The VAFA coaching ins and outs of 2023
VAFA coaching positions are filling up as preseason approaches and clubs begin to prepare for the 2023 season. See all the coaching ins and outs here:
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Almost every VAFA has appointed their new coach for season 2023 although there are a few spots open which are set to be filled in the coming days.
Stay up to date with the latest VAFA coaching moves here.
Find out about your club’s new and departing coaches:
AJAX
Out: Adam Andrews
Andrews, a three-time VAFA Coach of the Year decided to finish his time as coach at AJAX after three years to spend for time with his family.
He joined the club in 2019, taking them from Premier C to B in his first year.
AJAX president Ronny Lewis said the club was searching for a “strong development coach” who could build their young list of players.
In: Andrew Jago
AJAX have appointed the experienced Andrew Jago to the club’s senior coaching position for season 2023.
A club statement said: “Andrew has a decorated coaching career spanning over 20 years.”
“He is a Level 3 AFL High Performance accredited coach as well as a qualified Sports Psychology Lecturer, bringing with him a wealth of knowledge and a profound passion for football.
“Andrew‘s most recent experience as Head Coach of the Melbourne University Women’s Football Club & Calder Cannons (TAC Cup) will ensure AJAX’s future is strong as he instils professionalism and develops a great learning and development environment at the Club.”
AQUINAS
Out: Jarrod “Sharky” Fisher
Fisher departs Aquinas after five years where he began as a player and transitioned into a senior coaching position in 2021.
The club said “Sharky leaves us in a much better place for him being involved with the Bloods” and that they “look forward to seeing him around the place”.
His decision to finish his time as coach after two seasons comes as he would like to spend more time with his young family.
In: Craig Glennie
Glennie, a life member of Aquinas, was announced as the senior men’s coach of the club on late last month.
A club statement said: “After a thorough appointment process Craig Glennie will now coach The Bloods men in 2023 and beyond.”
“Ox brings seven years experience as our Under 19 coach as well as many more years as a senior assistant.”
BEAUMARIS SHARKS
Out: Guy ‘Bluey’ McKenna
The club and McKenna “mutually agreed” to part ways after five years together as they look to “refresh” in its next steps.
The club statement said: “Bluey’s innovative approach to coaching and motivation had an immediate impact on a team that had been relegated to VAFA B grade in 2018.”
“He moulded that squad into a winning one, narrowly missing the final four by percentage that season.
“Since then, the team has been a constant in the top 4, finishing the ‘home & away’ rounds for seasons 2021 and 2022 in 2nd place on the ladder.”
“Bluey will leave an indelible stamp on the Beaumaris Football Club, through his professionalism and knowledge. His win/loss record of 42/24 speaks to the impact he has had.”
In: Josh Bourke
Beaumaris have announced the appointment of Josh Bourke as senior men’s head coach, who will return to the club where he started his coaching journey.
Alongside Bourke, the club announced Mick Lovejoy and Nick Moodie as his senior assistant coaches for season 2023.
Bourke first stint at Beaumaris was as a senior assistant and head under 19 coach.
He coached the club’s under 19’s side to a premiership in 2010 and has pick up great experience as a coach since then.
Bourke comes into the role this time having been the head coach of APS school team St Kevin’s, the head coach at Sandringham Dragons and an assistant at Dandenong Stingrays.
The club statement said: “Josh comes to the role with a strong understanding of the important junior to senior transition.”
Beaumaris football operations director Nick Heath welcomed the return of Josh to the club, with the added bonus of having Mick Lovejoy and Nick Moodie joining him as his assistants.
“This is a tremendous appointment for the Club,” Heath said.
“Josh is a highly accredited and respected coach and the BFC is delighted to have Josh return to the club as senior head coach.”
Retiring club president Terry Lucas said he had strong belief in the new coaches.
“I have every confidence they will build on the great foundation laid by Bluey McKenna and the previous coaching group over the last five years,” Lucas said.
