By Josh Ward.
The Panther men have completed their rise to the summit of Division 4, winning the club’s first ever premiership whilst the women created history of their own by making their first-ever Grand Final.
Senior Men’s (Division Four)
Ladder Position: 2nd (11-4-1, 190.08%)
Best and Fairest: Tom Smith
Leading Goalkicker: Nick Kann (56 goals in 15 matches)
Summary:
It was a hard-fought season for the Panthers of Surrey Park but by season’s end, they were rewarded with the club’s first ever senior premiership.
After opening the season like they ended 2022 injury and travel hurt James Kenworthy’s side in the middle of the season before they eventually started to hit the straps right before finals and book a second consecutive double chance spot in the Division 4 Finals.
Their first final saw them put up a fight against minor premiers Kilsyth before a third-quarter blitz from the Cougars forced them into taking the long way to the big dance once again. Whilst this year’s Preliminary Final was a much tighter affair than their 2022 one the Panthers ran rampant over Scoresby in the last term to book a second consecutive Grand Final berth.
This time around Grand Final Day won’t be a day any Surrey Park fan will forget. Despite a slow start the final three quarters saw Surrey blitz Kilsyth and lock in not only their first premiership but promotion to Division 3 for the first time.
Key Players:
None were more key than Tom Smith once again for the Panthers. Despite only playing nine home & away games (12 in total) he still managed to finish second in the Stephen Jones Medal as well as win the Grand Final Best on Ground medal and a second consecutive club B&F.
Sam Porter played every game in his first senior season and starred in defence and at times in midfield. He was rewarded with a Team of the Year selection alongside electric forward Nick Kann who won a first Div 4 Leading Goalkicker award, kicking 56 goals in 16 matches this season.
Best Win: Grand Final – Surrey Park 14.17.101 defeated Kilsyth 6.9.45
No victory tasted any sweeter than winning on the biggest day of them all for Surrey Park who also gained redemption after falling two goals short in their 2022 decider against Silvan.
The Cougars were initially all over the Panthers, kicking the first four goals of the contest inside a quarter and a bit. From the five-minute mark of the second term though it was all Surrey.
Whilst they kicked inaccurately in the second they then straightened up in the second half, kicking 12 goals to just the one to run home with the premiership.
Tom Smith took the game by the scruff of the neck in the third and came home with the Blue Ribbon Medal with a three-goal performance while Michael Paolini and Jasper Mundy also starred up forward alongside playing coach Kenworthy in defence.
Off-Season Focus:
Much like last year the Panthers are still a very young team with the likes of Mundy, Smith, Kann and Porter only just beginning their senior career. There’s still plenty of experience amongst the group as well in Kenworthy, Ryan Kennedy, Michael Paolini & captain Matt Garvin.
Many of their key players, including Smith and Kann, have already re-signed with the club whilst the side will be bolstered by the return of Kane Henden to the playing field after coming back to the club in a coaching capacity in the backend of the season.
With the Under 19s going undefeated on return as well as their reserves falling just two points short of a three-peat the Panthers have all the tools in the toolbox to not only ensure their spot in Division 3 but be a competitive force.
Senior Women’s (Division Two)
Ladder Position: 2nd (11-3, 285.93%)
Best and Fairest: Emily Cumming
Leading Goalkicker: Emily Cumming (19 goals in 15 matches)
Summary:
After a promising 2022 season, the Panthers were able to build upon it in 2023 and complete their rise to the summit with their first-ever Grand Final appearance in only their third season.
There was plenty of promise in the first half before they then came steaming home in the second half of the season, losing only one game to minor premiers East Ringwood and booking a double chance in finals much like the men’s side.
After falling to the Roos in the opening week of finals Steve DeFranceschi’s side then responded in emphatic fashion with their biggest finals win (to date) against Waverley Blues locking in the first of four Grand Final spots for the club in 2023.
And whilst they performed admirably in their first big dance at HE Parker Reserve the Panthers were outclassed by the Roos once again.
Key Players:
Much like the men’s side the women’s were guided by their star player of many years, Emily Cumming. Winning a third club Best and Fairest, she also made her first team of the year as well finishing the year with the most goals (including finals).
Alex Leather’s stellar season in defence was rewarded with a TOTY appearance alongside captain Hannah Bahn and recruit Katherine Newman (the latter two in midfield). Mathilda Lewis was also strong in defence, finishing second in the club B&F.
Best Win: Preliminary Final – Surrey Park 9.9.63 defeated Waverley Blues 4.4.28
Needing a response after a 58-point defeat to East Ringwood in the first week of finals the Panthers delivered in their second consecutive preliminary final.
After an even first quarter which saw them trail by one point at Quarter Time, the Panthers kept Waverley Blues scoreless in the second to lead by 21 at the main break.
Despite a comeback from the Blues in the third quarter, the Panthers kept them scoreless once again in the final quarter to run out 35-point winners and book their spot in the Division 2 decider.
Taylah Morton continued her strong run of form to end 2023 with another three goals and was well supported by Emily Cumming. Hannah Bahn led from the front once again in midfield in a second Best on Ground performance of the season.
Off-Season Focus:
Not much needs to change for Surrey with the list being one of the strongest going around as proven by their finish to the 2023 Division 2 season.
The list could also have more depth not only if they are to bring in players but with their Youth Girls side coming through the ranks this year in the YJFL.
Much like the men’s if they’re able to retain the majority of their playing list the Panthers will give themselves every chance of going one step further in 2024 and laying hands on the Holy Grail by season’s end.