News St Kilda to field standalone VFL team in 2026

[Mat Mann]

St Kilda Football Club will field a standalone team in the Victorian Football League from 2026, bringing its alignment with Sandringham Football Club men’s VFL team to a close.

The decision follows months of consultation, during which numerous options for continued collaboration were explored. As part of these discussions, St Kilda and Sandringham agreed to continue their alignment in the VFL Women’s competition.

“We’ve had a strong and productive working relationship with Sandringham Football Club since 2009, one that has delivered great benefits to both clubs over the years,” St Kilda Chief Executive Officer Carl Dilena said.

“Our alignment has been an important part of both clubs’ commitment to the Bayside community, which we remain incredibly proud to be part of.

“The Saints are now entering a critical phase in our men’s list build and broader club growth. It is crucial we have full control and oversight of our men’s VFL program to ensure consistent player development strategies, alignment in gameplan, and list management.

“We also want to continue investing in our people. Full ownership of our VFL team creates greater opportunities for staff development and internal progression.”

The change to a standalone men’s team will see St Kilda join 15 other AFL teams using the model, with Melbourne and Hawthorn the only remaining clubs with a VFL affiliate.

“This shift will also allow for more matches to be played at RSEA Park, which not only holds strong cultural significance for our club but is equipped with AFL-grade technology and facilities that will support the VFL program.

“We sincerely thank Sandringham President Nick Johnstone, CEO Mark Wheeler, his predecessor Marcus Ashcroft

Marcus Ashcroft

Age

54

Ht

184cm

Wt

83kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

18.4

5star

K

11.1

4star

HB

7.3

5star

M

3.6

4star

T

1.9

4star

No current season stats available

D

8.6

3star

K

5.6

3star

HB

3.0

3star

M

2.0

3star

T

1.6

4star

, and everyone who has contributed to a strong relationship over the past 16 years. We look forward to continuing our work with Sandringham through the VFLW and a range of community programs.”

Sandringham Football Club will now run its own standalone men’s VFL team for the 2026 VFL season.

“We look forward to engaging with our local football communities, clubs and leagues to build a competitive Bayside playing list for 2026 and beyond,” Sandringham Football Club CEO Mark Wheeler said.

“We are ready for the challenge that lies ahead but can’t lose focus on the remaining 2025 season for both our VFL and VFLW teams, which is business as usual regarding list selections, coaching and support from St Kilda.”

Further details regarding St Kilda’s VFL program will be shared in the coming months.

St Kilda to field standalone VFL team in 2026

St Kilda Football Club will field a standalone team in the Victorian Football League from 2026.

www.saints.com.au

 

[Mat Mann]

Finally, it will take a few years, to get it all working properly, but a fantastic opportunity for the club

 

[Atomboy]

Huzzah !

 

[sasaint]

Great move! Now to build the list. I hope we have the budget to get in some mature players to act as a foundation for our young list. Moving some of our existing list like Boyd onto the VFL list as foundation players would be a great start.

 

[Dr Spaceman]

 

[Pakenhamsaint]

The right call. It's clear that it wasn't working anymore

 

[Dr Spaceman]

Tauru

Standalone ressies








C’mon Nas, make my zipper explode

 

[Circus]

Tauru

Standalone ressies








C’mon Nas, make my zipper explode

Dear Dr while I heartily support your ambition, I think you may require 2 of those pills for that!!

 

[puppy_dog7]

About ****ing time. Should’ve happened 3 years ago.

 

[sauce_head]

I had some mail on this a few days ago. Was so happy when I heard! Not least because I will also be able to take my kids to games in Melbourne in the afternoon (when down) that are played in Saints colours.

Oh, and all the development and all that…

 

[Jade Buddha]

Brilliant, nothing against Sandy but I’ll feel like I’m watching my club now.

 

[Teflon]

I had some mail on this a few days ago. Was so happy when I heard! Not least because I will also be able to take my kids to games in Melbourne in the afternoon (when down) that are played in Saints colours.

Oh, and all the development and all that…

be great to get along to games at RSEA see them play in our colours

 

[SaintsofSteel]

Onwards and upwards, finally the entire club will be working as one, with one clear goal.

 

[austinnn]

Very happy RSEA Park will be used for more VFL matches, great for Saints fans who are over the AFL rubbish.

 

[SG34]

1961 Reserves Premiership Team
Backs: Max Nowlan, John Kilpatrick, Geoff Elliott
Half-Backs: Ray Cross, Tom McKay, D Caple
Centres: Ray Walton, Rodger Head, Peter Burns
Half Forwards: Ted Buick, David Presscott, Brian McMahon
Forwards : Lindsay Fox, Graeme Lee, Hassett
Followers: Bob Hay, Ike Ilsley.
Rover: Ron Muir
Reserves : Hayman, John Kerley

look at the forward pocket!

