BENALLA Saints coach Nick Pearson has been appointed coach of the Goulburn Valley League interleague team that will play a match against the Victorian Amateur Football Association in July.
Pearson, who has been appointed to the Benalla role for the next two years, has already earmarked a number of league stars to wear the purple and gold, explaining the opportunity to lead the GVL at representative level was a thrilling prospect.
Pearson said his theme for the league’s best players would built around pride, connection and respect for the league jumper.
The GVL is scheduled to face the VAFA at Elsternwick Park, VAFA headquarters, as part of a new two–year interleague partnership covering 2026–27. The VAFA team will be drawn from the VAFA’s Premier B to Division 3 senior football competitions. An under–19 Big V team will also contest a curtain–raiser on the same day.
Pearson arrives in the role with an extensive coaching résumé, highlighted by his involvement in four premierships in three years with QAFL clubs – as both an assistant and head coach. He also a former Gippsland Power representative, who captained Eastern Football League club Mitcham.
Highly regarded for his modern approach, Pearson is known for embracing GPS data, in‐game statistics, player reviews and development frameworks.
He will not alone in the coaching box, Shepparton United co-coach Trent Freer appointed his assistant for the interleague match, while another coup has been completed with an ex-AFL assistant coach also involved.
Former Melbourne and St Kilda assistant, Peter Banfield, has been secured as a line coach for the game – a particularly insightful appointment given the former Essendon and Brisbane Bears star coached in the VAFA for several years.
The GVL’s underage team will again be coached by league stalwart Ramadan Yze.
