2026 Awards

444matches recorded

2,493goals scored

5.61goals per match

43clubs, four divisions

League-wide honours

2026 awards

Inspired by the 2018 VLHS Awards. The selections below use 2026 records; winners are selected from the season data.

VLHS Club of the Year

Gippsland Strikers

21.24 total - average points above expectation, opposition-adjusted API and finals achievement.

Data selection

Elo rankings king

Gippsland Strikers

+396 accumulated Elo points across 2026 matches.

Data selection

Biggest mover in rankings

Gippsland Strikers

+8 places among the 43 clubs playing in 2026, first pre-match to final saved rating.

Data selection

Biggest upset

ECHO def. PEGS

4-3 | Vic League 1 | Round 9 | Elo exchanged: ECHO +74, PEGS -74. Pre-match expected score 3.8%.

Data selection

Offensive Club of the Year

Gippsland Strikers

7.39 goals scored per game - 133.7% above the division average. Regular season only.

Data selection

Defensive Club of the Year

La Trobe University

0.89 goals conceded per game - 71.9% below the division average. Regular season only.

Data selection

Premier League

12 clubs, 137 matches

MCC: Champion - KBH Brumbies: Grand-final runner-up

The best

MCC

4.49 API - highest regular-season API in Premier League.

Data selection

Season to forget

Mentone

-271.00 accumulated Elo points.

Data selection

The overachiever

Doncaster

+2.24 results above Elo expectation.

Data selection

The underachiever

Mentone

-2.32 results above Elo expectation.

Data selection

Most improved

MCC

+194.00 accumulated Elo points.

Data selection

Biggest upset

Waverley def. MCC

2-1 | Premier League | Round 5 | Elo exchanged: Waverley +64, MCC -64. Pre-match expected score 8.8%.

Data selection

Vic League 1

12 clubs, 137 matches

Geelong: Champion - Craigieburn: Grand-final runner-up

The best

Geelong

5.67 API - highest regular-season API in Vic League 1.

Data selection

Season to forget

MUHC

-206.00 accumulated Elo points.

Data selection

The overachiever

Craigieburn

+1.96 results above Elo expectation.

Data selection

The underachiever

MUHC

-2.21 results above Elo expectation.

Data selection

Most improved

PEGS

+192.00 accumulated Elo points.

Data selection

Biggest upset

ECHO def. PEGS

4-3 | Vic League 1 | Round 9 | Elo exchanged: ECHO +74, PEGS -74. Pre-match expected score 3.8%.

Data selection

Vic League 2

9 clubs, 76 matches

Brunswick: Champion - GD Warriors: Grand-final runner-up

The best

GD Warriors

4.43 API - highest regular-season API in Vic League 2.

Data selection

Season to forget

Werribee

-286.00 accumulated Elo points.

Data selection

The overachiever

St Bede's

+2.31 results above Elo expectation.

Data selection

The underachiever

Werribee

-2.50 results above Elo expectation.

Data selection

Most improved

St Bede's

+215.00 accumulated Elo points.

Data selection

Biggest upset

Caroline Springs def. Bayside/Powerhouse

3-2 | Vic League 2 | Round 11 | Elo exchanged: Caroline Springs +70, Bayside/Powerhouse -70. Pre-match expected score 5.0%.

Data selection

Vic League 3

10 clubs, 94 matches

Gippsland Strikers: Champion - La Trobe University: Grand-final runner-up

The best

Gippsland Strikers

10.17 API - highest regular-season API in Vic League 3.

Data selection

Season to forget

Melbourne Sikhs

-472.00 accumulated Elo points.

Data selection

The overachiever

Gippsland Strikers

+3.61 results above Elo expectation.

Data selection

The underachiever

Melbourne Sikhs

-4.01 results above Elo expectation.

Data selection

Most improved

Gippsland Strikers

+396.00 accumulated Elo points.

