
By Josh Ward.
Plenty of promise shown from the Eagles senior men’s and women’s sides in 2024 whilst it’s netball program added two more premierships to the Vermont Recreation Reserve cabinet
Senior Men’s
Ladder Position: 4th (12-6, 115.91%)
Leading Goalkicker: Daniel Nielson (40 goals in 16 matches)
Best and Fairest: Lachlan Johns
Summary:
Another finals appearance for the Eagles senior men’s side in 2024, this time falling in the first week of finals.
After a shaky 0-3 start the Eagles fought back and only lost a further three times after that, picking up scalps such as Balwyn and South Croydon twice during that time.
They would face the Bulldogs in what would be their only final, going down by 10 points in a tense and windy affair at Jubilee Park.
Key Players:
It was another stellar season for former Eagles captain Lachlan Johns. Taking home another club B&F award and making the Team of the Year, Johns averaged more than 26 disposals and 14 contested possessions along with just under 7 score involvements per game.
Joining him in the team was vice-captain James Ross who had the second-most one percenters this season while also averaging just over 10 disposals per game.
The two Lochlan’s, Jenkins and Dickson, along with Calvin Daraio also provided solid support for Johns in midfield and Ross in defence, with Daraio averaging more than 20 disposals and 3.8 rebound 50s per game.
Best Win: Round 15 - Vermont 15.12.102 defeated South Croydon 10.5.65 @ Cheong Park
Honorable mention for their Round 11 win at Balwyn but this was one of Vermont’s most complete performances of the season.
Despite being down two rotations by half time, including Lachie Johns, the Eagles blitzed the Bulldogs in the second half to push themselves one step closer to finals.
Daniel Nielson had one of his better games in the purple and gold. Kicking six goals for the match, Nielsen also had 19 disposals, nine marks, eight of those contested and 11 score involvements.
Lochlan Jenkins was also solid in midfield in Johns’ absence, collecting 33 disposals, whilst Dickson had 23 disposals, six inside 50s and six rebound 50s.
Off-Season Focus:
Some big moves have happened for the Eagles this offseason so far. This includes having a new head coach in Matt Adolph who replaces club champion Adam Parker.
Adolph is joined by ex-Mooroolbark coach Bret Lavars while former premiership coach David Banfield has also returned to Terrara Road as its new high performance manager.
There’s also some familiar names returning to Vermont as well, including Liam Wale-Buxton after a dominant few seasons in the Northern and Mornington Peninsula leagues.
Sam Weideman has also come back to his junior club, bringing with him 150 games of AFL and VFL experience with Melbourne and Essendon over the past eight years.
Whilst they’ve lost a couple, including Calvin Daraio to South Belgrave, things are looking promising for Vermont ahead of 2025.
Senior Women’s
Ladder Position: 5th (6-8, 73.08%)
Leading Goalkicker: Madison Buszano (20 goals in 14 matches)
Best and Fairest: Morgan Pay
Summary:
It was a tale of two halves for the Eagles this past season, falling one game short of making finals in a very even Premier Division.
With a new coach and a fair bit of list turnover, the Eagles started off slowly before gathering some steam in the back half of the season.
During the second half of the season their only three losses came at the hands of Whitehorse, Eastern Devils and eventual premiers South Croydon, with the loss to the latter seeing their season come to an end.
Key Players:
There were a wide spread of contributors for the Eagles last year, including B&F winner Morgan Pay. Named in the best on 10 of 12 occasions, Pay’s season saw her make the Team of the Year.
Joining her as captain of that team was Ciara Reid who was named in the best on nine occasions, all of which coming during the final 11 rounds of the season.
Holly Cullen also had a consistent season alongside Madison Buszano, the latter winning Vermont’s goalkicking award and the former being named in the best eight times.
Best Win: Round 12 - Vermont 3.11.29 defeated South Belgrave 1.4.10 @ Belgrave South Recreation Reserve
Hard to split this win and its Round 13 win v Whitehorse but going with this one on the road against the Saints.
Needing to just keep winning to remain in the finals hunt, the Eagles did just that in tough conditions under lights at Belgrave South.
Leading the way was Bianca Clark who was named Best on Ground, with Ciara Reid also having a stellar performance yet again.
Chelsea Pay and Holly Cullen also provided solid support whilst Reid, Madison Buszano and Lily Bunning kicked all three Vermont goals.
Off-Season Focus:
A little bit of movement for the Eagles women’s side so far this offseason, having more of a focus on re-signing their list.
Among the re-signings is that of Chris Clark who did a terrific job of nearly guiding Vermont to finals this past season.
Casey Demons-listed star Kasey Phillips has listed Vermont as her community after having VAFA club Old Yarra Cobras as her community club last season. Natasha Tenney has also signed on, joining from Division 1 club Donvale.
Add a few more pieces then the Eagles will no doubt be challenging sides yet again after doing so for a fair chunk of 2024.
Netball
Vermont Eagles Gold (Premier Division): 6th (2-10, 69.63%)
Vermont Eagles White (Division 2): 4th (8-4, 126.79%)
Vermont Eagles Purple (Division 3): 8th (2-10, 75.64%)
Vermont Eagles Violet (Division 5): 5th (7-5, 118.64%)
Vermont Eagles Lavendar (Division 6): 1st (12-0, 190.68%)
Vermont Eagles Lilac (Division 7): 4th (9-4, 125.46%)
Vermont Eagles Black (Division 8): 3rd (10-3, 140.28%)
Vermont Eagles Yellow (Division 9): 4th (9-4, 121.56%)
Vermont Eagles Gold (Summer Netball Division 1): 6th (1-9, 58.96%)
Vermont Eagles Purple (Summer Netball Division 2): 2nd (7-2, 127.18%)
Another massive season for the Vermont netball program, with eight sides taking to the court in the winter netball competition along with an additional two in the 2023/24 summer netball competition.
Five of those eight sides in the New Balance Netball Competition, with its Division 9 side the only Vermont team to make and win their Grand Final against Chirnside Park.
Prior to that the Eagles Summer Netball Division 2 side also won the premiership, defeating Montrose in the decider.
From an individual perspective Erin Hynson’s took home the Division 7 Best and Fairest award on Chandler Medal night.
Ashlyn Bear and Grace Hartman also took home the leading goal shooter awards in Division’s 7 and 2 respectively.