Sullivan will be a co-assistant coach at TRYC, alongside Magpies midfielder Andrew Saddler, completing a new-look leadership trio at Victoria Park. 

He brings plenty of experience after three seasons as coach of Narrandera, while Hunter is an equally important signing, freeing up the talented Josh Meiselbach who rucked virtually singlehandedly last season.

A two-time best-and-fairest winner at Narrandera, Hunter played only seven games last year before fracturing a cheekbone, but was the Eagles’ pick in many.

He and Sullivan, who moved to Wagga at the end of the season, were teammates of Yates in Albury.

“We played in a premiership with Yatesy in Albury, I’m good family friends with Dale Hugo, and they had an assistant coaching role there I was keen to take up and help out,” Sullivan said.

“And being a Farrer League club – I wouldn’t play against Narrandera.”

Sullivan has been through some lean years at the Eagles. He said TRYC made it clear that they demand success. 

“You play to win finals and grand finals so hopefully we can get there this year,” he said. “It is another key point to going there I suppose.”

A versatile midfielder, Sullivan hopes he can add a fresh set of eyes to assist Yates, who has taken over from Andy Carey and Andrew Clarke.

Saddler is also excited to be given a leadership role, and play a part in TRYC’s revival after their straight sets finals exit this season.

“I’ve been there for a few years now and it’s a pretty successful club so it’s a bit of an honour to get the job,” Saddler said. “We’ll try and mix it up a bit, few different structures and game plans and see where we go from there,” he said.

His appointment is a nod to the future. Saddler, who coached a junior side this year, is set to coach an under 17 team in 2018, when TRYC hopes to field three grades.