Premier C Men’s Team of the Year

Premier C Men’s built to a thrilling crescendo in 2026, with a collection of brilliant players showcasing their talents all the way through to a gripping Grand Final.

Parkdale Vultures finished the home-and-away season in second position at 16-2, but made the most of their chances in the finals to knock off minor premiers Fitzroy in both the Second Semi-Final and Grand Final, to ultimately claim the premiership.

Fitzroy launched a gallant late attack at the flag in the final term, but the Vultures managed to hang on by just 6 points in a desperate finish at Trevor Barker Beach Oval.

Both teams will head up to Premier B next season, a testament to their consistent, high-quality seasons in 2026.

On the goalkicking front, we were treated to a two-man shootout between Mazenod’s Hayden Boyce and Parkdale’s Mitch Brown, with Boyce’s remarkable output of 81 majors from 16 games earning him the league goalkicking award.

Brown was forced to nurse an injury late in the season in order to be fit and firing come finals time. He booted his 70 goals at a higher average of 5.3 goals a game and his AFL experience came to the fore for his side when it mattered the most.

St Bedes/Mentone’s William Skinner also had a strong season in front of goal with 37 majors, to round out the top three in the goalkicking tally.

The key position players in this Team of the Year were simply unstoppable in 2026, making for an incredible spine to build around.

Here is the VAFA Premier C Men’s Team of the Year for 2026, compiled by VAFA Media reporter Seb Tehan, based on feedback and analysis from coaches, umpires and the media:

Minor premiers Fitzroy have four representatives, with Jack Hart, Luke Minihan, Connor McAuliffe, and Coach of the Year Jack Dalton.

Hart was brilliant in defence this year, locking down the opposition’s best forwards. He’ll do the same for this team.

Minihan and McAuliffe will prove a handful up forward, as they did all season long for the Roys – Connor slotting 33 goals, while Luke booted 26 and averaged 26 touches per game.

Coach of the Year was a tough decision between Parkdale’s Owen Lalor and Dalton, but the minor premiership (given this team is based on home-and-away performance) earned him the nod ahead of the eventual premiership coach.

Hampton Rovers finished the regular season in third position, and also received four selections in the Team of the Year, led by ball magnet Christian Carnovale, who continues to deliver week after week, year after year.

The man who received the equal most Best Player nominations (13) in the league will start alongside his Rovers teammate in the middle – Hampton’s Lui Coughlin, with their ruck Zach Zeising tasked with providing silver service in the midfield as always.

Jacob Grey rounds out Rovers’ reps and will be another key defensive lynchpin in this line-up.

St Bedes/Mentone strung together a consistent year that saw them feature in the finals, and the Tigers also have four reps in this line-up – Jake Harding at half-back, VAFA Rising Star shortlister Bennett Martin on the wing, William Skinner up forward, and inspirational leader Matt Lehpamer, who will provide critical midfield depth.

Lehpamer’s fantastic year was duly recognised with 10 Best Player nominations from his coaches, and imagine the luxury of having a ball-winner as effective as him rotating in with fresh legs to maintain the engine room’s energy!

Speaking of energy, league best & fairest and dual Big V rep Matt Fewings is a bundle of it, and will provide grunt, class and leadership around the football as one of three Mazenod reps.

The sight of Fewings, Carnovale and Coughlin striding into the middle for the opening bounce would worry any opposition coach, who will get no relief when Fletcher Ford switches in as ruck support!

Fewings and Ford will be joined by fellow Nodder Hayden Boyce at centre-half forward. The man mountain will work with Mitch Brown up forward, with deadly options like Marcellin’s Lachlan Rush (who booted 28 goals) feeding off them. Good luck defending that group!

Premiers Parkdale Vultures also have three representatives, with Mitch Brown lining up alongside Jai Elcock up forward. The pair combined for 102 goals this season and will be a major headache for any opposition defence, while fellow Vulture Josh Ricco will provide run-and-carry for this side across half back.

Ormond are represented by hard-running midfielder Harrison Burt, who will start on a wing, while Glen-Eira/Old McKinnon are represented by defensive hard-nut Jack Carey, who will provide relentless pressure down back.

PEGS is represented by Blake Roach, who will provide additional depth off the bench, while Old Peninsula’s Kurt Thiele makes it back-to-back Team of the Year honours after being named in 2025.

Congratulations again to all who have received this honour. With so much talent in the section, it was definitely a challenging task for all selectors.

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