really looking forward to working with the young players at the club," Rooke said.
"We are all excited by the ability of the players coming through our system, but there is still a lot of work to be done to ensure they become consistent performers at AFL level."
"I am also looking forward to working with Chris Scott and the coaching staff as we continue to seek success."
Geelong football operations manager Neil Balme said Rooke is well-respected at the club.
"He always showed a care and ability to relate with the young players when he was with us as a player, and he will carry this on in this role," Balme said.
"We think that our young players will benefit from working with Max on a day-to-day basis."
A key member of Geelong's 2007 and 2009 AFL premiership sides, Rooke played 135 games and kicked 58 goals for the club from 2002 to 2010.