2026 VFL season

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Date20 March – 20 September 2026
Teams22
2026 VFL season
Date20 March – 20 September 2026
Teams22
← 2025

The 2026 VFL season is the 144th season of the Victorian Football League (VFL), a second-tier Australian rules football competition played in the states of Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and Tasmania.[1] The season commenced on 20 March and will conclude on 20 September.[2]

Broadcast rights

The Seven Network, which had broadcast VFL matches since 2015, did not renew its deal, stating that the practice was no longer commercially viable.[3] During the 2025 season, one match per round had been shown in Victoria on its secondary channel, 7mate.[4] On 12 February 2026, Crikey reported that the ABC had secured the VFL television and radio rights for the 2026 season.[5] The full broadcast deal was announced on 12 March 2026.[6]

The ABC will broadcast one match per round, generally commencing at 12:05pm on Saturdays, which would be available on ABC Television in Victoria, ABC iview nationally, and simulcast on ABC Radio and ABC Listen.[6][7]

Kayo Sports, which previously broadcast VFL matches in 2021, will stream at least one home-and-away match per round (which is also shown on Fox Footy).[6] The Seven Network will broadcast all ten of the Tasmania Football Club's home matches on Seven Tasmania and 7plus nationally.[8] The Sports Entertainment Network (SEN) will broadcast all of Tasmania's home-and-away matches on radio.[8]

During the finals series, Kayo will broadcast the majority of matches, while the ABC will broadcast one match in each of the first three weeks.[6] The preliminary finals and grand final will be broadcast by the ABC.[6]

All matches will continue to be broadcast online through the AFL's website and app.[6]

League membership

In 2026, 22 teams are competing in the VFL, the equal-most (with 2021) to contest a VFA/VFL premiership in a single division.[9] It is the first time that clubs from four different states will be represented in the same season.[9]

Preston

Torn-down advertising signage next to a Preston Football Club banner at Preston City Oval in November 2025

The Northern Bullants faced several challenges throughout the 2025 season. A new president and board took over in May 2025, reverting the club to its traditional "Preston Football Club" name on 20 August 2025, immediately after the conclusion of the home-and-away season.[10] The club had last competed as Preston in 1999 (when it was nicknamed the "Knights").[11]

At the same time, it was reported that the club could be in danger of folding because of debt, with the club asking the Australian Football League (AFL) to financially assist.[12] On 6 October 2025, after years of uncompetitive performances, having struggled to pay its players and staff in 2025, and with questions over its long-term viability without the annual subsidies that clubs had received from the league prior to the pandemic-interrupted 2020 season, the VFL revoked the club's licence.[13]

It was the not the first time Preston's history that it had faced similar circumstances – in 1912 it amalgamated with Northcote, in 1997 its licence was withdrawn but was restored after one month, and in 2020 it almost folded after Carlton ended their affiliation.[14]

Initially, Preston club officials expressed optimism about regaining a VFL licence in 2027 or 2028.[15] However, faced with no viable path to readmission, the club entered voluntary liquidation after a meeting of members on 15 December 2025.[16][17]

St Kilda

Promotional signage inside Trevor Barker Beach Oval for Sandringham's return as a standalone team

St Kilda competed in the VFL with its own reserves team during the 2000 season, before entering into an affiliation with Springvale (later renamed Casey) in 2001. The agreement ended after the 2008 season and St Kilda affiliated with Sandringham in 2009.[18]

In April 2025, Sandringham rejected a proposal from St Kilda to be renamed to the "Sandringham Saints" and move all home matches from Trevor Barker Beach Oval to Moorabbin Oval.[19] The proposal also would have resulted in Sandringham permanently using St Kilda's colours of red, black and white (which it had already worn as an away jumper beginning in 2019).[20]

On 30 June 2025, St Kilda announced it would end its affiliation with Sandringham following the 2025 season.[21][22] The AFL granted a VFL licence to St Kilda the same day, while Sandringham continued in the competition as a standalone team.[23][24]

Sandringham defeated Werribee in round 2 after trailing by 34 points at half-time, which was its first victory as a standalone team since the 1999 VFL semi-final.[25][26]

Tasmania

Tasmania during its first practice match against Werribee on 7 March 2026

On 5 September 2025, the Tasmania Football Club was granted a licence to compete in the VFL from 2026, ahead of its planned entry into the AFL from the 2028 season.[27][28] Jeromey Webberley was appointed as the club's inaugural VFL coach, while former Essendon player Jye Menzie became the club's first player when he was signed on 30 September 2025.[29][30]

