The Warriors coaching staff is now complete after somewhat of an exhaustive search for their second assistant – as coach Matt Elliott confirms that former Raiders halfback and assistant coach Andrew McFadden, will join the Warriors coaching ranks.

McFadden's appointment comes after the Warriors confirmed Vulcans coach Ricky Henry as their first assistant last week – with the former halfback forced into early retirement as a player at just 26, due to a chronic groin injury.

McFadden, who was an assistant under Raiders coach David Furner, was released early from his contract at the club, in order to work at the Warriors under Elliott.

“I had a great time at Canberra as both a player and a coach but the chance to join Matt at a club like the Vodafone Warriors is hugely exciting,” he said.

“This club has so much going for it with a fantastic pool of talent to draw on, while I’m also thrilled about having the opportunity to not only work with Matt again ,but to also join Ruben (Wiki) and Carl (Jennings) after being involved with them in the past.”

Elliott says he looks forward to the involvement of McFadden at the club over the next few years.

“I’ve had a lot to do with Andrew and I couldn’t be more excited about having him on board,” he said.

“I place the highest value on his insight into th

e game and I also know he’ll ensure he keeps me accountable. We have a very good relationship. He’s upfront, the sort of guy you need on your staff.

“It’s really heartening to have Andrew and Ricky in place. Now we can get on with the job we have ahead of us.”

McFadden was held in the highest regard by both Raiders players and coach Furner, with Furner highlighting what the former Raiders halfback has done at an assistant in Canberra last week.

“He has been under me for a while and I know one of his reasons (for signing with the Vodafone Warriors) is to keep broadening his coaching under another coach in Matty,” said.

“I've got no problems there. It’d be nice if he stays ,but if he doesn’t I wish him all the best. I can’t begrudge the bloke.”

Raiders captain David Shillington felt the same way, saying that if McFadden left (a move which has now eventuated), he would be devastated.

“I've said plenty of times I think he'll make a great first-grade coach one day, if he's crazy enough to take the plunge into first-grade coaching,” he said.

“He's got an extremely intelligent football brain and he's a fantastic communicator and people manager, too, which is a huge part of coaching, dealing with 30 different personalities in a squad.

“It would be a huge shame to see him leave, but if another club did pick him up they'd be very lucky to have him.”

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