Chris Rogers extends Victoria contract by two years aiming for Shield glory in 2026

Victoria reappoint Chris Rogers as coach for two more years after falling just short in the Shield final despite seven wins.

Season 2025-26 overview Under Rogers’ guidance, Victoria secured an identical seven Shield victories during the 2025-26 campaign, yet their campaign ended in heartbreak following a narrow final loss to South Australia after collapsing while chasing a modest fourth-innings target of 196 runs. This marked Rogers’ third Shield final appearance in five seasons since taking charge in late 2020. Victoria also reached the One-Day Cup final in the 2024-25 season, only to be beaten by South Australia at Adelaide Oval for the second time in as many finals. ## Coach’s ambitions and reflections Though visibly disappointed after this season’s Shield final, Rogers expressed optimism about the road ahead. He reflected on his coaching journey, stating, 'It's been a privilege to coach Victoria and continue building on the strong history of this program.' Rogers emphasized the collective effort to build a culture where players thrive, develop resilience, and deliver consistent performances for the state team. He added, 'I'm proud of what this group has achieved over the past few seasons, but there's still a strong hunger within the playing group to keep improving and ultimately bring more success to Victorian cricket.' ## Homegrown success and player pathways Despite never clinching the Shield title, Victoria’s leadership praised Rogers for transforming the side into a predominantly homegrown squad. Only two players from the starting XI in the last three Shield finals—Marcus Harris and Nic Maddinson—had not progressed through Victoria’s state pathways or premier cricket system. Rogers’ tenure has centered on elevating Victorian talent into national teams, with Todd Murphy earning his Test debut in 2023 after helping Victoria reach two Shield finals. Similarly, Matt Short and Will Sutherland made their international white-ball debuts during Rogers’ time, while Ollie Peake is set to make his ODI debut on the upcoming tour of Pakistan. Campbell Kellaway and Fergus O’Neill have both represented Australia A. ## Contract status and player availability Victoria have retained their men’s squad for the next season with only two departures—Glenn Maxwell and Matt Short—both of whom remain available to play for the state when not committed to franchise leagues. Short, who now lives in Queensland with his young family, continues to express strong interest in playing both Shield and One-Day cricket for Victoria, despite his relocation. Maxwell, who has retired from ODIs, has also left the door open to returning to Victorian action when his schedule permits. ## Leadership praise from management Graham Manou, Victoria’s General Manager of Cricket Performance, commended Rogers’ contributions, stating, 'Chris has done an outstanding job leading this group during an important period for Victorian cricket.' Manou highlighted the cohesive environment and culture Rogers fostered, noting that Victoria’s players embody teamwork, respect for tradition, forward momentum, and action-driven effort. He continued, 'Chris embodies those values every day. He has helped foster a genuine team-first mentality across the program, while also maintaining a relentless focus on preparation, discipline and continual improvement.' Manou concluded by praising the team’s progress under Rogers, including consecutive final appearances and the development of players capable of excelling at the highest level, adding that Rogers’ influence had also encouraged multiple players to recommit to Victoria.