Eastland 2025 Season Review | East Burwood

It was a tough but at times promising season for the Rams senior men’s side while its netball program had another sound season.

Senior Men’s

Ladder Position: 9th (5-12-1, 90.93%)

Leading Goalkicker: James Connellan (27 goals in 18 games)

Best and Fairest: Liam Patterson

Summary -

A season of what if for the Rams in Division 2 who, despite finishing ninth, showed signs of improvement under a third coach in as many seasons.

The opening half of the season saw Kyle Dove’s men on the road with the redevelopment of their home. Winning two of nine games, five of the Rams seven defeats in that period came by three goals or less.

After defeating Waverley Blues in their first game at East Burwood Reserve in Round 10, the Rams then lost their next four games, three of which against eventual finalists.

They then finished the year off strongly with wins against Lilydale and Croydon plus a draw against preliminary finalist Surrey Park in the final month of their season.

Best Win: Round 4 - East Burwood 15.11 (101) defeated Heathmont 6.10 (46) @ H.E. Parker Reserve

By far the Rams most impressive performance of 2025 against a Jets side that, despite being down on form in the opening month of the season, still made finals and had plenty of talent on their list on the day.

Starting off evenly matched, the Rams then made some inroads in the second quarter where they increased their quarter time lead of four points to 19 at the main break.

It was all East Burwood in the second half, kicking nine goals from 12 scoring shots whilst keeping the home side to just three goals en route to their first win under Kyle Dove.

Chris Spiteri led the way in attack with three goals and was one of 11 goalkickers for the Rams that day. Marcus Young, Kodey Logan and James Connellan also had excellent performances.

Key Players

One of the Rams recruits in Liam Patterson was a standout all season long. Named in the best on 11 occasions, Patterson won the Rams B&F in a year where he was the only East Burwood player to make the Division 2 Team of the Year.

James Connellan led the way in attack for the Rams, finishing the season on 27 goals to sit atop their goalkicking chart.

Marcus Young was also a consistent performer alongside defenders Jordan De Zilwa and Kodey Logan, with Young also kicking 11 goals during the season.

What’s Next?

Some moves have been made by the Rams already as they look to improve on a disappointing few seasons.

One crucial move is the re-signing of coach Kyle Dove, meaning the Rams won’t have another change in coach this offseason.

Key players such as De Zilwa and Patterson have re-signed alongside Conor Agnew, Brandon Griffiths and the Reddy’s.

They’ve also picked up Josh Goldie and Matthew McWilliams, who are both young into their senior career, alongside Mitch Lake who captained Murray Football League club Moama this past season.

There’s a bit to build on, and if more experience can be added to what is a side filled with a bit of youth then they could be a side to keep an eye on in 2026.

Netball

Team by Team

East Burwood Rams (Division 1)

Ladder: 6th (4-9-1)

Similar to their senior men’s, it was a tough but at times encouraging season for the Rams in Division 1 of the Ringwood Mazda netball competition.

After a very tough start in the Premier Division, the Rams then regathered and started off well with three wins and a draw in their opening five games in Division 1.

Things turned though for the Rams, only winning one game out of their final six to finish the season with four wins and a draw, three wins behind fourth-placed Mitcham Amber.

Rowan Sommerwille had a stellar season in attack. Scoring 349 goals, she finished the season inside the top four leading goalshooters of Division 1 while also claiming the Rams B&F ahead of Nicole Wong who was a consistent contributor, also scoring 52 goals.

East Burwood Grey (Division 4)

Ladder: 1st (9-2-2)

A terrific year for East Burwood Grey who were the most successful netball side for the Rams this past winter.

After an opening round bye the Rams were undefeated in their opening five games before dropping two of their next three games.

Remaining undefeated in their final five games to finish atop the table, they then defeated Park Orchards Red in the qualifying final to be the first side to qualify for the Grand Final. Facing an in-form Silvan, they would go down to the Cats in the decider convincingly.

Caitlin Jennings and Rachael Sheridan both had excellent years,finishing as equal B&F winners for the side. Sheridan scored 281 goals for the season and was well supported by club runner up B&F Ellie Bentley who finished 2025 with 113 goals.

East Burwood Black (Division 13)

Ladder: 4th (8-5-1)

Equally as promising a year for East Burwood Black in Division 13, also making finals in this division.

Things didn’t start off all too well when they lost their opening three games of the season before they started to hit their straps and went undefeated between rounds four and nine.

After dropping their Round 10 and 11 games they’d then win their last three games to seal a finals berth. It was a brief finals stint though, losing their elimination final meeting to East Ringwood Aqua in a hard-fought do or die final.

Naomi Turton took home this side’s best and fairest in a year where she finished with a division-high 251 goals. Mel Tsimbas also had a solid season, finishing runner up in the side’s B&F.

East Burwood White (Division 15)

Ladder: 8th (2-12)

A tough season for East Burwood White, finishing at the foot of the Division 15 table.

They put together some promising performances in the opening six rounds, however they only registered one win in that period.

The Rams White side then only added one more win in their final eight games where they had some more competitive performances in that period.

Anna Visnovsky took home the side’s B&F after a solid season while Alexandra Archbold, who finished runner up in the B&F alongside Amanda Joseph, led the way in attack with 11 goals.