EZYAIR 2025 Season Review | Surrey Park
- rlong69
- 14 hours ago
- 6 min read

By Josh Ward.
It was another strong season for the Panthers, with their senior men’s, women’s and Division 2 Netball side falling just short of the ultimate prize.
Senior Men’s
Ladder Position: 3rd (12-5-1, 112.43%)
Leading Goalkicker: Hayden Telford (48 goals in 21 games)
Best and Fairest: Jack Woods
Summary:
In their second new division in as many years the Panthers senior men’s side was yet again a key player towards the pointy end of the season.
James Kenworthy’s men started the season off strongly, with their only two losses in the opening half of the season coming at the hands of eventual grand finalist Templestowe and Croydon away from home.
And while there were times in the second half of the season where their depth was tested once again, Surrey still consistently put together strong performances in that period, resulting in a third-placed finish.
After defeating eventual premiers Wantirna South in the first final, the Panthers fell just minutes short of booking a fourth consecutive Grand Final appearance against Templestowe in their second semi-final meeting.
They would then fall at the hands of the Devils in the Preliminary Final despite leading at the first three breaks.
Best Win: Qualifying Final - Surrey Park 11.6 (72) defeated Wantirna South 7.9 (51)
One of two wins against the eventual premiers, this one coming in the Panthers first ever Division 2 final.
Not much separated the two sides in the opening two quarters, entering quarter time 9 apiece before being locked on 28 points apiece at the main break.
Surrey gained a slight nine-point edge at the final break after kicking four goals to two in the third term before a three goal to one final term saw the Panthers victorious by 21 points.
Nick Kann, Jasper Mundy and Tadan Vitacca led the way in attack with two goals each while Sam Harte continued his excellent season in the win alongside Renan Falahey.
Key Players
Young star Tom Smith added to his already impressive resume with a second league Best and Fairest. The mid-forward finished the season with 36 goals in 20 games and was named in Surrey’s best on eight occasions.
Defender Jack Woods claimed the Panthers club best and fairest after another solid season down back where he was named in the best on seven occasions.
New and returning names such as Ben Woodfull, Sam Harte and Hayden Telford all impressed in attack and through midfield, with Telford the second leading goal kicker in the Division.
Jack Mahon was also impressive in midfield before he went down with an injury, kicking eight goals in 15 regular season games and being named in the best on eight occasions.
What’s Next?
While the Panthers remarkable rise comes to a halt it could continue having already made a major move in the early stages of the offseason.
That move was the signing of former junior and ex-Port Adelaide utility Dylan Williams who, after 29 games at the elite level, returns to Surrey Park as a playing assistant coach.
Two former juniors, Blake Leidler and Rafal Paszkowski, have also signed on, with Leidler spending a year at Sydney while Paszkowski has spent more than a decade in both Blackburn’s junior and senior ranks.
There’s plenty of talent coming through too, with the 19s claiming a third consecutive flag while the reserves also won their first flag since 2022.
It was a promising first season in Division 2 in 2025, and with the depth of talent coming through, the Panthers could be set to be a major player in the division next year, particularly if they add more talent to their current list.
Senior Women’s
Ladder Position: 3rd (7-7, 104.16%)
Leading Goalkicker: Emma Bradshaw (31 goals in 17 games)
Best and Fairest: Mia Kolednik
Summary:
Much like the Panthers senior men’s side, Surrey’s senior women’s slotted right into a brand new division.
After an up and down opening month which saw them claim two wins from four games, Rounds 5-7 saw them hit their straps with three consecutive victories over Donvale, East Ringwood and Balwyn.
Following those victories came a rough patch where the Panthers depth was tested, losing three games in a row, before they eventually regrouped and won two of their last four games.
Their first ever Division 1 Final saw Chris Langkou’s side victorious over Balwyn before they put a depleted Knox to the sword in the prelim to book their third consecutive Grand Final ticket.
In the end the Panthers fell just short to minor premiers North Ringwood, ending another excellent campaign on a disappointing note.
Best Win: Semi Final 1 - Surrey Park 11.4 (70) defeated Balwyn 9.4 (58)
A four-quarter effort from the Panthers which saw them victorious for the third time in four meetings this past season against the Tigers.
Surrey kicked four goals to one to take a 26-point lead into the first break, a lead which they would retain at the main break after both sides kicked two goals each in the second term.
The Panthers then pulled away in the third, kicking four goals straight to two to lead by 40 points at the main break. And despite a very late charge from Balwyn the Panthers were able to secure a two-goal triumph at Silvan Recreation Reserve.
Kate Tanner and Taya Coghlan were both excellent, combining for seven of the Panthers 11 goals. Tess Reynolds and Georgia Mahon were also terrific in the victory.
Key Players
In her second season back at Surrey, Mia Kolednik was a key player yet again, claiming Team of the Year honours, the Division 1 Women’s Best and Fairest as well as the Panthers club B&F.
Tess Reynolds was yet again brilliant in her second season of senior footy, being named in the best on 12 of a possible 15 games.
Emma Bradshaw also had an instant impact in her new colours with 31 goals while Kalarni Kearns and captain Hannah Bahn were key in the Panthers charge to another Grand Final appearance.
What’s Next?
The offseason is well and truly underway for the Panthers, with key players such as Kolednik and Emma Bradshaw re-signed for season 2026.
Coach Chris ‘Chops’ Langkou is set for a third season at the helm after guiding the side a premiership and a Division 1 Grand Final in his first two years as their coach.
Retention will be key for the Panthers senior women’s side. If they add players, like they did this past season, then they could challenge for a second premiership in the past three years.
Netball
Team by Team
Surrey Park Black (Division 2)
A stellar first season for Surrey Park’s Division 2 Netball side, claiming the minor premiership while making the Grand Final.
The Panthers Black won eight of their first nine games to sit in a strong position atop the table, with their only loss in that period coming against Mitcham Yellow.
After losing to the Tigers again in Round 10 they’d win their final four games of the season to finish a game and a half clear of second-placed Norwood Gold.
Defeating Norwood in their semi-final meeting, they’d then meet the Norsemen two weeks later in the Grand Final. Going to overtime, the Panthers in the end fell two goals short of winning a netball premiership in their first year.
Teah Wilson was a star all season for the Panthers. Scoring 384 goals, Wilson claimed the league’s Leading Goalshooter and Best & Fairest award while Emma Starick won the club B&F award for this side.
Surrey Park White (Division 9)
Some promise was shown by Surrey Park’s second netball side, finishing the season with two victories.
Starting off in Division 8 where they lost their first three games, they then won their first game in Division 9 against Whitehorse Pioneers.
After losing their next four they’d then defeat Bayswater Black in convincing fashion before losing their final five games to finish the season in second last on percentage
Maddy Thomas had an excellent season in attack, scoring 189 goals across both divisions which saw her win the Panthers Division 9 Netball B&F.
Surrey Park Grey (Division 12)
Much like their Division 9 counterparts, it was a promising but tough season for the Panthers Division 12 netball side.
The side lost eight games on the trot in the opening stages of the season before defeating Croydon North MLOC as the final month of the 2025 season closed in.
They showed some promise in the fortnight after that win, but it wasn’t able to translate into wins. They would lose their last four games to finish at the foot of the table with two wins.
Holly Jackson led the way in attack with 99 goals while Jamie McHugh provided solid support, scoring 77 goals. Siena O’Neill took home the Panthers Grey B&F award.
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