JUSTIN Plapp says his coaching experience across the VFL, TAC Cup and in Tasmania will help him in his new role as coach of Casey Scorpions – Melbourne’s aligned VFL team.

Plapp, who played 44 AFL matches from 1998-2002, including 18 with Richmond from 1998-99 and 26 with St Kilda from 2000-02, has been appointed full-time coach of Casey.

He has taken over from former Carlton player Rohan Welsh, who held the position on a part-time basis.  

Plapp, who coached the Sandringham Dragons in the TAC Cup this year, said it was an exciting time to join Melbourne and coach Casey.

“To get an opportunity to be involved … it’s very exciting and I’m very much looking forward to the role,” he said.

“I’ve had extensive experience with Williamstown and Box Hill in how alignments work and I think those clubs do it very well, from a VFL point of view and an AFL point of view.

“Hopefully there is some stuff I’ve learned from there and also with my role at the Dragons, with emerging young kids and talent, where there are some challenges with what they face.

“It’s set me up pretty well to be able to understand to have some real empathy.”

Plapp has worked closely in his coaching career with former Casey coach and now Coburg coach Peter German and Brendan Bolton, who coached five wins from five matches for Hawthorn this year, when he stepped up in the absence of Alastair Clarkson.

The 37-year-old has also coached Burnie in Tasmania.