018 AFL South East Coach of the Year Award winners, from left; Len Fletcher (Berwick Springs JFC), Cassie Rowe (Pearcedale JFC) and Heath Donnellan (Chelsea JFC). Absent; Paul Goonan (Mt Eliza FC) and Jamie Mollo (Red Hill FC).

The classic MPNFL Division One Grand Final wasn’t the only contest fought out at Frankston Park on Sunday with winners announced for the 2018 AFL South East Coaches Awards.

Announced at a Grand Final Luncheon hosted by Peter Lazer, the awards were presented by North Melbourne premiership player and former St Kilda coach Stan Alves.

Winners were announced in five categories – Junior, Youth, Female, Rookie, and Senior – with Junior and Female Coaches of the Year, Heath Donnellan from Chelsea, and Cassie Rowe from Pearcedale, to represent the region at the upcoming state awards.

Auskick awards winners were announced at a function at Karingal Football Netball Club last week.

Congratulations to the winners and all nominees for their outstanding coaching efforts this season.

AFL SOUTH EAST COACH OF THE YEAR WINNERS

Junior Coach of the Year

Nominees – Heath Donnellan (Chelsea ), Daniel Brown (Noble Park), David Cross (Moorooduc)

WINNER – Heath Donnellan (Chelsea JFC)

Youth Coach of the Year

Nominees – John Hynes (Bonbeach), Len Fletcher (Berwick Springs), Brett Steenholdt (Balnarring)

WINNER – Len Fletcher (Berwick Springs JFC)

Female Coach of the Year

Nominees – Loretta Ilott (Edithvale-Aspendale), Cassie Rowe (Pearcedale), Kate Craigie (Noble Park)

WINNER – Cassie Rowe (Pearcedale JFC)

Rookie Coach of the Year (Under 19’s coaches)

Nominees – Andrew Gilmour (Red Hill U19), Luke Young (Beaconsfield U19), Paul Goonan (Mt Eliza U19)

WINNER – Paul Goonan (Mt Eliza FNC)

Senior Coach of the Year (Men)

Nominees – Troy Shannon (Mt Eliza Div 1), Jamie Mollo (Red Hill L Div 2), Matt Shinners (Narre), Gary Sanford (Mornington FNC Women’s Team)

WINNER – Jamie Mollo (Red Hill FNC)

AUSKICK COACHING AWARD WINNERS

Peninsula Region

Auskick Centre of the Year – Beleura Auskick

Auskick Coordinator of the Year – Nikki Holmes (Balnarring Auskick)

Auskick Coach of the Year – Sasha Koefed (Rye Auskick)

Frankston Region

Auskick Centre of the Year – Karingal Auskick

Auskick Coordinator of the Year – Damon Clarke (Sandhurst Auskick)

Auskick Coach of the Year – Brad Clark (Karingal Auskick)

Casey/Cardinia Region

Auskick Centre of the Year – Upper Beaconsfield Auskick

Auskick Coordinator of the Year – Mark Schmutter (Berwick Auskick)

Auskick Coach of the Year – Jeff Arbuckle (Tooradin Auskick)