By Josh Ward
Overview:
The super side of the east that is Vermont just continues to shine in the EFNL, adding yet another minor premiership to its trophy cabinet and further proving why they’re one of the best clubs in community footy.
Lost only one game in 2021 (a Round One thriller against Balwyn), going 7-1 and looking set to win the Premier Division premiership before the season got cancelled.
They uncovered plenty of future stars whilst their old reliable stars continued to shine, and look set to yet again challenge for the Premier Division premiership in 2022
Best Win: Round 9 vs South Croydon (Vermont 17.8.110 defeated South Croydon 11.6.72)
Two sides that were in red hot form heading into the COVID-enforced break, it was Vermont who came away with a rather large victory over South Croydon.
Whilst it was close for the first three quarters, the Eagles ran away with it in the fourth, scoring 25-0 in the final quarter to win by 38 points.
It was Lachlan Johns who continued his superb 2021, acquiring 32 disposals, 11 clearances, seven inside 50’s and kicking five goals. Alex Greenwood supported him well in midfield, collecting 33 disposals and six clearances as well.
Andrew Ainger was a presence up forward, kicking five goals, and Liam Wale-Buxton had 48 hit-outs and 15 disposals in what was a great way to kick off the restart of the 2021 season.
Worst Loss: Round 1 vs Balwyn (Vermont 12.12.84 defeated by Balwyn 12.14.86)
Kicking off the 2021 season against one of their biggest rivals, it was an absolute thriller as the Tigers got the four points despite missing some of their best players and having lost their previous five against Vermont.
It was the trio of Lisle, Gobbels and Jaffer-Williams who proved the difference up forward, combining for nine goals, 36 disposals and 12 marks inside 50.
Whilst they did lose, Lachlan Johns kicked off his season in spectacular fashion, collecting 36 disposals, eight clearances, 10 inside 50’s and three goals. Liam Wale-Buxton also impressed on debut with 45 hitouts, five clearances, six inside 50’s, 18 disposals and 173 ranking points.
But in the end it was Balwyn’s day as they kicked off the 2021 season in spectacular fashion. Despite it the Tigers day though, it would be the Eagles season as they went on to win their next seven and claim the minor premiership.
Perhaps the biggest loss from the early season cancellation in 2021 was the fact the EFNL community were robbed of another chance to watch these two sides go head to head once more.
Standout Player: Lachlan Johns
They had tons of stars everywhere at Vermont, but none shone more brightly than the superhuman Lachlan Johns.
Excluding the game vs Blackburn, the Vermont captain averaged 29.8 disposals, 7.2 clearances, 9 inside 50’s, 9.2 contested possessions, 152 ranking points per game and kicked 16 goals to take out the Eagles goalkicking.
He then capped off the season with selection as Team of the Year captain as well as his first Chandler Medal. Vermont faithful will be hoping that the superstar midfielder continues to shine in 2022.
Offseason Plans:
It looked set to be a quiet offseason for the Eagles, but after the loss of Liam Wale-Buxton to the northern suburbs (Montmorency) they look set to be focused on finding a ruckman.
It’s a massive loss for the Eagles after a very impressive by the Richmond VFL player, with Wale-Buxton making the TOTY as backup ruckman as well as averaging 15.8 Disposals, 40.2 Hitouts, 6.5 Contested Possessions, 4.3 Clearances and 157.6 Ranking Points.
Wale-Buxton has been joined on the departures list by Luke McComb, with the young midfield bull heading back to his home club, Division Three outfit Ferntree Gully.
Women’s
Overview
After a disappointing 2019 following the 2018 premiership season, Vermont made the climb up the Premier Division table in what was a solid 2021 season for the Eagles women.
They finished the season with a 6-5 record, finishing third and holding their own in a strong Premier Division.
The Eagles had five players who made the Deakin University Women’s Premier Division Team of the Year and seven who made the squad, providing a good base for the side to improve in season 2022.
Best Win: Round 1 at South Croydon (Vermont 5.5.35 defeated South Croydon Blue 5.4.34)
Kicking off the season against defending Division One champions South Croydon at Cheong Park; it was the Eagles who eventually willed themselves across the line and claimed the four points and the win to start their 2021 campaign.
After one quarter they were down by 13 points before coming back and leading by one point heading into halftime. From there it was a tight contest, with Vermont hanging to get the one point win.
Evie Allman was tremendous up forward, kicking three goals and collecting the full three votes from the umpires.
Premier Division Best and Fairest winner Holly Culleen picked up two votes, whilst Madeline Johns, Marissa Lee, Jasmine McNair and Abby Rutherford were named in the best in the first of many wins in the 2021 campaign for the Vermont Women’s.
Worst Loss: Round 5 at Blackburn (Vermont 2.3.15 defeated by Blackburn Black 11.12.78)
It was first v second down at Morton Park and everyone was expecting a close matchup. However, that isn’t what happened as the Burners went on to absolutely trounce the Eagles.
Whilst it was tight for the first and final quarters, Blackburn ran away with it in the second and third, kicking 51 to nothing in those two quarters and running away with a 63-point winning margin.
Jess Grace was the star in her first game of season 2021, kicking three goals, with Ellie Cleland and TOTY Half Back Jade Wise both chipping in with two goals each.
Madeline Johns was named the best for Vermont, with Sarah Gartland, Nicola Junginger, Stephanie Pinolo, Abbey Rutherford and Jasmine McNair also in the best in what was a very dark day for the Eagles.
Standout Player: Holly Cullen
It was a terrific debut season by the former Vermont junior, with Cullen capping it off with not only a Team of the Year selection, but the Women’s Premier Division Best and Fairest.
She was a consistent performer throughout the year, being named in Vermont’s best six times, polling votes in five games, which included three BOGs in a row against Chirnside Park, Blackburn and Donvale.
Was named on the wing in the Premier Division Team of the Year and the only way is up for one of the original Vermont junior girls.
Offseason Plans:
Whilst Vermont showed a bit of improvement in season 2021, it still has its weak spots, particularly down in defence.
Since entering the EFNL Women’s competition, their points allowed per game has increased from 21.2 in 2018, to 36.3 in 2019 and finally to 41.4 this year.
If they want to improve and get yet another Premier Division premiership in 2022, they’re gonna need some improvement down back.