MITCHAM FOOTBALL CLUB

SENIOR PREMIERSHIPS X 18

2024 Eastern Football & Netball League Division 1

2023 EFNL Division 1

Mitcham have locked in their spot in Premier Division after defeating Park Orchards by 40 points in a scrappy Division 1 Grand Final at Tormore Reserve.

A massive six goal to no score second term in trying conditions paved the way for the Tigers second straight premiership, winning 8.7 (55) to 2.3 (15). The win sees Mitcham rise into Premier Division for the first time since 2006 and win consecutive premierships for the first time since their three-peat between 1979 and 1981. This time around they were led from the back by Nicholas Caulfield who was rewarded for his strong defensive efforts with the best on ground medal.

Ruckman Danny Baglava was also colossal in ruck, either getting first use himself or providing it to the likes of captain Jesse Uren, Nic Hallo and Jesse Cherry. For the Sharks their stellar return to Division 1 comes to an end on a sour note, with all three of their losses this year coming at the hands of the Tigers. They were led well by captain Kane Keppel, particularly in the second half when he was moved to ruck. However they lacked any consistent efforts throughout the day. The minor premiers did get off to a solid start, gaining a bit of territory as they looked to get the jump on Mitcham. Neil Winterton’s defensive troops stood tall though and helped give Mitcham some momentum late in a low-scoring term. Both were unable to capitalise, with the quarter time score seeing Mitcham lead by the barrest of margins and with only three behinds kicked in the quarter. It took less than three minutes of the second term for Uren to get the first goal of the match with a brilliant soccer-esque goal. Just over 10 minutes later saw the Tigers kick their second goal. From there the floodgates and heavens opened up at Tormore, with Mitcham kicking four goals in 10 minutes of play to take a 38 point lead into the main break. Mitcham’s midfielders continued to take control in the early stages of the third, with Lucas Marro kicking the Tigers first goal of the second half in the opening minutes of it. Park Orchards were able to respond with their first goal before it was quickly cancelled out by the Tigers eighth (and final) goal of the match. Mitcham’s defence and midfield continued to stand tall in the final stages of the third, keeping the Tigers advantage at 45 points heading into the final term of season 2024 for both sides. Park Orchards came out with much more intent in the opening stages of the last quarter, kicking the first (and only) goal of the term in the first two minutes. Like it had all day though Mitcham’s ferocious pressure didn’t allow many opportunities inside 50 for the Sharks and in turn created some foray’s forward. As the final siren rang across Tormore Reserve the Tiger army erupted as their side booked their spot in Premier Division and secured back-to-back Division 1 premierships. By Josh Ward EFNL Media team

2023 Eastern Football & Netball League Division 1

The Tigers staged one of the upsets of the local 2023 footy season when they toppled the unbeaten South Belgrave in the EFNL Division 1 grand final . The Tigers, who finished third at the end of the home-and-away campaign, stunned the minor premier 8.10 (58) to 8.5 (53) in front of a pulsating crowd at Boronia‘s Tormore Reserve. Jesse Cherry was awarded the Blue Ribbon Medal as best afield. Just six points separated the teams at halftime before the Tigers edged ahead by two points at the final change, courtesy of an opportunistic Cherry goal. Wasteful early in the last quarter, the Tigers looked set for glory after Guy Laughlin goaled to send his side 10 points in front midway through the term, before Byron Wright charged to 50 and kicked truly for the sealer, lifting Mitcham 17 ahead. A late South Belgrave charge closed the margin to five points with a second to play. VFL-listed forward Jake Parente finished with three majors for the Tigers, while ex-AFL pair Taylor Garner (four goals) and Tim Smith (three) led the way for the Saints. It‘s Mitcham’s second premiership in four years – and third under senior coach Neil Winterton – denying South Belgrave a third-consecutive flag

2019 Eastern Football & Netball League Division 2

In one of the ALL time great EFNL Grand Finals, Mitcham was the division 2 premier after a dramatic last quarter. Ringwood kicked the opening six goals and led by 39 points at quarter-time, but The Tigers Like they have all finals series slowly worked their way back into the game with result unknown until to a kick after the siren. James Parker Ringwood took a mark with just seconds remaining and had a shot after the siren from 40m out directly in front at East Burwood Reserve in front of a big crowd to win the game. His shot was on target and Ringwood players celebrated believing they had achieved grand final glory after trailing by eight points in the final minute. But the goal umpire ruled the ball did not cross the goal line, giving Mitcham a two-point win and inflicting consecutive grand final defeats on the Redbacks as the Tigers won our 16^thsenior SNR Flag with Tiger Ruckman William Gordon awarded the Blue Ribbon Medal as best afield

2015 Eastern Football & Netball League Division 3

34 Years in the making and the Mitcham Seniors Certainty didn’t let their opportunity slip though their fingers, although there may have been some doubters at ¾ Time, trailing the Basin by 4 points. Kicking against the breeze in the last, the Tigers booted 6.6 to 1.3 to add the long awaited 15^th senior premiership cup to the trophy cabinet.

