Brent Guerra to play with Frankston Dolphins in Division 4 of Southern league

When the Frankston Dolphins coach asked this dual Hawthorn premiership star to record a message to his playing group, little did he know he’d actually go one better and have a kick. Now he’s “open to anything” and signed on as a player and coach.

Hawthorn’s Brent Guerra and Richmond’s Brett Deledio battle it out in Round 19 of the 2013 season.

The Frankston Dolphins say it was a “huge surprise” to sign former Hawthorn premiership player Brent Guerra.

Guerra, back in Melbourne after working as a development coach with the Fremantle Dockers, has a friendship with Dolphins assistant coach Cain Padman.

“We threw it out there to see if he’d do a message to the group,” Frankston Dolphins coach Chris Lacey said today.

“He goes, ‘I’ll do one better, I’ll come and have a kick with you’.

“It was a huge surprise.”

New Dolphin Brent Guerra. Picture: Frankston Dolphins Facebook

Lacey said having Guerra involved was “massive” for the young Dolphins, who were a junior club before fielding seniors and reserves for the first time in 2018.

“It will be huge, and it’s a bit of excitement, too,” Lacey said.

“In these times, everyone’s a bit down and flat. He will bring a bit of excitement to our group.

“We’re such a young and inexperienced group but it’s a really good group that’s willing to learn. What he’ll bring is just invaluable.

“And he’s super keen to get on board. Yeah, it’s exciting times.”

Lacey said Guerra would join the Dolphins when training resumes next week.

Brent Guerra celebrates after kicking a goal for Hawthorn in the 2013 preliminary final.

He said the 37-year-old, who played 255 games with Port Adelaide, St Kilda and Hawthorn, would play where required.

“He’s open to anything,” Lacey said.

“He will play with a coaching role, direct traffic and just have that experience in any part of the ground where we are lacking.

“He will have a lot to do with our juniors. We had two or three under-16s in our side last year, so he will do a bit of work with them, get them ready for senior footy quicker.”

In their inaugural season in 2018, the Frankston Dolphins played off in a semi-final, and their reserves made the grand final.

In 2019, the twos won the premiership and the seniors lost in the preliminary final.

Guerra has played in seven premierships — two at the elite level — since 2000 and the Dolphins hope to tap into his knowledge.

“We really want to use his knowledge and get him to tell the boys what it takes (to win flags),” Lacey said.

Guerra played in two Hawthorn premierships, in 2008 and ‘13.

He also had flag success with Deer Park and coached Chelsea in the MPNFL.

MORE LOCAL FOOTY:

MPNFL'S BEST SPEARHEADS SINCE 2000