Everything you need to know about the VAFA Premier Men’s 2025 season

The VAFA Premier Men’s season is here and we’ve broken down every club’s hopes. See all the new faces, the exits, the players set to shape their side’s season and our verdict.

Can anyone catch Old Scotch? Picture: Valeriu Campan

The VAFA Premier season is days away and we’ve broken down every club’s hopes.

See all the new faces, the exits, the players set to shape their side’s season and our verdict.

COLLEGIANS

IN: Henry Anderson (Maffra), Luke Nelson (Carlton VFL, Noble Park), Jonty McGuiness (Sale), William Johnson (Sandringham VFL list)

OUT: Ed Greene (Rye), Ben Woodfull (Surrey Park), Josh Watson (Red Hill), Ben Darrou (Tatura), Thomas Sargent (St Kilda City)

Player to watch: Scott Beilby, Nathan Boucher, Jasper Davy

Verdict: Lions coach Jordie McKenzie will be hoping for some further improvement from his side this year after a fourth-place finish and first week finals exit in 2024. They’ve bolstered their playing ranks with some impressive players who will have them right in the mix for the finals race once again.

DE LA SALLE

IN: Nick Bufalo (Bentleigh), Jamie Brooker (South Melbourne Districts), Levi Young (Noble Park, Sandringham VFL), Brandan Young (Noble Park), Logan Young (Noble Park), Rob Amendola (East Malvern), Levi Young

OUT: Nathan Scollo (Murrumbeena), Campbell Bedford (Bentleigh), Lachie Gawel (Elmore)

Players to watch: Adrian Indovino, Christian Algeri, Luke Healy

Verdict: After finishing as last season’s runner-up in Premier B, Nick Hyland’s side return to the Premier competition for the first time since 2019. The first goal on their list will be to secure their place in the VAFA’s top tier. They’ve welcomed some high quality recruits will strengthen their claiming to proving they belong at this level.

Old Brighton’s Tom Fisher. Picture: Valeriu Campan

OLD BRIGHTON

IN: Felix Flockhart (Port Melbourne VFL, full time), Darcy Gilbert (Frankston VFL, full time), Luca Macnab (Sandringham VFL, full time), Archi Manton (Williamstown CYMS)

OUT: Tom Howard (Banyule), Nick Pavlou (AFL Sydney)

Players to watch: Harry Hill, Campbell Tweedie, Alfred Jarnestrom

Verdict: The premiership favourite after going down in last year’s decider? Well it depends who you ask. Marcel Bruin and the Tonners look primed for another huge season and if they can keep their best side on the park they’ll taking some beating. With a high number of players on VFL lists, Bruin could have a balancing act on his hands later in the season depending who qualifies. Overcoming the loss of gun Nick Pavlou is a must.

OLD HAILEYBURY

IN: Jack Bell (Casey Demons VFL, full time), Hugo Nosiara (Carlton VFL, full time), Jayce Morgan (returning), Lachlan Giliam (Warragul), Ned Conway (Wodonga Raiders), Joshua Docking (Hampton Rovers), Olli Hotton

OUT: James Magner (retired), Brodie Steele (retired), Lachlan Treverton (travelling), Luke Bailey (Old Carey)

Players to watch: Josh Gasparini, Brede Seccull, Charlton Harrop

Verdict: Similar to De La Salle, Old Haileybury’s goal will to be lock away survival this season. They were dominant in Premier B last season to take out the flag and have boosted their playing lists for this season. The Bloods have lost some experienced and star players but their new faces should be enough to help them survive this season.

OLD SCOTCH

IN: Tyler Sellers (North Melbourne AFL, listed at Essendon VFL), Nelson Troon (North Ballarat), Jake Torney (Kyabram)

OUT: Ben Thomson (Essendon Doutta Stars), Mackenzie Allen (AFL Sydney)

Players to watch: Will Clark, Andy Jelbart, Jack Brown

Verdict: The reigning premiers are going to take some beating this season. Such is the quality of their squad, they have 15 players on VFL lists this season. Premiership coach Mark Gnatt could have some serious headaches later in the year. Star forwards James Tarrant and Ryan Valentine are playing consistently in the state league right now which could mean the Cardinals need to find other avenues to goal. Players who missed out on last year’s flag will be determined to create a dynasty.

Old Scotch celebrate last season’s premiership. Picture: Valeriu Campan

OLD XAVERIANS

IN: Campbell Lane (Collingwood VFL, full time), Harry Warfe (Omeo-Benambra), Jack O’Sullivan (Hawthorn)

OUT:

Players to watch: Marcus Stavrou, Alec Spralja, Sam Fisher

Verdict: Dan Donati and his chargers have every right to believe they’ll be in the premiership mix this season. They finished fifth last season but will be determined to take the next step towards really challenging the likes of Old Brighton, Old Scotch and SKOB. Importantly, they’ve managed to keep most of their list together from last season. Campbell Lane’s return for the entire season is going to be a massive addition to an already stacked side.

ST BERNARDS

IN: Matthew Watson (Pascoe Vale), Matthew Foley (Strathmore/Essendon VFL), Gabriel Loukomitis (East Keilor)

OUT: Jeremy Sullivan (Pascoe Vale), Daniel Mott (Brunswick)

Players to watch: Charlie Vague, Ben Overman, Luke Said

Verdict: The Snowdogs won five games last season and it was enough to see them survive on percentage. Their percentage last season was 88.95 which suggests they were highly competitive in every game. One aspect Steven Alessio’s side will be determined to improve the defensive side of their game to potentially pick up a few more wins.

ST KEVINS

IN: Anthony Seaton (Sandringham VFL, full time), Jack Mahony (Gold Coast Suns), Ethan Phillips (Hawthorn AFL but remains VFL listed)

OUT:

Players to watch: Liam Walters, Jack Andriske, Pat Kerr

Verdict: As always, SKOB are going to be right in the mix this season. Pat Kerr will again be the focal point up forward and if he can hit the scoreboard and create opportunities for those around him, Anthony Lynch’s side will put on some impressive scores. There’s going to be a close watch on Jack Mahony as the club’s big name recruit.

UNIVERSITY BLACKS

IN: Connor Byrne (Avondale Heights), Lachlan O’Hara (Avondale Heights), Daniel Vardon (ANU Griffins), Josh Macdessi (ANU Griffins), Kane Loftus (St Mary’s, GFNL), Harvey Driscoll (North Ballarat), Ben Matesic (ANU Griffins), Zach Dakis (St Kevins), Harvey Driscoll (North Ballarat)

OUT: Harry Broderick (East Keilor/Richmond VFL), Jake Colvin (University, Perth FL)

Players to watch: Henry Bennett, Ayui Makieng, Nicholas Caris

Verdict: After winning seven games last season, the Blacks have welcomed a swag of recruits to help with their bid to move towards the top-four. Their best footy was often good enough last year, picking up wins against Xavs and SKOB late in the season. More of that and they should be winning more games.

UNIVERSITY BLUES

IN: Jack O’Sullivan (Koroit), Joe Furphy (Geelong AFL, VFL listed at Coburg)

OUT: Jack Stephens (retired), Sam Hayes (Strathmore)

Players to watch: Nic Conway, Marty Gleeson, Sam Grimley

Verdict: The Blues have a new coach in Matt Smith who will be hoping to take this talented list further than the seven wins it achieved last season. Grimley remains one of the leading forwards on the competition while Gleeson finds plenty of the footy in defence. We’re expecting they’ll be the biggest improver in this division.