MPFNL: Six-time premiership coach Troy Schwarze has made a comeback to coaching

Six-time premiership coach Troy Schwarze will make a long-awaited return to the coaches’ box. He tells us what attracted him to the role, the challenges and his ambitions.

Troy Schwarze (middle) is back in the coaches box. Picture: AAP/ Chris Eastman

Troy Schwarze sees a similar foundation at Bonbeach to that of Sorrento in 2007.

The six-time premiership mentor will return to the coaches’ box when he takes the reins of Bonbeach next year.

He will take over from Adrian Connolly, who resigned last month.

Schwarze is buoyed by Bonbeach’s current position, comparing it to his group that went on to play in seven straight grand finals.

“It’s probably not dissimilar, really,” Schwarze said.

“When I took over at Sorrento there was no expectations, a lot of unknowns, we had a young group and they were all locals.

“So it’s not too dissimilar to where we are now at Bonbeach, it’s a really similar scenario.

“It’s a group that is willing to learn, they’re committed, the challenges are probably quite similar.”

Troy Schwarze Picture: Paul Loughnan

Schwarze was one of the Mornington Peninsula league’s best players during his first coaching stint.

He knows not being able to impact the game on field will be a challenge but is looking forward to showing how he can change the game tactically.

“I think when you’re a playing coach you can get messages through pretty quickly on the field, you obviously get a feel for the game and know whether the players are on or off,” he said.

“Off field is going to be pretty different so I will be relying on some leaders on field and getting a feel for how I think things are going.

“That will be the biggest challenge, being a coach who can’t influence the game on field and finding ways to influence it off field.”

Schwarze (L) raised six premiership cups as Sorrento coach.

Bonbeach has a 5-12 record with one home and away game left in the season.

Schwarze won’t “open the chequebook” to bring in big names right away.

Instead he will look to “Bonbeach players” to strengthen what he feels will compliment what is already there.

“We’re trying to recruit Bonbeach players who have left in the last couple of years,” he said.

“I think the one thing you have to do in this comp is have one pointers, if you can have quality one pointers, then you can try and recruit a couple.

“But we certainly want people at the club for the right reasons, I think clubs get stuck in terms of hearing names and think they’ll change a club.

“If they don’t buy in, you’d almost argue they have a negative effect the other way.

“We’re certainly not going to open the chequebook and throw money at players based on name, we’re really keen to attract Bonbeach players back to the club and convince them of the path we’re on and where we want to be.

“If a recruit comes along the way, happy days, but they have to be in for what we’re doing – I am big on that.”

Schwarze has signed up for 2025 and 2026.