EZYAIR 2026 Season Review | Coldstream

A new look Coldstream showed plenty of promise in both the senior men’s and senior women’s competition while its netball program continued to improve this past season.

Senior Men’s

Ladder Position: 6th (5-11, 74.70%)

Best and Fairest: Darcy Fritsch

Leading Goalkicker: Darcy Fritsch (60 goals in 16 games)

Summary

The Cougars entered season 2026 with a fresh new look following an injection of youth into their squad over the prior offseason.

Things started off positively with two wins in their opening three games before they dropped their next five games entering their first bye.

Following a competitive loss to Donvale they then won their next two convincingly against Whitehorse and Oakleigh before heartbreakingly going down to Upper Gully in Round 13.

They then would go on to win one of their last four games against eighth-placed Ferntree Gully, resulting in a sixth-placed finish.

Best Win: Round 11 - Coldstream 15.13 (103) def. Whitehorse Pioneers 11.8 (74) @ Springfield Park

Whilst they had a gutsy win over Ferntree Gully just under a month later, this was probably one of the Cougars more complete performances on the road.

They started off well with three goals to one in the opening term before a four goal to two second quarter saw Coldstream hold a 25-point lead at the main break.

Both sides then almost cancelled each other out in the second half with eight goals apiece, which was enough to secure a first win since Round 3 for Matthew Johnson’s men and their first away win of the season.

Darcy Fritsch starred with an eight goal outing, adding to the five goals he kicked the week prior against Donvale, while Sam Figg and Austin White also had excellent outings

Key Players

Co-captain Fritsch was a prominent figure for the Cougars once again this past season. Winning his second Division 3 leading goalkicking crown, the mercurial forward kicked 60 goals, 51 of which coming from Round 10 onwards.

Fritsch was named in the Team of the Year alongside co-captain Darcy Carrigan who had yet another stellar campaign, named in the best on eight occasions, including in the last four games of the Cougars season.

He had some solid support in the form of Blake and Dane Cherry who both made an immediate impact in their first season at Coldstream.

Dale Jordison also had a solid season alongside Noah Holt and Mitchell Edmonds, with Holt and Edmonds kicking more than 20 goals each this season.

What’s Next?

An exciting future awaits what is a much younger Cougars side than in previous seasons.

Some of their key names have already re-signed, including the two Darcy’s as well as Daniel Versteegen, the Cherry’s, Bailey Grant and Jarrod Voss.

No signings have been announced as of yet, but if they’re able to add one or two more experienced players then they could be a dark horse next year.

Senior Women’s

Ladder Position: 6th (5-9, 51.91%)

Best and Fairest: Ella Herrmann

Leading Goalkicker: Ella Herrmann (9 goals in 14 games)

Summary

Much like the senior men’s side, the Cougars senior women’s entered 2026 with some change following two consecutive Grand Finals and four consecutive finals series.

Coldstream started off well with three wins from their opening five games coming against Chirnside Park, Vermont Gold and eventual preliminary finalist Ferntree Gully.

Following consecutive losses to the top two sides they then won two of their next three games to put themselves in a strong position to play finals for a fifth consecutive season.

Vital losses to Mitcham and Ferntree Gully hurt those hopes though, with losses against North Ringwood Red and South Croydon Red seeing them finish in sixth.

Best Win: Round 5 - Coldstream 5.7 (37) def. Ferntree Gully 3.3 (21) @ Coldstream Reserve

An impressive early season performance from the Cougars in what was their only win against an eventual finalist in the Gully.

After a slow start, Coldstream were able to get on top in the second term, kicking two goals to two behinds to level scores at the main break.

The two sides were evenly matched in the third quarter before a three goal to one final term for the Cougars saw them victorious by 16 points.

Taleesha O’Kane and Katie Hamilton kicked two goals each in the triumph, with O’Kane one of the better performers on the day alongside vice-captain Sally Lake

Key Players

Ella Herrmann had another fantastic season for the Cougars. Taking home the side’s Best and Fairest, and finishing in second in the Division 3 B&F vote count, Herrmann was the only Coldstream player named in the Division 3 Team of the Year.

