2026 VAFA Finals Fixture – September 19-20
The fixture has been released for Week 5 of the 2026 VAFA Finals Series, featuring William Buck Premier Women’s & Reserves Grand Finals, William Buck Premier Men’s Preliminary & Grand
The VAFA Board appointed Tim Nelson as the 18th President of the VAFA at their June Board Meeting, with Phil De Young appointed as the Vice President.
Nelson’s appointment follows the decision by outgoing President, Michael Hazell to step down from his position early in order to assist the new President in the transition period.
Nelson told vafa.com.au, “I am honoured to be appointed to the role of President of the VAFA. I would like to acknowledge the tireless energy and enthusiasm of Michael Hazell, who has done an outstanding job in developing the competition to the next level across so many facets.
Nelson is a former four time premiership player with both Old Paradians and Old Xaverians and was first appointed to the to the Board in 2010 before being elected by the Members at the June, 2012 Members Meeting.
Nelson played for Old Paradians and Old Xaverians from 1983–1996. He was a member of the last Old Paradians senior premiership team, the 1986 B Section premiership. Throughout his VAFA career Tim had the good fortune to win five premiership medallions in total, 4 as a player and 1 as an official.
In off seasons, Tim competed as a sprinter in the Victorian Athletic League winning the 70m sprint at the Stawell Gift Carnival in 1987.
He has enjoyed a 25 year career in executive recruitment, where he is a Senior Client Partner at Korn/Ferry International, responsible for the Melbourne Financial Services and Board Practices. Tim is married to Emma and has 3 boys – Joshua, Thomas and Edward.
Everyone at the VAFA welcomes the appointment of both Nelson and De Young.
“I look forward to working closely with the Board, staff and importantly all the clubs to preserve the standards and integrity of our competition, whilst ensuring we continue to innovate and grow as the pre-eminent community football association in Australia,” Nelson said.
The fixture has been released for Week 5 of the 2026 VAFA Finals Series, featuring William Buck Premier Women’s & Reserves Grand Finals, William Buck Premier Men’s Preliminary & Grand
A commanding performance has seen University Blues progress straight through to their first Premier Men’s Grand Final since 2019, while Old Brighton’s premiership defence is over after an incredible First
St Kevin’s will meet Old Brighton in the Holmesglen Under 19 Premier Men’s Grand Final after a post-match player ineligibility issue voided Old Xaverians’ heart-stopping Preliminary Final win. The two
Preston Bullants 12.9 (81) def Kew 3.11 (29) After a dominant season, and an assertive finals campaign, Preston have won the Grand Final for Division 1 by 52 points, overrunning
