WRFL Div 1 Discussion 2026

[Wild Thing]

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.

Is it the same teams in D1 again next year? Wyndhamvale aren’t coming up?

 

[1stEmergency]

Is it the same teams in D1 again next year? Wyndhamvale aren’t coming up?

Same teams

 

[Turbos mail]

Just noticed in round 5 that Newport played with 53/50 points. Yes they lost but any implications to playing over on points.
Gee 53 points for a club is a lot. What’s going on there?

 

[Generation West]

Is it the same teams in D1 again next year? Wyndhamvale aren’t coming up?

Yep, same teams.

The league placed a 2 year exemption when they changed to two divisions last year.

Wyndhamvale would struggle to be competitive with the top 6 - 8 division 1 teams atm, but they have good facilities and in a large growth corridor.

If the right people are running that club, they can come up to div 1 and stay up with the right strategy.

Their junior sides aren't very strong though.

 

[Avg at best]

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.

Hoppers 20 years ago would have had at least three sides in every age grade. At the time possibly the largest junior program in Australia.

I know it was 20 years ago but I would not have picked this much drop off with them when it comes to junior sides.

 

[Kick It To Me !]

Hoppers 20 years ago would have had at least three sides in every age grade. At the time possibly the largest junior program in Australia.

I know it was 20 years ago but I would not have picked this much drop off with them when it comes to junior sides.

The league have allowed several clubs into the competition being Tarneit, Wyndham Suns, Manor lakes, Truganina, Point cook, Point cook centrals which destroyed the area for the long standing clubs like hoppers, glenorden, werribee centrals ETC; You could nearly start a City of Wyndham Comp. The WFNL is all about Money generation as each new club pays fees on a yearly basis.

 

[WRFL Indentity]

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

It's cyclical. A number of years with bare minimum junior numbers has meant the talent coming through hasn't been as good as years previous. The bare numbers are mainly due to the demographic of the area, coupled with the emergence of the PC clubs. This tide is turning however. 2025 saw good numbers at Junior level, with many age groups seeing 2 sides entered, and 3 or 4, albeit B or C grade premierships. Projections look promising, so the "production line" is gearing back up with younger families moving to the area.

 

[trucka]

Just noticed in round 5 that Newport played with 53/50 points. Yes they lost but any implications to playing over on points.
Gee 53 points for a club is a lot. What’s going on there?

I think you will find that round 5 was the ‘23rd’ player round and their points are not counted, even though they are included.

With all there posts of new player signings for 2026, not sure how they will fit them in their points allocation

 

[Pies2526]

I think you will find that round 5 was the ‘23rd’ player round and their points are not counted, even though they are included.

With all there posts of new player signings for 2026, not sure how they will fit them in their points allocation

Most of these signings are under 18s, not seniors

 

[trucka]

Most of these signings are under 18s, not seniors

Fair call, but the 4 players they have announced will carry 12 pts at least in total so they wouldn’t want to announce too many more

 

[Wickers18]

Most of these signings are under 18s, not seniors

They are very talented 18s, building some strong foundations for the future. Should go close to winning div 1 18s again and most these boys will be 1 pointers by the time the play seniors.

 

[Hank Heavenly]

Full credit to Newport in their recruiting of U18's, they do a better job than most senior players.

I did hear they are promosing a lot of opportunities to these kids though, so it will be interesting to see if they all hang around after a year or two

 

[SeaSide]

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.

Well thought out.

 

[Generation West]

Strong word is that Parkside are gone from the WRFL.

They have some sort of affiliation with Ascot Vale due to their junior program. Not sure how it works, but no association with WRFL in 2026 and beyond.

Have also heard that Caroline Springs are very close to departing the league for the EDFL - possibly 2027.

Things look pretty grim for the WRFL if true.

 

[torpfrom50]

Strong word is that Parkside are gone from the WRFL.

They have some sort of affiliation with Ascot Vale due to their junior program. Not sure how it works, but no association with WRFL in 2026 and beyond.

Have also heard that Caroline Springs are very close to departing the league for the EDFL - possibly 2027.

Things look pretty grim for the WRFL if true.

Parkside are in the EDFL in 2027 using an alignment with Ascot Vale for junior program.

 

[1stEmergency]

Strong word is that Parkside are gone from the WRFL.

They have some sort of affiliation with Ascot Vale due to their junior program. Not sure how it works, but no association with WRFL in 2026 and beyond.

Have also heard that Caroline Springs are very close to departing the league for the EDFL - possibly 2027.

Things look pretty grim for the WRFL if true.

We hear this every year, is there any actual proof?

What is the benefit of Parkside leaving?

 

[Dogs till i die]

We hear this every year, is there any actual proof?

What is the benefit of Parkside leaving?

Well Parkside are hoping to jointly field an U18 side with AV Juniors in 2026.....in the EDFL, a strong pointer IMO.

 

[ROOS77]

Well Parkside are hoping to jointly field an U18 side with AV Juniors in 2026.....in the EDFL, a strong pointer IMO.

Why would Ascot Vale want to do that , they can alone with their own.

 

[lachy]

Why would Ascot Vale want to do that , they can alone with their own.

Go back to having a senior club for the juniors to progress through to.

