By Josh Ward.
It was an almost identical 2024 for Fairpark’s senior Men’s and Women’s sides following a solid 2023.
Senior Men’s
Ladder Position: 7th (6-12, 83.88%)
Leading Goalkicker: Jay Rankin (33 goals in 12 matches)
Summary:
It was another season of so close yet so far for the Lions men’s side, falling just short of making finals for the first time since their 2019 Division 4 premiership.
A slow start to the season in the end cost them, with injuries to key names seeing their only win of the first half of the season come against eventual wooden spoon side Warrandyte.
They were able to take learnings from that period and use them in the second half of the season, defeating finals sides Oakleigh District and Coldstream in their final nine games of the year.
It came down to their final game of the season against Donvale (plus other results going their way) to see if they would play finals, but they fell short to minor premiers Donvale.
Key Players:
One player who was consistent all year long was Team of the Year midfielder Mitch Nied. Playing in 17 games, Nied averaged just under 25 disposals plus more than 13 contested possessions and six clearances per game.
Young gun Jay Rankin was once again stellar in attack, averaging just under three goals a game as well as more than three contested marks and three marks inside 50 per game.
Mason Byrne also took his game to another level as he gained more minutes as an inside midfielder alongside Bailey Werle while James Waldon led a solid Fairpark defence.
Best Win: Round 17 – Fairpark 12.8.80 defeated Coldstream 7.11.53 @ Fairpark Reserve
Whilst their win against Oakleigh District in Round 12 was impressive, this win against the Cougars just takes the cake.
The Lions took advantage of facing an undermanned Coldstream lineup at home, increasing their lead at each break to come out 27 point winners against a finals-bound outfit.
Jay Rankin starred with five goals from 18 disposals, nine contested marks and seven marks inside 50. Mitch Nied and Bailey Werle also dominated the inside battle, collecting a combined 62 disposals, 39 contested possessions, 23 clearances and 16 tackles.
Off-Season Focus:
A new era is set to begin at Fairpark Reserve in 2025, with ex-South Croydon premiership player Josh Allison taking over from longtime Lions mentor Sean Stanton.
Having been a playing assistant coach under him Allison should be able to build on the foundations that Stanton has set for Fairpark in Division 3 for the past three years.
With young talent such as Rankin and Byrne improving year on year, continuing to develop, as well as retaining, their youth will be key for Allison and the Lions.
Add in a player or two with experience at a higher level, and have a strong preseason on the track, then Fairpark should improve and challenge for finals even more next year.
Senior Women’s
Ladder Position: 3rd (7-4-1, 283.61%)
Leading Goalkicker: Sarah Birthisel (28 goals in 12 matches)
Summary:
A second consecutive finals appearance for the Lions who held their own in a highly competitive division.
Much like the men’s, the Lions started off slowly, picking up six points in the opening month of the season against Warrandyte and Upper Ferntree Gully.
Four wins on the trot between rounds five and seven saw them kick into gear before they entered finals with some strong efforts against eventual grand finalists Ferntree Gully and Bayswater.
It was the Waters that consigned the Lions to another early exit in finals, going down by four goals in their semi final at Silvan.
Key Players:
Sarah Birthisel was at her dominant best inside Fairpark’s forward 50, finishing as the Division 4 leading goalkicker and in the Team of the Year.
Abbey Croot was also a consistent performer all season long and was a key reason behind Fairpark’s mid season run of form, finishing in their best on eight occasions.
Others such as Stephanie Quang and Bridget Harrold also improved while Elizabeth Hall finished the season with 14 goals, providing some solid support up forward to Birthisel.
Best Win: Round 6 – Fairpark 4.11.35 defeated Wantirna South 3.5.23 @ Fairpark Reserve
An impressive win against a Wantirna South side who’s only loss of the season prior to this one came the week before against premiers Ferntree Gully by a point.
Following an even first half the Lions got on top in the second half, having a total of eight scoring shots to three to get over the line against the Devils.
Sarah Birthisel kicked three of Fairpark’s four goals while their vice captain Tahlia Zaloumis was named best on ground in the two goal victory.
Off-Season Focus:
A bit to improve on for the Lions women’s side who’ll once again have Terry Lewis at the helm after his re-signing was recently announced.
Retaining its core group will be key, with players continuing to develop their game as they gain more experience.
Adding another prominent forward to help support Birthisel could also see the Lions women’s side go further in 2025.
Juniors
Fairpark had a total of five sides in the junior competition this year, with one going on to make finals.
That side would be Fairpark’s U16 girls side with Mooroolbark who fell in the penultimate weekend of its finals series to Knox.
