By Josh Ward.
A highly successful 2024 for the Pioneers, with all four of their sides making finals, two of which going all the way to Grand Finals in their respective competitions.
Senior Men’s
Ladder Position: 3rd (11-5, 130.53%)
Leading Goalkicker: Tom Young (64 goals in 14 games)
Summary:
The Pioneers return to Division Four was a strong one, making their first Grand Final since their 2018 premiership win over Glen Waverley.
At the start of the year, Andrew Haining’s men certainly looked like a premiership side, losing just once and scoring as freely as any side in the opening two months of the season.
Unavailability saw them drop off in the middle of the season before they timed their late season run to perfection, winning four games in a row, including two finals, to book their ticket to the Division 4 decider.
That Grand Final Day at East Ringwood Reserve saw their season come to a rough end, falling in convincing fashion to Scoresby.
Key Players:
Team of the Year forward duo Tom Young and Daniel Horvat were potent all season long, combining for 118 goals in 28 games.
They were well supported by coach Andrew Haining, Ed Sim and Jayson Fabris, with all three also named in the Team of the Year.
Alongside them in the team was Joel Dalgleish and Rob Macdougall, with both proving at times impenetrable in defence
Best Win: Preliminary Final – Whitehorse Pioneers 10.11.71 defeated Chirnside Park 7.12.54 @ East Ringwood Reserve
An impressive win that booked the Pioneers ticket to the Grand Final against a Panthers outfit who had defeated them twice in the regular season.
In wind-affected conditions Whitehorse were more accurate in front of goal and were able to hold Chirnside Park at bay for most of the game.
Macdougall had yet another superb game in defence while Young and Horvat were lethal in front of goal yet again, combining for eight of the Pioneers 10 goals.
Off-Season Focus:
There’s plenty of talent and experience on Whitehorse’s list. Their depth is also solid, with their reserves falling one game short of joining the seniors on Grand Final day.
Now it’s all about bringing in some youth and leg speed into the team, something which they’re looking into as they aim to reintroduce their 19s for the first time since 2021.
The foundations have been set for the Pioneers. Next year is an opportunity to build on it and make a quick return to Division 3.
Senior Women’s
Ladder Position: 3rd (8-6, 98.95%)
Leading Goalkickers: Roxy Maslin and Georgia Fisher (12 goals each)
Summary:
Another season of improvement for the Pioneers women’s side, breaking through for a finals appearance in the top flight after falling short in 2023.
The middle of the season set the side up for a finals spot, dropping only one game to the Eastern Devils by 27 points between round’s four and 10.
Unfortunately they would lose four of their last five games to end a promising season, including their semi-final to South Belgrave by the barrest of margins.
Key Players:
VFLW duo Margaret Kershaw and Amanda Tessari were superb all season in a side filled with many contributors. Both were rewarded with a spot in the Team of the Year.
Forward/mid Roxy Maslin had a terrific first senior season whilst experienced duo Georgia Fisher and Sarah Cowley also starred in midfield and up forward week in and week out.
Best Win: Round 6 – Whitehorse Pioneers 5.4.34 defeated South Croydon 4.5.29 @ Cheong Park
Probably the Pioneers most impressive win since returning to Premier last season against eventual premiers South Croydon away from home.
Trailing at all three quarter breaks, including three quarter time by a point, Whitehorse would kick the only goal of the last term to cause an upset on the road.
Roxy Maslin kicked four of the Pioneers five goals while Phoebe Joy and Georgia Fisher were key in the side’s victory.
Off-Season Focus:
Next year presents another opportunity for the women’s side to build on a promising season.
Retention will once again be key. If they continue to get some youth coming through and gain one or two players with state league experience then they can certainly be a contender yet again in 2025.
Netball
Whitehorse once again fielded a netball side which competed in Division 8 this year and had plenty of success.
Despite not finishing as Premiers, the Pioneers would win the minor premiership and be undefeated in the regular season and make the Grand Final. Bronte Bilston-Gourley was key in that run, finishing as the division’s leading goal shooter.