Key recruits Corey Ellison, Will Hamill and Darby Hipwell boost Frankston’s VFL plans
Frankston has handed coach Jackson Kornberg a multi-year contract extension, while securing a string of key recruits. The Dolphins have also revealed how they intend to take another step forward in the VFL in 2025.
Local Footy
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Footy. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Frankston made the VFL finals for the first time in 16 years last season.
It was also quite a start by new coach Jackson Kornberg, who at 31 was one of the club’s youngest ever senior coaches but immediately instilled belief in the young Dolphins.
“You’ve got to create the fun and enjoyment first, and then off the back of that you have success,’’ he said in a Channel 7 feature last year.
The Dolphins won 10 games to qualify for their first finals campaign since 2008, rewarding their core group of loyal supporters who as Kornberg said, had “stuck around through thick and thin’’.
Six months on and Kornberg has been rewarded with a three-year contract extension, meaning he’ll still be steering Frankston all the way through to the end of the 2027 season.
His reappointment represents stability at Frankston, which finally looks set for a period of success and growth after too many lean years.
Kornberg said he was proud of what the Dolphins achieved in 2024 but they are moving on.
There’s much to achieve. Look forward, not back.
“You can’t live in the past too much,” Kornberg said.
“It is important that we look to take the next step and that’s been shown in how we’ve recruited and retained as well.
“We retained everyone we wanted to keep and we’re able to nail the key recruits that we wanted to bring in as well.
“We identified not necessarily the gaps in our list but the areas that we can strengthen, particularly our midfield and then our key forward area too. It’s important to solidify those areas.
“You look at the top stand-alone teams like Southport and Werribee, they’ve got good midfield depth and then they’ve got a handful of guys who can play that key forward position and really be potent on the scoreboard so it was something we looked at in the off season. That’s something we went after with the guys we brought in.”
Notable additions to Frankston in 2025 are Casey Demons premiership forward Corey Ellison, Adelaide Crows defender Will Hamill and former Sandringham captain Darby Hipwell.
Kornberg said he was “pumped’’ for the future.
“I’m really happy to sign semi long term with the club to see this through which is really exciting,’’ he said.
“It’s a cool club, has a great support network, great community and hopefully we can bring some success to the club that hasn’t really shared in it over a long time.’’
NEW DOLPHINS FOR 2025
Corey Ellison
A premiership player at Casey, spent the past two years at Williamstown, where he was runner up in the best and fairest last year. He’s probably one of the best key forwards in the VFL at the minute. He will play as a key forward to work alongside Noah Gown and Matt Johnson in a potent trio set to hit the scoreboard more.
Will Hamill
Delisted by the Adelaide Crows after playing 45 AFL games. His dad Steve was captain of the Frankston Dolphins in 1992-93 so it’s a terrific story to have him at Kars St. He’ll slot in across half back as a penetrating ball user and help the Dolphins move the ball from the back half, and work in with Jackson Voss, Tyson Milne, George Grey and co.
Darby Hipwell
Was captain at Sandringham. The Dolphins wanted to bring in midfield depth so he was a big priority. A quality person, who has captained nearly every single junior, senior and representative club he’s played for. He was captain when Kornberg coached at Sandringham Dragons.
*Frankston Park (Kinetic Stadium) has undergone a reconstruction, with a brand-new playing surface including hybrid turf. It’s expected to be ready for the Dolphins’ first home game of the 2025 season.
Former Hawk becomes a Rooster
The Ballarat league will be bolstered in 2025 with another ex-AFL player to join the competition. Here is what we know.
Reigning premier set for coaching succession
A succession plan is now in place at a Southern league reigning premier, with its current coach preparing for his final season at the helm. Here are all the details.