By Josh Ward.
Plenty of promising signs for the Burners across their football and netball programs in 2024.
Senior Men’s
Ladder Position: 6th (11-7, 145.51%)
Leading Goalkicker: Jake Hammond (41 goals in 16 matches)
Summary:
There was a bit to like this season for Blackburn’s senior men’s side under new coach Anthony Fagan despite missing out on finals for the first time since 2017.
Under Fagan the Burners were able to play a much more attacking brand of footy, averaging more than 90 points per game this season.
This led to them being more competitive against this year’s finalists, snagging wins against four of the five finalists whilst going down to minor premiers East Ringwood by a combined 10 points.
However some slip ups, specifically their Round 16 loss at home to Noble Park, saw them finish just one game outside of finals despite having the third best percentage in the Premier Division.
Key Players:
Jake Hammond and Toby Wooller formed a lethal duo up forward this season. Combined they kicked 72 goals, with Hammond’s 41 seeing him make another Team of the Year in his return to Morton Park.
Defender Patrick Cotter also made the Team of the Year in his first season with the Burners. Whilst he only averaged 7.2 disposals he had five one percenters per game and was named in the best on 10 occasions.
Kade Answerth and Jason Read once again had strong seasons, with both averaging north of 24 disposals per game. Answerth also had 6.5 score involvements per game whilst Read averaged 14.3 contested possessions and 9.4 clearances per game.
Best Win: Round 15 - Blackburn 11.14.80 defeated Rowville 6.14.50 @ Seebeck Oval
Their win over Balwyn was impressive in the final round but this one was more impressive on the road against last year’s premiers.
Needing a win to keep their finals chances alive, the Burners shot right out of the gates with a six goal to two first half. From there they were able to extend that advantage and claim a crucial win on the road.
Charlie Oglethorpe, Toby Wooller and Jake Hammond led the way up forward, kicking nine of Blackburn’s 11 goals.
Nathan Philactides had a solid outing with 26 disposals whilst Patrick Lawlor and Jason Read also had 25 disposals each.
Off-Season Focus:
There’s been a bit of movement for the Burners this past offseason, with some key names coming in and players moving on to other EFNL clubs.
Some of their depth has been lost to clubs such as Heathmont, Mooroolbark and East Burwood whilst senior player Samuel Harte has also left for Surrey Park with other players.
But they do gain senior experience, with Liam Malone crossing from the Jets whilst ex-St Kilda defender/midfielder Daniel McKenzie has also returned to his junior club.
Jackson Carmody and Ben Worme have also signed on, with both joining the Burners from Geelong Football League clubs South Barwon and Bell Park
Senior Women’s
Ladder Position: 5th (6-7-1, 107.93%)
Leading Goalkicker: Bernadette Canavan (26 goals in 11 matches)
Summary:
Blackburn’s senior women’s program continued on its upward trajectory in 2024, claiming six and a half wins after winning four and a half games in 2023.
Much like 2023 they started off slowly, claiming two wins against Chirnside Park and Ringwood in the first half of the year.
They then came home much stronger than 2023, winning four games whilst being undefeated in the final month of the season to finish just a game and a half (plus percentage) from a top four spot.
Key Players:
Mia Chadwick once again put together another stellar season in midfield. Kicking six goals and being named in the best on 10 occasions, they were able to take home back-to-back league Best and Fairest awards.
Chadwick was named in the Division 2 Team of the Year alongside Bernadette Canavan who took home the Burners leading goalkicker award in her first season of senior footy.
Alessia Dunn also had another solid season while young guns Lily Carroll and Oriel Millard were both consistent throughout the season.
Best Win: Round 14 - Blackburn 10.3.63 defeated Berwick 3.6.24 @ Edwin Flack Reserve
The Burners saved their best for last, claiming a massive win in a home game against Berwick at Edwin Flack Reserve.
Blackburn started and finished the game off strongly, kicking three goals to nil in the first quarter before a four goal to two behind final quarter saw them claim a 39-point victory.
Bernadette Canavan boosted her goal tally for the season to 26 with a four-goal best on ground performance.
Oriel Millard also kicked two goals whilst Alessia Dunn and Emma Nilsson were among the best in the victory.
Off-Season Focus:
Not much movement so far for the Blackburn senior women’s side, with Carroll, Millard and Canavan among the re-signing announcements.
They have picked up Shae Dale from division rivals Kilsyth. Dale comes across after kicking 52 goals over the past two seasons for the Cougars and with previous experience at the Eastern Devils.
Netball
Blackburn White (Division 2) - 6th (4-8, 86.27%)
Blackburn Black (Division 2) - 7th (4-8, 71.46%)
Blackburn Red (Division 3) - 6th (3-9-1, 85.31%)
The Burners were able to field an additional two sides in the New Balance Netball Competition this past season after having just one side in 2023.
Unfortunately none of Blackburn’s sides made finals this year, with the Burners two Division 2 sides falling four games short of the top four and its Division 3 side finishing five games outside of a finals spot.
Vets
Vets Women’s: 3rd (5-3)
Blackburn were able to once again field a Veteran Women’s side which made finals for the second consecutive season.
After a Grand Final appearance last year they were unable to make it to the big dance this year, falling to Mooroolbark in their semi-final matchup by two goals.