The Dubbo club approached Mat and Andy after the unsuccessful negotiations between the brothers and the Dragons.

As an extra incentive, Mat will be the first grade’s new captain-coach, replacing Jim Kelly (coach) and Hale Gordon.

Mat said yesterday he liked what Macquarie had to offer and has been encouraged by their professional approach.

“Everything they did was professional and as a result both Andy and I were impressed and will now look forward to coming to Dubbo to coach and play football,” Mat said.

“This will be my first coaching appointment and I would have to say the challenge is something I will be looking forward to.

“Macquarie has shown over a lot of years that they do things right and have a proud playing record.

“For myself and Andy to be part of the 2010 team will be a challenge, but one we’re confident will

produce results.”

Mudgee Dragons president Brett Thompson was not surprised at Mat and Andy’s decision.

“We couldn’t offer them what they wanted,” Thompson said.

“We wanted them to stay and we tried our best to sign them but we couldn’t compete with what Macquarie offered them.”

Despite losing two locally produced players Thompson was not bitter.

“I wish them all the best next year,” he said.

Mat and Andy were part of the Dragons team that won the Group 10 title in September.

Both players had disrupted 2009 seasons - Mat with a foot injury and Andy flew back from Queensland mid-year.

But the acquisitions of the versatile players has boosted Macquarie’s 2010 premiership hopes following the retirement of NSW country hooker Darren Jackson.

Mat played for the Western Rams this year while Andy had a stint for the Canberra Raiders Toyota Cup under-20s a few seasons ago.

While Jim Kelly’s coaching role with Macquarie is officially over, he and newly elected president Gavin Board, and coaching coordinator Steve McLellan, have been the main players in the appointment of the Stott brothers.

“Steve had a fair bit to do with the brothers in junior and academy football and when their names come up we approached them and the deal was done,” Board said yesterday.

“We’re confident the package deal for both players will pay off and I’m sure some new ideas and the like will only be to our advantage.

“The other important aspect of the signings is that for once we’ve been able to entice Group 10 players to Group 11 - in the past it’s mainly been the other way round.”

Dubbo Macquarie were eliminated in the preliminary final this season.