We’ve put together the best suburban footy coaches since 2000
Some big names have coached across suburban Melbourne, with Mick McGuane and Luke Beveridge’s AFL credentials making them arguably the most well-known. But when it comes to the best over the past 20 years they were pipped at the post.
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Naming the top 20 players in each league was tough but naming the best coaches across Melbourne’s major leagues was 100 times harder.
Some true leaders of men have missed out on this list and no doubt the punter will be quick to ask where they are and why they missed out.
While they are a major factor, this list isn’t about listing premierships.
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Coaches who took teams from lower divisions to the top or turned mid-table clubs into powerhouses got a little more credit from the judges.
Eight leagues are represented on the list and an astonishing 28 clubs.
With some fantastic advice from fellow Local Footy scribes Paul Amy, Luke D’Anello, Simon McEvoy, Dan Cencic and David Turner, we’ve put together the best 22 coaches since 2000.
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22. RIKKI JOHNSTON (Dromana, MPNFL)
Years: 2016-present
Premierships: 2018 (D2), 2019
From Detroit to Dromana. Rikki Johnston’s journey is almost worthy of a place on this list without the premiership success. A player revolt led to Johnston taking the reins in 2016 and two years later he was holding up the Division 2 premiership trophy, guiding into the Tigers into the MPNFL’s top flight for the first time in their history. The story got its fairytale ending when the club went back-to-back and claimed the Division 1 flag last season.
21. DANNY RYAN (Woori Yallock, AFLOE)
Years: 2012-15
Premierships: 2012, 2013, 2014
In 2012, his first season in charge, Ryan led the club back from a 115-point hammering by Gembrook-Cockatoo in the second semi-final to a 39-point win in the decider. A 154-point turnaround. The following year, Woori scraped into fourth spot but disposed of Emerald, Belgrave, Wandin and Upwey Tecoma to claim back-to-back titles. Ryan and the Tigers made it a hat-trick in 2014 with a 14-point win over Wandin.
BEST OF: EDFL’s TOP 20 PLAYERS OF THE DECADE
BEST OF: THE VFL’S MARVELLOUS 50 SINCE 2000
BEST OF: MPNFL’s TOP 20 OF THE PAST 20 YEARS
20. GARRY RAMSAY (Lower Plenty/ Macleod, NFL)
Years: 2011-12 (Lower), 2013-18 (Macleod)
Premierships: 2011 (D2), 2015
As a first-year coach led Lower Plenty to Division 1 and kept them there before shifting to Macleod. Building on Cristian Brandt’s foundations, Ramsay would turn the Roos into a powerhouse as they won a maiden Division 1 premiership in 2015 and made the following three grand finals. The respected coach crossed to Montmorency last year and helped break the Magpies’ five-year finals drought. Has also guided the Northern Football League’s inter-league side to the No. 1 ranking after knocking off Geelong last year.
19. ANTHONY ROCK (Greenvale, EDFL; St Bernard’s, VAFA)
Years: 2011-2014 (Greenvale), 2015 (St Bernard’s)
Premierships: 2012, 2013, 2015
A 222-game star in the AFL and 1996 premiership winner with North Melbourne, Rock arrived at Greenvale after a third straight grand final defeat in 2010. While the Jets didn’t reach the decider in his first season, Rock took the club back to the top in 2012 and made it back-to-back titles the following year. After missing the EDFL finals in 2014, Rock moved to VAFA Premier club St Bernard’s and enjoyed immediate success, claiming the minor premiership and premiership double in his one and only season. Now coaching at Fremantle.
18. CRAIG HILLE (Strathmore, EDFL)
Years: 2005-07
Premierships: 2005, 2006
Hille’s time at Strathmore was short but incredible sweet. The Mores hasn’t made finals for the three years when he took the reins in 2005 and immediately took them to the promised land. The club’s first title since 1998. Strathmore backed it up in 2006 and looked on track for a hat-trick in 2007 only to be over-run by Greenvale in a last quarter that lasted 38 minutes. Hille is rated among the best coaches in the club’s history.
17. TROY SCHWARZE (Sorrento, MPNFL)
Years: 2007-17
Premierships: 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2017
You have to wonder what if the MPNFL had promotion-relegation and could Troy Schwarze have led Sorrento to even bigger and better achievements. As it is, his record is marvellous – six premierships in 11 seasons. The Sharks played in eight grand finals, seven straight between 2008 and 2014 and won six premierships under the former St Kilda defender. Schwarze stepped down in 2017 after guiding the team up to Division 1 and it has finished runner-up in both years in the top flight.
