By Blake Tennant.
A return to finals for the Gully in season 2023 saw the senior men make the big dance, which was ultimately a big year for the young and improved Eagles side.
Brent Kiker’s men were the only team to beat the premiers in Donvale in 2023, knocking the Magpies off in Round Three.
After missing the finals in 2022, the club proved itself to be one of the toughest teams to match up against.
“The list coming into season 2023 was good enough to win it, the start was really well driven by the leaders, that was really the big drive for the playing group,” Kiker said.
A couple of players that stood out for the Eagles included the five players that made last year’s Team of the Year.
Luke McComb had a stellar 2023 but was forced out for half the season with injury, young gun Brodie Harrison won the Best and fairest for the club in 2023.
“Really happy with his (Harrison) pre-season, he dedicated himself to it and the results showed that last year,” Kiker said.
Ferntree Gully aren’t using last year’s Grand final heartache as a redemption narrative heading into season 2024.
Kiker is taking plenty of positives out of last year’s ground-breaking season for the club.
“It’s more of an experience for being there in the big dance, a lot of learnings for the boys,”
“We hope we can build from the loss and learn and come one better in season 2024,”
It will be a new era with a new leadership group for Ferntree Gully with Jack Flannery voted Captain for season 2024.
“Really excited with his preseason, really leading from the front and has a new on field leadership spot.”
Lachie Kennedy and Lachie Young will be Vice Captains for the season.
A couple key recruits for the gully include Callum Pola from Cranbourne.
“Really good ball user and classy player really looking forward to seeing what he can do in the midfield”.
Tom Ostrom will also play again coming from Cranbourne.
“Showed alot of speed off the wing really looking forward seeing what he can bring,” Kiker said.
With a young and talented list, Ferntree Gully are in good shape to be one of the leading sides of Division Three come August this year.
“The competition is going to be tough, and we want to play finals, and we are good enough to,” Kiker said.
“I expect us to be right up there this year with a new brand of a lot of run and carry during pre season.”
Ferntree Gully kick off their 2024 season campaign with a Grand Final rematch against last year’s premiers, Donvale on April 6th.
The club is also very excited to welcome back their Senior Women’s team for season 2024.
Last year was very frustrating year in season 2023 with the Eagles team having to fold, unable to get enough numbers.
Dwayne Stangherlin will coach the side, feeling pretty confident that the team was going to push on for 2024, with some of the girls showing great loyalty to the program.
Social Media was a big push with getting 22 players signed on for the gully for the upcoming season.
Dwayne’s expectations is to build a competitive list and see where that stacks up amongst the division.
“Looking at what the division is looking like, hopefully pushing for a Top 4 finish,”
Some of the players that Dwayne is looking forward to seeing includes Ash Hilder.
“Ash has had a massive pre-season. She will be playing off the halfback/ midfield and going to be one to look out for”.
Another strong player is Jess Campbell.
“Really excited for her for this year, she is pushing as that X- Factor role for the team,”
“Whether that is playing mid or forward, I know that she can get the job done for us.”
Ferntree Gully Senior Women’s side kick off their season against Vermont at Wally Tew Reserve on April 20th.
