The teams for the 2026 Talent League Boys Grand Final between the Gippsland Power and Dandenong Stingrays.

Grand Final: Gippsland Power vs Dandenong Stingrays
Saturday, September 20
1:15pm AEST
Mission Whitten Oval

The 2026 Talent League Boys Grand Final will be contested by the Gippsland Power and Dandenong Stingrays.

It will be the first time since the 2008 Grand Final between the Murray Bushrangers and Dandenong Stingrays that two country-based teams will contest the premiership decider.

Gippsland will contest its fifth Grand Final and first since 2012, where it will be chasing its second premiership following its 2005 triumph.

Following a fifth-place finish on the ladder, the Power progressed to the decider with a Wildcard win over Murray Bushrangers, before downing the Tasmania Devils in the quarter final and Sandringham Dragons in the preliminary final.

Dandenong will also be chasing its second flag in what will be the club’s eighth appearance in a boys Grand Final. The Stingrays last reached the premiership decider in 2022 when beaten by the Sandringham Dragons.

The Stingrays finished the home and away season in third position and avoided the Wildcard Round as the highest-placed country team. They defeated the GWV Rebels in the quarter final before comfortably accounted for reigning premier the Eastern Ranges in the preliminary final.

ENTRY: Entry to the Talent League Grand Finals is free.

BROADCAST: The 2026 Talent League Grand Finals will be streamed live and free at AFL.com.au and the AFL Live Official App.

TEAMS

GIPPSLAND POWER

B: Jimmy Little (3), Xavier Ladbrook (40), Charlie Fischer (27)
HB: Thomas Macmillan (15), Clancy Snell (c) (41), Henry Allsop (45)
C: Will Burgiel (18), Blair Roscoe (38), Leo Stephenson (17)
HF: Jobe Froud (12), Augustus Finsterer (22), Keenan Boi (7)
F: Wil Malady (33), Cody Templeton (10), Marlon Neocleous (11)
R: Cohen Dent (39), Judd Burgiel (6), Oscar Henwood (16)
INT: Blake Bibby (13), Jack Hilton (5), Alex Ingham (37), Levi Macumber (4), Hamish Gill (31)

DANGENONG STINGRAYS

B: Gus Kennedy (c) (3), Cooper White (45), Harvey Egan (58)
HB: Darcy Szerszyn (1), Wil Antrobus (8), Archer McCarthy (31)
C: Jackson Phillips (11), Ben Carroll (36), Noah Wisken (27)
HF: Bruce Gibson (43), Mitch Toner (6), Corey Ah-Mu (32)
F: Dylan Linden (9), Finn Marsh (39), Marcus Prasad (4)
R: Jack Vaughan (20), Kaie Sullivan (14), Andrio Sousa (7)
INT: Bentley Avenell (5), Ocean Shepheard (13), Clancy Stuart (22), Orlando Clark (23), Caiden Styles (49)

PLAYER PROFILES

GIPPSLAND POWER

3. Jimmy Little: Jimmy has developed into a reliable defender for us this season. His ability to win the ball back and defend strongly one-on-one will be important on Grand Final day

4. Levi Macumber: Levi's speed and pressure around the ball make him a dangerous player whenever it's in our forward half. He's capable of creating something from very little. Vic Country Rep

5. Jack Hilton: Jack has been a consistent performer on the wing all season, providing plenty of run and connection for us. His ability to cover the ground and use the ball well is a real strength

6. Judd Burgiel: Judd is an explosive midfielder who can impact both around stoppages and on the scoreboard. His competitiveness and ability to break open a game make him an exciting player to watch

7. Keenan Boi: A mercurial small forward, with great goal sense and tackle pressure. Clean at ground level, genuine x factor Vic Country Rep

10. Cody Templeton: Cody has led our group exceptionally well this year and sets the standard with his professionalism and toughness. He thrives in contested situations and big moments. Vic Country Rep

11. Marlon Neocleous: Marlon is one of our most creative players with his ability to impact games in multiple ways. His skill, composure and versatility make him a valuable player for us. National Academy & Vic Country Rep

