Yarra Valley Water 2025 Season Review | Ferntree Gully

A new-look Ferntree Gully took the field this season under Patty Garrity, while the Senior Women consolidated their position in a new division.

Senior Men’s

Ladder Position: 7th (7-11, 82.44%)

Leading Goalkicker: Jaidyn Stephenson

Season Summary:

It was a year of change for Ferntree Gully, who had a new coach, a new list, and plenty of challenges in an up-and-down season.

The Gully had appointed Patty Garrity as the new senior coach, and a significant change in the playing personnel was highlighted by the addition of ex-Collingwood and North Melbourne star, and former Ferntree Gully junior, Jaidyn Stephenson.

Despite inclusions of Stephenson, Mitcham’s Jesse Smyth and Blake Lee, South Belgrave’s Elliot Triegaardt, the club was without multiple of the key stars who had made the move at the end of last season.

To sum up their inconsistent season, their results against The Basin painted a picture: a 13-goal to one win in Round Six over the Bears was flipped in Round 15 at Batterham Reserve, with a loss of 14 goals to one.

Some of the best performances of the season came in the back half of the year, a seven-point win over Minor Premiers Donvale, and an 89-point win over Oakleigh District.

Best Win: Round 13 – Ferntree Gully 11.7 73 def. Donvale 9.12 66 @ Wally Tew Reserve.

One of the biggest upsets of the 2025 season.

Ferntree Gully were coming off a ten-goal loss to Knox the week prior as they stunned the current ladder leaders Donvale by seven points.

A five-goal to two third term was the major turning point in the game for the Eagles. Jaidyn Stephenson kicked five goals from his 20 disposals, but defender Blake Lee stood out with a 41-disposal game, taking 13 marks and finishing with 177 Ranking Points.

Key Players:

Jaidyn Stephenson proved his worth in the Ferntree Gully side this year, averaging 28 disposals and 2 goals per game. Finishing second in the league's best and fairest, Stephenson booted 38 for the season, including 13 against the Cats in his two games against Silvan.

Playing different roles at different stages of the season, Stephenson’s biggest game of the season came against Upper Ferntree Gully in a 54-disposal game as Ferntree Gully won the local derby.

Blake Lee was instrumental for the Gully in defence, a Team of the Year member alongside Jaidyn Stephenson. Averaging almost 25 disposals per game, Lee became one of the side’s most reliable players, taking his game to new levels.

Brodie Harrison was another one of the side’s most consistent players in 2025, the runner-up in the club’s best and fairest this year.

What’s next?

An interesting off-season awaits Ferntree Gully after last year’s off-season of massive change.

Improving their depth will be key if they are looking to open the finals window after a 2025 season, which saw the side always a step or two behind from breaking into the top five.

Senior Women’s

Ladder Position: 5th (6-8)

Leading Goalkicker: Evelyn Bamford (12 Goals)

Season Summary:

After winning the Division Four premiership last season, Ferntree Gully had a successful transition into Division Three, consolidating their position.

Ferntree Gully finished fifth on the ladder, winning six games for the season.

Adversity through challenges this year was key for the side as they had several injuries across the season and missed many of their most important players at crucial times of the year.

Despite missing the finals, Ferntree Gully proved they belong in Division Three. They’ve had strong performances against some of the top sides of the division, also defeating both North Ringwood Red and South Croydon Red once each.

Best Win: Round 12 – Ferntree Gully 6.7 43 def. North Ringwood Red 1.4 10 @ Wally Tew Reserve

An incredibly important win at Wally Tew Reserve late in the season that gave the Eagles every chance of finishing inside the top four for a finals birth.

After a scoreless first quarter, Ferntree Gully kicked the final six goals of the game as they defeated a tough North Ringwood outfit by 33 points.

Evelyn Bamford starred with four majors, while Breanna Carter booted two.

Key Players:

Missing the first six games of the season, Breanna Carter had a huge impact in the second half of the season. Multiple best on ground performances, ten goals from seven games, and a Team of the Year position. Despite missing six games, Carter finished as the Ferntree Gully Best and Fairest winner.

An important part of the premiership side last season, Breanna Smith continued to impress, listed in the backline of the Team of the Year.

Bridget Elliner continues to improve, this year listed in the EFNL Division Three Team of the Year, playing all 14 games of the season, in the best eight times. Ellinger also polled extremely well in the club’s best and fairest, the runner-up behind Carter.

What’s Next?

Dwayne Stangherlin has recommitted to the club as Senior Coach, and the club is in a great position heading into 2026.

Considering the series of injuries across the season, Ferntree Gully, back at full strength, will be a finals contender in the division.

Netball

Team by Team

Division One: FTG Eagles Blue (3-10-1)

Division Four: FTG Eagles Gold (0-13-1)

Division Six: FTG Eagles White (2-12)

Division Nine: FTG Eagles Yellow (2-12)

As the Ringwood Mazda Netball competition grew, the divisions continued to get tougher, with Ferntree Gully winning seven games across their four teams.

Mila Seabrook capped off a fantastic season, winning the Division One Best and Fairest, 281 goals for the season, scoring 20 or more on ten occasions.

Paige Hutchinson, another strong shooter for the club, took out the Division Four Best and Fairest after her 204-goal season.

Leah Harris won the Division Six club best and fairest, while there was a tie in the Division Nine Best and Fairest, won by Zoe Emsley and Sarah Van Holsteyn.