By Josh Ward.
2024 was another strong season for Chirnside Park, with another finals appearance for the men’s, improvement from the women’s side and a strong overall season from its netball program.
Senior Men’s
Ladder Position: 2nd (13-3, 153.33%)
Leading Goalkicker: Justin Ficorilli (36 goals in 18 matches)
Best and Fairest Winner: Chaz Clavant
Summary:
It was yet another season of what if for the Chirnside Park men’s side, with more heartbreak ensuing for not just its seniors, but all three of their sides.
This year was a slightly more consistent year from the Panthers senior men’s side unlike the last two seasons where it started fast or ended in a rush.
That consistency was typified by the fact they defeated each side in Division 4 at least twice this year and were even undefeated against eventual premiers Scoresby in the regular Home and Away season.
However after a promising home and away campaign they failed to deliver in the finals, losing to the Magpies and the Whitehorse Pioneers, exiting the finals in straight sets.
Key Players:
The class of new coach Justin Ficorilli was on show each week, finishing as the Panthers leading goalkicker in his first season at the club.
Leigh Odermatt and Samuel King provided solid support for Ficorilli up forward, with Odermatt the only one of the three to be selected in the Team of the Year.
James Belli and Ben Slattery were also rewarded for strong season’s with Team of the Year honours, the latter in particular providing a presence in midfield and attack.
Team of the year rover (and captain) Chaz Clavant took his game to another level. His consistency in midfield saw him rewarded with the Panthers best and fairest award.
Best Win: Round 12 – Chirnside Park 9.6.60 defeated Scoresby 6.10.46 @ Scoresby Recreation Reserve
One of their more gritty yet impressive wins against a Scoresby side who in that period had started to find some form of their own.
Trailing by 10 points at the main break, the Panthers would kick six goals and keep Scoresby to just two in the second half to secure a vital 14-point victory away from home.
Many of their experienced players stood out that day whilst they found different avenues to goal, with their only multiple goal scorer being Ficorilli who kicked two.
It was the Panthers second win on the road against an eventual finalist and played a key role in boosting their premiership and double chance hopes at the time.
Off-Season Focus:
There’s some change afoot at Kimberley Reserve, with Justin Ficorilli taking the reins as senior coach following Dave Newlands departure.
The foundations have been set by Newlands though, now for Ficorilli and his charges it’s all about building on them in 2025.
With a bit of youth already getting exposure to senior footy, along with their experienced players, the Panthers certainly have the right mix to break their finals duck and move back into Division 3.
Senior Women’s
Ladder Position: 7th (2-12, 26.13%)
Leading Goalkicker: Alana Bell & Katie Hamilton (4 goals each)
Best and Fairest: Laura Robinson
Summary:
This year marked the start of a fresh start for the Panthers women’s side, entering Division 2 after a lean few years in the tier above.
Whilst they didn’t push for a top four spot they still showed plenty of promising signs, picking up two wins in a season for the second time in its past three years.
Both those wins came against Ringwood, however they certainly had some stronger efforts in previous years, particularly in Round 13 against Blackburn and Round 8 against eventual Grand Finalist Montrose.
Key Players:
Laura Robinson was at her stellar best all season long, finishing as Chirnside Park’s best and fairest winner to go with a Division 2 Team of the Year appearance.
Alyssa Sanders, Ella Herrmann and Matilda Hartley were also consistent performers alongside captain Alice Jamieson throughout the season.
Best Win: Round 5 – Chirnside Park 2.10.22 defeated Ringwood 1.2.8 @ Jubilee Park
Hard to go past the Panthers first win in just under two years, which also happened to be against the Redbacks at Jubilee Park (in Division 1).
A two goal to nil first half paved the way for Chirnside Park’s drought-breaking victory, Laura Robinson starring once again in the game.
They would go on to defeat Ringwood by a much bigger margin later in the season but this victory was certainly one of relief and elation for the Panther’s womens side.
Off-Season Focus:
It’s all about bringing on more players for the Chirnside women’s side as they continue to build their women’s program up once again.
Retention is also key, this time around they have somewhat of a foundation after a more fruitful season than their 2023 campaign.
Netball
2024 saw six netball teams take to the court for Chirnside Park in one of the stronger Netball clubs of the league.
Chirnside Park’s Topaz and Yellow team both competed in Division 4. Yellow finished in ninth with four wins while Topaz played finals after a nine-win season, however they would eventually go down to Park Orchards.
Division 7 also saw two Chirnside Park sides in Amber and Diamonds in it. It was a less fruitful season for them though, combining for only three wins to occupy the bottom two spots of the table.
Chirnside Park’s Division 9 side was by far its most successful side. Despite not finishing as premiers they still ended the season as minor premiers and boasted the Division’s leading goal shooter in Anna Grigg, who finished with 306 goals.
The Panthers Division 11 side fell just a few games short of making finals, finishing with six wins to occupy fifth spot behind South Belgrave Saints Red.
Vets
Vet’s Men: (7th, 3-5)
Vet’s Women: (4th, 2-5-1)
Chirnside Park were able to field sides once again in both the Veteran Men’s and Women’s competition this past season.
The women’s side finished in the same position as they did in 2023, falling in the first week of finals to South Belgrave this time by nine goals.
Its men’s side picked up two more wins than their previous season. However they were three games short of making a finals appearance in the men’s competition.
Juniors
It was another solid season for the Chirnside Park junior program, fielding a total of 10 sides to improve on the nine sides they fielded in 2023.
Marli Muileman was the Panthers only winner on junior best and fairest night, finishing with 22 votes, six ahead of second, in the Under 16D Girls competition.
Four out of Chirnside Park’s ten sides would go on to play finals. Three of those sides would play in Grand Finals, with the U13 boys side the only winner of the three.
Another successful season for the Panthers junior program as they look to continue building a strong pathway between both juniors and seniors.
