MPFNL Division 2: Bonbeach parts ways with coach Troy Schwarze

Bonbeach has parted ways with coach Troy Schwarze after 13 games in MPFNL Division 2. The ex-Saint and the Sharks have their say.

Troy Schwarze during his last game as Bonbeach coach at Chelsea Recreation Reserve on Saturday July 12. Picture: Andrew Batsch

Troy Schwarze says he didn’t see the axe coming.

Just 13 games into his tenure as Bonbeach coach, his time at the Sharks ended during the week.

Bonbeach parted ways with Schwarze, the club saying in a statement the decision would allow it time to prepare for 2026.

“Following a recent review, it was decided by mutual agreement that the current senior coaching arrangement with Troy Schwarze was not meeting the expectations of either party,’’ the statement addressed to club members read.

“Whilst swift, both parties agreed that change now would allow the club time to reset and provide the best opportunity to prepare for season 2026.’’

Schwarze said he was disappointed, believing Bonbeach was building.

“Whether my expectations were too high and perhaps I was too hard on them and expected more, albeit our results have been okay,’’ he said.

“We’ve been smashed by injury. There have been few players I’ve been, not critical of, but certainly I’ve expected more.

“But I had no idea there was an axe coming, so that was a shock.’’

Troy Schwarze talks to Bonbeach’s players on the ground after their loss to Chelsea on July 12. Picture: Andrew Batsch

Schwarze said Bonbeach’s crop of young players was exciting and he pointed to the fact he played a minimum of four under 19s each week.

Bonbeach president Paul Smith said “it was a tough decision that had to be made’’ and the next coaching appointment at Bonbeach was crucial.

“We’ve got some really good young talent there,’’ Smith said.

“We did a review of where we were going for next year and we came to this decision now. The next step is to work out who is the right fit.

“That’s why we’ve moved now, to allow us to get on to that. That’s where we’re at.’’

Schwarze played 71 games for St Kilda between 2000-2006 before having a decorated playing and coaching career at Sorrento, including a string of premierships.

Late last week, Bonbeach champion Jackson Casey took over as the club’s interim playing coach, with John Hynes as assistant coach.

The Sharks on Saturday lost to ladder-leading Frankston Bombers 12.10 (82) to 4.9 (33).