Data selection

Biggest upset

RMIT def. Melbourne Sikhs

6-1 | Vic League 3 | Round 2 | Elo exchanged: RMIT +170, Melbourne Sikhs -170. Pre-match expected score 7.4%.

Data selection

The finals, match by match

All four divisions

Premier League

Stage	Home	Score	Away
Finals 1	Camberwell	5-0	Hawthorn
Finals 1	Southern United	3-4	KBH Brumbies
Finals 2	Doncaster	4-6	KBH Brumbies
Finals 2	MCC	6-2	Camberwell
Grand final	MCC	6-3	KBH Brumbies

Vic League 1

Stage	Home	Score	Away
Finals 1	Yarra	5-7	Craigieburn
Finals 1	PEGS	2-1	TEM
Finals 2	Geelong	3-1	PEGS
Finals 2	Old Xaverians	0-1	Craigieburn
Grand final	Geelong	7-3	Craigieburn

Vic League 2

Stage	Home	Score	Away
Finals 1	St Bede's	0-4	Brunswick
Finals 1	GD Warriors	8-4	Bayside/Powerhouse
Finals 2	Bayside/Powerhouse	0-2	Brunswick
Grand final	GD Warriors	1-3	Brunswick

Vic League 3

Stage	Home	Score	Away
Finals 1	Gippsland Strikers	3-2	La Trobe University
Finals 1	Melton	4-0	RMIT
Finals 2	La Trobe University	3-0	Melton
Grand final	Gippsland Strikers	5-4	La Trobe University

A season in numbers

Every recorded match counts once

Goals in a game

20262014-2025 average

View chart data

Goals	2026 games	2026 share	Historical share
0	3	0.7%	0.7%
1	14	3.2%	4.5%
2	30	6.8%	8.3%
3	51	11.5%	14.0%
4	60	13.5%	14.9%
5	82	18.5%	16.9%
6	52	11.7%	13.1%
7	54	12.2%	10.3%
8	36	8.1%	6.7%
9	25	5.6%	4.9%
10	18	4.1%	2.1%
11	8	1.8%	1.7%
12+	11	2.5%	1.9%

Share of matches, including finals. Ghost bars pool 4,216 recorded matches from 2014-2025; 2026 is excluded. Total goals scored by both teams.

Result margins

20262014-2025 average

View chart data

Margin	2026 games	2026 share	Historical share
0	57	12.8%	12.0%
1	128	28.8%	26.9%
2	70	15.8%	19.0%
3	58	13.1%	13.9%
4	46	10.4%	9.6%
5	27	6.1%	7.0%
6	19	4.3%	3.7%
7	16	3.6%	3.6%
8+	23	5.2%	4.3%

Share of matches, including finals. Ghost bars pool 4,216 recorded matches from 2014-2025; 2026 is excluded. 0 means a draw.

How the games finished

Home wins

48.0%213 matches

Away wins

39.2%174 matches

Draws

12.8%57 matches

Home and away follow the recorded fixture labels, including neutral venues.

The biggest goal fest

16 goals

Gippsland Strikers 16–0 East Gippsland
Men's Vic League 3, 15

Scoring split

1,362 / 1,131

Home goals / away goals across the saved season.

110 matches featured at least one clean sheet.

The VLHS report card

Historical season grades

Total = average points above expectation per counted game + opposition-adjusted API + finals milestone points. Grades compare that total with 294 eligible historical club-seasons, excluding 2026.

C represents the middle 40th to below-60th percentiles; A+ the top 2%; F below the fifth percentile. Historical percentile is standing among past seasons, not a percentage mark.

Minimum historical percentiles: A+: 98th+ / A: 95th+ / A-: 90th+ / B+: 85th+ / B: 80th+ / B-: 70th+ / C+: 60th+ / C: 40th+ / C-: 25th+ / D+: 15th+ / D: 10th+ / D-: 5th+ / F: 0th+. Grades use unrounded percentiles.

