Yarra Valley Water 2026 Season Review | Scoresby

By Josh Ward.

The Magpies had a tough return to Division Two footy this past season while its netball program added a second team following its return last year.

Senior Men’s

Ladder Position: 10th (4-14, 76.82%)

Best and Fairest: Cooper Frith

Leading Goalkicker: Liam Malone (30 goals in 18 games)

Summary

Scoresby made a return to Division 2 action for the first time since 2019 following back-to-back premierships in Divisions 3 & 4.

It took them a while to adjust to the Division, dropping their first nine games before eventually securing their first win against Lilydale halfway through the season.

Craig McKenzie’s men then had an up and down end to the season, defeating the likes of Croydon and East Burwood but dropping some crucial games, including against Ringwood in Round 17.

Needing to win their final game against the Falcons and other results to go their way to avoid relegation, the Magpies failed to do so resulting in an immediate return to Division 3 for next season.

Best Win: Round 9 - Scoresby 13.11 (89) def. Lilydale 9.12 (66) @ Lilydale Sports Oval

After a tough initiation into Division 2, the Magpies were able to break their duck against a wounded Lilydale outfit that would still go on to play finals this past season.

Both sides started off evenly matched, with Scoresby holding a three-point lead at quarter time before extending that to two straight kicks at the main break.

They then put their foot down in the third, kicking four goals to two before one goal apiece in the last saw the Magpies toast their first victory since their 2025 Division 3 Grand Final triumph.

Cooper Frith led the way in midfield with 23 disposals while vice-captain Bailey Thompson and Adam Amin combined for eight of the Magpies 13 goals on the day

Key Players

Co-captain Frith was one of the more consistent players for the Magpies this past season. Averaging just under 25 disposals, 15 contested possessions and nine clearances per game, Frith was the only Scoresby player named in the Division 2 Team of the Year.

In his first season at Scoresby, ex-Blackburn tall Liam Malone also put together a solid campaign, leading the Magpies goalkicking with 30 goals for the year.

Lachlan Anderson also had a breakthrough year while Amin and  Thompson with 22 and 21 goals respectively for the season

What’s Next?

A return to Division 3 awaits for the Magpies, and they’ve already made their intentions known with a busy offseason so far.

To date five recruits have been announced, including that of 2x Rowville premiership player Matt Davey. He’s signed on as a playing assistant coach, bringing with him close to 300 games of EFNL experience in higher grades.

Joining him at the Magpies is ex-Boronia trio Harvey Chinn, Nathan Hare and Dylan Dower. While Hare and Dower have spent their entire senior career with the Hawks, Chinn crosses over after spending the past two seasons with Montrose.

Spencer Stuckey has also crossed from Knox having played some senior footy with them while young gun Xavier Leslie has signed on from Chirnside Park.

Its key group of senior players have re-signed, including Frith, Declan McBean, Malone, Matthew Smit, Tristan Brunning, Tim De Geest, Jordan Camilleri and Bailey Thompson.

With a strong list, and plenty of depth with its reserves also playing Division 2 finals this past season, the Magpies will no doubt have another tilt at the Division 3 premiership next year.

Netball

After a successful return to the Ringwood Mazda netball competition last year, the Magpies added a second side to their program this past season.

Its top graded side, Scoresby Black, competed in Division 4 this past season, picking up two wins against Donvale Black and Heathmont Gold in the final round of the year, but unfortunately finishing at the bottom of the table.

Isabeau Hart led the side’s goalscoring with 44 goals in just five games while Bianca Collard, won the black side’s Best and Fairest ahead of runner up Liana McNamara.

Scoresby’s second netball side, Scoresby Grey, had a similar season in Division 11. After starting the year in Division 10, they went down a grade and won two games against Mitcham Sabers and Chirnside Park Panthers to finish second last on the table.

Beth Van Holsteyn won the side’s Best and Fairest and was the only Magpie named in the Division 11-12 Team of the Year. She finished the year as the side’s leading goalscorer alongside Sarah Gibbs who both scored 45 goals apiece.