Eastland 2026 Season Review | Templestowe

The Dockers had another successful season as both their senior men’s and women’s side played off in Grand Finals while its new netball side had a successful first season.

Senior Men’s

Ladder Position: 2nd (13-5, 125.71%)

Best and Fairest: Matthew Mariani

Leading Goalkicker: Mark Seedsman (55 goals in 21 games)

Summary

Under new coach Paul Fiorenza, the Dockers had yet another strong season following their heartbreaking Grand Final loss the year prior.

They set the tempo from the start, winning 10 of their opening 11 games to sit equal top of the Division 2 table alongside Surrey Park.

The Dockers would lose to the Panthers in their Round 12 encounter to slip a game behind them in second spot, which is where they would finish after going 3-3 in their final six games of the season.

Facing Mulgrave in the first week of finals, they obliterated their foes off the park to book a date with Surrey Park in the second semi final, which they ultimately fell short in.

Templestowe would meet the Panthers on Grand Final day once again after defeating the Waverley Blues in their Preliminary Final meeting. Much like the second semi final, they fell short on the biggest day of them all for a second year running.

Best Win: Qualifying Final - Templestowe 16.16 (112) def. Mulgrave 7.4 (46) @ Walker Park

Had a good win earlier in the season against eventual premiers Surrey Park, but this game showed the best of Templestowe.

Ringing in nine changes for the game, the Dockers started off well with a four goal to one opening term before extending their advantage from 21 to 28 points at the main break.

They then blitzed the Lions off the park in the second half, scoring 10 goals to five in that period to well and truly bolster their premiership aspirations.

Yianni Kazakis and Kristian Trkulja kicked three goals each while Carl Giovannini dominated off a half back flank, acquiring 25 disposals, 24 of those kicks, and eight marks.

Key Players

In his second season back at Templestowe, Matt Mariani was a prominent figure. Averaging just under 20 disposals and eight clearances a game, as well as kicking 28 goals, Mariani was named at rover in the Division 2 Team of the Year and took home the Dockers B&F.

Beau Mitchener made another appearance in the after averaging just under 18 disposals, eight clearances, … hitouts and 145 ranking points per game.

Mark Seedsman and Arie Mota also made the TOTY in their first season at Templestowe. While Seedsman kicked 55 goals, including 13 in finals, Motta averaged a team-high 25.3 disposals and 8.8 clearances per game.

Carl Giovannini also showed his versatility across the year, playing a key role defensively in finals and through midfield while also kicking 10 goals in the 14 games he played.

What’s Next?

Some change has taken place at the Dockers as some key senior names depart Templestowe Reserve while some new and familiar names join the club ahead of the 2027 season.

Captain Michael Fogarty is among the outs, joining reigning Division 4 premiers Warrandyte, while his partner in crime Mitchener has departed for Oakleigh District. (Carl Giovannini has also departed for NFNL club Reservoir).

But crucially they have been able to add three ex-AFL names, including Callum and Tyler Brown. The ex-Collingwood duo played some of their junior career at Templestowe, with Tyler crossing from Bayswater and Box Hill whilst Callum joins from Mansfield.

Fellow ex-Magpie Trent Bianco has also joined his good mates at the Dockers after recently winning a VFL premiership with the Box Hill Hawks.

Ayce Taylor and Jed Rule have also signed, with Taylor drafted to Adelaide in 2019 while Rule brings height, versatility and experience with NFNL powerhouse Heidelberg, Old Carey and Carlton’s VFL side.

Ex-Magpie legend Gavin Brown has also joined as a coaching mentor while coach Paul Fiorenza has re-signed.

The likes of Mariani, Seedsman, vice-captain Josh Warren, Marcus Young, Kristian Trkulja and Jackson Lee have also signed, all of whom having played key roles throughout the year.

With the list they’ve currently got, the Dockers look set to be both the benchmark in Division 2 and have another tilt at the flag.

Senior Women’s

Ladder Position: 1st (13-1, 314.53%)

Best and Fairest: Summer Kienhuis

Leading Goalkicker: Dimi Doumas (31 goals in 17 games)

Summary

After re-entering the women’s competition in Division 5 last year, the Dockers were able to build on the promise they showed with a superb 2026 season.

Winning their first four games by an average margin of 77.5 points, they then were able to find ways to win their next three games, including against eventual premiers Upper Ferntree Gully.

They faced some challenges in the second half of the season but were still able to find ways to win. However they eventually dropped their first game in the final regular season round to the Kings, who they would meet in the first week of finals.

The Dockers went down in the second semi final against the Kings before bouncing against Heathmont Blue on Preliminary Final day to set up a date with destiny against Upper Gully on Grand Final day.

Whilst they held an early lead, the Dockers were unable to overcome the Kings this time around, falling just 10 points short of winning the ultimate prize

Best Win: Preliminary Final - Templestowe 4.2 (26) def. Heathmont Blue 1.6 (12) @ Mulgrave Reserve

Hard to split their Round 7 win against Upper Gully and this win, but given they were coming off two losses in a row and with a bit of pressure on them, this win just takes the cake.

They conceded a fast start to the Jets, who held a nine-point lead at the first change, before they eventually bounced back in the second term with two goals to lead by three points at the main break.

After both sides kicked one behind each in the third quarter, the Dockers then doubled their score in the last whilst keeping the Jets to two behinds to secure a second-ever finals victory and a Grand Final berth.

Mai Lim and Lauren McKay had excellent games alongside Shana Miller while Lauren Knowles kicked two goals to add to the goal she kicked in the Dockers first final.

Key Players

Dimi Doumas had a consistent season in front of the big sticks for the Dockers. Kicking 31 goals during the season, and at least one goal in all but one game this year, Doumas was the only Docker named in the Division 4 + 5 Team of the Year.

Chloe Cooper also had a consistent season. Kicking 10 goals in 16 games, Cooper was named in the best on 11 occasions, the most for a Dockers player this year.

Leadership group member Mai Lim also had a consistent year. Named in the best on 10 occasions, Lim also kicked eight goals during the year.

Summer Kienhuis also had a superb season, named in the best on nine occasions as well as taking out the Dockers Best and Fairest.

What’s Next?

Plenty to be excited about for the Dockers following a strong rebuild so far in the senior women’s competition.

No re-signings have been announced as of yet. If they’re able to keep their list together, then they’ll undoubtedly go in as strong favourites in Division 5 next year.

They’ll have a bit of depth in their Under 18 Girls side too, which won the Dockers junior club first EFNL premiership after crossing over from the YJFL last year.

Either way, the Dockers are well set for a rise up the ranks in years to come.

Netball

2026 saw Templestowe introduce a netball side for the first time into the Ringwood Mazda Winter Netball competition.

Competing in Division 7, the Dockers started off strongly with wins in their first four games before going down to eventual premiers Ferntree Gully Light Blue.

They then went on a seven-game winning streak, which included wins against the Eagles and eventual Grand Finalists Rowville Navy.

Facing the Hawks in the first week of finals, they were able to comfortably defeat them before they went down to Rowville Navy the following week, putting an end to a terrific first season in the Ringwood Mazda netball competition.

Rhylee Farrell led all comers in the Division 7 goalscoring charts. Finishing the year with 305 goals, including 36 in finals, Farrell took home the Dockers Best and Fairest and was named in the Division 7 Team of the Year alongside teammate Gemma Cox.