WRFL: John Mangos appointed new Braybrook coach after Division 3 flag

Braybrook couldn’t have asked “for a better job interview” from its new coach as he prepares to lead the Brookers into a new chapter.

What a week it’s been for John Mangos.

After leading Braybrook to its first senior premiership since 2014 as interim coach, Mangos has now been handed the keys to the red and black machine fulltime.

On Friday, the Brookers confirmed Mangos as its new senior coach for the next two seasons as they prepare for a return to Division 2 football.

Mangos had been an assistant coach to Vinnie Turcinovich throughout the season but stepped up into the role after the former mentor was suspended for three weeks.

Braybrook decided to remove him from the position and replace him with Mangos.

“John was senior assistant coach in 2022 and under difficult circumstances stepped into the senior position on the eve of finals,” a social media post from the club said.

“In arguably the greatest finals campaign in memory, a must win elimination final followed by a preliminary final and grand final that nobody thought we had a chance at winning, John’s professionalism, preparation leading into must win games and his communication with the playing group was second to none.

“John will be proudly leading the club back into division 2 next season.

“Three wins from three games, you couldn’t ask for a better job interview.

“We can’t wait to see what he can do with our list over two seasons.”

BRAYBROOK END PREMIERSHIP DROUGHT

It’s not a dream, Braybrook are premiers.

The Brookers completed the biggest upset of the season against minor premiers the Suns to claim the Western Region Football League Division 3 grand final.

Both sides struggled in front of goal, often missing simple opportunities, but it was the Brookers who eventually prevailed 6.14 (50) to 5.18 (48) despite not kicking a goal in the second half.

Captain Aidan O’Rafferty was presented the best on ground medal.

The premiership, Braybrook’s first since 2014, capped a rollercoaster final month for the Brookers.

They appointed John Mangos as interim coach for the finals series after Vinnie Turcinovich, who is leaving the club, was suspended for the rest of the season.

Braybrook then won three straight finals to earn promotion back into Division 2.

“I was very lucky to be asked to coach this group for the rest of the season,” Mangos said.

“I’ve done some senior coaching before, I’ve done some assistant coaching before and it’s massive for me but it goes beyond me.

Aidan O'Rafferty receives the best on ground medal from club legend Barry Priest. Photo: Brayden May.

“It’s about the 22 guys who ran out there today and were able to win a premiership together.

“It was always going to be hard taking over from Vinnie who has been doing it for three years and the players respect him. You could see it because they all wanted to give him their medal.

“What happens on a footy field, happens. Reports happen and we had to adapt to what we were faced with.”

From the first siren, Braybrook threw the magnets around with Shaun Buttigieg-Clarke, who has over 100 goals for the season, starting in the centre bounce with Nick Gregson forward.

The Suns kicked 2.11 in the second term which highlighted the inaccuracy in front of goal from both teams as the Brookers led by 20 points at the main break.

But the Brookers weren’t able to make the most of a 18 v 17 situation midway through the third when Suns captain Michael Ryan was yellow carded and sent from the ground for 15 minutes for a late bump.

They didn’t score a goal in that period.

Former coach Vinnie Turcinovich, interim coach John Mangos and captain Aidan O'Rafferty. Photo: Brayden May.

Braybrook’s had to hold on for dear life as the Suns kicked the final three goals of the game including Dean Cachia’s second of the game with only seconds remaining.

“We knew the start was always going to be important for us. We’ve been talking about it the past week, the whole year our scores in first quarters have been pretty low and had us on the back foot.

“But in the last couple of week it has all connected and work so we went with the same plan and made sure we had the belief in ourselves to get the job done.

“We knew the rain was coming so it became a matter of just holding on. To the Suns’ credit they kept coming, they’re a top side for a reason.

“It was a great finish by our boys.”

The final address from the Braybrook coach. Photo: Facebook.

O’Rafferty won plenty of the footy around the confines with Nick Papakalodoukas in absolutely everything for the Brookers.

Adam Forth was commanding down back while the Grubb brothers — James, Matt and Mitch — were all impressive.

For the Suns, Lucas Andrew fought hard in the middle as Blake Jago found plenty of opportunities in front of goal but was unable to take them.