Deakin University 2026 Season Review | East Burwood

By Josh Ward.

The Rams showed a lot of promise at the Division 2 level while its netball program once again had plenty of success.

Senior Men’s

Ladder Position: 7th (7-11, 104.63%)

Leading Goalkicker: James Connellan (39 goals in 18 games)Best and Fairest: Jaymie Kempson

Summary -

It was another season of steady improvement and yet more heartbreak for the Rams under Kyle Dove.

They started off slowly, winning three of their opening nine games. Four of those losses in that period came by 12 points or less while two of their three wins came by 50+ points.

The Rams then hit a rough patch between Rounds 10 and 15, losing five of their six games in that period, with another two of those losses coming by single digits.

Kyle Dove’s men were then able to win some close games in the final three rounds of the season before capping off their year with a thumping victory over finalist Mulgrave at home.

Best Win: Round 16 - East Burwood 11.6 (72) def. Templestowe 10.10 (70) @ Templestowe Reserve

One of, if not the Rams, finest victory in Kyle Dove’s tenure, not only because they defeated an eventual Grand Finalist but because it was a rare close victory away from home.

They started off strongly, kicking five goals to two in the opening term before a two goal to one second period saw them hold a 23-point lead at the main break.

East Burwood were then able to hold sway in the second half despite a late Templestowe surge, with a goal in time on sealing a famous victory for the Rams at Templestowe.

Jordan Wright had one of his best performances with 35 disposals and a goal while experienced heads Max Wills and Liam Patterson played key roles in the triumph.

Key Players

Jaymie Kempson returned with a bang to East Burwood after a brief stint with Balwyn. Acquiring more than 31 disposal, 10 clearances and just under six score involvements a game, Keympson won the Rams B&F and was named in the Division 2 Team of the Year.

Skipper Liam Patterson joined him in the TOTY after another excellent season at the Rams, averaging just under 24 disposals and more than six rebound 50s per game.

James Connellan was consistent in front of the big sticks, finishing in the top five leading goalkickers of the Division with 39 goals across the season.

Ex-Norwood midfielder Michael Cramp also had a consistent first season at East Burwood while Lachy Jose also showed glimpses of promise.

What’s Next?

Plenty to build on for the Rams after what was another excellent ending to this past season.

Kyle Dove has already recommitted for the next two seasons while key players such as Kempson, Wills, Wright, Connellan and Jordan De Zilwa have also re-signed.

They’ve been able to pick up a fair few players too, including former junior Hannin Mundy who returns to the Rams after an excellent stint at Premier Division premiers East Ringwood.

Nikita Yiannakoudakis has also crossed over from Balwyn along with Vermont trio Jake Maclean, Jack Roche and Joshua Davies, with Maclean winning the Eagles Reserves B&F this year.

With a lot of young Premier Division talent coming to the club next season, 2027 is shaping as a big one for Kyle Dove and the Rams.

Netball

East Burwood’s netball program was once again one of the deepest programs in the Ringwood Mazda Netball competition.

East Burwood Rams competed in the newly formed Premier One Division. They started off strongly with five wins from their opening seven games.

Despite dropping off and winning only one game in the second half of the year, they still played and won a Division One final before eventually bowing out on Preliminary Final night.

Nicole Wong had an excellent season, scoring 136 goals and being named as captain of the Premier One Division Team of the Year. She was joined by Abbey Hubbard in the TOTY while Rowan Sommerville finished second in the goalscoring charts with 565 goals.

East Burwood Grey had just as strong a season in Division 4. The side started off the season very strongly with eight wins from their opening nine games before dropping three of their last four games ahead of finals action.

They won their first final by nine goals against Mitcham Ebony before they too bowed out on Preliminary Final night against Vermont Violet.

Alexandra Gilpin was named at Goal Shooter in the Division 4 Team of the Year after finishing the year with 291 goals, 269 of which in the regular season. Jade Hancock joined her in the TOTY at wing defence after an excellent campaign.

East Burwood Black also made a finals appearance at the Division 8 level. They started the season off slowly with just one win from their opening four games before winning five on the trot between rounds six and 10.

After losing two of their last three regular season games they then won their first final against East Ringwood White before going down to Vermont Black in their Preliminary Final meeting.

Tiarna Parry was a consistent contributor in attack with 149 goals in 11 games while Belinda Williams provided solid support late in the season with 119 goals in just six games.

East Burwood White had the most successful season of all the Rams netball sides. Competing in Division 14, the Rams White squad went through the regular season undefeated, with only three of their 12 wins decided by single digits.

They then punched their ticket to the decider with a 12-goal victory over Ferntree Gully Gold in the first week of finals before heartbreakingly falling short on Grand Final night to Upper Ferntree Gully Black by a goal.

Aiyana Alexander was sublime all season. Finishing with 344 goals, Alexander took home many accolades, including the Division 14 Best and Fairest, Best on Court in the Division 14 decider as well as a spot in the Division 13-15 Team of the Year.