Tonners get their Dan

The Old Brighton Grammarians Football Club is elated to announce the appointment of Daniel Donati as its next Senior Men’s Coach.

Dan has had a highly successful football career as both a player and coach, having won 10 senior premierships across six different clubs in the VAFA, VFL, Eastern Football League and the Bellarine Football League.

In 1996, Dan famously played in two VAFA premierships in seven days, being selected in Old Xaverian’s Senior A Grade premiership side a week after winning the flag with the under 19’s. A few weeks later Dan was drafted by Richmond.

Dan went on to play in premierships for Richmond’s Reserves, Springvale in the VFL (he won the Norm Goss Medal for best on ground in the 1999 Grand Final) and Noble Park in the EFL.

Following a decorated playing career, Dan embarked on his senior coaching journey with the Balwyn Football Club in the very strong Eastern Football League, where he led the Tigers to five straight grand final appearances and four premierships between 2012-2016.

Dan experienced the VAFA again first hand, this time as a senior assistant coach and mentor at Old Xav’s between 2018-2021, before a life move down the coast saw him accept the role as Senior Coach of Barwon Heads for 2022, where he guided the Seagulls to a memorable premiership defeating raging hot favourites Torquay FC.

“I’m genuinely really humbled to have been offered the senior coaching role at OBGFC. To inherit such a young and talented group of young men on their way up is a real privilege. I’ve personally been really fortunate over my footballing career to have been involved in some fantastic football programs, teams and clubs, and I hope to be able to bring all of that experience to the OBGFC, the current and future group of players as well as members and families.”

“The Premier division of the VAFA has set the standard in local football in Victoria for some time now, and as the competition goes from strength to strength, I’m really looking forward to the challenges that lay ahead for us all as we strive for the ultimate in team and club success.”

Of the appointment, skipper Harry Hill has said, “It’s a great achievement to be able to get someone of Dan’s quality into the football club. Even from initial conversations, it is clear Dan has a strong focus on building relationships and he will bring a game style that compliments and builds on what the current playing group have accomplished.”

“It’s an exciting time to be involved in the club and I look forward to working with Dan.”

We welcome Dan into the Tonners family and look forward to supporting him and our young, exciting playing group both on and off the field in 2023 and beyond.