12. Jobe Froud: Jobe's contested work and effort around the ball have been important throughout the season. He plays with great intensity and puts the team first

13. Blake Bibby: Blake's work rate and versatility allow him to contribute to a range of roles. He consistently competes hard and brings great energy to the team

15. Thomas Macmillian: Medium defender who uses the ball extremely well and makes good decisions.

17. Oscar Henwood: Midfielder who oozes class and has plenty of time and space with ball in hand. Vic Country Rep

18. Leo Stephenson: Athletic winger who provides strong aerial and is explosive at ground level.

19. Will Burgiel: Strong running wingman who is composed with ball in hand and a great link up player.

22. Augustus Finsterer: A hybrid forward who marks it well and is dangerous at ground level.

27. Charlie Fischer: an exciting small defender who defends well and takes the game on with ball in hand

31. Hamish Gill: an aggressive ruck who competes hard and works around the ground well. Vic Country Rep

33. Wil Malady: an exciting forward with great speed and athleticism and has great hands overhead. National Academy & Vic Country Rep

37. Alex Ingham: under 16 player who has clean hands and leadership beyond his years.

38. Blair Roscoe: powerful inside mid with great size and speed, has good hands overhead around the ground.

39. Cohen Dent: imposing ruckman who gives our midfielders first use and is dangerous in forward 50. Vic Country Rep

40. Xavier Ladbrook: Athletic tall defender and our vice-captain. Rock solid down back and uses the ball well with run and carry. National Academy & Vic Country rep

41. Clancy Snell: Clancy has been a cornerstone of our defence all season and leads through his calm approach and consistency. His ability to defend and use the ball makes him a crucial player for us. Captain All Australian & Vic Country Rep

45. Henry Allsop: Key defender who defends strongly and intercepts well. Composed with ball in hand.

DANDENONG STINGRAYS

1. Darcy Szerszyn: Reliable defender who is brave in the air, has the ability to play on talls & smalls then rebound off them.

3. Gus Kennedy: The general of the team, leads with actions, rarely loses 1v1’s.  Demands team first football.

4. Marcus Prasad: Small energetic forward who hits the scoreboard & is relentless with his pressure.

5. Bentley Avenall: Athletic forward who shows great forward craft & can pinch in the ruck.

6. Mitch Toner: Powerful, speedy,  Meduim forward, who can hit the scoreboard quickly.

7. Andrio Sousa: Quick with fast feet who has the ability to open up the game with his traits.

8. Will Antrobus: Elite kick who plays with a real defend first attitude for the benefit of the team.

9. Dylan Linden: Medium forward who hits the scoreboard, has a great work-rate & aerial presence.

11. Jackson Phillips: Classy Mid who’s running ability is at a high level, has a tremendous left/right foot.

13. Ocean Shepheard: Small defender/winger who brings his competitive nature each week, versatile for the benefit of the team.

14. Kai Sullivan: Tough, aggressive mid who kicks the ball with penetration.  Tackling machine who impacts contests.

20. Jack Vaughan: 19 year ruckman/key position with limited games in Talent league, starting to show his presence & aggression gameday.

22. Clancy Stuart: Strong bodied inside who is strong from clearance, can go forward & hit the scoreboard as well.

23. Orlando Clark: Medium defender who turns up every week, beats his man & gets involved on transition.

27. Noah Wisken: Running machine who plays a vital part in the team, hits the scoreboard as a winger.

32. Archer McCarthy: 17 year old small back who has had some big jobs this year, good composure/decision maker.

32. Corey Ah-Mu: 196cm key position who can go into the midfield & impact games, strong aerial presence.

36. Ben Carroll: Powerful mid with break away speed, has a aerial presence & hits the scoreboard.

39. Finn Marsh: 17 year small forward with speed & power, crafty in front of goals.

43. Bruce Gibson: Versatile mid/fwd who demonstrate team first footy, good decision maker with ball in hand.

49. Caiden Styles: Big bodied forward/mid who competes hard in the air & at ground level.

58. Harvey Egan: Reliable key back who lets actions do the talking as a bottom ager.