MPFNL 2024: All the latest coaching moves ahead of 2025

The coaching merry-go-round has begun in the Mornington Peninsula league, with several names already making calls on their futures. Keep up with all the latest moves here ...

Red Hill coach Jamie Mollo. Picture: David Crosling

Who’s going on, who’s not...

The coaching merry-go-round has begun in the Mornington Peninsula league.

Keep up with all the latest moves here ...

DIVISION 1

RED HILL

Jamie Mollo has had preliminary discussions with the club about continuing on in the role he began in 2018.

Mollo has the Hillmen sitting in fourth spot, on the brink of a first-ever Division 1 finals berth.

“We’ve had a sit down and had a chat, we haven’t decided on anything yet,” Mollo said.

“I think let’s just let the season finish and then we’ll move forward from there.

“But they’re a great young bunch and I see no reason why not.”

PINES

Paddy Swayn.

Paddy Swayn is on board for 2025, the club recently confirmed.

Next season will be Swayn’s 11th in a row as Pythons coach and 13th at Pines all up.

Swayn will coach his 200th game at Pines when the Pythons host Sorrento in Round 17 on August 10.

ROSEBUD

Danny Ades. (Photo by Josh Chadwick)

Danny Ades has signed a fresh deal at Rosebud, re-committing to the club for seasons 2025 and ‘26. He is currently in his second season at the helm.

DROMANA

Ben Holmes is going again at Dromana. He has slotted in seamlessly at the helm of the reigning premiers after replacing premiership coach Matt Price just weeks after the 2023 grand final triumph. Holmes signed a two-year deal. He has Dromana 13-2 and 10 points clear on top.

FRANKSTON YCW

Paul Goonan and the Stonecats are still finalising plans but the premiership coach looks likely to continue.

DIVISION 2

HASTINGS

Brendan Dunne.

Brendan Dunne is unsure if he will continue coaching the Blues in 2025.

The premiership coach took over as Hastings caretaker coach in May after Gav Artico stood down.

“I’m pretty busy with work,” he said,

“We’ll just coach until the end of the year and see what happens.

“I said to the club go and look for coaches.”

Dunne said Hastings has plenty of upside.

“They’ve got some me’great kids down there.”

BONBEACH

Adrian Connolly will finish up as Bonbeach coach. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Senior coach of four years Adrian Connolly has confirmed he’ll be stepping down from his post at the end of the season.

“When I got reappointed I told the committee that most likely this would be my last year,’’ Connolly said.

“And I told (club president) Paul (Smith) halfway through the year that I would be finishing up, and I’ll just see what happens next year.

“I love Peninsula footy, I’ve really enjoyed it, it’s been great actually going to Division 2, meeting coaches and seeing different clubs.

“I’ll just see what happens at the end of the year. I’ve been doing it for 23 years now.’’

The Sharks’ search for their next coach is in full swing, with several past MPFNL coaches understood to have shown interest.

KARINGAL

Luke Forsyth admitted he was disappointed the Bulls decided to advertise the coaching position.

Forsyth had sought to be reappointed in recent months.

But Karingal will have a new coach at the helm in 2025.

EDITHVALE-ASPENDALE

Kris Pendlebury addressing his players. Picture: Valeriu Campan

The former Collingwood VFL and Balwyn champion has made a whirlwind start to his coaching career, guiding the Eagles to 15-1 and top spot. And the good news for the Eagles is that he’ll be in charge again in 2025, having signed a two-year deal last September.

Pendlebury initially took the Edi-Asp job after being urged to do it by his famous brother, Collingwood champion Scott.

SEAFORD

Rohan Bleeker will continue as the Tigers senior men’s head coach through to the 2026 season.

TYABB

Matt Haverfield and Sam Fox appear likely to be reappointed.