Ahead of the 2026 NPLW 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 Bulleen to reach the 2026 grand final. Three tipped South Melbourne, while two thought Heidelberg United would feature in the decider.
The Bergers also have strong support to finish in the top six, with 12 coaches predicting they’ll make the finals again. Bulleen, South Melbourne, and Avondale rounded out the top-four candidates for finals football.
Coaches predict nine players across the competition will be in contention for this year’s NPLW Gold Medal, with former Matilda Elise Kellond-Knight and new Bulleen signing Maja Markoski receiving the most nominations.
The re-introduced Best Young Player of the Year has plenty of competition, with 11 players nominated. Alexis Pantazopoulos, Dani Butrus, and Poppy O’Keeffe were the standouts, each receiving three votes.
Finally, the match coaches are most looking forward to in 2026 is the Melbourne Derby (three votes), while Alamein vs Boroondara and South Melbourne vs Bulleen also received two votes each.
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 Gold Medal?
- Which clubs are you most looking forward to watching match up this year?
Who do you think will win the 2026 NPLW Young Player of the Year Award?
The full voting is below:
Which other five clubs do you think will make the top six in 2026?
12 – Heidelberg United
10 – Bulleen, South Melbourne
8 - Avondale
9 – Box Hill United
7 - Essendon Royals
6 - Melbourne Victory
4 – Melbourne City
1 – Alamein, Bentleigh Greens, Preston Lions
Which other club is most likely to reach the Grand Final?
5 – Bulleen Lions
3 - South Melbourne
2 – Heidelberg United
1 – Avondale, Box Hill United, Melbourne Victory, Melbourne City
Who do you think will win the 2026 NPLW Gold Medal?
4 - Maja Markovski (Bulleen)
3 – Elise Kellond-Knight (Avondale)
2 – Bella Wallhead (South Melbourne)
1 – Asuka Miyata (Avondale), Meisha Westland (South Melbourne), Dani Butrus (Melbourne City), Tiff Eliadis (Bulleen Lions), Sophia Palywoda (Box Hill United)
Which clubs are you most looking forward to watching match up this year?
3 – Melbourne Victory v Melbourne City
2 – Alamein v Boroondara, South Melbourne v Bulleen
1 – Heidelberg United v South Melbourne, Avondale v Bulleen, Preston v Keilor Park, Avondale v Essendon, Bentleigh v South, Bulleen v Essendon, Bulleen v Box Hill
Who do you think will win the 2026 NPLW Rising Star Award?
2 – Alexis Pantazopoulos (South Melbourne), Dani Butrus (Melbourne City), Poppy O’Keeffe (Melbourne Victory)
1 – Aeryn Tarrant (Melbourne Victory), Izzy Rako (Melbourne City), Kaya Jugovic (Melbourne City), Cobi Wilbert (Essendon Royals), Sophia Palywoda (Box Hill United), Maddy Rees (Boroondara) Priya Archdeacon (Alamein), Nia Salleh (Bulleen)
