Find out who is coaching your club in 2026.
There were plenty of changes in the Strathmore Community Bank senior men's coaching ranks through another busy off-season.
Check out our summary of who's coaching each club for season 2026 below.
Coach: Leigh Tudor
Leigh Tudor comes into the senior coaching role at Abers after coaching Pascoe Vale to a grand final appearance in 2024. The former AFL player and coaching panelist replaces Clay Illman at Abers who stepped down from the role at the conclusion of 2025.
Coach: Brent Taylor
After a stellar season leading the Eagles to their first preliminary final since 2013, Brent Taylor has been reappointed as head coach ahead of 2026. This will mark his third season in the role as the club aims for another spectacular year of football.
Coach: Jamie Madigan
The Lions have re-signed Jamie Madigan ahead of the new season following the club’s fourth-place finish and maiden EDFL Premier Division finals appearance. With rich coaching experience at the club, Madigan will be striving to take his side further again next year.
Coach: Barry Prendergast
Signing on for three more years, Barry Prendergast brings a lot to the table when it comes to the coaching game. With 17 years in the AFL system, Douttas have thrived off the efforts of their coach who is now locked in at Nipper Jordan Oval until the end of 2028.
Coach: Anthony Rock
Hoping to take the Jets up the ladder in 2026 and beyond is Anthony Rock, a former AFL premiership player with North Melbourne, and two-time premiership coach at this very club. Rock returns to the Jets after a four-year stint at Fremantle’s AFL side between 2016 and 2019.
Coach: Mo Kaakour
Hillside premiership coach Mo Kaakour has recommitted to the club for the year ahead. His efforts and leadership have been felt among everyone at the side who was victorious in 2025’s Division One decider.
Coach: Mick McGuane
Loved by all the Keilor faithful, Mick McGuane has announced his commitment to the senior coaching role at the Blues for 2026 and 2027. With four premierships at the club and over 300 games to his name, McGuane is a decorated personality who’ll be looking to put Keilor back on top in 2026.
Coach: Brodie Holland
Sticking to the red, gold, and blue in 2026 is Brodie Holland after a strong return to Premier Division. The former Magpie is an important asset for the Lions, coaching them to back-to-back premierships in 2009 and 2010 and looking to head back to finals action.
Coach: Daniel Harris
Daniel Harris has signed on at the Panthers after taking over the head coaching role through the 2025 campaign. Looking to return to finals football after the 2024 decider loss, Pascoe Vale will get its taste of a full season coached by Harris next year, someone who’s been around the club for 11 years.
Coach: Matthew Horne
2022 premiership coach Matthew Horne has returned to the club and has taken over the coaching role ahead of the 2026 season. He’ll take on the Mores as they embark on back-to-back premierships after a dominant grand final display over Keilor.
Coach: Andrew Kahofer
Andrew Kahofer will continue his tenure at the Heights in 2026 and will be ready to make amends for last season’s elimination final departure. With a strong list and an off-season full of optimism, it’ll be interesting to see how far he’ll take them next year.
Co-coaches: Jack Carlyon and Cale Bettanin
Jack Carlyon and Cale Bettanin return after steering the club away from the relegation zone and into a finals campaign since taking over in Round 10 of 2025. They took the club as far as the preliminary final against eventual premier, Hillside, and will look to up the ante in 2026.
Coach: Darryl Craig
New to the blue, red, and gold in 2026 is Darryl Craig, who is set to be an important part of this fresh era at the Cougars. Craig brings over two decades of coaching experience to the club, including time at Hillside, Pascoe Vale, and the Calder Cannons.
Coach: Andrew Horne
The 2014 Strathmore premiership captain Andrew Horne will once again coach Moonee Valley in 2026, marking his second year in the job. While the club’s 2025 result wasn’t the most desirable, Horne will continue to bring his extensive football knowledge that saw him feature in playing sides in state league and pathway programs.
Coach: Luke Williams
Fresh out of the assistant coach position at Essendon’s VFL side, Williams will guide the Kangaroos' journey in 2026. The side wasn't able to get the job done in the premiership decider last season, but will look to make amends and progress just as far into the year under Williams’ leadership.
