Tobin Brothers 2025 Season Review | Blackburn

By Christopher Kourtis.

Blackburn’s football department flexed its muscles in 2025, with the senior men’s team coming agonisingly close to Premier Division glory. 

SENIOR MEN’S

Summary:

Ladder position: 1^st, 16-2

Leading goal kicker: Toby Wooller (61 goals)

Best and Fairest: Ryley Stoddart

Blackburn was the EFNL’s surprise package, unexpectedly rising up the ranks in Premier Division. 

The Burners took the competition by storm, picking up consecutive wins against Balwyn and South Croydon on their way to a spotless 5-0 start. The win streak set up a clash of the titans in Round 6, as they travelled to take on fellow undefeated side East Ringwood. 

Blackburn were absolutely trounced, losing by 73 points. The side’s only other loss came in Round 10, losing to Balwyn by eleven points. Inaccuracy cost them greatly, only managing a score of 6.21-57 – with kicking like that, even Daniel Wood’s ridiculous mark (yes, that one) wasn’t enough to get them over the line.

The burners responded with vengeance, kicking over 100 points in their next three games against South Croydon, Noble Park and Vermont. They finished the season on an eight-game winning streak which was eventually broken in a 47-point loss to Balwyn in Semi Final 2. 

The side responded once again, this time knocking over Rowville in a convincing Preliminary Final win. They faced Balwyn for the fourth time of the season, and despite holding a thirteen-point lead halfway through the fourth quarter, they couldn’t hold on. Blackburn lost by three points, bringing a remarkable season to an end. 

Best win: Round 1: Blackburn 12.9-81 def. 8.14-62 Balwyn @ Morton Park

Blackburn hosted the reigning premiers to open the season, quickly making their intentions known for the campaign ahead.

On a sunny Good Friday, the visitors came out firing. Balwyn threw the first punch, getting out to a nine-point lead at quarter-time. That would be the only blow that the Tigers would land though, as Blackburn wrangled back control of the contest.

The Burners won the second term 41-8 and never looked back. They were able to keep Balwyn at an arm’s length for the rest of the contest, winning the midfield battle and even restricting their opponents to only single goal kickers.

Kade Answerth was awarded the best on ground honours, polling 24 disposals (sixteen contested), six tackles and six clearances. Cooper Trembath was immense in the backline, as eleven of his twenty disposals were intercepts. 

Lachlan Bugeja was a key mover for the Red Jackets with 25 disposals of his own. Mackenzie Doreian and Daniel Wood kicked three goals each. 

Key players:

Even with all the class that this Blackburn side had in their midfield and even defence, it was one of their forwards that was the headline act. Toby Wooller kicked 61 goals in just fifteen games and was the joint-winner of the Chandler Medal. Wooler averaged four goals and eight score involvements a game, landing him a spot in the Team of the Year. 

Joining him in the Team of the Year were teammates Patrick Lawlor and Mackenzie Doreian. The pair combined for an average of 37 disposals and thirteen score involvements a game, both polling well in the goal and times in best charts. 

Club Best and Fairest Ryley Stoddart also made an appearance in the Team of the Year. Stoddart was listed on the interchange, putting up an impressive 24 goals and ten times in best throughout 21 games. 

Head coach Anthony Fagan was recognised for his brilliance this season, deservedly named the Team of the Year coach. 

What’s next?

Despite losing the Grand Final, not much needs to change at Morton Park. They were the benchmark of the competition and came within three points of a premiership. Although it would be handy to add one or two more pieces, the list is already built very strongly. With the reserves going deep into finals and the U19.5s being crowned premiers, Fagan has the option of recruiting from within. 

Whatever they decide to do over the off-season, they will do it with one goal in mind: get it done on Grand Final day.

SENIOR WOMEN’S

Summary:

Ladder position: 2^nd, 10-2

Leading goal kicker: Bernadette Canavan (48 goals)

Best and Fairest: Emma Nilsson 

Much like their male counterparts, the senior women’s side started the season off brilliantly. 

They were 9-0 after Round 11, picking up big wins along the way. They picked up a statement win in Round 7, becoming the first (and only) team to knock off Mooroolbark. 

Blackburn went on to lose four of their next five games though, bringing their season to a disappointing end. They dropped their Round 12 fixture against Montrose in a game where they kicked 2.10-22, before losing to Mooroolbark in Round 14. The side took on the Mustangs for the second time in a row in Semi Final 2, losing by 18 points. 

A six-point Preliminary Final loss to Montrose sealed a straight sets exit. 

Best win: Round 7: Mooroolbark 3.2-20 def. by 8.6-54 Blackburn @ Mooroolbark Heights Reserve

Both sides were undefeated coming into this matchup, and by the time it was done, it seemed like Blackburn were going to stay that way for the rest of the season. 

Mooroolbark were still favourites, beating anyone that stood in their way throughout their first season in the division. The game was played entirely on Blackburn’s terms though, as the visitors simply wouldn’t be denied.

The Burners had more than double the scoring shots than their opponents, walking out 34-point victors. Bernadette Canavan (four) and Sophie Crammond (two) combined for six goals. The pair were supplied well by midfielder Cara Reilly, who was voted best on ground.

Key players:

Emma Nilsson won the club best and fairest award. The midfielder’s twelve times in best put her second in the league charts, cementing her spot in the Team of the Year. 

Bernadette Canavan was the league’s leading goal kicker, booting 48 goals in fourteen games. She did so convincingly too, going nineteen goals clear of second place. Canavan was listed as a Team of the Year full-forward. 

Cara Reilly was listed as a follower in the Team of the Year. Reilly was a consistent performer throughout the year and was one of the side’s key movers of the footy.

What’s next?

Blackburn still need to make a few moves if they want to go deeper into the finals. They are not far off, but bringing in a couple of players with higher-division experience would go a long way to boosting their premiership credentials. 

NETBALL

Team-by-Team:

Blackburn White (Division Two):

Blackburn’s top netball side struggled throughout the season, only managing two wins and a seventh-place finish. The silver lining is that both those wins came against fifth-placed Kilsyth, showing that they had what it takes to contend with those above them. 

Blackburn Red (Division Three):

Blackburn Red also finished the season in seventh with two wins. They struggled throughout, only managing to beat Blackburn Black. 

Blackburn Black (Division Three):

The Black side finished the season winless. They came close in Round 4, where they lost to East Ringwood by two goals. The side started off the season in Division Two, going 0-3 before being dropped down to their new division. 

VETERAN WOMEN’S

Summary:

Blackburn’s veteran women’s side were crowned premiers of the competition. One of three sides to finish with a 6-2 record, the side finished third due to their percentage. 

The side started the season losing to Mooroolbark by 84 points in Round 1 and dropping their Round 3 match against Chirnside Park. Their fortune turned by beating minor premiers South Belgrave by thirteen points in Round 4, holding them goalless.

The Burners ended their season on a five-game winning streak.

They then beat Chirnside Park in Semi Final 2, before beating South Belgrave by ten points in the Grand Final. The Burners led at all breaks, putting the finishing touches on a brilliant season.