2023 Gembrook Cockatoo Season Preview

Men’s Football

2023 sees Gembrook Cockatoo playing Premier Division after winning the Division One flag against Seville last season.

The Brookers had an inconsistent start to their 2022 campaign but came home strong in the second half of the year and looked the competition’s best when it counted most. 

They started the Grand Final well and built a strong lead late in the game, Michael Firrito had a pearler of a game and booted four goals, whilst Josh Tilly ran amok racking up over 30 possessions.

They are a team full of talent with a handful of representatives in Team of the Year; Brayden Weller, Josh Tilly, Jay Verhagen and Aaron Firrito. Michael Firrito was arguably unlucky to miss out, however he made the premier data Team of the Year.

Super strong across the whole ground, the Brookers still notably have an potent forward line, boasting Myles Wareham (71 goals year), Michael Firrito (52 goals) and Jay Verhagen with 47 goals.

They headlined a forward line that averaged 99 points a game, whilst Gembrook Cockatoo were steadfast in defence, conceding only 63 points per game.

The brooker boys will be looking to consolidate a place in Premier Division while continuing to bring on the young talent within the club. 

 

Netball

Gembrook Cockatoo finished 6th last year with 4-1-14 record.

They averaged 35 goals for and conceded roughly 44, goals per game.

Chelsea Ingram (GS) shot 297 goals in 2022, whilst Rebecca Christie (GA) scored 196.

Ashlee Bowden had a strong year in GD/GK, Aimee Harkin was strong through the middle of the court, whilst Laura Christie and Alexis Bell enjoyed strong 2022 campaigns.

Although they finished sixth, they were quite competitive and challenged a few strong teams, coming close to Yarra Glen (4th) and drawing with Emerald (3th).

The Brookers would like to concede less goals per game this season as they continue to build a strong Netball program.

It will be interesting to see how they go in Premier Division. It’s a challenge they would be embracing. 

 

By Jordan Peeler.