MPFNL: Mt Eliza names new coach for 2024

Mt Eliza has announced a new coach for the 2024 season, revealing details behind its succession plan.

Former Dromana star Rikki Johnston will coach Mt Eliza in 2024 and beyond. Picture: David Crosling

It’s unusual for coaching appointments in May.

But Mt Eliza has bucked the trend, installing former Dromana premiership hero Rikki Johnston as senior coach from 2024 and beyond.

Johnston will take the reins from current coach Stephen Brattle, who will relinquish the role at the end of this season.

Brattle currently has Mt Eliza sitting in third spot on the MPFNL Division 1 ladder.

“At the end of the 2022 season, our senior football coach Stephen Brattle let us know that the 2023 season was going to be his last (in his current role),” Mt Eliza president Cassandra Clayton said.

“We are extremely grateful to Bratts for his transparency and authenticity around his plans for the future.

“Because of this, we were able to create a strategic plan around not only the selection criteria for Bratt’s replacement, but the process around the implementation of it.”

Rikki Johnston talks with his Dromana players in 2017. Picture: David Crosling

Johnston boasts a decorated playing and coaching record.

He played 286 games for Dromana, captaining the club between 2005-2013, including a premiership in 2012, and winning five best and fairests.

Johnston won the MPNFL league medal in 2012.

Johnston’s coaching resume is just as impressive. He was the senior coach at Dromana between 2016-19, leading the the Tigers to two premierships (Division 2 in 2018 and Division 1 in 2019).

He was named MPNFL coach of the year in 2019.

Johnston is Level 3 qualified and has been a senior assistant coach at Frankston VFL since 2021, and will continue to see out the 2023 season in this role.

“Rikki has grown up within our community and lives in Mt Eliza with his wife Liz and four children,” Mt Eliza said.

Johnston said he was looking forward to creating “an exciting period for the club and an enjoyable place for players to play”.

“Both myself and my family are thrilled with the privilege to join and lead such a vibrant and successful club on and off the field and build on the strong foundations and culture that Bratts has instilled over the last few years, in the community that I’ve called home for most of my life,’’ Johnston said.

“I thank Cass (Clayton) and the board for seeing me as a good fit for 2024 and beyond and I’m very much looking forward to the opportunity to create an exciting period for the club and an enjoyable place for players to play.”

Mt Eliza coach Steve Brattle.

Clayton said Brattle was “one hundred percent red and blue’’, having been involved with Mt Eliza’s senior and junior clubs since 2005.

“Some examples of his contribution to keeping young people in sport include being active in establishing the under 19 competition, and also leading community activities for under 16 junior players in helping to feed the homeless at Smith Family drop-in centers,’’ Clayton said.

“He has been a loyal, dedicated and much loved member of our team for quite some time. He has led MEFNC through some significant milestones recently and deserves the accolades.’’

Brattle said: “My time as senior coach at Mt Eliza was never forever. The club and I had a clear plan and that included succession.’’

He added: “We have worked hard to get it right and set the place up for success. I look forward to working with Rikki to complete a full and thorough succession to set him up for continued success.’’