EZYAIR 2026 Season Review | Upper Ferntree Gully

By Josh Ward.

The Kings men’s program was yet again a contender in season 2026 at the Division 3 level while its senior women's and netball program added more flags to the Kings Park rafters.

Senior Men’s

Ladder Position: 3rd (13-3, 186%)

Leading Goalkicker: Josh Mason (31 goals in 18 games)

Summary -

Upper Gully’s steady yet upward trajectory continued in 2026 after playing finals for the first time since their 2016 premiership the year prior.

Kris Fletcher’s men had a promising start to the season, with their only loss in the opening half of the season coming against The Basin in their Round 2 encounter.

They then continued to be one of the pacesetters in the second half, however losses against the Bears and Vales saw them finish in third, but with a double chance in finals.

The Kings had to utilise that double chance early after going down to the Bears in the opening week of finals, responding in emphatic fashion against Knox.

Meeting the Bears once again, Upper Gully failed to overcome them as they went down for a fourth time to their rivals which put an end to their season and premiership aspirations for now.

Best Win: Round 8 - Upper Ferntree Gully 7.10 (52) def. Donvale 4.4 (28) @ Donvale Reserve

One of the most impressive performances of the season against a Donvale side who had scored over 100 in each of their first six games and had even surpassed the 200-point barrier.

The game started off slowly, with a four goal to three opening half in favour of the Vales seeing them take a five-point lead at the main break.

Upper Gully then started to make a move in the third before a three goal to one behind final term saw them victorious by four straight kicks in what was their first and only victory over Donvale in recent history.

Mackay Bateson and Ethan Harris starred in midfield with 23 disposals each while Damien Johnston had a stellar performance with 21 disposals, 15 contested possessions, 10 tackles and nine clearances.

Key Players

Bateson had his best campaign in his young senior career, taking home the Perc James Medal, aka the Division 3 Best and Fairest, five votes ahead of Silvan skipper Matteo D’Alfonso.

He was named in the Division 3 Team of the Year alongside Travis Strange who once again averaged ridiculous numbers, acquiring north of 28 disposals, seven clearances, 14 contested possessions and just under seven score involvements per game.

Harvey Meyer and Jordan Nuku were named across the half back line in the TOTY. While Meyer averaged just under 24 disposals a game, Nuku led the side in intercept possessions, intercept marks and one percenters per game.

Damien Johnston also had an impact in the opening half of the season while Josh Mason had one of his best season’s, leading the side’s goalkicking this past season.

What’s Next?

If you’re a Kings fan, there’s a lot to be excited about with what’s to come not just this year, but in years to come.

No re-signings have been announced as of yet, which will be crucial if they are to stay up at the pointy end of the Division 3 table.

Their depth is strong, with their reserves playing finals whilst their Under 19’s returned to the big stage and had the league B&F in their squad in Billy Rayner.

With some of their younger players now having played a couple of seasons at the senior level, they’ll continue to help improve this Upper Gully side into potentially one of the benchmark sides of Division 3 next year.

Senior Women’s

Ladder Position: 2nd (12-2, 327.71%)

Leading Goalkicker: Karlee Wiesner (30 goals in 16 games)

Summary -

A historic year for the Kings senior women’s side as they took home their first ever premiership in the Deakin University women’s competition.

They were a consistent force all season long, with their only two losses coming in the opening half of the year against North Ringwood Black and Templestowe by a combined 14 points.

Their form in the second half in particular was the strongest of any Division 5 side, comfortably defeating opponents and even overcoming a previously unbeaten Dockers outfit in the final round of the regular season.

Upper Gully then repeated the dose the following week in their second semi before defeating them in the big dance to secure a historic premiership.

Best Win: Grand Final - Upper Ferntree Gully 7.6 (48) def. Templestowe 6.2 (38) @ Mulgrave Reserve

Hard to go pass this victory in what was an entertaining decider to kickstart proceedings at Mulgrave Reserve.

Templestowe got off to the better start with a three goal to one opening term before two goals to no score in the second saw the Kings take a five-point lead at the main break.

After conceding the lead midway through the third, they then kicked three of the last four goals to storm home and win the Division 5 premiership over the minor premiers.

Ashley Herrod had an exceptional game with 34 disposals, 30 contested possessions and 14 clearances. Karlee Wiesner kicked four goals while Kate Edmanson kicked three and had 24 disposals plus 14 tackles to take home Best on Ground honours.

Key Players

In her first season with the Kings, Kaitlyn Roleff-Woolhouse was a key driver for the Kings premiership. Kicking 14 goals, the ex-Knox player took home the Division 5 Best and Fairest, two votes ahead of Heathmont’s Logan O’Connell-Webb.

Roleff-Woolhouse was named in the Division 4 & 5 Team of the Year alongside Tahlia McIntosh, who was a consistent force for the Kings this year.

Karlee Wiesner was also exceptional in attack, particularly come finals time when she kicked six goals in the Kings two finals.

The Herrod’s, Ashley and Jessica, also put together excellent seasons alongside Edmanson and Taylah Moore. Edmanson and Moore were two of four players to kick 10 or more goals this year for the Kings.

What’s Next?

A return to Division 4 awaits the Kings, a division they restarted their women’s program in not too long ago.

They’re in a much better position than they were in 2024 when they went winless, with the side a lot more mature and having had exposure to finals in the past two seasons.

Retaining its current list will be crucial. If they’re able to add a player or two that as higher experience then Upper Gully could be a side to keep an eye on this coming season at the Division 4 level.

Netball

Upper Ferntree Gully Red (Division 6)

Upper Gully’s Division 6 side continued their steady improvement this past season.

They started off the year strongly with three wins from their opening four games before dropping their next three games to eventual finalists Montrose, Rowville and Warrandyte.

The Kings then won four of their next five games but ultimately fell percentage short of playing finals after a big loss to minor premiers Balwyn in the penultimate round of the year.

Charlotte Kosner had an exceptional year and was named at Wing Attack in the Division 6 Team of the Year. Nicole Howse was the side’s leading goal scorer with 137 goals in 11 games.

Upper Ferntree Gully Blue (Division 11)

There was plenty of success for the Kings Division 11 side following a tough 2025.

They set the tempo from the word go in this Division, with their first loss coming by only a goal against Vermont White in the eighth round of the season.

The Kings then won five of their last six games to finish the year as minor premiers ahead of Fairpark Red.

They would then go down to the Lions on second semi final night before losing to Montrose Devils in their preliminary final encounter, which put an end to their season.

Upper Gully had a wide spread of contributors during the season, led by Felicity Bathgate in attack who scored 186 goals in 14 games.

Upper Ferntree Gully Black (Division 14)

Similar to their Division 11 counterparts, the Kings Black side had a lot to celebrate in Division 14.

Starting off with three wins from their opening five games, they then lost two of their next three games to sides they’d meet in finals in East Burwood White and Ferntree Gully Gold.

They then won four of their next five games before a draw with the Eagles in the final round of the regular season saw them finish third, just one loss behind their local rivals in second.

The Kings would meet and defeat the Eagles in their preliminary final encounter having defeated Coldstream Green in the first week of finals.

Meeting East Burwood on the big stage, Upper Gully then won a heartstopping decider by one goal to secure the first of two premierships for their club.

Jacqui Cooke was consistent all season long and was named in the Division 13-15 Team of the Year. Jessica Ducat finished the year as the Division’s leading goal scorer with 366 goals, including 59 in finals.