By Josh Ward.
Some promising signs in a tough overall season for the KangaRams football program whilst its netballers brought home a premiership during the summer period.
Senior Men’s
Ladder Position: 5th (4-12, 79.48%)
Leading Goalkicker: Jacob Crowe (34 goals in 13 matches)
Best and Fairest: Will Robinson
Summary:
Whilst they didn’t have it their own way this season, the KangaRams men’s side certainly showed that they’re on the up.
This was particularly shown in their final month where they won two games (against Forest Hill and Nunawading) and would go down by a combined 12 points to finalists Whitehorse and Kilsyth.
They also didn’t lose a game by more than 100 points unlike previous years, with their heaviest defeats coming against Scoresby and Chirnside Park by 96 points in Rounds 6 and 15.
To cap off their season their reserves would go on and make the club’s second ever football grand final, a sign that the squad’s depth has improved compared to previous years.
Key Players:
Ex-Bayswater midfielder Will Robinson was a standout yet again for the KangaRams. His seasons saw him rewarded with both a Team of the Year appearance and a Best and Fairest award.
Jacob Crowe would also consistently hit the scoreboard whilst swingman Daniel Butera had an impact across the ground. Both would be named in the Team of the Year, which would also be Butera’s second consecutive appearance in it.
Tom Galway was also a solid contributor along with new recruit Andrew Condello, with the latter finishing second in the KangaRams Best and Fairest.
Best Win: Round 19 – Croydon North MLOC 27.18.178 defeated Nunawading 5.8.38 @ Koonung Reserve
The KangaRams biggest win (in terms of margin) to date in the EFNL and certainly their most impressive victory against a side who in recent history has been in a similar position to them.
Croydon North’s second half was a particularly brutal display, kicking 18 goals and scoring 113 points to run away as 140 point victors on the road.
In only his second senior game Jackson Holly would bag a 10-goal haul whilst others such as Galway, Crowe and Ben Gill would star in the win.
Off-Season Focus:
It’s been a slow build for the KangaRams men’s side but the signs of improvement are certainly bigger than previous years.
With their depth strong and some talented players on their list, Croydon North will certainly look to keep it together as they have started to do so in the past few seasons.
If some top end talent can be brought into the club, there’s certainly no telling as to where the side from Hughes Park can finish in 2025.
Senior Women’s
Ladder Position: 8th (1-13, 39.37%)
Leading Goalkicker: Brittany Grech (5 goals in 2 matches)
Best and Fairest: Lucy Nation
Summary:
This year presented a fresh start for the KangaRams, returning to the division in which they made a Grand Final back in 2022.
However with a lot of list turnover, new faces to the side and an inconsistent lineup, it wasn’t a strong return to the Division for Croydon North.
After a terrific first up victory over Mitcham, the KangaRams would often fall just short of achieving a second victory for the remainder of the season.
They came close to finding that victory in the final two rounds against finals sides Mooroolbark and South Croydon but weren’t able to get the chocolates on either occasion.
Key Players:
Lucy Nation was a consistent contributor across her nine games this year, finishing in the best on seven occasions and winning the club’s best and fairest.
The ever reliable Lauren Van Der Westhuizen was also at her best for most of the season and would eventually be her side’s only Team of the Year member and finish runner up in the club’s B&F.
Caitlin Sharp’s first season in KangaRams colours was also solid alongside midfielder Jen Goldsworthy.
Best Win: Round 1 – Croydon North MLOC 6.5.41 defeated Mitcham @ Hughes Park
This game would turn out to be the KangaRams only victory for the season against a strong Mitcham outfit.
In an even contest, Croydon North took advantage of their opportunities in front of goal compared to Mitcham and ended up winning by 15 points in front of their home fans.
Brittany Grech stole the show in her 200th game, kicking four goals to mark the occasion with her 400th career goal.
Off-Season Focus:
There’s certainly a lot of talent on the KangaRams list, however they lacked any consistency in their lineup which would hurt them eventually.
More depth will be key for this up and coming side as they look to be a more competitive outfit in the division they play in next year.
Netball
The KangaRams fielded two sides in this year’s winter netball competition along with one in the inaugural EFNL summer netball competition.
Croydon North’s top side competed in Division 1 this year. They would go on to win four games in their first season in a new tier which would see them finish seventh in the Division.
Their second side would play in Division 10. It was a less fruitful season for them, finishing with just two wins and on second last on the table, a game plus percentage ahead of last-placed Norwood Black.
The summer netball side had plenty of success in the 2023/24 season, finishing as premiers of Division 1 after losing just two games in the season. They would defeat Glen Waverley Hawks in the decider by 12 goals, bringing home the club’s first piece of silverware in the process.
Vets
Vet’s Men: (5th, 4-3-1)
Croydon North fielded one veteran’s team this year in the men’s competition, which ultimately fell short of making a third consecutive finals appearance.
It was a consistent season throughout for the KangaRams vets side, picking up wins against sides below them and taking it up to eventual grand finalist Waverley Blues.
Juniors
2024 saw the KangaRams field an Under 9’s side after they competed in the Under 8’s in 2023.
They’ll look to expand on this in 2025 as they continue setting the foundations of their junior program.
