D3 Division 3 2026

[jumperfan]

Masala coming back into the comp I’m hearing from a couple of their players ?

Anyone got any clue what is happening with the divisions ? People are saying a few changes happening

What sort of changes?

 

[ButchersDog]

Having two thirds teams instead of seniors/twos for more than one year was wrong, chaddy and EP battling it out down there, why can't they? I feel like a move to SFNL Div 4 would be better for them, the standard would be similar and way less travel/good chance to build some local rivalries

Been told they owe the vafa some coin so won’t be able to leave no doubt

 

[ancient_rome]

What sort of changes?

With just 1 team coming down, Masala potentially coming in

Heard that Wattle Park wanted to go up as well, don’t think the league would allow it and also if they don’t go up could be an easy flag for them potentially so not sure why they would want to.

 

[Hammerjudd]

Top 4 prediction no particular order.
WP, NB, Hawthorn and Richmond

 

[nowthatscrazy]

Top 4 prediction no particular order.
WP, NB, Hawthorn and Richmond

Bit hard when NB are in div 2, to finish top 4 in div 3

 

[Hammerjudd]

Whoops meant Aquinas

 

[nowthatscrazy]

Whoops meant Aquinas

they are staying up as well most likely, only hawthorn coming down, since St Johns have gone to southern league

 

[God Yeah]

Having two thirds teams instead of seniors/twos for more than one year was wrong, chaddy and EP battling it out down there, why can't they? I feel like a move to SFNL Div 4 would be better for them, the standard would be similar and way less travel/good chance to build some local rivalries

Masala are even worse than Chaddy and EP, looks like the cricket scores we had last season are set to continue.

 

[nowthatscrazy]

Masala are even worse than Chaddy and EP, looks like the cricket scores we had last season are set to continue.

The players don't want it, it's the higher ups at Masala that want to go into D3, so waiting on the divisions to see if it goes through

 

[ancient_rome]

This should be the division

Wattle park

Hawthorn

Richmond

Box Hill

Albert Park

Eley park

La Trobe

Swinburne

Chadstone

Masala

 

[localfootylegend23]

Masala are even worse than Chaddy and EP, looks like the cricket scores we had last season are set to continue.

Wattle park, Hawthorn, Richmond will tee off on them. But i feel like the rest of the pack will be a fair way off those 3. So hard to attract players knowing you will be slaughtered most weeks. I dunno, i feel like Masala wouldn't be that far away from Chaddy/EP.

But makes no sense for them to be in the vafa anymore, so far away from everyone, go to SFNL Div 4, where Dandenong is pretty much the centre of the division.

The players don't want it, it's the higher ups at Masala that want to go into D3, so waiting on the divisions to see if it goes through

Thirds is for clubs extra teams and clubs who dont have enough for two. The league shouldn't be a charity

 

[random observer]

The players don't want it, it's the higher ups at Masala that want to go into D3, so waiting on the divisions to see if it goes through

The higher ups at Masala must be very optimistic or completely nuts. Their firsts finished last in Div 2 of Thirds. Their seconds finished second last in Div 5 of Thirds with three wins, a 229pt flogging and a late season forfeit. Both sides seemed to be dropping away in the second half of the year.

Thirds is for clubs extra teams and clubs who dont have enough for two. The league shouldn't be a charity

I used to agree with you. I changed my mind the day EP got flogged by 60+ goals.

Unfortunately quantity doesn't equal quality. There's no point getting two teams on the park if they get utterly flogged. It is no good for the comp: clubs compete to get the biggest percentage boost (making the floggings worse) and makes the finals race unfair the div if it doesn't have the 'perfect' 9/10-team draw (where every team plays each other twice). It will also be the death of the club - blokes aren't going to keep fronting up to get done 384-0 each week.

 

[localfootylegend23]

The higher ups at Masala must be very optimistic or completely nuts. Their firsts finished last in Div 2 of Thirds. Their seconds finished second last in Div 5 of Thirds with three wins, a 229pt flogging and a late season forfeit. Both sides seemed to be dropping away in the second half of the year.


I used to agree with you. I changed my mind the day EP got flogged by 60+ goals.

Unfortunately quantity doesn't equal quality. There's no point getting two teams on the park if they get utterly flogged. It is no good for the comp: clubs compete to get the biggest percentage boost (making the floggings worse) and makes the finals race unfair the div if it doesn't have the 'perfect' 9/10-team draw (where every team plays each other twice). It will also be the death of the club - blokes aren't going to keep fronting up to get done 384-0 each week.

Surely Masala could find a couple of half decent players to be at least similar to EP. Or better not go to SFNL, (I feel like St johns (Bottom half of div 2 vafa this year) would absolutely flog them in Div 4 SFNL), might be nowhere else for them to go, the SFNL move would make it easier to find players, right now they are travelling a long way at times for beltings, would be hard to find blokes.

Agreed on the 2nd point- i feel like the mercy rule should be 200 at all levels. So at 150 up, switch your backs and forwards around, or midfield into the back pocket, whatever you wanna do to prolong the game a bit. Nobody needs to win by more than 200. Game would've nearly been over for EP vs powerhouse at HT. Some of the EP blokes had already played a full game in the 2's.

Chadstone got a random win (vs someone other than EP) and hopefully get on track to being competitive.

EP's coach (who was a pretty important part of keeping them together by all means) has stepped down
, will they drop back into clubbies this season? I feel like unless they find 20 blokes to stop this doubling up they have to.

