Eastland 2026 Season Review | The Basin

By Josh Ward.

The Bears senior men’s side made a return to the big stage for the first time in over a decade whilst its senior women’s and netball programs showed signs of promise.

Senior Men’s

Ladder Position: 2nd (14-2, 199.29%)

Leading Goalkicker: Connor Edwards (43 goals in 15 games)

Summary

The Basin’s upward trajectory under Joel Perry continued in 2026 after making a return to finals in the 2025 season.

It was an up and down start to the year, beginning with three wins before injuries saw them drop two games against Silvan and eventual premiers Donvale.

Those would be the Bears only two losses of the Home and Away season, going on to win their last 11 games of the season to finish with a double chance come finals time.

Facing Upper Ferntree Gully in the first weekend of finals, they knocked the Kings off with a stellar second half performance before they went down to the Vales the week after in their second semi final.

The Bears then knocked off the Kings for the second time in three weeks in their Preliminary Final meeting to punch their ticket to the Division Three decider. Despite a gallant effort, Joel Perry’s side would go down to the Vales in what was their first Grand Final since 2015.

Best Win: Round 15 - The Basin 12.6 (78) def. Donvale 11.10 (76) @ Batterham Reserve

Both their finals wins were impressive, but this stands out given it’s the first time the Bears defeated Donvale, since dropping down to Division Three in the past few years.

Following an even first term, the Bears conceded three goals and kicked just one in the second to trail by two straight kicks heading into the main break.

Entering the final change seven points down after a four goal to three third term, Joel Perry’s side proceeded to kick four goals to two in the last, including three of the last three goals, to make it eight wins on the trot.

Nick Hallo starred with 33 disposals, 23 contested possessions, 10 tackles and 16 clearances, kicking three goals alongside Tobi Wiertzyk whose three goals came from eight disposals.

Key Players 

In his return to the Bears, Hallo was exceptional whenever he took the field. Averaging north of 28 disposals, 16 contested possessions and 10 clearances per game, Hallo was named at Centre in the Division Three Team of the Year.

Joining him in the TOTY was fellow recruit Lachlan Kruger, who averaged 21.2 disposals, 11.1 contested possessions and 7.3 score involvements per game.

Connor Edwards was also named at Centre Half Forward in the TOTY, averaging a team high 7.5 score involvements, 2.9 goals per game as well as 12.9 disposals and four marks inside 50.

Mitch Tsirtsikos also had an excellent first season at The Basin, averaging just under 25 disposals per game, while skipper Tom Edwards led from the front once again.

What’s Next?

Plenty to be excited about for the Bears ahead of another season in Division Three which, at this stage, they’ll enter in as one of a few premiership contenders.

No re-signings have been announced as of yet, something that will be crucial if they are to be up there in Division 3 once again.

They’ve announced the signing of Nathan Bardsley, who crosses over from divisional and local rivals Upper Gully and brings plenty of experience at the senior and reserves level.

Bardsley will add to the depth of what is already a deep Bears squad, with their reserves also making Grand Final day and finishing the year as Minor Premiers.

Senior Women’s (Division One)

Ladder Position: 5th (2-12, 28.53%)

Leading Goalkickers: Julia Baker, Chloe Goring & Maya Jeans (Five goals each)

Summary

The Bears made a return to Division One action this year following a tough season at the Premier Division level in 2025.

After a tough opening fortnight, Julia Baker’s side started to build some form and were eventually rewarded with their first win of the season against Surrey Park.

They then repeated the dose just over a month later after some promising performances against three of the top four sides.

The second half of the season saw them competitive once again, but they failed to register a win in the final six games of the year, but they still finished a game clear above bottom-placed Surrey Park.

Best Win: Round 4 - The Basin 7.5 (47) def. Surrey Park 4.5 (29) @ Surrey Park Reserve

In the end the first of two wins against the Panthers as well as their first win since their triumph over Boronia in Round 6 of the 2024 season at the Premier Division level.

