Royals move quickly to reappoint dual premiership coach Andrew Ruck for 2021 season

After leading Royals to back-to-back premierships for the first time since 2004, Andrew Ruck will enter a third season at the helm of the reigning premiers for the 2021 Great Southern Football League season.

The 74-game WAFL player returned to the Lions at the end of 2018 and immediately took them to success in his first season.

Since Ruck has been the senior coach of the Lions, they have only lost one game, in round three last year, and his side is on a 26-game winning streak.

Ruck will coach the Lions for a third straight season as he looks to add further success to his resume.

The dual premiership coach guided the Lions to a 44-point grand final triumph in September to complete a dominant season.

“I have another year down here at least and winning two premierships in my first two seasons is great reward,” Ruck said.

“It was a no-brainer really and there is not too many (players) leaving so it’s definitely exciting.

“It’s about premierships and friendships and there is a good group of blokes at the club from 18-35 and that’s a strong part of me staying on.”

Ruck said he and the club would continue to support their Centennial Stadium counterparts, Albany, and would embrace the player points system.

“We will play some young kids and hopefully we can have a strong competition in a few years,” he said.

“A short-term plan is a long-term gain.”

Lions president Adam Powell said the club was delighted with the reappointment.

“Andrew’s ability to communicate with people, educate our players of all ages to get the best out of themselves as well as getting the other teams coaches to be tune with our style of football is second to none,” he said.

“He (Ruck) is one of the best coaches in regional WA out there at the moment and we are very happy to have a dual Royals premiership coach lead our boys again in 2021.

Colin Pass has been appointed the coach of the Lions women’s team for the upcoming season.