Football
11 April, 2026
HDFNL 2026 preview: Pimpinio to continue surge
After several years out of finals football, the Pimpinio Tigers senior side has emerged as one of the top sides in the last two seasons, and will aim to make finals for a third straight year in 2026.
Guiding the side will be new co-coaches Cullen Williams and Matt Rosier, who step up into the role after the departure of 2025 coach Guy Smith.
What the duo lack in senior coaching experience, they make up for in leadership, with Williams a former captain with the Horsham Demons and Rosier fresh off receiving the 2025 League Best and Fairest Award.
Although boasting a young side, Williams said the side remains relatively unchanged.
“Like most teams, we’ve had a few players move away, but we’ve also picked up a few recruits,” he said.
“We also have a few under-17 players from last year who will step up into seniors.
“But overall, the core group is very much the same, with a slightly younger demographic.”
Among the recruits are former Natimuk player Jesse Wilkinson and Hamish Sellens, who arrives from Dimboola.
Midfielder Dylan Bates is one of the notable exits.
Having already had senior experience and entering the year with yet another under-17 premiership in 2025, Williams expects continued growth from Austin Simpson and Link Smith.
“Austin Simpson is someone who will step up this year who played in seniors last year,” he said.
“He trained with the (Greater Western Victoria) Rebels and just missed the squad, but he’s grown and put some size on, so will definitely be one to watch.
“Link Smith is another one who is stepping up and has trained well in preseason.
“Brock Hamerston is one of our returning players who hasn’t missed a training session, is looking fitter and could step into more of a midfield role this year.”
Having finished third in the home-and-away season, the Tigers struggled in the finals and were ultimately eliminated by Laharum in the semifinals.
Williams admits the team lost some confidence towards the end of the year, but believes the young group can continue improving and has what it takes to play finals again.
“We’re not going to set too high expectations, but at the same time, we expect to make finals again,” he said.
“Particularly with the younger group, we want to consolidate on last year.
“But last year, we didn't finish off the way we would have liked.
“We lost four out of our last five games, our form dropped off, and the confidence in the young group diminished a little bit.
“We’ve done pretty well with our preseason, but we will have to wait and see, as I think a lot of teams around us will improve as well, so it’s probably going to be harder.”