Yarra Valley Water 2026 Season Review | Surrey Park

Surrey Park’s rapid rise up the men’s divisions is set to continue whilst its netball program added more silverware to a growing trophy cabinet.

Senior Men’s

Ladder Position: 1st (16-2, 148.07%)

Leading Goalkicker: Oscar Knight (44 goals in 20 games)

Best and Fairest: Dylan Williams

Summary:

The Panthers are set to arrive into another new division next year after claiming a third premiership in the past four seasons, this time in Division 2.

It was as consistent a regular season as ever for James Kenworthy’s men, dropping only two games enroute to a first ever minor premiership at the senior men’s level.

Earning the first week of finals off while Templestowe and Mulgrave duked it out, the Panthers then knocked off the Dockers in the second semi final to secure a fourth grand final appearance in the past five years.

They then met the Dockers again on the final Saturday of the Division 2 season, comfortably accounting for them to book their ticket to Division 1 for next season.

Best Win: Grand Final - Surrey Park 12.16 (88) defeated Templestowe 9.12 (66) @ Walker Park

An honourable mention to their midseason win against the Dockers, as well as their Round 18 win over Croydon, but hard to go past the Panthers win on the final day of the Division 2 season.

The best and worst of Surrey Park was shown in the first quarter. Having 23 inside 50s to 10, the Panthers kicked 5.10 in the opening period but still held a 26-point buffer.

While Templestowe provided some challenges at times, the Panthers showed some maturity and were able to hold them at bay to secure a 22-point triumph in the Division 2 decider.

Jack Mahon was excellent with 30 disposals, 10 tackles and 12 clearances, with his performance seeing him win the Les Leete Best on Ground Medal. Nick Kann, Sam Harte and Tom Smith also put in solid shifts.

Key Players

In his first season back at his junior club, Dylan Williams led the way for the Panthers. Averaging a team-high 23.4 disposals and 2.3 goals per game, Williams’ season saw him selected in the Division 2 Team of the Year.

Joining him in the TOTY was Tom Smith who once again polled well on Chandler Medal night, finishing second in the Division 2 Best and Fairest count behind Mulgrave skipper Connor Tilyard.

Nick Kann and young gun Oscar Knight also had excellent seasons. Whilst Kann averaged 22 disposals and 19.8 kicks per game, Knight kicked 44 goals in his first season of senior footy to see him selected in the TOTY alongside Kann.

Ben Palmer was also excellent in his first season as a Panther alongside Blake Leidler, with both players providing plenty of versatility.

What’s Next?

Another new division awaits the Panthers as they venture into the second tier of the EFNL for the first time in their short history.

Change is afoot for Surrey Park, with James Kenworthy departing the club having guided them to four Grand Finals in the past five seasons.

Replacing him at the helm for the next two seasons is his senior assistant coach of the past few seasons in Paul Harte, who brings with him experience from Blackburn and Eastern Ranges

Re-signings have already been announced, with skipper and B&F winner Dylan Williams set to play on next year with the Panthers alongside fellow ex-AFL player Blake Leidler and 2x League B&F winner Smith.

Senior Women’s

Ladder Position: 6th (1-13, 16.90%)

Leading Goalkicker: Emma Bradshaw (8 goals in 13 games)

Best and Fairest: Mathilda Lewis

Summary:

Season 2026 presented its challenges for the Panthers as injuries, departures and unavailabilities cruelled what had been a promising build the past few years.

The Panthers started off slowly against three of the top four sides before starting to build some form midway through the year.

Their hard work was eventually rewarded with their only win of the season against The Basin before their season came to an end with defeats against Mooroolbark and East Ringwood

Best Win: Round 12 - Surrey Park 2.4 (16) defeated The Basin 2.2 (14) @ Batterham Reserve

In the end their only win of the season came against their fellow bottom two side in tough conditions away from home.

Trailing by 13 points at quarter time, the Panthers then fought hard in the second and third terms to be within touching distance of the Bears. A four behind to no score final term then saw Surrey claim a tense two-point win.

The midfield group, led by Georgia Mahon, had an excellent game alongside captain Mia Harold who was a key pillar in defence.

Key Players

Georgia Mahon had an excellent second season in black and white, making the Division 1 Team of the Year and finishing runner up in the Panthers B&F.

Finishing as the winner of the B&F was Mathilda Lewis who was yet again a consistent contributor in midfield for the Panthers.

Young guns Taya Coghlan and Emma Bradshaw also had excellent seasons, with both named in the Team of the Year alongside Mahon.

What’s Next

Plenty of learnings for the Panthers as they missed out on finals for the first time since joining the Deakin University Women’s competition in 2021.

Re-signing most of its list will be crucial, with plenty of players like Coghlan herself, Tess Reynolds, Amelia Tarulli, Charlotte Bradshaw and VFLW-listed star Danika Di Santo missing fair chunks of the season.

If they’re able to regain those players, plus players such as vice-captain Paige McKissack who missed the entire season due to injury, then no doubt they’ll improve next year.

Netball

Team by Team

Surrey Park Black (Division 2)

It was another successful season for the Panthers Division 2 team who built off an inaugural season that saw them heartbreakingly fall short in a Grand Final.

Starting the season undefeated in their first nine games, a late season loss to Vermont Purple, which would be their only regular season loss, saw the Panthers finish second and with a double chance come finals.

After going down to the Eagles in their second semi final encounter, they then defeated Mitcham before accounting for Vermont in the Division 2 decider to secure a historic first netball premiership for the Panthers.

Madison Taylor and Emma Starick both had excellent seasons which saw them named in the Division 2 Team of the Year. Taylor was also named captain of the side and took home the side’s Best and Fairest.

Teah Wilson led the way in attack with 197 goals in just seven games while Lucinda Gatt was also impactful, particularly on Grand Final night.

Surrey Park White (Division 9)

A much more successful year for the Panthers Division 9 team, adding another finals team to the Surrey Park netball program.

This side was the team to beat during the regular season, dropping only one game against Lilydale Blue in Round 12 and finishing two games clear of second-placed Chirnside Park Diamonds.

They went down to their fellow Panthers in the opening week of finals, falling just one goal short in an overtime loss to Chirnside Park. Their season then came to an end at the hands of eventual premiers Mount Evelyn in the Preliminary Final.

Madeline Thomas had an excellent and consistent season in attack. Scoring a division-high 344 goals in 13 games, Thomas was named skipper and at Goal Shooter in the Division 9 Team of the Year whilst she also won the side’s Best and Fairest.

Surrey Park Grey (Division 13)

There were patches of promise from the Panthers Division 13 side, who ultimately fell short of playing finals this past season.

They started off the season strongly with a win and a draw in the opening fortnight before putting together two strong performances in rounds six and seven against Croydon North MLOC and Silvan.

Following those two wins they then lost their next four games before winning two of their final three games to finish the season with five and a half wins.

Chloe Blake led the way in attack with 69 goals in nine games while Charlotte Bradshaw also scored 56 goals in two games and Isabelle Wood scored 57 goals in six games. Sarah Howlett took home the side’s B&F.