Mernda locks in Brent Marshall as senior coach for 2026

Brent Marshall wasted no time putting pen to paper as Mernda’s new coach, the NFNL great reveals why he chose to lead the Demons.

Brent Marshall in action for Mernda. Picture: Paige Coffey

As one of the best players of the past decade in the Northern league, Brent Marshall would have been hot property on the open coaching market.

However, he had no hesitation putting pen to paper at NFNL Division 3 club Mernda last week, locking in for 2026.

“Nipper” took the reins on an interim basis from Rob Fletcher last month and is now officially the Demons head coach, the club announcing his appointment at its $5000 draw function on Saturday night.

“Having the interim job was cool, I enjoyed it, I was happy with what I was trying to do for the place,” Marshall said.

“They said ‘we’d like you to do it’ and it was a pretty easy transition.”

Marshall joined Mernda last season, crossing from Division 1 club Bundoora.

He is a Bulls legend having played more than 200 senior games, played in two premierships and captained the club for almost a decade.

Nipper’s first season at Waterview Reserve was hampered by a broken ankle in pre-season before returning to play nine matches, including the club’s three finals.

He’s made eight appearances this season and wants to bring the same success he had a Bundoora.

“Being my second year, the first was a little hard after breaking my leg,” he said.

“Just being here every week, offering leadership and teaching the young blokes I’ve learnt over my time.

“This year I’ve got a bit of consistency in my footy before doing a hammy but back playing now.

“Getting the job, I’ve had a few around to my place to talk footy and have a few beers, so getting that relationship with the boys has been easy because they’re good kids.

“I want success because I’ve been around it and I know how it feels and I want that these boys to experience that.

“They’re a tight group and that’s how I felt at Bundoora, I want them to experience that success side with your close mates.”

Fletcher was a big reason why Marshall joined Mernda last year.

He was disappointed to see the club and coach part ways before the season was over but said a phone call helped ease the transition.

“I like Fletch a lot and I didn’t want it to be seen like I was cutting his lunch,” Marshall said.

“When they asked me about it, I had a think, but to be fair it was an easy decision to say yes because I’m so invested in the place.

“Coming from Bundoora, it was really welcoming, and I felt like I got looked at like when Sam Lloyd come to Bundoora, it was a good feeling.

“The hardest thing was to have the conversation with Fletch because he was the big reason I came to Mernda.

“Honestly, he was brilliant with the phone call I had with him and he said if I was in their position he would have appointed me as well. That was a big weight off my shoulders.”

While Marshall has been in charge for the past three games as interim coach and will look for his first win as senior coach on Saturday when the Demons host Laurimar.

Despite three losses in a row, including narrow losses to Epping and Ivanhoe in the past fortnight, Mernda remains in the finals race – just a game behind fifth-placed Kinglake.

The Demons are dealing with an extended injury list but Marshall is only seeing the benefits for his younger players.

“On the weekend, we were down by 40 points but came back to level the scores,” he said.

“Ivanhoe is a good side, so for us to get that close, that’s pleasing – it can go two ways, you can get pumped or you can get back in it.

“To be fair, the personnel we’ve got out at the minute; Billy Morrison has a collarbone and is done for the year, Christian Evans and Will Crouch are out for the year with knee injuries and our captain Dayne Kellett is out for another couple of weeks.

“It gives a good chance for the kids to step up, I’ve got two young kids in Jarrah Younger and Tommy Ciacia and they’ve both held their own.”

Even if the club misses finals, Marshall believes there are good signs for next season.

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“I said to the boys, regardless what happens this year hard work is a good thing, keep cracking in and who knows what can happen.

“Keep showing up to training with the same mindset, don’t just roll up thinking the season is done, and 2026 is going to be a lot different.

“Standards are going to be lifted, fitness is going to be through the roof, all that Division 1 stuff I learnt I’m going to transition to these boys.

“The club is thriving, it’s got massive junior support, and Mernda is going to be a popular club in years to come.”