Coming off the inaugural season, adapting a complete North and South conference model for E-grade, the results speak for themselves. All of E-grade was a close battle from start to finish, every game in the finals decided by game moments, and positions on the ladder separated by the smallest margins. The perfect blend of changes across the four leagues of who’s playing where, on top of returning favourites looking to do one better this year, puts forward an even better season than the last.

E1 North
Reigning premiers Wembley will set the benchmark for the league after a composed finals campaign, but like most things in footy, nothing is guaranteed. The E1 North competition sees a strong injection of potential contenders as reigning E2 North premiers Scarborough, alongside Quinns District and Wanneroo, all step up into the division. With the gap between finals footy and the rest being so apparent at the end of the season, consistency and starting strong will make all the difference.

E2 North
There are four fresh faces in the E2 North league as Joondalup Jets, Kalamunda and Wanneroo come in from C5 and Nollamara return to the PFL after a year out last season. All four newcomers will look to repeat the form of Warwick Greenwood, who in their first season in PFL got to the finals before losing to Quins. Coolbinia come down from E1, and North Beach have been added to E2 on top of their E1 side from last season. Last season's runner-up Kinglsey increased the gap at the top, having moved into C5, leaving very little room to guess who could end the season as premiers.

E1 South
E1 South has undergone noticeable change heading into Round 1, with premiers Trinity Aquinas moving up to D Grade and minor premiers Safety Bay also departing the division. Their exits open the door for a new wave of contenders, led by Jandakot, who arrive after an undefeated premiership season in E2. Willetton, Armadale and Bullcreek Leeming also step up from E2 following strong 2025 campaigns. Kelmscott adds further competition coming down from C4, while returning sides North Mandurah and Maddington enter the season as early frontrunners. Both will see a clear opportunity to push for the top spot in what shapes as a tightly contested competition.

E2 South
The E2 South competition sees a number of changes in 2026, with Coolbellup, Belmont Districts and Gosnells adding sides to compete in E2, and Curtin Uni Wesley dropping down from E1. With last season’s untouchable Jandakot moving up, several clubs will see a genuine opportunity to push into finals contention. Returning sides Piara Waters, Manning and Secret Harbour will be aiming to improve consistency after challenging 2025 campaigns, while Baldivis will be looking to bounce back from a difficult 2025. With no dominant side on paper and a spread of emerging and developing lists, where momentum and early wins will be crucial in shaping the ladder.

Written By Oliver Mcfarland