How high will the Magpies soar in the Southern league?
Narre Warren and Cheltenham have collectively won 108 of their past 116 matches. So how will they fare against each other in the Southern league in 2025?
SFL
Bloods ‘stepping into the unknown’ with bundle of recruits
Mordialloc has made strong inroads to its fresh start in 2025 with an early signing spree. Coach Josh Jewell tells us the Bloods’ recruiting strategy and how the five newcomers fit.
Veteran goal kicker joins Southern contender in ‘huge’ signing
A rising Southern league club has quickly bolstered its 2025 premiership credentials with the addition of a noted goal kicker. Read from him and the club here.
Compared: How every local footy’s premiers player points stack up
We’ve analysed every local footy premier’s player points total on grand final day and we reveal which one has the most loyal and best homegrown side for 2024. See where your club stacks up.
‘I had complete trust’: Rosellas rise in another thriller
Cheltenham has lifted the Southern league Division 1 premiership for a second successive year after bringing down a brave Dingley in an instant classic.
Why ex-AFL Bulldog chose local footy power
Former Western Bulldog Robbie McComb has returned to local footy full time. He talks about his decision, his exit from the top level and what he hopes to achieve at his new club.
Family, flags: Rosella brothers share ‘extra special’ premiership
Sam Lonie had “one foot in retirement” while brother Jack was looking for a renewed love for footy. On Sunday, they had a share in Cheltenham’s thrilling flag. They reflect on the season, the emotional end and what lies ahead.
Why Dingoes have ‘no regrets’ about heartbreaking decider
One more shot on goal was all that separated Dingley from a Southern league premiership. Coach Zach Horsley unpacks the emotional finish, selection and a star’s coming-of-age performance.
From fractures to flags: How Lai lifted on Southern’s biggest stage
Injury cost Josh Lai his 2023 season, but he made up for lost time on Sunday with a sparkling performance in Cheltenham’s Southern league premiership. He shares his recovery, bond with twin brother Sean and their state-league ambitions.
‘You’re in, you’re playing’: Inside Meadows’ flag spree
Some footballers go their entire career without a flag, but not Murrumbeena’s Blake Meadows, who lifted his second premiership cup in eight days on Sunday. He talks about his “incredible” week.
Ex-AFL players coach teams to glory
Champions were crowned across the state in local footy with coaching guns helping their teams get to the top. Here is the wrap of all the grand final action from Saturday.
Revealed: Local footy’s best players of 2024
The 2024 local footy season is coming to a close and to celebrate, we’ve named our best players from the 2024 season. Here’s who made the list.
All the latest Southern league coaching updates
Re-signing, retiring and everything between. Keep up to date with what the Southern league coaches are doing in 2025.
‘The timing was right’: Superstar returns to Southern league home
Local footy superstar Jackson Sketcher has returned to where his career started. He talks us through his decision and what he hopes to achieve in his new threads.
Vampires fill coaching ‘holes’ in finals push
East Brighton has pinpointed the gaps that kept it from the Southern league Division 1 finals and has addressed them off the field.
The ultimate SFNL Division 1 GF guide
The history, coaches verdicts, big questions, expert tips and the players who will shape the game. Here’s everything you need to know about the Southern league Division 1 grand final.
How proud Panthers can build from grand final heartbreak
Departing East Malvern coach Mick Rossborough has detailed what he said to his side after it’s brave grand final defeat and where he thinks the Panthers can improve in 2025.
The 20 best photos of the Lions’ premiership lift-off
We captured the action and the emotion of Murrumbeena’s Southern league premiership. Here are our best photos from the final moments and inside the Lions’ den.
‘We had to act’: Demons, coach part ways
Bentleigh has chosen to not renew the contract of senior coach Kristian Bardsley. Read from the club and Bardsley here.
Righting wrongs: Byron repays Beena for grand final heartbreaker
Byron Wright’s 2022 grand final snap broke Murrumbeena hearts. But he mended them on Saturday by keeping his pre-season promise to help the Lions rise to the Southern league’s top flight.
Ex-AFL names star on local footy’s biggest stage
Local footy grand finals were highlighted by stunning performances from ex-AFL names and even a state cricketer. Here’s a full wrap from across Victoria.
From ‘poor state’ to premiers: How Beena boomed into top flight
Stacked with talent and tipped to triumph, Murrumbeena opted to return to an old approach before its emotional Southern league grand final win over East Malvern.
Roscoe and Ricky rocket home in thrilling Southern league count
The best SFNL player of the past two years won the league’s top award, while one player’s only votes for the year in the final round stopped his teammate from winning. See every leaderboard here.
Ginni-style GF prep, $1999 is unders and the QR code highlight reel
There’s a Jack Ginnivan-style GF preparation, a player not settling for less than 2k a game, a QR code to individual highlights and two big AFL names linked to local footy. It’s all here in Quick Kicks.