Kicking four of the first five goals, the Bears then had to hold off a Surrey charge before kicking some late goals to secure a drought-breaking win in their first ever encounter against the Panthers.

Baker chipped in with two goals along with Chloe Goring and Maya Jeans while Caitlin Grimmett and Crystal Van both had excellent performances in the victory.

Key Players 

Crystal Van was one of the more consistent contributors for the Bears. Despite only playing nine games, Van was named in the best in six of those games and was named on the half forward flank in the Division 1 Team of the Year.

Caitlin Grimmett also had a consistent season for the Bears alongside Lili Gibson, with both named in the best on eight and nine occasions respectively.

Holly Dalton was also a key contributor alongside Baker, Goring and Jeans, with the latter three leading the Bears goalkicking this past season.

What’s Next?

Plenty to build on after crucially stabilising in Division 1 and avoiding the wooden spoon.

Much like the men’s side, no re-signings or signings have been announced as of yet. Retaining most of its list will be key having lost a fair few key names in recent years.

If they’re able to stabilise again in Division1 then in years to come they should be able to reap the rewards with plenty of junior girls coming through their ranks.

Senior Women’s (Division 5)

Ladder Position: 6th (3-11, 38.61%)

Leading Goalkickers: Nathalia Van Straalen and Jacinta Morganella (Six goals each)

Summary

It was a season of growth for the Bears development women’s side as they competed in Division 5 for a second consecutive season.

Following some tough and close losses in the opening two months of the season, the Bears hit the board with a comfortable win over Kilsyth Red nine rounds into 2026.

They then built on that with two wins from their next three games before some competitive performances against eventual finalists North Ringwood Black and Heathmont Blue saw them end the year with three wins.

Best Win: Round 11 - The Basin 4.5 (29) def. Wantirna South 0.0 (0) @ Walker Reserve

An impressive performance from the Bears against a Devils side that was sitting four games clear of them at the time and had won their previous game by 59 points against Nunawading.

The Basin kicked two goals in each half and, leading by 14 points at the first break before extending that to 29 points by the final break.

Georgie Stenson was excellent alongside Hayley Samargis while Jacinta Morganella also had an excellent performance, kicking two of the four goals for the Bears.

What’s Next?

As previously said, if the Bears are able to keep their list together then they’ll continue to improve like they did towards the end of the season.

Next season could also see the introduction of some junior girls into that fold, with the Bears fielding an Under 16 side this past season.

Netball

The Basin Cubs (Division 3)

It was another winning season for the Bears Division 3 side as they made a return to finals for the first time since making the 2024 Division 3 decider.

Starting the season with three consecutive triumphs, they then lost two of their next three games before their only bye of the season.

Following that bye at the halfway point of the season, they then won six of their next seven games to finish with 10 wins for the season, ultimately falling just short of a double chance.

They then won their First Semi Final convincingly against Montrose Flames before falling short of eventual premiers Kilsyth Black on Preliminary Final night.

Bree Kruger was a key driving force once again, taking home the Division 3 Best and Fairest and being named at Centre in the division’s Team of the Year.

Joining her in the team was Madalyn Beet at goalkeeper and Holly Dalton on the interchange while Jessica Rousch was the side’s leading goalscorer with 370 goals, including 56 in finals.

The Basin Kodiaks (Division 5)

A promising season for the Bears at the Division 5 level following a tough 2025 season.

After losing their opening five games, the Bears tasted victory in spectacular fashion in their Round 6 encounter against Ferntree Gully.

Following three consecutive losses after that win, The Basin then proceeded to win their final four games of the season to finish with five wins and in sixth spot on the Division 5 table.

Katie Harper and Melissa Beardsworth both had excellent campaigns which saw them named in the Division 5 Team of the Year, with Beardsworth finishing as the Division’s third leading goalscorer on 261 goals.