Tasmania played its first official practice match against Werribee at RMIT Oval on 7 March 2026, losing 14.8 (92) to 10.12 (72).[31] It played its first home-and-away season match against Coburg at North Hobart Oval in round 1, winning 14.12 (96) to 11.13 (79).[32][33]

It is the first time a club from Tasmania has competed in the VFL since the original Tasmania Football Club, which competed from 2001 until the end of 2008.[34]

Clubs

Venues and affiliations

Club State Home venue(s) Capacity AFL affiliation
Box Hill VIC Box Hill City Oval 6,000 Hawthorn
Kennedy Community Centre 3,000
Brisbane QLD Brighton Homes Arena 8,000 Brisbane
Carlton VIC Ikon Park 13,000 Carlton
Casey VIC Casey Fields 9,000 Melbourne
Coburg VIC Barry Plant Park 15,000 N/a
Collingwood VIC Victoria Park 10,000 Collingwood
KGM Centre 3,500
Essendon VIC NEC Hangar 3,500 Essendon
Windy Hill 10,000
Footscray VIC Mission Whitten Oval 10,000 Western Bulldogs
Marvel Stadium 53,343
Frankston VIC Kinetic Stadium 5,000 N/a
Geelong VIC GMHBA Stadium 40,000 Geelong
Gold Coast QLD People First Stadium 25,000 Gold Coast
Greater Western Sydney NSW Tom Wills Oval 200 Greater Western Sydney
ENGIE Stadium 23,500
North Melbourne VIC Arden Street Oval 4,000 North Melbourne
Port Melbourne VIC ETU Stadium 6,000 N/a
Richmond VIC Holm Park 7,000 Richmond
Kinetic Stadium 5,000
ETU Stadium 6,000
Sandringham VIC WS Trevor Barker Beach Oval 6,000 N/a
Southport QLD Fankhauser Reserve 8,000 N/a
St Kilda VIC RSEA Park 8,000 St Kilda
Sydney NSW Tramway Oval 1,000 Sydney
Sydney Cricket Ground 48,000
Tasmania TAS Ninja Stadium 20,000 N/a
North Hobart Oval 11,135
UTAS Stadium 17,000
Werribee VIC Avalon Airport Oval 8,000 N/a
Williamstown VIC DSV Stadium 6,000 N/a

Coach appointments

New coach Club Date of appointment Previous coach Ref
Daniel Ward Sandringham 4 September 2025 Brendon Goddard [35]
Jeromey Webberley Tasmania 8 September 2025 N/A [36]
Adam Marcon North Melbourne 15 September 2025 Tom Lynch
Jack Madgen Richmond 24 September 2025 Jake Batchelor [37]
Nick Malceski Sydney 7 October 2025 Jarrad McVeigh [38]
Rhett McLennan Casey 10 October 2025 Taylor Whitford [39]
David Mirra Box Hill 12 October 2025 Zane Littlejohn [40]
Damian Truslove Carlton 27 October 2025 Luke Power [41]
Alex Johnson Footscray 27 October 2025 Stewart Edge [42]
Matthew Lokan Collingwood 31 October 2025 Andy Otten [43]
Brendon Goddard St Kilda 16 November 2025 N/A [44]
Dan Lowther Werribee 10 December 2025 James Allan [45]
Robbie Chancellor Greater Western Sydney 4 March 2026 Wayne Cripps [46]
Scott Borlace Brisbane TBD Ben Hudson

