Premier C Men’s 2026 Season Preview

With just one sleep until the Premier C Men’s competition begins, VAFA Media reporter Sebastian Tehan takes a look at how the competition is shaping up.

FITZROY (9th: 3-15)

Relegated from Premier B after finishing ninth in 2025, Fitzroy are looking to make amends in Premier C in 2026.

Looking for continuity and consistency in 2026, Fitzroy retained 95% of last year’s playing group, opting against a major list overhaul. Bringing some excitement to the team, Fitzroy made some strong additions to their list for 2026, including six new recruits, seven returning players, and five U19 boys have added a spark to the side’s preseason. This young side will be able to also lean on the experience of four VFL-listed boys.

After a couple of disappointing seasons, winning seven games in two years, Fitzroy have strengthened the focus on contest/stoppage work and fundamentals over the off-season. Coach Jack Dalton said the side need unity across all lines as well as “building a strong one club identity.”

It is fair to say that this proud group will relish the opportunity to play against more even competition after enduring a harsh run in Premier B.

GLEN EIRA/OLD McKINNON (6th: 7-11)

Will 2026 bring a change in fortune for Glen Eira/Old McKinnon?

A win-loss record of 7-11 is hardly anything to read into, but a few late-season wins has the Gryphons motivated heading into 2026. The injection of youth in the group has been pivotal in the Gryphons pre-season, given the departure of a number of key senior players at the end of last season.

Coach Brett Dunne is excited by the “unknown” heading into Round 1.

“We are hopeful our style of football will present some challenges for our opponents,” Dunne said. With a stable football department, highlighted by a second women’s team entering the competition and a tight-knit group of U19 ex-schoolboys, these factors may be a recipe for success in 2026.

Glen Eira/Old McKinnon travel to PEGS Playing Fields to open their campaign against hosts, and similarly matched side, PEGS.

HAMPTON ROVERS (10th: 0-10)

Like Fitzroy, Hampton Rovers find themselves in Premier C after enduring a winless season in the Premier B competition.

The Rovers are looking for a clean bill of health, after a pair of season ending injuries in Round 1 last year derailed their season. Led by coach Paul Carrigan and captain Christian Carnovale, Hampton have had a productive pre-season buoyed by the return of club stalwart Louis Coughlan and son of a gun Josh Hudgeston.

Some key acquisitions over the off-season include Leo Carman, Tom Keyte, Jamie Delaney and James Keys, all relieving the defensive and midfield stocks.

Stability is the word on everyone’s lips at Hampton after last year’s unfortunate run with injury. A largely uninterrupted pre-season should foreshadow a competitive season for the Rovers in 2026. Last year’s senior appearances for thirteen U19’s players are valuable experience for a team still finding its perfect combination come Round 1.

MARCELLIN (7th: 7-11)

There is a wave of optimism sweeping through Marcellin Football Club, after finishing 2025 with the wind in their sails. Marcellin had three consecutive wins to finish the season, making light work of St Bede’s, PEGS and Prahran.

Strong-retention and booming attendance rates at training have characterised Marcellin’s pre-season. The pre-season memo from coach Patrick O’Callaghan has been built on the trifecta of work rate, cohesion, and repeatable habits. O’Callaghan says this memo will aim to build strong relationships in a team that has had high turnover since last season.

Expectations-speaking, Marcellin are hoping to lift themselves out of the middle-of-the road teams and be competitive against the best sides in the division. Growth week-to-week for Marcellin should hold them in good stead in season 2026.

W.T. Peterson Oval plays host to Marcellin’s first encounter of the season against Fitzroy at 2:00pm.

MAZENOD (8th: 4-14)

After landing a big-name in the coaching department over the off-season in Andrew Pickering, the Nodders will be feeling optimistic toward their 2026 campaign. Pickering’s appointment comes off the back of an unfortunate 2025 season which yielded just four wins after a bright start to the season. The club are hopeful Pickering can turn the ship around for Mazenod, who have been starved off success in recent years (their last senior premiership coming in a COVID-affected 2021 season).

The Nodders welcomed six new faces in the playing group: Ashleigh Whitfield (Waverley Park Hawks), Chris Fournarakis (Oakleigh), Daniel Andrew (Tyrendarra FNC), Shelby Vicic (Waverley Park Hawks), Jack Caspersz (Bonbeach FNC), and Harrison Pryke (Wollongong Lions). From all reports, these are fantastic additions to a group which has remained relatively stable over the off-season, with a healthy mix of youth and experience.

Mazenod kick off their season against the Tigers this Saturday at Mentone Reserve.

OLD PENINSULA (2nd: 14-4)

It was the perfect season for Old Peninsula in 2025, finishing the regular season in second place before putting on a clinical finals campaign that saw them crowned premiers on Grand Final Day against Ormond in Division 1.

