OLD McKINNON FC NEWS
The 2026 season has been another important year for the Glen Eira/Old McKinnon Gryphons Football Club, with our Men’s, Women’s and Under 19 teams all experiencing different challenges and opportunities throughout the VAFA season. Across the three programs, there have been plenty of highlights, with a strong focus on developing our young players and building for the future.
Our Premier C Men’s team has experienced a challenging but valuable season. With a strong focus on youth and development, the team has provided opportunities for a number of younger players to step up and experience senior football. The Gryphons have recorded some impressive victories throughout the season, including a strong win over friendly rivals Ormond FC, while also facing some difficult challenges against the competition’s leading teams. With four wins heading into the final round, the season has provided valuable experience for our younger players and established an important foundation for the future of the senior program.
The Premier B Women’s team has continued to build on an incredibly successful period for the club. Following back-to-back premierships and an undefeated 18–0 season in 2025, the team made the significant step up into Premier B in 2026. The move represented a considerable increase in the standard of competition, and the Gryphons showed throughout the season that they belong at this level. The team secured its first Premier B victory early in the season and produced several impressive performances, including a notable upset against Port Melbourne. While the team ultimately missed out on finals, the season should be viewed as an important transition year and a significant step forward for the program, as well as securing a reserves team.
Our Under 19 Men’s team has been one of the real highlights of the 2026 season. Competing in South Division 2, the team has enjoyed a strong season and earned the opportunity to compete in the finals. Their development has also begun to have a direct impact on the senior program, with young players earning opportunities at Premier C level. This connection between our Under 19s and senior football is extremely encouraging and demonstrates the strength of the pathway being developed within the club.
The strong connection between Glen Eira Gryphons and McKinnon Secondary College also continues to be evident across the club. Multiple McKinnon alumni remain involved across both the Men’s and Women’s senior teams, highlighting the important role the Gryphons continue to play in providing a football pathway for members of the McKinnon community.
A particularly exciting milestone this weekend will be seeing McKinnon’s very own Igor Pasichnyuk take to the field for his first finals appearance in Gryphon colours. Igor has been an important part of the Under 19 program throughout the season and will now have the opportunity to represent the club on the finals stage. It is a fantastic achievement for Igor and a great example of the pathway from McKinnon into the Glen Eira Gryphons.
Overall, 2026 has been a season of development, transition and opportunity for the Glen Eira Gryphons. While each team has experienced a different journey, the continued development of young players, the progression of our Under 19 program, the Women’s successful transition into Premier B and the ongoing involvement of McKinnon alumni provide plenty of optimism for the future. The club remains committed to creating a strong pathway from junior and Under 19 football into our senior teams and building a sustainable and successful Gryphons program for years to come.
Some milestones for McKinnon alumni at Glen Eira/Old McKinnon Gryphons Football Club:
Matt Day (Class of 2022)
Gemma Strangio (Class of 2018)
Emma Langley (Class of 2020)
Stella WIlson (Class of 2023)
Click on the image to enlarge
Ben Reid
Year 11 Student Manager
OLD MCKINNON VS NEW MCKINNON | FRIDAY 11 SEPTEMBER
The rivalry is back! Get ready for another McK Respect AFL Showdown, with Old McKinnon taking on New McKinnon in a celebration of football, community and respect.
We’re calling on all Thistlelonians, families, staff, alumni and friends to get down to Packer Park and cheer from the sidelines as our Old McKinnon staff and alumni take on the Senior Students of McKinnon Secondary College.
Friday 11 September
4:00pm arrival | 4:15pm bounce
Packer Park
16 Minutes. 16 Days. One Important Message.
This year’s match has an important connection to the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence.
Every quarter will be 16 minutes
A 16-minute half-time community walk
One McKinnon community standing together for respect, equality and inclusion
McK Respect is McKinnon Secondary College’s whole-school approach to Respectful Relationships, supporting our commitment to building a culture where everyone feels safe, respected and included.
The 16-minute half-time walk is an opportunity for students, staff, alumni, families and friends to take the field together and show our collective commitment to preventing gender-based violence and promoting respectful relationships.
Click on the video to play
Football, Food & Fun!
Glen Eira Old McKinnon will be running the canteen, with plenty of food, drinks, live music and fun throughout the afternoon.
Can New McKinnon get the win this year or will Old McKinnon prevail once again?
Bring the family. Bring your friends. Bring the noise!
We’ll see you at Packer Park!
