Mornington Peninsula powerhouse Sorrento sacks coach Tony Blackford on eve of season

TONY Blackford has been left stunned by his sacking as Sorrento coach on Wednesday.

Tony Blackford says he will go fishing after being sacked as coach of Sorrento on the eve of the MPNFL season.

TONY Blackford has been left stunned by his sacking as Sorrento coach on Wednesday.

His brief tenure as Sharks coach ended with a phone call from Sorrento president Bernie Balmer.

“All I know is that at 3.50 today I received a phone call from Bernie (Balmer) saying things aren’t working and that we need to terminate straight away,’’ Blackford said on Wednesday night.

“I had a talk to him…we haven’t had great numbers, and I said, ‘mate, I’ve inherited that, it’s not my fault we are struggling for Under 19s and reserves guys on the track’.

“Anyway, it is what it is. If they’re not happy and things aren’t working, they don’t think things are working, then you need to move forward, don’t you?’’

Balmer said the decision was “nothing personal’’ with Blackford and the club was keen to move on.

“It’s nothing personal with him and the club’s just going to keep it in-house,’’ he said.

“We need to move on.’’

There is speculation former Melbourne player Luke Tapscott will take over as coach of Sorrento, Balmer saying: “I’d say Tapscott would probably be in the running but that can’t be confirmed yet.’’

Sorrento faces Frankston YCW in Round 1 on Sunday, April 1.

Luke Tapscott is tipped to take over as coach.

Blackford, a successful and well respected coach, couldn’t hide his excitement after being appointed coach of Sorrento last October.

He had a strong bond with the Sharks, having coach them to a flag in 2004.

“I’m rapt, mate,’’ Blackford said at the time.

“I’m going back to a club that loved me and I love them, you know.’’

But less than five months later — without coaching in a game — he’s gone.

“It is what it is. I mean if that’s the way they want to go you’ve just got to accept it and move on,’’ Blackford said.

Asked what his plans were, Blackford, a keen angler, said: “There are some big fish out there to catch. I’m just going to sit back and relax and go and enjoy my fishing and my kids’ junior football, that’s what I’m going to do.’’