VFL 2024: Frankston Dolphins name seven-man leadership group

The trumpets and bongo drums on Frankston’s hill will be making plenty of noise this season if new coach Jackson Kornberg’s plans materialise.

Frankston's 2024 VFL leadership group, from left: Taine Barlow, Tom Murphy, George Grey, Trent Mynott, Joe Lloyd, Jackson Voss and Noah Gown.

The trumpets and bongo drums on Frankston’s hill will be making plenty of noise this season if new coach Jackson Kornberg’s plans materialise.

Former Sandringham Dragons and Gold Coast Suns VFL coach Kornberg has arrived at Frankston with a new energy and a clear plan.

He says it’s a fresh start, a new era — Kornberg helped paint the change rooms (his idea) soon after joining the Dolphins, who haven’t made the VFL finals in over a decade.

Kornberg senses the supporters’ hunger for some long overdue success.

“I know. I feel that,” he said.

“The first thing I noticed was the community feel around.

“We’ve got a really strong group of supporters who come to every training and help cook the barbecue on a Saturday.

“It’s probably not something I’ve experienced, like being at Dragons, it’s an elite talent pathway program…and Gold Coast is an AFL club…but being part of an actual club...

“Someone said, ‘we are the peninsula club’, and I didn’t really know what that meant until I saw the supporters come out. This is their club, they support Frankston.

“It’s really cool to have that fan base.’’

Jackson Kornberg in his time as Sandringham Dragons coach. Picture: Stuart Milligan

Frankston’s fans are some of the most passionate and colourful in the league, with their trumpets and bongo drums on the terraces at Kars St creating a party atmosphere.

“I’ve only been to one Friday night game and that was as a spectator and that was an experience so I’m looking forward to being on the actual Frankston side of that now,” Kornberg said.

The young coach has made changes since getting the Dolphins job.

“There’s a big group of new staff,’’ he said.

“There was some turnover with players but there were only four or five who left...it’s good to have a bit more retention and then top up with specific players that we needed.

It’s positive.’’

The club has also voted in a new-look seven-man leadership group.

Headed by captain Trent Mynott, it contains strong leaders and players with high quality leadership characteristics.

The Dolphins have appointed two vice-captains, Joe Lloyd and George Grey, who has joined the club from Casey Demons.

Rounding out the leadership group is Jackson Voss, Tom Murphy, Noah Gown and Taine Barlow.

Trent Mynott.

Tom Murphy playing for North Melbourne. Pic: Michael Klein

Former North Melbourne player Murphy has returned after a season in local football.

“We’re really comfortable with the seven,’’ Kornberg said.

“Trent was co captain last year…and he will be stand-alone captain.

“Joey Lloyd has been at the club a number of years but this is his first year in the leadership group. The players trust him so they wanted to get him in.

“And George Grey is the vice captain…he was in the leadership group at Casey, he’s come across. For a person to be in the leadership group after 11 weeks of training shows how much already the group holds in high regard and how much they trust and respect him.’’

Kornberg added:

“We’ve got a really good mix of positions and types of leaders as well, guys who are a bit more vocal, guys who are a bit more individual-based where they like to have one on one conversations with players.

“I’m really happy with the group. Especially because it’s picked by the whole club, it’s not just a handful of players who have voted, it’s across the entire club. These are the ones that they want to move us forward.’’

Frankston's coaching line-up for 2024, from left: Sam McMillan, Damien Keeping, Tim McGibney, Jackson Kornberg, Troy Hemming, Ben Watson.

Kornberg says Frankston pre-season has gone well. He’s got to know his players and he likes what he sees.

“When I walked in the door there is a lot of talent, there are a lot of players hungry for team success and they want to grab and drive the group,’’ he said.

“So we just needed to change a few things from how we play, change the personnel both players and staff, and we feel we’ve got the right mix.

“We’ve pushed them pretty hard in pre season and I think they’re finding they can probably work harder than they think they can or thought they could.

“It’s credit to the players...it will hold us in good stead for this year.’’

Round 1: Friday, March 22: Frankston v Williamstown, at Kinetic Stadium, at 7.35pm

*Frankston is hosting a VFL stand-alone carnival this Saturday, featuring the six Victorian stand-alone clubs playing practice matches. Port Melbourne and Williamstown will start the triple-header at 10.45am before Frankston, Northern Bullants, Werribee and Coburg play.

*The Dolphins have a membership offer...All 2024 Members are entered in the competition. A fantastic way to end the summer with a $250 @St Andrews Beach Brewery voucher. You can join here.