Club leadership

Club Coach Leadership group Ref
Captain(s)Vice-captain(s)Other leader(s)
Box Hill David Mirra Stu Horner
Brisbane Scott Borlace
Carlton Damian Truslove AFL-listed player rotation Darcy Tucker, Ethan Phillips, Jack Sammartino, Logan Prout, Will Cookson, Cooper Vickery [47]
Casey Rhett McLennan
Coburg Jamie Cassidy-McNamara
Collingwood Matthew Lokan Brady Grey, Ben De Bolfo Will Phillips, Josh Browne, Max Mahoney [48]
Essendon Cameron Joyce[49] Xavier O'Neill Jackson Hately [50]
Footscray Alex Johnson Dan Orgill Billy Crofts, Cooper Craig-Peters
Frankston Jackson Kornberg Trent Mynott Joe Lloyd, George Grey, Taine Barlow Noah Gown, Darby Hipwell, Corey Ellison [51]
Tom Blamires[a]
Geelong Mark Corrigan
Gold Coast Tate Kaeslar Alex Sexton [52]
Greater Western Sydney Robbie Chancellor Ryan Hebron
North Melbourne Adam Marcon
Port Melbourne Brendan McCartney Tom Hird Kaine Baldwin Tom Highmore, Josh Green, Tom Graham [53]
Richmond Jack Madgen
Sandringham Daniel Ward Blake Watson Ben Stephenson, Mitch Ryan, Ethan Williams Josh Hutchings, Kynan Brown, Brodie Findlay, Billy Johnson [54]
Southport Matthew Primus Brayden Crossley, Jacob Dawson Zac Foot Jesse Joyce, Michael Manteit, Max Spencer [55]
St Kilda Brendon Goddard Billy McGee Galimberti Ned Maginness, Billy Richardson Jett Hartman, Bailey McKenzie [56]
Sydney Nick Malceski
Tasmania Jeromey Webberley Robbie Fox Jye Menzie Brad-Cox Goodyer, Hugh Dixon, Caleb Mitchell [57]
Werribee Dan Lowther Jesse Clark Dom Brew (vc), Louis Pinnuck (dvc) Jay Dahlhaus, Charlie Lazzaro [58]
Williamstown Justin Plapp

Pre-season

Practice matches

VFL practice matches began on 13 February 2026.[59]

2026 VFL practice matches
Friday, 13 February (6:30pm) Coburg 6.12 (48) def. by Richmond 7.10 (52) La Trobe Sports Park Report
Wednesday, 18 February (7:05pm) Carlton 7.14 (56) def. Coburg 7.8 (50) Ikon Park Report
Thursday, 19 February (5:00pm) Footscray 13.9 (87) def. Sandringham 8.11 (59) Mission Whitten Oval Report
Friday, 20 February (1:05pm) Essendon 18.13 (121) def. Richmond 8.7 (55) NEC Hangar Report
Friday, 20 February (2:30pm) Casey 12.5 (77) def. by North Melbourne 11.12 (78) Casey Fields Scores
Friday, 20 February (5:30pm) St Kilda 6.7 (43) def. by Port Melbourne 19.10 (124) RSEA Park Scores
Saturday, 21 February (12:30pm) Williamstown 17.11 (113) def. Frankston 6.5 (41) La Trobe Sports Park Scores
Wednesday, 25 February (2:00pm) Carlton 13.4 (82) def. Geelong 13.3 (81) Ikon Park Report
Thursday, 26 February (10:30am) Brisbane 12.6 (78) def. Gold Coast 11.8 (74) Brighton Homes Arena Scores
Thursday, 26 February (abandoned) Sydney v Greater Western Sydney Henson Park
Friday, 27 February (4:10pm) Footscray 10.11 (71) def. by Box Hill 11.7 (73) Mission Whitten Oval Report
Friday, 27 February (5:30pm) North Melbourne 7.9 (51) def. by Coburg 9.20 (74) Arden Street Oval Scores
Saturday, 28 February (10:00am) Coburg 12.12 (84) def. Sandringham 6.8 (44) Highgate Recreation Reserve Report
Saturday, 28 February (11:00am) Casey 5.4 (34) def. by Richmond 12.12 (84) Casey Fields Report
Saturday, 28 February (12:45pm) Werribee 17.10 (112) def. Frankston 6.9 (45) Highgate Recreation Reserve Scores
Saturday, 28 February (3:30pm) Williamstown 14.6 (90) def. Port Melbourne 10.7 (67) Highgate Recreation Reserve Scores
Sunday, 1 March (10:00am) North Melbourne 11.8 (74) def. by Collingwood 15.14 (104) Arden Street Oval Report
Sunday, 1 March (11:00am) Essendon 10.6 (66) def. by St Kilda 16.11 (107) NEC Hangar Scores
Friday, 6 March (3:00pm) Gold Coast 13.8 (86) def. Southport 7.3 (45) Austworld Centre Oval Scores
Friday, 6 March (5:00pm) Carlton 6.22 (58) def. by Footscray 12.7 (79) Ikon Park Scores
Friday, 6 March (5:00pm) Sydney 15.6 (106) def. North Shore 1.3 (9) Tramway Oval Scores
Saturday, 7 March (10:00am) Brisbane 27.14 (176) def. Aspley 3.3 (21) Graham Road Oval Scores
Saturday, 7 March (10:30am) St Kilda 11.10 (76) def. by Williamstown 11.14 (80) RSEA Park Scores
Saturday, 7 March (11:00am) Casey 13.12 (90) def. by Box Hill 14.14 (98) Casey Fields Report
Saturday, 7 March (12:00pm) Frankston 13.9 (87) def. by Sandringham 13.11 (89) Belvedere Reserve Scores
Saturday, 7 March (12:00pm) North Melbourne 13.9 (87) def. by Geelong 14.11 (95) Arden Street Oval Scores
Saturday, 7 March (3:00pm) Werribee 14.8 (92) def. Tasmania 10.12 (72) RMIT Oval Scores
Saturday, 7 March (3:00pm) Glenelg 9.10 (64) def. by Coburg 11.9 (75) West Gambier Football Oval Scores
Thursday, 12 March (1:00pm) Carlton 10.17 (77) def. Richmond 10.10 (70) Ikon Park Scores
Friday, 13 March (4:30pm) Box Hill 12.13 (85) def. Port Melbourne 12.10 (82) Kennedy Community Centre Scores
Saturday, 14 March (10:00am) Footscray 17.14 (116) def. Werribee 10.10 (70) Mission Whitten Oval Scores
Saturday, 14 March (cancelled) Brisbane v Southport Brighton Homes Arena
Saturday, 14 March (9:30am) Greater Western Sydney 14.4 (88) def. by Sydney 14.14 (98) Tom Wills Oval
Saturday, 14 March (11:00am) Geelong 22.4 (138) def. Collingwood 13.9 (87) Deakin University Elite Sports Precinct Scores
Saturday, 14 March (2:00pm) North Melbourne 14.11 (95) def. Essendon 11.15 (81) Arden Street Oval Report
Sunday, 15 March (10:00am) St Kilda 10.6 (66) def. by Casey 24.22 (166) RSEA Park Report
Sunday, 15 March (1:30pm) Gold Coast 17.9 (111) def. Palm Beach Currumbin 5.3 (33) People First Stadium Report

