Brown, Wakim, Purcell, Kennedy named 2016 VAFA Coaches of the Year

Old Melburnians senior coach, Nathan Brown, has been recognised for his outstanding season as the 2016 VAFA Premier Section Coach of the Year.

The OMs made the move to William Buck Premier after narrowly missing out in the 2015 Premier B decider against St Kevin’s and impressed from the outset with their unwavering four-quarter effort a weekly occurrence.

Eight wins and a tie secured sixth position in their first year back in the VAFA’s top tier. They defeated the eventual premiers, Old Xaverians, by two points in Round 6 and tied with Old Trinity three weeks later via a last-minute torpedo goal from Al Armstrong.

Brown has been at the helm since 2012 and led his side to finals every year until they climbed back to the Premier section.

Earlier in the night, George Wakim was presented with the Divisional Section Coach of the Year Award after leading Preston Bullants to their third flag in the four years since joining the VAFA’s senior competition.

The Bullants were up against it in 2016, but found a way to curtail St John’s in the Division 2 Grand Final and maintain their tag as September specialists with a 12-point victory.

It was the second time Wakim claimed a VAFA Coach of the Year Award after first taking it out in 2014 following two consecutive flags.

St Kevin’s pair, Tom Purcell and James Kennedy, were named VAFA Junior Coaches of the Year after leading SKOB’s Under 19 Premier side to the flag against Beaumaris.

15 home and away wins gave SKOB pole position leading into finals and, after a thrilling one-point victory in the second semi-final, made every post a winner on their way to premiership success.

The VAFA congratulates all four winners on outstanding seasons at their respective clubs.

Premier Sections Coach of the Year: Nathan Brown (Old Melburnians)

Divisional Sections Coach of the Year: George Wakim (Preston Bullants)

Junior Coach of the Year: Tom Purcell and James Kennedy (St Kevin’s OB)

Photo: Old Melburnians