2026 VFL season
| 2026 VFL season | |
|---|---|
| Date | 20 March – 20 September 2026 |
| Teams | 22 |
The 2026 VFL season is the upcoming 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 is scheduled to begin on 20 March and conclude on 20 September.[2][3]
Background
Broadcast rights
The Seven Network, which had broadcast VFL matches since 2015, did not renew its deal, stating the practice was no longer commercially viable.[4] On 12 February 2026, Crikey reported that the ABC had secured the VFL television and radio rights for the 2026 season.[5] All matches will continue to be broadcast online through the AFL's website and app.[6]
League membership
In 2026, 22 teams will compete in the VFL, the equal-most (with 2021) to contest a VFA/VFL premiership in a single division.[6] It is the first time that clubs from four different states will be represented in the same season.[6]
Preston
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.[7] The club had last competed as Preston in 1999 (when it was nicknamed the "Knights").[8]
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.[9] 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.[10]
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history that it had faced similar circumstances – in 1912 it amalgamated with Northcote, in 1997 its licence was withdrawn but was restored after one month, and in 2020 it almost folded after Carlton ended their affiliation.[11]
Initially, Preston club officials expressed optimism about regaining a VFL licence in 2027 or 2028.[12] However, faced with no viable path to readmission, the club entered voluntary liquidation after a meeting of members on 15 December 2025.[13][14]
St Kilda
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.[15]
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.[16] 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).[17]
On 30 June 2025, St Kilda announced it would end its affiliation with Sandringham following the 2025 season.[18][19] The AFL granted a VFL licence to St Kilda the same day, while Sandringham will continue in the competition as a standalone team.[20][21]
Tasmania
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.[22][23] 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.[24][25]
Tasmania will play its first official practice match against Werribee at RMIT Oval on 7 March 2026.[26] Its first home-and-away season match will be played against Coburg at North Hobart Oval in round 1.[27]
It will be 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.[28]
Clubs
Coach appointments
| New coach | Club | Date of appointment | Previous coach | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daniel Ward | Sandringham | 4 September 2025 | Brendon Goddard | [29] |
| Jeromey Webberley | Tasmania | 8 September 2025 | N/A | [30] |
| Rhett McLennan | Casey | 10 October 2025 | Taylor Whitford | [31] |
| David Mirra | Box Hill | 12 October 2025 | Zane Littlejohn | [32] |
| Alex Johnson | Footscray | 27 October 2025 | Stewart Edge | [33] |
| Matthew Lokan | Collingwood | 31 October 2025 | Andy Otten | [34] |
| Brendon Goddard | St Kilda | 16 November 2025 | N/A | [35] |
| Dan Lowther | Werribee | 10 December 2025 | James Allan | [36] |
Club leadership
| Club | Coach | Leadership group | Ref | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Captain(s) | Vice-captain(s) | Other leader(s) | |||
| Box Hill | David Mirra | Stu Horner | [37] | ||
| Brisbane | Ben Hudson | ||||
| Carlton | Luke Power | ||||
| Casey | Rhett McLennan | ||||
| Coburg | Jamie Cassidy-McNamara | ||||
| Collingwood | Matthew Lokan | ||||
| Essendon | Cameron Joyce | ||||
| Footscray | Alex Johnson | ||||
| Frankston | Jackson Kornberg | ||||
| Geelong | Mark Corrigan | ||||
| Gold Coast | Tate Kaeslar | ||||
| Greater Western Sydney | Wayne Cripps | ||||
| North Melbourne | Tom Lynch | ||||
