MPNFL 2020: Bonbeach secures key recruits and bolsters coaching panel
A former Saints favourite has taken up a coaching position at Mornington Peninsula league club Bonbeach, which is looking good ahead of the 2020 season.
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St Kilda 252-gamer Justin Peckett will be back in the red, white and black this year after joining Bonbeach’s coaching panel.
Peckett will coach the Sharks Under 19s side, including his sons Sunny and Jet.
Bonbeach will have a St Kilda flavour this year, with former Saint Trent Dennis-Lane already one of the Sharks leading players and Stephen Milne’s son Tyson in talks to join the Sharks.
Bonbeach senior coach Peter Williamson said Peckett had already established strong relationships at the club.
“He’s been terrific,” Williamson said.
“He just brings another layer to our coaching group.”
Bonbeach has bolstered its playing list since losing in the MPNFL Division 1 preliminary final last season.
Mt Eliza player Blaine Coates has joined the club, along with Ari Sakeson from Old Brighton, while Michael Turville has returned the club after stints at Dingley and Hastings.
Casey Demons 100-gamer Mitch Gent will play full-time with Bonbeach after stepping away from the VFL.
In other positives for Bonny, talented young ruckman Tom Hogan, after missing the second half of last season with injury, is fully fit and key forward Owen Hulett is tipped to excel with a full pre-season under his belt.
And the Sharks are fit; captain Jackson Casey has led the way in both time trials.
“He’s really setting a great example,” Williamson said of Casey.
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“All times have come down after Christmas. That was pleasing for the coach. They have stuck to the program, smashed all their times on return.”
Williamson said the Sharks were hungry after losing to eventual premiers Dromana in the prelim last year.
“We’ve really freshened it up,” he said.
“The guys haven’t sat back and thought the near success of last year was good enough.
“It’s really been a driving force for them. Guys like Trent (Dennis-Lane) and Mitch (Gent) have really brought that VFL standard, really lifted the group up.”
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