Steering the Premier C Men’s Premiers into Premier B in 2023

Monash Blues have begun the pre-season in preparation for next year under new coach Dylan Cousins ahead of the 2023 season.

The selection panel had a tough task replacing Premiership winning coach Mark Passador and sought a candidate with the capability to continue to grow our young playing group. A strong communicator and level 2 accredited coach the club is looking forward to seeing Dylan translate his elite experience at Frankston Dolphins (VFL) and Dandenong Stingrays (Under 18) to an Ashes team intent on making an impact in Premier B.

Cousins has experience as a former head coach at Mazenod and as an assistant at De La Salle means that Dylan is acutely aware of what it takes to succeed in the higher levels of the VAFA.

Monash Blues President, Alex Carr noted that “Out of a strong field of candidates, Dylan stood out as having the ambition, football smarts and teaching experience to lead our senior teams”.

“The role is an exciting one. Not often does a coach get to come in and take on a team who has had recent success.” Cousins told Monash Blues media.

“From a senior perspective, I can sense a hunger to want more than just a C-Grade premiership and I can’t wait to steer this group into B-Grade.”

“Further to that, I am excited by the size of the football club and the amazing culture that it has built over a number of years.”

“To have the Woman’s program thriving, an envious thirds and fourths and the U19s in finals in 2022, things at Monash are tracking in the right direction, so it is an honour to be able to associate myself with such a strong club.”

Monash will open their Premier B account in 2023 against Fitzroy at Brunswick St Oval on Saturday, April 15. The full 2023 Premier B Men’s Fixture is available to read here.

The club farewelled Mark Passador after a successful 2022, where the two-blues claimed the Premier C Premiership over Old Geelong on Grand Final Friday.

Known as “Pass” to all within the club, he is stepping away to spend more time with his family after six years leading the Monash Blues, a reign that culminated in the clubs first senior men’s premiership in almost twenty years.

Taking over in 2017 with the club in Premier B, the first campaign under Pass was very successful, with the club marching into the B Grade finals and playing an exciting brand of football under his watch. The final against St. Bernards did not yield the winning result, but is regarded as one of the best games Monash has played in some years.

The proceeding campaigns in Premier B were difficult, with large changes in playing personnel and a horror run of injuries to key players, wins were harder to come by and by the end of the 2019 season, Monash were to be playing in Premier C in 2020.

In the past three seasons, under the banner of Covid-19, Pass has been the driving force behind Monash’s rise to premiers in 2022. Premierships are hard to win, and when premierships are fought over three seasons, with no finals to win until the end, they are even tougher. Pass has mentored the playing group, given it a great game plan and driven it to prepare themselves to play a brand of football that has been the envy of Premier C. More importantly Pass has influenced the group off the field instilling the values to allow us to enjoy our journey.

The club and the VAFA would like to thank Mark for all his contributions to Monash. And, extend their thanks to Mark’s family; Liz, Jack and Oliver for their support of Mark and the club in his time.

Monash Blues would like to wish Mark and his family all the best in the future.