Senior Men’s
Ladder Position: 5th (12-6, 110.83%)
Best and Fairest: Chris Jones
Leading Goalkicker: James Wilsen
Summary:
The big improver of the 2024 Premier Division competition.
After a disappointing 2023 campaign, with injuries the theme of the year, the Dogs bounced back in 2024, locking up a finals spot and advancing to a Semi-Final.
Over the off-season, the club appointed former Blackburn senior coach Brendan Allen who has had quite an impact at South Croydon in the space of twelve months.
Two big losses at the hands of East Ringwood and Noble Park were quickly recovered from with three consecutive wins over Blackburn, Norwood, and Noble Park. The ANZAC Day win over the Burners at Morton Park was memorable, as they held off a fast-finishing Blackburn. Two weeks later, an undermanned Dogs side took down the reining premier Hawks by 13 points.
In what was one of the closest races for a top-five position, South Croydon had a crucial win against eventual premiers Balwyn on the road in Round 16 and came from behind to defeat the Lions in Round 18.
A fifth-placed finish saw South Croydon defeat Vermont in the Elimination Final before bowing out to Rowville in the Semi-Final.
Key Players:
Simply outstanding this season was Chris Jones, a phenomenal year in defence, averaging over 8 marks per game, he was a lock this season for a Team of the Year position. Jones took out the club’s best and fairest award this season, also known as the Wheeler Medal.
Consistent and brilliant through the midfield, Brayden Kilpatrick remains one of the league’s most talented players. Kilpatrick was named as the club’s best finals player in 2024.
He was well supported by the experienced Matthew Jones who finished the season with an average of over 24 disposals per game. Jones finished as this year’s Runner Up in the South Croydon Best and Fairest award night, ahead of third-placed Mason Helleren.
Best Win: Elimination Final – South Croydon 11.11 77 def. Vermont 10.7 67 @Jubilee Park
Plenty of options for this category for the Dogs, having multiple impressive wins across the season including an eight-goal win under lights against East Ringwood.
However, a finals victory over the Eagles who had their number during the season stood out as a major highlight. The breeze played a major role in the game as the Eagles took away a handy lead at Quarter Time, five goals to one. That lead stretched out to 39 points in the early stages of the second quarter before six consecutive South Croydon goals levelled the scores at Half Time.
The game went down to the wire in the final quarter, Vermont in front by a singular point before the Dogs booted the final two of the day to win a memorable final against a rival.
Tom Sheridan impressed with four goals while Chris Jones continued his great season with a best-on-ground performance.
Off-Season Focus:
There are a couple of significant changes already on the off-season front.
Headlining the inclusions is Liam Shiels, Ex Hawthorn and North Melbourne star who had a total of 288 games, winning three premierships with the Hawks. One of the best signings this off-season, it’s not only his ability and experience on the field that will play a factor, it’s the leadership off it.
Another key recruit is Jett Latchford, having played his first three senior seasons with Ringwood. This year, he’s also spent time at a VFL level, as a listed player with the Box Hill Hawks.
Despite losing some key players including Chandler Medallist Max King, the side is in great shape heading into Brendan Allen’s second year in charge.
Senior Women’s
Ladder Position: 2nd (12-2, 252.83%)
Best and Fairest: Nicole Garner
Leading Goalkicker: Taylah Black
Summary:
What a season for the Senior Women’s, the 2024 Premier Division Premiers after the Dogs took down the back-to-back reigning premiers on Grand Final Day.
Over the prior two seasons, the squad had been building to that moment, making a Grand Final in 2022 and a Preliminary Final in 2023.
This year, they remained consistent throughout the season, winning 12 of 14 Home and Away games to lock up a double chance. A massive confidence booster came in Round 13 when the Dogs ended the Eastern Devils' long-standing winning streak at Cheong Park.
The result didn’t go their way in the semi-final against the Devils despite a very competitive performance. They bounced a week later in the Preliminary Final with a 46-point victory over South Belgrave, setting up a second Grand Final in the space of three years.
