Familiar face makes a return to Rovers

Port Hedland Rovers have unleashed the dogs on the 2018 North Pilbara Football League season as a new head takes the lead at the club.

Local footballer extraordinaire Troy Melville has bid adieu to South Hedland Swans and returned to the Rovers as league coach for the upcoming season, while Leon Monaghan heads the reserves team.

A new top dog will also head the club as Russell Pyke takes over the presidential role.

Melville said he was excited to return to the Rovers and build up a new team. “We had some initially preliminary talks when I got back from over east — my initial plans (were) not to coach again but they planted the seed and it was a good change of challenge with this group than it was at Swans,” he said. “Really, the challenge about developing a new group of people and players is you can get the best out of them and I’m keen to do that.

“It’s exciting and a little bit daunting at times but hopefully we’ll put on a good show.”

Keen to hang up the boots with most games played at the club, Monaghan said not to expect him on the field as he focused on building the next generation of league players.