Yarra Valley Water 2025 Season Review |Kilsyth

It was a fourth consecutive finals appearance for Kilsyth’s senior men’s side while its senior women’s and netball programs continued to make great strides.

Senior Men’s

Ladder Position: 4th (8-8, 109.73%

Leading Goalkicker: Trent Elliott and Ryan Goodinson (20 goals each)

Best and Fairest: Mackinley Ayton

Summary

Under a new coach in Damian Murray the Cougars were yet again around the mark in Division 4. This time around though they had to work hard for their finals berth.

They started off promisingly, winning six of their first eight games of the season, with their two losses coming against Croydon North MLOC and Chirnside Park away from home.

Things started to turn midway through the season when they lost four consecutive games between Rounds 10-14.

They eventually regathered themselves and won two of their last four games to secure a finals berth. Much like 2024 and 2022 though it was a brief finals appearance for the Cougars, falling in the first week to Warrandyte.

Best Win: Round 18 - Kilsyth 8.13 (61) defeated Bulleen Templestowe 8.4 (52) @ Ted Ajani Reserve

Their win against Warrandyte three weeks prior to this one was impressive, this win just edges past that one given it was away from home and it booked their finals ticket in.

Kilsyth got off to a slow start in this contest, conceding the opening five goals in the first quarter and a half before a time on goal in the second term saw them trail by 23 points at the main break.

They then got on the front foot with a four goal to two third quarter, reducing their deficit to 10 at the final break, before a three goal to one final term saw them secure a nine-point triumph over the EFNL newcomers.

Jackson Drake starred in attack with four goals and was well supported by star veteran Jeff Gobbels who kicked two, including the go-ahead goal. Bailey Rae was one of the Cougars best alongside Drake and Trent Elliott.

Key Players

Elliott put together a solid first season in Cougars colours, kicking 20 goals, including three in Kilsyth’s only final of 2025.

Team of the Year member Mackinley Ayton stepped up in the absence of 2024 Stephen Jones Medallist Ryan McNay, taking home Kilsyth’s senior Best and Fairest award.

He was joined in the Team of the Year by young gun Luke Ivanovic, who kicked 16 goals in 13 matches, as well as Declan Lamb who had a solid season in defence.

What’s Next

The building blocks have been put in place for the Cougars following a credible first season under a new head coach in Murray.

Retaining and adding to their list will yet again be key for them, with no re-signings and recruits being announced as of yet.

There’s some solid depth at the club, with their 19s claiming a second consecutive flag whilst their reserves finished fifth with six wins, a slight improvement on last year.

Senior Women’s

Ladder Position: 6th (3-9, 31.43%)

Leading Goalkicker: Hayley Jackson and Abbey Bentley (7 goals each)

Best and Fairest: Maya George

Summary

Whilst Kilsyth’s senior women’s side had some challenges, there was still some promise shown under a new head coach.

Their season started off slowly, dropping their first three games to the eventual top three of  Division 2, before improving and even snaring a win between round’s five and seven.

After losing again to the Division’s top three sides the Cougars then won two of their last three games against Berwick and Beaconsfield, with their one loss in that period coming to finalists the Waverley Blues by just 10 points.

Best Win: Round 13 - Kilsyth 4.7 (31) defeated Beaconsfield 2.10 (22) @ Pinks Reserve

The Cougars penultimate game of season 2025 saw them put together their most impressive performance with victory over a Beaconsfield side who’d defeated them earlier in the season.

It all started in the first quarter where Kilsyth kicked three of their four goals. Their fourth goal came in the second term, resulting in the hosts holding a 25-point lead at the main break.

Whilst they only kicked three behinds in the second half the Cougars conceded just two goals from nine Beaconsfield scoring shots in that period to claim a nine-point victory at home.

Emily Van Veen and Louise Richards impressed alongside Natasha Harrison while Brooke Slaney led the way in attack with three goals.

Key Players

Maya George was a shining light all season for the Cougars women’s side. Named in the best on nine of 12 occasions, George’s season was rewarded with Team of the Year honours and a club Best and Fairest

Emily Van Veen also continued to go from strength to strength while Charlee Prescott had one of her better seasons with the Cougars.

