By Josh Ward.
The Tigers are set to return to the Premier Division following their second consecutive flag while its women’s and netball programs continue to rise and grow.
Senior Men’s
Ladder Position: 3rd (13-5, 130.85%)
Leading Goalkicker: Jake Parente (45 goals in 13 matches)
Best and Fairest: Jesse Uren
Summary:
It was Tiger Time once again in Division 1, with Mitcham adding another premiership to its cabinet and confirming its return to the top flight.
Mitcham’s start to its premiership route wasn’t ideal, dropping three of their opening four games of the season.
They then started to click into gear after that opening month, with their only two losses after that point coming against top two sides in South Belgrave and Park Orchards.
Neil Winterton’s men were able to defeat them when it mattered most though enroute to another Grand Final.
A third win over the Sharks, this time on the biggest day of them all, saw them win their fourth premiership under Winterton.
Key Players:
Captain Jesse Uren took his game to another level this season. Averaging 23.6 disposals, 10.8 contested possessions, 6.1 score involvements and kicking 33 goals for the season, Uren was rewarded with Team of the Year honours as well as a club B&F.
Uren is joined in the Division 1 Team of the Year by Jesse Cherry, Tom Lovell and Danny Baglava, with all four players starring throughout the season in midfield and in attack.
Forward Jake Parente was yet again the Tigers leading goalkicker. Despite playing only 13 games, Parente 3.6 goals and 8.2 score involvements per game.
Best Win: Grand Final - Mitcham 8.7.55 defeated Park Orchards 2.3.15 @ Tormore Reserve
The game that confirmed the Tigers return to the Premier Division, defeating the Sharks in convincing fashion.
In a game which had hail, rain and sunshine throughout, a 15 minute period in the second term where Mitcham kicked five goals to no score ignited them and their faithful.
From there they were able to restrict Park Orchards ball movement in very tough conditions, keeping them to just two goals on their way to back-to-back flags.
Nicholas Caulfield shone all day in defence and was rewarded with Best on Ground honours. Jake Parente led the way up forward with two goals while Jesse Uren had the most disposals for the Tigers with 18.
Off-Season Focus:
Mitcham are all set for their return to the Premier Division, the first time they’ll compete in that tier since 2006.
Neil Winterton has re-signed for another season at the helm while the likes of Uren, Cherry, Parente have also been confirmed as re-signings for next season.
They’ve also brought in Bentleigh duo Liam Hewish and Michael Rogers, with Hewish a B&F winner at his former club and Rogers also captaining Bentleigh’s senior side in recent history.
Emi and Ezi Aleixo have also signed on along with Jack Kritopolous, with all three having played in the Premier Division in recent seasons.
With their 19s making finals along with their reserves, the pieces are there for Mitcham to be contending for finals immediately.
Senior Women’s
Ladder Position: 6th (5-9, 68.6%)
Leading Goalkicker: Georgia Fairbairn (29 goals in 12 matches)
Summary:
Much tougher season for the Tigers women’s side, with unavailability to key players seeing them finish with five wins for the season in a competitive Division 3 competition.
Following three consecutive losses to start the season they found their straps immediately after that period, winning three of their next four games.
They would then lose five in a row from Rounds 8 to 13 before ending the season on a high with victories over finalists Heathmont at home and the Eastern Devils away.
Key Players:
In her return from a long injury layoff, playing coach Jess Grace was one of the shining lights for the Tigers. Grace’s season saw her be named in the Division 3 + 4 Team of the Year on a Half Forward Flank.
Star forward Georgia Fairbairn and ruck Hannah Linnett joined her in that Team of the Year. While Fairbairn claimed another leading goalkicker award, Linnett was named in the best on seven occasions.
Brittany Wolf also had a strong first season in the yellow and black while Paige Frost and Jamie Messenger also showed plenty of promise
Best Win: Round 14 - Mitcham 7.3.45 defeated Eastern Devils Black 1.5.11 @ Mulgrave Reserve
Honoroubale mentions need to go to the Tigers wins at home against Heathmont and Coldstream but going with this comprehensive display at Mulgrave Reserve.
Against a Devils side who still had a sniff of playing finals after the Jets lost to North Ringwood Red, Mitcham snuffed that spark quickly with a four-goal opening term.
From there they were able to keep the Devils at bay, kicking a further three goals to end their season on a high and win the Jo Cox Cup.
Bronte Coxhill starred and was named Mitcham’s Best on Ground while Georgia Fairbairn ended her season on a high with second five goal outing of the season.
Off-Season Focus:
Preparation is well and truly underway for the Tigers women’s side, with Jess Grace signing on for a third year as coach.
Majority of its core has also re-signed while former basketballer Georgia Baldwin has signed on having not played a game last season.
If they can keep their core together and add another top end recruit or two then the Tigers could be in contention for a premiership next season.
Netball
Mitcham Amber (Division 1) - 10th (1-13, 77.02%)
Mitcham Gold (Division 6) - 6th (4-6-2, 84.45%)
Mitcham Black (Division 8) - 6th (4-7-1, 79.28%)
A total of three sides competed in the 2024 winter netball competition for the Tigers.
Unfortunately the sides weren't able to make this year's finals series.
The Tigers netball program continues to grow though, with four sides currently competing in the 2024/25 Summer Netball season, which includes two sides in the top division, an opportunity for a premiership when the season continues in January.
Juniors
Mitcham had a total of 15 sides compete in the junior competition this past season, an increase from the 14 teams it had last year.
Of the nine sides from Under 11s up, six would go on and play finals, with its Under 16B girls side playing off in a Grand Final.
That side would go on and defeat Heathmont in the Grand Final by seven points at Knox Gardens Reserve.
Another strong season for the Tigers juniors, which continues to grow from strength-to-strength over the past few years.