Chris Ninkov and Harry Beaton will be at the helm of their respective A Grade sides as they look ahead to preseason early next year.

Fresh off the back of a draught breaking A Grade women’s premiership in 2025, University will enter next season as the team to beat after triumphing over Baldivis by 17 points in a commanding grand final performance.

The victory marks the club’s first women’s premiership since 2018 and follows a campaign in which Uni finished on top of the ladder and set the standard across the competition. The result cemented University’s status as the premier women’s program in the Perth Football League, with grand final appearances in both the A-Grade and the A-Reserves competitions highlighting the club’s depth across both grades.

A key factor in that success has been the club’s exceptional development pathway, which continues to support emerging players transitioning into senior football as well as experienced footballers aiming for opportunities at WAFLW level. The breadth of talent within the squad was on full display throughout the year, with 53 players being given the opportunity to play A-Grade football, including 22 league debutants.

Premiership Coach Harry Beaton paid tribute to the group’s squad mentality, explaining that “It takes more than just 23 players to win an A-Grade premiership and the depth we have built across our squad was a highlight of our season.

“The incredible success we had this year is a testament to how connected our coaching and playing groups were in terms of the way we wanted to play and what we set out to achieve and I’m so proud of the on and off field culture we have been able to imbed across our program.”

“Dave and the Peacocks coaches did an incredible job of ensuring that the whole squad was ready to step up when called upon and whilst the A-Reserves girls fell heartbreakingly short in the grand final, I have absolutely no doubt their improvement and the standard they set was a really critical driving factor behind our A-Grade success.”

The club’s talent, continued development and consistency have it perfectly poised to launch into 2026 as a genuine contender to chase back-to-back A-Grade premierships next season.

After experiencing his first year as head coach of the A Grade men’s program, Ninkov was left thinking ‘what if’, as his side lost the final home and away game of the season in the dying seconds against Fremantle CBC.

In what was a transition year for the A Grade, there were plenty of green shoots as a result of over 55 players pulling on the guernsey for his side. Despite the high turnover of players, Ninkov is very bullish of what the squad can produce in 2026.

“Last season presented many challenges with inconsistent performance and injury to key players really testing the group. I feel as though the volume of players that represented the league side will only serve to expedite the development of our younger talent. We saw guys like Will Anderson, Charlie Carrington-Jones and Sam West have increased roles in the A Grade side throughout the season and make a real impact in games. Additionally, I am excited for the large graduating class of Colts which I believe will only serve to heighten pressure for spots and build on our depth.”

Ninkov is what many would call a genuine football aficionado. He lives are breathes the sport, which he hopes can filter down to the playing group.

“I want our squad to be willing to push one another throughout the course of the preseason as this will help them develop in all aspects of their game. This development was on display last year against some of the best teams in the competition and goes to show we’re on the right path. I am excited for where this group can get to and to hit the ground running.”

“We know what we have to do to get better and acknowledge the changing competition standards. I think as a group we must embrace this and view it as an opportunity to take a big step forward and return to finals”.

The A Grade side are also welcoming back Matt Dea as an assistant coach. Matt is returning from a year away from football and will bring a wealth of experience to the young squad and the club cannot wait to see him back in action.