In a fantastic four-quarter performance, they held the Devils to just one goal as they took the 2024 premiership cup back to Cheong Park.
Key Players:
Taylah Black cemented herself as an official EFNL Legend, winning her third league best and fairest. Once again, she had a fantastic season in front of goals, with 49 goals, the most she’s kicked in a single season.
Black combined with Tanikka Martin up forward who returned back to the side this season, kicking 36 goals from 17 games.
After playing the last three seasons with the Hawthorn VFLW side, Nicole Garner was an incredible inclusion for the South Croydon side, taking home the club's best and fairest. The experience and class Garner brought to the side were instrumental in the Dogs' success in 2024.
Best Win: Grand Final – South Croydon 4.3 27 def. Eastern Devils 1.9 15 @H E Parker Reserve
South Croydon entered the Grand Final as the underdogs, up against the Eastern Devils who were attempting to complete the three-peat.
At H.E Parker Reserve, the Dogs had the perfect start with Taylah Black kicking the first goal of the game to set the tone. Against the win in the second term, the Dogs held the Devils goalless with their defence holding strong under pressure.
The side managed to stretch their lead to 15 points just before Three-Quarter Time with goals to Elizabeth Griffin and Amy Grimwade. Their defence stood up once again in the final term, keeping the Devils to just four points and winning the Grand Final by a total of twelve points.
Brooke Curren was simply outstanding in defence, awarded best on ground honours, taking home the Blue Ribbon Medal.
Off-Season Focus:
Premiership Coach Simon Hammersley is back on board in 2025 which is fantastic for the senior women’s program.
The fixture has been released for next year's competition with Park Orchards replacing Mount Evelyn. There's no question that the club has the potential to back up their success from this season and remain in premiership contention.
Senior Women’s (Division Three)
Ladder Position: 9-5 (200.81%)
Best and Fairest: Grace Tobin
Leading Goalkicker: Tearnu Graham (13 Goals)
Summary:
Further signs of the strength of the Senior Women’s program, their second senior side also playing off in the finals.
South Croydon Red competed in Division Three in 2024, finishing third on the ladder with a record of 9-5 in the Home and Away season.
They were one of the only sides to knock off the eventual premiers Mooroolbark.
Their season finished in a tight contest against the Jets, the third time the sides met, all three games decided by a goal or less.
Key Players:
Massive year for Grace Tobin, best and fairest for the South Croydon Red side but was also a part of the Premier Division premiership team.
Hannah Griffin finished as the side’s Runner Up in the best and fairest, having a very busy year. Still eligible to play Under 18’s, she played three games with the South Croydon Under 18’s side and also managed to play four finals games in the Premier Division team.
Tearnu Graham was one of the side’s most reliable goalkickers, frequently finishing with a goal a game.
Best Win: Round Six –South Croydon Red 4.5 29 def. Mooroolbark 1.4 10 @Cheong Park
The Mustangs entered Round Six undefeated as they travelled to Cheong Park to meet the Dogs.
In a four-quarter performance, South Croydon controlled the tempo of the game and even managed to hold the usually high-scoring Mustangs goalless for the first three-quarters of the match.
Hannah Griffin was listed best on the ground while Tearnu Graham kicked three of the side’s four goals.
Off-Season Focus:
The club is set for another big season, remaining as one of the leading senior women’s programs in the competition with two senior sides.
Netball
Division Eight: 8th (2-11)
Division Twelve: 4th (8-4)
Two sides represented South Croydon in the 2024 New Balance Netball competition, competing in Divisions Eight and Twelve.
The Division Twelve side, South Croydon White, made a finals series after winning eight games in the regular season. Stephanie Phillips and Molly O’Toole were both awarded the Division Twelve Player’s Player award at the end of the season.
The Division Eight South Croydon Blue Player’s Player award went to Eloise Goodall.