A new division and new set of challenges for the Sharks as three wins consolidates their position in Division One for the 2025 season.
Senior Men’s
Ladder Position: 9th (3-15, 57.00%)
Best and Fairest: Declan Everett
Leading Goalkicker: Tristan Van Driel (25 Goals)
Summary:
A fresh new perspective for the Doncaster Football Club, moving back into Division One with some changes to the list.
The season saw the side consolidate their position in the division with three wins. Under Chris Annakis, the Sharks did enough to avoid relegation, knocking off Wantirna South twice and an 18-point win over North Ringwood.
The side missed out on having a couple of their key stars for most of the season including Todd Vander Haar and James Munks.
One of the season's highlights was the celebration of Ben Marganis’s 300th game for the club when they met Wantirna South in Round 13. One of the club’s most loyal players, multiple premierships with the Sharks as well as an EFNL Team of the Year player.
The key for the side to hold their position in Division One is they can take a lot of positives out of that after a tough year on the field in 2023.
Key Players:
The 2024 Hirsch Medallist (Doncaster Best and Fairest) winner was Declan Everett. A fantastic year for the Sharks star, with an average of 20 disposals and 12 contested possessions a game.
Tristan Van Driel was the side’s most prominent forward, finishing with 25 majors for the season. Van Driel finished as the runner-up in this year’s club Best and Fairest.
Ben Munks finished third in the club’s best and fairest, having a very consistent year. Munks played all 18 games for the Sharks, nine times in the best.
Best Win: Round Five – Doncaster 11.12 78 def. North Ringwood 7.18 60 @Quambee Reserve
After breaking their losing streak that extended into the 2023 season in Round Four against the Devils, Doncaster made it two in a row when they knocked off the Saints by 18 points.
The win was set up from a six-goal to two second term that saw the Sharks take a handy 25-point lead going into the main break. Just two goals each for the two sides in the second half, with North Ringwood blowing some opportunities in front of goal, finishing the second half with 2.11.
Tristan Van Driel was one of the key differences for Doncaster, kicking four goals on the day. This came off the back of a five-goal haul the week prior against Wantirna South.
Off-Season Focus:
It’s been a relatively quiet off-season for the Sharks thus far.
Averaging 53 points per game this season, Doncaster was ranked tenth of all ten sides in attack in Division One this season. An area they’ll look at adjusting coming in 2025.
Outside of football, the club has recently announced via their social media channels that they’ll be looking to enter the 2025 EFNL Netball Winter competition.