EFNL 2023: Surrey Park wins Division 4 grand final

It endured four winless seasons just over a decade ago, collecting five consecutive spoons before finals heartbreak aplenty. Now Surrey Park is toasting its first-ever Eastern league senior flag.

Battlers no more: Surrey Park has won its first senior Eastern league flag. Picture: George Sal

LITTLE over a decade ago Surrey Park was on its knees.

Weathering a 67-game losing streak amid four winless seasons from Round 17, 2008 to Round 1, 2013, the club collected five consecutive wooden spoons from 2008-2012.

A decade on and the club is toasting its first-ever Eastern league premiership.

A 14.17 (101) to 6.9 (45) rout of Kilsyth in the Division 4 decider on Sunday evoked wells of tears from the many rusted-on faithful, lifting the ‘battler’ burden as playing-coach James Kenworthy and captain Matt Garvin raised the cup.

James Kenworthy and Matt Garvin lift the cup, with the win earning Surrey Park promotion to Division 3. The club’s reserves also contested a grand final on Sunday. Picture: George Sal

The Panthers endured a goalless opening term before minor premier Kilsyth kicked 24 points clear early in the second quarter.

But the underdogs answered with a rush of 12 of the next 14 majors, taking control in the third term after breaking their scoring drought nine minutes into the second.

Finishing the match with 11 unanswered goals, Surrey Park president Rohan Sutherland was among many pinching themselves.

The club made the finals in 2019 under then-coach Scott Hamill, after a 13-year hiatus – but suffered a shock opening-week exit.

It returned last year, coming within 12 points of an inaugural senior crown in its first decider since 1999.

The grand final agony of 12 months ago couldn’t be further from Sunday’s ecstasy and jubilation.

Premiers at last: Surrey Park celebrates its Division 4 crown after finishing second at the end of the home-and-away season. Picture: George Sal

“I reckon there were a lot of grown men with tears pouring down their face on Sunday afternoon – it wasn’t just me, it’s been a long journey,” Sutherland said.

“Not only had we not won a grand final, we hadn’t won a final until last year – we’ve been in this competition since 1995 … it means a lot to a lot of people.

“The guys who played in those games, the 67-game losing streak, they were there and wearing their Surrey Park jumpers.

“I couldn’t even tell you how many of them I hugged, personally, and how many of them were hugging each other.

“None of us who lived through those days could quite believe it.”

Tom Smith was awarded the Colin Tainton-Blue Ribbon Medal as best-afield with three goals.

It’s another accolade for the under-19 talent, who took home the Division 4 league best-and-fairest last season.

A purple patch in the third quarter from Smith helped the Panthers claw their way back – slamming home two long-range majors within four minutes of each other to draw the scores level at the 12-minute mark.

Tom Smith (pictured) finished with the best-afield medal and three goals. Picture: George Sal

“He’s a sublime talent, he’s a very talented footballer with an extraordinary love for the club and his mates that play here,” Sutherland said of Smith.

“He absolutely had a day.”

Sutherland also paid tribute to Kenworthy, who took on the playing-coach job in the middle of last season in a caretaker capacity before winning the role full-time.

The former club junior initially returned to the Panthers as an assistant last year after a decade in the league’s top division.

James Kenworthy of Surrey Park. Picture : George Sal

“James is an outstanding young man … when the (senior coaching) opportunity came up, he took it with both hands, and it’s pretty clear to anyone watching how much it means to him and how much the players are playing for him,” Sutherland said.

“I think we used 29 points (on Sunday) – there weren’t many players out on the park who either haven’t been at the club a long time or who aren’t from juniors.”

But the president declared this year hadn’t been without its adversity.

“This year had been as challenging as anything we’ve ever been through, as much as we’ve been without success, we played 50 blokes in the ones this year, and 80 in the twos,” Sutherland said.

“The work that was done through the middle of the year to not forfeit games of footy and keep a side on the park in the ones, twos and ‘19s, that’s a monumental effort from the entire playing group and the club.

“It’s testament to how many blokes are out there who’ve played footy at this club, and still love this club – and are prepared to come back and help us in our time of need.”

Jasper Mundy kicked three goals to feature among the Panthers’ best. Picture: George Sal

Club champion and assistant coach Michael Paolini is one such example.

The former captain didn’t need to be asked twice to come out of retirement in the club’s bid to bolster on-field numbers this season.

A brief run in the reserves was followed by a bag of six majors against Forest Hill in a Round 12 senior return.

The veteran didn’t look back, finishing the campaign with eight senior matches and 21 goals – including four in the grand final.

A premiership medal around Paolini’s neck is as satisfying a sight as any to emerge from Sunday’s triumph according to the president.

Michael Paolini celebrates one of his four goals on Sunday. Picture: George Sal

“When he hung his boots up, it felt like that dream had been extinguished,” Sutherland said.

“He’s one of the blokes who we tapped on the shoulder – he was moving the magnets … but at the midpoint of the season, we had so many (players) missing that (Michael) put his hand up to have a game in the twos.

“He played a couple of (reserves) games, and we said we need him in the ones.

“He’s a great man.”

But undoubtedly the biggest shout is reserved for Sutherland’s predecessors – or as he describes them: “The blokes that kept this club alive”.

“The people who came before me in this role – Rod Buncle, Mal Cook, Andrew Toomey, Bernard Tanner – the guys who lived through these years who were at the helm and trying to keep the club above water, those guys have done an extraordinary job,” Sutherland said.

“Andrew Toop, who coached through that horror spell, he’s an outstanding man.

“We’re lucky to be here today and it’s only through their efforts.”