Hargreaves, a Berrigan product, has played and coached across the region and starred for Barooga between 2015 and 2017.
In 2021 he will have to juggle his team within the new COVID-19 enforced league salary cap of $100,000 (reduced from $140,00) but will call on players to come on board for the “the love of the club”.
Hargreaves has an impressive football resume which includes 62 games with Hawthorn (42) and Geelong (20) in the AFL from 1994-98, played in the drought breaking 2006 Yarrawonga Pigeons premiership and won the 2002 Ovens and Murray League Morris Medal while also participating in various league and VCFL representative nods.
He coached Mulwala to the Murray Football League grand final in 2010 but lost to Moama and more recently has enjoyed his time playing with close football contacts and winning a grand final at Rennie.
Barooga hope Brain will remain at the club in a playing capacity next season, but have swiftly appointed former player Hargreaves to the top job.
‘‘The club quickly moved to secure the signature of a well-known and respected replacement for the senior coaching role,’’ Barooga officials posted to its Facebook page.
‘‘It is with great excitement that we can officially announce that exBarooga star, country champion and 62 game AFL player with Hawthorn and Geelong, Tim Hargreaves, will be taking the reins and attempting to steer our young playing group into a formidable playing outfit.
‘‘With all going according to plan, Tim is hoping to relocate over this way, which would be absolutely fantastic to have him close by and keeping an eagle eye over his charges.’’
On the way out of Barooga Recreation Reserve is club legend James Hazelman, who is joining Berrigan in the Picola District Football League next season alongside former Hawk Will Gorman.
It makes the Hawks currently one of the most active clubs on the recruiting front as teams across the region look to 2021 in earnest after also recently announcing the return of Brodie A’Vard to the club.
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