Ascot Vale is a merger of 2 former WRFL/FDL clubs Ascot Vale and North Essendon (EHSOB) that were division 2 senior clubs. Ascot Vale has only been a junior club for 20 odd years, with an over 35's team so a merger with Parkside works for them as they get a senior team and for Parkside as they get a growing junior team

 

[Avg at best]

Strong word is that Parkside are gone from the WRFL.

They have some sort of affiliation with Ascot Vale due to their junior program. Not sure how it works, but no association with WRFL in 2026 and beyond.

Have also heard that Caroline Springs are very close to departing the league for the EDFL - possibly 2027.

Things look pretty grim for the WRFL if true.

Parkside one of the oldest (if not the oldest club) from the old FDFL. Shame for long time followers of the league.
Wouldn’t surprise me if other inner western clubs like Spotswood, YSE and the two Footscray clubs make the move also in the next few years.

 

[the horse whisper]

Well Parkside are hoping to jointly field an U18 side with AV Juniors in 2026.....in the EDFL, a strong pointer IMO.

That’s interesting considering Ascot vale are having joint sides with Avondale heights next season and also did so in u16’s this year
So I would say that most of those 16’s would like stay at Avondale for under 18’s and Beyond.

 

[Turbos mail]

That’s interesting considering Ascot vale are having joint sides with Avondale heights next season and also did so in u16’s this year
So I would say that most of those 16’s would like stay at Avondale for under 18’s and Beyond.

However that would change if they went with Parkside venture mate.
Still would need to play 40 games to be a 1 pointer with Avondale come seniors so usually these ventures are year to year and can change.

Footy numbers are a concern though at 16 & 18 ages and the league have a lot to answer for in allowing particular clubs to have multiple teams over the years and just destroy neighbouring clubs. Is this good for community footy and communities in general NO but is it good for a select few clubs YES to raise more revenue. So I think in 2-3 years you will see 16-18 age groups with limited numbers and the people running the league and to a degree AFL have a lot to answer for. They seen the clearances lodged and they they seen a pattern and they did nothing. They stuffed it big time..

 

[Generation West]

Parkside one of the oldest (if not the oldest club) from the old FDFL. Shame for long time followers of the league.
Wouldn’t surprise me if other inner western clubs like Spotswood, YSE and the two Footscray clubs make the move also in the next few years.

You could be right about this, but would they want to go to the EDFL ?

Unfortunately Footscray is no longer the centre of the western suburbs - it's now Werribee.

You would think that in 10 years time, the pillars of the area will be Werribee, Hoppers, Point Cook and probably Wyndhamvale as div 1 teams.

Division 1
Altona
Caroline Springs
Hoppers Crossing
North / West Footscray
Point Cook
Spotswood
Sunshine / Albion
Yarraville
Werribee
Wyndhamvale

Not sure about Newports long term future and Point Cook Centrals are uncompetitive right now.

WRFL need to be bold and perhaps try to attract one of the teams from Bacchus Marsh and Melton rather than continually losing teams to the EDFL and looking for growth through new clubs in brand new suburbs with no culture or history.
Both Melton and Bacchus Marsh are considered western suburbs and in 20 years time the urban sprawl will have joined all of these suburbs up.

 

[Avg at best]

You could be right about this, but would they want to go to the EDFL ?

Unfortunately Footscray is no longer the centre of the western suburbs - it's now Werribee.

You would think that in 10 years time, the pillars of the area will be Werribee, Hoppers, Point Cook and probably Wyndhamvale as div 1 teams.

Division 1
Altona
Caroline Springs
Hoppers Crossing
North / West Footscray
Point Cook
Spotswood
Sunshine / Albion
Yarraville
Werribee
Wyndhamvale

Not sure about Newports long term future and Point Cook Centrals are uncompetitive right now.

WRFL need to be bold and perhaps try to attract one of the teams from Bacchus Marsh and Melton rather than continually losing teams to the EDFL and looking for growth through new clubs in brand new suburbs with no culture or history.
Both Melton and Bacchus Marsh are considered western suburbs and in 20 years time the urban sprawl will have joined all of these suburbs up.

Being now a Bacchus Marsh local and having a bit to do with the sporting community around here I can guarantee you there is zero chance of clubs like Bacchus Marsh and Darley coming across to the WRFL.

Seeing Darley’s team this year I think they’re 8 goals better (that’s being generous) than Werribee Districts, it’s a huge step back for them to even consider the option unfortunately.

They see themselves as proud country/regional clubs

 

[Generation West]

Being now a Bacchus Marsh local and having a bit to do with the sporting community around here I can guarantee you there is zero chance of clubs like Bacchus Marsh and Darley coming across to the WRFL.

Seeing Darley’s team this year I think they’re 8 goals better (that’s being generous) than Werribee Districts, it’s a huge step back for them to even consider the option unfortunately.

They see themselves as proud country/regional clubs

You are probably right about the clubs wanting to remain identifiable as country teams.

Haven't watched a Ballarat League game for years and Darley were obviously very good this year, but they would want to be to beat Werribee Districts by 8 goals. The WRFL Division 1 finals were some high quality football - tough, skillful and quick. Werribee Districts regularly play GFL sides in practice games (I know - practice games) and they beat Lara by 25 goals (i know, Lara), Grovedale by 10 goals and were neck and neck with St Josephs last time they played them.

The top GFL sides are regarded by many as the best standard of footy in Victoria outside the VFL.

Top 4 WRFL Division 1 sides would go fine against most teams in the Ballarat League, noting that Darley were obviously a class above this year.