2026 Division 3 Women’s Team of the Year

The Division 3 Women’s season culminated in a nail-biting Grand Final, with minor premiers Parkdale Vultures clinching a 5-point victory over Old Haileybury, who had come from third to knock over Hawthorn on Preliminary Final Day and almost went on to win it all.

Merged entity Prahran/Collegians rounded out the top four finalists – a wonderful achievement for two clubs brought together at the start of the campaign.

Emogen Johnson ultimately claimed the League Best & Fairest, following on from her Division 2 Women’s Best & Fairest last year with 30 votes this season and a runaway win. She is a walk-up start to this season’s Team of the Year, which is stacked with outstanding performers.

Here is the Division 3 Women’s Team of the Year for 2026, as compiled by our VAFA Media reporter Isaac McCloud, based on feedback and analysis from coaches, umpires & VAFA Media across the home & away season:

The Top 3 teams dominated the League Best & Fairest voting, with all of the Top 5 finishers coming from Hawthorn (2), Parkdale Vultures (2) and Old Haileybury (1).

These three clubs also dominate the Team of the Year, providing a combined 17 representatives, with Old Haileybury and Hawthorn leading the way with six apiece.

The Hearts provide leading goalkicker Gypsy Folwell, who kicked 33 goals and finished sixth in the League Best and Fairest. Tess Baxter (5th in the League B&F) will start on a half-forward flank, with Leesa Guastella and Ivy Compton across half-back, Zahra Clavarino starting in the ruck, and Shalyn Phillips coming off the bench.

Hawthorn’s Emmy Johnson will provide plenty of run from the wing, and is one of six Hawks in the line-up. Genevieve Krienke will be a defensive lynchpin at full back, alongside teammate Georgie Shrugg. Tessa Bodin and Emily Truscott will both line up in attack, while Charlotte Miller (third in the League Best & Fairest) will be an important part of the engine room.

Premiers Parkdale Vultures provide five representatives, including premiership coach Jessica Welford as Coach of the Year and starting midfielder. League Best & Fairest runner-up Sienna Symons will line-up in a forward pocket, along with Charlotte Pate on the wing, Maya Dunne in the back pocket and Chloe Phillips, who will provide depth off the bench.

Caulfield Grammarians provide two reps – Lilly Ellis in the midfield, and Jasmine Conrad on the half-back flank.

Prahan/Collegians also have two representatives, with Mikayla Collins starting at half-forward, and fellow Two Blue Lion Sheldon Menzies starting on the interchange bench, alongside Old Yarra playing coach Bree Pascoe, who will provide plenty of energy and experience after being the Cobras’ top vote-getter in the League Best and Fairest.

Congratulations to everyone who made the team!

A Team of the Year from each senior VAFA section (plus Under 19 Premier Men’s & Women’s) will be selected and published on the VAFA website and socials in the coming weeks.