Carr Bids Farewell

By ZAC MILBANK

Departing North Adelaide premiership coach Josh Carr has anointed development mentor Jacob Surjan as his successor as he prepares for his AFL role with Fremantle.

Carr, who guided the Roosters for four seasons between 2016 and 2019, will be an assistant coach alongside new Dockers mentor Justin Longmuir.

Speaking on SANFL Radio, Carr said he had mixed emotions after developing such strong relationships and forming great memories during his stint at Prospect.

The 2018 title run, which came from fifth spot after finishing bottom in 2017, will naturally be a lifelong flashpoint given his side was expected by pundits to run out of steam during September.

The 39-year-old said witnessing the emotion of success-starved North fans and the club’s loyal volunteers after the the final siren on Grand Final day would remain with him forever.

Surjan, who has been at Prospect for the past two seasons as Head of Football Development, is the early front-runner to replace Carr.

And Carr has declared the Roosters’ 2018 Reserves premiership coach is ”ready to go” at senior level in the Statewide Super League.

North officials have already begun the process to appoint Carr’s replacement, which has also been opened up for external applicants.

With North out of the finals picture by the mid-point of this season, Carr had one eye on the long-term future as he blooded a League high total of 10 RAA Rookies throughout 2019, including Billy Laurie and Mason Neagle.

Together with premiership players such as Keenan Ramsey and Sam McInerney having a better run with injury, this could present the new mentor at North with an exciting opportunity in 2020.