MPNFL: Mornington coach Simon Goosey steps down

Legendary Mornington coach Simon Goosey made an emotional announcement on his 28-year career after an MPNFL game.

Mornington coach Simon Goosey will step down at season’s end.

Simon Goosey thought he’d be okay.

But the legendary Mornington coach’s emotions got the better of him as he told his players of his decision to stand down at season’s end.

The Bulldogs had just lost to ladder leaders Langwarrin by 46 points at Alexandra Park and a tearful Goosey addressed his players in the rooms after the game.

“I spoke to the club first, and my sons, and then I told the players after and it was hard to do,” he said.

“I thought I was alright but I wasn’t because I’ve done it for so long.

“I’ve coached for 28 years straight and haven’t had a break, so I need a break.

“Telling the players I thought I’d keep it together but it was hard.

“I love all the boys, we all get on and you’re in it together to achieve something.”

Simon Goosey.

Goosey is a Mornington Peninsula football icon; champion full-forward and successful coach.

Few local coaches can match his record of five premierships and 11 grand final appearances.

He’s also coached Frankston in the VFL and Cranbourne to a flag.

But he says it was time to step away from the game he loves.

“Footy is probably the longest relationship I’ve had,” he joked.

“I’ve been speaking to the club for a while. I need a bit of a break.

“The last couple of years with Covid and that, it takes a bit out of you because you’ve got to be up and about and try and stay positive for the players but it does wear you out a bit when you get no results.”

Speaking honestly, Goosey — an avid surfer — says his passion for football wavered over summer.

Stewart Loewe and Simon Goosey in an EJ Whitten Legends game.

“A few times when the surf was pretty good you’d think, ‘shit I’ve got to get to training’,” he said.

“I’d finish work early and a couple of mates were heading to the surf and I’d think, ‘gee it would be nice to be able to have no commitments’.

“If I could say anything to clubs I’d say make sure your coaches get good breaks too because they need breaks because it is hard.

“Sometimes people think more is better with training and that and they do so much before Christmas.”

Mornington sits in ninth spot on the MPNFL Division 2 ladder with a 6-10 record.

Frankston Dolphins VFL captain Josh Newman played for Mornington against Langwarrin on Saturday and was outstanding.

But unbeaten Langy, with Josh Dormer kicking four goals and Matthew Naughton, Zach Andrewartha and ex-AFL Bomber Mark Baguley starring, were too good.

The Bulldogs face Tyabb (home) and Hastings (away) in the remaining two rounds.

Goosey says Mornington isn’t “far away’’.

“If you look at the statistics we’ve had a pretty good year,’’ he said.

“The only thing that’s let us down is bloody goal kicking.’’

He says by stepping down now “it just allows the club to get to work’’ on finding the next coach.

Goosey played his first game for Mornington in 1988 and went on to become a country football legend, kicking 100 or more goals in a season on 12 occasions.