Everything you need to know about the VAFA Premier C 2025 season

See all the new faces, the exits, the players set to shape their side’s season and our verdict.

Ajax

Last season: 3rd

In:

Out: Noah Webb (Year Off), Charlie Hamilton (East Malvern)

Players to watch: Jorden Cohen, Corey Zielinski, Jake Wrobel

Verdict: With three key players from last season out of the line-up, an opportunity awaits many of the Jackas younger brigade who will be looking to stamp their authority on the senior side under new coach Lachlan Buszard. Last season’s leading goalkicker Richie Simon (62 majors) will miss the season with an achilles injury meaning there will be more pressure on the likes of Jordan Cohen who finished last year with 60. The depth was there for all to see last season with the reserves making the grand final. We expect the Jackas to be around the mark again.

Beaumaris

Last season: Relegated from Premier C

In: Riely Collins (Redan), Sam Meredith (St Bede’s Mentone), Matthew Harms (UTS)

Out: Nate Dear (Tongala), Joseph Nowell (Inverloch-Kongwak)

Players to watch: Joel DiNatale, Josh Trew, Callum Heath

Verdict: Coach Josh Bourke declared in pre-season the club will have a different game style to what it has in the past and it will be exciting to see how the Sharks shape up in C-grade. They haven’t been at this level for the first time in 15 years and will be determined to bounce back immediately. Finals footy will be a pass mark for this side who need a bit more luck on the injury front after missing a number of experienced heads throughout different times last season. If they get a consistent run on the field, they’ll be one of the teams to beat.

Glen Eira

Last season: 6th

In: Finn O’Donnell (returning), Willem Van Denderen (returning)

Out: Will Green (Old Carey), Jasper Waldren (Bentleigh), Tom Noonan (Bentleigh)

Players to watch: Lachlan Mirams, Sean Bass, Jesse Maxfield

Verdict: New coach Guy Martyn has a challenge on his hands the Gryphons look to cement their place in the third tier of the VAFA and then aim to push towards a finals place. You can expect Glen Eira to have a strong emphasis on defending this season after having the worst defensive record in Premier C last year outside of the relegated teams. The loss of Will Green is a big one and will leave a hole. If they can continue the development they’ve shown in recent seasons, a place in the middle of the pack is probably where we expect them to finish.

Marcellin

Last season: 8th

In: Josh Daniel (Heidelberg)

Out: Oliver Stapleton (Old Paradians), Isaac Barry (Balwyn), Daniel Shepherd (Fitzroy), Elias Stapleton (Old Paradians)

Players to watch: James May, Lachlan Rush, Jack Pekin

Verdict: Coach Bernie Dinneen said in the lead up to round one he had already seen improvement from several players in his side and he’s going to want more after the departure of several key players in the off-season. The most notable of those is reigning best-and-fairest Ollie Stapleton. After winning five games last season, three clear of relegation, Marcellin will be hoping to pick up a couple more to not flirt with that kind of danger again. A fitter side than last season, they should be able to run games out better.

Mazenod

Last season: 5th

In: Massimo Cappiello (St Paul’s Mckinnon), Zac Holbrook (WA), Joshua Hall (Oakleigh)

Out:

Players to watch: Hayden Boyce, Matt Fewings, Jack Sullivan

Verdict: Peter Banfield’s side showed excellent growth throughout last season after going 9-9 and be the best performed side outside the top-four. With a young group, the goal will be looking to take another step forward with the development and aim for between 11 and 12 wins. If they reach the milestone, a place in the top-four won’t be one of the question.

Parkdale Vultures

Last season: Preliminary final

In: Charlie Dillon (returning), Cooper Balic (Keysborough)

Out: Charlie Yee (Queensland), Brodie Findlay (North Adelaide), Josh Stolp (Chelsea Heights)

Players to watch: Mitch Brown, Joshua Ricco, Jai Elcock

Verdict: The pre-season premiership favourites for most of the summer, the Vultures look primed for another premiership push this season. They were only seven points of the decider in 2024 and all signs point to them being at the pointy end of the ladder again. Coach Owen Lalor will be hoping his side can finally break through after two preliminary finals losses in a row. The returns of Charlie Dillon and Cooper Balic to the club will help add some size while Mitch Brown is the competition’s best forward and can turn a game on any occasion.

PEGS

Last season: 7th

In: Adeola Akintola (St Albans), Marcus Height, Matt Barake (Gisborne), Luke Weber (Gisborne)

Out: Riley Macdonald (Aberfeldie), Benedict Thomson (Aberfeldie)

Players to watch: Adeola Akintola, Jack Fenner, Riley Simmons

Verdict: The first goal of new coach Rob Kerr will be to lift the club above the six wins it achieved last season. They’ve welcomed some impressive recruits who will help with those goals. Akintola is a dominant big man who is as impact at ground level while Barake gives PEGS another option forward of centre. Jack Fenner was his side’s leading goalkicker last season and could thrive with more opportunities, one rival coach described him as the best “contested mark in the division”. With time of their side, more development in this young group could push PEGS towards a finals chance.

Parkside

Last season: Promoted from Division 1

In: Josh Moylan (Doncaster)

Out: Steve Logozzo (Preston Bullants), Benedict Douglas (Preston Bullants), Dominic Douglas (Preston Bullants), Lincoln Sieben (Rochester)

Players to watch: Michael Romano, Riley Williams, Luciano Logozzo

Verdict: Coach Rick Frost and his Devils continue to prove people wrong after three straight promotions and they aren’t afraid to dream of four in a row. They’ll have to overcome the loss of some key players in the off-season but Josh Moylan should be a nice addition. Michael Romano is one of the stars. This is Parkside’s greatest test after recent success and the first goal is to remain in the division.

Prahran

Last season: Division 1 premier

In: Josh Stefanutti (Mansfield), Patrick Marks (Mansfield), Angus Morschel (Kiama), Ryan Smyth (Langwarrin), Jarrod Jolliffe (South Warrnambool)

Out: Luke Kerr (retired), Matt Clifford (retired), Joey Bell (Mt Pleasant)

Players to watch: Patty Marks, Mackenzie Mayne, Ethan Plaza

Verdict: The Two Blues have arrived with a bang in the division after an impressive recruiting drive in the off-season. Those new faces will help compliment some of the premiership heroes who have moved onto new phases. Coach Craige Milward is excited about his group’s potential and with a return to their home ground finally on the cards, Prahran should make some noise in Premier footy this season.

St Bede’s Mentone

Last season: Relegated From Premier C

In: Mitch Rowe (Mordialloc Braeside), Kane Hutchison (Edithvale-Aspendale), Tom Garside (Euroa), Dan Garside (Euroa), Johnny Dawes (Marcona)

Out: Jack Ferraro (Dingley), Josh Cowan (Powelltown), Sam Meredith (Beaumaris), Kyah Farris-White (Western Australia)

Players to watch: Tom Garside, Zac Calvez, Lachlan Palfrey

Verdict: After putting the disappointment of relegation behind them the Tigers will be looking for a bounce back season. They’ve welcomed in some impressive talents to help counteract the loss of key names from last season. They’ll have taken plenty of lessons away from last season and should be confident of giving the top-four a shake this year.

Originally published as Everything you need to know about the VAFA Premier C 2025 season