Mark McVeigh has been appointed to the coaching staff of the Greater Western Sydney GIANTS.
 
McVeigh, who has headed up the PM Capital GIANTS Academy for the past 12 months, will join the club as a defensive coach. He replaces James McDonald who has decided to step away from football after three years with the GIANTS.
 
McVeigh, 33, grew up on the NSW Central Coast and played for Pennant Hills before he was drafted to Essendon at the end of 1998. He went on to play 232 games for the Bombers and was a member of their 2001 Grand Final  side.
 
McVeigh said he was excited about joining the GIANTS coaching staff.
 
“With six wins in 2014, the club has a very exciting future and I’m looking forward to working with Leon and the rest of the coaches to help take this very talented playing list to the next level,” he said.
 
“As somebody who grew up in NSW, it’s a great opportunity to help develop the game up here and the last 12 months working with the Academy has given me a great understanding of the opportunities for the GIANTS and AFL in NSW and the ACT.”
 
General Manager Football Graeme Allan welcomed McVeigh to the GIANTS.
 
“Mark has done a terrific job heading up the PM Capital GIANTS Academy in the last 12 months and we are delighted that he’s now joining our senior coaching staff on a full-time basis.
 
“Having played over 200 AFL games and helped identify and develop young talent in our zone, Mark comes to the role with very good credentials and joins what is a strong coaching panel headed by Leon and his senior assistant Alan McConnell.”