A Grade
Win-Loss Record: 4-12 (9th)
Leading Goal Kickers: Brodie Foster 45, Garret Ha 19, Jak Ryan 16, Sam Gartner 11, Bradley Merrett 9, Gus Eckermann 7, Jordan Galpin 6, Beau Shinnick 5, James Foggo 5.
Most Times In The Best: Jayden Eldridge 14, Jordan Galpin 13, Bradley Bryant 12, Harrison Evans 12, Beau Shinnick 11, Jak Ryan 9.
Best and Fairest: Jayden Eldridge
Season Overview: Penola backed up 2023 with another four win season. The Eagles finished it in a far better position than 2023 as they got more games into their younger players. As the football club enters the Limestone Coast Football/Netball League the club will be confident that recruiting players will be a lot easier as the travelling for recruits from Mt Gambier and the sorounding areas will be far less every week. Coach Jayden Eldridge would be full aware of this. Speaking of Jayden, he had a great year for the Eagles in his second season at the club. Jayden won the best and fairest and was also named in the 2024 KNTFL Team Of The Year. The club recruited very well with Beau Shinnick, Harrison Evans and Jak Ryan fitting into the Eagles line up beautifully and all had strong seasons. Brodie Foster was another player who had a strong season as he put through 45 goals during the year. The team is set up for 2025 in the new league and there is no reason they can’t aim for the top 4 in their first year.
Reserves
Win-Loss Record: 11-6 (5th)
Leading Goal Kickers: Tom Clayfield 62, Justin Mansell 25, Aden Brand 19, Cooper McCann 19, Lewis March 12, Adam Merrett 8, Ryan Zerk 7, Dylan Walker 6.
Most Times In The Best: Corey Brand 10, Philip Lambert 10, Aden Brand 10, Ryan Zerk 6, Justin Mansell 6, Tyson Murphy 5, Tom Clayfield 5, Charlie Bennett 5, Sam Klemm 5.
Best and Fairest: Aden Brand
Season Overview: The reserves team had another consistent season as they made the finals. The Eagles lost a close final against Mundulla that ended their season. The team were competitive every week and look like they could be set for another good year in the new league. If the A Grade can get a few more recruits and have some young senior colts enter the team, then the reserves will be stronger in 2025. In another career highlight for Adam Merrett he played his 300th game for Penola. This is a great achievement for a loyal clubman who is respected around the South East. Tom Clayfield had another consistent season in front of the goals with 62 kicked for the season. Aden Brand capped off a consistent season in the team when he won the best and fairest.
Senior Colts
Win-Loss Record: 13-4 (4th)
Leading Goal Kickers: Rider Tilby 44, Cooper McCann 35, Kaleb Moulton 19, Chales Moore 17, Ben Copping 14, Luc Baverstock 12, Ned Skeer 6, Alex Merrett 6, Zac Zema 6.
Most Times In The Best: Finn Skeer 16, Ned Skeer 13, Marcus Brand 12, Josh Gosse 10, Cooper McCann 7, Noah Duka 7.
Best and Fairest: Finn Skeer
Season Overview: Finished the season in second place after the regular season with a record of 12-2. The senior colts were the only team to defeat top placed Naracoorte as they won a close game in round 11 by four points. The team started the finals in a positive way with a strong 48 point victory over Bordertown in the qualifying final. The next game the team lost a close battle vs Naracoorte in the second semi final and bowed out of the finals as Bordertown proved to be too strong to overcome in the preliminary final. The team had many consistent performers during the season with Rider Tilby, Finn Skeer, Ned Skeer, Marcus Brand and Josh Gosse leading the way in most games. Ben Copping was another senior colt who had a great season and spent a lot of it in Adelaide playing for Glenelg where he achieved being runner up in the Glenelg under 16 best and fairest. It was a great growing year for the team as they head into the new league with lots of promise.
Junior Colts
Win-Loss Record: 7-7 (6th)
Leading Goal Kickers: Finn Malone 16, Jack Lambert 12, Cormac O’Brien 10, Charles Pearce 6, William Harris 6, George Kain 6, Vincent Moore 5.
Most Times In The Best: Cormac O’Brien 13, Vincent Moore 13, William Harris 11, George Kain 11, Charles Pearce 5, Finn Malone 5, Henry Duka 5.
Best and Fairest: Vincent Moore
Season Overview: The youngest of the Eagles teams had a good year and won half of their games. The team just missed out on a finals spot but were ultra competitive during the year. Players such as Finn Malone, Cormac O’Brien, Vincent Moore, William Harris and George Kain showed that the Eagles have a lot to build with in the coming years. Vincent Moore took out the best and fairest after being named in the best players thirteen times in a consistant season. With another year of growth the team looks set to face the new league in a positive way.