New senior Coach took a quick stroll down 'media street' this week, appearing in the local paper to talk about the season ahead.

HALL OF FAME MENTOR HELPS COACH TACKLE THE TOP JOB

A SEASON spent under the wing of one of Queensland football’s biggest names has equipped Brydan Morgan with extra ammunition as he prepares to take flight with the Western Magpies in 2017.

A midfield coach with the Magpies in last year’s QAFL, Morgan spent the 2016 NEAFL campaign as an assistant to Queensland Hall of Fame member John Blair at the Aspley Hornets.

Morgan, 35, will return to the Magpies as head coach next season and said Blair had helped him take the next step in his development.

“He’s a great football person and man manager. He gets the best out of people,” Morgan said.

“I learnt from him that it’s not rocket science or amazing game plans that made Aspley successful — it’s just a strong, winning culture. That shocked me a little bit to be honest.”

Morgan’s playing career included stints in Melbourne and Adelaide, before shoulder injuries forced him to retire at 27. He moved to Brisbane at the end of 2009 to work as a firefighter, but it was not until 2015 that he reentered footy circles.

“I took the (Magpies) job on knowing there would be a bit of change but the nucleus is there to look at the top two or three.

“It was good to be involved at Aspley but I wanted to take the reins myself. I’m really looking forward to that. It’s a tough gig as an assistant in some ways — you can look after the defensive group and they have a good day but still lose.”

Chasing their first premiership since 2012, the Magpies reached this year’s QAFL preliminary final.

They could be without the services of star midfielder Callum Carseldine next season, with the reigning Best and Fairest winner joining the Hornets. However, he will turn out for the Magpies when not selected in Aspley’s NEAFL side.

Morgan said former Brisbane Lion Brent Staker was “a 70 per cent” chance of returning next season.