The 2026 season is just around the corner so EDFL Media will be previewing each club heading into Round One. Next, we chat to Strathmore coach Shaun Bannister who provides some insights on their 2026 campaign.
2025: 1st, Division One Premiers (14W, 0L, 1264.86%)
Coach: Shaun Bannister
PRE-SEASON FOCUS
"One of our biggest pre-season focuses this year has been keeping the premiership 2025 group together and adding players where required.
"Over the break, we realised we need to be fitter and particular standards need to be player driven.
"We have a very young group with a fantastic junior girls program who in time have the potential to be great footballers, and we're very excited to see them grow and develop in 2026."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
"Players such as Milla Murphy, Yazi Guzel, Georgie Richardson, El Freeman, Talia Motta, Mikayla Plant, and Yasi Welsford are all ones to keep an eye on this season.
"Tilly Fitzpatrick, Tacita Siliato, Sarah McKinnon, and Charlie Sette had a great pre-season at the club and are looking strong ahead of another year."
2026 OUTLOOK
"One of our goals for 2026 is to be competitive in Premier Division. We realise we’re starting from a long way back, however we believe in our girls.
"A flag or finals appearance would be amazing, however we’re realistic, therefore we really just want to show we belong in Premier Division.
"We’d like to give the group exposure to a high level of footy this season. We’d also like to become a destination club for players in the area, especially junior girls.
"Going from bottom of the ladder in 2023 and 2024 to premiers in 2025 with a relatively new group and a handful of great existing players was a massive achievement by the entire club. We couldn’t have reached that goal without huge support from inside the club."
ON THE RECORD WITH SHAUN BANNISTER
Biggest pest at the club?
The girls would say the man chasing overdue money on fines. So hard to even extract $2 from these girls – Seb Quirk.
Is there a cult hero at the club?
Neil Moxon our Runner with the best pre-game jokes on earth! Girls love him, and he paid me to name him!
Which AFLW player would you cherry-pick for your side?
Nothing against the AFLW players, but I’d take Emily Eaves from the VFLW any day of the week!
Shot after the siren to win, who do you want kicking it?
That’s way too easy, refer 2025 grand final. Give me Talia Motta blindfolded if you like, just to test her. Deadly under pressure.
What are your favourite qualities in players you coach?
Loyalty to your team and never give in and ultra competitive, and I enjoy the funny and cheeky banter from the players.
In what format should AFLW Origin join the men's showcase?
State v state would be perfect.
Flag tip outside Strathmore?
Oak Park has recruited extremely well so I’ll go with them, however if it’s not Strathmore I won’t lose any sleep not knowing who wins.
LODGED TRANSFERS
In: Ruby Vaina (Therry Penola), Freya Taylor (St Kevins OB), Sophie Tisdall (West Coburg), Emma Ainsworth (Oak Park), Summer Sionetali (Greenvale), Caitlin Thorne (Geelong Cats), Tahlia Onley (Wallan), Charli Sette (Point Cook Centrals), Teagan Brett (Williamstown CYMS).
Out: Isabella Cook (West Brunswick), Georgia Duggan (Broadbeach), Elizabeth Gower (Eastlake), Amy Trindade (Perth), Clara Toperosa (Fitzroy).
EDFL MEDIA SAYS
Strathmore is back in Premier Division after completing the perfect season in 2025. It was clearly the reset the side needed with Shaun Bannister taking over as coach and a strong, sustainable list being put together. This will hold the Mores in good stead as they look to make a home of the top flight. It's going to be very tight up top this season, but you'd expect the Mores to be competitive across the board and well and truly proving they belong in Premier Division.
