A look at every Division 2 club leading into the 2023 Southern league season
The bounce of the ball to start the 2023 SFNL Division 2 season is only days away. Here’s a club-by-club guide to the year ahead.
Local Footy
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Footy. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The first siren on the Southern Football Netball League Division 2 season is just days away and anticipation continues to grow.
Here is how all 10 Division 2 clubs shape up.
BLACK ROCK
Last year: Division 3 premiers
Coach: Ryan Handley
In: Shannon Halliday, Jarrod Abell, Scott Allott, Olly Stewart, Hugh McYnmont, Brendan Wilkinson, Seamus Mcilroy, Matthew Higgins, Riley Sheldon, Josh Mailard, Lucas Jackson, Hamish Kemp, Jack McPhee, Thomas Dale, Mitch Wallis
Out: Nathan James, Jesse Donald, Byron Wright, Kieran Taig, Taylor Meyer, Brenton Rafferty
Snapshot: Coach Ryan Handley faces the challenge of asking his players to climb the mountain again after such a famous premiership in 2022. There is a heavy turnover of players, none bigger than the departure of Byron Wright, but the Jets have added strong depth with a swagger of recruits, including former-Claremont (WAFL) gun Jack McPhee.
CAULFIELD BEARS
Last year: Fourth
Coach: Lynden Dunn
In: Lynden Dunn, Brad Allan, Patrick Chin, Daniel McLardy, Jake McLardy
Out: Nil.
Snapshot: The Bears had a brilliant finals series last year, pushing from fourth position to compete in a preliminary final. While one area Caulfield excelled in 2022 was in front of goal, the addition of Patrick Chin from Emerald is going to sharpen its offensive capabilities.
DOVETON
Last year: Division 2 runner-up
Coach: Michael Cardamone
In: James Pattinson, Aaron Johns, Bailey Farrar, Nik Hibbert, Lachie Moss, Nick Pincott
Out: Joziah Kyle, Matt Stapleton, Travis Woodfield, Trent McMahon
Snapshot: The Doves will be one of the most watched outfits in 2023. The addition of James Pattinson is filled with mystery, with many asking if the talented and passionate cricketer can emulate his skillset on the footy field. The pain of losing the decider last year will spur the Doves on to contend once again.
EAST BRIGHTON
Last year: Fifth
Coach: Nick Jewell
In: Nick Corp, Luke Semmel, Ryan Semmel, Sean Downie, Brady Egan, Tom Lamb, Tyrren Head, Liam Harris
Out: Tom Larby
Snapshot: New coach Nick Jewell has brought a raft of recruits to the Vampires, strengthening each line across the board. The firepower up front is ominous and will likely adjust the way East Brighton moves the football. If the synergy between Corp, Downie and Egan is fluent, the Vampires will kick giant scores.
EAST MALVERN
Last year: Relegated from Division 1
Coach: Mick Rossborough
In: Isaac Morrisby, Nathan Peterson, Jack Bines, Youseph Dib, Jake Chapman, Adam Collison, Rob Amendola, Harri Walsh, Ash Hill
Out: Lukas Hall, Tom Preece, Nick Barry, Ed Sim, Luke Poustie, Nick Calandro, Paul Fry
Snapshot: New coach Mick Rossborough has defence on the agenda this season, looking to avoid ‘cricket scores’ being kicked on his side in 2023. The Panthers will be led by a much younger group, highlighted by talented young gun Youseph Dib.
HAMPTON PARK
Last year: Sixth
Coach: Hayden Stanton
In: Declan Brunell, Andy Parker, Dylan Morris, Josh Stow, Tristan Fernandez-Phillips, Jackson Dalton, Tanner Stanton, Charlie O’Neill
Out: Travis Davis
Snapshot: Hampton Park finished strong last year and might be following a similar trend come the pointy end of this season. With a stack of new recruits and a hamstrung pre-season, Stanton’s men may take some time to adjust.
HIGHETT
Last year: Seventh
Coach: Clint Einseldel
In: Tom McCarthy, Stuart Harris, Jarrad Kay, Lucas Haig, Riley Bochel, Jordan McGillivray, Dino Karamoshos, Josh Murphy, Adrian Pappers, Matt Van Schajik, Mamuch Choul
Out: Will Barron, Luke Barnhoorn
Snapshot: It’s been an astonishing 12 months for Highett. Bulldogs’ new coach Clint Einseldel has brought in a bundle of recruits from Old Mentonians, now allowing for the club to field three sides. The addition of McCarthy, Harris and Kay will be the most notable for this team.
KEYSBOROUGH
Last year: Third
Coach: Chris Smith
In: Kieran Shaw, Brad Doyle, Aaron Walton, Cooper Sheppard, Jojo Ofosu-Amaah, Brenton Wells
Out: Matthew Carnelley, Ryan Goodes, Tim Werner, Aaron Mclroy, Jack Cole
Snapshot: There’s been a changing of the guard for Keysborough this summer with many club legends making way for a raft of younger talent. The Burras were exposed on the spread last season but will be a rejuvenated unit this year. Coach Chris Smith is relishing in the fellow clubs’ expectation of his side to fall, using it as motivation for a big 2023.
MURRUMBEENA
Last year: Division 3 runner-up
Coach: Liam Wilson
In: Daniel Willis, Sam Michael, Matt Lello, Harley Ambrose, Eddie Espinosa, Darcy Hargrave, Josh Hargreaves, Paul Tscoulas, Michael McMahon, Dareo Rogers, John O’Connor, Henry Woodward, Jordan Pollard, Tyson Wills, Daniel Stafford
Out: Wade King, Jake Semmel
Snapshot: While losing a grand final is hardly a blessing, Murrumbeena seems to have flourished after a dramatic grand final defeat. Coach Liam Wilson has brought back ‘the Beena boys’ as well as some key recruits. While Doveton, East Brighton and Highett all look threatening on paper, Murrumbeena has potential to be the surprise packet of 2023.
SKYE
Last year: Eighth
Coach: Aaron Pacey
In: Tom Heuston, Jarrod Sullivan, Rhys Stewart, Joel McConville, Koby Villis
Out: Mitch Roberts, Jason Ward
Snapshot: New coach Aaron Pacey has his group training Monday and Thursday in order to get more running in and his side is as fit as they’ve ever been. The internal suggestion from the Bombers is that the three losses suffered by under a goal last season were due to fitness, and that won’t be an issue in 2023.
ROUND 1 FIXTURE
East Malvern v Doveton
Black Rock v Hampton Park
Keysborough v Highett
Caulfield Bears v Skye
Murrumbeena v East Brighton
Laurimar lands local footy goalkicking great
Laurimar has joined the NFNL Division 3 arms race, securing one of the Northern league’s greatest goalkickers for its return to the competition in 2025.
Every signing of the EDFL off-season
The EDFL off-season has only just started but some clubs have already well and truly started making moves for 2025. Keep up to date with every signing in our signing tracker.