By Josh Ward.
There was plenty to like about Knox’s football sides this year whilst its netball program also had a successful year.
Senior Men’s
Ladder Position: 3rd (13-5, 154.37%)
Leading Goalkicker: Harrison Greaves (62 goals in 21 matches)
Best and Fairest: Gavin Pears & Harrison Greaves
Summary:
A strong second season under Steve Buckle for the Falcons saw them make their first finals series since 2017.
It was an up and down start to the year, winning comfortably against the likes of Ferntree Gully and Fairpark but also dropping games against Top 5 opponents.
They then started to hit their straps in the second half of the year, winning seven on the trot heading into finals to skyrocket themselves into third.
A strong semi final performance against Coldstream came in between losses to eventual premiers Surrey Park, losses that would see their season come to an end a week before the Grand Final.
Key Players:
Harrison Greaves continued to excel in a new division, kicking a career high in goals and averaging 19.5 disposals, 14.6 contested possessions, 3.5 contested marks and 3.6 marks inside 50 per game this year.
He would win Knox’s Best and Fairest alongside the returning Gavin Pears who’s excellent season in midfield saw him rewarded with a spot in the Division 3 Team of the Year alongside Greaves.
Defensive duo Mitch Greaves and Tom Weir also had stellar seasons, with both gaining a spot in defence in the Team of the Year.
Some of Knox’s other recruits also had an impact too, particularly James Fisher and Dysan Morris in midfield.
Best Win: Round 15 – Knox 6.11.47 defeated Donvale 6.6.42 @ Knox Gardens Reserve
A gritty win in tough conditions for the Falcons against the eventual minor premiers, consigning Donvale to their first loss in over a year.
Not much could separate the two for most of the day before a Braeden Barlow goal halfway through the last quarter proved to be the matchwinner for Knox.
The two Greaves were once again key to the victory, with Mitch finishing BOG and Harrison kicking two goals. Fisher and Pears also had solid games in midfield.
Off-Season Focus:
There’s a lot to like currently about a Falcons outfit who’ve now laid down solid foundations in Division 3.
Retention has already begun, with Buckle set for a third year at the helm and key players such as Pears, Weir, Morris, Fisher, Zac Hanlen already signing on for 2025.
Knox’s depth is also strong, with their 19s returning and making a grand final whilst their reserves made it to a semi final.
Add some more players who’ve had experience in higher up divisions, as well as retain their youth coming through, then Knox can certainly go a few steps further than they did this year.
Senior Women’s
Ladder Position: 5th (4-10, 68.55%)
Leading Goalkicker: Tamara Stocks (4 goals in 10 matches)
Best and Fairest: Bronte Rowlands
Summary:
A solid season in a highly competitive Division 1 for Knox, ultimately finishing in fifth spot for the second consecutive year.
There were some promising signs in the opening half of the season, coming close to the top four at times whilst comfortably knocking off a winless Beaconsfield outfit twice.
It was a similar story to start the second half of the season, but two of their final three games against Park Orchards and East Ringwood certainly proved they can be more than competitive in the division.
Key Players:
Bronte Rowlands had an immediate impact after coming across from East Burwood, earning herself Team of the Year honours and winning Knox’s best and fairest.
Team of the Year defence duo Ella Ritchie and Holly Gibson also continued to perform at a high standard consistently.
Best Win: Round 12 – Knox 1.5.11 defeated Park Orchards 0.1.1 @ Knox Gardens Reserve
A massive day for the two Falcons senior sides started off with the women’s side knocking off eventual premiers Park Orchards.
One goal inside the first five minutes of the game from Holly Mastin was enough for Knox who kept a usually free flowing Sharks outfit to just one behind in tough conditions at home.
Mastin was one of the Falcons better players on the day alongside Cass Warrin & Ella Ritchie. It was midfielder Zali Wagner who was given Best on Ground honours though.
Off-Season Focus:
A bit to work on for the young Falcons, but still plenty of positives from this past season to look at strengthening.
They’ll be bolstered by the potential inclusion of some of their U18 girls who played off in a preliminary final this past season.
Bringing in youth has paid off in the past for Knox’s women’s side and if they can continue to do that, as well as pick up a few players and retain their core, then they can improve next season.
Netball
This past year saw Knox have three teams compete in the New Balance Netball Competition as well as one in the summer netball competition.
Their top side was crowned premiers in Division 2, dropping just two games in the regular season before winning their two finals against Lilydale. Jennifer Gardner’s strong season in attack saw her crowned the Division 2 Best and Fairest winner.
Knox’s Division 10 side was similarly successful, losing just once in the regular season before bowing out in straight sets in the finals with losses to Coldstream and Montrose.
Its Division 11 side wasn’t as strong as those sides, finishing in sixth with four wins and two draws, two games and percentage behind fourth-placed South Belgrave Saints Red.
Juniors
A total of 11 teams competed in the juniors this year for Knox, five of which would go on to play finals this year.
The Falcons Under 16 girls side were the only side out of the five to make it to the Grand Final, defeating Chirnside Park at Wally Tew Reserve by seven points.
Jack Armstrong was crowned the U16C B&F winner in Knox’s combined side in that competition with South Belgrave, finishing four votes ahead of second.
Another strong season from Knox’s junior program whilst the pathway between the two continues to grow from strength to strength.
