2025 Premier C Men’s Team of the Year

Premier C was a rollercoaster in 2025, with several powerful teams ultimately colliding in September.

The Top 4 finished the home & away season two games clear of the field, but the battle between them raged all year.

Parkdale claimed the minor premiership with a 17-1 record, a game clear of Beaumaris. These were the two standout teams of the regular season, with St Bede’s/Mentone Tigers finished three games back at 13-5, a game ahead of AJAX in fourth.

But the old adage of ‘September is a whole new season’ came to pass in Premier C this season, when the minor premiers were bounced in straight sets by Beauy in the Second Semi, then AJAX on Preliminary Final Day.

The Jackas got hot at the right time of the year, sneaking past the Tigers in a nailbiting 5-point First Semi, then comfortably dispatching the Vultures in the Prelim to earn a shot at Beaumaris on Grand Final Day.

The Sharks controlled the premiership decider, leading by 20 points at halftime and ultimately winning by 21 points to head up to Premier B with the silverware, having won their last 17 matches.

The Team of the Year is based on feedback and analysis of the home & away season from coaches, umpires and VAFA Media, and is compiled by our Premier C reporter, Harrison McIlwaine.

Here is the VAFA’s 2025 Premier C Men’s Team of the Year:

Harrison’s analysis:

Beaumaris’ successful 2025 campaign has seen them rewarded with a league-high four selections in the Premier C Team of the Year.

Josh Bourke’s fleet of hybrid midfielder/forwards was arguably the Sharks’ greatest strength, en route to their flag, and two of the best examples of that archetype can be found on the half-forward line. Jai Florent won the Sharks’ best and fairest after leading the league in score involvements and direct goal assists, while slotting 20 majors of his own, and averaging 20 disposals per game (per Premier Data).

Running mate Tom O’Rourke led the league for Inside 50’s, and regularly drew the praise of opposition coaches for his impact in the front half.

Callum Linehan backed up his selection in last year’s Premier B Team of the Year with a nod in this year’s Premier C squad, with the captaincy just reward for his leadership and class. Rounding out the Sharks’ selections is ruckman Callum “Chopper” Heath, who was also nominated in last year’s Premier B side.

The pool of ruckmen in Premier C is elite. Heath and Glen Eira/Old McKinnon stalwart Lachlan Mirams narrowly edged out Parkdale’s Jarrod Peake, who had a magnificent campaign. Nick Mavropoulos is the other Gryphon to feature in this year’s side, with this ruck-rover combination steering Guy Martyn’s side up the ladder after a poor start to the season.

Minor premiers Parkdale Vultures are represented by Darcy Brown and Oliver Green, in recognition of prolific seasons. Brown found the pill at will across halfback, and distributed it with aplomb, while Green was one of the competition’s most well-rounded midfielders, ranking elite for disposals, tackles, clearances and inside 50’s.

Joining Green on the centreline are Matt Holden and Mitch Baker-West. Baker-West led Rob Kerr’s on-ball brigade with tenacity this year, finishing the season as one of just six players in the division to average more than 14 contested possessions per game, of those who played at least 10 matches.

Holden was a shining light for a Parkside outfit who struggled after their promotion, averaging the most kicks in the league, on a wing, while frequently receiving significant opposition attention. It is a feather in the young man’s cap to feature in this side, after also being selected in last year’s Division 1 side.

Fellow Devil Max Balassone also went back-to-back, with his selection apt recognition of a job well done in a backline under constant attack. The same can be said of Prahran’s lone representative, Patrick Ribbands, whose nod in the side adds to a growing individual trophy cabinet; one that recently welcomed the Basil Cleary medal.

Rounding out the back six are AJAX’s Elliott Debinski, and PEGS’ Riley Simmons. Debinski was solid as a rock for a Jackas outfit that admirably battled continuity issues en route to a grand final berth, and subsequent promotion, while Simmons’ versatility was a hallmark of PEGS’ gamestyle this year.

Max Herzel is the other Jacka to appear in this year’s side, after booting 27 majors, garnering 11 best nominations, finishing runner-up in the Jackas’ best and fairest, and collecting the AJAX supporter’s best gong.

Mazenod’s Hayden Boyce and St Bedes/Mentone Tigers’ Jack Behnk round out the full-forward line, having finished first and second respectively in the league goalkicking table. It’s a powerful attack, loaded with goalscoring options.

Boyce’s Nodders were embroiled in relegation calculations for much of the year, adding weight to his league-leading production, while Behnk was arguably one of the year’s biggest stories. His return of 43 majors and 7 bests nominations from just 11 appearances for the Tigers, in an injury-interrupted campaign, is simply impossible to ignore. His x-factor, versatility and team-first approach are a joy to watch, and regularly drew the commendation of his coach and opposition coaches alike.

Marcellin Eagle Josh Daniel has been awarded the position of centre-half forward, after finishing on the goalkicking podium, in a side that struggled until the season’s final third. Marcellin coach Bernie Dineen applauded Daniel’s ability to impact games and remain competitive, when the team wasn’t always set up tactically to suit his natural game.

Adam Tomaro is the other Eagle to feature, after gathering the most disposals in the league. It’s a second straight selection for Tomaro, who set the standard in the Marcellin midfield for his ‘team-first acts’. Tiger Jake Ryder joins Tomaro on the interchange, after a promising first full campaign at senior level. His leadership and defensive presence in the midfield frequently had coach Brad Berry waxing lyrical, post match.

The on-ball pairing consists of the league’s last two best and fairest winners, in Parkdale’s Matt Emmanouil, and Mazenod’s Matt Fewings. Both are exceptional proponents of the roving craft, and worthy of starting positions in the guts of the Premier C Team of the Year for 2025.

AJAX’s Lachlan Buszard has been named Coach of the Year, after securing promotion in his first season at the helm – one in which the Jackas were forced to field a remarkable 53 players.

Congratulations to all who made the final line-up – there were plenty of worthy players in consideration, but it would certainly take something pretty special to top this combination!