The EDFL is proud to announce the 2026 Community Bank Strathmore Premier Division Team of the Year, as selected by the coaches!
Mick McGuane has been selected by his peers as the coach of the side with Keilor taking out the minor premiership, while Liam Cavanagh was voted the side's captain.
Cavanagh will retain his position at centre half back alongside Deer Park's Billy Cannolo on the flank, while Pascoe Vale young gun Charles Bolmat will start on the other flank.
Dylan Laurie will again start in the back pocket with Essendon Doutta Stars teammate Mitch Kalpakis in the other pocket, while Deer Park's Trent McKenzie will start at full back.
Anthony Anastasio (Deer Park) and Mahmoud Taha (Pascoe Vale) will start in the middle as two of four players to be unanimously voted into the side.
Liam Mercieca (Essendon Doutta Stars) has again been named as the ruck, with Keilor's Jack Brown rounding out the engine room.
Rory Atkins returned to Maribyrnong Park brilliantly and will start on a wing, with Keilor's Nick O'Kearney (unanimously voted) on the other wing.
Leading goal kicker Chris Kosmas is the fourth and final player voted in by every coach and will start in the forward pocket, with Strathmore duo Alex Tonelli and Corey Grindlay completing the full forward line.
Airport West's Ned Gentile remains on the half forward flank and lines up alongside another returning Lion in Maribyrnong Park's Brandon Ryan.
Declan Willmore (Essendon Doutta Stars) was named in the back pocket in last year's team, but enjoyed a new role up front in 2026 and will round out the forward six.
Starting on the interchange is Matt Hanson (Airport West), Kieran Gallagher (Greenvale), Sam Medland (Aberfeldie), and Nick Fluke (Hillside.
SELECTION PROCESS & CRITERIA
All EDFL Teams of the Year are compiled based solely on the input of each club’s senior coach.
The 2026 Community Bank Strathmore Premier Division Team of the Year was to recognise the best players of the 2026 home-and-away season.
Other factors such as reputation or form in previous seasons were not to be taken into account.
The coach and captain of the side are determined based on the feedback provided by the senior coaches.
