MPFNL: Brett Eddy appointed co-coach at Pearcedale

Former Port Adelaide forward Brett Eddy reveals his goals after becoming co-coach of Pearcedale in the Mornington Peninsula league. And he names his Dales to watch in 2025.

Brett Eddy will be kicking goals and co-coaching Pearcedale in 2025. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Brett Eddy is used to kicking goals and achieving them too.

The powerful full forward with the freakish ability has booted well over a thousand goals at suburban, country and elite levels.

He played AFL football for Port Adelaide alongside Brownlow Medal winner Ollie Wines.

Now, Eddy is moving into the next phase of his football career, as a senior coach.

The 35-year-old has been appointed co-coach at Pearcedale in the Mornington Peninsula league, alongside the astute Peter Bastinac.

Eddy will continue as a player with the Dales (he kicked 72 goals last season) but admits he’s looking to the future.

“The playing days are coming to an end, I’m getting older, so I’ve been thinking about it,’’ he said.

“I just thought it’s a good time while I can still play. Obviously Pete Bastinac is still there, he’s been a great mentor to me over the past 12 months so it just sort of came about…a good chance to put your feet in the water and help support Pete.”

Brett Eddy and Ollie Wines. Picture Sarah Reed

Eddy has played under many coaches during his football journey and says he will “try to take a little bit from all of them”.

“Kenny Hinkley was really good, his ability to motivate the players before the game was first class,” he said.

“I had Brad Gotch, who’s been in the AFL system for 25 years now, he was really important.

“Even some local coaches. Harmit Singh at Vermont, he was a great Monday to Friday coach. Harmit’s preparation was just phenomenal, the amount of work he put in for local footy, his opposition analysis and how he supported all the players was first class as well.”

Pearcedale has played played in the past three elimination finals in MPFNL Division 2, only once (in 2022) progressing to the semi-finals.

The Dales aim is to take the next step and win a premiership.

Eddy reckons, “you’ve got to get the boys on board”, to achieve the ultimate success.

He says game plans are important but keeping footy simple was key.

“You’ve got to have some sort of structure and game plan to play to, how do we move the ball, how do we defend as a team, how do we stop momentum, how do we score more,’’ he says.

“I think sometimes people can complicate it but at the same time in local footy these days player management is really important, making sure the boys are on side. Also, motivating them but also at the same time, ‘let’s have a crack and achieve something special’.”

Luke Daniel.

Archie McGuiness takes a mark. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Pearcedale’s 2025 squad looks strong.

“We’ve kept everyone,’’ Eddy said.

“There’s a couple we’re still talking to even though the season’s coming up. We might be able to pinch one or two.

“I think the nucleus is there.

“We were going really well last year, I think we were 7-2 at the break, and Tom Schneider and Kaolan Thornton, probably our best two midfielders, got seriously injured.

“They played two games in the back half of the season. When your best two mids are out it really hurts you. We limped to the finish line last year. We’ll try and get organic growth from the players we’ve got.’’

BRETT EDDY’S DALES TO WATCH IN ‘25:

Luke Daniel: Class act up forward, will look at midfield time this season.

Cruiz West: He had a shoulder reco last summer, he’s looking really fit. I reckon Cruiz is in for a big year, 40 or 50 goals.

Kaolan Thornton: He won our best and fairest the year before, he missed nine games last year. Expect big things from him.

Jack McGuiness: Our vice captain. Missed last year with a knee reco, but he’s looking really fit.

Archie McGuiness: He’s looking really good, too.