Forest Hill set their focus on their youth after a tough season on the field in 2024.
Senior Men’s
Ladder Position: 6th (3-13)
Best and Fairest winner: William Burgess
Leading Goalkicker: Cameron Banfield (19 Goals)
Summary:
A tough season for the Zebras saw them win just the three games, the least amount of wins in a season for the club since 2003.
With a ton of personnel change, the Zebras relied on their Under 19’s group to jump into the senior side and have an immediate impact after winning the 19s flag last season.
Brad Tuite jumped into the senior coaching role after taking the development side to a Preliminary Final in 2023. A tough role with a very young list but handled it well and will always be such an important figure to the Forest Hill Football Club.
Key Players:
William Burgess took out the Forest Hill senior best and fairest. Listed in the best nine time, Burgess saved some of his best footy when the Zebras took on the top teams of the division.
Finishing second in the Best and Fairest behind Burgess was Ned Bradley. After two seasons with Glen Waverley, Bradley moved across to the Zebras last season and has barely missed a game, becoming a vital player to the squad. 12 goals this season and six times in the best.
Recognised for a fantastic year, Sonny Doherty claimed Team of the Year honours. Doherty has had a taste of senior football over the last couple of years while also playing in the Under 19’s. A player to watch for the future.
Best Win: Round Five – Forest Hill 14.16 100 def. Chirnside Park 11.10 76 @Forest Hill Reserve
Without a doubt, the side’s most impressive win came in Round Five of this season when they knocked off future finals side Chirnside Park by 24 points.
It was the only time this season that the side reached triple figures. A total of nine players kicked at least one goal on the afternoon, with Dean Migliore starring with three majors.
After trailing at the first two breaks, a five goal to three third term saw the Zebras wrestle back the lead. The Zebras them dominated the final quarter to run out clear winners.
Sonny Doherty starred and was listed as the side’s best player on the day.
Off-Season Focus:
Stuart Pierce has been announced recently as the side’s new coach for the 2024 season. Most recently, Pierce coached the Doveton Reserves to a Preliminary Final, while also having experience over the last decade and a half at Berwick Springs, Emerald and Doveton.
It’s a big task ahead to move the Zebras back into finals contention but they’ll be taking it one step at a time.
Most important thing right now is to keep the list together, while attracting some new recruits to the club, particular those of experience to guide the young group at the club.
A key presence up forward is also certainly very vital for the side, we’ve seen how well that’s worked out for the two Grand Finalists this year.