By Jared Beanland.
Coldstream
Position: 8th
Wins/Losses: 2 / 7
Percentage: 73.53%
For (Rank): 57 average points per game (8th)
Against (Rank): 77 average points per game (4th)
Leading Goal kicker (Goals): Darcy Fritsch (20)
Despite a finals appearance last year, and what looked like a strong off-season recruitment drive, Coldstream sit stone cold last with just two wins to their name. An early upset victory against Warrandyte wasn’t enough to set a strong tone for the club’s second year back in division 3.
The season has been marred by injuries and absences, with some of their best players from their 2022 campaign sitting out during most of the year. Ruckman and potential scoring threat Jesse Lehman has only managed four games, team of the year member Lachlan Craig has played just three, and dangerous midfielder Jai Deacon has played just the two.
Goal kicking has been an obvious struggle for the least attacking side in the division, both Mitchell Edmonds and Jeremy Conte – livewires during 2022 – have only managed 18 goals between them. Carrying the goal kicking burden has been Darcy Fritsch, managing 20 goals, still on track to surpass his previous year’s total of 36.
Star midfielder Darcy Carrigan has continued to be one of the best players in the division, being Coldstream’s best on the field in six of their nine games so far.
At the other end of the ground, things don’t look as grim. Coldstream rank fourth in the division for defence, and even in losing battles, have at least managed to limit the scoring of their opponents. The ability to defend on the wide open spaces of their home ground has been one of the highlights of the Cougars’ year.
Given the division is so even, Coldstream’s efforts to not slip back into division four are worth continuing, while even finals are still not out of the question. If key players manage to make it back onto the field, and they’re able to continue harnessing their defence to keep opponent’s scores to a minimum the Cougars’ fortunes could yet turn.
Donvale
Position: 2nd
Wins/Losses: 8 / 1
Percentage: 164.23%
For (Rank): 102 average points per game (1st)
Against (Rank): 62 average points per game (2nd)
Leading Goal kicker (Goals): Nick Murphy (22)
Off the back of a close loss in the Grand Final last year to the all-conquering Waverley Blues, Donvale have gone from strength to strength this season. The Magpies find themselves in a tight struggle for top spot with Ferntree Gully, while leaving the rest of the competition in the rear-view mirror.
A three game gap separates Donvale from third placed Silvan, already making it likely that they earn themselves that valuable second chance come the finals.
The one loss Donvale have suffered was at the hands of ladder-leaders Ferntree Gully, and apart from that they have barely put a foot wrong this year. The most impressive performance came when they travelled up the mountain to play the impressive Silvan, defeating them by ten goals, and kicking a season high 23 goals in the process.
As the strongest attacking side in the division so far this year, they have kicked 18+ goals on four occasions this year. This attack is headed up by Nick Murphy, with 22 goals so far, yet he has had plenty of support.
Swingman Ethan Duncan has kicked 16 goals in his 6 games for the year, and Kaleb Djordevic has managed 13, including the match winner in round one against Warrandyte. Each of these three players has kicked five goals on at least one occasion this year.
Other stars for Donvale have included veteran James Rausa and Kyle Wignell, both having been consistent performers in the past, while Nathan Mill is acquitting himself well as a defender. Powerful ruckman Zac Haig hasn’t registered in the best for Donvale so far this year, which is a scary prospect knowing what he’s capable of.
Donvale look destined for a finals berth this year, and Kevin Collins will not want to fall short again like last year. The Magpies will continue their push for glory next round, in a clash of the division 3 titans against Ferntree Gully.
Fairpark
Position: 6th
Wins/Losses: 3 / 6
Percentage: 82.22%
For (Rank): 62 average points per game (7th)
Against (Rank): 75 average points per game (5th)
Leading Goal kicker (Goals): Ben Gilling (27)
Despite expectations, Fairpark has managed to keep their heads above water in season 2023. After making the great escape out of the double relegation zone last year, the Lions are intent on not only surviving this year, but also thriving.
Starting the year with two wins and one loss has set up a second half of the season which could see them make a finals push if all things go to plan.
Having the wood over the fifth placed Whitehorse, and taking two wins against them has gone a long way to keep Fairpark in the running. These games, along with a win against Oakleigh Districts see the Lions keep pace with the pack, and within striking distance of the all-important fourth spot.
While they have seen their fair share of blowouts this season, they were still able to back their wins up with competitive performances in losses against the likes of Warrandyte and Donvale.
Doing most of the damage on the scoreboard is Fairpark veteran Ben Gilling with 27 goals for the season, which puts him joint second in the tally. The potentially worrying question for the Lions is where else the goals may come from, since second on their goals list only has 8 for the season (Ben Dadswell).
Yet this may be a case of “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it”, because the reliability of Gilling has been an important factor in the successes of Fairpark this year.
Experienced players other than Gilling are also having good seasons. Returning to the club from South Croydon, former dual Best and Fairest winner for Fairpark Jason Want has had an excellent first half of the season.
