Frost takes reins at Tigerland

Railways have moved swiftly to replace 2016 league coach Wayne Stubber after announcing last week former Victorian player Craig Frost will take the coaching reins in the 2017 Great Southern Football League season.

The Tigers have been actively seeking a new league coach in the past few months after Stubber’s four-year tenure ended with a first semifinal exit earlier this year, and made the announcement last Friday to the club’s members.

Frost moved from Echuca across to WA at the end of 2013 and has been an integral part of the Tigers’ playing list for the past three seasons, winning two club fairest and best awards and finishing runner-up for the 2014 Kleemann Medal.

The 29-year-old was an assistant coach to Stubber last season and has always held ambitions to be a senior coach.

“Obviously I was an assistant last year and I coached an under-17s team back in Victoria,” he said.

“If the opportunity came up I was always keen to do it and after chatting to Wayne, I decided to apply. This is a great opportunity.

“We have a young group of players and I am really looking forward to next year.”

Frost will continue to play for the Tigers after winning the club’s best and fairest award in 2016.

Former premiership captain Michael Cramer will be his senior assistant.

“Fatty (Cramer) and I have very similar ideas,” Frost said.

“We know what we want to achieve and it was a pretty easy decision to get him onboard.

“Knowing the players well will make it a lot easier, and we are such a young group so I’m eager to get stuck in.” Railways president Andrew Want said it was a pleasing appointment for the club.

“We’re really happy to have Frosty as the coach,” he said.

“He is very keen and passionate and will do a fantastic job.

“It’s great to have Fatty back at the club.

“We are stoked to have them both onboard.

“They were our preferred option and they have got an exciting young list ready to go.”

The club also revealed Troy Leo as its 16s coach for 2017 but has yet to confirm colts and reserves coaches.