| Port Melbourne | Brendan McCartney | Tom Hird | Kaine Baldwin | Tom Highmore, Josh Green, Tom Graham | [38] |
| Richmond | Jake Batchelor | ||||
| Sandringham | Daniel Ward | ||||
| Southport | Matthew Primus | ||||
| St Kilda | Brendon Goddard | ||||
| Sydney | Jarrad McVeigh | ||||
| Tasmania | Jeromey Webberley | ||||
| Werribee | Dan Lowther | ||||
| Williamstown | Justin Plapp | ||||
Pre-season
Practice matches
VFL practice matches began on 13 February 2026.[39]
| 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 | v | Coburg | Ikon Park | |
| Thursday, 19 February (5:00pm) | Footscray | v | Sandringham | Mission Whitten Oval | |
| Friday, 20 February (1:05pm) | Essendon | v | Richmond | NEC Hangar | |
| Friday, 20 February (2:30pm) | Casey | v | North Melbourne | Casey Fields | |
| Friday, 20 February (5:30pm) | St Kilda | v | Port Melbourne | RSEA Park | |
| Saturday, 21 February (12:30pm) | Williamstown | v | Frankston | La Trobe Sports Park | |
| Wednesday, 25 February (2:00pm) | Carlton | v | Geelong | Ikon Park | |
| Thursday, 26 February (10:30am) | Brisbane | v | Gold Coast | Brighton Homes Arena | |
| Thursday, 26 February (7:30pm) | Sydney | v | Greater Western Sydney | Henson Park | |
| Friday, 27 February (4:10pm) | Footscray | v | Box Hill | Mission Whitten Oval | |
| Friday, 27 February (5:30pm) | North Melbourne | v | Coburg | Arden Street Oval | |
| Saturday, 28 February (10:00am) | Coburg | v | Sandringham | Highgate Recreation Reserve | |
| Saturday, 28 February (11:00am) | Casey | v | Richmond | Casey Fields | |
| Saturday, 28 February (12:45pm) | Werribee | v | Frankston | Highgate Recreation Reserve | |
| Saturday, 28 February (3:30pm) | Williamstown | v | Port Melbourne | Highgate Recreation Reserve | |
| Sunday, 1 March (10:00am) | North Melbourne | v | Collingwood | Arden Street Oval | |
| Sunday, 1 March (11:00am) | Essendon | v | St Kilda | NEC Hangar | |
| Friday, 6 March (3:00pm) | Gold Coast | v | Southport | People First Stadium | |
| Friday, 6 March (5:00pm) | Carlton | v | Footscray | Ikon Park | |
| Friday, 6 March (5:00pm) | Sydney | v | North Shore | People First Stadium | |
| Saturday, 7 March (10:00am) | Brisbane | v | Aspley | Graham Road Oval | |
| Saturday, 7 March (10:30am) | St Kilda | v | Williamstown | RSEA Park | |
| Saturday, 7 March (11:00am) | Casey | v | Box Hill | Casey Fields | |
| Saturday, 7 March (12:00pm) | Frankston | v | Sandringham | Belvedere Reserve | |
| Saturday, 7 March (12:00pm) | North Melbourne | v | Geelong | Arden Street Oval | |
| Saturday, 7 March (12:00pm) | Werribee | v | Tasmania | RMIT Oval | |
| Thursday, 12 March (1:00pm) | Carlton | v | Richmond | Ikon Park | |
| Friday, 13 March (4:30pm) | Box Hill | v | Port Melbourne | Kennedy Community Centre | |
| Saturday, 14 March (10:00am) | Footscray | v | Werribee | Mission Whitten Oval | |
| Saturday, 14 March (11:00am) | Brisbane | v | Southport | Brighton Homes Arena | |
| Saturday, 14 March (11:00am) | Geelong | v | Collingwood | Deakin University Elite Sports Precinct | |
| Saturday, 14 March (2:00pm) | North Melbourne | v | Essendon | Arden Street Oval | |
| Sunday, 15 March (10:00am) | St Kilda | v | Casey | RSEA Park | |
| Sunday, 15 March (1:30pm) | Gold Coast | v | Palm Beach Currumbin | People First Stadium | |
Home-and-away season
Round 1
| Round 1 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday, 20 March (12:35pm) | Box Hill | v | Sydney | Kennedy Community Centre | |
| Friday, 20 March (7:05pm) | Geelong | v | Essendon | GMHBA Stadium | |
| Friday, 20 March (7:35pm) | Frankston | v | Williamstown | Kinetic Stadium | |
| Satuday, 21 March (11:05am) | Greater Western Sydney | v | St Kilda | Tom Wills Oval | |
| Saturday, 21 March (12:05pm) | Richmond | v | Southport | Kinetic Stadium | |
| Saturday, 21 March (1:05pm) | Tasmania | v | Coburg | North Hobart Oval | |