Home-and-away season

Round 1

Round 1
Friday, 20 March (12:35pm) Box Hill 16.11 (107) def. Sydney 10.11 (71) Kennedy Community Centre
Friday, 20 March (7:05pm) Geelong 24.19 (163) def. Essendon 12.6 (78) GMHBA Stadium
Friday, 20 March (7:35pm) Frankston 14.11 (95) def. by Williamstown 14.13 (97) Kinetic Stadium
Saturday, 21 March (10:00am) Richmond 14.16 (100) def. Southport 7.18 (60) Kinetic Stadium
Satuday, 21 March (11:05am) Greater Western Sydney 17.16 (118) def. St Kilda 10.14 (74) Tom Wills Oval
Saturday, 21 March (12:05pm) Tasmania 14.12 (96) def. Coburg 11.13 (79) North Hobart Oval (crowd: 10,634[62])
Saturday, 21 March (12:05pm) Footscray 19.21 (135) def. Casey 14.8 (92) Mission Whitten Oval
Sunday, 22 March (11:00am) Gold Coast 8.10 (58) def. by Werribee 9.19 (73) People First Stadium
Sunday, 22 March (2:05pm) Sandringham 12.15 (87) def. by Port Melbourne 14.17 (101) Trevor Barker Beach Oval (crowd: 2,200[63])
Bye
Brisbane, Carlton, Collingwood, North Melbourne

Round 2

Round 2
Friday, 27 March (3:00pm) Collingwood 11.13 (79) def. by Greater Western Sydney 14.11 (95) KGM Centre
Friday, 27 March (7:05pm) Geelong 19.9 (123) def. Box Hill 11.10 (76) GMHBA Stadium
Friday, 27 March (7:35pm) Frankston 10.13 (73) v St Kilda 9.11 (65) Kinetic Stadium
Saturday, 28 March (11:05am) Richmond 9.10 (64) def. by Coburg 12.15 (87) Holm Park
Saturday, 28 March (12:05pm) Brisbane 15.11 (101) def. by Southport 19.8 (122) Brighton Homes Arena
Saturday, 28 March (12:05pm) Sandringham 10.13 (73) def. Werribee 8.9 (57) Trevor Barker Beach Oval
Saturday, 28 March (12:05pm) Tasmania 15.11 (101) def. Port Melbourne 14.9 (93) UTAS Stadium (crowd: 5,013[66])
Saturday, 28 March (12:35pm) Essendon 15.8 (98) def. North Melbourne 12.7 (79) NEC Hangar
Sunday, 29 March (11:05am) Carlton 12.7 (79) def. by Williamstown 12.12 (84) Ikon Park
Bye
Casey, Footscray, Gold Coast, Sydney

