The Frankston Football Club is back in the VFL and has some big plans to re-engage the community and promote women’s football.

The Dolphins’ appeal for readmission was approved by AFL Victoria in August and the club has since been working around the clock to build a list for next season and a business plan for the future.

Current St Kilda ruck assistant Adam Skrobalak will take over the head coaching role at the Dolphins, splitting his time between the two clubs. Frankston native and recently delisted Richmond defender Jake Batchelor will be playing assistant coach in 2018, lending valuable experience to what is likely to be a young playing list.

With a VFL record of 1200 members and with a significant amount of its $1 million debt paid off, Frankston is beginning to implement a plan that will strengthen its position on the Peninsula.  Among the plans are new lights at Frankston Park and a VFL Women’s team.  St Kilda will enter a Peninsula-based side in the VFLW next season and operate the club until 2020, when the Dolphins will likely take over.

The return of semi-professional football to the Peninsula is a big boost to the dreams of young footballers in the region who missed out on being drafted to an AFL club.  Before its licence was terminated in 2016, Frankston was seen as a pathway club where younger players were given greater opportunity to pull on the jumper in the VFL.

Former Western Bulldogs captain Matthew Boyd and forward Tory Dickson and Richmond small-forward Sam Lloyd have all graduated from the surrounds of Frankston Park to play in AFL premierships.