Bourke said he was looking forward to returning to the club.
“I am keen to build a club that can be sustainably competitive in ‘A Grade’, whilst importantly, having supporting teams for players of all abilities, particularly players flowing from the strong BFC Junior program,” Bourke said.
BULLEEN TEMPLESTOWE
Out: Jason Reynolds
After four years as senior coach Jason Reynolds has stepped down as senior coach.
The club thanked Reynolds for his service to the club.
“We would like to thank Jason Reynolds for his unwavering dedication to coaching for the last four seasons.
“Jason navigated us through the COVID disruptions and set-out to strengthen our relationship with our Junior Club. Building a bridge between Colts football and Under 19s football this year underlines his commitment to building that relationship over several years.”
In: Andrew Verga
VAFA division two club Bulleen Templestowe have appointed a club life member and 200 game premiership winner in Andrew Verga to the role of senior coach.
Verga played 240 games with the club and has applied his trade as a coach at the club in recent years.
After winning the reserve flag as a player in 2012, he won best clubman in 2016 which was followed by a coaching career featuring a colts flag in 2017 and under 19 premiership last season.
He come into the role having also been the senior assistant coach in 2022.
“Andrew is highly respected and well known to our Bullant community being a life member of both the Bulleen Templestowe Amateur Football Club and Bulleen Templestowe Cricket Club,” a club statement said.
“Andrew’s knowledge of the game and passion for the game stood out during an extensive interview process.
“He comes to the role with a strong understanding of the importance of Junior Club to Senior Club transition having previously coached the Bulleen Templestowe Junior Football Club to a premiership (Colts - 2017) and this year our Under 19s premiership.
“A very proud Bullant, his resume comes littered with success with an astonishing 11 Bullant premierships across football and cricket.
“This success and the life friendships that our Bullants community can offer is something that Andrew is looking to develop.”
Verga said he believes “footy is more than sport, its family.”
He has also coached the club’s reserve side in his time as a coach.
BOX HILL NORTH
Out: John Panjari
Assistant in 2016 and 2017, stepped up to seniors in 2019 through 2022.
Middle of the pack in division four.
VAFA division four club Box Hill North “is a family club, dedicated to good culture, and seeks passionate leaders to help bring the Club forward.”
They remain in search for a senior coach for season 2023.
In: Jeff D‘Amato
Box Hill North have appointed Jeff D’Amato as their new senior coach for season 2023.
D’Amato is a life member and three-time premiership player who has played more than 150 games for Box Hill North.
He also brings with him plenty of achievements in coaching, including two premierships in EFNL Juniors.
CAULFIELD GRAMMARIANS
Out: Simon Williams
Williams was appointed as senior coach of the club ahead of the 2016 season in C Grade.
He coached a total of 108 games in his seven years in the position at the Fields with an stellar record of 76 wins.
Williams twice gained promotion and delivered the special highlight of the 2019 Premier B Premiership.
He is the club’s second-longest serving senior coach and departs with the club in the premier VAFA competition.
Caulfield president Will Bowes acknowledged the immense service Williams has provided to the club.
“Simon’s record at the Caulfield Grammarians Football Club is only shadowed by the great JA Wilson,” Bowes said.
“Simon will always be a significant part of the Fields and his legacy will be the family and supportive culture he has woven into the very fabric of our club.
“Simon’s passion, dedication and care for the club, his players and the people within the Fields community has been phenomenal from start to finish.
“We have been so fortunate that Em, Jed & Hannah have let us have him for so long and we are indebted to the whole Williams family.”
The club said “while Simon is stepping away from coaching, both he and the club are keen to maintain his involvement and are discussing an ongoing non-matchday role that would suit Simon’s family commitments.”
In: Guy McKenna
Caulfield have signed Guy McKenna as its senior coach for 2023.
The former AFL footballer and coach played 267 games for West Coast and coached Gold Coast for 88 matches.
