Brown and Koutoufides out with Adam Dowie and Jake Bridges to replace them
Two AFL legends who took on interleague coaching roles for the past two years have made a call on their futures.
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Work commitments have forced Jonathan Brown to stand down as Hampden league coach after two years at the helm.
The 256-game, three time AFL premiership player, who came from the region took the reins in 2023 and 2024, in the new interleague concept where the under-23 team took on Ballarat.
He coached against ex-AFL superstar Anthony Koutoufides but lost both contests.
Brown told this masthead he “can’t do it this year’ and had ‘lots of fun in the role.”.
The Hampden league have wasted no time replacing Brown with competition legend Adam Dowie taking over.
Dowie, who was an assistant under Brown, has won six Hampden league premierships as coach from 2004 to 2016 at Terang-Mortlake, Warrnambool and Koroit.
He will be joined by Ben Parkinson and Chris Meade, who will coach the under-17 boys and under-19 girls teams respectively.
“The league is rapt to have three great football people involved in our representative program,” Hampden league president Shane Threlfall said.
“Adam, Ben and Chris bring not only experience, but a deep passion for developing talent and representing our league with pride.”
Meanwhile, Ballarat has announced Koutoufides will not return with its own league legend to take over the role.
Jake Bridges, who coached East Point to two premierships in 2018 and 2019, has been appointed.
He has been assistant to Kouta for the past two wins.
“I’m excited to help those who want to be here,” Bridges said.
“The interleague concept has so much history in the BFNL.
“It’s not just about the now, it’s uncles, brothers, grandfathers who have worn the jumper too.”
Jake Bridges, who coached East Point to two premierships in 2018 and 2019, has been appointed.
He has been assistant to Kouta for the past two wins.
“I’m excited to help those who want to be here,” Bridges said.
“The interleague concept has so much history in the BFNL.
“It’s not just about the now, it’s uncles, brothers, grandfathers who have worn the jumper too.”
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