A fourth Lake will be at the Coorparoo Kings in 2015, with Rory signing as the club’s coach for 2015.
The 29 year-old joins his three brothers, who all play for the Kings, as he steps into the head coaching role.
Coorparoo vice-president, James Dent, said the club was thrilled to have Rory on board.
“We wanted someone young and entering into coaching, but also looking for a long-term career in coaching and becoming a QAFL or NEAFL coach,” he said.
“We want the club to grow with the coach, and Rory really fits that profile.”
Lake will have plenty of support when he takes up the role early next year, with his father, David, a premiership coach with Morningside this year, and plenty of experience around the Kings coaching ranks.
Dent said Lake would strike a strong balance between a fresh approach and a dose of familiarity for the club as well.
“As well as the youth and long-term plan, it’s also his ability bring some to new blood to the club, through past teams he has been involved in,” he said.
“He already knows a lot of the players, because of his brothers, on and off the field.”
The Kings gig is Lake’s first as a senior coach, after a playing career that spanned 186 games at Mt Gravatt and Morningside, including two Jim Fletcher Medals at the Vultures.
A Springwood junior, Lake represented Queensland at junior level, including U18s in 2002, as well as playing for Queensland at senior level in 2006.
Lake replaces long-serving coach, Michael Gibson, who led the club for seven seasons, including multiple premierships.
Gibson will still be a regular face at the club, Dent said, despite not holding the coaches’ clipboard anymore.
‘He’s committed to sticking around in some capacity, behind the scenes and helping Rory,” he said.
“Rory will get a very good grounding straight up from those old heads.”