BEST OF: NFL’S BEST 20 PLAYERS OF THE MILLENNIUM
BEST OF: WINNINGEST CLUBS OF THE PAST DECADE
BEST OF: WRFL’S TOP 20 PLAYERS OF THE DECADE
16. PARIS HARVIE (South Croydon, EFL)
Years: 2006-09
Premierships: 2006 (D3), 2009 (D2)
Harvie took the Bulldogs from the EFL’s then Division 3 to Division 1 (now Premier) in three short years. South Croydon romped to a 46-point win over Upper Ferntree Gully to move up to Division 2 and came within six-points of completing back-to-back premierships and promotions in 2007 in a heartbreaking loss to Knox. However, Harvie completed the job in 2009 as his guided the club back to the top flight for the first time since 1993. Has also coached Doncaster East, Mooroolbark and North Ringwood but not been able to repeat the success he had at South Croydon.
15. TONY BARRY (Frankston YCW, MPNFL)
Years: 2008-13
Premierships: 2010, 2011, 2012
The Stonecats have enjoyed an eye-popping decade of dominance in the MPNFL’s top flight and “Bugsy” was pivotal in turning the club into a premiership-winning machine. After arriving in 2008, Barry coached Frankston YCW to a hat-trick of premierships in 2010-12, claiming the minor premiership in each season. Barry handed the reins to Scott Mathers in 2014, who then steered the Stonecats to a flag four-peat in 2014-17.
14. ANTHONY PARKIN (Uni Blacks, VAFA)
Years: 2004-06
Premierships: 2004 (D1), 2005 (Prem C)
Uni Blacks had been mired in what was then known as D Section for three years when Parkin took over in 2004 and guided them to a 38-point win over now NFL club Banyule. The club would go back-to-back in 2005 as they knocked off Beaumaris to make a three-tier jump in just two seasons. Parkin then handed the reins over to take up a role with TAC Cup club Eastern Ranges and helping identify and develop some of the best talent in the AFL.
13. ANDREW TRANQUILLI (Doncaster, EFL)
Years: 2012-18
Premierships: 2013 (D3), 2015 (D2)
Taking a club from the league’s third tier to the top tier is special. Doing it in three seasons is outstanding. To then immediately play finals and become a premiership threat is miraculous. That’s exactly what Doncaster did under Tranquilli. After being relegated in his first season in charge, Tranquilli might well have been on the scrap heap. Instead the former Collingwood forward helped the Sharks rocket up the EFL ladder and establish themselves as a Premier Division club. Playing finals in all six seasons he was in charge, including three at the top.
12. ROB MAIORANA (West Preston-Lakeside, NFL)
Years: 2017-present
Premierships: 2018, 2019
West Preston-Lakeside had been September spectators for four years when they turned to favourite son Maiorana in 2017. The Roosters broke their finals drought in his first season in charge and an eight-year premiership drought in his second as Maiorana’s side stunned Macleod. Little did we know, 2019 would be one for the history books. No NFL team had ever played finals – let alone won a premiership – after starting 0-6 but that’s exactly what West Preston-Lakeside achieved. Is there a hat-trick waiting in 2020 (or 2021)?
11. PAUL MYNOTT (Rowville, EFL)
Years: 2003-07 & 2010-13
Premierships: 2003 (D4), 2004 (D3), 2012 (D2)
Mr Rowville, Mynott is a club legend, having taken the Hawks from Division 4 to the top flight across two stints in the top job. Arriving in 2003, Mynott helped Rowville smash a 20-year premiership drought when they dismantled Heathmont by 50 points. The Hawks would go back-to-back in 2004 but come up 20 points short of what would have been a historic hat-trick in 2005. Mynott retired in 2007 but with the club in trouble he returned in late 2010 and finished the job, lifting his club to Division 1 (now Premier) in 2012 for the first time since 1982. Now serving as the Rowville president.
10. ADAM POTTER (Aberfeldie, EDFL)
Years: 2015-present
Premierships: 2015, 2017, 2018
Abers were coming off two straight grand final defeats and nursing a 40-year premiership curse when Potter arrived via VFL clubs Coburg and Williamstown. In his first season in charge, Potter helped break the club’s drought with a crushing 76-point win over Greenvale and it hasn’t missed a grand final since, winning two more titles in that time – both 61-point demolition jobs. Only Mick McGuane and Keilor have denied Aberfeldie complete dominance of the EDFL in recent years.
9. PHIL PLUNKETT (Heidelberg/ Bundoora, NFL; Oak Park, EDFL)
Years: 2007-10 (Heidelberg), 2010-11 (Oak Park), 2013-16 (Bundoora)
Premierships: 2007, 2008, 2009, 2013
Plunkett is in rare company with four premierships to his name, equal second most in DVFL/NFL history. Lured to reigning NFL Division 1 premier Heidelberg from VFA club Preston, Plunkett led the club to their promised land three more times to complete a historic four-peat. A brief stint at Oak Park followed, including a grand final appearance in 2011. Plunkett returned to the NFL as an assistant at Bundoora and took the top job in 2013 immediately guiding the Bulls to the 2013 premiership. Currently coaching VAFA club Old Paradians.
8. DAN DONATI (Balwyn, EFL)
Years: 2012-16
Premierships: 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016
Balwyn have known nothing but success since crossing to the Eastern Football League in 2007 and Donati has been a huge part of that. Premierships followed Donati as a player and he delivered in his first season in charge of the Tigers in 2012 before repeating in 2013. After losing the grand final to Norwood in 2014, Balwyn would lose just two games on their way to the premiership in 2015, savaging the Norsemen by 111 points, and made it four titles in five years in 2016 as Donati stepped away on top.
