Another step forward for the Panthers with the senior side winning their first final since 2009.
By Ryan Long
Chirnside Park
Ladder Position: 3rd (11-5, 100.15%)
Best and Fairest winner: Josh Clavant
Leading Goal Kicker: Sam King (43)
Summary:
The Panthers made big strides forward in season 2022, returning to the Finals series for the first time since 2009. The club were busy right from the off-season, recruiting the likes of Lachlan McGee, Daniel McGee, Brandon Murphy and Aaron Puckering to assist Grattan Stephens with ruck duties.
After getting the club back on its feet in season 2021, Chirnside Park had intentions right from the start to break their finals hoodoo. The club won their first twelve out of fourteen games, only losing to Silvan. After dropping their last two games of the home and away season, the Panthers met Kilsyth in an Elimination Final where they defeated the Cougars by 24 points, storming home with four goals to one in the final term.
Unfortunately for Chirnside Park, the run ended a week later when they were thumped by Surrey Park in the Preliminary Final. Their final outing in 2022 wasn’t a true reflection of the progression the club has made over the year. Securing the club’s first finals win since their 2009 premiership will give Chirnside Park some further confidence heading into season 2023.
Key Players:
Four members of the Panthers’ senior side were selected for the Eastland’s Division Four Men’s Team of the Year, Aaron Birt, Josh Clavant, Jayden Boehringer and Sam King. The role of Birt coming off the half-back line was one of the pivotal reasons why the Panthers’ back six held up so strongly across the season.
In his third season with Chirnside Park, Josh Clavant was a clear standout, winning Chirnside’s Best and Fairest, finishing in the best 14 times from 17 games. The star was named best on ground on six different occasions across the year including the club’s Elimination Final win.
Best Win: Round 2 – Chirnside Park 10.11 71 def. Surrey Park 9.8 62 @Kimberley Reserve
Making a statement early, the Panthers took their first big scalp for the season and set themselves up as a serious finals contender.
In a game full of momentum swings, Chirnside Park missed opportunities to capitalise early, kicking 2.7 in the first half before a six-goal third term saw them set up a 29-point three-quarter time lead. Against the breeze in the final term, the side was able to hold off a late Surrey charge with Daniel McGee icing the game in the final minutes.
McGee finished with four majors alongside Sam King’s three while Jimmy Wells and Aaron Birt had fantastic afternoons on the half-back line as the Panthers started the year 2-0 for the first time in years.
Off-Season Focus:
With Silvan’s promotion to Division Three, the race for the premiership in 2023 is wide open and Chirnside will be looking at this as an opportunity to take another step forward in a new era for the club.
One of the key aspects of Silvan’s improvement in 2022 was the addition of firepower to their forward line with both small forward Justin Ficorilli and Billy Rattray. At times, scoring was an issue for the Panthers, not able to match it with the Cats or the Panthers come finals time.
The likes of King and Beddome have been fantastic reliable players up forward for the Panthers but an extra key forward from a higher division could be the difference between being a finals contender and being a premiership threat.
Senior Women’s
Ladder Position: 6th (3-8-1, 42.69%)
Leading Goal Kicker: Molly D’Arcy
Summary:
The 2022 season was a different set-up with the women’s program moving from two teams to one. The new side consisted many girls that were in the reserves team last year that finished on top of the ladder. This year, the club were challenged in Division One, coming away with three wins and a draw at the end of the Home and Away season.
The ladder however may not be the best reflection for the team who had two losses by a single point against Ringwood and Beaconsfield. Reversing those results would have seen the Panthers qualify for Finals, proving the side are certainly on the right path forward.
Key Players:
The three D’Arcy sisters all had strong years, especially the reigning club Best and Fairest from 2021, Alice D’Arcy. She was one of the major standouts of the year, finishing in the best nine times from twelve matches and making the EFNL Team of the Year for Women’s Division One to Four.
Some of their other most influential players included Jasmyn Mcsweeney in her second season at Chirnside Park was a regular in the club’s best.
Best Win: Round 10 – Chirnside Park 6.6 42 def. Ringwood 3.7 25 @Jubilee Park
Away from home, Chirnside Park played their best game for the season, leading Ringwood at every change. Rachael Palmer kicked a season-high three goals with Carney, McSweeney and D’Arcy all finishing with one apiece. The D’Arcy sisters all had standout games, listed as the best three players on the ground for the Panthers. The 17-point Chirnside victory kept the club’s Finals chances alive.
Off-Season Focus:
This year there was a specific focus on consolidating the group they have now to develop and succeed in the future. There will certainly be a similar message across the off-season, keeping the current group together for the club to reach new heights in 2023.
Netball Review
Chirnside Park Panthers (Section Five)
Ladder: 2nd (14-2, 132.20%)
A fantastic season for the Panthers who competed hard all year, finishing second on the ladder. Unfortunately, they couldn’t carry their home and away season form into the Finals. Chirnside Park lost the first-round Semi-Final to Upper Ferntree Gully by seven points, missing out on a Grand Final appearance.
The club however took away some great honours with Lauren Hussey winning the Section Five Best and Fairest award. Fellow teammate Tayla Ferguson took out the Section Five Leading Goal Shooter award with a very impressive 419 goals.
Veterans
Another big success for the club was the two Veteran sides that took the field in 2022. Chirnside Park was the only club to have both men’s and women’s teams in the Vets.
The men’s side were unable to get a win but showed plenty of improvement across the season, having two losses by less than two goals. While the women’s side had a fantastic year, winning all seven of their home and away matches to qualify for the Grand Final. With a percentage of 1158.93, they kept both Blackburn and Mooroolbark goalless on four occasions. Unfortunately for the Panthers, they were unable to take home the premiership, falling short on Grand Final Day by 9 points.
Emma Lewis led the goal kicking with 13 goals while Lisa Button finished with 10 of her own.
Plenty to look forward to going into season 2023 for the club.
Chirnside Park Junior Club
Chirnside Park had a fantastic junior season on and off the field in 2022. The program grew by another two teams, now with eight sides, including three girls’ teams. The season was a big success on the field with the Under 12 Girls and the Under 16 Boys sides both making Grand Finals and the Under 13 Boys side making the Preliminary Final.
