Revealed: The best first-year metro local footy coaches in 2024
From ex-AFL stars looking at the game through a different lens to those who have bided their time as an assistant. We’ve named the best first-year coaches steering local clubs with ease.
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They’ve made it look easy.
There are a selection of coaches in metro Melbourne who have jumped into the top job and have their side’s flying.
Here are the best first-time coaches in 2024 …
Daniel Barnes, West Coburg (Essendon District)
Has the Burgers right in premiership contention after stepping up from the role of assistant coach in the off-season. His father, Bill, was a three-time premiership coach at West Coburg and was named coach of the Team of the Century.
Marcel Bruin, Old Brighton (VAFA)
Served an eight-year apprenticeship between Caulfield Grammarians and Old Brighton before taking on the top job this year. Bruin has the Tonners sitting on top of the ladder as the current premiership favourites.
Ethan Foreman, Kyneton (Riddell District)
The long-time Tigers player took the coaching reins this season. To make the new job that more challenging, Kyneton transitioned from the Bendigo league to the Riddell District over summer. The club is challenging for a top-five finish, currently sitting sixth on percentage with a 5-7 record. Foreman himself is enjoying a strong season, kicking 18 goals in nine appearances – sixth most in the league.
Matt Hyde, Greensborough (Northern)
The 2014 NFNL Division 1 premiership captain returned to War Memorial Reserve this season as senior coach. It is Hyde’s first coaching job, period, and he has the Borough on track for a finals return in 2024. In fact, the club is sitting third on percentage in a wild five-way tie for second with five games remaining in the season.
Michael Kinsella, Murrumbeena (Southern)
Kinsella took the reins of Murrumbeena after finishing up his playing career. One side of coaching Kinsella is tremendous at is the networking and player management, as the Lions are 12-1 in the seniors as well as top of the table in the reserves, under-19s and open grade competitions.
Kris Pendlebury, Edithvale-Aspendale (Mornington Peninsula)
The former Collingwood VFL and Balwyn champion has made a whirlwind start to his coaching career, guiding the Eagles to 13-1 and two games clear on top of the Division 2 ladder. His experience on field as a strong defender has been beneficial but his passion and knowledge as a coach has turned Edi-Asp into a juggernaut, with a flag in its sights, after several years without finals.
Justin Pickering, Cheltenham (Southern)
Pickering took over from premiership coach Des Ryan at the start of this year and is yet to taste defeat. The Rosellas are a win clear on top of the Southern league Division 1 table with five rounds to go.
Jared Polec, Hoppers Crossing (Western)
After the Warriors finished last in 2023, the ex-AFL midfielder has the Division 1 club on track to play finals this season. They’re currently in the top-five and have managed to put a slow start to the season behind them.
Ben Ronke and Clay Illman, Aberfeldie (Essendon District)
The coaching duo have helped lift the EDFL powerhouse back into the Premier Division top-four this season. Ronke joined the club from St Bernard’s while Illman had previously served as an assistant under previous coach Adam Marcon.
Scott Savage, Waverley Blues (Eastern)
The Waverley Blues sit third on the Eastern league Division 2 ladder with a 9-4 record after installing the club great as coach at the end of last year. The former captain told Leader he was keen to build on the Blues’ recent success, having raised the cup in Division 3 in 2022 under predecessor Tom Langford. Savage served as senior assistant under Langford for three seasons, and featured in the club’s 2000 and ‘05 flags, winning best-and-fairests in 1999 and 2004. “Being involved in that footy club pretty much all my life since a junior … I thought as an ex-player, premiership player, captain and best and fairest winner, why not give this (the senior coaching role) a crack?” Savage said at the time of his appointment.
Andy Scott, St Paul’s McKinnon (Southern)
Scott was appointed the Bulldogs’ coach after five years as an assistant at powerhouse clubs Rowville and Collegians. Scott has St Paul’s McKinnon bound for September with a 12-1 record.
Matthew Stapleton, Doveton (Southern)
Stapleton jumped into the hot seat after finishing his playing career and has Doveton ready to contend for the flag once again. The Doves are playing the Stapleton style, which is fast, exciting and potentially good enough to run away with the Southern league Division 2 flag.
Travis Stephens, Lower Plenty (Northern)
The former Box Hill and Montmorency assistant stepped up to first senior job at Lower Plenty, taking the reins from Phil Plunkett. The Bears were widely considered a relegation candidate but Stephens, and his senior assistant Chris Daw, have taken the club to the cusp of a stunning finals appearance. With four rounds remaining, Lower sits fifth, two games clear, with a 5-1-8 record.
Dylan Wilson, Olinda Ferny Creek (Outer East)
Wilson’s outstanding leadership qualities that he demonstrated throughout his long stint as club captain, including the 2017 premiership, have been on full display in his first season as coach of his beloved Bloods. He’s got them 8-5, in fourth spot in Outer East league Premier Division.
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