Coach: Brad Fox
Division Two’s premiership side, Rupertswood, will embark on its Division One return with Brad Fox continuing his position as senior coach. Fox led the side to a fourth-place finish last season, winning all three finals matches to hoist the cup at the end of it all.
Coach: Shaun Thompson
Shaun Thompson has been appointed as St Albans senior coach ahead of the 2026 season following four years of coaching duty at the club, getting his time to shine. Thompson spent two years as Reserves coach of St Albans, and two years as the senior assistant coach.
Coach: Steve Burns
Dual Taylors Lakes premiership coach Steve Burns will lead the side again in 2026. Burns led the Lions to a seventh-place finish to its 2025 season with an 8-10 record, capping off an entertaining year of Lions football.
Coach: Zack Carey
Tullamarine didn’t have the best of seasons in 2025 with a bad injury run, but heading into his second season of leadership, Zack Carey will be hoping things are on the up at Leo Dineen Reserve. Prior to his time at the Dees, Carey had a decade worth of experience in the EDFL coaching ranks, including leading the Strathmore Reserves to a premiership in 2023.
Coach: Cole Harvey
A familiar voice within the EDFL world, Cole Harvey has joined the Burgers ahead of the 2026 campaign. As well as the occasional appearance with the Match of the Day commentary team, Harvey has had coaching time at Burnside Heights and in various pathway programs.
Coach: Damien Gillman
The Bears will see a change in its senior coaching leadership, with assistant coach Damien Gillman stepping up to replace the outgoing Cole Harvey. Gillman takes the reigns at Tenterfield Drive as the club looks to move up the ladder in 2026.
Coach: Damien Cavka
Full of energy despite an elimination final loss last season, Coburg Districts will be looking for another finals appearance under Damien Cavka, who has signed on until the end of 2027. Cavka was a playing-coach last season, averaging 18 touches a game.
Coach: James Strauss
Former Melbourne Demon and current player for East Sunbury, James Strauss will step up as coach and look to send the Thunder on the right path in 2026. A ball magnet in his on-field action last season, Strauss averaged 27 possessions each game, one of the highest at the club.
Coach: Addam Maric
Coaching on at Sewell Reserve is Addam Maric. Appointed ahead of the 2025 season, Maric was a key figure in the Glenroy's success in Division Two this year. Maric and the Roys will look to turn 2025's minor premiership into a major one in 2026.
Coach: Andrew Beeever
Hadfield coach Andrew Beever has been reappointed to the senior coaching role ahead of season 2026. In his first season, Beever’s side was slow to start but were much of a talking point at the tail-end, picking up five wins in the last six weeks.
Coach: Colby Blyth
Last season’s finalists will continue to be led by Colby Blyth in 2026 as the Devils look to go one week further. Having been with the club since 2024, Blyth has lots of coaching experience under his belt, including a two-year stint at Sunshine Heights.
Co-coaches: Tamer Abdallah and Antony Papalia
The Saints will be led by two in 2026, with Antony Papalia joining Tamer Abdallah as co-coach. Papalia has over 12 years of local football coaching experience, and joins the club in search of moving higher up the ladder.
Coach: Ross Terranova
Competing in Division Two next year following its 2025 relegation, Roxburgh Park will aim for a season of better results under coach Ross Terranova. Terranova returned to the senior coaching ranks ahead of the Magpies' 2024 season and will maintain some stability with the club's return to Division Two.
Co-coaches: Shanon Carroll and Dean Young
Replacing Jayden Eales as co-coach, Dean Young, a senior assistant coach of the Kangaroos joins Shanon Carroll in leading the club in 2026. Young, the former senior coach of Glenroy joins the club at a good time, as they aim to work their way up the ladder next year.
Coach: Ash Flavel
Westmeadows will continue its premiership pursuit with Ash Flavel as the senior coach. It’ll be Flavel’s fourth season in the job as the Tigers aim to redeem themselves after consecutive grand final losses.
