MPNFL Division 2 clubs keen to recruit Luke Tapscott

A couple of MPNFL clubs have confirmed they’ve approached the ex-AFL Demon after he was sacked as playing-coach of Sorrento.

Luke Tapscott coaching Sorrento. MPNFL Division 2 clubs are chasing him. Picture: Andy Brownbill

A couple of leading MPNFL Division 2 clubs have reached out to sacked Sorrento playing-coach Luke Tapscott, believing he could boost their flag bids.

Seaford and Mornington confirmed they’ve approached the former Melbourne midfielder about the possibility of playing the remainder of the 2021 season.

Tapscott, 29, is regarded as one of the best players in the MPNFL.

“We’ve spoken about it as a club,” Seaford coach Zac Vansittart said.

“We’ve sent out a message just to see what he’s doing.

“He does live down this way.

“But I haven’t got anything back from him. Not really sure where’s he’s at.

“But we’d entertain the idea, of course. He’s a gun player.”

Luke Tapscott with the ball while playing for the MPNFL interleague side at the MCG in 2017. Picture: Mark Dadswell

Mornington coach Simon Goosey said he phoned Tapscott and left a message but hasn’t heard back.

“It was just to see if he’s interested in playing,” Goosey said.

“I put the feelers out, just to see how he was travelling, really.

Tapscott playing against Seaford in 2019.

“It was more so from a coach to see how he’s going.”

Tapscott was sacked by Sorrento last week.

He steered the Sharks to successive grand final appearances in MPNFL Division 1 in 2018-19 and had the Sharks sitting in fifth spot this season.

It’s understood Tapscott was deeply disappointed by Sorrento’s decision.

If Tapscott took up Seaford’s offer, he’d team up with former Collingwood midfielder Tim Broomhead, who has been outstanding in the MPNFL this season.

Vansittart said Tapscott might just want time away from football.

“He might just want to put a line through the year and forget about footy for the time being,” he said,

“I don’t know the ins and outs of how it (his sacking) happened...he might be able to pick up the pieces and go again or he might just want to have a break.”

Seaford and Mornington are both 6-2 and sit in second and third spots respectively on the Division 2 ladder behind undefeated Langwarrin.