Holmesglen Under 19 Premier 2026 Season Preview

The VAFA Under 19 competition kicks off across Melbourne this weekend, so let’s take a closer look at the top tier – Holmesglen Under 19 Premier – which this season will be elevated to new heights.

While a new year always brings fresh optimism, 2026 shapes as one of the most interesting campaigns in recent memory. With significant player turnover, coaching tweaks, and a strong intake of school talent across multiple clubs, the race for finals spots looks wide open.

Reigning premiers OLD BRIGHTON enter the season as the benchmark, but their challenge is far from straightforward. Under coach Travis O’Donohue, the Tonners have undergone a dramatic list change, with only seven players remaining from last year’s premiership side.

The rest have transitioned into senior football, leaving a young and relatively untested group to defend the title.

Their Round 1 clash against St Kevin’s Old Boys looms as an early litmus test. While expectations may be tempered internally, a top-four finish remains the clear goal, and if their system holds up, they’ll again be in the mix.

ST KEVIN’S, who fell 18 points short in last year’s Grand Final, will be out to go one better.

Coach Paul Greenham has been pleased with how his group has returned, noting that only minor system-based adjustments are required. With key players like Johnny Gambaro and Doug Kerr leading the way, the expectation is firmly on another deep finals run.

Their opening round showdown with Old Brighton could set the tone for their season and re-establish them as the team to beat.

OLD SCOTCH comes into 2026 looking to build on a solid third-place finish last year. After falling to Uni Blues in the first final, coach Hugo Boreham has focused on strengthening the list through an influx of talent from Scotch College and external recruits.

Their brand is centred around an enjoyable, free-flowing game style, with a strong emphasis on connection across the group. Improvement remains the key focus, and if their new additions gel quickly, they could push into genuine premiership contention.

UNIVERSITY BLUES, coached by Steve Boakes, were arguably the unluckiest side of 2025, falling in heartbreaking fashion in a preliminary final that went to extra time.

However, they’ve been hit hard by age-level changes, losing key contributors such as Tom Hill, Lachie Gilligan and Jack Hayter to senior ranks.

In response, the club has bolstered its depth with recruits including Oscar and Hamish Charles, as well as the Alcock brothers. With training numbers regularly exceeding 90 players, there’s no shortage of competition for spots.

The Blues are adopting a “give them time” mentality, what they look like in Round 6 may be vastly different to Round 16, making them a dangerous side as the season progresses.

DE LA SALLE were one of the more frustrating teams of 2025, finishing fifth after losing multiple games by under a goal. Those narrow defeats ultimately cost them a finals berth, but they also highlighted how close they are to breaking through.

New coach, ex-AFL player and coach Andy Otten, is also coaching De La’s First XVIII school team, and is confident that his side can start strongly this year, with a focus on connection and composure in tight moments.

If they can turn those close losses into wins, De La shapes as a genuine finals contender.

OLD XAVERIANS had one of the more puzzling 2025 seasons. After opening with a dominant 149-point win, they slumped to a 2–7 record before recovering to finish sixth.

Coach Matt ‘Chopper’ Handley will be searching for consistency in 2026, knowing his side’s best football is more than competitive at this level. Finding stability across four quarters and across the season will be the key to Xavs climbing the ladder.

PARKDALE VULTURES enter Holmesglen Under 19 Premier after claiming last year’s flag in the lower grade.

Under coach Nick Anderson, their focus is firmly on growth and development rather than immediate results.

Their Round 1 Grand Final rematch against Beaumaris Football Club adds an extra layer of intrigue, while clashes with St Bedes/Mentone Tigers will carry added rivalry given the shared school connections among numerous players.

With talent coming through from affiliate club Mordialloc-Braeside and leadership from captain Luke Kinsella, Parkdale will be keen to prove they belong at this level.

ST BEDE’S/MENTONE TIGERS finished seventh last year, and are another side looking for consistency.

Their 2025 campaign showed glimpses of potential, including narrow losses to Old Brighton and Old Xaverians, but also heavy defeats, most notably a 100-point loss to St Kevin’s.

Bridging that gap between their best and worst will define their season.

CAULFIELD GRAMMARIANS present a similar profile. They showed they can match it with strong opposition, recording wins over De La Salle and Old Xaverians, but inconsistency again proved costly.

Heavy losses, including a 100-point defeat to St Kevin’s, highlighted the gap they need to close. Head coach Cooper Rule will be aiming to push beyond four wins and become a more competitive outfit week to week.

BEAUMARIS, led by coach Nathan Prosser, will also be eager to make a statement early, particularly in their Round 1 Grand Final rematch against Parkdale. That clash shapes as one of the most intriguing openers of the round and could provide an early insight into how both sides stack up in 2026.

As the season begins, the overarching theme is change. Player turnover, new talent pathways, and evolving game styles mean there’s no clear standout. While teams like St Kevin’s and Old Brighton remain near the top of the conversation, the gap is closing.

Sides such as Old Scotch, Uni Blues, and De La Salle are all capable of making significant moves, while emerging teams like Parkdale add another layer of unpredictability.

If 2025 taught us anything, it’s that margins are thin and momentum is everything. With a new season comes new opportunities, and in 2026, the VAFA Holmesglen Under 19 Premier competition looks as open and exciting as ever.