Eastland 2025 Season Review | Warrandyte

The Bloods Senior Women's qualify for finals for the first time, while the Senior Men overturn a slow start to advance through to a Preliminary Final.

Senior Men's

Ladder Position: 3rd (9-7)

Leading Goalkicker: Josh Beasley (26 Goals)

Best and Fairest: Zak Carroll

Season Summary:

A new division in 2025, Warrandyte took on the challenge in Division Four after last season’s relegation.

They were slow out of the blocks, losing their first three games of the season, including a 50-point loss to Kilsyth on ANZAC Day.

However, they responded extremely well, winning seven of their next eight games. That included tight, hard-fought wins over the other eventual finalists, Chirnside Park, Whitehorse, and Kilsyth.

In one of the tightest Division Four seasons, it all came down to the final round to officially secure a finals birth. Warrandyte were up for the challenge, defeating an emerging KangaRams outfit at home in Round 18.

Finishing third on the ladder, the Bloods finished with a record of 9-7 and met Kilsyth in the first week of the finals. The Elimination Final went down to the wire, with less than six points in it at every change. Down by five points at three-quarter time, Warrandyte kicked three goals to one, including the last two in time to snatch victory.

Their season came to an end a week later in the Preliminary Final as the eventual premiers, Whitehorse, finished with a 40-point victory.

One major highlight to finish the year was Warrandyte’s Reserves side taking out the Division Four Reserves premiership with a 19-point Grand Final win over Whitehorse.

Best Win: Round 12 – Warrandyte 7.14 56 def. Chirnside Park 7.9 51 @ Kimberley Reserve

Responding well from their slow start to the season, Warrandyte looked at their best during their mid-season winning streak. That streak included a five-point win over Minor Premiers Chirnside Park in a thriller played out at Kimberley Reserve.

Just one point in it at the main break, Warrandyte set up the victory with a dominant third term, getting out to a 15-point lead at the final change. Against the wind in the final quarter, Warrandyte held off a fast-finishing Chirnside Park side after Jake Cawsey booted three consecutive majors.

The final margin was just five points at the end of the game, Joshua Beasley finishing with three of the seven goals for the Bloods.

Key Players:

Another big season for the experienced Zak Carroll, taking out the club’s best as well as another Team of the Year spot.

The Runner-up of the club's best and fairest award was Co-Captain Josh Meyers, who had another outstanding season.

Recruited this season, Lukas Fellows impressed opposition coaches throughout the year, earning a spot at Half Back in the Team of the Year. Noah Habjan was also recognised for his impressive year with a Team of the Year nomination, playing all 19 games after getting his first taste of senior footy last season.

What’s next?

At the end of the season, Warrandyte announced that Paul Donahoo was stepping aside from the senior coach role. It’s been a strong tenure at the club with Donahoo leading the side as senior coach for a total of five seasons. This included a Minor Premiership in Division Three, prior to an incomplete year due to Covid, and a Division Three finals series in 2022.

The next chapter for the club will be an interesting one with Warrandyte’s ambition of a premiership and promotion back to Division Three. They aren’t ultimately too far off, we’ve seen both Scoresby and Whitehorse win the Division Four flag in the space of two seasons in the division.

Senior Women’s

Ladder Position: 4th (6-6)

Leading Goalkicker: Rebekah Cullen-Hall

Best and Fairest: Alice Garwoli (14 Goals)

Season Summary:

What a great year for the Senior Women’s side who qualified for their first finals appearance in the competition.

It all came down to the final rounds of the season as Warrandyte defeated Fairpark in Round 13 in a mini Elimination Final. A 42-point win at home guaranteed the Bloods would be playing off in their first ever finals series.

After just missing the finals last season, the side split their games this season with a record of 6-6 to finish fourth on the ladder.

The finals series saw Warrandyte face off against Vermont Gold, a side they also met in the final round of the season. Besides a quick start to the Eagles in the first term, it was a particularly even contest, with two goals kicked each after Quarter Time. Ultimately, Warrandyte fell 21 points short of the side that would go on to win the Division Four premiership.

The final at Silvan Rec Reserve was also the final game for club legend Jenny Trewella. A special moment for her and the side as she was chaired off the ground after the conclusion of the game.

Best Win: Round 13 – Warrandyte 11.12 78 def. Fairpark 5.6 36 @ Warrandyte Reserve

The side had quite a few memorable close wins this season, including a six-point win over Boronia and a five-point win at Fairpark Reserve. However, it’s hard to go past their 42-point win in Round 13 against Fairpark, considering the context of the game.

A win guaranteed their finals position in 2025 and it was all set up from a dominant third term after an even three-goal apiece first half. The third term saw Warrandyte kick 5.5 to 0.2 as they blew the game open and set up a 37-point lead at the final change. Maddison Trewella kicked two of the five goals of the quarter before booting the first of the final term in the opening minutes.

The Bloods ran away 42-point winners, booking their place in the finals series. Maddison Trewella kicked four of the side’s goals, Alice Garwoli finishing with two and a series of other players kicking one.

Key Players:

At the club’s best and fairest night, Rebekah Cullen-Hall capped off an outstanding year with the honours of the club's best and fairest. A part of the inaugural senior women’s side at the club in 2023, Cullen-Hall has been incredibly consistent and was a key reason why Warrandyte’s success has continued to grow.

The runner-up and second runner-up were Meg and Evie Callow. Meg also earned herself a position in the Team of the Year, alongside teammate Chanelle Vitiritti.

What’s Next?

The continued progression of this side is an exciting one for the Warrandyte Football Club. Heading into next year, they look ready to take yet another step forward, and a great chance to win some finals if they can keep the group together.

Netball

Team by Team

Division Six: 2nd (12-2)

Division Ten: 2nd (11-3)

Two sides in the Netball competition for Warrandyte, both ultra successful in 2025, making two finals series and one Grand Final appearance.

Warrandyte Red, the Division Six team finished the year with an impressive 12-2 record. Unfortunately for the side, they were bounced out of the finals in back-to-back weeks by Vermont and Chirnside Park. At the club’s best and fairest night, Darcee Clark took home the best and fairest award, the Most Valuable Player.

As for Warrandyte White, a similar home and away record, 11-3 saw the side qualify for the double chance in the finals. They qualified for the Grand Final after a dominant Preliminary Final win over Montrose, scoring an impressive 53 points on the night. Zoe Smith starred with 42 goals.

A week later, they met Heathmont in the Grand Final, which was another tight high high-scoring game. Just one point in it at the first two breaks, Heathmont broke out to a small lead at the final change, which was ultimately the difference on the night.

Ruby Cooper won the club’s best and fairest for Warrandyte White. The Runner Up for the side was Zoe Smith, who finished the season as the division’s leading goal shooter, 528 goals for the year.