Chris Welsh has re-committed to Benalla for 2026.
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BrucePoveyPhotos.com 2022
The steady stream of new signings and re-signings continue to pour out of the Benalla Saints camp, with another round of huge re-commitments and some exciting new players set to pull on the red, black and white next year.
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In a significant move, the Saints have retained the services of midfield bull Chris Welsh, with the tough and uncompromising onballer set to provide Benalla with plenty of grunt yet again in 2026.
It continues a strong show of faith from some of the club’s key players, with the news of Welsh re-signing coming after 2025 best and fairest Mark Marriott, 2025 Goulburn Valley League leading goal kicker and 2025 interleague representative Nick Warnock all indicated they would be playing for Benalla next season.
Welsh has been a consistent force in the GVL for some time, and his 2025 season was no different, being named in the Saints’ best in 12 of his 15 outings, while averaging 7.9 clearances and 31.9 disposals per contest, ranking 10th league-wide in the latter.
Also re-signing alongside Welsh is Nick Mellington, who will take on the role of playing assistant coach to aid new mentor Nick Pearson.
With stints at VFL clubs Coburg, Richmond and Williamstown under his belt, Mellington’s wealth of experience is an invaluable asset, and should prove greatly beneficial to the young crop of Saints that will share the field with him next season, where he continues to show his class, ranking inside the top five at Benalla this season in almost every key statistic.
Nick Melington will take on the role of playing assistant coach next season at Benalla.
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Karl Phillipson
James Martiniello is another key re-signing, with the life member and former captain and coach going around again in 2026, where he will continue to set an example for a young Benalla outfit, which is set to include Sam Begley, Colby Mathieson, Charlie McCarthy and Hamish Willett, with all four committing to the Saints for next season.
There have also been a number of new signings, and one new-ish, with Tom Bennett returning to Benalla after a couple of seasons away.
Bennett boasts an impressive resume from his time at the Saints, having captained the under-18 side to a premiership while also playing in the 2015 senior flag-winnng team, earning interleague representative honours in the thirds and twice in the seniors, while also finishing as runner-up best and fairest in both 2017 and 2018.
Renowned for his high-flying ability, Bennett brings some excitement to the Saints line-up, and is sure to have an impact next season.
Following new coach Pearson down from Queensland are a pair of well-credentialled guns, Travis Young and Mitchell Vasterink, who are set to call the Rose City home in 2026.
Young, 25, joins from Capricornia League side Rockhampton, where he has been senior captain for the past five seasons and has racked up countless accolades, including a senior league best and fairest, five club best and fairests, three league team of the year gongs, a premiership and a spot in the Rockhampton team of the decade.
He will be joined by the imposing Vasterink, who stands at six foot six and is relocating to Benalla fresh off a QAFL premiership with Morningside.
Vasterink boasts six premiership medallions, including a best-on-ground medal in 2020, while also racking up five senior best and fairests, as well as leading the league goal kicking on two occasions.
The signings are a serious show of intent from the Saints, who have been the most active club at this stage of the off-season as they continue the push to climb the ladder in 2026.
