Yarra Valley Water 2025 Season Review | Berwick

Plenty of promise shown by the young Wickers in the senior men’s and women’s sides in season 2025.

Senior Men’s

Ladder: 9th (5-13, 82.16%)

Leading Goalkicker: Jai Neal (44 goals in 18 games)

Best and Fairest: Ashton Williamson

Summary

While they may’ve finished second last on the Premier Division table for a second consecutive season, it was still one of the Wickers best seasons since joining the EFNL.

Signs of improvement were there in the opening half of the season. Despite those signs, they still only registered one win in that period against Rowville.

They then continued to improve in the second half of the season, this time snaring four wins, three of which at home, and spoiling some sides' finals plans.

Best Win - Round 12: Berwick 11.7 (73) defeated East Ringwood 8.19 (67) @ East Ringwood Reserve

Possibly the most impressive victory in their short EFNL history, knocking off an eventual finalist in what was their only away win of the season.

The Roos gained an early headstart in the contest before the Wickers reduced their deficit from 10 points to four at the main break.

Hitting the front by eight points at the final break, the Wickers started the final term off strongly with three of the first four goals before holding off a late East Ringwood surge to seal a famous road win.

Jordan Roberts starred in the victory alongside Tahj De La Rue, the latter of those two kicking three goals. Blake Westra acquired a game-high 29 disposals while Benzhamen Todd and Samuel Frangalas also had solid games.

Key Players -

It was another stellar season for Berwick young gun Ashton Williamson. Averaging north of 27 disposals, 14 contested possessions and eight tackles per game, Williamson took home the Wickers Best and Fairest.

The only Berwick player to make the Premier Division Team of the Year was Caleb Van Oostveen who averaged a team-high 28.9 disposals, 6.7 rebound 50s and 7.6 intercept possessions per game.

Jai Neal once again led the way in attack, kicking 44 goals in comparison to his 13 goals in 2024, while captain William Arthuson excelled in his return to the side after missing 2024 due to injury.

What’s Next?

Lots to build on for the Wickers after their first season under new coach and ex-AFL player in Andrew Williams.

They’ve already been very active on the recruiting, with two sets of brothers, the Nelsons and Bergmans, rejoining the club.

Among those brothers are Luke Nelson and Miller Bergman, with the former bringing more than 80 games of VFL experience while Miller has spent the past four years with North Melbourne.

Majority of its core group have been re-signed, with the exception of Tom Brennan and Jordan Andrews who’ve hung up the boots.

With how young this side is, as well as their inclusions, the Wickers certainly have the potential to climb up the Premier Division ladder in 2026.

Senior Women’s

Ladder Position: 7th (0-12, 22.78%)

Leading Goalkicker: Mackenzie Krogh (9 goals in 11 games)

Best and Fairest: Brooke Watson

Summary

After an excellent return to the EFNL women’s competition in 2024, this season was a tougher one for the Wickers after sweeping changes took place.

The opening half of the season was a tough one for the side with some big losses as well as a heartbreaking one-point loss to Kilsyth.

But then they showed signs of improvements in the second half of the season, getting close to the likes of Beaconsfield and the Cougars, but ultimately falling short of that elusive first win.

Key Players

Brooke Watson put together another brilliant campaign in the Wickers colours. Named in the best on 11 out of 12 occasions, Watson took home the sides Best and Fairest award and was selected in the Division 2 Women’s Team of the Year.

Jayde Smith, on return to Berwick, and Mackenzie Krogh were also consistent contributors, with Krogh the Wickers leading goalkicker while Smith was named in the best nine times.

In their first season of senior footy Kylah Thompson and Lexie Hargreaves showed some promise, with the latter named in the best in all six games she played in.

What’s Next?

Some more change is set to take place at the Wickers in season 2026 as they look to build on a promising end to this past year.

Marcus Kleinert has been appointed as the side's new coach, bringing with him seven years experience as head coach of Endeavour Hills as well as some experience with VFLW club Southern Saints.

The Wickers women’s side have also been active on the recruiting front while keeping some key figures such as Watson and Cassie Martin.

With an experienced coach at the helm, as well as some new inclusions, Berwick could be one to improve in season 2026.