Former Ararat coach Shane Fisher will return to the Wimmera Football League next year to coach the interleague side for its clash against the Central Murray football league.
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The appointment comes after outgoing interleague coach Guy Smith took the helm at Edenhope-Apsley.
"Towards the end of the year the league asked if I was interested, given Guy (Smith) was going to take the reins in the Horsham District league," Fisher said. "I had to get the OK from my wife, but I was keen to keep my toe in the game.
"I've really enjoyed my time in the Wimmera league and the interleague campaign last season was terrific, just with the chance to meet new people and make new friendships. That's one of the reasons why I really enjoy interleague."
Fisher served as an assistant coach in the Wimmera league's 45-point win against the Murray Football League this year.
"I think it's great on the league's behalf that they were keen to keep interleague moving forward," Fisher said. "Interleague footy has one of the key drivers for years and years. People want to play at that next standard and play against people they don't usually play each week.
"I'm a massive supporter of interleague footy, and I think it's a fixture that should be locked in every year for every league."
Fisher stepped away from Ararat this year after guiding the club to two consecutive preliminary finals to spend more time with his young family.
"I am enjoying the time away. To be perfectly honest I don't know where I found the time to fit in footy. All of a sudden I've found I don't have any spare time, just running around after kids," Fisher said. "It will be good just to do something that is not so full-on commitment wise and doesn't take up a full year."
Fisher said planning would begin in the new year.
"Next year we'll probably be asking guys to put their hands up and start getting an interest in who wants to represent the league," he said.
"That's the key thing. You certainly don't want to force anyone, and I think leagues have done that in the past and it can come back and bite you in the backside."
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