EZYAIR 2025 Season Review | Chirnside Park

By Chris Kourtis.

After a dominant 2025 season, it was a golden opportunity missed for the Senior Men’s side, whilst the Senior Women’s made great improvements in Division Three.

Senior Men’s

Ladder position: 1^st (13-2)

Leading goal kicker: Jake Cawsey (70 goals)

Summary:

Chirnside Park’s senior Men’s side were by far and away the benchmark of the Division Four competition.

The Panthers boasted massive wins throughout the home and away season, including a 161-point thumping of Forest Hill in Round 10.

In fact, the only blemishes on an otherwise spotless record were a six-point loss to Whitehorse in Round 4 and a five-point loss to Warrandyte in Round 12.

A dominant 58-point win against second-placed Whitehorse in Semi Final 2 left the Panthers looking destined for Division Three. Yet in an unexpected turn of events, Chirnside Park lost to Whitehorse in the Grand Final by eight points. This result left many scratching their heads as to how such a superior season didn’t end in promotion.

Best Win: Round 11 – Whitehorse Pioneers 10.12-72 def. by Chirnside Park 25.17-167 @ Springfield Park

Despite scoring a whopping 197 points against a dismal Forest Hill side, the Panthers’ best victory came in Round 11.

Going into the fixture at 9-1, Chirnside Park were looking to exact revenge on the Pioneers after the Whitehorse side handed them their first loss in Round 4.

What ensued was one of the biggest power statements of the season. Jake Cawsey headlined a 10-man goal kicking crew with eight goals, as Jared Derksen chimed in with four of his own. Cawsey inevitably was awarded the best on ground honours, whilst Xavier Leslie and Justin Ficorilli also produced notable performances.

The 95-point win included a 57-point third quarter, showing that even amongst fellow premiership contenders, this Panthers side were a cut above.

Key players:

Chirnside Park were riddled with top quality talent, proven by their league-leading five Team of the Year players.

Named coach and full forward of the Division Four Team of the Year was Justin Ficorilli with his 37-goal season. Joining him in the forward line was 70-goal man and the division's leading goal kicker, Jake Cawsey.

Chaz Clavant was named club Best and Fairest and earned himself a spot in the Team of the Year midfield. The classy midfielder polled best on votes in eleven of his seventeen games.

Samuel Cannon’s commanding season at full back earned him a Team of the Year birth as well, alongside Ryan Kamien, who was named on the interchange.

What next:

The blueprint for the 2026 season is simple – reset, go again. No major changes need to happen at Kimberley Reserve with the club in a very strong position on and off the field.

They have already taken steps in the right direction, with the re-signings of the likes of Justin Ficorilli, Jake Cawsey and Matt King accompanying the acquisition of Sean Derksen. The 6’7 ruckman comes from Montrose and will also take on the role of reserves assistant coach.

As long as Chirnside Park can continue to perform and return to the big stage in 2026, they will be a great chance to earn promotion to Division Three.

Senior Women’s

Ladder position: 7^th (3-11)

Leading goal kicker: Erin Taylor (6 Goals)

Summary:

The Division Three season was a new experience for the Chirnside Park Senior Women's side.

The senior women’s side finished in seventh place, picking up wins against Mitcham, Ferntree Gully and the Eastern Devils.

As a matter of fact, the Panthers finished off the season with a two-game winning streak, showing promise at the end of a tough year.

Best win: Round 14 – Eastern Devils 1.8 14 def. by 5.13 43 Chirnside Park @ Mulgrave Reserve

Chirnside Park signed off season 2025 on the right foot. The Panthers led at all breaks and eventually walked out 29-point victors.

Rana Khan was given best on ground honours, whilst Laura Robinson and Hayley Heffernan also put in key performances. The fixture was proof of the terrific campaigns that all three had put together.

The 43-point score was also the biggest tally that the side boasted in season 2025.

Key players:

Rana Khan spearheaded the side’s list, earning herself a Team of the Year berth as a full back. With nine best on votes in just fourteen games, Khan was a shining light.

Laura Robinson led the league in best on votes, polling in twelve out of fourteen games. Alongside her was Hayley Heffernan, polling eight votes.

What next:

Chirnside Park would look to continue to build their list over the off-season. In order to cement themselves in Division Three and improve on a seventh-placed finish, the Panthers recruiting and building up from the juniors will set them up well.

Netball

Team by Team:

Chirnside Park Topaz (Division Five):

It was a seventh-placed finish for Chirnside Park’s top netball side, finishing the season with a 2-12 record. Sienna Molnar proved vital for the Panthers, scoring 231 goals in just thirteen games.

Chirnside Park Amber (Division Six):

The Amber side fell short at the final hurdle. Finish fourth with eight wins, they picked up a one goal win in Semi Final 1 against Montrose, before beating Warrandyte by five goals in the Preliminary Final. It was not to be however, as they fell short to Vermont in the Grand Final by 16 goals.

The season’s success was built off league Best and Fairest winner Dayna Walsham’s contributions. Alongside her was Tayla Ferguson, who scored 275 goals in fifteen games.

Chirnside Park Yellow (Division Seven):

The Yellow side finished with a 3-11 record, earning them sixth spot on the ladder. Hannah Jean contributed 161 goals in thirteen games, spearheading the side’s attack.

Chirnside Park Diamonds (Division Nine):

The Diamonds were crowned premiers after a five-goal victory against Lilydale in the Grand Final. Finishing the season with just three losses, the second-placed side lost Semi Final 2 to the Falcons before bouncing back against Whitehorse in the Preliminary Final with a five-goal victory.

Cassidy Ledema scored a whopping 398 goals in just fifteen games, cementing herself as a force to be reckoned with.

Chirnside Park (Division Eleven):

The Panthers will look to go a couple steps further in 2026 after finishing with just two losses. The team capped off a third-placed season with a victory against Montrose in Week 1 of finals, before falling short to Mount Evelyn by ten goals.

Annesa Ryan headlined the Division Eleven side, taking home the league Best and Fairest award with 278 goals in sixteen games.

Chirnside Park Black (Division Fourteen):

Despite finishing fifth on the ladder, the Black side were still a few games off finals in 2025. They finished the season with a 4-8 record and will look to go a step further in the upcoming season.

Veteran Men’s

Chirnside Park’s veteran’s side managed just one win in a tough 2025 season. Finishing a spot off the bottom in ninth, the Panthers’ win came in Round 3 by just five points against Croydon North MLOC.

Jason Ince led the team with thirteen goals in eight games, whilst Jason Batson earned five best on votes in eight games.

Veteran Women’s

After a great season, the Panther’s Veteran’s Women’s side couldn’t get the job done in the finals, losing in Semi Final 2 to Blackburn by 25 points.

Finishing second on the ladder with a 6-2 record, Chirnside Park will be looking to the upcoming season with belief that they can get the job done on this occasion.

Danielle Millott was the league-leading goal kicker with eleven goals in six games, whilst Kate Prior put together a consistent season with five best on votes in eight games.