Two key figures at Whitten Oval did not recommit, in long-term assistants Steven King and Ash Hansen.
King, who served as senior assistant for the past three seasons after stints in charge of the midfield and defence, will reprise his role at Gold Coast under Stuart Dew.
Hansen will take over the Carlton forwards having last season looked after the Dogs’ attacking line, and offer the Blues the experience of having coached his own reserves premiership team.
“We recognise and understand in the case of both those guys that they’ve delivered lengthy service to the club,” Bains acknowledged.
“Ash was here for nine years, Steve was here for 10 years, and were part of the coaching line-up for the premiership in 2016.”
The Dogs have promoted from within and rotated assistants before, and reserves coach
Stewart Edge could make the step up after leading Footscray to the minor premiership.
Hawthorn premiership player
Matt Spangher has also been linked with Hansen’s former role; his time at Waverley coincided with Luke Beveridge’s tenure as the Hawks’ defensive coach.
Bains revealed both
King and Hansen had a year to run on their contracts at Whitten Oval, but went with the club’s blessing.
“It’s always disappointing when you see good people leave,” he lamented.
“But at the same time, we understand for their own careers and senior coaching ambitions, sometimes you do need a change of scene and working with a different group to progress.
“In the spirit of supporting our people and particularly those who have been with us for a long time, we were happy to see them spread their wings.”