Round 3

Round 3
Friday, 3 April (11:05am) Brisbane 13.13 (91) def. by Sandringham 15.8 (98) Brighton Homes Arena Report
Friday, 3 April (11:30am) North Melbourne 17.8 (110) def. Carlton 14.15 (99) Arden Street Oval Report
Friday, 3 April (1:05pm) Coburg 10.14 (74) def. by Collingwood 17.17 (119) Barry Plant Park Report
Friday, 3 April (2:05pm) Frankston 9.13 (67) def. by Tasmania 21.19 (145) Kinetic Stadium (crowd: 4,613[70]) Report
Saturday, 4 April (12:05pm) Southport 22.13 (145) def. Gold Coast 10.9 (69) Fankhauser Reserve Report
Saturday, 4 April (12:05pm) Werribee 6.10 (46) def. by Geelong 12.18 (90) Avalon Airport Oval Report
Saturday, 4 April (1:00pm) Port Melbourne 7.15 (57) def. by Sydney 12.6 (78) ETU Stadium Report
Sunday, 5 April (11:05am) Casey 17.8 (110) def. Box Hill 16.10 (106) Casey Fields Report
Sunday, 5 April (1:05pm) St Kilda 11.9 (75) def. by Richmond 16.12 (108) RSEA Park Report
Sunday, 5 April (3:20pm) Footscray 18.10 (118) def. Essendon 10.11 (71) Marvel Stadium Report
Bye
Greater Western Sydney, Williamstown

Round 4

Round 4
Friday, 17 April (3:00pm) Geelong 7.9 (51) def. by Footscray 12.12 (84) GMHBA Stadium Report
Friday, 17 April (3:35pm) Sydney 15.6 (96) def. Greater Western Sydney 10.14 (74) Sydney Cricket Ground Report
Friday, 17 April (7:05pm) Carlton 11.19 (85) def. Collingwood 7.12 (54) Ikon Park Report
Saturday, 18 April (9:30am) Gold Coast 16.21 (117) def. Essendon 19.9 (123) People First Stadium Report
Saturday, 18 April (12:05pm) Williamstown 19.13 (127) def. Southport 10.14 (74) DSV Stadium (crowd: 1,000[72]) Report
Saturday, 18 April (12:05pm) Coburg 12.13 (85) def. by St Kilda 17.12 (114) Barry Plant Park Report
Saturday, 18 April (2:05pm) Sandringham 10.9 (69) def. by North Melbourne 22.17 (149) Trevor Barker Beach Oval Report
Saturday, 18 April (2:05pm) Port Melbourne 11.4 (70) def. by Box Hill 21.17 (143) ETU Stadium Report
Saturday, 18 April (2:05pm) Werribee 15.12 (102) def. Frankston 11.14 (80) Avalon Airport Oval Report
Sunday, 19 April (11:05am) Casey 13.9 (87) def. by Brisbane 20.5 (125) Casey Fields Report
Bye
Richmond, Tasmania

Round 5

Round 5
Friday, 24 April (11:05am) Footscray 12.9 (81) def. by Sydney 22.8 (140) Mission Whitten Oval Report
Friday, 24 April (2:05pm) Collingwood 17.12 (114) def. Essendon 15.13 (103) KGM Centre Report
Friday, 24 April (7:35pm) Frankston 16.8 (104) def. Coburg 10.11 (71) Kinetic Stadium Report
Saturday, 25 April (1:05pm) Casey 11.14 (80) def. Richmond 7.11 (53) Casey Fields Report
Saturday, 25 April (7:05pm) Williamstown 11.6 (72) def. by Werribee 14.13 (97) DSV Stadium (crowd: 2,000[73]) Report
Saturday, 25 April (7:05pm) Tasmania 9.14 (68) def. by Carlton 14.9 (93) Ninja Stadium (crowd: 14,122[74]) Report
Sunday, 26 April (9:30am) Greater Western Sydney 20.22 (142) def. North Melbourne 12.7 (79) Tom Wills Oval Report
Sunday, 26 April (11:05am) Brisbane 6.8 (44) def. by Port Melbourne 13.11 (89) Brighton Homes Arena Report
Sunday, 26 April (2:05pm) Sandringham 12.11 (83) def. by Box Hill 15.13 (103) Trevor Barker Beach Oval Report
Sunday, 26 April (2:05pm) St Kilda 8.13 (61) def. by Gold Coast 14.12 (96) RSEA Park Report
Bye
Southport, Geelong