1981 Eastern Football League Division 1

Mitcham made it a hat-trick of premierships by winning the 1981 flag. Even the Eastern District Football League was becoming concerned about one club dominating the competition. Again, the team showed great consistency throughout the season although it had to win by a huge margin in the last game, at Bayswater, to take second place from East Burwood on percentage CLICK HERE TO VIEW The 1981 report 1981 Senior Premiership

1980 Eastern Football League Division 1

Under new president, Bernie Coleman, Mitcham made a slashing start to the 1980 season, winning the opening 7 games, and eventually won 15 of the 18 home and away games. Yet there were times when coach Thomas felt some of his players struggled. After losing to Scoresby midway through the season he asked each player to give him a written report as to why the player was beaten CLICK HERE TO VIEW The 1980 Report 1980 Senior Premiership

1979 Eastern Football League Division 1

Steamrolling Tigers win another flag – By Jay Dee
Mitcham convincingly won the EDFL’s top division grand final when they steamrolled a struggling Scoresby to register a 43-point victory. The Boronia track was heavy, and although skies were threatening, no rain fell. …..
Not so lucky was Mitcham’s Ray Gale who suffered a broken hand causing the half back flanker to take the field as a trainer. Into the Tiger’s side came Warren Nelson who was playing his seventh consecutive grand final.
The former East Ringwood player was without doubt, the most experienced man on the field. He was given the all-important role of shadowing Scoresby Captain-Coach John Eagles, a role he fulfilled to perfection. …
Top Tiger, Ron Thomas, stationed himself across the backline as the game turned into a battle of defences. Four direct misses in front was not good football for Scoresby… Gary Marshall goaled for Mitcham followed by rover Ross Gallagher.
1st Qtr scores: Mitcham 2.2 Scoresby 3.5
Magpies second
… It became obvious during the following term that Mitcham’s rover, Gallagher, was the marked-man as he cleverly avoided constant heavy tackling. He kicked his second and third goals and the spotlight went to Tony Andrews at full forward on 99 goals.
Hundred goals up
Mitcham were keeping their well-disciplined forward line open for him and centreman Watson was giving him plenty of supply. And then it happened. Goal number one for Tony and his hundred was up. Mitcham ruckman, John Baker, hauled down mark after mark, practically at the same spot …
Both Eagles and Andrews scored their second goals for the match and then a chain of hand passes over the top saw Adam Pearson grab the ball up forward for Mitcham and goal. Mitcham were using the wind more effectively as Lyons goaled from the centre half-forward position.
2nd Qtr scores: Mitcham 8.8 Scoresby 4.7
Last year’s side
Thomas’ educated approach to the vital game continued with a half-time indoctrination to his players. Producing famed pictures of last year’s side and a reminder of their unsuccessful bid for the premiership, Thomas instilled a quiet but determined dedication to reverse the situation for season 1979. Mitcham’s power plus, action-packed football displayed in the third term was not only match winning, it was flag winning. Scoresby had no answer to it. Scoresby had no counter to Mitcham’s effective link players Emil Popovic, Gary Marshall, and Neil Watson, who took over in this quarter. Andrews kicked 3 goals for the term between intermittent fights around the ground.
Concerned that complacency would creep into the Tiger’s game, Ron Thomas stated: “It’s not over yet. You’ll know when it’s over, the siren will scream a Mitcham flag. …
Scoresby trailed by seven straight goals when Baker hand passed to Gallagher for the Tigers’ 12th goal. … Mitcham’s interchange David White took the field and quickly goaled. Things were obviously looking good for the Tigers as Mitcham chairman of selectors, Graeme Jacobs, had a continual grin on his face for practically the entire final quarter. Finally, it had to happen. The sure marking, match-dominating Baker marked strongly and kicked accurately to see the Tigers run out easy winners.
Final Scores: Mitcham: 15.16 (106) def. Scoresby: 8.15 (63)
Goals: T. Andrews 5, R. Gallagher 4, plus 1 each to A. Pearson, R. Lyons, D. White, G. Marshall, J. Baker, 1 unknown.
Best: J. Baker, R. Gallagher, T. Andrews, N. Watson, A. Pearson, T. Andrews, P. Dungan, G. Marshall, E. Popovic.

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1979PremiershipReport_2024

1975 Eastern Football League Division 1

1970 Eastern Football League Division 1

2020 would have marked the 50th Anniversary of our 1970 Premiership. With a Reunion now on hold, this should not stop the MFC community, including the Past Players and Officials, remembering and celebrating this wonderful premiership success of yesteryear. Life member Alan Marshall has taken the time to document the history that surrounds that glorious year