The Mulgrave Lions made great progress in season 2022 and will look to build on that next year with a couple of massive key recruits.
By Ryan Long
Mulgrave
Ladder Position: 8th (7-11, 104.21%)
Best and Fairest: Jack Davidson
Leading Goalkicker: Adam Booth (56)
Summary:
The Lions were one of the most improved sides this year in Division Two. Despite finishing eighth on the ladder, Mulgrave won seven games and found themselves just two games outside of the top five.
After losing their first three matches of the year, the Lions went on a five-game winning streak, even knocking off the undefeated South Belgrave in that period. For most of the year, they club remained in finals contention, something that seemed very unlikely at the start of the season. Mulgrave was the only side to defeat South Belgrave, the Lions knocking off the Saints twice in two very impressive wins for the club.
They’ve made significant strides this year after winning just two matches in 2021, they’ll be looking to build off this in 2023.
Key Players:
A Mulgrave legend remained at his absolute best this year, Adam Booth kicking 56 goals up forward, listed in the Division Two Team of the Year. Booth has shown no signs of slowing down, kicking multiple goals in eleven games and even kicking 13 in one match against Oakleigh District.
Dean Siakoulis had another great season too, in the best ten times and was a Team of the Year member, on the Half Forward Flank. Youngster Connor Tilyard also made the Team of the Year on the wing, one of the keys to the club’s future.
Jack Davidson had a phenomenal year, winning the club’s best and fairest for the seniors with a very consistent season on the field.
Best Win: Round 14 – Mulgrave 9.11 65 def. South Belgrave 4.18 32 @Belgrave South Recreation Reserve
Not many clubs can knock off South Belgrave at home, let alone up the mountain. However, the Lions were able to achieve both in season 2022. Needing to keep winning to keep their finals chances alive, Mulgrave jumped out of the blocks to set up an early lead before the margin was cut back to four points by Half Time. South Belgrave struggled with inaccuracy in the second half, kicking just one goal from twelve scoring shots.
Mulgrave on the other hand, made the most of their opportunities, kicking five goals in the second half to set up the club’s second victory over South Belgrave.
Their skill execution was great all afternoon and used the ball well going inside 50. The eventual Best and Fairest winner, Jack Davidson was one of the Lions’ best players on the ground while their goals were well spread out with seven players hitting the scoreboard.
Off-Season Focus:
A few changes for the club over the off-season, Senior Coach Ryan Webster is passing the role over to Mulgrave great Matt Richards.
The club made a couple of massive signings announcements thus far with ex-Western Bulldogs players Lin Jong and Fletcher Roberts committing to the club for the 2023 season. While Jong is set to be a powerhouse in the club’s midfield group, Roberts will likely spend more time up forward despite being a premiership defender in the AFL with the Bulldogs.
The added experience to the list will also be great for the club’s younger players who are still developing. If they can find a bit more consistency
Netball Review
Mulgrave Red (Section Three)
Ladder Position: 5th (10-6-1, 112.50%)
Mulgrave’s first side in the Bendigo Bank Netball league, won ten games and a draw, finishing just outside the top four. They had a couple of standout wins across the season, defeating two finalists in Vermont and The Basin.
Rounding out the top ten in the section for goals scored were Rebecca Lawson and Jessica Beardsworth with 198 and 194 goals respectively. Andrea Kendrick also had a fantastic season, finishing as the joint-Runner Up in Section Three with 15 votes.
Mulgrave Blue (Section Four)
Ladder Position: 9th (3-13-1)
A tough season for the club’s second side, battling hard in section four of the competition. The side’s three wins for the season came against Ferntree Gully twice and Park Orchards once. A great season for Mulgrave was Mathura Nadanakumar who was awarded the league’s player of the week in the eighth week of the season.
Mulgrave Yellow (Section Eight)
Ladder Position: 2nd (9-5, 100.48%)
Mulgrave Yellow was impressive in 2022 with the club finishing second on the ladder with nine wins. They took on The Basin in the first week of the finals where they were defeated by seven points. A week later they took on East Burwood in a Preliminary Final for a chance at making the Grand Final. They led at three-quarter time before being run over the top by the Rams, falling short by just one point. The side had two of the best goal shooters in the section with Alexandra Bonney and Kayla Mclean, finishing with 232 goals and 212 goals, just behind the section leader, Kate Watson.
