By Josh Ward
Overview:
After a horrific offseason which saw them lose 26 out of 43 who played senior footy in 2019, it was a rough season for Templestowe after showing plenty of promise and stability in the third tier of the EFNL in years prior.
The Docker had a 1-11 record in 2021, and finished bottom with a percentage of 39.7%, the third lowest percentage among EFNL teams (ahead of Croydon North-MLOC and Nunawading).
A fairly young list with many talented players, they’ll look to further develop those younger players this pre-season whilst potentially bringing in a little bit more experience.
Best Win: Round 10 at Mulgrave (Templestowe 13.8.86 defeated Mulgrave 12.10.82)
It may’ve been their only win of 2021 but it was a terrific win as Templestowe got revenge for their earlier loss at Mulgrave Reserve in 2021.
0-7 to the start the season before there was a two-game break due to COVID, the Dockers, thanks to a 63-33 second and third quarter, managed to hold off the fast-finishing Mulgrave to hold on and win their first game since the last game of 2019 vs The Basin.
Matthew Zukiewicz kicked four on the day and was named BOG for Templestowe, with Matthew McLellan, Steven Schwarzer, Callum Bradley, Mark Ferraro and Alex Brown, who picked up two B&F votes, also named in the best.
Worst Loss: Round 4 vs Knox (Templestowe 9.4.58 defeated by Knox 14.8.92)
Coming up against a fellow early season struggler, Templestowe and the Dockers faithful would’ve thought they could stand a chance against Knox.
However, it was the Falcons who kicked off their season, further pushing Templestowe down the bottom with a 34-point victory at Templestowe Reserve
It was an all-round effort by Knox, who had 10 individual goalkickers on the day, with Mitch Greaves picking up two B&F votes and ex-East Burwood recruit William O’Brien picking up the three votes.
Matt Nagel managed to kick three on the day and Mark Palozzi picked up one B&F vote, but it was Knox after strong first and third quarters that got the win and inflicted further damage to the Dockers at the start of 2021.
Standout Player: Jesse Wilson
It was yet another terrific season by the Templestowe star, with Wilson being a consistent performer despite all the losses in 2021.
Only picked up the two best and fairest votes (two behind Templestowe leader Alex Brown), however he was named in Templestowe’s best seven times, the most for him in a season since 2014.
Was named in the Division Two Team of the Year squad and will be crucial in 2022 if Templestowe are to potentially climb up the table.
Offseason Plans:
Templestowe have started to make a couple of changes already and have bought in a new coach in ex-Fitzroy player and ex-Reservoir and Warrandyte coach Anthony McGregor.
They are a talented young side, and now they’ve bought in the experience they need, with (at time of writing) Nick Batsonis, Jai Hardwick, Michael Fogarty and ex-AFL star Cameron Cloke signing on for 2022.
All four have leadership experience, with Batsonis returning as a Premiership captain at Doncaster East, Jai Hardwick being a part of the leadership group at both Rosebud and Chirnside Park, and Michael Fogarty as an B&F winner and vice-captain at Footscray VFL and Doncaster.
Cameron Cloke brings experience and leadership up forward or down back, winning the NFNL B&F as well as two premierships at Bundoora, with all four enhancing and potentially pushing Templestowe up the table.