Yarra Valley Water 2025 Season Review | Silvan

By Christopher Kourtis.

Silvan’s footballing program experienced a Jekyll-and-Hyde season, whilst their top netball side took out the premiership.

SENIOR MEN’S

Ladder position: 6^th, 8-10

Leading goal kicker: Matthew Low (44 goals)

Best and Fairest: Matteo D’Alfonso

Summary:

It was nearly impossible to get a read on Silvan’s senior men’s side in 2025.

The Cats made Silvan Recreation Reserve a fortress, winning eight out of a possible nine games at home. On the other hand, Silvan were winless on the road, owning a surprising 0-9 record with an average losing margin of 49 points. 

The Cats put their best footy on display at home, only dropping one game to Knox in Round 11 by a narrow six points. They proved that their style of play could match with the best, beating both Grand Finalists when playing in Silvan. 

Finishing the season at 8-10, the Cats were two wins and percentage off making a finals appearance in season 2025.

Best win: Round 6: Silvan 13.13-91 def. 14.6-90 Donvale @ Silvan Recreation Reserve

The peak of Silvan’s season was this massive upset win against the premiership favourites.

Facing an undefeated Donvale side, the Cats found themselves trailing by four points at the main break. In a fourth quarter shootout, the Magpies kicked the last two goals of the game to tie things up at 90 point a piece. 

With 28:29 gone in the final term, James Charge kicked the game-winning behind to push his team over the line and secure a monumental win for Silvan. 

Matthew Low kicked four goals on the day, whilst Cameron Blease was voted best on for his two-goal performance. Tyson Bissels racked up 25 disposals and ten rebound 50s to go alongside Matteo D’Alfonso’s 21 disposals, ten clearances and ten tackles.  

Key players: 

Matthew Low led the goal kicking tally for Silvan in 2025, booting 44 goals in 18 games. Averaging two goals and one behind alongside six score involvements per game, Low was listed on the half-forward line of the Division Three Team of the Year.

Joining Low in the Team of the Year were teammates Tyson Bissels and Matt Steiniger. Full-back Bissels averaged 18 disposals with ten intercept possessions, whilst Steiniger’s 23 disposals and 12 rebound 50s a game earned him a spot on the half-back line. 

Another key contributor to this Silvan side, despite missing out on the Team of the Year, was Matteo D’Alfonso. The midfielder took out the club’s Best and Fairest award, averaging 19 disposals, twelve contested possessions and seven clearances. 

What’s next?

In order to improve in 2026, Silvan need to figure out how to translate their form at home away to their away game. 

Nothing else matters – no number of signings, off-season training or difference in tactics will matter if Silvan go winless on the road once again. Turn that around and they're likely to be back in the finals hunt next season.

NETBALL:

Team by Team:

Silvan Cats (Division Four):

Silvan’s top netball side were crowned premiers in the 2025 Division Four competition. The Cats won ten games, putting them in third at the end of the regular season. Sam Murty led the attack, scoring 224 goals in sixteen games.

Silvan won Semi Final 1 against Nunawading by four goals, before beating Park Orchards by seven goals and eventually winning the Grand Final by a whopping sixteen goals against East Burwood. Jessica Hansen was awarded Best on Court for her dominant performance.

Silvan Cats Blue (Division Eight):

The Blue side perhaps should’ve won more games, but they also could’ve easily lost more games. Finishing sixth, the side drew four out of their fourteen games. The Cats matched the top sides in the competition however, drawing to a second-placed Coldstream side in Round 9. Ashlyn Hermansen led the side, scoring 201 goals in just ten games. 

Silvan Cats White (Division Thirteen):

The White side finished the season with four wins, putting them in sixth. A mid-table finish was fair for the Division Thirteen side as they were unable to really make an impact against the top-end sides of the competition.