NORTH Launceston will be without Andrew Cox-Goodyer for the 2016 State League season, with their vice-captain deciding to return to his former NTFA club, Rocherlea, after winning back-to-back TSL premierships.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
North coach Zane Littlejohn lured the rugged defender to the club in 2014 and the former Rocherlea captain and premiership player proved to be one of the Northern Bombers' most consistent players and a key cog in their back six.
His importance in their 2014 premiership win saw him elevated to the leadership group this year and the tough-as-nails backman was among the best players in the grand final victory over Glenorchy.
His loss is a major blow to the club, with another key defender, 31-year-old Geoff Mohr, considering whether to play on next season and the experienced Allan O'Sign having already left to take on the George Town coaching job.
"Andrew has a young family and has decided to head back to Rocherlea and do some coaching there," Littlejohn said.
"It's disappointing to see him leave because he has been phenomenal for us over two really good years at our footy club and been great in that regard."
Darrel Baldock Medallist Josh Holland is rumoured to be considering his future and Littlejohn said he would sit down with the Latrobe-based recruit on Monday to discuss his plans.
"I am confident that we can retain Josh. I guess the biggest thing will be about time and the family and travel," he said.
"We have given Josh and Geoff (Mohr) a bit of extra time purely in regard to the experience they have to make up their minds.
"I will catch up with Geoff over the weekend and have a really good chat about his movements and what his body and mind want to do.
"Again, we would like to keep him for another year if we can."
In good news for the club, several key players have re-signed, including ruckman Daniel Roozendaal, Jack Avent, Jay Lockhart, Corey Nankervis and Zach Burt, with captain Taylor Whitford close to finalising a new deal.
Littlejohn is also involved in his own negotiations with the club for a renewal to his coaching contract but is yet to sign an extension.
"We're pretty confident we will keep the majority of everyone else at this stage and hopefully get a few guys back to the footy club and are involved in talks at the moment," he said.