By Josh Ward
Men’s
Overview:
2018 and 2019 were two seasons Chirnside Park would want to forget, but this year the Panthers showed it can be a contender in Division Four next year and in years to come.
They finished fourth with a 6-5 record in their first season back in the lowest division since their 2009 premiership and they broke many droughts this year, including a 37-game losing streak.
Having already announced a few new signings and re-signed majority of their core players, the Panthers of Chirnside Park set to be a massive threat in 2022.
Best Win: Round 5 vs Silvan (Chirnside Park 6.10.46 defeated Silvan 5.12.42)
Up against a side who many thought were a lock for finals and in their third real test of 2021, Chirnside Park pulled off a shock win by four points at Kimberley Reserve.
On a cold Saturday in May where there were plenty of low scoring contests, this game was no different. The game was tight throughout but the Panthers managed to hold on to get their second consecutive win, the first time that had happened since Rounds 13-15 in 2017.
Veteran Dan Beddome continued his good run of form, kicking three goals and adding to his eight the last two weeks. Grattan Stephens, Jimmy Wells, Ethan Stone, Jayden Boehringer and Nic Slattery were all named in the best.
Nic’s star brother Ben was also named in the best and picked up the three B&F votes, with Samuel Cannon picking up one vote and Silvan’s Ben Straughair two as Chirnside Park picked up by far their most impressive win of 2021.
Worst Loss: Round 6 vs Surrey Park (Chirnside Park 9.8.62 defeated by Surrey Park 10.14.74)
In the only Battle of the Panthers of 2021, Chirnside Park were in good form and were coming up against a Surrey side that was looking shaky, but despite a fast finish it wasn’t enough as Surrey Park held on to claim their fourth win of 2021.
Surrey Park started off quickly, leading 32-14 at quarter time then 49-15 at half time. Chirnside finished off the game quickly, outscoring Surrey 47-25 in the second half, but it wasn’t enough as Surrey Park held on for a massive win in their season.
Dan Beddome and Matt Pollock had a shootout at both ends of the ground, Beddome kicked five and Pollock kicked four, with both named in their teams best. Beddome was named alongside Charlton Clavant, Jimmy Wells, Josh McConnell and Jayden Boehringer.
Ben Slattery continued his good run of form, picking up his third consecutive three B&F votes, with Aaron Birt getting one vote and Surrey’s James Pritchard two as Surrey got back into form after two losses in a row against Forest Hill and Coldstream.
Standout Player: Ben Slattery
It’s hard to go past the Stephen Jones Medallist who had arguably his best year since coming over from Mooroolbark.
Slattery won the Division Four B&F by three votes, polling 16 votes, which included four BOGs in a row in games against Kilsyth, Croydon North MLOC and most impressively against Silvan and Surrey Park.
Was named as centre in the Division Four Team of the Year, he was also named in Chirnside’s best eight times, six of which were BOGs. Has already re-signed with the Panthers and could be set for another massive season in 2022 at the centre of Kimberley Reserve.
Offseason Plans:
Chirnside have made plenty of moves so far this off season, re-signing (at time of writing) 15 players and bringing in five players, four of which from Mooroolbark.
Dave Newlands recently told Daniel Cencic that veterans Grattan Stephens and Daniel Beddome could be set to play on whilst they’ll look to replace Team of the Year half back Kieran Urquhart, who has moved interstate for work.
They might also need someone down forward, with Chirnside averaging the lowest points per game among top five sides (79.6, 13 behind fourth best Silvan) and Daniel Beddome isn’t getting any younger.
Their small forwards such as Samuel King and Charlton Clavant are talented, but if they want to make a statement this offseason and next year, they’re gonna need some depth in the tall forward department.
Premier Women’s
Overview:
They were the dominant force of Premier Division in 2019, but it was a different story for the Chirnside Park women in 2021 in a very even Premier Division.
Finished fourth with a 4-5 record, they were second at one stage with a 4-1 record but lost their last four games and dropped down into second last.
Have already started re-signing players and have announced a new senior coach in Gavin Green but will look to get back to the level which saw them win the 2019 Premier Division Premiership.
Best Win: Round 4 at South Croydon (Chirnside Park Black 5.1.31 defeated South Croydon Blue 4.4.28)
In a twilight match-up between two reigning premiers Chirnside Park managed to pick up their third win out of four in 2021, winning a classic at Cheong Park.
Down for most of the game, including by 10 points at three quarter time, the Panthers came from behind to snatch the win from South Croydon’s grasp by three points.
