The Bairnsdale Advertiser Team of the Year has this year welcomed seven debutants, with the grand final teams dominating the squad with 11 selections.
The team does have a distinctive new look. However, there are some veteran selections — players who continually set a high bar and are the talk of most opposition coaches’ meetings throughout the season.
Selected annually, the Advertiser picks a team based on sustained individual performance across the entire season, but with the intention of forming the best possible side. It is not simply a list of the best 22 players, as a number of criteria are weighed. The team is selected on matches played, goals scored, club best and fairest counts, league counts, leadership, flexibility and big-game impact.
Among the debutants is miserly Lindenow defender Josh Onley, who hasn’t conceded more than two goals in any game this season. He will likely have another big job on Saturday when he marks Boisdale Briagolong skipper Jim Reeves, who makes his fifth appearance in the Team of the Year.
New additions to the competition in 2026, Ricky Tatnell, Ben Brunt and Josh Davis, have been rewarded after catching the eye in their debut seasons at East Gippsland Football Netball League level.
Former AFL player Mitch Banner debuted for Lakes Entrance last year, and after playing a full season in 2026 at a consistently high level, was a walk-up start as rover.
Young Lucknow rising star Nick Mooney has had an impressive season close to goal, kicking 55 goals from 16 matches to earn his elevation to the competition’s elite, while loyal Paynesville servant Harry Gibbs has toiled manfully in defence in another disappointing year for his club.
Onley and Davis are joined on the last line of defence by the competition’s leading intercept marker, Orbost Snowy Rovers star Curtley Nettleton, who has earned selection for the fourth time.
Tatnell is part of a star-studded half back line that contains rejuvenated Lakes Entrance big man James Beha, who found his niche as a defender in 2026 to earn his fourth selection after returning to the league following a stint at Heyfield.
Last year, Boisdale Briagolong dynamo Jackson Glenane was selected as first rover. This season, he has played with class and poise as a half back flanker, where his superb kicking skills haven’t gone unnoticed.
The all-star centre line is full of talent and class, with Stratford coach Nathan Pollard, Lindenow ball magnet David Donchi, and Orbost swingman Kieran Vickery all having outstanding seasons — none more brilliant than Donchi, who was a dominant winner of the league best and fairest.
Dion Grace has become the leading ruckman in the league, serving as a driving force behind his new club Lindenow’s elevation from pretender to contender.
The enthusiastic Brunt and creative Banner join Donchi and Grace in an impressive starting midfield unit.
The forward line certainly isn’t short on firepower, with Mooney joined by regular selections Peter Harrison, Harry Kellow, Reeves, the explosive Tom Jolly and Orbost’s Tom Smith, who earned his sixth selection after kicking 46 goals in 18 matches while spending considerable time in the midfield.
Rounding out the side on the interchange are perennial selection Justin Gould in the team for the sixth time, Boisdale co-coach Kade Renooy, Gibbs and Tiger Jett Murphy, who continues to impress with his attack on the football every Saturday.
