By Josh Ward
Men’s
Overview:
One of the newer kids on the block improved in season 2021, breaking several droughts and showing plenty of promise.
They grabbed their first two wins in their short EFNL history, finishing second last (seventh) with a 2-9 record in Division Four.
Three players made the team of the year squad, with Zac Leacy the only one named in the team of the year as the club looks set for more improvement in 2022.
Best Win: Round 15 vs Kilsyth (Croydon North MLOC 8.12.60 defeated Kilsyth 4.14.38)
Back in Round One Kilsyth had won by 104 points at Pinks Reserve, but in the final round of the season at Hughes Park Croydon North MLOC picked up their second ever win.
In what was their first ever home win in their short EFNL history, their strong second quarter was the difference, kicking five goals to one (35 points to eight) in a win that sent shockwaves across the EFNL.
Thomas Currie kicked three goals and was named in the best, with Scott Gommers, Philip Backman, Dylan Post, Dominic Mioni and Luke Malmborg also named in the KangaRams best.
Mark Harrison (3) Tierney Reid (2) and Team of the Year member Zac Leacy (1) picked up the three best and fairest votes as Croydon North MLOC, who had struggled against teams like Kilsyth previously, got another scalp to end their 2021 season on a high.
Worst Loss: Round 12 vs Nunawading (Croydon North MLOC 12.8.80 defeated by Nunawading 13.10.88)
Croydon North MLOC had previously defeated Nunawading to get their first ever EFNL win at Koonung Reserve. However, the Lions picked up their first win of 2021 in a close contest by only eight points at Hughes Park.
They had a strong second quarter, scoring 39 points to seven, but Nunawading finished off the game strongly, kicking three goals to one as they came from behind to get their first win since round 16, 2019 against the KangaRams.
Darcy Price kicked four goals and Thomas Currie nailed three, with Sam Currie picking up two B&F votes and named best on ground for Croydon North along with Darcy Price, Tom Currie, Zac Leacy, Ayden Hill and Tierney Reid.
Standout Player: Zac Leacy
The ex-Bayswater midfielder was a consistent and class act throughout 2021 after taking the trip up to Hughes Park and down from Division One.
He picked up two best and fairest votes in the last two games (vs Nunawading and Kilsyth), but was named in the best seven times, equal second best across the entire fourth division, and had one best on for the KangaRams in their round three loss to Surrey Park.
Was named in the back pocket in the Division Four Team of the Year and he’s already re-signed at Hughes Park. Is an integral part of their plans and as a leader in the middle of the ground for plenty of years to come.
Offseason Plans:
The KangaRams have already announced the re-signings of their core players in Zac Leacy, Tom Currie, Sam D’Argenio, Luke Malmborg and Darcy Price. They’ve also bought back former Mount Lilydale Old Collegian players Scott Anderson and Steve McCauley.
And if they want to climb the table they need to continue bringing in experience, particularly down back.
Darcy Price, Tom Currie, Samuel D’Argenio and Matthew Hayhurst will lock down that forward line in years to come. If they can get some experience down back, it’ll go a long way to helping them improve a lot more next year.
Women’s:
Overview:
They didn’t have the best first season in 2019, but they showed plenty of improvement in 2021 did the Croydon North MLOC women in the new Division Three.
After only one win and a bottom placed finish in 2019 in the old north division, they finished fourth and with a 7-3 record in 2021 in the third division.
Had four in the Team of the Year squad and coach John Hayhurst was named as Coach and will only continue to improve in season 2022.
Best Win: Round 5 at Fairpark (Croydon North MLOC 6.12.48 defeated Fairpark 2.2.14)
The two sides came into this game in complete opposite form but with the same record, and Croydon North MLOC continued their good form of the preceding weeks and picked up their third consecutive win down at Fairpark Reserve.
They held a 10-point lead at half time, but opened it up in the second half, with the KangaRams scoring 25 points to one to win by 34 points and continue their good form after starting 2021 0-2.
Hailee Stokes continued her superb run of form, kicking four of Croydon North MLOC’s six goals up forward and picking up three best and fairest votes, with Nicole Fyfe and Leisa Beggs getting two and one votes respectively.
All three were also named in the best (Stokes best on ground) along with Vanessa Nolan, Hannah Hunter and Emily Reeves as the KangaRams would leapfrog Fairpark into fourth.
Worst Loss: Round 9 at Chirnside Park (Croydon North MLOC 4.8.32 defeated by Chirnside Park Gold 6.6.42)
Early on in 2021 Croydon North MLOC had lost by 87 points to Chirnside Park at Hughes Park. They got closer this time, but not close enough as they went down by 10 points.
After a strong second quarter where they went into the main break leading by seven points, a 14-0 third and a slightly stronger (13-10) final quarter were big in giving the gold Panthers their third consecutive win.
Sally Richardson, Emily Reeves, Vanessa Nolan (two goals), Chelsea Wain, Lauren Van Der Westhuizen and Leisa Beggs were named in the best for the KangaRams, with Hailee Stokes, despite kicking no goals and not being in the best, getting two B&F votes.
Standout Player: Hailee Stokes
Crossing over from next door neighbour Chirnside Park, Stokes constantly stood out for Croydon North MLOC in her first season and was the standout player in division three.
Won the best and fairest by four votes ahead of Blackburn’s Mia Renee Chadwick, finishing with 19 votes including five best on grounds versus Donvale, Coldstream, Fairpark (twice) and Boronia whilst winning the goal kicking award with 20 goals.
Was also named in the best nine out of 10 times and was named in the Team of the Year squad. Re-signed a few weeks back as an assistant coach, is a critical part of the KangaRams and still has a very bright future.
Offseason Plans:
The KangaRams have already announced the re-signings of a few players, including core players Hailee Stokes (also as an assistant coach), Sally Richardson, Casey Bartlett, Emily Reeves and Vanessa Nolan.
Mark Hayhurst has signed on as senior assistant coach along with John re-signing as well, but again with any youthful team, they need just a touch of experience, particularly down back.
Out of the top four sides, they conceded the most points per game with 32.6. Down forward their fine, especially with Stokes down there, but they’ll just need some composure down back if they are to keep up with South Croydon, Blackburn and Chirnside Park in 2022.