WRFL Div 1 Discussion 2026

[churner]

No need to bring Wyndhamvale up so pretty simple call if needed.

 

[trucka]

Mitch Palma and Daniel strnak gone ! All top end players gone , have they got anyone left ?

I think one of the main questions is why. Why have all these players left. They announce a new signing and he played 2’s all year for previous club and was in best only twice.

 

[Pies2526]

I think one of the main questions is why. Why have all these players left. They announce a new signing and he played 2’s all year for previous club and was in best only twice.

They went hard at winning a div 2 premiership a couple of years back, went even harder when they went up to divi 1. The players who came in only came for the money. Money can’t buy culture!

 

[trucka]

They went hard at winning a div 2 premiership a couple of years back, went even harder when they went up to divi 1. The players who came in only came for the money. Money can’t buy culture!

True, however they have also lost a couple of long term stalwarts who have been there almost since the start of the club and both of them and their families are great club people.
It seems to me that a lot of their time is being spent on netball at the detriment of the footy side of the club. I understand they have numerous teams in the WRFL league as well as a Saturday arvo league and now looking for a men’s side! Most of their posts on Facebook are about netball!
They may need to put more time into footy side of things and less netball. Plenty of clubs are running both sucessfully

 

[saints0992]

True, however they have also lost a couple of long term stalwarts who have been there almost since the start of the club and both of them and their families are great club people.
It seems to me that a lot of their time is being spent on netball at the detriment of the footy side of the club. I understand they have numerous teams in the WRFL league as well as a Saturday arvo league and now looking for a men’s side! Most of their posts on Facebook are about netball!
They may need to put more time into footy side of things and less netball. Plenty of clubs are running both sucessfully

Which long termers have walked out trucka?

I’ve heard that potentially recruiting may be on the back burner, I imagine losing by 20+ goals multiple weeks and being told help isn’t on the way, doesn’t make it easy to recommit. Very short shelf life in football to waste away getting smacked every week.

 

[trucka]

Which long termers have walked out trucka?

I’ve heard that potentially recruiting may be on the back burner, I imagine losing by 20+ goals multiple weeks and being told help isn’t on the way, doesn’t make it easy to recommit. Very short shelf life in football to waste away getting smacked every week.

Mayne and Segona

 

[MANOFSTEELE21]

Which long termers have walked out trucka?

I’ve heard that potentially recruiting may be on the back burner, I imagine losing by 20+ goals multiple weeks and being told help isn’t on the way, doesn’t make it easy to recommit. Very short shelf life in football to waste away getting smacked every week.

Walked out is probably the wrong word.

Many people from when they were in div 3 including reserves players have decided to finish up.

 

[trucka]

Walked out is probably the wrong word.

Many people from when they were in div 3 including reserves players have decided to finish up.

I didn’t actually mention the words ‘walked out’. The 2 players mentioned have not finished up, they have moved to Moonee Valley

 

[Pies2526]

I didn’t actually mention the words ‘walked out’. The 2 players mentioned have not finished up, they have moved to Moonee Valley

I agree with everything you have said. I don’t see PCC surviving. There’s clearly a deeper and a more systemic issue at the football club. Regardless of them getting pumped most games this year, the loyal ones would stay if they believed in the clubs vision.

 

[Avg at best]

I agree with everything you have said. I don’t see PCC surviving. There’s clearly a deeper and a more systemic issue at the football club. Regardless of them getting pumped most games this year, the loyal ones would stay if they believed in the clubs vision.

Good on them for winning there division 2 flag and theyve been generally competitive in division 1. Didnt they beat the premiers (Werribee) in a game a couple of years ago?

They are in for a year of pain. I don't think the league will allow them to drop a division even if they asked. Wait it out, consolidate and probably shift focus to 2027 for an eventual drop. Difference between them and say North Sunshine and West Footscray at the time is that they are in a growth area with plenty of kids and if they go about it the right way they should have a bunch of one pointers filling the senior team in the next few years.

 

[Hank Heavenly]

Good on them for winning there division 2 flag and theyve been generally competitive in division 1. Didnt they beat the premiers (Werribee) in a game a couple of years ago?