The club celebrated his 100th club game with a win over Whitehorse in round nine. The Nied brothers, Mitch and Brad, have also been reliable performers when Fairpark take to the field.
The Lions still have a mountain to climb in the second half of 2023, however given the composition of the ladder they still have their destiny in their own hands. Being only one win out of the top four is not where Fairpark were expected to land at this point in the season, but if they continue to pinch wins where not expected to this could be a surprise packet in division 3 this year.
Ferntree Gully
Position: 1st
Wins/Losses: 8 / 1
Percentage: 167.11%
For (Rank): 97 average points per game (2nd)
Against (Rank): 58 average points per game (1st)
Leading Goal kicker (Goals): Jack Flannery (21)
Ferntree Gully have taken just about all before them in the first half of the year, and are sitting pretty atop the ladder with all teams bar Donvale being held at arms’ length. Being one of the only two teams to have a percentage over 100, the 2022 curse is well and truly broken.
The Eagles’ ledger sits almost directly opposite to that of the midway point last year. Apart from a draw, their only premiership points came from a win against Whitehorse, ironically enough the only team they have lost to so far this year.
This improvement has come in no small part due to a wider variety of options when attacking. Corey Salvador has been a stood out up forward for the Eagles, while fellow recruit and former Norwood player Lachlan Kennedy has been kicking plenty of goals from the midfield. 2022 recruit Jack Flannery has continued his for from the back half of last year, leading the goal kicking tally with 21, while Gavin Kalisperis has recovered from an interrupted season last year to prove dangerous whenever near goals.
The introduction of Lachlan Monteath and Brayden Wright to the team as rotating ruckmen has allowed 2022 Perc James Medallist Dan De Ieso to also move forward and make an impact.
The major highlight of the year for Ferntree Gully is without a doubt their victory against Donvale, a game which most likely previews this year’s Grand Final. The Eagles will hope to replicate their performance in that 19 point victory in the coming week, before playing the Magpies once again in round 17.
Coach Brett Kiker would have to be pleased with his team’s performance this year, as they have thus far proven that the start of 2022 was an anomaly, and look to make up for missing finals by storming home in the second half of this season.
Oakleigh Districts
Position: 4th
Wins/Losses: 4 / 5
Percentage: 82.92%
For (Rank): 67 average points per game (5th)
Against (Rank): 81 average points per game (6th)
Leading Goal kicker (Goals): Zak Bozanich (29)
A new-look Oakleigh Districts team has found a home in division 3, after a winless year a division up in 2022. Coming from Norwood, playing coach Blake Pearson has revamped his new club to make it unrecognisable in his short time there so far. A strong recruiting drive has overhauled the list, and a fast, attacking brand of footy has changed the on-field identity of the team at Princess Highway Reserve.
The year started in the best way possible – the club’s first victory in the EFNL came in round one against Coldstream, in front of a home crowd. Since then the Districts have proven to be a threat, specifically at home, especially in their 82 point defeat of Warrandyte.
Not content with proving they can win big, they’ve also proven that they can come from behind. In a high scoring shoot out against Whitehorse, they were trailing by 16 points at three quarter time. A young team, only just finding their synergy with one another would have been forgiven for letting that game get away in the final quarter, yet Oakleigh overthrew the Pioneers’ lead with a 30 point turnaround. Despite being the new kids on the block, Blake Pearson’s new charges are proving that they’re not to be taken lightly.
The recruits for Oakleigh have to be credited with much of this turn around. Along with former Norwood stars coach Blake and his brother Ryan, fellow midfielder Andrew Webb is often amongst the best. Former South Fremantle reserves player Jacob Warne provides a strong option up forward, while Daniel Di Fede has returned to the club and proven to be a live wire around the ground.
Staying in division 3 this year is Simon Hawkins, former Waverley Blues man, who has been a cool head with the ball, and an important rebounder from defence this year. Apart from the new coach, the standout recruit for the year would have to be Zak Bozanich, the leading goal kicker. Bozanich has kicked four or more goals on five occasions this season, and is structurally integral to Oakleigh’s thrusts forward.
Oakleigh sit somewhat precariously within the top four, yet this is against many expectations. If they are able to hold this spot, a finals appearance would be huge for the club, and a testament to everything Blake Pearson has done to reinvent the team. Pressure will come from the teams below, however Oakleigh have so far proven that is something they can handle.
Silvan
Position: 3rd
Wins/Losses: 5 / 4
Percentage: 98.48%
For (Rank): 79 average points per game (3rd)
Against (Rank): 80 average points per game (5th)
Leading Goal kicker (Goals): Matt Low (27)
Premiers in Division Four last year, Silvan has come up with an experienced list, confident that they can push for yet more glory in 2023. The retirement of 100 goal scorer Leigh Kimpton has done little to prevent the Cats from being a scoring force this year, especially on their home ground up the mountain. While form looks a little patchy, Silvan has only suffered one loss to a team below them, that being to Whitehorse in round eight. If maintained, this consistency will see them go far this year, yet they still have to find a way to defeat one or both of Donvale and Ferntree Gully. Round nine against the Eagles is the closest they came to achieving this, yet the 27 point margin suggests there is still a gap that needs to be made up.