He won two premierships with the Eagles and was three-time All Australian, two-time club champion, captain of the Eagles and AFL hall of famer.
Following his playing career McKenna had a significant coaching career in the AFL with assistant coaching roles at West Coast , Collingwood and Essendon and was the Gold Coast Suns foundation senior coach from 2011-2014.
In recent years he has continued with his passion for coaching with a talent pathway coaching role with Cricket Victoria and has been the senior coach at Beaumaris in Premier B in the VAFA competition over the last 5 seasons.
Caulfield president Will Bowes said McKenna’s appointment marked the next chapter for the Fields.
“After a thorough and considered selection process, Bluey’s vision for the football program, our players and our people made him the standout candidate for the role,” Bowes said.
“We look forward to starting pre-season with our exciting young list with such a well credentialed and respected coach leading our men’s program.
“This is a clearly a significant announcement and a positive step forward for the club while we are under no illusions about the hard work ahead of us in A Grade in season 2023.
McKenna will begin with the Fields next week with pre-season kicking off on Monday, November 21.
MONASH BLUES
Out: Mark Passador
The club statement said: “Pass is stepping away to spend more time with his family after six years leading the Monash Blues, a reign that culminated in the clubs first senior men’s premiership in almost twenty years.”
“Taking over in 2017 with the club in Premier B, the first campaign under Pass was very successful, with the club marching into the B grade finals and playing an exciting brand of football under his watch.
“The final against St. Bernards did not yield the winning result, but is regarded as one of the best games Monash has played in some years.
“The proceeding campaigns in Premier B were difficult, with large changes in playing personnel and a horror run of injuries to key players, wins were harder to come by and by the end of the 2019 season, Monash were to be playing in Premier C in 2020.
“In the past three seasons, under the banner of Covid-19, Pass has been the driving force behind Monash‘s rise to premiers in 2022.
“Premierships are hard to win, and when premierships are fought over three seasons, with no finals to win until the end, they are even tougher.
“Pass has mentored the playing group, given it a great game plan and driven it to prepare themselves to play a brand of football that has been the envy of Premier C.
“More importantly Pass has influenced the group off the field instilling the values to allow us to enjoy our journey.
“The club would like to thank Mark for all his contributions to our great club.”
In: TBC
Applications for the senior coaching position closed on October 10. An appointed is set to made in the coming weeks.
NORTH BRUNSWICK
Out: Scott Rhymer
Rhymer decided to step down from the senior coaching position after two seasons in the role.
A club statement said: “Scotty had an esteemed career with the club and is a Bull through-and-through.”
“He spent more than ten years playing in the senior side and is a member of the 2006-2015 Team of the Decade.
“He then turned to coaching, taking the reigns of the reserves, coaching them to a premiership in 2018.
“Scotty is a well-loved figure down at Allard Park and we are very sorry to see him go.
“Although he’ll now be taking some time away from footy, we know he’ll join the game again in the coming years and wish him all the best in his future endeavours.”
In: Adrian Sipala
North Brunswick have appointed an experienced footballer to its senior coaching position for season 2023.
“Adrian is a highly motivated and passionate teacher individual who has joins with a wealth of playing experience which has spanned over 20 years and has played almost 300 games at Airport West and Avondale Heights,” a club statement said.
“During this time, the majority of his open-age games were played in Premier Division.
“’Sippa’ joined the Bulls in 2022 and has slotted into the senior backline well this year. We are looking forward to Sippa educating our playing group to play exciting footy.”
OAKLEIGH AFC
Out: Jimmy Hunt
In: James Francis
Oakleigh have appointed James Francis who will bring immediate VAFA A-grade coaching experience to the club in the VAFA division 1 competition next season.
Francis comes from VAFA demoted A-grade club Old Trinity where he was the senior coach last year.
He was assistant coach at NAB league club Gippsland Power for three years and Marcellin College for two seasons.
