MPNFL 2021: Red Hill coach Jamie Mollo signs on for another two years

Hillmen coach Jamie Mollo believes his side is in for an exciting period in MPNFL Division 1 after he was reappointed — and recruits are on the way.

Red Hill coach Jamie Mollo has signed a two-year extension. Picture: David Crosling

When Jamie Mollo arrived at Red Hill in 2018, the club had only won one premiership — in 1990.

But all that nearly changed in his first season at the helm, the Hillmen finishing runners up in MPNFL Division 2.

A year later, Mollo and his men stood on the premiership dais hoisting the 2019 Division 2 flag after snapping a 29-year drought.

The Hillmen were undoubtedly one of the most exciting young sides on the peninsula.

Now Mollo is planning more success after being reappointed coach for another two seasons, which will see him in charge to the end of the 2023 season.

“The club came to me and said what are my thoughts and I said, ‘yeah I want to stay’,” Mollo said.

“I think we’ve got a great list and I think moving forward we can do a lot with the list in Division one. Clearly, we’ve got to recruit a couple but I was more than happy to sign back on.”

Red Hill captain Marcus Dal Lago and coach Jamie Mollo lift the MPNFL Division 2 premiership cup in 2019. Picture: Chris Eastman

Red Hill is already hot on the heels of recruits for the 2022 season, with Mollo revealing two signings could be made “even as close as next week”.

“Next year is looking pretty exciting,” he said.

Mollo said the support he’s received from Red Hill’s executive was a big part of his desire to continue as coach.

“From an off-field point of view, they’re a fantastic bunch of people, unbelievably supportive,” he said.

“Our leadership group I couldn’t speak more highly of. So, yeah, it was a pretty easy decision in the end.”

Red Hill celebrates its 2019 flag at Frankston Park. Picture: Chris Eastman

Mollo has coached other clubs but said Red Hill was “very different’’ because of its strong connections between the football department and the committee.

“You talk about the off-field, on-field connection that is required to have sustained success and Red Hill have that in spades,” he said.

“Whatever we need, we go to Graham (Sherry), our president, or the committee, and they are willing to get it as long as it’s developing our players.

“A lot of other clubs are aiming to get that but I think they haven’t quite got that connection right yet.

“So we are really lucky as a footy department to have them.

“That’s the biggest difference. And the people.”

Red Hill president Graham Sherry said the club was in good hands with Mollo at the helm.

“The club is delighted with the extension and Jamie is excited to continue to build the side he has put together since 2017,” he said.

“Injury has decimated the team this year but the fact that we have played 49 players through the senior team demonstrates our depth and augurs well for the club’s future.”