Zoe Alston and Leah Oswald kicked two goals and were named first and second best for Chirnside Park, with Laura Robinson, Matilda Flint, and Carly Robson named alongside them.
Ashleigh Allsopp was also named in the best and picked up two B&F votes, with Talia Carusi picking up the three votes and Maddy Stokes one vote as the Panthers inflicted the Bulldogs third loss in four games
Worst Loss: Round 10 at Donvale (Chirnside Park Black 4.5.29 defeated by Donvale Black 5.5.35)
Facing a Donvale side who hadn’t won since Round Two against Whitehorse, Chirnside Park continued their poor run and became Donvale’s second victim of 2021.
The Panthers had won just over a month ago by 74 points at Kimberley Reserve, but it was the other way around as the Magpies caused a major shock in premier division.
Ashleigh Allsopp was yet again named in the best, along with Laura Robinson, Chelsea and Emily Wilkinson, Emma Robson and Kathryn Priestly.
Standout Player: Ashleigh Allsopp
In her first season in the yellow and black of Chirnside Park the star midfielder didn’t disappoint.
Allsopp was the Panthers highest vote-getter on B&F night, picking up eight votes and finishing equal third. Was also named in Chirnside Park’s best six times, including two best on grounds, and was their equal second-highest goalscorer with eight goals.
Was named on the bench in the Premier Division Team of the Year and has recently re-signed with Chirnside Park for 2022. Going to play a big role in Chirnside Park potentially climbing up the table.
Offseason Plans:
Have already started to re-sign some of their regular firsts players, including Allsopp, Tayla Carney and Jasmyn Mcsweeney. They’ve also bought in former Montrose coach Gavin Green.
This offseason should be about re-signings, but it could also be about acquiring more depth, particularly in midfield or down forward
Now Allsopp is a star player, but she missed the last two games and that left a huge gap up forward and in midfield.
If they can get someone, whether it be in midfield or attack to help lessen the load on Ashleigh Allsopp, then next season they’ll climb back up the ladder and be a contender yet again.
Division Three Women’s:
The gold Panthers were in the middle of the pack in 2019 but they were top of the world in 2021 in the new Division Three.
The reserves finished first with an 8-2 record, they had the same record as second placed Blackburn Red but were 29% ahead and were hot towards the end of the season, winning five of their last six.
Five players were named in the Third Division Team of the Year squad and will look to continue to stick up the top in season 2022.
Best Win: Round 11 at Blackburn (Chirnside Park Gold 7.6.48 defeated Blackburn Red 6.5.41)
Up against a Blackburn side that had defeated them in Round Three at Kimberley Reserve and were in red hot form, Chirnside Park evened the ledger and picked up a massive win against the Burners.
The Burners had won their last six by an average of 45.5 points, including a 99 and 100 point wins vs Boronia and Coldstream, but after an even first half, the Panthers had a stronger third quarter (12-2) and managed to hold on down at Morton Park.
Meghan Stephens and Sarah Jones kicked two goals each, with Stephens named in Chirnside’s best along with Rachael Palmer, Rose Ruddick, Jessica Mccasker, Renee Cellante and Alice D’Arcy.
D’Arcy picked up the three best and fairest votes, with Blackburn’s Eliana Parratt and Chrissy Lagos getting the two and one votes as the Panthers inflicted the Burners first loss since round two.
Worst Loss: Round 10 vs South Croydon (Chirnside Park Gold 8.2.50 defeated by South Croydon Red 9.6.60)
It was South Croydon’s home game at Chirnside Park’s home, with the Bulldogs getting the ‘home’ win in this top of the table clash at Kimberley Reserve.
The game was tight throughout, but after a high scoring final quarter, the Panthers couldn’t do enough after being down at three quarter time by five points as South Croydon continued their unbeaten run in 2021.
Meghan Stephens was the Panthers highest goal kicker with two goals, with Paige Brooks, Ella Van De Velde, Rachael Palmer, Jessica Jeeves, Elizabeth Fletcher and Melissa Eames named in the best for Chirnside Park.
Standout Player: Sophie Ruddick
In her first season in the Chirnside Park Reserves Ruddick was a consistent and terrific performer in 2021.
Had one game in the Premier Division in 2021, but in her 10 games for the gold Panthers, she was named in the best six times and got six votes in the best and fairest, including a best on ground in the first game of 2021 vs Coldstream.
Was named in the Division Three Team of the Year squad and has already re-signed with Chirnside Park for 2022. Will be an integral part of this Panthers squad, particularly for the younger players, for the next couple of years.