Round 6

Round 6
Saturday, 1 May (7:05pm) Box Hill v Collingwood Kennedy Community Centre
Friday, 1 May (7:35pm) Richmond v Frankston Kinetic Stadium
Saturday, 2 May (11:05am) Carlton v St Kilda Ikon Park
Saturday, 2 May (12:05pm) Southport v Footscray Fankhauser Reserve
Saturday, 2 May (12:30pm) Geelong v North Melbourne GMHBA Stadium
Saturday, 2 May (1:05pm) Coburg v Brisbane Barry Plant Park
Saturday, 2 May (2:05pm) Essendon v Williamstown Windy Hill
Sunday, 3 May (11:05am) Sydney v Casey Tramway Oval
Sunday, 3 May (12:05pm) Tasmania v Sandringham UTAS Stadium
Sunday, 3 May (2:05pm) Port Melbourne v Werribee ETU Stadium
Sunday, 3 May (2:35pm) Gold Coast v Greater Western Sydney People First Stadium

Round 7

Round 7
Saturday, 9 May (12:05pm) Southport v Coburg Fankhauser Reserve
Saturday, 9 May (1:05pm) Casey v Carlton Casey Fields
Saturday, 9 May (1:05pm) Werribee v Tasmania Avalon Airport Oval
Saturday, 9 May (1:35pm) North Melbourne v Sydney Arden Street Oval
Saturday, 9 May (2:05pm) Collingwood v Geelong Victoria Park
Saturday, 9 May (3:05pm) Williamstown v Richmond DSV Stadium
Sunday, 10 May (11:05am) Greater Western Sydney v Essendon Tom Wills Oval
Sunday, 10 May (2:05pm) Sandringham v St Kilda Trevor Barker Beach Oval
Bye
Box Hill, Frankston, Port Melbourne, Footscray, Gold Coast, Brisbane

Round 8

Round 8
Friday, 15 May (12:05pm) Brisbane v Geelong Brighton Homes Arena
Friday, 15 May (2:05pm) Sydney v Collingwood Tramway Oval
Saturday, 16 May (10:05am) Box Hill v Richmond Box Hill City Oval
Saturday, 16 May (11:05am) Gold Coast v Frankston People First Stadium
Saturday, 16 May (12:05pm) Carlton v Footscray Ikon Park
Saturday, 16 May (2:05pm) St Kilda v Casey RSEA Park
Saturday, 16 May (2:05pm) Port Melbourne v North Melbourne ETU Stadium
Saturday, 16 May (2:35pm) Tasmania v Southport North Hobart Oval
Sunday, 17 May (1:05pm) Sandringham v Greater Western Sydney Trevor Barker Beach Oval
Bye
Coburg, Werribee, Williamstown, Essendon

Round 9

Round 9
Friday, 22 May (7:05pm) Williamstown v Box Hill DSV Stadium
Friday, 22 May (7:35pm) Frankston v Sandringham Kinetic Stadium
Saturday, 23 May (12:05pm) Geelong v Sydney GMHBA Stadium
Saturday, 23 May (12:05pm) Southport v Port Melbourne Fankhauser Reserve
Saturday, 23 May (1:05pm) Werribee v Collingwood Avalon Airport Oval
Saturday, 23 May (2:05pm) Richmond v Essendon ETU Stadium
Saturday, 23 May (2:05pm) North Melbourne v Gold Coast Arden Street Oval
Sunday, 24 May (11:05am) Casey v Footscray Casey Fields
Sunday, 24 May (1:05pm) Coburg v Carlton Barry Plant Park
Sunday, 24 May (4:00pm) Greater Western Sydney v Brisbane ENGIE Stadium
Bye
St Kilda, Tasmania
  • Rounds 10-21 under construction