They are in for a year of pain. I don't think the league will allow them to drop a division even if they asked. Wait it out, consolidate and probably shift focus to 2027 for an eventual drop. Difference between them and say North Sunshine and West Footscray at the time is that they are in a growth area with plenty of kids and if they go about it the right way they should have a bunch of one pointers filling the senior team in the next few years.

this is the worrying part for me...

they don't strive to drive their youth talent, they seem to always want to take the easy road. In most junior grades. and even as seen in the U18's this season, they would prefer to sit in as lower division as possible rather than chalenge their top end talent to play against the best week in and week out (even if that means losing every week) to continue to get better.

Those kids then, when they get to senior age group, they are not up to Div 1 footy.

No problem with them bringing in talent, winning their D2 flag etc.... but if yoou don't foster young talent to keep coming into the senior side, at some stage the imports will drop off or not be the right quality and the bubble bursts

 

[churner]

Good on them for winning there division 2 flag and theyve been generally competitive in division 1. Didnt they beat the premiers (Werribee) in a game a couple of years ago?

They are in for a year of pain. I don't think the league will allow them to drop a division even if they asked. Wait it out, consolidate and probably shift focus to 2027 for an eventual drop. Difference between them and say North Sunshine and West Footscray at the time is that they are in a growth area with plenty of kids and if they go about it the right way they should have a bunch of one pointers filling the senior team in the next few years.

They just had a year of pain (R9 onwards, 1-9 with an average losing margin of 108), and now they've lost at least half their starting 18. As I said earlier, the league doesn't have to bring anyone up to replace them so why wouldn't you let them reset in D2 if they wanted. The way it's transpiring, they'll be relegated at the end of 2026 anyway.

 

[TonyStark47]

I agree with everything you have said. I don’t see PCC surviving. There’s clearly a deeper and a more systemic issue at the football club. Regardless of them getting pumped most games this year, the loyal ones would stay if they believed in the clubs vision.

I have a feeling that a complete reset will be good for them. Their young players will have an even bigger responsibility than previous years, and they could thrive. Who knows. A bit early to say they won’t survive. They’re probably in a better position than Sunshine and Altona anyway.

 

[Robos]

They just had a year of pain (R9 onwards, 1-9 with an average losing margin of 108), and now they've lost at least half their starting 18. As I said earlier, the league doesn't have to bring anyone up to replace them so why wouldn't you let them reset in D2 if they wanted. The way it's transpiring, they'll be relegated at the end of 2026 anyway.

I wonder why they all left ? They where quite competitive in 2024 , even beat Werribee at home , but yeah , gone down hill since mid way through this season

 

[Avg at best]

They just had a year of pain (R9 onwards, 1-9 with an average losing margin of 108), and now they've lost at least half their starting 18. As I said earlier, the league doesn't have to bring anyone up to replace them so why wouldn't you let them reset in D2 if they wanted. The way it's transpiring, they'll be relegated at the end of 2026 anyway.

Thats exactly what I said. I agree the league wont let them go down to Division 2 even though it should happen.

 

[trucka]

this is the worrying part for me...

they don't strive to drive their youth talent, they seem to always want to take the easy road. In most junior grades. and even as seen in the U18's this season, they would prefer to sit in as lower division as possible rather than chalenge their top end talent to play against the best week in and week out (even if that means losing every week) to continue to get better.

Those kids then, when they get to senior age group, they are not up to Div 1 footy.

No problem with them bringing in talent, winning their D2 flag etc.... but if yoou don't foster young talent to keep coming into the senior side, at some stage the imports will drop off or not be the right quality and the bubble bursts

I agree with your comments about not striving to grow their talent and taking the easy way out.
In the past 2 years, they have not had a junior team in Div 1. Their 18s played in Div 2 GF in 2024, beaten 24 pts by Sunshine. They start in Div 1 in 2025, then after some heavy losses request to go to Div 2, start winning and play in finals again.
They need to start looking to the future, play against the best, yes, they’ll incur some heavy losses on the way but it will be good for their football and only improve them playing against the best, not celebrating wins against Div 2, 3 and 4 teams

 

[tigs2018]

I have a feeling that a complete reset will be good for them. Their young players will have an even bigger responsibility than previous years, and they could thrive. Who knows. A bit early to say they won’t survive. They’re probably in a better position than Sunshine and Altona anyway.

Can you explain how you view PCC in a better position than Sunshine and Altona after they have had half their side leave and sign elsewhere?

 

[Jessie]

It is strange, there needs to be some sort of explanation and clarity

What was the outcome of this.