Brooke Slaney also had an impact in her seven games this season, named in the best on five of those seven matches, while Hayley Jackson and Abbey Bentley led the way in attack.

What’s Next?

There’s been a bit of change amongst this Kilsyth list since winning the Division 3 Flag in 2023, losing some players but also gaining some new ones along the way.

The one constant has been retaining the likes of Van Veen, Jackson, George and Bentley, all of whom have been key players for the Cougars over the past few years.

If they keep that core group together, as well as add to it with a bit of experience, then it’ll hold them in good stead next year.

Netball

Team by Team:

Kilsyth Cougars Charcoal (Division Two)

A solid season in Division 2 for the Cougars top netball side, finishing in fifth place with five wins, three and a half games

short of fourth-placed Knox Falcons.

The season started off promisingly for Kilsyth’s Division 2 side, claiming two wins and a draw in the opening five rounds of the year.

They would then claim only one win between rounds six and 11 before finishing the season off with two wins from their last three games against Mitcham Yellow and Montrose Demons.

Sophie Morgan had an excellent season in attack, scoring 153 goals to finish as her side’s leading goal shooter. Chloe Biggs compiled a stellar season as well and was rewarded with a club best and fairest.

Kilsyth Cougars Black (Division Three)

Kilsyth Black continued to make great strides following a promising 2024 campaign, falling just short of the ultimate prize in Division 3.

The Cougars Black won 11 of a possible 14 games during the season, with two of their losses coming at the hands of Vermont Purple.

They would defeat Vermont Purple in the opening week of finals to book their ticket to the Division 3 decider which they would go down in at the hands of the Eagles by nine points.

Leila Rivett was sublime all season long in attack, finishing the season as the Division’s leading goalshooter with 307 goals, including 43 in finals. It was Grace Scott-Thomas though who took home the Cougars Black B&F award.

Kilsyth Cougars Red (Division Five)

A similar season for Kilsyth’s Division 5 side to its Division 2 side, finishing in fifth place with five wins, but only two wins (plus percentage) behind fourth-placed Heathmont Jets.

They too started off the season in solid fashion with two wins from their opening four games before dropping seven of eight games between rounds five and 12.

Much like their compatriots in Division 2 the Cougars would win their final two games against Donvale Black and Chirnside Park Topaz respectively.

Courtney Muller was one of the star shooters of the Division 5 competition, finishing inside the top three leading goalshooters by the end of the home and away season. Maddie Zaicz took home the Cougars Division 5 Netball B&F, also scoring 149 goals during the year.

Kilsyth Cougars Crimson (Division 10)

One of three Kilsyth sides to make finals in the New Balance Netball Competition, Kilsyth’s Division 10 side put together a promising 2025 campaign.

It started off with a win, a draw and a loss in the opening stanza of season 2025 before winning five consecutive games between rounds four and eight.

They then won three of their last five games en route to a brief finals appearance where they fell in the first week to Montrose Storm by six goals.

Lucy Badrock had an excellent season in attack, tallying up 213 goals to finish in the top four leading goalshooters. Jess Craig took home this side’s club best and fairest award.

Kilsyth Cougars White (Division 12)

The Cougars Division 12 side put together an excellent campaign which was rewarded with a finals berth.

They started off well with six wins from their opening eight games, dropping games against an eventually promoted Mount Evelyn outfit and eventual runners up Vermont White.

Kilsyth White then dropped off after that, claiming three wins out of a possible six to end the season before their only final saw them go down to South Belgrave by three goals.

Kayla McLean took home the Division’s leading goalshooter award, finishing her campaign with 282 goals and finishing as the Cougars Division 12 B&F winner.

Kilsyth Cougars Grey (Division 13 & 14)

It was a promising but tough year for the Cougars Division 13 side, finishing at the foot of the table by the end of the 2025 New Balance Winter Netball season.

They started off the season in Division 14 where they won their only three games in the Division, which saw them promoted into the Division 13 competition.

Kilsyth Grey were then unable to register a win in the higher up competition to finish at the bottom of the table, one win (and percentage) behind second-last Montrose Heat.

Maddison Andueza finished as this side’s leading goalshooter with 146 goals across both divisions while Nikki White took home the Cougars Division 14 Best and Fairest award.