Most even competition in more than a decade predicted for SFL

THE Southern Football League is set for its most tightly-contested season in a decade, after years of lopsided results and calls for a split competition.

THE    Southern Football League is set for its most tightly contested season in more than a decade, following years of lopsided results and calls for the competition to be split.

Player exoduses from some traditional powerhouses, coupled with off-season recruiting drives by a few of the leagues perennial strugglers has SFL president Craig Warman confident 2014 will be more even than previous years.

“Last year saw teams which hadn’t contested the top sides in a long time be competitive and I think this year will be no different,” Mr Warman told the Southern Times Messenger.

“The gap between the top and bottom teams that was there a few years ago has diminished and that’s going to show the quality of our teams in the league.”

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The SFL has been plagued by thrashings since it moved to a single division in 2002.

Brighton had pushed for a two-division competition to be introduced in 2012 – a move Mr Warman said was off the table at least for the time being.

Noarlunga Football Club coach Trevor Mitton said every team had a chance at contesting the flag.

“Every team is going to be chasing that top spot and this year is looking like it’s going to be tough competition,” Mitton said.

For several years the competition has been dominated by Reynella, Morphett Vale and Brighton. But in 2012, Happy Valley broke its nine-year premiership drought.

Last season Morphettville Park also emerged as a genuine premiership contender by making the grand final.

Brighton secretary David Brown said the lure of money in country leagues had led to a loss of “top end players” at previously strong SFL clubs. He said this would help ensure there was a “good, even A-grade competition” this season.

Hackham Football Club finished twelfth of 15 last year and began to shrug its traditional battler tag.

It has recruited former Fremantle Docker Justin Bollenhagen who is returning the southern suburbs to play alongside his younger brother Jarrad.

“Playing at Hackham is a new challenge … not only do I want to stay off the injury list, I want to work with Hackham to prove we’re no longer the easy beats we were in other seasons,” Justin said.

“The group of guys the club has got this season will be able to help build the club up after years of struggling.

“We want to challenge for a top eight spot … I’m glad I’m going to be able to do that with my brother.”

Hackham coach Marty Clifton said recruiting Justin was great for the club.

“We’ve got a really great side for season 2014,” Clifton said.

“This season we won’t be the easy beats.”

However, 2013 wooden spooners O’Sullivan Beach/Lonsdale look set to struggle again. Coach Troy Williams said taking on the top sides would again be tough.

“(But) we all try hard to develop our young sides so we can bolster our A-grade and be competitive.”

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