Victory announces VPL squad

Melbourne Victory can confirm its squad for the upcoming VPL season.  

The team, led by Head Coach, Besart Berisha, whose staff includes Melbourne Victory goalkeeping legend Mitch Langerak, are set for 26 rounds of action between February and August. 

Victory’s squad registered for the senior competition includes young players progressing through the Academy and half a dozen individuals who have played for Arthur Diles’ A-League Men’s team during the 2025/26 season. 

More than half of the players boast age-group experience at international level for Australia.  

2026 Melbourne Victory Senior Academy Squads (excluding A-League contracted players):  

Ali ABILI, Edon AJROVSKI, Wisam ADAMS, Matias ALOISI, Winston ASHBURNER, Maxim ATKINSON, James BATZIAS, Raphael CALIGURI, James CARROCCI, Oliver DIMOVSKI, Ethan GEMETZIS, Michael GHOSSAINI, Alex GOUVOUSSIS, Anton GRAY, Faraz GULZARI, Jordan HOEY, Zain IMRAN, Thomas JACKSON, William KENGNI, Liam LANCASTER,  Alex LEE, Theodore LIMBERIS, Lewis MARINUCCI, Max MIHAILIDIS, Jack MIHAILIDIS, Josh MUSSO, Malik OLUKHALE, John RADIMISIS, James RASHIO, Mushashed SAWIZ, Keigo SHIMOKAWA, Yianni SPYROPOULOS, Zane STEVENSON, Anthony SULEMAN, Noah TANFARA, Luca THOMAS, George TSIANAKAS, Oskar VON SCHRENK, Orrey XIA. 

Lewis Marinucci will captain the team and is joined in the leadership group by Theodore Limberis, Jack Mihailidis, and John Radimisis. 

Head Coach, Besart Berisha, discussed the squad’s preparations when previewing the season ahead. 

“I am especially excited, given the length of our off-season, for the matches to begin and the players’ hard work to be put into action. 

“We have enjoyed success in terms of results and how we want to play during this time, but now we get to see how this translates to competitive matches, when points are up for grabs and league positions are on the line. 

“Every match will present different challenges, ensuring this is a great educational experience on what it takes to perform consistently against senior opposition.” 

Director of Football, John Didulica, talked about the competition’s role in player development. 

“We are very proud to have former players, such as Bes and Mitch, mentoring our next generation of players and couldn’t be more excited to get the season underway.  

“The squad represents a good balance of academy players and those involved in the senior program, evidencing the clear pathway to the A-League Men’s team at Melbourne Victory.” 

Victory will open the campaign by hosting newly promoted VPL2 Champions Eltham Redbacks at The Home of The Matildas on Monday, February 16. 

A full fixture schedule can be viewed by clicking here. 

Admission will be free to all home VPL fixtures. 

Senior Academy Staff