The Panthers fell twelve points short of premiership glory in the Division Four Senior Grand Final while the women’s team showed plenty of improvement, making a Preliminary Final.
By Ryan Long
Surrey Park
Ladder Position: 2nd (12-4, 178.39%)
Best and Fairest: Tom Smith
Leading Goalkicker: Nick Kann (46)
Summary:
An incredible second half of the year for the Panthers who made the Grand Final for the first ever time in the club’s history with the Eastern Football Netball League. Mid-season, James Kenworthy took over the reins as the playing Interim Coach. It was a big turnaround for the side who became a much more attacking high-scoring team.
The club’s win over Silvan in Round 11 was the first time the Cats had lost all season. The Panthers proved that was no fluke when they defeated Silvan in the final round of the season. A second-spot finish meant the Panthers would face off against the Minor Premiers once more in the first Semi-Final where they went down by 27 points after having a three-goal lead early in the match.
To then qualify for the Grand Final, the Panthers had to knock off Chirnside Park in the Preliminary Final. In one of their best performances of the year, Surrey Park defeated Chirnside by 111 points. The highlight of the match was their third-quarter 10-goal blitz. Falahey and Kann combined by 12 goals and Surrey successfully made the Grand Final, an exciting achievement for the club.
Grand Final day was a tale of two halves for the Panthers. Momentum was on their side early, but they couldn’t make the most of it on the scoreboard. With James Charge getting on top in the ruck at the start of the third quarter, Silvan levelled the scores at the final change before a three-goal to two final term saw the Cats hold on for a 12-point victory.
Key Players:
Leading the way this year for the Panthers was young gun Tom Smith who took out the Division Four league best and fairest with 19 votes. In the midfield, veteran Ryan Kennedy continued to impress, finishing in the side’s best 11 times in a year that he played his 150th game milestone.
Both made the EFNL Division Four Team of the Year along with Jack McLaren at Full Back and Nicholas Kann at Centre Half Forward. McLaren plays a vital role down back for the Panthers including a best-on-ground performance against Chirnside Park in the Preliminary Final. Nick Kann was fantastic up forward, kicking a career-high 46 goals in his first year at senior footy. Youngster Renan Falahey also played up forward in his first senior year of footy, finishing with 29 goals.
Best Win: Round 11 – Surrey Park 12.11 83 def. Silvan 11.13 79 @Surrey Park Reserve
The first time Silvan had been defeated in 2022. Coming into the game, the Cats had been backed as the unbeatable favourites for the flag due to their start to the season. Surrey Park was able to spark a lot more interest in the premiership race when they held on for a four-point victory.
A six-goal-to-zip first term was the catalyst for the upset win. For the rest of the afternoon, Silvan continued to hit back at that lead including a big last quarter where they had nine scoring shots to four. Holding on in that last term, the club made a big statement and found a blueprint of how to defeat Silvan, getting on top in the midfield battle.
Tom Smith had another best-on-ground performance, kicking four of Surrey Park’s twelve goals. Nick Kann and Mark Steiner both had two each while Pollock, Falahey and Molnar all had one each.
Off-Season Focus:
Almost certain to head into season 2023 as the premiership favourites after being the number two side over the last two seasons behind Coldstream and now Silvan. The side doesn’t necessarily need to recruit too many to the club, they’re very young with key players such as Kann and Falahey debuting who will only improve with time.
The club were impressed with Kenworthy’s efforts taking over as senior coach, they’ve offered him the role in 2023. With an exciting brand of football, Kenworthy has taken to the role well while also remaining in good form himself, five times in the best from eleven games.
The Reserves team also won another premiership this year, more proof that the club are ready to make that next step and go up a division. There’s no doubt that the Panthers will be desperate to win it all next year.
Surrey Park Women’s
Ladder Position: 3rd (6-7, 146.10%)
Best and Fairest: Emily Cumming
Leading Goalkicker: Jemma Wright (10)
Summary:
Further development for the Panthers who successfully made the Finals, finishing third on the ladder. A great achievement for the girls, winning six games, five more than what they had achieved in 2021.
The year started with a massive 75-point win over Kilsyth, a complete turnaround from the last time these two sides met in 2021. Their other five wins came against East Ringwood, Montrose twice and Heathmont twice. Finishing third at the end of the Home and Away season on the same number of wins as Kilsyth meant the two would face off in the first week of finals. On a great day for the club, they went on to win by 21 points and book themselves a spot a date with East Ringwood in the Preliminary Final.
Unfortunately, they couldn’t progress any further, despite a strong second half, falling short by five goals. However, the overall season was a big success and just like the senior men’s side, there’s plenty to look forward to in 2023.
Key Players:
Emily Cumming was a clear standout for the Panthers this year, winning the side’s Best and Fairest award for the second year running. She finished in the best ten times this season. Skipper Hannah Bahn also had another great year in the midfield, setting the standard for the girls.
The likes of Wright, Toomey and Yosrungrueang were some of the most important players up forward for the Panthers.
Best Win: Semi Final – Surrey Park 3.13 31 def. Kilsyth 1.4 10 @Silvan Recreational Reserve
The club’s Semi Final victory is a significant moment for the Surrey Park Football Club. Throughout the season, they had a nice rivalry with the Cougars, playing three times for a record of 1-2, in favour of Kilsyth. That included a one-point thriller just weeks before the Finals where a last-second shot by the Panthers wasn’t enough to get them over the line.Coming into the Semi Final, the Panthers had complete control of the game out at Silvan. With tough playing conditions, inaccuracy in front of goal kept the door open for the Cougars with the Panthers finishing the match with 3.13. However, defensively they were strong enough to hold off Kilsyth and take home a famous 21-point win.
Mathilda Lewis was named best on the ground for the Panthers while Wright, Mansfield and Toomey made up the side’s goal kickers.
Off-Season Focus:
The development over the off-season for the Panthers was fantastic, one of the best-improving clubs in the women’s division. They’ll hope to maintain their current group and continue improving their skills and on-field structure.