Yarra Valley Water InFocus 2026 | Surrey Park

By Josh Ward.

After yet another excellent season across the board, the Panthers of Surrey Park will be looking to go one better in season 2026.

In their second new division in as many years last season, Surrey Park’s senior men’s side was once again one of the benchmarks. 

Unlike previous seasons though, they fell just one game short of making a fourth consecutive Grand Final, going down to Templestowe and Wantirna South in the Division 2 second-semi final and preliminary final.

James Kenworthy has recommitted for another season at the helm, saying that every player has come back in good nick so far this pre-season.

“As you head into every preseason, everyone’s got the idea and the want to get better, fitter and stronger,” Kenworthy said.

“But from what we’ve seen with the whole playing group they’ve come back stronger and fitter.”

A massive driving force has been the fact the Panthers were minutes away from defeating Templestowe in the second semi final as well as a quarter away from defeating eventual premiers Wantirna South in the Preliminary Final.

“We did get that first win against Wanny South so we do know we can match it with the best…"

“For our boys (those losses) are a huge driving force knowing that we’re so close. We’re confident we’ll be there or thereabouts again with the change that’s happened over the summer.”

Most of the playing group has re-signed with the exception of Kenworthy who has hung up the boots alongside Surrey stalwart Kane Henden. George Haynes has also taken the short trip down Elgar Road to join VAFA club Wattle Park.

On top of those re-signings has been another strong recruiting drive, headlined by ex-Port Adelaide player and former Surrey junior Dylan Williams.

“It’s been amazing getting (Dyl) back. I know it’s pretty cliche, but his experience at the higher level, he’s played alongside some absolute greats at Port.

“And his genuine football knowledge and he’s really come down to Surrey wanting to teach the younger guys all he’s learnt. He’s been absolutely terrific.”

More former juniors in ex-AFL listed player Blake Leidler, James Box and Rafal Paszkowski have also returned while Jack Pruden crosses from South Belgrave.

“It’s testament to the club and where we’re going forward and where outsiders see where we can get to.

“The rise over the last few years is pretty well documented, but to get these ex-juniors to come back and want to help get the club to where it can get to (is amazing).”

The seniors and reserves will continue to be bolstered by more Under 19s coming through the rank, with plenty of Surrey’s U19s last year already signing on.

“Testament to this group that we’ve got, there’s 24 out of the two teams last year that have put their hand up to want to come to the senior group. 

“That in itself is pretty much a full side coming into the senior ranks which is absolutely huge, so watch this space…”

With more talent coming through the ranks and to the club, the expectation remains the same for Kenworthy in season 2026.

“I’ve said it every single year, it’s finals footy or nothing…and as we all know, anything can happen in finals.

“Injuries or anything like that definitely plays a part in what that final score looks like if you bat deep into finals.

“That’s our ultimate goal, we want to play finals, go up against the best and beat the best. That’s where I sit.”

Surrey’s senior men’s side kickstarts its season with two home matches against Waverley Blues and division newcomers Scoresby.

On the other hand, the Panthers senior women’s side had a slightly stronger season in their new Division.

After finishing third in Division 1, the Panther women’s won their first two finals against Balwyn and Knox before ultimately falling short of North Ringwood in last year’s decider.

Chris ‘Chops’ Langkou returns for his third year as coach, with Rod Bradshaw and Geoff Simmons continuing on as his assistants.

Bradshaw stated that so far preseason has been tracking along nicely.

“(Players like) Paige McKissack, Mia Harold, Amelie McIntyre are really fit. We had our preseason camp on the weekend and they were all standing tall,” Bradshaw said.

Coming so close to the ultimate glory in their first season has and will continue to be a major driving force this coming season according to Bradshaw.

Surrey Park Senior Women's side in last year's Grand Final against North Ringwood at H.E Parker Reserve.

“The progression we’ve had over the last four to five years with this group, it’s been a steady climb,” Bradshaw said.

“Every year they’ve improved, and I reckon last year losing the grand final is just going to spur them on again. It’s not a rite of passage, but they’re keen to go again.

“There were girls at the start of last year thinking are we good enough to play this level. And by the end of the year they were playing in a Grand Final.

“Having that experience (of making a Grand Final) after one year, I reckon they’ll go again.”

Most of last year’s group is set to go around again for the Panthers women’s side, who bring in ex-Eastern Devils and current VFLW player Danika Di Santo into the fold.

“It gives us that connection with an AFLW-aligned VFLW side. We are playing Div 1 footy and we played off in a grand final last year so we’re trying to improve on that,” Langkou said.

“Having Danika is a great bonus. Hopefully she can play a few games, but hopefully it’ll make us a much better side.”

Plenty of players have also been interested in joining the women’s program. Despite this interest, the Panthers will remain with one women’s side for season 2026.

“(We do have) Under 18s now that’ll run into our seniors in the near future, they were very strong last year. With those 18s, we are very confident in getting two sides up next year,” Langkou said.

Whilst the Surrey junior girls may not come through to the senior side yet though, Langkou says they’ll continue to invest time into the Under 18s program at Surrey.

“If you go through our history, you’ll see from the first year we had Tess Reynolds and Amelia Tarulli, Tess won our B&F and they were 17 year olds coming up from the juniors.

“Last year we had Emma Bradshaw and Taya Coghlan come through, and they both featured highly in our B&F and were great players to the side. The juniors are what it’s all about, our pathway is looking solid, we’re very happy with that.”

But for the now, the Panthers will aim to make a return to finals in what is shaping up to be a highly competitive Division 1.

“Finals is definitely the main option. The goal will always be to make finals and then once we get there we evaluate and go from there. And stay healthy,” Langkou said.

The Panthers kick off their season against the division’s newcomers, facing The Basin in Round 1 at home before travelling to Mooroolbark for Round 2 action