The Panthers incredible rise continued in 2024, adding another three premiership cups to its growing cabinet.
Senior Men’s
Ladder Position: 2nd (15-3, 181.69%)
Leading Goalkicker: Jake Summers (44 goals in 20 matches)
Best and Fairest: Jack Woods
Summary:
A remarkable year in a new division for the Surrey Park men’s side, capped off with a premiership in dramatic fashion.
It was yet another consistent regular season from the Panthers despite their depth being tested again, setting themselves as the challenger to Donvale’s throne.
They had to take the long way in finals for the third consecutive year, with two wins against Knox sealing a spot in the Division 3 decider.
After coming close to Donvale in two of their three meetings prior, they were able to knock them off on Grand Final day to cap off a monumental season.
Key Players:
In a team littered with contributors, Tom Smith and Kane Henden’s class stood out in midfield when they weren’t on the sidelines. Both were named in the Division 3 Team of the Year.
Nick Kann and Jack Woods were also strong in defence, with Kann being named at half back in the Team of the Year and Woods winning Surrey Park’s B&F in his first full senior season.
Mid-season recruits Jack Mahon and Chris Tsatas also had an immediate impact alongside the returning Jake Summers up forward.
Best Win: Grand Final – Surrey Park 12.12.84 defeated Donvale 12.10.82 @ Jubilee Park
A day that the entire Surrey Park community won’t be forgetting any time soon, defeating the benchmark of Division 3 on the biggest day of the season.
Trailing for the majority of the day, the Panthers snatched the lead early in time on throughMahon and were able to hold Donvale at bay for the final five minutes to claim a historic premiership.
It was Smith and Henden who starred in midfield alongside Jasper Mundy up forward and Chris Tsatas in defence, with Smith adding a second consecutive Best on Ground medal to his impressive resume.
Off-Season Focus:
A new challenge is set to present itself to the young Panthers next year as they venture into Division 2 for the first time.
Retention will once again be key, with premiership players Jack Woods, Jack Mahon, Callum Garvin and Lachlan Summers already re-signed.
Last year they were able to recruit strongly, bringing in former juniors and ex-Premier Division players to the lineup. It’s something the Panthers will have to do heading into a new division.
But with their 19s winning a premiership and their reserves again just falling short of premiership glory, Surrey Park are well set up to be competitive in their new division next year.
Senior Women’s
Ladder Position: 1st (14-0, 1025%)
Leading Goalkicker: Jemma Wright & Kalarni Kearns (31 goals each)
Best and Fairest: Tess Reynolds
Summary:
A simply dominant season from the Panthers women’s side, finishing as the undefeated premiers of Division 2.
In a similar vein to East Ringwood’s 2023 season, Surrey Park’s women’s side were near untouchable, with their percentage an indicator of their dominance.
After a comfortable semi-final win they were then able to grind out victory over a resilient Montrose outfit to win their first women’s premiership in the EFNL.
Key Players:
Much like the men’s, the side was filled with consistent performers, none more so than new faces Tess Reynolds and Mia Kolednik. Both finished in the Division 2 Team of the Year, with Reynolds comfortably winning Surrey Park’s B&F ahead of Kolednik.
Forward duo Kalarni Kearns and Jemma Wright were a threat week in and out, with Kearns awarded a Team of the Year spot after kicking 24 goals in nine home and away games.
Captain Hannah Bahn and Mathilda Lewis were also consistent performers in midfield, with both named on the interchange in the Team of the Year.
Best Win: Grand Final – Surrey Park 5.4.34 defeated Montrose 2.2.14 @ Quambee Reserve
One of the Panthers closer wins of the season came on a day where they saluted the first of three premierships this year.
Surrey were able to increase their advantage quarter by quarter against a resilient Montrose outfit, with five goals enough to see them overcome the Dees.
Kolednik and Reynolds once again stood out across the ground, with Kolednik’s work in defence seeing her awarded Best on Ground honours.
Off-Season Focus:
Much like the men’s a new challenge is set to be presented for the Surrey women’s as they enter Division 1 for the first time.
Whilst retaining their list will be crucial, adding some more depth could also be handy, whether that be through recruiting, bringing juniors or both.
With their current list though they’ll also be competitive in their new division and could take a lot of inspiration from what East Ringwood did in the division this past season.
