The bid to stop local footy coaches being poached

Local footy clubs are already in the planning stages for 2026 despite so much to play for this year and locking away coaches is a must as rival clubs loom. Plus the ex-AFL man running marathons. It’s all in Quick Kicks.

Local rivals are preparing to swoop on local footy's best coaches.

Here at Quick Kicks we look at the lighter side of local footy.

Whether it be a funny exchange, a good stat or an action that’s laughed about after the game — it’s all here.

MOVING TIME

It’s getting to the pointy end of the season and clubs are already making moves for next season on the playing and coaching front. Some clubs have already made calls on their coaches for next season, while others probably need to get moving so they don’t get poached. Quick Kicks understands a few of the best in business are being highly sought after…

Any guesses who could be on the move?

FLYING FRAWLEY 

Devon Meadows’ star recruit James Frawley has been putting his body through hell as prepares for another kick with the Panthers.

The ex-AFL Demon and premiership Hawk ran his first marathon last Sunday, beating home more than half the field on the Gold Coast.

He clocked 3:44:45 and impressively his fastest split was at the end, proving when the chips were down “Chips” got going.

James Frawley had every reason to be happy with himself. Pic: Michael Klein

A BIG NIGHT OF CELEBRATION

The VAFA will celebrate the 100th anniversary of its Big V tradition on Thursday night and they’re coming from all over the place to be there.

Quick Kicks understands the VAFA historians have been searching far and wide for Big V representatives of previous years and some are even travelling in from other corners of the globe to be there.

Well done to the VAFA on a big weekend.

NEWCOMERS GALORE

Seventeen debutants – can anyone beat that?

Yep, Mornington has introduced that many youngsters to senior footy this season – and there’s still six rounds to go.

“It would have to be a record,” Mornington co-coach Leigh McQuillen said.

“I’ve been coaching for 14 years and I’ve never debuted any more than six. We’re just setting the club up.”

PROUD HISTORY

The Morgan family name is well and truly alive at the Sunshine Football Netball Club in the Western league. This year, the club has young Henry (U8s) and George (U10s) among the junior ranks as they follow in the footsteps of their grandfather Mick “Jexhead” Morgan who previously played for the club. As a bonus Henry is wearing his grandfather’s number 20.

The Morgan family are part of Sunshine.

ACE UNEARTHED?

They say first impressions are everything. Well, Templestowe mid-year recruit Bailey Watson couldn’t have made a better one on the weekend in his debut for the club. Plucked from MPFNL outfit Rosebud, Watson rose to the occasion in a first-versus-second Eastern Division 2 bout, kicking three goals as his side made a big statement against Wantirna South.

“He came into the fold and gave us a bit more height and structure up forward,” Templestowe coach Nick Batsanis said.

GATHER ROUND

Saturday is set to be all about women’s footy in the Southern league, with an exciting initiative set to showcase it.

All Southern league women’s matches will be played at one venue for each respective division in a similar fashion to ‘Gather Round’.

Overport Park is set to host all the women’s Division 1 games, as well as Murrumbeena v St Kilda City in Division 2, while Greaves Reserve will host the other three Division 2 matches in a triple-header.