Premier League

Club	Avg ΔPts	Adj API	Finals	Total	Historical percentile	Grade
MCCChampion Score breakdown 19 counted games; 5 close-call games excluded. Counted points difference +2.149 / 19 games = +0.113 per game. Raw API 4.567 x opposition index 124.65 / 100 = 5.693. Average opponent preseason Elo: 2128.0. Finals milestone points: 14. 2W 0D 0L Finals 2: Camberwell 6-2 Finals 3: KBH Brumbies 6-3	+0.113	5.693	14	19.806	96.60	A
KBH BrumbiesGrand-final runner-up Score breakdown 16 counted games; 9 close-call games excluded. Counted points difference +8.920 / 16 games = +0.557 per game. Raw API 2.839 x opposition index 124.70 / 100 = 3.540. Average opponent preseason Elo: 2153.3. Finals milestone points: 10. 2W 0D 1L Finals 1: Southern United 4-3 Finals 2: Doncaster 6-4 Finals 3: MCC 3-6	+0.557	3.540	10	14.097	83.67	B
CamberwellFinalist Score breakdown 17 counted games; 7 close-call games excluded. Counted points difference +9.698 / 17 games = +0.570 per game. Raw API 4.143 x opposition index 124.67 / 100 = 5.165. Average opponent preseason Elo: 2138.4. Finals milestone points: 4. 1W 0D 1L Finals 1: Hawthorn 5-0 Finals 2: MCC 2-6	+0.570	5.165	4	9.736	78.91	B-
DoncasterFinalist Score breakdown 15 counted games; 8 close-call games excluded. Counted points difference +4.448 / 15 games = +0.297 per game. Raw API 4.086 x opposition index 124.66 / 100 = 5.094. Average opponent preseason Elo: 2134.1. Finals milestone points: 4. 0W 0D 1L Finals 2: KBH Brumbies 4-6	+0.297	5.094	4	9.390	78.57	B-
Southern UnitedFinalist Score breakdown 14 counted games; 9 close-call games excluded. Counted points difference -3.804 / 14 games = -0.272 per game. Raw API 3.103 x opposition index 124.64 / 100 = 3.867. Average opponent preseason Elo: 2122.1. Finals milestone points: 1. 0W 0D 1L Finals 1: KBH Brumbies 3-4	−0.272	3.867	1	4.595	63.95	C+
HawthornFinalist Score breakdown 14 counted games; 9 close-call games excluded. Counted points difference -0.750 / 14 games = -0.054 per game. Raw API 2.465 x opposition index 124.68 / 100 = 3.074. Average opponent preseason Elo: 2141.5. Finals milestone points: 1. 0W 0D 1L Finals 1: Camberwell 0-5	−0.054	3.074	1	4.020	60.88	C+
WaverleyRegular season Score breakdown 12 counted games; 10 close-call games excluded. Counted points difference +2.971 / 12 games = +0.248 per game. Raw API 2.364 x opposition index 124.67 / 100 = 2.947. Average opponent preseason Elo: 2139.3. Finals milestone points: 0. 0W 0D 0L	+0.248	2.947	0	3.194	54.42	C
AltonaRegular season Score breakdown 12 counted games; 10 close-call games excluded. Counted points difference -1.775 / 12 games = -0.148 per game. Raw API 2.409 x opposition index 124.68 / 100 = 3.004. Average opponent preseason Elo: 2141.4. Finals milestone points: 0. 0W 0D 0L	−0.148	3.004	0	2.856	49.32	C
GreensboroughRegular season Score breakdown 13 counted games; 9 close-call games excluded. Counted points difference -2.813 / 13 games = -0.216 per game. Raw API 2.164 x opposition index 124.67 / 100 = 2.698. Average opponent preseason Elo: 2139.5. Finals milestone points: 0. 0W 0D 0L	−0.216	2.698	0	2.482	44.90	C
FootscrayRegular season Score breakdown 18 counted games; 4 close-call games excluded. Counted points difference -8.200 / 18 games = -0.456 per game. Raw API 1.540 x opposition index 124.67 / 100 = 1.920. Average opponent preseason Elo: 2137.6. Finals milestone points: 0. 0W 0D 0L	−0.456	1.920	0	1.465	29.25	C-
EssendonRegular season Score breakdown 19 counted games; 3 close-call games excluded. Counted points difference -4.238 / 19 games = -0.223 per game. Raw API 0.989 x opposition index 124.70 / 100 = 1.233. Average opponent preseason Elo: 2151.8. Finals milestone points: 0. 0W 0D 0L	−0.223	1.233	0	1.010	21.43	D+
MentoneRegular season Score breakdown 21 counted games; 1 close-call games excluded. Counted points difference -6.219 / 21 games = -0.296 per game. Raw API 0.190 x opposition index 124.71 / 100 = 0.237. Average opponent preseason Elo: 2157.5. Finals milestone points: 0. 0W 0D 0L	−0.296	0.237	0	−0.059	4.08	F

