A season of improvement from the Upper Gully men’s side whilst the Kings women’s side made a return to the women’s competition.
Senior Men’s
Ladder Position: 6th (6-12, 84.83%)
Leading Goalkicker: Rory Bailey (37 goals in 15 matches)
Best and Fairest: Travis Strange
Summary:
Some promising signs from Upper Ferntree Gully in 2024 compared to previous seasons, tripling their win tally this past year than in 2021-23 combined.
Their opening fortnight looked to have set their season up nicely, defeating local rivals Fairpark and Ferntree Gully to start 2-0 for the first time since 2018.
The rest of the season saw them plagued by consistent changes week in and week out, eventually finishing in the logjam of teams between sixth and eighth.
Key Players:
Russell Cowan had an immediate impact in his first season at Kings Park. Finishing second in the Perc James Medal count, Cowan averaged more than 20 disposals per game and also kicked 26 goals, with 12 of those coming against Warrandyte in Round 17.
Upper Gully’s young leaders in Rory Bailey and Travis Strange also improved. Whilst Bailey’s season saw him named in the Team of the Year alongside Cowan, Strange would win the Kings best and fairest.
Darcy and Harvey Meyer also had solid season’s too, with both named in Upper Gully’s best on a consistent basis.
Best Win: Round 6 – Upper Ferntree Gully 17.18.120 defeated Oakleigh District 7.9.51 @ Princes Highway Reserve
A win that almost came out of nowhere for the Kings against an Oakleigh side who’s two losses prior came against Donvale and Coldstream.
After getting off to a solid start the Kings put their foot to the pedal in the third, kicking seven goals to one to well and truly put this game to bed.
Rory Bailey and Russell Cowan were at their best on the day, combining for four goals, 53 disposals, 30 contested possessions and 29 score involvements.
Off-Season Focus:
The foundations have been set for Upper Gully in Division 3, with their 19s winning a premiership and their reserves also making it to a preliminary final.
But they’ll have to build on this year with a new coach at the helm in Kris Fletcher. Fletcher replaces Mark Fisher as senior coach, bringing with him recent experience as an assistant at Beaconsfield under Mick Fogarty.
Some moves have already been made by the Kings, bringing in Mackay Bateson from the Eagles who’ll provide plenty of spark up forward and in midfield.
Add in a key position player or two and retain their current list, as well as their youth coming through, then the Kings will continue on their upward trajectory.
Senior Women’s
Ladder Position: 9th (0-13, 3.29%)
Leading Goalkicker: Taylah Moore (3 goals in 10 matches)
Best and Fairest: Sophie Roleff-Woolhouse
Summary:
A rough overall season for the Upper Gully women’s side who made a return to the competition for the first time in five years.
Whilst they showed some promises in patches of the season, the side would finish the season winless in a highly competitive Division 4.
Key Players:
Sophie Roleff-Woolhouse was a consistent performer in her first full season of senior football, winning Upper Gully’s B&F after being named in the best in eight out of 10 games this year.
Ashley Herrod’s first season of senior footy was also solid whilst Georgia Wilson was also a consistent performer throughout the season.
Taylah Moore and Skye Soderman also had solid first years of senior footy too, with Moore finishing as Upper Gully’s leading goalkicker.
Off-Season Focus:
Whilst it was a tough return year for the Kings women’s side, their side will be all the more better for the experience they’ve gained this past year.
Retention, as well as adding a few more players to the squad, will be key for Upper Gully’sside if they are to improve next year.
Netball
Upper Gully had a total of two sides compete in the 2024 New Balance netball competition as well as an additional side in the first summer netball competition.
Their top winter netball side competed in Division 5, finishing in seventh place with four wins and ultimately falling three wins short of playing finals.
It’s second side would play off in finals after finishing in fourth, losing their semi final to Vermont Eagles Black by four goals. Ashleigh Thatcher’s strong season saw her rewarded with both the Division 8 and Upper Gully best and fairest awarded.
The Kings inaugural summer netball side also played off in finals. Finishing in fourth after winning four games, they too would lose their semi final, this time to Montrose Black.
Juniors
Upper Gully had a total of 11 sides compete in the junior competition this year across all boys age groups, with two of those teams going on to play finals this year.
Neither of those sides would go on to win the premiership, with the Kings Under 14D side falling just a game short of making a Grand Final.
Upper Ferntree Gully once again hosted the Mixed Under 7s and Under 8 Girls competition in August at Kings Park.