 

[saints0992]

I agree with everything you have said. I don’t see PCC surviving. There’s clearly a deeper and a more systemic issue at the football club. Regardless of them getting pumped most games this year, the loyal ones would stay if they believed in the clubs vision.

Spoke to someone that is close with a lot of the boys from that div 2 flag side - Claims the problems start from the top, players fighting with high up committee, committee wanting to bank money instead of spend to get in top end talent needed for div 1. Disagreements with where the junior/18s program are at, core believed the next wave not up to that level committee disagreed so wanted to go down that path instead of recruiting help.

I went down to have a look at their preseason, more 18s than seniors/reserves on the track, only early but you'd have to feel for the new coach, wonder if he was given a false sense of where the playing group was at.

A shame if they do struggle and fall away from senior footy, local PC rivalry gave a few good contests a few years ago when both sides where travelling okay.

 

[Hank Heavenly]

Spoke to someone that is close with a lot of the boys from that div 2 flag side - Claims the problems start from the top, players fighting with high up committee, committee wanting to bank money instead of spend to get in top end talent needed for div 1. Disagreements with where the junior/18s program are at, core believed the next wave not up to that level committee disagreed so wanted to go down that path instead of recruiting help.

I went down to have a look at their preseason, more 18s than seniors/reserves on the track, only early but you'd have to feel for the new coach, wonder if he was given a false sense of where the playing group was at.

A shame if they do struggle and fall away from senior footy, local PC rivalry gave a few good contests a few years ago when both sides where travelling okay.

and if they keep playing their juniors and U18's in Div2's and 3's, then they are also likely to lose their best talent with kids wanting to play D1 footy I imagine

 

[Aucklander]

2026 thread

 

[Generation West]

I know a few of the people at PC Central, including a couple of the young senior players. Great people.

It's surprising that they are where they are at. Good facilities, good location, high growth area and good people at this club.

It's a shame, as I feel like the rest of the clubs will close the gap a bit on the top 2 sides in 2026.
WD and CS have not been very active in the recruitment space and I know that WD have lost a few of their fringe senior players who have left for more opportunity. Both clubs have good young players coming thru though.

Hoppers will always be around the mark and a dangerous opponent.
Newport, Spotty, Yarra should improve and to a lesser extent, Point Cook, Albion and Sunshine.
Altona I'm not sure about but would not be surprised to see them improve and they will contend again very soon.
Parkside weren't far away last year either, but they and Albion have no junior program, which is an issue for them long term.

To me it looks like PC Central are the team that will struggle and the rest of the comp should tighten up a bit with the usual suspects in amongst it again.

 

[Turbos mail]

I know a few of the people at PC Central, including a couple of the young senior players. Great people.

It's surprising that they are where they are at. Good facilities, good location, high growth area and good people at this club.

It's a shame, as I feel like the rest of the clubs will close the gap a bit on the top 2 sides in 2026.
WD and CS have not been very active in the recruitment space and I know that WD have lost a few of their fringe senior players who have left for more opportunity. Both clubs have good young players coming thru though.

Hoppers will always be around the mark and a dangerous opponent.
Newport, Spotty, Yarra should improve and to a lesser extent, Point Cook, Albion and Sunshine.
Altona I'm not sure about but would not be surprised to see them improve and they will contend again very soon.
Parkside weren't far away last year either, but they and Albion have no junior program, which is an issue for them long term.

To me it looks like PC Central are the team that will struggle and the rest of the comp should tighten up a bit with the usual suspects in amongst it again.

Altona picked up a couple of big guys. One ex VFL and the other who won his previous clubs B&F this year in country league. Good gets.

 

[AFDogs]

How can Altona not have a junior program? Seems bizarre.

 

[Generation West]

How can Altona not have a junior program? Seems bizarre.

Altona have got reasonable junior sides and are well represented in most age groups.

Albion and Parkside are the 2 teams without a junior presence.

WD, Yarraville, Point Cook, Newport - very strong junior representation (teams in division 1 in every age group).
Spotty, CS, Altona - reasonable junior representation (some division 1 teams and some division 2 teams).
Hoppers - used to be a junior powerhouse but not much traction in recent years.
Sunshine - very good u18 program but lacking in the younger age bracket.
PC Central - a couple of okay junior sides.
Albion and Parkside - virtually no junior representation.

It makes a massive difference, as WD and CS were virtually all 1 pointers in 2025 GF.