EFNL 2024 Season Review
A historic and drought-breaking premiership for Scoresby saw the Senior Men hold up the premiership cup for the first time since 2006, while the club also re-introduced the Netball program and the Under 19.5’s.
Senior Men’s
Ladder Position: 1st (13-3, 210.56%)
Best and Fairest winner: Dale Hehir
Leading Goalkicker: Adam Amin (102 Goals)
Summary:
The first senior men’s premiership since 2006, Scoresby achieved all their season goals in the club’s most successful season in 18 years.
On the right path forward last season with Craig McKenzie taking over as senior coach, the Magpies advanced through to a Preliminary Final where they fell short to the eventual premiers, Surrey Park.
The premiership race was wide open entering 2024 with all top four sides making a case at certain stages of the season. But Scoresby remained the most consistent of the four and the longer the season went, the more they separated themselves from the rest of the division.
By far, the best defensive side in Division Four, conceding an average of less than 50 points per game. They were also the number one attacking side in the comp, averaging 103 points per game, scoring triple digits in eight games this year.
The other big tick for the club this season was reintroducing the Under 19.5’s program.
Key Players:
Another spectacular season for Dale Hehir who carried his Home and Away season form into the finals. One of the best players on the ground during the Grand Final, Hehir was crowned the club’s best and fairest winner for season 2024.
Adam Amin’s first year at the Magpies could not have gone any better for either Adam or the club. Over 100 goals across the season, not to mention that the Magpies had three byes during the Home and Away fixture.
The runner up in Scoresby’s Best and Fairest, Cooper Frith, had a phenomenal season in his own right. Incredibly consistent, the Vice Captain led from the front and had a great finals series.
Best Win: 2024 Division Four Grand Final – Scoresby 16.13 109 def. Whitehorse 3.10 28
Hard to go past the ultimate decider.
The Magpies responded to an early challenge from the Pioneers in the opening term before taking control of the game. Plenty of speculation around Adam Amin and when he would kick goal number 100 for the season.
It happened at arguably the best time possible for the Magpies, right on the Half Time siren, Amin put through his second of the day and his 100th for the season, also giving the Magpies a comfortable 22-point buffer at the main break.
The momentum well and truly with the Magpies, that 22-point margin felt more like a 6-7 goal gap. The premiership quarter proved that with six goals to zip in the wet as Scoresby sealed the flag.
They continued to hold the Pioneers goalless in the second half. Mason Storr was unstoppable with his four majors, while the likes of Ryan Hicks and Dale Hehir both played pivotal roles in the big win.
Off-Season Focus:
Back in Division Three next year, Scoresby will look to follow the footsteps of the last three sides to be promoted into Division Three. Surrey Park (2024), Silvan (2023) and Coldstream (2022), all played off in the finals series in their first season after going up, the Panthers this year even winning it.
Recruitment will be important; they’ll need to top up the list in some key areas, like a Surrey Park of this year. With any premiership side, there’s always a great opportunity to attract new players, expect some new signings across the off-season.
The Under 19’s program was a great success for the club, it’s been a priority of Craig McKenzie since coming to the club. Adding Juniors back to the mix is still in the club’s vision for further long-term sustained success.
Having the reserves complete back-to-back flags has already proved their depth stacks up. Big test next season but believe they are well set up to take on the challenge and bounce right back into a Division Three finals series.
Netball
Div 12: Scoresby Magpies (6th, 4-1-8)
It was fantastic for the club to reintroduce their Netball program in 2024 with one side competing in this year’s New Balance competition.
After a couple of close losses, the side won their first game of the season in Round Five when they defeated East Burwood by four goals. The improvement across the season was no doubt noticeable.
Shauna Wilson led the scoring for the side with 136 goals from 13 games.
Brooke Dimitroff was awarded the club’s best and fairest and even won the Sportsco Eastland Best on Court award during the season, awarded to the best player of all games at a particular court on an evening.
Vets
Vets Men’s: (4th, 6-3)
After merging with Forest Hill last season, Scoresby returned to the Vets competition as the Scoresby Magpies.
A great Home and Away season saw the side win six games for the year and qualify for one of four finals spots. To make the finals, they needed to knock off Croydon North MLOC in the final round of the season in a mini Elimination Final. They did it with ease, a 29-point win setting up a meeting with North Ringwood in a Semi-Final.
Despite a competitive performance at Quambee Reserve, they fell short of the eventual premiers, their season coming to an end.
Earlier this season in February, the Scoresby Vets also created a bit of history when they ventured over to Indonesia to take on the Bali Geckos in the inaugural clash between the two clubs. A total of 15 players made the trip to Bali which was a great opportunity for the group and helped set up the standalone team. Christopher Adolph was voted the Man of the Match.