Local footy: Who will be coaching your MPNFL club in 2021
Mornington Peninsula Nepean Football League’s coaching ranks in 2021 will include former AFL players and ex-VFL stars — all fuelled by confidence, enthusiasm and hope.
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Planning for season 2021 has already begun for Mornington Peninsula Nepean Football League clubs.
And most clubs have settled on who will lead their club when local footy makes a much anticipated return.
We’ve hit the phones to see where the coaches are placed for next season.
DIVISION 1
Bonbeach: The Sharks are on the hunt for a new coach after Peter Williamson resigned earlier this month, owing to personal reasons. The Bonny job is a good one — there is plenty of talent and they weren’t far off it last year.
Dromana: EFL legend and six-time league best and fairest winner Matt Price took over the Tigers coaching reins after dual premiership coach Rikki Johnston went out on a high after last year’s premiership. Price says he’s “super excited’’ to steer a quality young group in 2021.
Edi-Asp: Ben Walker says he’s “locked, loaded and bloody excited’’ for the 2021 season. The duel Eagles premiership player and club life member was appointed last October, and was excited to be leading the club in its centenary season in 2020 before the coronavirus crisis hit.
Frankston Bombers: Beau Muston, who has been at the helm since 2015, will continue to hunt that elusive premiership after being reappointed. The Bombers enjoyed a fruitful off-season, landing Khan Haretuku and Sam Fox before the campaign was cancelled.
Frankston YCW: Paul Goonan was thrilled to be appointed coach of the club he grew up playing with last September. He had the Stonecats ready to fire in 2020 before the season was cancelled, but he will finally launch his senior coaching career in ’21 with YC.
Mt Eliza: Stephen Brattle is yet to coach Mt Eliza in an official game but he will do so next year after being reappointed, the club commending him for his “incredible resilience and leadership’’ during the stop-start 2020 pre-season.
Pines: Paddy Swayn is contracted to the end of 2022, meaning he still has another two seasons at the helm (which will make him Pines’ longest serving coach of all-time). He’s taken the Pythons into the finals five years in a row, including a flag, after they hadn’t played finals for 11 years.
Red Hill: Jamie Mollo, who coached the Hillmen to the 2019 Division 2 flag, was reappointed last year for the 2020 and ‘21 seasons. He is the right man to lead the club into Division 1.
Rosebud: Nick Jewell has signed for another two years. He coached Rosebud to a premiership in 2015 before departing the club only to return last season and nearly take the Buds to the finals.
Sorrento: Luke Tapscott has unfinished business to attend to after the Sharks suffered successive grand final losses — by one point and then by seven points. The former Melbourne player will continue as coach in 2021, with league medal winner Mitch Hallahan to fuel the Sharks’ charge.
DIVISION 2
Chelsea: James Brain’s reign as coach will continue, with 2021 to be his fourth season in charge. The Seagulls had recruited particularly well in the off-season and looked set for a big season after stumbling in the elimination final in the past two years.
Crib Point: The Magpies took small steps forward last year under new coach Steve Hamill and he will be at the helm again in 2021 to continue to guide the young and talented list.
Devon Meadows: After recruiting eight or nine players, coach Neil Craig was adamant the Panthers were ready to challenge for finals in 2020. He had initially planned to relinquish the reins, but is staying on as senior coach.
Hastings: The Blues will head into the post Fev era with a new coach after Ricky Ferraro stepped down. The club is currently conducting interviews and the new coach will have plenty of talent at his disposal.
Karingal: Former Brisbane Lions-listed player Luke Forsyth was set to launch his senior coaching career in 2020 before the season was scrapped, but he will do so next year. Forsyth has coached Karingal’s reserves side for the past two seasons, and loved it.
Langwarrin: Josh Beard and Blake McCormack will continue as co-coaches, with Gav Artico as senior assistant. The Kangaroos, third last year, felt they would have gone close to winning it this year after putting together a strong squad, headlined by the return home of former Essendon player Mark Baguley.
Mornington: After being relegated from Division 1, Simon Goosey’s Bulldogs were set to come out snarling in 2020. The Goose will be at the helm again next year and the Dogs will be off the leash.
Pearcedale: Boris Hamilton will continue as coach and is determined to help the young Dales grow and improve.
Rye: Adam Kirkwood will continue what he started in 2019, the Demons champ locked in for another season as coach. Rye will retain all of its recruits and is looking forward to night footy next season after new lights were installed.
Seaford: Local primary school teacher Zac Vansittart has been reappointed and the Tigers are looking forward to returning to their home base at RF Miles Reserve (the Tiger Den!) in 2021.
Somerville: Brad Canavan took the Eagles to the semi-finals in his first season at the helm in 2019 and plans to go further next year.
Tyabb: Reappointed coach Aaron Pacey says the Yabbies have everything in place to end a two-decade finals drought next year.
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