Deakin Uni 2026 Season Review | Nunawading

By Josh Ward.

Nunawading’s football sides made a return from a brief hiatus while its netball program added to the Lions premiership cabinet.

Senior Men’s

Ladder Position: 9th (1-15, 19.58%)

Leading Goalkicker: Nick Ormond (21 goals in 15 games)

Summary

Following a year in the wilderness, the Lions made a return to the senior men’s competition in their 99th year as a club.

Things started off slowly against some strong opposition before they eventually found their first win in just over two years against Forest Hill away from home.

There were patches of promise shown towards the end of the season, particularly after their win over the Zebras, before they ended the season with just the one win to their name.

Best Win: Round 10 - Nunawading 9.14 (68) def. Forest Hill 5.13 (43) @ Forest Hill Reserve

A massive day for the Lions who claimed their first win since defeating the Zebras in Round 9 of the 2024 season at Koonung Reserve.

After an even first term, Nunawading then made a move in the second, kicking four goals to one to lead by three straight kicks at the main break.

Adding another two goals and holding the Zebras to three behinds in the third, the Lions then held sway in the last to secure a first away win since Round 2 of 2024 against Croydon North MLOC.

Playing coach Thomas Flood had an excellent performance in ruck while Nick Ormond and Thomas Natoli kicked seven of Nunawading’s nine goals on the day.

Key Players

Flood compiled an excellent season for the Lions in ruck, averaging 42.4 hitouts per game and north of nine clearances per game.

Cooper Robertson was also a consistent contributor, named in the best on seven occasions whilst averaging more than 21 disposals a game.

Sebastien Lock and Nick Ormond were also solid in their first season at Nunawading, with Ormond kicking more than four goals in a game on three occasions.

What’s Next?

The building blocks have been put in place for Thomas Flood’s side, who are set to enter their 100th year as a club next season.

Re-signings have already been announced, with Flood himself alongside Ormond, Lock, co-captain Alex Salanitri and Micky Gloutfsis set to go around again at Koonung Reserve.

If they’re able to add to their list then it should help boost the side that little bit more as they prepare for another season of Division 4 action.

Senior Women’s

Ladder Position: 7th (3-11, 27.15%)

Leading Goalkickers: Hannah Maw and Meggan Nelsen (Five goals each)

Summary

Nunawading’s senior women’s side also made a return after a brief hiatus, this time playing in Division 5 of the Deakin University Women’s Competition.

They started off well with two wins from their opening five games against Kilsyth Red and The Basin Green before facing tougher opposition the following fortnight.

Winning against the Cougars to kickstart the second half of the season, they then had some close losses, including against eventual Grand Finalist Templestowe, to end the year second last on the Division 5 table.

Best Win: Round 5 - Nunawading 9.3 (57) def. The Basin Green 3.11 (29) @ Koonung Reserve

One of their biggest wins in recent history came on the Lions home deck against a Bears outfit that had some close losses to start the season.

Kicking four goals to one in the opening term, a one goal to three behind second term saw Nunawading hold a 23-point lead at the main break.

Adding another goal to the Bears five behinds in the third, the Lions then kicked three goals to two in the last to secure their second win of 2026 and their first home win of the year.

Alexandra Hacking, Meggan Nelsen and Tara Robertson kicked two goals each, with Robertson and Nelsen some of the better performers on the day alongside Hannah Maw.

Key Players

Maw was a consistent contributor over the course of 2026 alongside Hacking, with both named in the best on 10 occasions throughout the year.

Jackie Shimo also had a strong season for the Lions, named in the best on seven occasions in the 11 games she played.

Bethany Jackson was also a key contributor. In the eight games she played this past year, she was named in the best on six occasions.

Nelsen also had an impact in the six occasions she played, finishing as the Lions equal goalkicker and being named in the best four times.

What’s Next?

Plenty to build on ahead of next year for the Lions after a season filled with plenty of promise in a new division.

Re-signing its list will be crucial, with skipper Julia Rundle the first player to be announced as a re-signing for the Lions.

If they’re able to get some consistency with their current list and add to it, then they could show some improvement next season.

Netball

Nunawading Lions Gold (Division 4)

It was a highly successful year for the Lions Gold side following yet a third consecutive finals appearance for them.

The Lions started the season off like a house on fire, with their lowest winning margin in that period being 15 goals.

They then continued that streak in the second half of the season, finishing the regular season undefeated and a game clear of second-placed Vermont Violet.

Nunawading then defeated the Eagles in the first week of finals before repeating the dose on Grand Final night, securing the Lions second premiership in the past three years.

Mel Van Zuyden led the charge in attack for the Lions, scoring 191 goals and earning herself a spot in the Division 4 Team of the Year. Supporting her was Stephanie Gibbs, who scored 141 goals in six games, including 48 in the Lions two finals.

Nunawading Lions Maroon (Division 8)

The Lions reintroduced a second side for the first time since the 2024 season when they had three sides.

2026 started off promisingly for Nunawading’s Division 8 side with two tight losses to Silvan Blue and Mitcham Ravens before they started to face some challenges.

Whilst they got close to Mitcham again as well as Heathmont White in the second half of the season, the Lions unfortunately ended the season winless and at the bottom of the table.

Annie Lennox led the way in attack with 82 goals for the side while Charlotte Waldron scored 47 goals in 11 games.