Vic League 1

Club	Avg ΔPts	Adj API	Finals	Total	Historical percentile	Grade
GeelongChampion Score breakdown 21 counted games; 3 close-call games excluded. Counted points difference +3.284 / 21 games = +0.156 per game. Raw API 5.614 x opposition index 113.17 / 100 = 6.354. Average opponent preseason Elo: 1469.6. Finals milestone points: 14. 2W 0D 0L Finals 2: PEGS 3-1 Finals 3: Craigieburn 7-3	+0.156	6.354	14	20.510	97.96	A
CraigieburnGrand-final runner-up Score breakdown 17 counted games; 8 close-call games excluded. Counted points difference +2.518 / 17 games = +0.148 per game. Raw API 2.885 x opposition index 114.59 / 100 = 3.305. Average opponent preseason Elo: 1498.2. Finals milestone points: 10. 2W 0D 1L Finals 1: Yarra 7-5 Finals 2: Old Xaverians 1-0 Finals 3: Geelong 3-7	+0.148	3.305	10	13.454	82.31	B
Old XaveriansFinalist Score breakdown 20 counted games; 3 close-call games excluded. Counted points difference -3.154 / 20 games = -0.158 per game. Raw API 4.455 x opposition index 113.02 / 100 = 5.035. Average opponent preseason Elo: 1466.7. Finals milestone points: 4. 0W 0D 1L Finals 2: Craigieburn 0-1	−0.158	5.035	4	8.877	77.89	B-
PEGSFinalist Score breakdown 15 counted games; 9 close-call games excluded. Counted points difference -2.219 / 15 games = -0.148 per game. Raw API 4.162 x opposition index 114.24 / 100 = 4.755. Average opponent preseason Elo: 1491.0. Finals milestone points: 4. 1W 0D 1L Finals 1: TEM 2-1 Finals 2: Geelong 1-3	−0.148	4.755	4	8.607	77.55	B-
YarraFinalist Score breakdown 14 counted games; 9 close-call games excluded. Counted points difference -2.268 / 14 games = -0.162 per game. Raw API 3.258 x opposition index 113.77 / 100 = 3.707. Average opponent preseason Elo: 1481.4. Finals milestone points: 1. 0W 0D 1L Finals 1: Craigieburn 5-7	−0.162	3.707	1	4.545	63.61	C+
TEMFinalist Score breakdown 17 counted games; 6 close-call games excluded. Counted points difference +3.048 / 17 games = +0.179 per game. Raw API 2.692 x opposition index 113.31 / 100 = 3.050. Average opponent preseason Elo: 1472.4. Finals milestone points: 1. 0W 0D 1L Finals 1: PEGS 1-2	+0.179	3.050	1	4.230	61.90	C+
MUHCRegular season Score breakdown 15 counted games; 7 close-call games excluded. Counted points difference +1.370 / 15 games = +0.091 per game. Raw API 2.608 x opposition index 112.95 / 100 = 2.946. Average opponent preseason Elo: 1465.5. Finals milestone points: 0. 0W 0D 0L	+0.091	2.946	0	3.037	53.06	C
North West LightningRegular season Score breakdown 17 counted games; 5 close-call games excluded. Counted points difference -0.335 / 17 games = -0.020 per game. Raw API 1.736 x opposition index 114.20 / 100 = 1.983. Average opponent preseason Elo: 1490.2. Finals milestone points: 0. 0W 0D 0L	−0.020	1.983	0	1.963	36.05	C-
CaseyRegular season Score breakdown 14 counted games; 8 close-call games excluded. Counted points difference -1.601 / 14 games = -0.114 per game. Raw API 1.723 x opposition index 114.41 / 100 = 1.971. Average opponent preseason Elo: 1494.4. Finals milestone points: 0. 0W 0D 0L	−0.114	1.971	0	1.857	34.01	C-
WestVicRegular season Score breakdown 16 counted games; 6 close-call games excluded. Counted points difference +0.566 / 16 games = +0.035 per game. Raw API 1.421 x opposition index 114.22 / 100 = 1.623. Average opponent preseason Elo: 1490.5. Finals milestone points: 0. 0W 0D 0L	+0.035	1.623	0	1.658	31.97	C-
Monash UniversityRegular season Score breakdown 16 counted games; 6 close-call games excluded. Counted points difference +1.145 / 16 games = +0.072 per game. Raw API 0.925 x opposition index 114.58 / 100 = 1.060. Average opponent preseason Elo: 1498.0. Finals milestone points: 0. 0W 0D 0L	+0.072	1.060	0	1.132	23.13	D+
ECHORegular season Score breakdown 18 counted games; 4 close-call games excluded. Counted points difference -2.440 / 18 games = -0.136 per game. Raw API 0.803 x opposition index 114.99 / 100 = 0.923. Average opponent preseason Elo: 1506.7. Finals milestone points: 0. 0W 0D 0L	−0.136	0.923	0	0.788	17.01	D+