| Saturday, 21 March (2:05pm) | Footscray | v | Casey | Mission Whitten Oval | |
| Sunday, 22 March (11:05am) | Gold Coast | v | Werribee | People First Stadium | |
| Sunday, 22 March (2:05pm) | Sandringham | v | Port Melbourne | Trevor Barker Beach Oval | |
| Bye Brisbane, Carlton, Collingwood, North Melbourne |
|||||
Round 2
| Round 2 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday, 27 March (12:10pm) | Collingwood | v | Greater Western Sydney | Victoria Park | |
| Friday, 27 March (7:05pm) | Geelong | v | Box Hill | GMHBA Stadium | |
| Friday, 27 March (7:35pm) | Frankston | v | St Kilda | Kinetic Stadium | |
| Satuday, 28 March (11:05am) | Richmond | v | Coburg | Holm Park Recreation Reserve | |
| Saturday, 28 March (12:05pm) | Brisbane | v | Southport | Brighton Homes Arena | |
| Saturday, 28 March (12:35pm) | Essendon | v | North Melbourne | NEC Hangar | |
| Saturday, 28 March (1:05pm) | Sandringham | v | Werribee | Trevor Barker Beach Oval | |
| Sunday, 29 March (11:05am) | Carlton | v | Williamstown | Ikon Park | |
| Sunday, 29 March (12:05pm) | Tasmania | v | Port Melbourne | University of Tasmania Stadium | |
| Bye Casey, Footscray, Sydney, Gold Coast |
|||||
Round 3
| Round 3 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday, 3 April (11:05am) | Brisbane | v | Sandringham | Brighton Homes Arena | |
| Friday, 3 April (12:05pm) | North Melbourne | v | Carlton | Arden Street Oval | |
| Friday, 3 April (1:05pm) | Coburg | v | Collingwood | Barry Plant Park | |
| Friday, 3 April (2:05pm) | Frankston | v | Tasmania | Kinetic Stadium | |
| Saturday, 4 April (12:05pm) | Southport | v | Gold Coast | Fankhauser Reserve | |
| Saturday, 4 April (1:05pm) | Port Melbourne | v | Sydney | ETU Stadium | |
| Saturday, 4 April (2:05pm) | Werribee | v | Geelong | Avalon Airport Oval | |
| Sunday, 5 April (11:05am) | Casey | v | Box Hill | Casey Fields | |
| Sunday, 5 April (1:05pm) | St Kilda | v | Richmond | RSEA Park | |
| Sunday, 5 April (3:05pm) | Footscray | v | Essendon | Mission Whitten Oval | |
| Bye Williamstown, Greater Western Sydney |
|||||
Round 4
| Round 4 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday, 17 April (3:00pm) | Geelong | v | Footscray | GMHBA Stadium | |
| Friday, 17 April (3:35pm) | Sydney | v | Greater Western Sydney | Sydney Cricket Ground | |
| Friday, 17 April (7:05pm) | Carlton | v | Collingwood | Ikon Park | |
| Saturday, 18 April (9:00am) | Gold Coast | v | Essendon | People First Stadium | |
| Saturday, 18 April (12:05pm) | Williamstown | v | Southport | DSV Stadium | |
| Saturday, 18 April (1:05pm) | Coburg | v | St Kilda | Barry Plant Park | |
| Saturday, 18 April (2:05pm) | Sandringham | v | North Melbourne | Trevor Barker Beach Oval | |
| Saturday, 18 April (2:05pm) | Port Melbourne | v | Box Hill | ETU Stadium | |
| Saturday, 18 April (2:05pm) | Werribee | v | Frankston | Avalon Airport Oval | |
| Sunday, 19 April (11:05am) | Casey | v | Brisbane | Casey Fields | |
| Bye Richmond, Tasmania |
|||||
Round 5
| Round 5 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday, 24 April (11:05am) | Footscray | v | Sydney | Mission Whitten Oval | |
| Friday, 24 April (7:35pm) | Frankston | v | Coburg | Kinetic Stadium | |
| Saturday, 25 April (12:10pm) | Collingwood | v | Essendon | Victoria Park | |
| Saturday, 25 April (1:05pm) | Casey | v | Richmond | Casey Fields | |
| Saturday, 25 April (7:05pm) | Williamstown | v | Werribee | DSV Stadium | |
| Saturday, 25 April (7:05pm) | Tasmania | v | Carlton | Ninja Stadium | |
| Sunday, 26 April (9:30am) | Greater Western Sydney | v | North Melbourne | Tom Wills Oval | |
| Sunday, 26 April (11:05am) | Brisbane | v | Port Melbourne | Brighton Homes Arena | |
| Sunday, 26 April (2:05pm) | Sandringham | v | Box Hill | Trevor Barker Beach Oval | |
| Sunday, 26 April (2:05pm) | St Kilda | v | Gold Coast | RSEA Park | |
