By Josh Ward
Overview:
After two relegations in two seasons, Knox had yet another season of survival, this time in Division 2 of the EFNL.
May’ve finished sixth in the division but were still four wins and 58.05 behind 5th placed Boronia, finishing with a record of 3-9.
Showed plenty of promise, had one player in the Division Two Team of the Year (Mitch Greaves (two in the squad), but will need dramatic improvement if they are to contend in the division next year
Best Win: Round 11 at Templestowe (Knox 6.12.48 defeated Templestowe 6.7.43)
There weren’t too many wins in 2021 for Knox, with this one being the scrappiest of them all in their second match up at Templestowe Reserve.
Going into the match having lost their last four matches by an average of 72.3 points, and with Templestowe coming off their first win of 2021, it was the Falcons who prevailed in a rough and tough contest.
Team of the Year midfielder Greaves was flawless on the day, picking up the full three B&F votes, named in Knox’s best as well as kicking two goals.
Defender John Rafferty also picked up one B&F vote, with Brett Kay, Adrian Di Giovanni, Liam Carroll and Luke Meagher also picked in the best in what was Knox’s second win at Templestowe Reserve on the year.
Worst Loss: Round 5 at Mulgrave (Knox 6.13.49 defeated by Mulgrave 15.14.104)
Coming up against a Lions side after getting their first win of 2021 against Templestowe the week before, the Falcons would’ve fancied their chances after Mulgrave lost by 46 points the previous week at Jubilee Park against Ringwood.
However, it was Mulgrave who crushed Knox thanks to a massive third quarter, with the Lions getting a massive 55-point win down at Mulgrave Reserve
Mitch Greaves, who was yet again a shining light for Knox, led the way for the Falcons, kicking two goals and being named in the best alongside Lucas Woodward, Lachlan and Spencer Stuckey, Matt Stein, Christopher Butler and Jordan Love.
However they couldn’t stop Team of the Year forward Tom McGowan, who kicked five goals on the day, with Dean Siakoulis, Connor Tilyard and Thomas Gladman picking up the 1-2-3 votes in the B&F count on a dark day for Knox.
Standout Player: Mitchell Greaves
A stalwart of the Knox Football Club, Greaves had yet another consistent and outstanding season for the Falcons in 2021.
Was named in Knox’s best eight times (including three best on ground), and finished with seven B&F votes, only four behind leading vote getter Tim Smith and three behind winner Liam Kidd.
Only voted BOG by the umpires once (R11 win vs Templestowe), but still made the Division 2 Team of the Year across half back. A vital cog if Knox are to challenge next year.
Offseason Plans:
Knox will need plenty of improvement across the field, but one thing they do need is someone up forward.
Offensively they had a fairly big drop in points per game this year, dropping from 64.8 points per game in 2019 to 47.5 points per game this season, the second worst team in Division two.
They had their problems defensively (86.5 points allowed per game), but their top scorer Lachlan Stuckey only kicked 11 goals in 12 games this season. If they want to improve next year, then something’s got to change up forward.
Women’s
Overview:
Being put in Division Two in 2021 after a season in Division One back in 2019, the Falcons showed plenty of promise this season.
Finished with a 5-6 record, they started the season poorly but finished strongly, winning four of their last five games.
Had four that made the Division Two Team of the Year squad and will look to build on this season, particularly after the way they finished.
Best Win: Round 9 at Montrose (Knox 5.4.34 defeated Montrose 3.0.18)
Heading into the game in fifth place with third placed Montrose winning three of its last four games, it was the Falcons who pulled away and got their second win against the Demons in 2021.
Whilst the final three quarters were tight and contested, it was the first quarter that was the difference, with Knox winning that first one 14-0.
Kristen O’Neill kicked three goals on the day, with Jorja Alexander picking up the three votes from the umpires and being named in the best along with O’Neill, Tori Alexander, Tanielle Djohan, Alana Aiello and Simone Renee Notman.
Nikki Whitten also picked up two votes from the umpires, with the win kickstarting the Falcon women’s end of season hot streak.
Worst Loss: Round 3 at Surrey Park (Knox 1.1.7 defeated by Surrey Park 6.7.43)
Coming up against the new women on the block at the Panther Pit ahead of the Panther men’s facing the KangaRams, it was Surrey Park who kicked off the day in spectacular fashion down at Surrey with a massive six goal win.
Heading into the game after their first (scrappy) win of 2021 against Montrose, the Panthers started off the game quickly, leading 35-1 and having the game sewn up at half time.
Nikki Whitten picked up one vote from the umpires on the day, with Plumridge named best on for Knox and the talented Emily Cumming best on for Surrey.
Standout Player: Jorja Alexander
It was an impressive season for youngster Jorja Alexander after making her debut with the Falcons in 2019.
Was their leading goal scorer in 2021 with nine goals in nine games, including six in the last two games, and was named in the best four times.
Finished 5th in the B&F count this year with nine votes, with all nine votes coming from BOG performances against one team: Montrose.
Offseason Plans:
There isn’t too much need for improvement for the Falcon Women, but one area they might need to improve could be midfield.
They were right in the middle when it came to points per game and points allowed per game, so their defence and forward line is fine.
If they want to take that next step and challenge the likes of Ringwood and Kilsyth next year, they’ve got to improve that midfield.