7. STEVE BUCKLE (Heathmont/Doncaster East, EFL)
Years: 2009-2013 (Heathmont), 2014-present (East)
Premierships: 2011 (D4), 2018 (D2), 2019 (D1)
Started at Heathmont midway through 2009 as the club was relegated to what was then known as Division 4 but lifted the Jets to premiership success in an extra-time thriller against Glen Waverley. Buckle stepped up a grade to Doncaster East in 2014 and almost immediately won the flag, going down to Doncaster. East would fall short again in 2017 but Buckle finally held the Division 2 (now Div 1) cup aloft in 2018 with a 10-goal romp against Lilydale. The club would be denied promotion under an EFL restructure but it mattered little as the Lions went back-to-back last season to reach Premier Division for the first time in their history.
6. SHANE MORWOOD (Dingley, SFL)
Years: 2011-2019
Premierships: 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019
The 2010s have belonged to Dingley in the Southern Football League and that’s largely thanks to Morwood’s arrival in 2011. The Collingwood premiership defender turned a mid-table club into a powerhouse and has reaped the rewards, making five of the last six grand finals and winning four of the past five premierships – including a hat-trick between 2015-17. The Dingoes have largely done it in style as well, claiming the flag by 52, 107 and 41 points during their three-peat before being pushed to 10 points last season by Cheltenham. After nine years in the top job Morwood stepped down last season, going out on top.
5. DENIS KNIGHT (Noble Park/ Norwood, EFL)
Years: 2000-04 (Noble), 2013-2017 (Norwood)
Premierships: 2003, 2004, 2014
Knight was captain-coach in Noble Park’s maiden Eastern league season in 2000 after the club switched from Southern. In a brilliant 2003 season, Knight was named league best-and-fairest and guided the Bulls to the Division 1 premiership. The club would go back-to-back in 2004 and Knight called time on his reign. After time coaching in Queensland, the VFA/VFL legend returned to Victoria and the EFL with Norwood. In his second season in charge, the Norsemen swept all before them to claim a maiden Division 1 premiership. A second grand final would follow in 2015 but it ended in disappointment as Balwyn romped home by 111 points.
4. MICK McGUANE (Keilor, EDFL)
Years: 2008-present (Keilor)
Premierships: 2008, 2016, 2019
Coached Tasmanian powerhouse Burnie to a premiership in 2001 and after returning to Victoria, enjoyed immediate success at Gisborne in the Bendigo league. McGuane lead the club to its first BFL premiership in 2002 and back-to-back titles in 2003. The Collingwood great led Balwyn in its maiden Eastern league season in 2007 but after one year crossed to Keilor. Again, McGuane had immediate success, leading the Bulldogs to the flag when they were considered relegation chances at the start of the year. Returned to the EDFL summit in 2016, beating Aberfeldie, but arguably McGuane’s finest hour came in 2019. Keilor went through the season undefeated – despite some key injuries – and claimed the premiership with an eight-point victory over Abers.
3. DAVID BANFIELD (Vermont, EFL)
Years: 2004-2011
Premierships: 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Vermont were perennial contenders in the Eastern league’s top flight but Banfield turned the club into a machine. In his first six seasons Vermont never finished lower than third, contested five grand finals and winning four of them. Vermont went 102-23-1 in that time – an era when Noble Park and Balwyn were knocking down the door, is an almighty achievement – before failing to make finals in Banfield’s final two seasons in charge. In recent years the club has returned to the top of the EFL, playing in four straight grand finals and winning the last two under Harmit Singh.
2. LUKE BEVERIDGE (St Bedes-Mentone, VAFA)
Years: 2006-08
Premierships: 2006 (Prem C), 2007 (Prem B), 2008 (Premier)
The Tigers’ magical run may never happened at all. St Bedes-Mentone were down by nearly 50 points against Ajax in the 2006 Premier C grand final but came storming home to claim the club’s first senior flag since 1993. Back-to-back premierships and promotion followed in 2007 and then the previously impossible, a premiership hat-trick and maiden Premier A title. Little wonder Collingwood came calling in 2009 before four years at Hawthorn led to the top job at Western Bulldogs. We know where that story finishes.
1. MARC BULLEN (Deer Park, WRFL)
Years: 2013-present
Premierships: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
Deer Park wasn’t the powerhouse it is today when Bullen took the coaching reins in 2013. Fast forward to 2019 and Deer Park’s seven straight premierships is a record among Melbourne’s metropolitan leagues. There’s been some serious ex-AFL talent in that time, including Brendan Fevola, as well as one of the era’s finest local footballers in Kwarme McHarg, but it hasn’t always been smooth sailing for the Lions. The 2019 title is arguably Bullen’s finest as his club came from behind to snatch a three-point win over Altona.
