MPNFL: Frankston Bombers lock in John Brown as new coach

The Bombers have appointed an Eastern league premiership coach with VFL experience. Here’s why they unveiled him on the eve of MPNFL finals.

Former Rowville coach John Brown will steer Frankston Bombers in 2023. Picture: Stuart Milligan

As they prepare for a tilt at the MPNFL Division 1 finals, Frankston Bombers have announced their coach for 2023.

Frankston Dolphins VFL assistant coach John Brown, 51, will take the reins from long-serving Beau Muston once this season is finished.

Muston announced months ago he was stepping down at season’s end.

Frankston Bombers go into the last round of the season on Saturday in fifth spot and needing to beat Rosebud to guarantee a finals berth.

Brown is an experienced mentor, having coached Rowville for three seasons in the Eastern Football League Division 1.

He also coached Forest Hill, Park Orchards and Templestowe, guiding the latter to a premiership in 2010.

Brown also coached Vermont’s under-19s for two seasons and was senior assistant under Steve Cochrane and Harmit Singh.

John Brown has coached extensively in the Eastern Football League.

Bombers president Jason Smith said the club had “a fair few” applications for the coaching job but said Brown was the perfect fit.

“He’s going to come in with some structure, some other assistants, the ability to attract some players and a different set of eyes,” Smith said.

“His enthusiasm to take another senior role was something that we were pretty impressed with.”

Muston, who was part of the process to find a new coach, wants to finish his eight-year tenure on a high in September.

Asked about the timing of Brown’s appointment, Smith said: “That was Beau’s call. He instigated that.”

Smith praised Muston for making the transition of coaches easy.

“Once we knew we had our bloke and he was locked away I think good transparency for the playing group was important,” Smith said.

“Musto goes, ‘Jase, just get it out there’.’’

Beau Muston.

Muston said unveiling Brown as the next coach before the end of the season would allow Brown to have “a soft introduction” to the club in the coming weeks.

“I don’t think there’s any point waiting,” Muston said.

“We’ve been pretty clear, especially going into the season, that it was going to be my last.

“So, as soon as we knew we had the coach that we were looking for there was no reason to wait.

“It just allows the players on our current list to understand the direction the club’s going in and allow the season to play out.

“It also gives John a chance to show his face and have a bit of a soft introduction to the footy club over the coming weeks.”

Muston endorsed Brown, saying “a lot of the feedback where he’d been previously was quite strong’’.

Smith said Brown, who has been midfield coach at the Dolphins for the past two seasons, ticked all the boxes.

“If we’d have had a check list of criteria that we wanted from day one, John would have met those standards and some above,” he said.

“We wanted some VFL experience, someone who’s coached their own side and especially someone who’s got some junior development experience as well.

“With our young list they need a bit of love and a bit of guidance. I think they will all thrive.”