Upwey Tecoma Football Netball Club

Senior Football

Upwey Tecoma finished in seventh this year, with four wins and twelve losses to their name.

They’ll want to improve on their tally of four wins for 2023. Four wins was less than they’d obviously hoped for, however there were a few highlights for the season that they can use as confidence heading into to next year.

In Round 10 they slaughtered Officer 130 to 33 on a day to remember with Daniel Waters (37 goals for the season) bagging seven for the day.

In Round 15 they managed to exact revenge on Mt Evelyn, comfortably beating them 76 to 35. Carmine Porcaro was huge that day, kicking four of his own. Although a rare highlight for Upwey Tecoma, for Porcaro it was one of his many excellent games. He kicked 30 goals for the season, with three or more on seven occasions. His stellar season was rewarded with being named on the half-forward flank in Team of the Year.

Averaging 77.8 marks a game, the Tigers were ranked third in this statistic, they were ranked second for hit outs to advantage with 11 per game. Hopefully for the Tigers, their midfield can make the most of this next year.

Between Waters, who was only held goalless twice, and Carmine Porcaro, who both kick bags of goals, Upwey Tecoma could become a far more damaging side if their midfield takes more advantage from their centre bounce dominance.

They should also have a few players pushing for a spot in the seniors, especially given the Reserves and u19s both played off in Grand Finals.

 

Women’s Footy

What a season for the Upwey Tecoma women’s football team!

Upwey Tecoma took home the Karcher Senior Women’s Conference 1 Premiership.

A truly dominant season had them finish the H&A season top of the table after losing just one game. They averaged approximately 76 points per game and conceded a tick under eight points per game. You read that correctly, eight points!

The finals series was a breeze for the Tigers as they won their first final by 74 against second placed Healesville. That booked them a spot in the Grand Final where they took care of Healesville yet again to win the flag, this time by 40 points (47-7).

Jess Occhipinti and Alexandria Bantock were the leading goal scorers for the league with 38 and 37 respectively, while Kiana Oates rounded out the top five with 20 of her own.

Oates was named in the best players for 12 of her 13 games, was named in the best and Emma Caccetta had a brilliant season too, being named in the best 11 times from 14 games.

Oates, Occhipinti, Caccetta and Bantock were all acknowledged in team of the year for their outstanding seasons.

In 2023, being the most prolific scoring and stingiest in defence will go a long way to winning back-to-back Premierships for Upwey Tecoma.

 

Netball

Upwey Tecoma looked to have a decent season after a pair of narrow losses to the second and third ranked teams (at the end of the H&A season) in ROC and Olinda Ferny Creek (eventual Premiers). They then hammered Woori Yallock who finished four positions higher than them.

However, injury and unavailability cruelled their season, leaving them to finish last on just three wins. “Injuries and un-availabilities killed us,” expressed Coach David O’Hare. They were marred by injury with their starting WA out for the season after a pre-season injury and a tall goal shooter that they recruited returned to Adelaide halfway through the year.

Next year looks to have a lot more upside for Upwey Tecoma as they will have their WA back and they recruited a replacement GS. O’Hare believes they will be more competitive next year as a result, “ I think we’re going to be fairly stable.”

Jess Black had a solid season, scoring 337, with Molly Argoon scoring 186 (nine games) and Rachel Grawich 153 (eight games).

Charlotte Davies had a great season in Goal Defence. A few of the players who enjoyed excellent seasons were, Holly Nieuwenhuizen, Jessica Black and Molly Argoon.

 

By Jordan Peeler