Nyomie Lagerwey-Allen was just as consistent as Herrmann, named in the best on 10 occasions and finishing runner up in the Cougars Best and Fairest.

In her first season at Coldstream, ex-Mitcham star Nicole Akers made an exceptional impact, named in the best on eight occasions despite only playing nine games this year.

Baylee Eastham and vice-captain Lake were also solid contributors once again this past season for the Cougars.

What’s Next?

Some promising signs for the Cougars under a new coach and without some of their key names in years gone by.

Foletta has already signed on for a second season at the helm as well as key names in Herrmann, Lake and captain Hannah Chappell.

Keeping their list together will be key as well as adding to it. If they’re able to do so, then they should be in finals contention once again.

Netball

Coldstream Grey (Premier One Division)

Following a tough few seasons, the Cougars top grade side put together a much stronger 2026 campaign in the newly formed Premier One Division.

Coldstream Grey started off slowly with three losses in their opening four games before finding their groove with consecutive wins against East Burwood and Ferntree Gully.

After two consecutive losses to the eventual premiers of the Division, Norwood and Donvale, they then won five of their last six games to enter finals in strong form.

They then won a heartstopping second semi final against Donvale Magpies to punch their ticket to the Grand Final. They would meet the Magpies once again on Grand Final night, ultimately falling short.

In her second season at Coldstream, Jaymee Tough was key in their Grand Final charge. Scoring 332 goals, Tough took home the Premier/One Division Best and Fairest and was the only Cougar named in the Premier & Division 1 Team of the Year.

Coldstream White (Division 8)

There was plenty of promise shown once again for the Cougars Division 8 side following a Grand Final appearance last year.

After also losing three of their opening four games they would then win three and lose three in their next six games.

Coldstream would then win their final two games against Mitcham Ravens and finalist East Burwood Black, finishing in sixth but just a game short of fourth-placed East Burwood Black.

Sarah Billingham had an exceptional season in attack. Scoring a team-high 173 goals, Billingham took home the side’s best and fairest ahead of runner-up Kaitlyn Chandler who also had a solid season

Coldstream Blue (Division 12)

It was another successful season for Coldstream Blue following a premiership the season prior in Division 13.

They were one of the more consistent teams over the course of the regular season, starting off undefeated in their opening five games before going on a five-game win streak between Rounds 7 and 11.

Winning two of their last three games, they then lost their second semi final with Ringwood Black before they bowed out on Preliminary Final night with a four-goal loss to eventual premier Fairpark Blue.

Nicole Moate took home the side’s Best and Fairest ahead of Ashlea Clausen while Madison Carroll was exceptional in attack, scoring 375 goals. Ebony Cooper was the only Coldstream player named in the Division 11 & 12 Team of the Year.

Coldstream Pink (Division 13)

Much like their Division 8 counterparts, Coldstream Pink had a promising season at the Division 13 level.

They started off well with three wins from their opening five games before dropping points in their next three games.

The Cougars then won four of their last six games, two of which coming against eventual finalist East Ringwood Aqua. They still fell a game and a half short of fourth-placed East Ringwood, missing out on another finals appearance.

Laura Atkins led the way in attack with 124 goals while Narelle Colette was awarded the side’s Best and Fairest ahead of Alexandra McInness.

Coldstream Green (Division 14)

The Cougars Green side was able to make a return to finals, this time at the Division 14 level.

After winning two of their opening three games, they’d then lose five of their next six games, three of which coming against the top three sides of the Division.

They’d then win one, lose one and draw once in their final three games to book a date with Upper Ferntree Gully Black in the first week of finals. In a tight game, the Cougars would go down by two goals which resulted in their season coming to an end.

Maddy Hicks and Tamika Hills-Arradaza led the way in attack with 128 goals each while Hannah Ploegsma took home the side’s best and fairest ahead of Megan Guest.