Ladder

Pos Team Pld W L D PF PA PP Pts Qualification
1 Geelong (R) 4 3 1 0 427 284 150.4 12 Finals series
2 Greater Western Sydney (R) 4 3 1 0 429 328 130.8 12
3 Tasmania 4 3 1 0 410 332 123.5 12
4 Sydney (R) 4 3 1 0 385 319 120.7 12
5 Footscray (R) 4 3 1 0 418 354 118.1 12
6 Box Hill 5 3 2 0 535 457 117.1 12
7 Williamstown 4 3 1 0 380 345 110.1 12
8 Werribee 5 3 2 0 375 373 100.5 12
9 Carlton (R) 4 2 2 0 356 316 112.7 8
10 Richmond (R) 4 2 2 0 325 302 107.6 8
11 Collingwood (R) 4 2 2 0 366 357 102.5 8
12 North Melbourne (R) 4 2 2 0 417 408 102.2 8
13 Southport 4 2 2 0 401 397 101.0 8
14 Port Melbourne 5 2 3 0 410 453 90.5 8
15 Casey 4 2 2 0 369 419 88.1 8
16 Frankston 5 2 3 0 419 480 87.3 8
17 Sandringham 5 2 3 0 410 501 81.8 8
18 Essendon (R) 5 2 3 0 473 591 80.0 8
19 Brisbane (R) 4 1 3 0 361 396 91.2 4
20 Gold Coast (R) 4 1 3 0 340 402 84.6 4
21 St Kilda (R) 5 1 4 0 389 480 81.0 4
22 Coburg 5 1 4 0 396 497 79.7 4
Updated to match(es) played on 26 April 2026. Source: AFL.com.au
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) percentage; 3) number of points for
(R) Club is the reserves team of a senior club of the Australian Football League

Progression by round

4Finished the round in first place0Finished the round in last place
4Finished the round inside the top ten
41Subscript indicates the ladder position at the end of the round
41Underlined points indicate the team had a bye that round
TeamHome-and-away season
123456789101112131415161718192021
Box Hill 44 412 411 87 126
Brisbane 019 017 020 415 419
Carlton 020 015 019 414 89
Casey 013 021 415 419 815
Coburg 012 47 414 418 422
Collingwood 021 016 49 416 811
Essendon 018 414 418 813 818
Footscray 45 45 83 121 125
Frankston 010 48 417 421 816
Geelong 41 81 121 122 121
Gold Coast 012 019 022 022 420
Greater Western Sydney 43 82 84 88 122
North Melbourne 022 018 410 85 812
Port Melbourne 48 49 412 420 814
Richmond 42 46 85 86 810
Sandringham 011 410 88 812 817
Southport 017 413 86 810 813
St Kilda 016 020 021 417 421
Sydney 015 022 413 89 124
Tasmania 47 83 122 123 123
Werribee 46 411 416 811 128
Williamstown 49 84 87 124 127

Finals series

Wildcard finals

Wildcard finals
22/23 August (TBC) 7th v 10th TBC
22/23 August (TBC) 8th v 9th TBC

Qualifying finals and elimination finals

Qualifying finals
29/30 August (TBC) 1st v 4th TBC
29/30 August (TBC) 2nd v 3rd TBC
Elimination finals
29/30 August (TBC) 5th v Lowest-ranked WC winner TBC
29/30 August (TBC) 6th v Highest-ranked WC winner TBC

Semi-finals

Semi-finals
5/6 September (TBC) Loser QF1 v Winner EF1 TBC
5/6 September (TBC) Loser QF2 v Winner EF2 TBC

Preliminary finals

Preliminary finals
12/13 September (TBC) Winner PF1 v Winner SF2 TBC
12/13 September (TBC) Winner PF2 v Winner SF1 TBC

Grand Final

2026 VFL Grand Final
19/20 September (Time TBC) Winner PF1 v Winner PF2 Ikon Park



Q1
Q2
Q3
Final


Norm Goss Memorial Medal:
Television broadcast: ABC

Win–loss table

Home matches are indicated in bold.