Vic League 2

Club	Avg ΔPts	Adj API	Finals	Total	Historical percentile	Grade
BrunswickChampion Score breakdown 10 counted games; 9 close-call games excluded. Counted points difference +3.892 / 10 games = +0.389 per game. Raw API 4.167 x opposition index 83.62 / 100 = 3.484. Average opponent preseason Elo: 993.7. Finals milestone points: 14. 3W 0D 0L Finals 1: St Bede's 4-0 Finals 2: Bayside/Powerhouse 2-0 Finals 3: GD Warriors 3-1	+0.389	3.484	14	17.873	91.50	A-
GD WarriorsGrand-final runner-up Score breakdown 10 counted games; 8 close-call games excluded. Counted points difference -2.143 / 10 games = -0.214 per game. Raw API 4.160 x opposition index 84.26 / 100 = 3.505. Average opponent preseason Elo: 1008.8. Finals milestone points: 10. 1W 0D 1L Finals 1: Bayside/Powerhouse 8-4 Finals 3: Brunswick 1-3	−0.214	3.505	10	13.291	82.31	B
Bayside/PowerhouseFinalist Score breakdown 8 counted games; 10 close-call games excluded. Counted points difference -1.325 / 8 games = -0.166 per game. Raw API 3.144 x opposition index 83.69 / 100 = 2.632. Average opponent preseason Elo: 995.4. Finals milestone points: 4. 0W 0D 2L Finals 1: GD Warriors 4-8 Finals 2: Brunswick 0-2	−0.166	2.632	4	6.466	68.37	C+
St Bede'sFinalist Score breakdown 11 counted games; 6 close-call games excluded. Counted points difference +6.348 / 11 games = +0.577 per game. Raw API 3.412 x opposition index 84.77 / 100 = 2.892. Average opponent preseason Elo: 1020.3. Finals milestone points: 1. 0W 0D 1L Finals 1: Brunswick 0-4	+0.577	2.892	1	4.469	63.61	C+
KnoxRegular season Score breakdown 11 counted games; 5 close-call games excluded. Counted points difference +2.479 / 11 games = +0.225 per game. Raw API 1.938 x opposition index 84.77 / 100 = 1.643. Average opponent preseason Elo: 1020.4. Finals milestone points: 0. 0W 0D 0L	+0.225	1.643	0	1.868	34.01	C-
WerribeeRegular season Score breakdown 9 counted games; 7 close-call games excluded. Counted points difference -0.610 / 9 games = -0.068 per game. Raw API 2.266 x opposition index 82.75 / 100 = 1.875. Average opponent preseason Elo: 971.5. Finals milestone points: 0. 0W 0D 0L	−0.068	1.875	0	1.808	33.33	C-
FrankstonRegular season Score breakdown 11 counted games; 5 close-call games excluded. Counted points difference -4.244 / 11 games = -0.386 per game. Raw API 2.112 x opposition index 84.16 / 100 = 1.778. Average opponent preseason Elo: 1006.4. Finals milestone points: 0. 0W 0D 0L	−0.386	1.778	0	1.392	27.89	C-
MHSOBRegular season Score breakdown 11 counted games; 5 close-call games excluded. Counted points difference -1.730 / 11 games = -0.157 per game. Raw API 0.944 x opposition index 83.82 / 100 = 0.792. Average opponent preseason Elo: 998.4. Finals milestone points: 0. 0W 0D 0L	−0.157	0.792	0	0.634	14.29	D
Caroline SpringsRegular season Score breakdown 13 counted games; 3 close-call games excluded. Counted points difference -1.962 / 13 games = -0.151 per game. Raw API 0.860 x opposition index 84.97 / 100 = 0.731. Average opponent preseason Elo: 1024.8. Finals milestone points: 0. 0W 0D 0L	−0.151	0.731	0	0.580	13.95	D

