The Northern Suns have announced the remainder of their coaching staff ahead of the 2018 AFL New Zealand Premiership. Reyne Westbury will assist head coach Dave Abetz while Mitch Ryan will be the Playing Assistant Coach for the upcoming season.
Reyne Westbury – Assistant Coach
Otago based Reyne Westbury will make his coaching debut for the Northern Suns in the 2018 AFL New Zealand Premiership.
People will remember Westbury from the 2016 AFL New Zealand Premiership where he played for the Southern Saints and was awarded the Golden Boot in the inaugural season. Westbury kicked 20 goals in the competition and it seemed fitting that he was also the first person to kick the first ever goal in the AFL New Zealand Premiership.
Now on the coaching pathway, Westbury will work with and develop the Otago players during pre-season and assist Dave Abetz in guiding the Suns to a first ever Premiership.
Mitch Ryan – Playing Assistant Coach
Mitch Ryan from the North Shore Tigers is the perfect Playing Assistant Coach for the Northern Suns.
After his 2016 Premiership season was cut short by an ankle injury after only one game, Ryan continued to help head coach Chris Mundell on the sideline. A coaching highlight came in Round 4 last season when Mitch guided the Suns to an upset victory over a red hot Western Crows side.
Hailing from the North Shore, Ryan is the current head coach of the North Shore Tigers, who are currently sitting atop the Auckland AFL ladder.
Ryan’s work with the Kahu Representative team in 2017 , have showcased his coaching abilities and provide a bright future for him in the sport.
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