1986 VFA season

The Division 1 premiership was won by the Williamstown Football Club, after it defeated Coburg in the Grand Final on 21 September by 13 points; it was Williamstown's eleventh Division 1 premiership, and its first since 1959.

The Division 1 home-and-away season was played over eighteen rounds; the top four then contested the finals under the Page–McIntyre system.

The finals were played at the Junction Oval.

The Division 2 home-and-away season was played over eighteen rounds; the top four then contested the finals under the Page–McIntyre system.

Phil Cleary (Coburg) took over from Gary Brice as coach.