Bulldogs confirm two appointments, reveal plans to make additional hires
The Dogs have provided insight into changes to their football department structure
The Western Bulldogs have officially confirmed a pair of new appointments, as well as revealed their desire to make additional hires in the lead-in to the 2024 pre-season.
Matthew Egan has been confirmed as the Bulldogs’ new performance boss, while Daniel Pratt has been introduced to strengthen the club’s defensive operation.
Bulldogs CEO Ameet Bains penned a letter to members on Friday afternoon, informing them of the club’s latest and upcoming football department changes.
“Matthew Egan has been appointed as the Club’s Coaching and Performance Manager. This newly created position will closely support Senior Coach Luke Beveridge in a coaching capacity and will oversee the development and growth of the entire coaching team,” Bains said in the statement.
“The position will also see Matthew perform a range of administrative functions in supporting Executive Director of Football, Chris Grant, on broader football program activities.
“An All-Australian defender in his playing days, Matthew was unfortunately forced to retire after 59 games, due to a serious foot injury.
“Since then, he has developed an impressive coaching resume, including Head of Development at Geelong, an assistant coach to Simon Goodwin at Melbourne, and various coaching roles at Essendon, including interim senior coach at the end of 2015.
“The Club’s other coaching appointment is Daniel Pratt, who will join our Club in an assistant coaching role focused on the backline and team defensive system.
“Daniel played 119 games with Brisbane and North Melbourne, before moving into coaching at the West Coast Eagles, spending a decade as an assistant coach under Adam Simpson.
“The 40-year-old was most notably a key member of the Eagles’ 2018 Premiership triumph, where he served as backline and defensive system coach.
“As we welcome Matthew and Daniel and their families to the Club, we are well advanced in completing our coaching roster, with two new development coaches and a goalkicking coach to be appointed in the near future.”
Bains confirmed the Bulldogs will make further hires as the club looks to cement its staffing structure in preparation for next year’s campaign.
“Separately, the Club will, in coming weeks, also finalise the appointment of two other senior roles critical in supporting our players and program, namely a new Head of Physical Performance and a new Chief Medical Officer, following the respective departures of the long-serving and well-respected Mathew Inness and Dr. Greg Clugston,” Bains continued in the letter.
“We look forward to sharing these announcements soon, along with providing further insight into the process we continue to undertake in evaluating and strengthening our men’s football program ahead of the 2024 season.”
