VAFA: How Marcel Bruin is continuing to build Old Brighton

Marcel “Soupy” Bruin couldn’t ignore the call to return to Old Brighton in 2023 and one year on he’s in the hot seat intent on continuing the club’s rise with a few lessons from his mentors.

Marcel Bruin (right) took on the top job last year.

Old Brighton coach Marcel Bruin — a title the man himself is getting used to.

“Just a tiny bit different,” he joked.

After crossing from Springvale’s VFL program at the end of 2006, he became a B-Grade premiership hero in 2013, a player in the Tonners’ first A-grade grand final in 2007, a two-time best-and-fairest and former Old Brighton captain.

It’s a resume many people would dream of at one club.

But the man affectionately known as Soupy is only getting started in his next chapter at Brighton Beach Oval with the Tonners 2-0 to start the season.

He officially returned to the VAFA club for the 2023 season as an assistant coach to Dan Donati, who has since moved back to Old Xaverians.

It was a move after he spent seven years at Caulfield Grammarians as an assistant to Simon Williams.

Marcel Bruin with his players last year.

“I was fortunate the stars aligned straight away when the call came. I found my way home last year,” Bruin recalled.

“It means a lot to be back here, there is an amazing community within the footy club. I felt connected straight away when I walked through the doors.

“I always had an appreciation for senior coaches and what they were doing, you probably don’t realise how much is going on until you’re in the job yourself.”

When he came back, there were familiar faces everywhere he looked — even among the playing group.

2013 premiership teammate Michael Karayannis is still running around 11 years later while Tom Fisher (who was Sandringham VFL listed during Bruin’s playing career) and Levi Otto still pull on the club’s famous colours.

“It’s a different relationship with those guys now obviously,” Bruin said.

“Footy works in funny ways like that. I’m still involved with a lot of guys I played with at Old Brighton, we usually catch up at least once a month or so, and those are all a different range of age groups.

“I might have only played a couple of games with Tom and Levi but it just shows how impressive the environment is here for them to still be at the club.”

Marcel Bruin during his playing career.

Marcel Bruin took on the top job last year.

As he continues to take the first steps in his senior coaching journey, Bruin has continued to lean on the experience he gathered alongside Donati and Williams.

He said he had taken lessons away from his time with both legendary coaches.

“They’re both ultra prepared, it’s one of the first traits you notice about them,” he said.

“They managed to find the best balance and dividing time between footy, work and their family. They were able to achieve that and it’s why they’ve been successful.

“I’m still working on that, coaching Old Brighton isn’t my only job.”

The close connections he had with teammates is something Bruin is also hoping to bring to the coaches box.

“Relationship building is something Dan and Simon are both big on,” he said.

“Simon is now one of my best mates, he’s a very important person in my life.

“As a coach, it’s important you’re able to have a conversation with your players, you’re all working towards the common goal. It’s about supporting each other through all of the tough moments.”

Bruin takes a tumble. Picture: Valeriu Campan

When Old Brighton made the call to hand Bruin the reins, he wasn’t just left without, quickly being surrounded by what he describes as “unbelievable support”.

Luke Daffy and Josh Homann, who were assistants under Donati, have remained on board.

Meanwhile, Greg Hutchison, the longest serving coach in Old Brighton history, has returned in a director of coaching role.

“Hutchy coached me in my final season as a player,” Bruin said.

“He’s someone I spent a lot of time with and I’ve been able to lean on him in pre-season when I have needed advice.”

On the field, the Tonners couldn’t have made a better start to the season.

They stunned a University Blues side, stacked with ex-AFL talent, in the opening round by 30 points before backing it up with a nine-point win over University Blacks.

The scoreboard was one thing but the fact Bruin’s side did it using just 23 player points was one of the standout factors.

“It’s a real point of strength,” he said.

“We’ve got a good partnership with Brighton Grammar. The under-19s spent a lot of time with us during pre-season, we want connectivity across all levels.

“I’m working with an amazing group of young men who are determined to help build a program which can have sustained success.

“We see it as a badge of honour.”