Vic League 3

Club	Avg ΔPts	Adj API	Finals	Total	Historical percentile	Grade
Gippsland StrikersChampion Score breakdown 18 counted games; 2 close-call games excluded. Counted points difference +10.739 / 18 games = +0.597 per game. Raw API 8.675 x opposition index 76.62 / 100 = 6.646. Average opponent preseason Elo: 675.6. Finals milestone points: 14. 2W 0D 0L Finals 1: La Trobe University 3-2 Finals 3: La Trobe University 5-4	+0.597	6.646	14	21.243	98.30	A+
La Trobe UniversityGrand-final runner-up Score breakdown 14 counted games; 7 close-call games excluded. Counted points difference +0.634 / 14 games = +0.045 per game. Raw API 5.232 x opposition index 76.46 / 100 = 4.001. Average opponent preseason Elo: 658.0. Finals milestone points: 10. 1W 0D 2L Finals 1: Gippsland Strikers 2-3 Finals 2: Melton 3-0 Finals 3: Gippsland Strikers 4-5	+0.045	4.001	10	14.046	83.67	B
MeltonFinalist Score breakdown 14 counted games; 6 close-call games excluded. Counted points difference +4.867 / 14 games = +0.348 per game. Raw API 4.977 x opposition index 76.44 / 100 = 3.805. Average opponent preseason Elo: 655.2. Finals milestone points: 4. 1W 0D 1L Finals 1: RMIT 4-0 Finals 2: La Trobe University 0-3	+0.348	3.805	4	8.152	75.17	B-
RMITFinalist Score breakdown 13 counted games; 6 close-call games excluded. Counted points difference +1.148 / 13 games = +0.088 per game. Raw API 3.654 x opposition index 76.61 / 100 = 2.799. Average opponent preseason Elo: 675.1. Finals milestone points: 1. 0W 0D 1L Finals 1: Melton 0-4	+0.088	2.799	1	3.887	59.52	C
Old TrinityRegular season Score breakdown 13 counted games; 5 close-call games excluded. Counted points difference -1.852 / 13 games = -0.142 per game. Raw API 3.197 x opposition index 76.54 / 100 = 2.447. Average opponent preseason Elo: 667.0. Finals milestone points: 0. 0W 0D 0L	−0.142	2.447	0	2.304	41.50	C
Melbourne RazorbacksRegular season Score breakdown 16 counted games; 2 close-call games excluded. Counted points difference +1.146 / 16 games = +0.072 per game. Raw API 1.195 x opposition index 76.68 / 100 = 0.917. Average opponent preseason Elo: 683.1. Finals milestone points: 0. 0W 0D 0L	+0.072	0.917	0	0.988	21.09	D+
CroydonRegular season Score breakdown 12 counted games; 6 close-call games excluded. Counted points difference -0.728 / 12 games = -0.061 per game. Raw API 1.296 x opposition index 76.59 / 100 = 0.992. Average opponent preseason Elo: 672.3. Finals milestone points: 0. 0W 0D 0L	−0.061	0.992	0	0.932	20.41	D+
Melbourne SikhsRegular season Score breakdown 13 counted games; 5 close-call games excluded. Counted points difference -7.364 / 13 games = -0.566 per game. Raw API 1.806 x opposition index 76.14 / 100 = 1.375. Average opponent preseason Elo: 613.8. Finals milestone points: 0. 0W 0D 0L	−0.566	1.375	0	0.808	17.01	D+
HumeRegular season Score breakdown 15 counted games; 3 close-call games excluded. Counted points difference -6.958 / 15 games = -0.464 per game. Raw API 0.987 x opposition index 76.56 / 100 = 0.755. Average opponent preseason Elo: 669.0. Finals milestone points: 0. 0W 0D 0L	−0.464	0.755	0	0.292	8.16	D-
East GippslandRegular season Score breakdown 18 counted games; 0 close-call games excluded. Counted points difference -2.979 / 18 games = -0.165 per game. Raw API 0.287 x opposition index 76.88 / 100 = 0.220. Average opponent preseason Elo: 702.8. Finals milestone points: 0. 0W 0D 0L	−0.165	0.220	0	0.055	4.42	F