| Bye Southport, Geelong |
|||||
Round 6
| Round 6 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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) | Box Hill | v | Collingwood | Box Hill City Oval | |
| 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) | 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 (11:05am) | Geelong | v | Sydney | GMHBA Stadium | |
| 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 | Footscray (R) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | Finals series |
| 2 | Box Hill | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | |
| 3 | Southport | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | |
| 4 | Frankston | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | |
| 5 | Casey | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | |
| 6 | Brisbane (R) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | |
| 7 | Collingwood (R) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | |
| 8 | Richmond (R) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | |
| 9 | Greater Western Sydney (R) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | |
| 10 | Williamstown | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | |
| 11 | Coburg | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | |
| 12 | Geelong (R) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | |
| 13 | Carlton (R) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | |
| 14 | Gold Coast (R) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | |
| 15 | North Melbourne (R) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | |
| 16 | Werribee | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | |
| 17 | Port Melbourne | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | |
| 18 | Sydney (R) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | |
| 19 | Essendon (R) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | |
| 20 | Sandringham | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | |
| 21 | St Kilda (R) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | |
| 22 | Tasmania | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 |
Updated to match(es) played on 1 January 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
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
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: AFL.com.au | ||||
Representative match
An interstate representative match against the South Australian National Football League (SANFL) will again be played during the AFL Gather Round, marking the third successive season the fixture has been scheduled. The match will be played at Stratarama Stadium, the home ground of Glenelg, and will be part of a double-header alongside a women's match.[41]
Scoreboard
| 2026 State Game | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday, 11 April (2:30pm ACST) | SANFL | v | VFL | Stratarama Stadium | |
| Q1 Q2 Q3 Final |
Television broadcast: Seven Network | ||||
See also
References
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- ^ "2026 VFL and VFLW season dates". AFL.com.au. 27 November 2025. Archived from the original on 27 November 2025. Retrieved 27 November 2025.
- ^ "2026 Smithy's VFL Round 1 fixture". AFL.com.au. 30 January 2026. Archived from the original on 3 February 2026. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
- ^ Knox, David (28 January 2026). "Seven drops "not commercially viable" VFL". TV Tonight. Archived from the original on 15 February 2026. Retrieved 15 February 2026.
- ^ Saeed, Daanyal (12 February 2026). "ABC secures television and radio rights for the VFL". Crikey. Archived from the original on 15 February 2026. Retrieved 15 February 2026.
- ^ a b c "2026 Smithy's VFL and VFLW fixtures confirmed". AFL.com.au. 11 February 2026. Archived from the original on 15 February 2026. Retrieved 15 February 2026.