Now joining the big leagues in Premier C, Old Peninsula have a point to prove as they open the competition against Paul Carrigan’s Hampton Rovers. Old Peninsula is hoping for another stellar season from Melbourne Demon’s 300-gamer and former captain Nathan Jones, who booted six majors in the second Sunday of September. Captain George Fletcher once again takes the reins of Old Peninsula; however, Vice-Captain James Bravo and James Fletcher have departed the club in pursuit of different opportunities.

As customary with alumni football clubs, Old Peninsula can rely on a timely injection of former 1^st XVIII schoolboys into the side boasting an ageing list, which will give them the impetus to contend for the flag in Premier C.

Old Peninsula has identified Mazenod, St Bede’s, Parkdale as their toughest competition in Premier C. Let’s see how their premiership defense starts against Hampton at Harry MacDonald Oval on Saturday.

ORMOND (1st: 18-0)

Producing a near flawless season of 18-0, akin to the 2000 Essendon Bombers side, Ormond will relish the challenge presented in Premier C after its promotion from Division 1. Despite falling short at the final hurdle in the Grand Final against Old Peninsula, Ormond’s young group are looking to turn that success into consistency in Premier C.

Pre-season optimism has swept through the camp at Ormond, placing an emphasis on team-first attitudes and “Monders Mateship” culture. Two new co-captains were also appointed over the off-season, with Jackson Hille and Harrison Burt taking the reins in Season 2026.

A raft of list changes was made over the off-season, with Eren Soylemez, Alex Carder, and Jackson Doyle all joining the club after their VFL, EFL and GFL experience. In a boost for the 2026 campaign, James Tsakanos, Aidan Soria, and Josh Hine all return from season-ending injuries.

Ultimately, there is no weight of expectation for Ormond in the Premier C competition after its promotion and will look to play a fast-exciting brand of football under coach Kyle Pinto.

PARKDALE (1st: 17-1)

Despite topping the table in 2025, Parkdale fell short in a preliminary final shellacking at the hands of eventual runners-up AJAX. Now the dust has settled, Parkdale are looking for redemption in 2026.

Pre-season focus has been on rectifying slowly starts, an issue that hampered them in the preliminary final, by playing an up-tempo brand of football that lasts four quarters. The Vultures hope 2026 will bring more consistent performances against the top sides rather than relying on dominant performances against the lower sides, a habit created in 2025.

After being among the best players for Parkdale in that loss, Hudson Wright, Hunter Lynch, Matthew Emmanouil and Jarrod Peake have started strongly on the track for Parkdale. The experience of the Brown brothers (Mitch and Darcy) will be pivotal in the leadership department for Parkdale, as the side prepares to do battle at E.E. Gunn Reserve this weekend against Ormond.

PEGS (5th: 10-8)

Finishing two wins out of the top four, PEGS will rue not making a finals birth. A positive win-loss ratio last season will motivate the PEGS side to push on and compete with the best teams in the Premier C competition. Pre-season training was centered largely on fitness and transition running for the PEGS outfit, hoping to produce a more attacking game style.

What might lift PEGS into the top four are the new faces on the park. Kalen Roach provides a powerful mid-forward option, Scott Williams returns after a sabbatical, and Jack McKernan off half-back returns to the fold after injuries curtailed his 2025 season.

In the ruck department, Ade Akintola and Jack Fenner have delivered wonderful pre-seasons in the lead up to their first outing for PEGS in Round 1. These acquisitions make PEGS a strong outfit on paper, coupled with a large group of U19s ready for some Premier C action.

ST BEDE’S/MENTONE TIGERS (3rd: 13-5)

A heart-breaking knockout final loss to AJAX spelled the end of the Tiger’s season in 2025, despite boasting a 13-5 win/loss record. It is clear their best football is good enough to challenge the top teams in Premier C, but can they go deep in September in 2026?

Responding to a flattening finish to the season, the Tigers have turned out to pre-season training in their numbers. Some 70 eager players hit the track, a sight to behold for the first time senior coaches Joel McKee and Tom Tyquin, highlighting the incredible depth at St Bede’s. A community culture has been the pre-season mantra at St Bede’s, aiming to instill belief into all players, coaches and support staff that a premiership is not far away.

On the list changes front, Jye Gilmour joins the club from Wonthaggi, Tom Tyquin jostles the role as player/coach, Harvey Gleeson arrives from Bonbeach, and Will Skinner comes into the squad after his time at Beaumaris. In a major blow, Jack Behnk joins the St Kilda VFL side in addition to Jack Ryder seeking opportunities elsewhere. For Tigers’ fans, hopefully these list changes will prove fruitful for St Bede’s to make a charge in 2026.