Pat Heverin who is putting his hand up to be Oakleigh’s next president was excited to have Francis joining the club.
“It’s exciting to have James’ experience at the club,”
“We are excited for James to take our young group to the next level.
“We believe we got the young blokes and culture at the club, we just need a coach to nurture us through the next stage so it is a very exciting appointment.”
Francis had his playing career cut short at 19 due to injury which was when he turned to coaching.
The club will have 12 under 19 players come through the senior ranks this season.
OLD BRIGHTON
Out: Greg Hutchison
Former Melbourne 96-gamer Greg Hutchison has announced he will no longer coach VAFA premier club Old Brighton.
Hutchison was the longest serving senior coach in the Tonners history after he joined in 2015 and served the role for eight seasons.
He steered the club to a B-Grade premiership in 2017 and took his side to its second ever A-Grade grand final this season.
A club statement complimented Hutchison for his contribution to the Tonners.
“Greg has been the most successful coach in the club’s history,” the club said.
“‘Hutch’ has been the driving force in creating a Tonners side that play tough, competitive and exciting brand of football that saw them nearly go all the way in 2022.
“The club couldn’t be more grateful to Greg for all his has contributed to the Old Brighton Club and community.
“His commitment and passion for the club and its players has been exceptional, and he leaves the club in an even better place than it was when he took over.”
In: Daniel Donati
Old Brighton have appointed Daniel Donati as their senior coach for season 2023 following the departure of Greg Hutchison who led the club to an A-Grade grand final last season.
Donati comes into the role with strong experience as a football player and coach.
The 45-year-old won 10 senior premierships across six different clubs in the VAFA, VFL, Eastern Football League and the Bellarine Football League.
He famously played in two VAFA premierships in seven days after being selected to debut in the senior side a week after winning an under 19’s plag.
Donati went on to play in premierships for Richmond’s Reserves, Springvale in the VFL and Noble Park in the EFL.
He began his senior coaching journey with the Balwyn Football Club in the very strong Eastern Football League, where he led the Tigers to five straight grand final appearances and four premierships between 2012 and 2016.
He then joined Old Xaverians as a senior assistant coach and mentor between 2018 and 2021, before moving down the coast to take on a the senior coaching role at Barwon Heads for 2022, where he guided the Seagulls to a premiership defeating hot favourites Torquay.
Donati said he was looking forward to bringing his experience to the club as senior coach.
“I’m genuinely really humbled to have been offered the senior coaching role at OBGFC,” Donati said in a club statement.
“To inherit such a young and talented group of young men on their way up is a real privilege.
“I’ve personally been really fortunate over my footballing career to have been involved in some fantastic football programs, teams and clubs, and I hope to be able to bring all of that experience to the OBGFC, the current and future group of players as well as members and families.
“The Premier division of the VAFA has set the standard in local football in Victoria for some time now, and as the competition goes from strength to strength, I’m really looking forward to the challenges that lay ahead for us all as we strive for the ultimate in team and club success.”
Of the appointment, skipper Harry Hill has said, “It’s a great achievement to be able to get someone of Dan’s quality into the football club.”
“Even from initial conversations, it is clear Dan has a strong focus on building relationships and he will bring a game style that compliments and builds on what the current playing group have accomplished.”
“It’s an exciting time to be involved in the club and I look forward to working with Dan.”
PEGS
Out: Len Hannah
PEGS have announced their premiership coach, Len Hannah, has stepped down from the senior coaching role.
Hannah coached the club to a senior flag this season which earnt the club promotion to VAFA premier C tier.
In a statement, the club said: “Len coached the perfect season with the boys only dropping the one game by less than one goal to go onto win the senior flag.”
“Len, a senior school teacher at PEGS for over 20 years, brought with him amazing communication skills, genuine care for everyone around the club and found a way to develop and grow young men.
“His relationship skills and the bond he formed with his players was very special and will leave a lasting legacy on the group.
