VAFA 2021: Old Trinity, Bernie Dinneen part ways

A VAFA top division club has parted ways with a local footy great as coach just five rounds into the season. Latest here.

Bernie Dinneen and Old Trinity have parted ways.

VAFA top-flight club Old Trinity has parted ways with senior coach Bernie Dinneen, following a “disappointing start” to season 2021.

The club announced the split effective immediately on Tuesday morning fresh off the weekend’s 16-point loss to St Kevins, consigning it to a 0-5 start.

The move comes a week after Old Trinity suffered an 84-point drubbing at the hands of Caulfield Grammarians, in its biggest loss of the season to date.

The former VAFA and Eastern league champion landed the head coaching gig at the end of the 2017 season, lifting the club to fourth position and a finals berth in his first season at the helm.

Old Trinity slid to eighth spot in 2019, but Dinneen had been bullish about his club’s 2021 prospects following last year’s lay-off.

Alex Emery booted three goals in Trinity’s loss to Caulfield Grammarians.

In a statement, club president Neil Bowman said:

“After a disappointing start to season 2021, the OTGAFC and senior coach, Bernie Dinneen, have parted ways, effective immediately.”

“Bernie’s passion, commitment and enthusiasm in his time at OTGAFC has been unwavering.

“We sincerely thank him for his on-field leadership of our senior side and wish him and his family well. Bernie will always be welcome at OTGAFC, and it must be noted and appreciated that he has volunteered to provide a smooth transition this week to the next senior coach.”

Senior assistant coach James Francis will step into the head position and lead the club for the remainder of the season.

Francis’ coaching background also includes assistant roles with NAB League outfit Gippsland Power from 2011-14 and Marcellin from 2015-17.

Bowman said the decision to part ways with Dinneen was “not made lightly”.

“As a club, we are fiercely determined to do everything in our power to quickly develop our next set of players that can help us challenge for silverware,” he said.

“While this has been an incredibly difficult decision to make, the club believes this is the right time for change, for both now and the future.

“This change allows us to be even more invested and aligned in this strategy thereby accelerating the development of our football program in 2021 and beyond.”

Bernie Dinneen has been contacted for comment.

Old Trinity hosts top-of-the-table Old Brighton in Round 6.