Senior men

W/L: 7 wins, 0 losses.

Ladder position: 1st

Top Goal kickers: Alex Lukic (18), Will Pocknee (12), Will D’Amico (11)

If you had asked any Collegians member what they would have hoped for at the Round 7 break, they likely would have described exactly the position Jordie McKenzie’s senior side now finds itself in.

Undefeated and sitting three games clear on top of the ladder, the Lions have put together an outstanding first half of the season. Importantly, however, this record has been earned rather than given. Four of their seven victories have come with three quarter time margins being less than four goals, highlighting both the competitiveness of the competition and the resilience of this playing group.

Perhaps the most pleasing aspect of the season has been the team’s ability to perform when the pressure is at its highest. Time and again, the Lions have produced their best football in critical moments, putting games beyond reach when opposition sides threatened to take control.

The addition of experienced recruits such as Sam Frost, Hugh Johnson and Sam Parsons has added another layer of talent and leadership to an already strong program. Their influence has been felt both on and off the field, helping drive the standards expected of a side with genuine premiership aspirations.

Few players have had a greater impact than Alex Lukic. His opening three rounds were nothing short of extraordinary, producing 18 goals and earning selection with Box Hill in the VFL. While a PCL injury has unfortunately sidelined him for the time being, his performances were a major catalyst behind the Lions’ early-season success, and the club looks forward to seeing him back in the purple and gold later in the year.

Will Pewtress has also taken his opportunity at the next level, earning a VFL debut with Box Hill and featuring in three matches. His development is a testament to both his work ethic and the strength of the program.

No review of the senior season would be complete without mentioning Kenny Ong. The veteran midfielder continues to defy age, averaging 26 disposals per game while regularly producing important goals and moments when the team needs them most. His consistency, leadership, and composure remain invaluable.

Among the highlights of the first half of the season were victories over Williamstown CYMS, AJAX and Old Carey. The win over Williamstown CYMS was particularly impressive, with the Lions playing much of the match with just one player on the bench before eventually recording a commanding 47-point victory. It was a performance that showcased both the side’s fitness and mental toughness.

The Round 6 clash against AJAX may have been the most impressive performance of the season. Entering the match with six changes to the side and handing 18-year-old Nico Levy his senior debut, the Lions faced significant adversity. Losing Matt Warren to concussion in the first quarter and Max Pinchbeck to concussion in the second left the team undermanned and trailing by five points at halftime.

What followed was a display of character that typified the group. Levy announced himself with four goal assists on debut, while Jordan Carroll and Will Dean made successful returns to senior football. Led by the experience of Campbell Walker and Kenny Ong, the Lions responded with a four-goal-to-zero third quarter before running out 10-point winners.

The victory against Old Carey followed a similar script. Despite further changes to the lineup, the Lions found themselves in a tight contest at halftime before producing another strong second-half performance. Their ability to execute under pressure and maintain their standards regardless of personnel has become a defining characteristic of the group.

While sitting three games clear at the top of the ladder is a healthy position to be in, there is no sense of complacency within the football program. The focus remains firmly on continuous improvement and ensuring the Lions produce their best football every week, regardless of who is named in the 22.

The first half of the season has laid an excellent foundation. The challenge now is to build on it and ensure the football being played in June becomes even stronger by the time September arrives.

Senior women

W/L: 5 wins, 2 losses.

Ladder position: 3rd

Goal kickers: Annabel Schmidt (11), Maddie Marquet-Walker (6), Sheldon Menzies (6)

Entering the season following the merger with Prahran Football Club, there were plenty of unknowns. New teammates, new systems, and a new competition meant expectations were difficult to gauge. Seven rounds into the season, however, the group has quickly established itself as one of the most competitive sides in Division 3.

The early rounds showcased exactly what this team is capable of. Convincing victories in the opening month were built on chemistry, selflessness, and a willingness to work for one another. Players such as Annabel Schmidt, Maddie Marquet-Walker, Hannah Singleton and Mikayla Collins have all produced standout performances, but perhaps the greatest strength of the group has been its collective buy-in to the team-first approach coach Bibby has instilled.

What has been most impressive is the side’s ability to adapt to adversity. Whether it has been wet conditions at Harry Trott Oval, a heavily depleted lineup due to player unavailability, or the challenge of stepping up two divisions after promotion, the women have consistently found a way to compete. Their 12-point victory at Glenhuntly Park versus Caulfield Grammarians following their first loss of the season was a prime example, grinding out a result through defensive pressure, discipline, and resilience.