“Len’s love for the club will ensure he wont be far away from the club next season.
“Len will continue to support and help the club in anyway he can.
The statement went on to thank Hannah for the season and the work he has done to put the club on the right pathway.
In: Andy Horne and Andrew Beever
PEGS have announced Horne and Beever as co-coaches heading into VAFA Premier C following promotion.
Horne becomes a co-coach after a successful season helping the club win a senior premiership, winning the club best and fairest and winning the competition medal as a midfielder.
“Andy is premium midfielder who boasts an impressive football resume,” a club statement said.
“He provided tremendous leadership and controlled the engine room this season.
“In his early career he won a best-and-fairest playing at Calder Cannons and then went onto play at Coburg Tigers for three years in the VFL, before moving to South Australia to play in the SANFL.”
The club also said “Andy played at his junior club Strathmore for a number of years captaining the team and playing in EDFL premierships and representative teams.”
“Andy brings with him great leadership qualities and will move from senior assistant to playing coach, looking to help mentor the young developing PEGS side and look to develop premium school A grade talent.”
Beever also joins as co-coach alongside Horne, following a playing career at Macleod in the Diamond Valley, Old Trinity and Hawthorn Amateurs.
He has served as an senior assistant coach at a number of clubs across different leagues including Whitehorse Pioneers, Pascoe Vale, Essendon Doutta Stars and Northcote Park.
The club welcomed both coaches.
“Again please welcome Andy and Andrew to the joint coaching senior role,” the statement said.
“Season 2023 is shaping up to be a big year for the club.”
ST BERNARDS
Out: Paul Groves
The club announced Paul Groves had stood down from the senior coaching role citing growing family and work commitments.
Groves was first appointed for the 2020 season which was eventually cancelled due to the pandemic before guiding his young side to five wins in 2021.
Away from footy, Groves works at St Bernard’s College as the director of sport and is a father to three girls.
“The club has an exciting young playing list, passionate to improve and succeed with their mates,” Groves said.
“I would have loved to have continued and it’s a tough decision knowing the likely success next year but excitingly the college is embarking on some new sporting programs requiring more of my time and of course spending more time with Sarah (Groves’ wife) and the girl’s after being involved in coaching for 12 years.
“I’d like to thank everyone at the club for their support and friendship over the last three years, wish everyone success and look forward to supporting them at The Pit during 2023.”
President Andrew Vinecombe credited Groves for his commitment throughout the last three years.
“It’s been a pleasure to get to know Paul as a coach, friend and to work with him seeing first hand his passion and knowledge of the game,” Vinecombe said.
“He took us through a very tough time and we had many, many conversations during those extraordinary years.
“His first thoughts were always of the players, the club and getting us through it together.”
In: Steven Alessio
St Bernards have appointed former Essendon premiership player Steven Alessio as their senior coach for 2023.
The 50-year-old, who played 184 games as a forward and ruck throughout his career and kicked 193 goals, won Essendon’s last premiership in 2000.
He becomes the fourth Essendon premiership player to coach the Snowdogs after Simon Madden, Garry Foulds and Frank Dunell which continues a strong association the club has with the AFL club.
Alessio will coach the club in the Premier B competition after being relegated from Premier A in 2022.
After retiring as a player, Alessio has worked for both the Essendon Football Club and the Richmond Football Club in various operational and football programme roles and also spent time within the AFL Players Association.
More recently Steve has coached at EDFL club Strathmore which included a role with their under 18s side.
Alessio’s family is already closely associated with St Bernard’s with three sons currently being educated at the College.
“I’m excited by the challenge of coaching senior VAFA football,” Alessio said.
“My family has been involved at St Bernard’s for over a decade, so I have strong connection to the College and broader community.
“I look forward to getting pre-season underway and working with the team both on and off the field.”
St Bernards president Andrew Vinecombe said Alessio was a well suited for the job.