 

[JS#35]

EP should drop down if numbers are getting worse, without a doubt. With the exception of the PH game, who are 50+ points better than anyone else, they weren't too bad.

Does hurt clubs like them and chadstone when they're short however

 

[Del227184]

EP should drop down if numbers are getting worse, without a doubt. With the exception of the PH game, who are 50+ points better than anyone else, they weren't too bad.

Does hurt clubs like them and chadstone when they're short however

Local footy is getting harder and harder with more players having hand out for coin
i really admire all ammos clubs especially those in the bottom divisions who manage to remain competitive

 

[ButchersDog]

Local footy is getting harder and harder with more players having hand out for coin
i really admire all ammos clubs especially those in the bottom divisions who manage to remain competitive

Cost of living is a real problem. I know alot of people choosing not to play because it’s not worth the risk of injury and the subsequent time off work

 

[Del227184]

Cost of living is a real problem. I know alot of people choosing not to play because it’s not worth the risk of injury and the subsequent time off work

its a bloody tough landscape atm

 

[cobra land]

Cost of living is a real problem. I know alot of people choosing not to play because it’s not worth the risk of injury and the subsequent time off work

The travel involved each week is also a deterrent as to why players are dropping off, petrol is not cheap atm.

 

[localfootylegend23]

Cost of living is a real problem. I know alot of people choosing not to play because it’s not worth the risk of injury and the subsequent time off work

Tradespeople yes, office people no, this excuse is used by people who dont have the heart to play anymore and don't wanna tell anyone. That being said a broken bone or ligament will result in a little holiday.

The travel involved each week is also a deterrent as to why players are dropping off, petrol is not cheap atm.

Carpool to games! Lol

People just dont want to commit for a whole season, if you are half serious about your footy its tues/thurs (or two nights) from January to September. Gameday can go from anywhere from 1 hour and half before the game to 1 hour afterwards Plus functions, recovery. People woould rather have all that free time and go on holidays - cricket is finding the same problem, you never used to get married during cricket/football season as half your attendees would be busy - now I see clubs forfeiting or putting the word out as half of a team is gone for a wedding.

Landscape has changed and is trickier than ever for clubs!

 

[random observer]

Tradespeople yes, office people no, this excuse is used by people who dont have the heart to play anymore and don't wanna tell anyone. That being said a broken bone or ligament will result in a little holiday.


Carpool to games! Lol

People just dont want to commit for a whole season, if you are half serious about your footy its tues/thurs (or two nights) from January to September. Gameday can go from anywhere from 1 hour and half before the game to 1 hour afterwards Plus functions, recovery. People woould rather have all that free time and go on holidays - cricket is finding the same problem, you never used to get married during cricket/football season as half your attendees would be busy - now I see clubs forfeiting or putting the word out as half of a team is gone for a wedding.

Landscape has changed and is trickier than ever for clubs!

A lot of people can't afford a 'little holiday'.

Also, a lot of people can't commit to two nights and every Sat. Plenty of blokes have a casual second job or side hustle with unpredictable hours.

The VAFA can't do much about people who can't play because of injury concerns (especially apprentices). But they can accommodate blokes who want to play but can't commit to training and playing every week by expanding / emphasising the thirds comp. Footy purists will hate it but if it keeps blokes involved, it is what needs to be done.

 

[localfootylegend23]

A lot of people can't afford a 'little holiday'.

Also, a lot of people can't commit to two nights and every Sat. Plenty of blokes have a casual second job or side hustle with unpredictable hours.

The VAFA can't do much about people who can't play because of injury concerns (especially apprentices). But they can accommodate blokes who want to play but can't commit to training and playing every week by expanding / emphasising the thirds comp. Footy purists will hate it but if it keeps blokes involved, it is what needs to be done.

Agreed, just gotta try and grade it best as possible, keep cheap flag hunters like old xavs out of the bottom grades, i would go as far and say no premier clubs in the bottom grades.

Even if you are on a salary or wages, and keep getting injured, private health costs skyrocket and your employer will hate you for the working from home gift you get.

 

[God Yeah]

A lot of people can't afford a 'little holiday'.

Also, a lot of people can't commit to two nights and every Sat. Plenty of blokes have a casual second job or side hustle with unpredictable hours.

The VAFA can't do much about people who can't play because of injury concerns (especially apprentices). But they can accommodate blokes who want to play but can't commit to training and playing every week by expanding / emphasising the thirds comp. Footy purists will hate it but if it keeps blokes involved, it is what needs to be done.

The Thirds comp is glorified social football.

While I acknowledge it keeps people in the game, the number of forfeits or blowouts due to a shortage of players is becoming more prevalent.

Times have changed, the thought of going overseas for 4-6 weeks in the middle of the season is now common practise. It wasn't that long ago that that type of behaviour was frowned upon and not even a consideration for a player.

I've always tipped my lid to the likes of Chaddy/EP and to a lesser extent the other clubs in D3 and previously D4. It's hard to make a living as a footy club in the bottom grade, I wish PH all the success it can have next season. The gap between the best in D3 and the premier of D4 is about 12 goals+.

 

[Sneaky Dickens]

Hearing LaTrobe have landed a monster recruit!

 

[Egg Boy]

Hearing LaTrobe have landed a monster recruit!

LRT?

 

[Hammerjudd]

Hearing LaTrobe have landed a monster recruit!

Who?