Football across the region is set for a massive boost this September as AFL Victoria officially announces the return of the V/Line Cup to Gippsland for the first time since 2018.
Latrobe City Council will welcome more than 600 players, officials, and their families for the 77th edition of the historic three-day representative carnival, running from Monday 21 September to Wednesday 23 September 2026.
To spearhead the home-ground campaign, AFL Gippsland has locked in a powerful, talent-heavy coaching panel tasked with leading and developing the region’s top under-15 boys and girls.
Heading up the Div 1 Boys program is Shaun Mooney, supported by a strong line-up of line coaches including Ben Cunningham, Mel George, and Dean Blake. The Div 2 Boys will be led by Dale Paterson alongside Damian Blackford, Luke Short, and Chris Steur.
On the girls’ side, Emily Gibson takes the reins as the Div 1 Girls Head Coach, joined by line coaches Tamika McQueen, Lydia Gudgin, and Jayda Tannahill to guide the squad through the elite talent pathway.
Crucially, the program places a premium on holistic development, bringing in highly respected Gippsland Power Boys Head Coach Kris Pendelbury and Girls Head Coach Michael Farmer as dedicated mentors, alongside runners Allan Chandler and Tess Binney to bridge the gap between coaching strategy and on-field execution. The entire campaign will be overseen by Talent Program Lead Scott Mcdougal and Region Manager Tim Cotter.
A Proven Footy Heartland with Elite Facilities
The return of the V/Line Cup is expected to deliver a major economic windfall for the local community. When Gippsland last hosted the carnival between 2015 and 2018, it generated a substantial economic boost exceeding $9 million.
Matches will be played across three premier local venues that have undergone significant recent redevelopments and refurbishments, priming them for an elevated player and spectator experience:
The region has a rich history of nurturing elite football talent. Latrobe City Council has produced the likes of Carlton’s Ben Ainsworth (Morwell), Gold Coast SUNS’ Bailey Humphrey (Moe), and Collingwood’s Amber Schutte and Tim Membrey (Traralgon). Notable recent draftees from the wider Gippsland region include 2024 Telstra AFLW Draft No. 1 Pick Ash Centra (Sale) and the remarkable four Duursma siblings (Foster), including 2025 Telstra AFL Draft No. 1 Pick Willem Duursma.
Tournament Evolution
The 2026 carnival features a streamlined structure, reducing the field to align directly with the six representative AFL Talent League regions (such as our own Gippsland Power). This format will see teams play two matches each, with a total of 18 high-stakes games across the three days.
Head of AFL Victoria, Greg Madigan, expressed his excitement for the return:
“The V/Line Cup is a highlight of the AFL Victoria calendar. I’m thrilled to see it return to Gippsland, with recently upgraded facilities and a dedicated local community who will ensure it is a fantastic experience. We have seen tremendous talent come through AFL Gippsland in recent years, and I thank Latrobe City Council and V/Line for their ongoing, long-standing support.”
With the tournament turf literally in our own backyard this year, this newly appointed coaching group is uniquely positioned to give Gippsland’s brightest young stars the ultimate platform to shine in front of a home crowd.
AFL Gippsland Region Manager Tim Cotter said:
“To have the V/Line Cup returning to our home turf in Latrobe City is a massive win, but what makes this campaign incredibly exciting is the calibre of the coaching panel we’ve assembled to guide our young players. This isn’t just about three days of tournament footy; it is a direct reflection of the significant, long-term investment we are making into sports leadership across Gippsland.
“Through regional initiatives like the Gippsland Coaching Academy, our dedicated Female Coaching Academy, and our targeted Coaching Masterclass sessions, we have focused heavily on building a first-class environment for our local coaches. By pairing coaches with specialised mentors through our Coach Developers Program and linking them directly into the Gippsland All Stars pathway, we are ensuring our junior and youth boys and girls have access to the absolute best structural, tactical, and personal support possible.
“We want our local talent—both players and coaches—to thrive on the big stage in September, and this coaching group is perfectly equipped to deliver exactly that.”
Players selected from All Stars will receive an invitation to the V/Line Cup Come and Try Day to be hosted in Morwell in early July over the coming weeks, with Clubs asked to provide additional nominations beyond those selected from the All Stars program over the next two weeks through correspondence at a Region/League level.
2026 Gippsland V/Line Cup Coaching Panel & Leadership
| Squad / Role | Name |
| Div 1 Boys Head Coach | Shaun Mooney |
| Div 1 Boys Line Coaches | Ben Cunningham, Mel George, Dean Blake |
| Div 2 Boys Head Coach | Dale Paterson |
| Div 2 Boys Line Coaches | Damian Blackford, Luke Short, Chris Steur |
| Div 1 Girls Head Coach | Emily Gibson |
| Div 1 Girls Line Coaches | Tamika McQueen, Lydia Gudgin, Jayda Tannahill |
| Boys & Girls Mentor Coaches | Kris Pendelbury (Boys), Michael Farmer (Girls) |
| Runners & Talent Support | Allan Chandler (Boys), Tess Binney (Girls) |
| Talent Program Lead | Scott Mcdougal |
| Region Manager | Tim Cotter |