The move into Division 3 has presented new challenges, but it has also highlighted just how quickly this group is developing. An 18-point defeat to Hawthorn and a heartbreaking three-point loss to Old Haileybury demonstrated that the gap between competing and winning at this level is incredibly small. In both matches, the women showed the tenacity, work rate, and spirit that have become hallmarks of their season.

Perhaps the most exciting aspect of this group is that they are still improving. Each week the team’s transition game, defensive structure, and connection around the contest continue to develop. With strong leadership, a committed playing group, and the support of both Collegians and Prahran behind them, the foundations are firmly in place for a successful second half of the season.

The results have already been impressive, but the growth of the program may be an even greater achievement. The women have built a culture that gives them every opportunity to challenge the best sides in the competition and continue their rise in the years ahead.

Reserves

W/L: 6 wins, 1 loss.

Ladder position: 2nd

Top goal kickers: Adam Petracca (8) Oliver Andrew (6) Fergus Ekins (6)

Head Coach Mark Hibbins and Assistant Coach Sam Hynes deserve enormous credit for overseeing what has arguably been the most improved men’s side at the club this season. Despite a strong start to the year, the messaging from the coaching group has remained consistent: steady improvement is the ultimate goal.

What makes this group particularly exciting is its age profile. The Round 7 side had an average age of just 21, with only a handful of players having surpassed the 50-game milestone in the purple and gold. The development shown by such a young group has been a major positive throughout the first portion of the season.

While the ladder currently shows one defeat, the circumstances tell a different story. Following Round 1, an investigation found that De La Salle had fielded an unregistered player, resulting in the four premiership points being awarded to Collegians. The decision came as a welcome surprise, with Coach Hibbins jokingly going from contemplating resignation to celebrating four points appearing in the Lions’ column.

The return of experienced senior players such as Will Dean, Jonty McGuiness and Adam Celik has also been significant. Dean was rewarded with senior footy in round 6 after coming back from a year long foot injury, and both McGuiness and Celik have provided valuable on-field leadership and marked their returns from injury by hitting the scoreboard in their comeback matches in Round 6 and 7 respectively.

Aside from a disappointing second quarter against AJAX, which ultimately proved costly, the Reserves have produced an impressive body of work. Strong victories over Old Geelong in difficult wet conditions and Old Carey away from home demonstrated both their resilience and growing maturity as a team.

The challenge now intensifies. With crucial clashes against ladder leaders De La Salle and third-placed Old Melburnians looming, the next month of football could play a defining role in shaping the top four and determining where the Lions sit at season’s end.

19s

W/L: 4 wins, 3 losses.

Ladder position: 2nd

Top goal kickers: Nico Levy (21) Alex Elg (10) William Johnson (10)

The win-loss column is somewhat deceiving when assessing our Under 19s under the guidance of Richard Hartnett. With ladder leaders Fitzroy regraded earlier in the season, the Lions have only lost to the teams above them on the ladder — Fitzroy once and the Preston Bullants twice.

Outside of those results, the group has played an impressive brand of football, with Hartnett instilling a style synonymous with how we expect all Lions teams to play: tough, quick, and exciting.

The side is packed with top-end talent. Players such as Nico Levy, Alex Elg, Will Rahilly, and Will Scott have all spent time around the senior program and continue to catch the eye of those following the match reports each week.

Narrow victories over Parkside (by three points) and Old Camberwell (by two points) have kept the Lions at the head of the chasing pack behind Preston. However, those slim margins are a reminder of just how competitive the competition is and how quickly ladder positions can change.

As the season progresses, every week will begin to feel like a must-win game. Under Hartnett’s leadership, though, the focus will remain on playing a consistent brand of football that gives the boys every opportunity to compete and succeed each week

Thirds

W/L: 4 wins, 3 losses.

Ladder position: 4th

Top goal kickers: Speridan Peterson (13) Louis Jorgenson (7) Cameron Sharp (7)

The Thirds, now informally known as Penny’s Pandas, have already endured the ebbs and flows that they have historically faced, with selection challenges, player unavailability, injuries, and suspensions from the teams above them.

The trend is clear: when they have strong availability, they are a side to be reckoned with. They have recorded impressive wins against top-four contenders such as AJAX Football Club, but have also suffered heavy defeats to the regraded sides Old Melburnians Football Club and Williamstown CYMS Football Club.

Consistent performers such as Jorgensen and Sharp, along with the return of Houghton after the break, will be key to the Pandas’ fortunes over the next month as they face teams from across the ladder.

Recruitment remains very much alive for the Pandas, with multiple new players still signing on. This will become increasingly important during the challenging June and July period.

With modest expectations surrounding what the Pandas are capable of achieving, the next month of football will be crucial in setting up their push to make amends for the disappointing end to the 2025 season