Silvan’s success and consistency this year comes in no small part due to their veterans still being able to perform on a regular basis. James Charge will always be a juggernaut in the ruck, Justin Ficorilli consistently finds space in the forward line where few others in the division would be able to, and playing coach Trent Martin can play just about anywhere on the ground, even dominating in the ruck in the absence of Charge.
The younger brigade have standouts too. Traditionally a defender, Tyson Bissels continues to improve as a versatile swing man, Matt Steiniger has had multiple best on ground performances as an intercept-come-rebounding defender. Darcy Turnbull provides electricity across the ground with great ball-use to match, and Matteo D’Alfonso is one of the best midfielders in the division this year.
Coming into a division and making a push for finals is always a hard task, especially with an aging list, yet Silvan look on track to do just that. Trent Martin won’t be content with just that, however. The challenge for Silvan now is to find a way to beat the top two teams, because it is yet to be seen if their best is good enough to challenge for a Premiership.
Warrandyte
Position: 7th
Wins/Losses: 3 / 6
Percentage: 75.20%
For (Rank): 64 average points per game (6th)
Against (Rank): 85 average points per game (8th)
Leading Goal kicker (Goals): Lachlan O’Brien (16)
Warrandyte had high expectations on them coming into season 2023, and the chance to realise those hopes is becoming increasingly hard to grasp. Sitting at just three wins, the Bloods must know that time is against them coming into this second half of the year.
Despite being in second last spot, they also sit just one win and percentage out of the top four. It’s a rare season in which three wins in the first half of the year will keep a team in contention, yet due to the top-heavy nature of this division that’s exactly where Warrandyte find themselves, along with Fairpark and Whitehorse.
When talking about Warrandyte’s year, it must be noted that they have fielded 40 different players through the course of the first nine rounds. The injury toll has been the cause of much of this instability. Consistently strong players such as Jake Moss and Tom Grimes have only managed four games between them, while Ryan Phillips has also been missing due to injury at times this year.
Recruit Lachlan O’Brien has been the saving grace of the forward line, with the two-pronged attack of Ryan Phillips and Quinn Clarke only able to score 20 goals between them so far this year. O’Brien, with his 16 goals is consistently the highest goal scorer in each game for the Bloods, recently booting five in their win against Coldstream. Important players such as Chris Tout, and Nikoda Brooking have been holding things together, while Josh Kennedy has been a pillar down back.
It’s not all doom and gloom for Warrandyte. Apart from their loss against Oakleigh in round four, the Bloods have been competitive in almost all of their games. While a long way off the top two teams, they were still able to push Donvale all the way in round one, and if able to put together a four quarter performance they should be in with a shot at beating most teams.
Warrandyte will be repairing on the fly during the second half of the year, yet if they manage to get back to their best of 2022 a push for the finals is still likely.
Whitehorse
Position: 5th
Wins/Losses: 3 / 6
Percentage: 88.92%
For (Rank): 74 average points per game (4th)
Against (Rank): 83 average points per game (7th)
Leading Goal kicker (Goals): Daniel Horvat, Tom Young (19)
While some teams in this division could be described as enigmatic, Whitehorse stand out above the rest in that regard. New playing coach Andrew Haining has come across from Montrose, and instilled an attacking brand of play which is dangerous when it works. It has taken time for the game plan to stick, yet recent results, while not all wins, point to a marked improvement from the start of the year.
Two losses in the first two rounds, including a devastating 69 point loss to Fairpark in round two was not the ideal start. The Pioneers have turned things around, however, specifically in round four when they dealt Ferntree Gully their only loss of the season. This game, a close loss to Donvale, and a win over Silvan gives hope that Whitehorse can match it with the best in the division when the finals roll around. The only problem is getting to that point. Inconsistency still weighs down their record, and lapses within games are holding them back. The third quarter against Warrandyte, and the final quarters against Oakleigh and Fairpark are all times that Whitehorse would like to have back, however if those anomalies are straightened out in the second half of the year, there could be some serious upside to this team.
Along with Haining, other recruits to the team have been important assets. Tom Young leads the goal kicking with 19, joint with Daniel Horvat. Ed Sim has provided leadership and experience whether he plays down back, or in the midfield. Whitehorse mainstays have been stepping up to the plate, also. The aforementioned Horvat continues to impress, while Jayson Fabris is having an excellent year. Joel Dalgleish and Michael Mcdougall hold down the fort in the backline, and James Fasan is always quality on the wing. The latter has only played four games for the year, and represents yet more upside in the second half of the year for Whitehorse.
The Pioneers may not have had the reward for effort they warrant so far in this season, and a lot of that may be due to growing pains. If they can stabilise under the new gameplan brought by Haining it could see them push for finals. At their best Whitehorse can take down the competition’s strongest, but the consistency that’s yet to be seen will be the key.