We look back on season 2024 with great pride. Collegians Football Club fielded seven teams in 2024 with more than 220 players involved in the club over the season.
Our men’s programs faced many challenges throughout the season, with injuries to several key players. This gave the coaching staff the opportunity to play some of our young, up-and-coming players who held themselves well at the top level. We had seven players in the VAFA Under 19s representative team who all played senior football in 2024. Eddie King (OW2022), Angus Perry (OW2022), Jasper Davy (OW2022), Richie Andrews (OW2023), Ben Hill (OW2023), Will Pewtress (OW2022) and Will Dean (OW2022). Congratulations to all on an outstanding season. None of them played any games in our Under 19 premiership team which shows the great depth within the men’s program.
Congratulations to Nathan Boucher (OW2017) and Luke McCleary (OW2016) on representing the VAFA in the senior state team who travelled to Perth to play Western Australia.
Our women’s program saw the introduction of a thirds side into the divisional section. With strong results in Div 4 over the first 4 rounds, this saw them being regraded up to Div 1. This proved a very difficult division against teams for whom it was their only side. Our players should hold their heads high as they battled every week with a smile.
I would like to thank Dom Lucarelli, Nick Hibbins (OW1982) and Rick Morris (OW2004) who all leave the club after putting in many years of hard work. From the players, parents and supporters, I pass on our sincere gratitude.
I would like to thank the committee for their hard work and support in my first year in the role. It has been a year with some challenges off the field and their support has been greatly appreciated. The committee comprises Rodney Nancarrow (OW1982), Cassandra Highfield, Andrew Hind (OW2001), Hannah Singleton (OW2014) and Stephanie Loendidis. My thanks especially to Rod, as immediate past president, for your support in the handover year.
A big call out to Rosemary Nancarrow and Sue Lee for their tireless work feeding our players after training on Thursday nights, and our members, sponsors and supporters at our home game lunches.
Thanks to Hannah Singleton, who did a power of work for the club on and off the field as a premiership player and committee member. We can proudly say we are now one of only a few clubs who are accredited as a Women’s & Girls Chartered Club. This will go a long way to helping Collegians continue to build our women’s program into the future.
Men’s Under 19s – Premiers!!
On a freezing morning with sideways rain, our Under 19 Men took to the field at Trevor Barker Oval with a loud and rowdy crowd behind the goals. In a low scoring start to the match, they could not seem to shake Preston, and scores were tied at the main break.
A rev-up from Rick Morris and some tactical moves from Ash Heriot settled the nerves, and it was truly the final quarter where the Lions stood up. Opening with three quick goals, they went on to kick two more after the midfield rose to the occasion. The crowd went wild, and the game was done and dusted. The Lions were Premiers!
Jake Cotchin was handed ‘Best on Ground’ honours for his commanding performance. On behalf of Collegians, we congratulate all players who pulled on the jumper for the side this year for the Under 19s (there were over 45!)
To Rick Morris and Ash Heriot, thank you both for your efforts leading these boys in 2024. They all played for you and because of you and could not have achieved the Premiership without you. To Arty and Dave Cotchin, thank you for supporting the boys each week. To families and friends, thank you for showing up each week and supporting your boys in their Premiership win.
Women’s Reserves – Premiers!!
On a windy Sunday at Elsternwick Park, it was purple and gold from the get-go as our girls stamped their authority early on against Old Scotch. We scored four goals in the opening term, holding Scotch to just a single point, and locked in for what would be an even more exciting second quarter!
We opened the second with two very quick goals, pushing our margin out to 48 points at the main break. It was the second half where we tore the game open, barely allowing Scotch to pass the centre circle where our defenders, headlined by Kim White, commanded the game and took intercept mark after intercept mark. We scored another four goals in the third term and a final goal in the last quarter, taking home an 80-point Grand Final victory for the ages.
Brooke Tuszynski starred with two goals, as did Bella Rees, Jess Stolz, Kate Dudley and Aoibhinn Henderson. Sunday Stoney also dominated in the ruck in what was a true team effort! Chelsea McDermott was named ‘Best on Ground’ for her mighty efforts, with a goal to go with it! Well done to all involved in the inaugural women’s premiership.
Sponsors and Members
Thank you to our loyal sponsors; without your generous financial support, we wouldn’t be able to field our teams and provide the program we do. In particular we’d like to thank the OWCA - Tom Pewtress (OW2018) and Kate Evans (OW1998), Mercedes-Benz Waverley - Craig Howard, Bastion - Fergus Watts (OW2003), Texco - Tom Bull (OW2007), Bendigo Bank East Malvern - Ruth Hall, Big Wet Spring Water - Michael Opie (OW1989), Total Facility Maintenance - Brad Woolhouse (OW1988) and Jon Docking (OW1988), Tellurian Wines - Daniel Hopkins (OW1990), Tennant CS - Jonathan Isaacs, Tregear Partners - Greg Tregear (OW1983), Fontic - Alex Dakin (OW1996), JGC Electrical - Corey Cassidy, KOR - Steve Pewtress. And of course, to all our Coterie and Club members – we wouldn’t survive without your support.
Thank you to all our coaches who put in a huge amount of work and countless hours throughout the season to make sure our teams performed at their best. We have an extremely professional medical team headed up by Ryan Edwards from the Sports Clinic of Melbourne. It is a big job keeping seven teams safe and healthy.
We are looking for more off-field help in 2025, either at a committee or sub-committee level, please reach out if you are interested in getting involved.
For enquires relating to Collegians Football Club or to get involved, please contact President Andrew Kenneally (OW1989) on 0499 490 580 or email akenneally29@gmail.com
Club Awards
Best Club Person:
Nick Canny
Outstanding Service:
Peter Milford (OW1971)
College Award Boys:
Felix Kneipp
College Award Boys:
Noah Thorpe
College Award Girls:
Acacia Sutton
2024 Best & Fairest winners
Senior Men's
(The G.W. Hibbins Award):
Jasper Davy (OW2022)
Men’s Reserves
(The H.J. Stewart Award):
Jack Meacham
Senior Women’s
(The S. Rodgers-Wilson Award):
Krystal Russell
Reserves Women’s:
Chloe Kamberis
Men's Under 19's
(The Rice Award):
Alex Gebert (OW2022)
Men's Thirds'
(The George Teale Award):
Quinn Schwarz
Women's Thirds':
Mili Ledgerwood
