Experienced AFL assistant coach Brad Gotch to coach South Adelaide for next two years New South Adelaide coach Brad Gotch with former AFL superstar Brendan Fevola during his stint as coach of Casey Scorpions. SOUTH Adelaide has appointed highly-rated AFL assistant Brad Gotch as its coach for the next two years. Gotch joins the Panthers from his role as opposition analyst for Port Adelaide Power where he was based in Melbourne and worked closely with Ken Hinkley and Alan Richardson. He was also an assistant coach with Collingwood from 2000 to 2007 and from 2002 coached its VFL affiliate Williamstown, and has experience with AFL teams Western Bulldogs and Melbourne and at TAC Cup level. Gotch replaces Ron Fuller who was sacked with one year remaining on his contract after the Panthers finished eighth with just six wins this season. In a statement issued by the Panthers last night, Gotch was hailed for his understanding of "the contemporary and modern game." "Together with his ability to educate and develop our players to adopt more elements of the modern game will take South Adelaide's football to a new level," the statement said. Brad's understanding of how to counter more progressive opposition game styles with the introduction of the two AFL teams into the competition from 2014 will be a huge asset to the South Adelaide Football Club. With experience in senior coaching at TAC Cup level and coaching standalone clubs in Dandenong and Springvale, Brad also has a thorough understanding of developing players and junior talent and will work closely with Tony Bamford in nurturing the elite talent from our zone. South Adelaide said Gotch was the successful candidate after an "exhaustic search and selection process."