“The fact is all three of Steve’s boys attend the College so he already had a connection to the St Bernard’s community and he’d mentioned in our discussions that he’d keep an eye how we were always going.
“This is a great extension of that and is a great fit for our young group of players.
“Although we are now in Premier B, we were very competitive in A section games this year so Steve knows the group is a very committed one.
“He’s had a successful history of communicating and galvanizing a young playing group.
“I’m sure that’s going to be the case with our group and indeed the whole club to have a successful 2023 season.”
St Mary’s Salesian
Out: Erwin Leyden
Leyden will depart the senior coaching role after three seasons in a challenging period for the club.
St Mary’s president Greg Baum said Leyden contribution helped keep the club intact.
“At a time of great upheaval, Erwin was a steady hand on the tiller this year,” Baum said.
“Because of his care, we are now able to hand the reins over to Clay with a sense of optimism about the future. We will be forever grateful.”
In: Clay Tait
The club announced the appointment of Tait to the senior coaching position in August.
Tait played 200 games as a midfielder for Dalyston in the West Gippsland Football Netball Competition.
He regularly finished in the top five in Dalyston’s best-and-fairest and played in a premiership in 2015.
He was in the West Gippsland league’s team of the year in 2012 and played in three interleague matches.
Tait will go into the role following a stint as Dalyston’s assistant playing coach.
He had links to the club prior to signing as coach with his partner, Nicki Shue, involved at the club.⠀
“Having had an association with St Mary’s Salesian for the last four years, I’m very excited to officially join and I have high hopes for getting us back to where we should be,” Tait said.
Club president Greg Baum welcomed Clay to St Mary’s Salesian.
“After an especially difficult year for our club, Clay represents a fresh start and a new direction,” he said.
“We’re buzzing already from the energy he has brought through the door.”
WATTLE PARK AFC
Out: Ian Ledder
The coach is not the only thing the club is changing in the off-season, they are also changing names.
The club will be called Wattle Park Amateurs Football Club from 2023 onwards after being known as the Emmaus St. Leo‘s Old Collegians Football Club previously.
In: TBC
The club is set to make a decision in the coming weeks.
WESTBOURNE GRAMMARIANS
Out: Roger Hand
Coached the club to a flag in 2016. With time constraints, he won’t be able to undertake the role in season 2023.
In: TBC
Applications for the senior coaching position close on Monday, October 17.
WEST BRUNSWICK
Out: Louis ‘Marto’ Martin
Martin decided to step down from the senior coaching position after season 2022 to focus on family commitments.
The club statement said: “It is with a heavy heart that we announce that Louis ‘Marto’ Martin is stepping down from his role as Senior Men’s Coach to focus on family commitments.”
“Marto has of course been a valued member of WBAFC for many years, having played over 150 games, including as a member of the 2008 seniors premiership team, and as captain of the club through the back-to-back premierships in 2014 & 2015.
“Marto is also a best and fairest winner, WBAFC life member, and captain of the WBAFC’s 2010-2019 team of the decade.
“Outside of Marto’s playing career, he has supported the club as a long-time committee member, former vice president, and as the reserves coach in 2021 where he lead the undefeated group to a minor premiership.
“Having stepped up to the senior role this year for the first time, Marto guided the senior playing group to an incredibly successful 2022 season, leading the team all the way to a grand final, and securing promotion back to Division 1 for 2023 - a massive result for the club.
“Marto’s compassionate and supportive coaching style connected incredibly well with the whole playing group, and we thank him for his contribution to West Brunswick’s one-club culture.
“The club extends its thanks to Marto for everything he has given West Brunswick. We were extremely lucky to have such a passionate and devoted Westie leading the club, and will miss having him around in 2023.
“We wish Marto and Steph all the best next year and look forward to seeing Marto back at the club - we think it’s safe to say that we will see him around the club soon!
“Thanks for everything Marto.”
In: TBC
Applications for the senior coaching position closed on Monday, October 31.
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