The new king of the Steeline Limestone Coast Football Association Gambier Centrals is ready to launch into its premiership defence this Friday with a new-look coaching line up.

With the man who guided the Lions to glory, Chris Fleetwood taking on the bigger role of LCFA president, the biggest coaching gig in Mount Gambier’s round-ball world became hot property.

The club decided to promote from within naming two stalwarts to take control of what is expected to be a three-person coaching panel.

Tommy Navickas played a big role assisting Fleetwood to the Senior Men’s premiership last year and has been promoted to help fill his predecessor’s vacancy.

Navickas will be in control of the whiteboard on the sidelines, while his eyes and ears in the heat of the moment on the pitch will be Brodey Koop.

Koop was an integral part of the playing squad and was on the pitch when Centrals overcame Apollo in the Grand Final at Casadio Park.

He has been around MGA Park for a quarter of a century and said it would be special leading his men into battle.

“I am definitely (honoured) because I have been around the place for a while,” Koop said.

“Just being part of the group we had last year was special and being able to take charge of a great bunch of lads will be fun.

“I have played at Centrals since I was seven, so I grew up there and it feels like family there.

“It is an exciting time to be around the club at the moment on and off the field with new changerooms going up alongside what we are trying to achieve on the pitch.”

Although Koop has played all his life at Centrals, he has never taken on a coaching role before and is looking forward to the challenge.

“This will be my first step into the coaching ranks,” he said.

“I have held different leadership roles on the field, but this will be a new experience for me.

“Its one I hope to grow into and adapt, but I am lucky to have “Biscuits” (Navickas) with me.

“His intelligence and passion levels for the game are unrivalled, so using him and all of the other bits of advice I have heard along the way coaching is something I can see myself growing into.”

Koop admitted he and Navickas have some big shoes to fill taking over from Fleetwood, who brought silverware back to MGA Park.

“Chris had an unmatched amount experience and passion for the game (to excel),” he said.

“The knowledge he gained from his time in Adelaide was instilled into the playing group and they were the building blocks we will continue to work on.

“Now he is the president of the league, so we were lucky to have him and hopefully we can continue moving the team forward.”

With Koop still hoping to play a big role winning games for the Lions on the pitch alongside his teammates, he said one of the biggest challenges would be juggling his commitments on a Sunday afternoon.

“I think it will be all about having clear communication between the entire coaching panel and having a lot of the groundwork done before Sunday rolls around,” he said.

“If we are all thinking on the same pattern, everything should flow nicely and every player on the pitch will be playing the same way.

“Then it will just be a matter of speaking out when I do get the opportunity on the field or the sidelines at different stages because I have to earn my spot in the team as much as anyone else.”

Last year Centrals was locked in a thrilling fight for the title against long-time dominator International and a resurging Apollo.

The Lions eventually prevailed after developing a killer instinct, while continuing to enjoy each moment and Koop is keen to grow the team’s mentality with the target on their backs.

“I think there was just a real togetherness in the group,” he said.

“Not only did we have a very talented team, we had a bunch of blokes who just loved being around each other and that showed when times were tough because we backed each other up.

“The passion and togetherness in the team are some of the main reasons why I am so excited by this role because it will be a great place to be around this year.”

After soaking in the success over the summer months, the Lions will launch their title defence this Friday night at MGA Park.

The first training session kicks off at 6pm and Koop said he looked forward to having a kick with his mates again.

“I am just itching to get back out there,” he said.

“It has been a good break away from it for a while, but I have kept in contact with all of the boys and want to get back to work.

“We want to prove last year was no joke to continue onwards and upwards on and off the pitch.”