Eastland 2025 Season Review | Croydon North MLOC

Improvements continue to be made by the KangaRams senior men's side who ultimately fell just short of a first ever finals appearance.

Senior Men’s

Ladder Position: 6th (7-8, 105.12%)

Leading Goalkicker: Lachlan Poli (36 goals)

Best and Fairest: Bailey Cheong

Summary:

So close but yet so far for the KangaRams who, despite finishing sixth of seven teams in Division 4, were just one win away from making a first-ever finals appearance.

Initially it was a steady start for Ben Oakes’ side, defeating the likes of Kilsyth, Forest Hill and Bulleen Templestowe but falling short of the eventual top three in Chirnside Park, Warrandyte and Whitehorse.

It was the middle third of 2025 where they started to make some shockwaves, defeating the Pioneers and Warrandyte as they pressed their case for a finals berth.

They were unable to finish off the season strongly though, losing three of their last four games to end 2025 with seven wins, the most in a season for the KangaRams.

Best Win: Round 10 - Croydon North MLOC 15.2 (92) def. Whitehorse Pioneers 13.12 (90) @ Hughes Park

An honourable mention to Croydon North’s triumph over Warrandyte in Round 13, but this win against the eventual Division 4 Premiers just takes the cake.

After a solid start the KangaRams then exploded in the second term, kicking seven goals to Whitehorse’s four to take a 28-point lead into half time.

The Pioneers then came charging in the second half, even taking the lead in the dying stages, before a kick after the siren from Lachlan Poli sealed a historic triumph for Ben Oakes' side.

Poli kicked three goals alongside Jake Guerin, with both players key in the victory together with Adam O’Donohue and Michael Condello.

Key Players:

Team of the Year forward Poli was excellent all season for Croydon North, finishing as their leading goalkicker ahead of star acquisition and fellow Team of the Year member Leigh Odermatt.

Bailey Cheong was also consistent all season long, kicking 11 goals and being named in the KangaRams best on 11 occasions enroute to a club Best and Fairest.

Adam O’Donohue and William Robinson also had solid seasons while Konrad Bendrups had an impact in attack with 23 goals in 12 games.

What’s Next?

Moves have already been made by the KangaRams ahead of season 2026, with coach Ben Oakes re-signing alongside key players like Cheong, Poli and O’Donohue.

They’ve also started to recruit, signing young players such as Robbie Paciocco from Park Orchards’ U19 program, Reuben Johnson from Croydon as well as Jack Hoole and ex-WAFL and VAFA player Andrew Doyle.

Next season could also see the KangaRams introduce an Under 19s side for the first step, a massive step towards improving in the present and in future years.

The only way is up for Croydon North, particularly if they’re able to keep the majority of the list and add a few more pieces to their puzzle.

Netball

Team by Team

Croydon North MLOC (Division 12): 6th (4-10)

Only the one side in the Ringwood Mazda EFNL Netball Competition which competed in Division 12 this past season.

After winning two of their opening three games of the year the KangaRams would then go on to only win two of their final 11 games, finishing the season in sixth place, four wins behind fourth-placed South Belgrave.

Emily Merry was excellent for the KangaRams, finishing as her club’s best and fairest winner. Lucy Nation, Monika Niceski and Taneka Hailes also put together solid seasons for Croydon North’s only netball side.

Veterans

Veteran Men’s: 10th (0-8)

The KangaRams fielded another Veteran Men’s side in season 2025, which ultimately was unable to find a victory in season 2025.

There were some promising signs in the opening half of the season with close losses to Chirnside Park and South Belgrave. In the end they were unable to build on those tight defeats, finishing the season at the foot of the BJS Veteran Men’s table.

Daniel Perry finished as their leading goalkicker with 13 goals in seven matches while Adam Potter won the KangaRams Veteran Men’s B&F ahead of Daniel Cerra. Matt Gee and Andrew Barling also had solid seasons for Croydon North.