Flag Feature: The Saints came marching in (Part 1)
When the St Mary’s and Salesian Old Collegians football clubs merged in 2008, the hope was that the power of the combined entity would deliver sustained on-field success. However, the
Senior Men’s Coaching Appointments 2026
Keep track of new men’s senior coaching appointments right here across the summer.
WILLIAM BUCK PREMIER MEN’S
OLD HAILEYBURY: GUY MARTYN
Guy Martyn returns to the VAFA top flight after a season coaching Glen Eira/Old McKinnon in Premier C.
With multiple VAFA flags on his resume, he’ll take the reins from 2024 Premier B premiership coach Daniel Ward, who will lead the new Sandringham VFL standalone program.
PREMIER C MEN’S
FITZROY: JACK DALTON
Life member, premiership player and member of the Roys’ Team of the Decade from 2010-20, Jack Dalton steps up to lead Fitzroy after the departure of Travis Ronaldson.
Having endured double-relegation from Premier Men’s & Premier B over the past two seasons, the Roys will now look to consolidate and build again in Premier C in 2026.
HAMPTON ROVERS: PAUL CARRIGAN
The other team relegated from Prem B to Prem C next season also has a new man at the helm, with Rovers & Big V Under 19 coach Paul Carrigan stepping up to the top job.
Renowned for his old-school passion and energy, Paul will take over the men’s senior program after the departure of Marty Pask.
MARCELLIN: PATRICK O’CALLAGHAN
The Eagles also have a new hand on the wheel, with Patrick O’Callaghan arriving from South Melbourne Districts after the exit of VAFA legend Bernie Dinneen.
The son of life member David ‘Doc’ O’Callaghan, Patrick also played for the club in the late 2000’s and early 2010’s. He was appointed senior coach at South Melbourne in 2020 and led them to back-to-back promotions, including the Bloods’ first Seniors/Reserves double premiership in 2022, before transitioning into the role of Director of Coaching.
MAZENOD: ANDREW PICKERING
One legend replaces another at Mazenod as Andrew Pickering takes over from Peter Banfield for 2026.
An all-time great of the club, Andrew is a member of Mazenod’s Team of the Century and skippered the Nodders’ 2000 premiership as well as representing the Big V with distinction.
He has a wealth of experience, including stints as a Senior Assistant and Under 19s coach at the club, as well as serving as Senior Assistant at Old Melburnians.
ST BEDE’S/MENTONE TIGERS: JOEL McKEE & TOM TYQUIN
The Tigers have opted for a new direction as they replace the departing Brad Berry in 2026, with close mates Joel McKee & Tom Tyquin to co-coach the team.
Joel has an established history with the Tigers as a player and coach, including the past four seasons as Reserves Coach.
Tom also enjoyed a stellar playing career, most recently in Canberra, and returns to the Tigers as the son of a premiership coach and brother of a premiership player. He will take an on-field leadership as playing coach, while Joel works from the boundary line.
DIVISION 1 MEN’S
MONASH BLUES: DAMIEN PHILPOTT
Damien Philpott has landed at Monash after more than 30 years of coaching experience in NSW, with time spent at University of NSW, Harman and the NSW/ACT Rams as a Fitness & Skills Coach.
PRAHRAN: ASH LEVER
Ash Lever takes the top job at Prahran as they return to Division 1 in 2026 – a section they dominated in 2024 on the way to their first senior flag since 2017.
Ash has been a part of the Two Blues coaching team over the past two seasons, and previously served in senior coaching roles at Oakleigh and Ormond, where he also led a premiership campaign.
ST MARY’S SALESIAN: HEATH CHIPPERFIELD
Clay Tait retires on a high after leading the Saints to a thrilling premiership win as playing coach.
Assistant coach Heath Chipperfield takes over as they step up to Division 1 in 2026.
A club legend, Heath played 200 games for the club, winning 3 Best & Fairests. The former skipper and life member also teaches at Salesian College, furthering a strong community connection to the club.
UHS-VU: MARK McALLION
Mark takes over from Paul Rocke at the Vultures for 2026. A director of the Maribyrnong Sports Academy, he has a long history of being involved in various sports at a range of different levels, including as a Board Member of the Western Region Football League for the past 4 years, and 7 years as a Coaching & Development Manager at Cricket Victoria.
DIVISION 2 MEN’S
MHSOB: SEAN LESTER
Sean Lester steps up from captain to playing coach of the Unicorns in 2026.
A Melbourne High School graduate, Sean rejoined MHSOB in 2021 after a successful stint at Mulgrave. Captain in 2022, 2024 and 2025, he now assumes additional leadership responsibilities in 2026, with Life Member, former player and Reserves coach Andrew Saultry returning to the club as his Senior Assistant and Football Director.
SOUTH MELBOURNE DISTRICTS: SHAUN GOULD
Shaun Gould takes over from Nick Abbott, having relocated from Mt Lofty FC in South Australia. He helped establish their women’s program while also coaching U18s and B-Grade for many years.
WHITEFRIARS: ANDREW DAOU
Friars footy celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2026 and will do so with a familiar face at the helm as Andrew Daou takes over from Lucas Matthews.
Andrew has been involved with the club for more than 20 years, beginning as a student at the college supporting his older brother John, then progressing to play Under 19s and senior football himself.
He’s been a committed volunteer, player, leader and mentor. Now he takes the reins as senior coach in a milestone year for the club.
DIVISION 3 MEN’S
ALBERT PARK: MATTHEW WATSON
Matt assumes the senior coaching position with the Falcons in 2026, having built an extensive footballing resume that includes 4 seasons with Essendon from 1995-98 (including one senior AFL game against Brisbane in 1997), then on Carlton’s VFL list in 1999.
He went on to play in 3 flags with Northcote Park before joining the VAFA with University Blacks.
More recently, Matt’s been involved coaching Under 19’s at Fitzroy, as well as Brunswick juniors.
HAWTHORN: DECLAN FOOTT
The Hawks have a new senior boss, with Declan Foott taking over from Mark Murray.
Originally from Swan Hill, Declan has played VFL, VAFA and country footy, and has also served as an Assistant Coach in VAFA club ranks.
SWINBURNE UNIVERSITY: BRADLEY CARTER
The Razorbacks have a new senior coach, with Bradley Carter stepping into the role for 2026.
Boasting plenty of Reserves coaching experience, Brad steps into a senior job with the Pigs as they look to build into their next chapter, having celebrated their 30th anniversary in 2025.
If your club has made a recent senior coaching appointment, let us know at [email protected]!
VAFA Women’s 2026 Senior Coaching Appointments – HERE
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