MPFNL 2024: Every Division 1 club coach answers the burning questions
We asked the Mornington Peninsula league Division 1 coaches for their vote on the flag favourites, an opposition player they’d like, the best young player, their take on expansion and much more. See their answers here.
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The business end of the Mornington Peninsula league Division 1 season is fast approaching.
We posed eight topical questions to each of the 10 club coaches.
They weren’t allowed to vote in favour of their own club or players and their answers were strictly anonymous.
See where the answers fell ...
Not surprisingly, most went for Dromana to claim back-to-back premierships.
The Tigers are 10-2, sit 10 points clear on top and have beaten every other side this season.
Mt Eliza was the only other side to get votes. The Redlegs did beat Dromana early in the season.
Dromana ruckman Billy Geurts racked up four of the possible nine votes from club coaches when asked who would win the EV Shade Medal as league best and fairest.
Geurts has played 11 of the 12 games this season, but Tigers teammate Sam Fowler has also been in scintillating form.
Mt Eliza’s classy midfielder Fin Bayne and Sorrento ruck star Liam Buxton are also legitimate medal contenders, according to some opposition coaches.
Coaches voted for necessity — and star power — when answering this question.
Most agreed Billy Geurts would make any side infinitely better.
A club needing more firepower nominated Riley D’Arcy, who’s having a terrific season (he’s leading the comp goals with 42) at Frankston YCW.
No surprise to see Jake Aarts’ name, or Sam Fowler.
Young guns Nick Collier and Darcy Murr are obviously highly rated, as is Bombers ruckman Harry Prior.
Mt Eliza’s Rikki Johnston wins the approval from his peers by one vote ahead of astute Rosebud mentor Danny Ades.
Premiership coaches Josh Beard, Jamie Mollo and Paddy Swayn are also highly respected for their work.
The tight confines of Mornington’s Alexandra Park poses some opposition concerns. And it’s always hard to win at Pines and Red Hill.
Dromana’s tough and tenacious small defender Nick Collier was deemed the best young player in the competition.
Collier has played nine games with Richmond’s VFL team this season, as well as five with Dromana.
Langwarrin’s impressive midfielder Chad Mulvogue splits his time between Langy and the VFL and continues to be an influential player.
Frankston YCW, under the presidency of Louise Meagher, is seen as the benchmark operator off-field.
Langwarrin, with the great Gary Zeuschner at the helm, and reigning champs Dromana also got good mentions.
The majority said, ‘yep, let’s grow as a league’. But a handful of coaches are happy for the competition to stay as it is.
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