Back-to-back flags for the Devils as the senior side pulled off a famous Grand Final victory to complete the undefeated season in 2023.
Eastern Devils White
Ladder Position: 1st (12-0, 296.10%)
Best and Fairest: Nat Bjelan
Leading Goalkicker: Chloe Hunt, Nicole Price (27 Goals)
Summary:
The Eastern Devils created history in 2023, winning their second consecutive premiership since joining the Eastern Football Netball League.
This season, they went through the year undefeated after losing just once in 2022.
The reigning premiers faced off in a Grand Final Rematch in the first Semi-Final against South Croydon, defeating the Dogs comfortably by 51 points. Chloe Hunt starred in the victory with four of the Devils’ ten goals kicked.
The victory set up a second straight Grand Final since entering the competition.
Held at Quambee Reserve, the Devils were forced to earn another premiership, trailing significantly at Half Time. A famous comeback finished in a three-point win over the Wolves and back-to-back flags.
Key Players:
An unbelievable season, Olivia Aing was phenomenal, taking out the league’s best and fairest award. Her start of the year was extraordinarily good, best on the ground in the first five games of the season.
Winning the club’s best was Natalie Bjelan. In a very strong and consistent year, Bjelan didn’t miss a single game in the club’s premiership year.
Chloe Hunt and Nicole Price were both fantastic in front of goals, leading the goalkicking for the Devils with 27 majors each. Hunt was particularly important throughout the finals series, two incredible games.
Other standouts included Shaneece Stratton, eight times in the best from 12 games.
Best Win: Grand Final – Eastern Devils 5.3 33 def. SBL Wolves Black 4.6 30 @Quambee Reserve
It was the red-hot favourites taking on a great underdog in the SBL Wolves who had to make the decider the long way.
Trailing at one stage in the second quarter, four goals to zip, the Devils’ incredible run looked like it might come to an end on Grand Final Day.
To win their second-straight premiership, the Eastern Devils had to come from behind. Led by Chloe Hunt, they kicked five unanswered goals, two coming in the final term to win the game by three points over a very gallant SBL Wolves.
Hunt was inspiring, finishing with three goals and the Blue Ribbon Medal, while Olivia Aing kicked two of her own.
Off-Season Focus:
The back-to-back reigning premiers are going to be tough to beat again in 2024.
Without a doubt they’ll enter the season as the ‘hunted’, but most of their stars are already re-signed and ready to go for another year.
Eastern Devils Black
Ladder Position: 2nd (9-2, 262.61%)
Best and Fairest: Holly Johnson
Leading Goalkicker: Kelsey Reade (32 Goals)
Summary:
The Devils second team made it a second Grand Final appearance in 2023, and the side’s second Grand Final in two years.
Yet another strong season saw the Devils win nine of their eleven games after a grading period that saw them compete for the flag in Division Three.
The side faced off in all three finals, defeating the Wolves by 17 points a week after a big loss to the Cougars. Bronwyn Mcbeath starred in the victory, best on the ground in the Devils’ Preliminary Final victory.
A huge achievement to make the Grand Final again, the Devils faced off against Kilsyth in the decider at Quambee Reserve, before the start of the Premier Division Grand Final.
They put together a strong performance, trailing by just a point at Three-Quarter Time. However, they were run over the top of by an accurate Kilsyth outfit.
Key Players:
Holly Johnson was crowned the best and fairest winner for the Division Three side. Johnson came back from injury this year, a successful return and a fantastic season at the club.
Kelsey Reade was fantastic, leading the way with 30 goals for the season. Reade was the leading goal kicker of Division Three, kicking five goals or more on three occasions.
Also having a great season was Simone Weragoda, her first year of football after crossing over from soccer. She was listed in the side’s best six out of 13 games, an incredible achievement.
Best Win: Round Two – Eastern Devils Black 7.3 45 def. Kilsyth 6.4 40 @Mulgrave Reserve
A special day for the club, the Eastern Devils celebrated Brooke Fox’s 300th in style with a thrilling five-point win over Kilsyth.
Players in both the senior and reserve sides wore headbands to celebrate the occasion. Fox was just the fifth Victorian woman to reach 300 games.
In a tight encounter, Fox played an important role as the side held off Kilsyth who had their chances late. She finished with the ball in her hands as the final siren rang.
The two sides would become quite familiar with one another, playing a total of four times across the year.
Off-Season Focus:
After two consecutive Grand Final appearances for the Eastern Devils Black, the side is in great shape moving forward.
Without a doubt, they’ll be a big chance to go deep into the finals again in 2024 with the current list and fantastic culture at the club.