MPNFL: Ex-AFL Saint David Armitage departs Bonbeach

There will be changes out of Bonbeach’s losing grand final side, with the club confirming the departure of an ex-AFL star.

David Armitage in action for Bonbeach in the MPNFL. Picture: Aaron Cook

Bonbeach’s grand final loss to Frankston YCW was also a swansong for David Armitage.

The former St Kilda star is moving to Queensland with his family and is likely to land a playing-coach role with a QAFL club.

Armitage departs Bonbeach after two seasons in the MPNFL.

“We knew that he was going,’’ Bonbeach coach Adrian Connolly said.

“He’s the only one we knew was definitely going.

“There are a couple thinking of travelling, so we will probably lose a couple for part of the season next year.’’

Bonbeach grand final players Ben McLean and Joseph Fisscher could miss part of the 2023 season as they travel.

Sam Gilbert with the ball for Bonbeach. Picture: Valeriu Campan

But former St Kilda player Sam Gilbert has re-signed with Bonbeach, determined to help the club win that elusive premiership.

“And with that there seemed to be a strong pull to keep going for next year,” Connolly said.

“If we’d have won it (the premiership) I was suspecting we could have lost up to half our team because I think Shane McDonald and that crew...I think that would have been it, the crowning glory as such.

“But the fire is still burning for quite a few after that.

“We’re going to lose two or three I reckon but that’s probably not as many as I first thought.”

Bonbeach, chasing its first senior premiership since 1984, lost to Frankston YCW by 26 points in the grand final.

Sharks fans roared when they stormed to within eight points of the lead in the third quarter, before the Stonecats ran away with it.

Bonbeach’s Sean Corrigan takes a kick. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Connolly said Bonbeach was determined to go one step further in 2023.

“We don’t want to drop off the perch, we know we’ve got a good list and a great underbelly of kids,” he said.

“We debuted eight under 19 kids from the previous year.

“(Under 19 coach) Justin Peckett did an awesome job with his group.

“There are a couple other kids in the reserves who’ve only played one or two games so we think we’ve got enough depth there, we’ve just got to try and increase the depth.”

Bonbeach players celebrate. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Connolly said the Sharks were chasing a couple of recruits “pretty hard”.

“They would be a fantastic get for us, certainly they would only make us a lot stronger if we could get one, maybe two, of them, but there’s a bit to go before that happens,” he said.

Connolly said Bonbeach forward Trent Dennis-Lane was likely to play on.

“He was keen I think at this stage to go on, given we lost,” Connolly said.

“But he does have to get the balance right. He was mentally tired by the end of it having to coach and play…it’s a lot of footy.

“He loved it and gives his all, he’s fantastic. I think he’ll play on.”