By Josh Ward
Overview:
In its first year in the fourth tier of the EFNL, Scoresby showed plenty of promise, but were rather inconsistent in 2021.
The Magpies finished fifth with a 5-5-1 record in 2021, with the Magpies had some good wins along the way, but still lost games they could’ve easily won, with only one player making the team of the year (Paul Chadwick) and three making the squad.
Best Win: R4 vs Warrandyte (Scoresby 11.3.69 defeated Warrandyte 9.14.68)
Up against a Warrandyte side who many tipped to be up there come September, accurate kicking was the difference as Scoresby picked up their second and by far their best win to start 2021.
Heading into the game with one win, one loss and one draw, it was a tight one, but despite a last quarter comeback from the Bloods it wasn’t enough as, despite having more shots than the Magpies, their inaccuracy cost them dearly.
Tom Sonsie was superb up forward again, kicking three, adding to his four the previous weekend against Fairpark. He was named in the best alongside Paul Chadwick (one goal), Nicholas Lang, Cooper Frith and Lachlan Jones.
Chadwick was named best on and picked up one best and fairest vote, with Adam Bronsgeest getting the three votes and Warrandyte’s Chris Tout getting two votes as Scoresby continued their good recent form down at Scoresby Recreation Reserve.
Worst Loss: R16 at Whitehorse Pioneers (Scoresby 10.10.70 defeated by Whitehorse Pioneers 13.10.88)
Facing a struggling side who’d only won against bottom placed Fairpark twice, Scoresby continued their inconsistent 2021 and gifted Whitehorse their third win of 2021.
They started off strongly, leading 41-6 at QT, but the Pioneers put on 50 points to 18 in the third quarter before hanging on in a tighter fourth quarter to win by one straight kick at Springfield Park.
Timothy De Geest was Scoresby’s highest goal scorer on the day with two, with Jarrod and Ryan Hicks, Nicholas Lang, Jack Paravicini, Giuseppe Guarnaccia and Paul Chadwick named in the best for the Magpies.
Standout Player: Paul Chadwick
He’s a legend of the Scoresby Football Netball Club and this year Chadwick was yet again the star for the Magpies.
He shared the Perc James Medal with Warrandyte’s Ryan Phillips, thanks to two three vote games against Whitehorse and against Waverley Blues. Was also named in Scoresby’s best eight out of 10 times, best on five of those times.
Named at ruck rover in the Division Three Team of the Year and as captain, for Magpies fans, they’ll be hoping to see more of the Rolls Royce purring around Scoresby Recreation Reserve.
Offseason Plans:
Nothing (at time of writing) has been announced yet by Scoresby, but they have lost their top goal scorer of 2021 in Tom Sonsie to South Belgrave.
Scoring wasn’t their strongest area as well in 2021, averaging 63.8 points per game this season, the third least points in Division Three this season. And whilst Sonsie was their highest goal scorer with 20 goals, Chadwick was their second highest with 11 goals.
Sonsie leaving is a big blow for Scoresby and should add further motivation for the Magpies to look for and get a key forward or two ahead of 2022.
