By Josh Ward.
There was plenty to like across the board for the Cougars football program whilst its netball program brought home some silverware to Coldstream Reserve.
Senior Men’s
Ladder Position: 4th (12-6, 130.24%)
Leading Goalkicker: Darcy Fritsch (100 goals in 20 games)
Best and Fairest: Darcy Fritsch
Summary:
A terrific campaign for the Cougars culminating in not only a finals appearance, but a finals win for the first time in 19 years.
They started off the season strongly, with their only two losses in the opening 12 rounds of the season coming at the hands of eventual grand finalists Donvale and Surrey Park.
Unavailability saw them drop off in the final five rounds of the year. Whilst they had done enough early in the season they would let a double chance slip through their fingers and finish in fourth.
Their only finals win came against Oakleigh District in convincing fashion before their season came to an end in similar fashion against Knox the following week.
Key Players:
When you think of Coldstream a few names pop up, one of those being Darcy Fritsch. This past season saw him add to his list of accomplishments, breaking the 100-goal barrier, being named at full forward in the Team of the Year and winning the Cougars best and fairest.
Darcy Carrigan continued to be supreme in midfield and was well supported this time around by fellow Team of the Year member Brock Castree. Combined they averaged more than 68 disposals, 31 contested possessions and 13 clearances per game.
Gary Conyers also had an impact in his first season, averaging 24 disposals per game, while players such as Cameron Shield and Sam Figg also continued to improve.
Best Win: Round 11 – Coldstream 15.7.97 defeated Knox 10.10.70 @ Knox Gardens Reserve
An honourable mention to the Cougars dominant elimination final win against Oakleigh District but hard to go past a strong performance on the road against a fellow finals side.
Their first three quarters sewed up the victory, kicking 13 goals from 16 scoring shots while keeping Knox to just five goals.
Of their 15 goals, nine came from the boot of Fristch who also had 19 disposals and nine marks inside 50. Castree and Carrigan also combined for 60 disposals, 28 contested possessions and 14 clearances on the day.
Off-Season Focus:
It’s once again a time of change at the helm for Coldstream, with Matthew Johnson replacing Jarrod Bayliss as senior coach having spent the past few years as a senior assistant under both Bayliss and Chad Rogers.
Whilst they’ll lose Bayliss the Cougars have retained some key players on their list, including Carrigan, Fritsch, Castree, Conyers as well as Matthew Langdon, Dylan Sverns, Lehmann, Figg and Daniel Versteegen.
The foundations are there, and if they can build on it with a bit of youth and leg speed then they’ll definitely be a side to look out for once again in Division 3 next year.
Senior Women’s
Ladder Position: 2nd (10-4, 132.34%)
Leading Goalkicker: Abbey Broughan (21 goals in 17 games)
Best and Fairest: Sophie Stark
Summary:
Coldstream’s women’s program continues to grow from strength-to-strength, with this year their strongest to date.
After losing three games in the opening month of the season they would only drop one regular season game from Round 5 onwards, finishing in second and securing a double chance in finals.
They would lose their first final to Mooroolbark before defeating Heathmont by the barrest of margins to book their first ever Grand Final ticket. Unfortunately it wasn’t to be, going down to the Mustangs once again.
Key Players:
Sophie Stark was stellar all season long in midfield, with her season seeing her rewarded with a spot in the team of the year as well as Coldstream’s best and fairest.
Abbey Broughan was one of the leading forwards once again, with her 21-goal season also seeing her named on the half forward flank of the Division 3 & 4 Team of the Year.
Familiar names such as Nyomie Lagerway-Allen and Stacey Gilder Moate also impressed while Georgia Byrne had a solid first season in Coldstream colours
Best Win: Round 14 – Coldstream 6.2.38 defeated Mooroolbark 5.6.36 @ Heights Reserve
Hard to go past a win against the eventual premiers in the final round of the regular season that saw them earn a double chance.
Trailing by 15 points at half time and by four at three quarter time, a two goal to one final quarter saw the Cougars claim the prized scalp of Mooroolbark.
Broughan once again impressed up forward with two goals alongside Erin Rackham while Grace Green had one of her better games of the year
Off-Season Focus:
Plenty to like about a Coldstream list that continues to add star players and improve year-on-year.
They’ve already re-signed Matt Coghlan for a second season, now attention will most likely turn to retaining the majority of its list.
Add in a star player or two, as they have done since their inaugural season in 2021, then Coldstream will certainly make waves once again in Division 3 next year.
Netball
Coldstream entered a total of five sides in the New Balance netball season along with an additional side in the summer netball competition.
Its top side competed in Premier Division. Unfortunately it was a tough season for the side, finishing at the bottom of the table with just one win to their name against East Burwood in Round 2.
The Cougars next best team competed in Division 1. Winning nine games, the side ultimately fell one game short of playing finals, finishing fifth behind East Ringwood Blue.
Coldstream’s third side finished in sixth with five wins for the season in Division 7, finishing four games behind fourth placed Vermont.
Their Division 10 and 12 side went on and made Grand Finals this year against Montrose. Whilst the Division 10 team was unsuccessful, the Division 12 side would go on and win the premiership having finished the regular season in third place.
Coldstream’s inaugural summer netball team also had success on Grand Final day against Montrose, defeating them by 23 goals to claim the Division 3 premiership.
