The young Wickers sides had contrasting seasons, with the men’s fighting off relegation once again and the women’s returning in a successful fashion
Senior Men’s
Ladder Position: 9th (2-16, 47.29%)
Leading Goalkicker: Jai Neal (13 goals in 12 matches)
Best and Fairest: Caleb Van Oostveen
Summary:
Another year where Berwick’s senior men’s side fought off relegation, with two wins over Norwood enough to see them finish second last.
With one of, if not the, youngest lists in Premier Division the Wickers had some patches throughout games where they let teams run away with results.
That changed though towards the back end of the year, with some promising performances particularly against Vermont, South Croydon and the Norsemen.
Key Players:
Caleb Van Oostveen was a brick wall in defence all season long. Averaging 30.9 disposals, 8.8 rebound 50s and nine intercept possessions per game, Van Oostveen made the Team of the Year and took home Berwick’s best and fairest.
Ashton Williamson also took his game to another level in midfield, averaging 28.4 disposals, 14 contested possessions, 8.2 tackles and 7.1 clearances per game.
Experienced duo Jesse Cirilus and Tom Brennan also had strong seasons alongside another up and comer in Noah Cannon, with all three being named in the best at least nine times.
Best Win: Round 18 - Berwick 12.16.88 defeated Norwood 10.4.64 @ Mullum Mullum Reserve
Hard to go past the win that confirmed the Wickers spot in Premier Division for season 2025.
After an even opening three quarters which saw Berwick lead by 13 points at the final break, they conceded three early goals in the last to trail by five points.
They regained their composure though, kicking the final four goals from the 14 minute mark to secure their second win of the season and consign the Norsemen to Division 1 next year.
Off-Season Focus:
Work has already begun at Berwick as they look to improve further in season 2025, with ex-AFL player Andrew Williams signing on as their new head coach following Clint Evans departure.
Jordan Andrews has also returned to Berwick after a three year stint at Dromana which saw him win a premiership and kick 116 goals in 52 matches.
Andrews, alongside the likes of Cirilus and Brennan, will be key to help improve the young Wickers who’ll only get better after being exposed to a full season of Premier Division footy.
Senior Women’s
Ladder Position: 4th (8-6, 147.76%)
Leading Goalkicker: Alari Georgia Malkoun (49 goals in 15 matches)
Best and Fairest: Hayley Woolfe & Brooke Watson
Summary:
A strong season from the Berwick senior women’s side who returned to the park for the first time since the shortened 2021 season.
Much like the men's, the Wickers fielded the youngest side in Division 2 composed of players from their juniors and others from clubs such as South Belgrave and Beaconsfield.
Whilst the young group was outclassed by Surrey Park and the Waverley Blues, they still held their own and even outplayed sides around and below them.
This saw them confirm a finals spot midway through the season, with their only final a loss to eventual grand finalists Montrose.
Key Players:
Ex-South Belgrave duo Hayley Woolfe and Brooke Watson were stellar all season. Both took home Berwick’s B&F whilst also placing in this year’s Division 2 Team of the Year.
Joining them at full forward was Division 2 leading goalkicker Alari Georgia Malkoun who kicked 49 goals, including a bag of 10 at home against Kilsyth.
Sophie Simpson also made the Team of the Year interchange bench, being named in the best on nine occasions this season.
Best Win: Round 7 - Berwick 5.5.35 defeated Montrose 3.5.23 @ Edwin Flack Reserve
A crucial win for the Wickers against a Montrose side who they had some decent contests against this past season.
Taking a 10-point advantage at quarter time, Berwick was able to maintain that buffer for majority of the contest to see them win their fourth consecutive game.
Alari Georgia Malkoun kicked three of the Wickers five goals while Ashlee Cullis had one of her stronger games of the season.
Off-Season Focus:
So far the offseason has been a quiet one for the Wickers senior women’s side, with their only major out being Hayley Evans to the new Scoresby/Lysterfield side.
It’s a list filled with plenty of promise and, much like the men’s side, will only improve after the majority of the group played their first season of senior footy.
If they add in an experienced player or two then next season could be one where they not just challenge for a first EFNL premiership for the Wickers.