The Western Bulldogs have confirmed the appointment of former Port Adelaide ruckman Brendon Lade as an assistant from 2023.
The 46-year-old will take over duties as the club's midfield coach, in a side that boasts the likes of Adam Treloar, Marcus Bontempelli, Jack Macrae, Bailey Smith and Tom Liberatore.
The two-time All Australian had been linked to the vacant senior coaching role at the Bombers, but his future will be at Whitten Oval from next season.
Lade was most recently an assistant coach under Brett Ratten at St Kilda since 2019, with the former premiership player also having stints at Richmond and Port Adelaide.
Lade got his first taste as a senior coach this year after Ratten was forced out with COVID - leading the Saints to a 26-point victory in Round 5.
Bulldogs Director of Football Chris Grant said he was delighted with the acquisition of Lade to the club's coaching ranks.
"Brendon is highly respected, experienced coach and person, having been involved in successful teams throughout his time in the industry as a player and now coach over the past 12 years," Grant told westernbulldogs.com.au.
"His extensive coaching and playing background will be invaluable for our players, whilst also bolstering our already highly-skilled coaching panel.
"We're very pleased to be adding additional and experienced resourcing to our existing coaching panel, which will only enhance the Club's ability to continue to develop and educate our player group for next year and beyond.
"We're excited to have Brendon on board and welcome him and his family to the Western Bulldogs."
Lade said he was thrilled to join the Bulldogs and looked forward to the opportunity at Whitten Oval in coming years.
"The Western Bulldogs continues to be a successful club and I'm excited by this fresh opportunity," he said.
"I've been extremely lucky to work at some amazing football clubs and hope my experience helps assist the great environment that Luke and the coaching group have created at the club."
"I'm joining the Club at a very exciting time and I'm looking forward to meeting all the staff and players over the coming weeks."
