EFNL 2022: Bernie Dinneen opens up on his return to Vermont

Bernie Dinneen is relishing his new role at the powerhouse he helped to great heights as a player, in a change of pace for the six-time league medallist …

“It’s good to be back,” the premiership Eagle declared.

Local footy legend Bernie Dinneen is relishing his return to the club he helped to great heights during an illustrious playing career, stepping into the head of football role at Eastern league power Vermont in recent months.

It’s been a change of pace for the six-time league medallist, who won three competition best and fairests apiece in the EFL and VAFA.

His coaching interests have absorbed the better part of 13 years, holding senior posts at Bayswater, East Ringwood and Old Trinity as well as several assistant stints.

Dinneen was twice crowned the EFL’s best and fairest player in his Vermont days.

But Dinneen’s sudden exit from his last senior role at Old Trinity, coupled with having a young family, prompted a step back. He served in an assistant capacity with St Bernard’s in the VAFA’s top-flight this season.

A call from an Eagles stalwart some months ago paved the way for his return, with Vermont club manager Lee Bidstrup reaching out to the former champion midfielder.

“I had a call from Lee Bidstrup in late July, early August,” Dinneen said.

“I was umming and ahhing … I was really enjoying the step back doing an assistant-coaching role with reduced time at a club in the Amateurs.

“I’ve got two kids under three, so the family time is much more important, especially during the week when you’d normally have training.

“This role here will probably allow for that too … I’ll be at all the games, I’m currently at training most sessions, but in-season I may only be at training only once a week, I can do things remotely by phone, email, et cetera, which allows me to be involved in helping set the club up.”

And it was with advice from a mate’s dad – one of the AFL’s most erudite football administrators, Geoff Walsh – that the 300-gamer decided to take the plunge.

“He was kind enough to give me an hour of his time to get some ideas of how those roles are done,” Dinneen said of Walsh, the current St Kilda football manager.

“And speaking to other people I know that have done similar roles at other clubs, I think it just gives me a different look at footy.”

Dinneen took advice from experienced AFL administrator Geoff Walsh. Picture: Michael Klein

Dinneen, who featured in three flags for VAFA outfit Marcellin, hasn’t ruled out a return to senior coaching in the future.

“Whether that (football operations) is something that I decide to pursue instead of coaching down the track, we’ll see how it goes,” he said.

“For me and my development, if I get back into coaching in a few years’ time, I think it gives me a more rounded picture and view.”

Bernie Dinneen has spent much of the past 13 years coaching.

Similar to his playing days of meticulous preparation, Dinneen has left no stone unturned to help Vermont climb the ladder next year after it missed the finals for the first time in more than a decade.

Attention quickly turned to appointing assistant coaches – including welcoming back six-time premiership player Andrew ‘Gas’ Smith – as well as re-signing the “vast majority” of the list.

He’s also played a strong hand in recruiting, with the club securing ex-North Melbourne tall Daniel Nielson, East Burwood ruckman Zac Hanlen and dual Eagles premiership defender Matt Willcocks.

Dinneen holds legend status in the Eastern league as a three-time competition best and fairest, claiming the honour twice in the top division across 2005 and ’06 before winning another as playing-coach of Bayswater in the second tier in 2010.

Winning a premiership with Vermont in 2006 and later serving as an assistant coach, Dinneen reunites with many familiar faces at Terrara Rd, driving a passion to succeed in his new role.

“Doing it at a club where you have a real vested interest and care about the performance, results and things, I get to see some of the old supporters, ex-teammates, and half the coaches there I’ve either coached with or played with, so that’s been really, really nice. It’s good to be back.”