Legendary coach Simon Goosey names his greatest local footy team
Simon Goosey orchestrated one of local footy’s greatest individual coaching dynasties and now he’s squeezed his best-ever side together. See who made it.
Mornington
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After coaching for almost three straight decades, it was a certainty for Simon Goosey to be called upon to take part in the Leader Local Footy dream team series.
The champion full forward laced up for the first time in 1988 and called time on his coaching career at the conclusion of 2022.
As few local coaches can match Goosey’s record of five premierships and 11 grand final appearances, the criteria in which he selected his team was eased.
His Frankston Dolphin players were disallowed, as were the players he coached for less than one full season.
So, from his time at Mornington and Cranbourne, here is Simon Goosey’s best-ever side … albeit with one glaring omission.
FULL BACKS
Seb Hogan (Mornington): A fearless defender who played above his size week-in, week-out and came through the grades to make an immediate impact in Goosey’s side. Hogan was a true competitor who took getting goals kicked on him personally.
Paul Garrett (Mornington): The two-time premiership defender was rarely beaten. Contrary to modern football, Garrett was a defender who enjoyed one-on-one battles against the best forwards. “Not too many people got a hold of him, he used his body well and he was a great leader,” Goosey said.
Paul Gay (Mornington): A player who could play on any sized forward, and often did. After coming across from Pines, the man known as “Chopper’’ wasn’t afraid to throw himself around. If there was an opportunity to inject himself into a contest physically, it was scarcely missed. If Goosey was asked to describe Gay in one word: tough.
HALF-BACKS
Brandon Osborne (Cranbourne): Goosey can vividly recall one of Osborne’s best days. “He never got beaten; Brendan Fevola played a one-off against us and Fev went goalless, after the game Fev said to me ‘s***, I haven’t been kept goalless much.’’ Goosey said of Osborne: “You’d hate him (as a player) because you’d be lucky to get a kick on him.”
Andrew Morrison (Mornington): Was the captain of the Bulldogs under Goosey while also regularly representing Victoria Country. “He was a thumping kick, an honest defender who always did his job and gave us a lot of drive off half-back,” Goosey said.
Steve Kimpton (Mornington): A modern half-back flanker that wasn't taken easy by any opposition side. Kimpton was often given a licence by Goosey to create from the backline – a licence that was sometimes pushed. “Sides had to put more effort into manning him up than he did … because he didn’t like manning up,” Goosey joked.
CENTRES
Matt Brown (Mornington): While he did play a role in Goosey’s Frankston Dolphins side, he was very efficient for the Bulldogs. The traditional wingman played in Mornington’s 1996 and 1998 premierships. “He had pace to burn and just created,” according to Goosey.
Reece Singleton (Mornington): Singleton was a magnet on Goosey’s whiteboard for a decade as he demanded respect from opposition clubs with his ability to play inside and out. A shy character off the field who let his actions on field do the talking.
Warwick Miller (Mornington): A sizeable wing who assisted at both ends of the ground. Miller’s defensive elements always impressed Goosey. “He was probably more of a back, but he played his best footy on the wing for me, he was one of those tall wingmen that dropped back really well,” he said.
HALF-FORWARDS
Laurie Knott (Mornington): Knott was a versatile player who would always require any defender’s attention up forward, while also holding the ability to pinch-hit in the middle when called upon. “He was a medium, but he played tall as well,” Goosey said.
Tim Allen (Mornington): The booming left-footer was pivotal in the final term of the 1996 grand final win over Pines. Allen’s drive with the wind allowed Mornington to run over the Pythons. “He could turn a game, you could throw him down at centre-half back – he was so athletic, he was so hard to match-up on,” Goosey said.
Jimmy Cameron (Mornington): The smothering forward adds an element to Goosey’s side in which he didn’t have. “He could’ve played more midfield, but he was just so strong as a small forward, he probably rounds the side out with a bit of pressure down there,” Goosey said.
FORWARDS
Paul Matons (Mornington): Played in a number of premierships under Goosey, the small left-footer knew his way around the big sticks. Goosey’s one-word description: crafty.
Marc Holt (Cranbourne): Holt often comes into the conversation of the best local footy goal-kicker ever right after Goosey, so it’s fitting they line-up together again. “You could just go to him, he could always take a contested mark – the thing with Holty is he’s really competitive, if he had a bad day, he would have a lot of pride so you’d know the next time he played he would play really well,” Goosey said.
Jackson Calder (Mornington): Calder booted an impressive 69 goals in just 13 matches under Goosey in 2021, which would ultimately be the athletic forward’s most recent season at the Kennel. “He has pace and height, so he is really hard to match-up on,” Goosey said.
FOLLOWERS
Murray Peel (Mornington, captain): An undersized ruck that Goosey could count on each week. A premiership captain who bled red, white and blue. Without a shred of doubt, Peel captains this side. “He played footy for the right reasons, he was excellent,” Goosey said.
Perry Lewis-Smith (Mornington): Lewis-Smith had a shorter stint than others with Goosey, but he made an immediate impact. “He steps up on the big stage, I didn’t coach him when he won the premiership at Pines, but he had 45s, 50s (disposal matches) regularly with us because he could run all day,” Goosey said.
Michael Cullen (Mornington): Cullen was an integral part of the Mornington decade of sustained success. He was a traditional inside midfielder who was rarely seen getting up from a pack first.
EXTENDED INTERCHANGE
Paul Simpson (Mornington): Simpson was steady at either end of the ground, with his strong marking ability and neat ball use. He unfortunately suffered a nasty leg injury at the peak of his powers, but such was his competitive nature, he returned to the Bulldogs’ fold strongly.
Adam Wunderley (Mornington): A busy midfielder who, standing at six foot, played bigger than most. “He did his job, you could count on him non-stop, he was very much a part of that engine room, especially the early premierships,” Goosey said.
Marc Corn (Mornington): A creative wingman who did a lot of damage forward of centre. “With his size he could almost play key-position, but he definitely had some tricks,” Goosey said.
Brad Paris (Mornington): Aptly named, Paris oozed class. A tall left-footer that could play across halfback or up the ground on the wing. His kicking technique was fluent and compact, which resulted in him rarely missing targets around the ground or when firing for goal.
Dave Maniago (Mornington): Maniago’s ambition was never questioned, as he would likely run through a brick wall if it resulted in him coming away with the Sherrin. Goosey described him as: “an honest player who was always there.”
Chris Holcombe (Mornington): A pure defender who could play on an array of forwards. He came into Goosey’s side late and was a pure leader.
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