Ahead of the 2026 NPLM season, all 14 club coaches have shared their thoughts on how they think the year will unfold!
The results are in, with five coaches backing reigning champions Heidelberg United to reach the grand final once again in 2026. Three coaches predicted Avondale and Preston to make the decider, while Green Gully also received a vote.
The Bergers also have strong support to finish in the top six, with every other coach predicting they’ll make the finals again. Avondale, Preston, and South Melbourne rounded out the top four candidates for finals football.
Coaches also predict nine players across the competition will be in contention for this year’s NPLM Gold Medal, with Luca Tevere (five votes) and Kristian Tarcjeski (two votes) standing out.
The re-introduced Rising Star Award already has a frontrunner in the coaches’ eyes in Heidelberg’s Max Bisetto (three votes), while Lucas Brynes, Zach Cianci, and Fletcher Fulton all received multiple nominations.
Finally, with plenty of exciting football ahead in 2026, the coaches are most looking forward to four blockbuster matches: the Dandy Derby, Preston vs South Melbourne, Heidelberg vs Avondale, and Caroline Springs George Cross vs Green Gully.
*The survey was conducted prior to February 2026!
The coaches were asked 5 questions, with the proviso that their individual answers would be treated anonymously to ensure personal views:
- Which five other clubs do you think will make the top six in 2026?
- Which other club is most likely to reach the Grand Final?
- Which player from another club is most likely to win the 2026 NPLM Gold Medal?
- Which clubs are you most looking forward to watching match up this year?
- Who do you think will win the 2026 NPLM Rising Star Award?
The full voting is below:
Which other five clubs do you think will make the top six in 2026?
13 – Heidelberg United,
12 - Avondale
9 – Preston Lions, South Melbourne
7 - Dandenong Thunder
6 – Dandenong City, Oakleigh Cannons
3 – Green Gully
2 - Bentleigh Greens
1 – Caroline Springs George Cross, Hume City, Melbourne City
Which other club is most likely to reach the 2026 NPLM Grand Final?
* One coach opted not to provide an answer
5 – Heidelberg United
3 – Avondale, Preston
1 – Green Gully
- Who do you think will win the 2026 NPLM Gold Medal?
*This survey was conducted prior to February 2026!
5 – Luca Tevere (Preston)
2 – Kristian Trajceski (Avondale)
1 – Yuki Uchida (South Melbourne), Manny Aguek (South Melbourne), Anthony Lesiotis (Heidelberg United), Lleyton Brooks (Preston Lions), Joe Guest (Oakleigh Cannons), Jamie Latham (Dandenong City), Marcus Humbert (Heidelberg United)
- Which clubs are you most looking forward to watching match up this year?
2 – Dandenong City v Dandenong Thunder, Preston v South Melbourne, Caroline Springs v Green Gully, Heidelberg v Avondale
1 – Heidelberg United v South Melbourne, Caroline Springs George Cross v Oakleigh Cannons, Hume City v Preston, St Albans v Dandenong City, Heidelberg United v Bentleigh Greens, Melbourne City v Heidelberg United
- Who do you think will win the 2026 NPLW Rising Star Award?
3 - Max Bisetto (Heidelberg United)
2 – Lucas Bryns (Caroline Springs George Cross), Zach Cianci (Preston), Fletcher Fulton (Heidelberg United)
1 – Thomas Giannakopoulos (South Melbourne), Raphael Lea'i, Luke Oresti (Bentleigh Greens), Joe Nyahewema (Dandenong Thunder), Alexander Gust (Altona Magic)
