Mentone Panthers Football Club

Old Mentonians joined the VAFA in 1968 and undoubtedly their best years were in the 1990’s when the club won their first and so far only senior premeirship – the C Section flag in 1990. This earned them promotion to B Section and they managed to finish third in B Section in 1993 which is the club’s highest finish to date. Prior to this, Old Mentonians had managed to ascend to C Section via a couple of runners up finishes. Their E Section Grand Final loss in 1984 by nine points to Balaclava was a heart breaker as was the 22-point loss they suffered in the 1974 F Section decider against North Brunswick. However, their 1989 D Section thrashing at the hands of Thomastown, might have been just the motivation the club needed as they took all before them in C Section in 1990. In 2016, the Panthers broke a 14-year drought in Division 1 by making the grand final against Old Geelong and progressing to Premier C. They were unable to claim the silverware after falling to Ogs by eight points in the decider, but created history when they won their first four matches of the season by more than 100 points. Playing on the delightful Mentone Grammar playing fields, the Panthers – as they are known – entered a team into Development Division 3 of the inaugural VAFA Women’s competition and came within two points of Mazenod in the grand final.

Premierships

Competition Best and Fairest Winners – Senior

Division 1 / D Section – LS Pepper Medal – 3

Division 2 / E Section – J Fullerton Medal – 2

Division 3 / F Section – OJ Meehan Medal – 1