MPFNL: Dromana parts ways with grand final coach

Dromana, which has contested the past two Mornington Peninsula league Division 1 grand finals, parted ways with senior coach Ben Holmes on Monday night.

Holmes was called to a meeting with club president Geoff Bligh and vice president Paul Wilson, and his coaching tenure ended — the men shaking hands after coming to “a mutual agreement’’, according to the club.

“He was finishing at the end of the year also, but we just bought it forward, that’s all, to clear the air and recruit players and find a new coach,’’ Bligh said.

“It was a mutual agreement. We’ve shaken hands and, yeah, parted ways.’’

Holmes took over as Dromana coach in 2024 and steered the Tigers to the minor premiership and runners-up.

This year, despite losing a raft of key players over the off-season, Dromana was in sixth spot with a 5-6 record.

Holmes’ coaching record at Dromana was 21 wins, nine losses and a draw.

Bligh conceded it was a “very tough decision” to part ways with Holmes, who is well respected within the MPFNL.

“Ben’s a very, very well respected member of Dromana,’’ he said.

“He’s a multiple premiership player for us, and yeah, there’s no hard feelings.

“We just agreed to agree. That’s about it.

“He took it as you think. He said, ‘give it to me straight’, and he was, well, I can’t say fine with it, but he accepted it.’’

Gavin Taylor, who was Holmes’ assistant, has been installed as Dromana’s interim coach.

Taylor played at Hawthorn in the 1970s. His footy CV also includes captain-coaching Mooroolbark’s first senior premiership in 1988.

Taylor’s son Jai played in Dromana’s 2023 premiership.

Taylor said regaining “the enjoyment’’ was his goal for the Tigers this season.

“We are consolidating and making certain we put in place the right agendas I guess for progression to move forward for next year,’’ Taylor said.

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“I think that’s the key.’’

Dromana hosts Frankston YCW on Saturday.

The Tigers may regain champion Sammy Fowler, who has missed the past four games after getting his appendix out.

Originally published as MPFNL: Dromana parts ways with grand final coach