50th Anniversary: 1961 Reserve Premiership

2011 marks the 50th anniversary of 1961 Reserves Premiership win.

www.afl.com.au

(Bring the crest back!)

We also played a grannie in 1987. Spiro!


Anyone know about our reserves history?

 

[Speck]

I know it's not really our choice, but I'd love us for us to push hard to play most of our home games at RSEA on a Sunday. The later our VFL team plays, the less likely we have to hold players over.

 

[g_TRAIN]

Like it but people shouldn't expect us to automatically be competitive next year just because we ditched the Sandy alignment.

 

[Barrels]

Absolutely delighted with this, and can’t wait to make the pilgrimage to Moorabbin whenever we play there.

Said to my partner last night that standing on the grass hill behind the goals, eating a less expensive hot dog from a food truck, actually hearing the game from metres away, or standing where my old man used to in the Animal Enclosure, and remembering my early years coming to the game at the very same venue - and for a little kid, the adventure of that - and watching Plugger, Harvs and Co., will be worth everything.

Can take the train and have a few bevvies while I’m there.

Strong chance I go to more games at VFL level than AFL.

LOVE this.

 

[SG34]

So what is the story with the list numbers? Is this how it goes?
Presumably, 50 odd players will wear St Kilda guernseys each week. (23+3 emergencesx2 = 52!, but assuming ‘that emergency scenario where 6 are needed never happens).
Primary list = 38 (from which 26 will be needed for the firsts)
That leaves 12 players to add to the …
Category A rookie list = 6,
Category B rookie-list = 3,
Which equals just 21!
Not enough to field a reserve team and bench, let alone emergencies.
And then there is the injury number.
Usually 5 by mid-season.

Seems to me we would need about dozen EXTRA players in St Kilda jumpers.
How does it work?

 

[True Believer]

So what is the story with the list numbers? Is this how it goes?
Presumably, 50 odd players will wear St Kilda guernseys each week. (23+3 emergencesx2 = 52!, but assuming ‘that emergency scenario where 6 are needed never happens).
Primary list = 38 (from which 26 will be needed for the firsts)
That leaves 12 players to add to the …
Category A rookie list = 6,
Category B rookie-list = 3,
Which equals just 21!
Not enough to field a reserve team and bench, let alone emergencies.
And then there is the injury number.
Usually 5 by mid-season.

Seems to me we would need about dozen EXTRA players in St Kilda jumpers.
How does it work?

We pay Zones the entire VFL salary cap and the other 11 players are volunteers from BF........

 

[Mat Mann]

Like it but people shouldn't expect us to automatically be competitive next year just because we ditched the Sandy alignment.

fully expect it'll take 3-5 years to become a stable venture

 

[Mat Mann]

So what is the story with the list numbers? Is this how it goes?
Presumably, 50 odd players will wear St Kilda guernseys each week. (23+3 emergencesx2 = 52!, but assuming ‘that emergency scenario where 6 are needed never happens).
Primary list = 38 (from which 26 will be needed for the firsts)
That leaves 12 players to add to the …
Category A rookie list = 6,
Category B rookie-list = 3,
Which equals just 21!
Not enough to field a reserve team and bench, let alone emergencies.
And then there is the injury number.
Usually 5 by mid-season.

Seems to me we would need about dozen EXTRA players in St Kilda jumpers.
How does it work?

Have a VFL only list to make up the remainder of players needed, that's what the (VFL)salary cap is for.

 

[StFly]

So what is the story with the list numbers? Is this how it goes?
Presumably, 50 odd players will wear St Kilda guernseys each week. (23+3 emergencesx2 = 52!, but assuming ‘that emergency scenario where 6 are needed never happens).
Primary list = 38 (from which 26 will be needed for the firsts)
That leaves 12 players to add to the …
Category A rookie list = 6,
Category B rookie-list = 3,
Which equals just 21!
Not enough to field a reserve team and bench, let alone emergencies.
And then there is the injury number.
Usually 5 by mid-season.

Seems to me we would need about dozen EXTRA players in St Kilda jumpers.
How does it work?

You're forgetting the NGA and Academy listings which you'd assume would get folded in house as well if numbers are required. So say instead of plying trade at the Dolphins as an at or over ager, they pop into the VFL set up instead. This'd then be the pathway used for "potentially" finding their way onto lists similar to what we tried with Sandy also (that was always fraught with the problem of one side not doing the work required to make it work).

I doubt numbers would be a big problem.

 

[Sol Goodman]

This is great news and well overdue. I can't wait to watch Saints reserves playing at Moorabbin in the RWB.

 

[SG34]

This is great news and well overdue. I can't wait to watch Saints reserves playing at Moorabbin in the RWB.

Saul, I think you could set up a tent at RSEA and sell ‘St Kilda phones’. Call for the score. But I’m excited to see the ressies in our colours. I’m guessing BJ will be the coach.