Eltham Redbacks are delighted to confirm that Senior Men’s Head Coach Alan Mulcahy will lead the side into VPL1 in 2026.
Mulcahy has spearheaded back-to-back promotions from State League One South-East in 2024 and VPL2 in 2025, and is looking forward to challenging himself once again in the second tier.
“You want to test yourself against the best. Even for us as coaches, coming up against the next level of coaching in VPL1, which will be a challenge.
“No one probably expected us to be here. But it’s our job now to make sure that we go up and we’re competitive, which I think we will be.”
Following the successful season in 2024, Mulcahy signed a two year deal carrying him into the new 2026 season.
For ‘Mullers’, committing to the club for another year was a simple decision.
“The infrastructure that the club gives us as coaches is second to none,” he says.
“I absolutely love coming here. You know, I was down here last night watching the U14s, I’ll be here tomorrow night watching the U23s.
“I just bought a house 12 minutes up the road, so if that’s a good idea or not, we’ll probably find out by Round 10!” he laughs.
“But we’re all in it together, and it’s a family club.”
For Mulcahy, the secret to the Redbacks’ recent success is down to the mentality of the playing group.
“I’m a big believer that when you hand the jersey back at the end of the day, there should be blood, sweat and tears on that. And if we lose, we lose, but we never die wondering.
“I think that’s one of the reasons why over the course of the two years, we’ve won games in the last five minutes eight or nine times. And that’s just down to the boys and what we try to instill in them about never giving up.”
As the club prepares for the bright lights and big names of Victoria’s second tier, Mulcahy is looking forward to facing his former side.
“Port Melbourne Sharks, myself and [Alan] Kearney spent five years there, both previous captains of the club, so that’ll be a special moment.
“And then obviously having Melbourne Knights come here on a Friday night will be huge.
“What’s important for us is that we’re not taken lightly as a club. If we get beaten next year, teams will have to earn the right to beat us.”
Keep an eye out on the Redbacks social media channels for more exciting announcements in the lead-up to our 2026 campaign!