A Historic Rise continues!

By Josh Ward.

Surrey Park’s meteoric rise up the Division’s is set to continue into 2027 after defeating Templestowe by 22 points in the Division 2 Grand Final at Walker Park.

The Panthers were in control of the contest from the outset, eventually winning 11.16 (88) to a plucky Templestowe outfit, who finished on 9.12 (66).

Saturday’s result marks a third premiership in the last four years for James Kenworthy’s men, punching their ticket to Division 1 footy in 2027.

Jack Mahon starred in the win, providing plenty of grunt and racking up the disposals in midfield which saw him win the Les Leete Best on Ground Medal.

Nick Kann was also at his flamboyant best, providing plenty of drive from defence and creating opportunities in attack.

Skipper Dylan Williams, Oscar Knight and Lachie Summers were also prominent at times across midfield, offence and defence in the opening half.

For the Dockers they fell short of winning their first senior premiership since 2010 in what was their second consecutive Division 2 decider.

Carl Giovannini and Beau Mitchener kept fighting hard in the ruck and in midfield, with Giovannini also impacting the scoreboard.

Steve Arie Motta also had an excellent game in midfield alongside Matt Mariani, with both Motta and Mariani kicking a major as well.

Templestowe were under the pump from the first bounce as the Panthers looked to get off to a fast start in only their second game in the past month of action.

They were able to do so but failed to capitalise on the scoreboard, kicking 2.10 whilst keeping Templetowe in it as they had kicked two goals straight.

Time on then saw the Panthers rewarded as they found their radar, kicking three goals to lead by 28 points at the first change.

Following an open start to the game in favour of the 2026 minor premiers, it then turned into a dour struggle in the second term.

Only one goal and a combined six behinds were kicked, with that one goal coming from Surrey’s Hayden Telford early in the term.

Trailing by 32 points at the main break, Paul Fiorenza’s squad came out with intent as they kicked the opening two goals of the second half to reduce their deficit.

All their hard work was undone by the Panthers though as they kicked four of the last five goals in the final 12 minutes of the term to have one foot into Division 1 at the final break.

As both sides started to tire at the start of the last, more opportunities presented as both went goal for goal to start the final term.

Two late goals from the Dockers then saw their season come to a close with a 22-point to a Surrey outfit set to play in the second tier of the EFNL men’s competition for the first time in their history.