2026 Season Review - Clayton

Ladder Position - 5th 8-10 (92.77%)

Best and Fairest - Nick Lang

Leading Goal Kicker - Jackson Pasara (24 goals)

Clayton would have entered 2026 looking to build on their 2025 season, where they finished 3rd in Division 4. Season 2026 would prove more challenging than they would have hoped.

The key turning point came in July, when Jackson Maloney made the decision to stand down as senior coach with immediate effect. Jason Lang and Dan Sutcliffe were appointed to oversee the men's program for the remainder of the season.

Clayton finished the season winning just one of their last 6 games, however they still managed to finish 5th and make it through to an Elimination Final. In a tightly contested game against Narre South, they went down by just 4 points.

Since the end of the season, the club has appointed Jason Lang to be their head coach for 2027. Having been an assistant coach the past 2 seasons, this will allow the club some continuity as they reset and look to improve in 2027.

Best win - Round 8 - Clayton 15.6.96 def Ashwood 12.8.80

Key players

Nick Lang - 20.8 disposals, 11 contested possessions, 5.4 clearances

Zak Knight - 18.3 disposals, 6 inside 50s, 6.3 score involvements

Luke Ruff - 20.5 disposals, 7.2 contested possessions, 5.8 intercept possessions

 

Women's Football

Ladder Position - 5th 7-8 (111.97%)

Best and Fairest - Maggie Collins

Leading Goal Kicker - Tenielle Potter (10 goals)

Best win - Round 12 – Clayton 10.11 71 def. Hallam 1.2 8

Key players

Maggie Collins - 13 games, 11 times named in the best players, SFNL women's division 2 TOTY

Grace Tyshing - 13 games, 11 times named in the best players, SFNL women's division 2 TOTY

Tenielle Potter - 9 games, 10 goals, SFNL women' s division 2 TOTY

 

Netball

Clayton had 2 sides compete this season in the SFNL netball competition.

Their B2 side finished 8th with a 2-14 record

Their D4 side finished 5th with a 4-10 record