+WinEliminated
−LossXBye
Draw
TeamHome-and-away seasonFinals series
123456789101112131415161718192021FW1FW2FW3FW4GF
Box Hill SYD
+36		 GEE
-47		 CAS
-4		 PM
+73		 SAN
+20
Brisbane X SOU
-21		 SAN
-7		 CAS
+38		 PM
-45
Carlton X WIL
-5		 NM
-11		 COL
+31		 TAS
+25
Casey FOO
-43		 X BOX
+4		 BRI
-38		 RIC
+27
Coburg TAS
-17		 RIC
+23		 COL
-45		 STK
-29		 FRA
-33
Collingwood X GWS
-16		 COB
+45		 CAR
-31		 ESS
+11
Essendon GEE
-85		 NM
+19		 FOO
-47		 GCS
+6		 COL
-11
Footscray CAS
+43		 X ESS
+47		 GEE
+33		 SYD
-59
Frankston WIL
-2		 STK
+8		 TAS
-78		 WER
-22		 COB
+33
Geelong ESS
+85		 BOX
+47		 WER
+44		 FOO
-33		 X
Gold Coast WER
-15		 X SOU
-76		 ESS
-6		 STK
+35
Greater Western Sydney STK
+44		 COL
+16		 X SYD
-22		 NM
+63
North Melbourne X ESS
-19		 CAR
+11		 SAN
+80		 GWS
-63
Port Melbourne SAN
+14		 TAS
-8		 SYD
-21		 BOX
-73		 BRI
+45
Richmond SOU
+40		 COB
-23		 STK
+33		 X CAS
-27
Sandringham PM
-14		 WER
+16		 BRI
+7		 NM
-80		 BOX
-20
Southport RIC
-40		 BRI
+21		 GCS
+76		 WIL
-53		 X
St Kilda GWS
-44		 FRA
-8		 RIC
-33		 COB
+29		 GCS
-35
Sydney BOX
-36		 X PM
+21		 GWS
+22		 FOO
+59
Tasmania COB
+17		 PM
+8		 FRA
+78		 X CAR
-25
Werribee GCS
+15		 SAN
-16		 GEE
-44		 FRA
+22		 WIL
+25
Williamstown FRA
+2		 CAR
+5		 X SOU
+53		 WER
-25

Representative match

An interstate representative match against the South Australian National Football League (SANFL) was again played during the AFL's Gather Round, marking the third successive season the fixture was scheduled. The match was played at Stratarama Stadium, the home ground of Glenelg, and was part of a double-header alongside a women's match.[80]

Scoreboard

2026 State Game
Saturday, 11 April (2:30pm ACST) SANFL def. by VFL Stratarama Stadium [81][82]
5.4 (34)
7.9 (51)
12.10 (82)
14.14 (98)		 Q1
Q2
Q3
Final		 3.3 (21)
7.8 (50)
11.11 (77)
15.13 (103)		 Fos Williams Medal (SANFL) & Frank Johnson Medal (VFL): Tom Lewis (SANFL) & Riley Bonner (VFL)
Television broadcast: Seven Network
AFL.com.au[83]
Scully 3
McBean, Allan, Doyle 2
Hosie, Emmett, Beattie, Murley, Ryan 1		 Goals Podhajski 4
Clarke, Hagan, Brew, Tarrant 2
Hately, Billings, Declase 1
Lewis, Ryan, Scharenberg, Scully, Doyle Best Bonner, Hately, Bell, Parks, Podhajski

Victorian team

2026 VFL State Team[84][85][86]
B: 12. Luke Parks
(Williamstown)		 25. Ryan Eyers
(Werribee)		 13. Jackson Voss
(Frankston)
HB: 9. Louis Pinnuck (c)
(Werribee)		 38. Jesse Clark
(Werribee)		 26. Riley Bonner
(Casey)
C: 24. Kye Declase
(Box Hill)		 2. Dom Brew
(Werribee)		 15. Jack Billings
(Footscray)
HF: 37. Jack Riding
(Werribee)		 32. Mitch Podhajski
(Coburg)		 36. Jed Hagan
(Tasmania)
F: 1. Brodie McLaughlin
(Box Hill)		 29. Hugh Dixon
(Tasmania)		 14. Jaidyn Stephenson
(Coburg)
Foll: 35. Brayden Crossley
(Southport)		 28. James Bell
(Greater Western Sydney)		 10. Zac Foot
(Southport)
Int: 6. Hugo Hall-Kahan
(Williamstown)		 8. Charlie Clarke
(Port Melbourne)		 16. Jackson Hately
(Essendon)
30. Corey Ellison
(Frankston)		 23. Harvey Hooper
(Greater Western Sydney)
Coach: Jackson Kornberg
(Frankston)
Emg: 5. Cooper Craig-Peters
(Footscray)		 11. Marcus Herbert
(Geelong)		 28. James Tarrant
(North Melbourne)
41. Brynn Teakle
(Collingwood)

See also

Notes

References

External links

Related Articles

Wikiwand AI