About the awards and season data

Includes all 444 saved 2026 matches, regular season and finals. Club of the Year uses the highest raw total, without capping or rounding before selection. Tied totals share the award.

For grades, API uses all games: points per game + goals scored / goals conceded. It is adjusted using the average preseason Elo of opponents faced, weighted once per match including finals. A team never counts its own rating as opposition. The adjustment index is bounded between 75 and 125; its comparison baseline uses division-seasons before 2026.

Average points difference uses actual competition points minus continuous-model expected points. Games with a saved pre-match Elo expectation gap of 30 percentage points or less are excluded from this component only. Included games are averaged; zero qualifying games contribute zero. API still includes excluded games. Predictions use earlier seasons as training data.

Finals points are cumulative: qualification +1, reaching Finals 2 +3, runner-up +6, champion +10. Grand finalists receive the earlier-stage credit even if their route skips Finals 2. Champions receive 14 points and runners-up 10; champions do not also receive runner-up points. Finals match performance also contributes to API and, when qualifying, average points difference.

Historical reference: eligible 2015-2025 club-seasons across all four divisions, each weighted equally and scored by the same formula. Excludes shortened 2021, nonstandard split divisions, missing or nonstandard finals series, unresolved grand finals, fewer than 10 regular games or 80% of the division-season maximum, and seasons with no qualifying expectation games. 2014 has no earlier training season and is excluded. Percentiles count scores below plus half of tied scores. This is a coverage screen, not a completeness audit. The model settings were selected using 2023-24; this retrospective comparison is not independent predictive validation.

Division Best retains regular-season API. Offensive and Defensive awards compare regular-season scoring and conceding rates with the division average. Elo king, Most improved and Season to forget use accumulated Elo changes. Overachiever and Underachiever use saved actual minus expected Elo result scores. Biggest upset uses the lowest winning pre-match expected Elo score. Chart ghost bars pool all saved pre-2026 matches, including finals.