- ^ Amy, Paul (20 May 2025). "New Bullants president says club will go back to being called Preston". CODE Sports. Archived from the original on 20 May 2025. Retrieved 20 May 2025.
- ^ "Preston Football Club". Darebin Libraries. Archived from the original on 16 November 2025. Retrieved 16 November 2025.
- ^ Amy, Paul; Michell, Tim (19 August 2025). "Northern Bullants on brink of collapse after plea to AFL for debt bailout". Herald Sun. Archived from the original on 19 August 2025. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
- ^ Amy, Paul (6 October 2025). "Game over: Historic Victorian club Preston Bullants kicked out of the VFL". CODE Sports. Archived from the original on 6 October 2025. Retrieved 6 October 2025.
- ^ "'Time for action': Bullants need your support as club returns to Preston name". Preston Football Club. 20 August 2025. Archived from the original on 16 November 2025. Retrieved 16 November 2025.
- ^ "Proud to be Preston: Three Clubs. United. One Jumper". Preston Football Club. 22 October 2025. Archived from the original on 16 November 2025. Retrieved 16 November 2025.
- ^ "Club statement". Preston Football Club. 17 December 2025. Archived from the original on 31 December 2025. Retrieved 31 December 2025.
- ^ Simpkins, Sarah (18 December 2025). "Historic Preston Football Club liquidated after 143-year run". Herald Sun. Archived from the original on 18 December 2025. Retrieved 31 December 2025.
- ^ "Saints, Demons in VFL affiliate swap". AFL.com.au. 5 June 2008. Archived from the original on 16 November 2025. Retrieved 16 November 2025.
- ^ Wu, Andrew; Spits, Scott (24 April 2025). "Why the Saints could split from their VFL team; Sam Darcy avoids knee surgery". Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 16 November 2025. Retrieved 16 November 2025.
- ^ "Sandringham releases clash guernsey for 2019". Sandringham Football Club. 8 April 2019. Archived from the original on 13 April 2025. Retrieved 19 August 2025.
- ^ "St Kilda to field standalone VFL team in 2026". St Kilda Football Club. 30 June 2025. Archived from the original on 30 June 2025. Retrieved 30 June 2025.
- ^ Keating, Mitch (30 June 2025). "St Kilda make call on VFL team for 2026". ZeroHanger. Archived from the original on 30 June 2025. Retrieved 30 June 2025.
- ^ "St Kilda approved VFL licence". AFL.com.au. 30 June 2025. Archived from the original on 30 June 2025. Retrieved 30 June 2025.
- ^ Alvaro, Michael (22 January 2026). "Recruitment drive: Standalone Sandringham's signing spree". Rookie Me Central. Archived from the original on 26 January 2026. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
- ^ "Tasmania to enter VFL and VFLW in 2026". AFL.com.au. 5 September 2025. Archived from the original on 5 September 2025. Retrieved 5 September 2025.
- ^ "Tasmania Football Club to Enter VFL and VFLW in 2026". Tasmania Football Club. 5 September 2025. Archived from the original on 5 September 2025. Retrieved 5 September 2025.
- ^ Hann, Ben (8 September 2025). "Tasmania Devils reveal inaugural coach after reaching massive milestone". The Examiner. Archived from the original on 8 September 2025. Retrieved 8 September 2025.
- ^ "Devils Sign First VFL Athlete". Tasmania Football Club. 30 September 2025. Archived from the original on 30 September 2025. Retrieved 30 September 2025.
- ^ May, Brayden (27 January 2026). "Tasmania to play practice match against Werribee". The Mercury. Archived from the original on 28 January 2026. Retrieved 28 January 2026.
- ^ "Devils Lock In Historic Season Opener". Tasmania Football Club. 28 January 2026. Archived from the original on 28 January 2026. Retrieved 28 January 2026.
- ^ Newlinds, Peter (2 September 2003). "Tasmania gripped by footy fever". ABC News. Archived from the original on 16 November 2025. Retrieved 16 November 2025.
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