MPFNL 2024: Frankston Bombers’ senior coach resigns

A reigning Mornington Peninsula league finalist’s 2024 campaign has been dealt a major blow with its senior coach resigning. Here are the details.

Frankston Bombers coach John Brown. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Frankston Bombers president Jason Smith says his club will “get through it’’ after senior coach John Brown tendered his resignation on Tuesday night.

Brown took over as Bombers coach last season, taking the side to the finals.

But 12 weeks out from the start of season 2024, he’s stepped down.

“I got a call last night and Browny just put in his resignation due to some work commitments,’’ Smith said on Wednesday.

“He felt he couldn’t give the job the effort it needed and felt it was best he move on.’’

John Brown coaching the Frankston Bombers last season. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Smith also confirmed Brown’s assistant coach Kirby McConnon would “no longer be continuing on’’.

Frankston Bombers’ playing group was told of Brown’s resignation on Wednesday morning.

They will return to pre-season training on Wednesday evening, with former club coach Ash Charles likely to run the session.

“The players will be back on the track tonight, they’re keen to get going,’’ Smith said.

“They’ll galvanise, re group and they’ll move forward.

“As a club we’ll work over the next few days to work out what’s the best pathway to take.

“The club’s got good people in there, good leadership, good players, good staff, so we’ll move forward as a right knit group and get through it.’’

NEXT COACH

The Frankston Bombers will sit down and work out who will coach the club in 2024.

“We’re not sure of the pathway we take to be honest,’’ Smith said.

“I think we’ll keep it within but we’ll sit down...and make some decisions on the pathways we take.

“We’ll look at all options in the next few days. It (Brown’s resignation) is pretty fresh.’’

Asked if the Bombers would consider asking former long-serving coach Beau Muston to the return to the role, Smith said:

“We won’t say no to anything. I’m in good conversations with Beau on a regular basis and have been for a long time but he’s got a fair few personal commitments these days,’’ he said.

“But, look, we will always talk.’’

Brown was a former Frankston Dolphins VFL assistant coach before landing at the Bombers last year.

He also coached Rowville for three seasons in the Eastern Football League Division 1, as well as Forest Hill, Park Orchards and Templestowe, guiding the latter to a premiership in 2010.

Brown was contacted for comment.