The ultimate SFNL Division 2 grand final guide
From the coaches verdicts, players who will shape the game to expert tips. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the Southern league Division 2 grand final.
Local footy wrap: Streaks end as ex-AFL player is seriously injured
Some of the longest winning streaks in local footy ended on Saturday with a game in country footy abandoned after a serious injury. Catch-up on all of Saturday’s local footy action.
‘He just went to work’: Premiership Tiger delivers in boilover
Josh Caddy played a telling hand in a Southern league upset. Co-coach Justin Taylor reveals how the Colts rectified previous mistakes with their ex-AFL men and how they’ll attack the final three weeks.
‘Forget Ginnivan’: The 300-gamer who is ‘ahead of his time’
‘Georgie’ Angelopoulos has seen the highs and lows of football over his 300 games. There’s been “dominant” finals performances, friendships and some big lessons.
Local footy wrap: Streaks survive and contenders emerge
The longest winning streak in local footy was given its biggest test, other contenders emerged, relegation battles were won and a milestone man delivered in perfect style. Catch-up on all of Saturday’s local footy action.
Contending coach set to ‘hang up the magnets’
A premiership coach, who has mentored footballers for over two decades, has called time on his career. He explains why and details his future plans.
‘They’re our long-term future’: The kids who will boost Bentleigh
Bentleigh has played 30 players under the age of 23, including three 17-year-old debutants, this season. Coach Kristian Bardsley is proud of how far they’ve come but he holds big ambitions for what they can achieve.
‘We were after a response’: How Bulldogs eased relegation pressure
Highett boosted its tilt away from potential relegation with an upset win over Keysborough. The coach discusses how they did it, the impact of two young stars and whether they’ll receive a late-season boost.
OEFN clubs granted approval to leave the league
Outer East Football Netball is headed for more changes, with two clubs given approval to leave the league. And the relegation criteria in Premier Division has been altered.
Revealed: The Southern league’s best rising stars
The Southern league is bursting with young talent. We’ve named the best 23yo-and-under players. Here’s who made the list.
Local footy rumour mill hits overdrive
The coach going out with a bang delivering harsh truths, a team wanting to play with 21 and the case of the man who wanted the fire instead of the warm-up. It’s all in our weekly Quick Kicks column.
The seven options for the Southern league’s future structure
Southern league clubs will choose from seven options on how Narre Warren and Berwick Springs’ addition will impact the competition. See each option and what it could mean for every club.
Former No.6 pick to make footy comeback
A former top 10 draft pick who retired ahead of just his third season in the system will step back onto the field for the first time this weekend. Here are the details.
Where the Rosellas will ‘reassess’ after thrilling draw
Cheltenham coach Justin Pickering is expecting a lift in personnel and pressure after it played out a draw with St Paul’s McKinnon on Saturday. Here’s why.
‘Left the club in a far better place’: Experienced coach calls time
One of local footy’s most experienced coaches has called time on his 23-year career. He explains his decision while the club lauds his impact during a difficult time.
Local footy wrap: Forward’s big milestone, AFL hopeful stars
A star forward brought up a four-figure milestone, as a draft prospect delivered in an APS thriller. Meanwhile, one of local footy’s longest winning streaks came to an end.
A ton of memories: Milestone Tunners open up on journey to 300
A pair of Heatherton cousins will line-up to celebrate their 300th games this weekend. Their careers have seen everything from premierships to cutting off plaster so their club could field a side.
‘Forgot spellcheck’: Local footy club’s jibe at $10m upgrades
A footy club in Melbourne’s southeast has poked fun at the local council for a spelling error the world can see on its club room facilities which are receiving a $10m upgrade. See what happened.
Revealed: The best rookie coaches in metro local footy
From ex-AFL stars looking at the game through a different lens to those who have bided their time as an assistant. We’ve named the best first-year coaches steering local clubs with ease.
‘Unrecognisable’: Inside Lyndale’s incredible transformation
In the space of a year Lyndale has gone from barely getting by to a chance of a top-two finish. Club captain Corey Reeves takes us inside the “unrecognisable” transformation.
Next wave of South Sudanese AFL young guns on show
South Sudanese numbers are growing in the AFL, and an initiative is striving to boost them further. And they include academy talents tied to AFL clubs.
‘Deflating’ injury blow for champion defender
Cranbourne has been dealt a huge blow after its champion defender was struck down with a serious knee injury, but he was quick to lift his teammates when breaking the devastating news.
How the next month will shape the Redbacks’ run
Hampton Park coach Hayden Stanton understands the importance of Saturday’s tight win but says the next month will determine his side’s future.
Our best photos from the weekend’s footy action
There were highs and lows across the footy fields of Melbourne on the weekend. Our photographers were there to capture the best of the action. See it all in our gallery.
‘We’re a real shot here’: How Lions came from the clouds
Murrumbeena mowed down a 47-point lead during the third quarter to tighten its grip on top spot. Captain Jordan Pollard explains how the Lions pulled off the miracle win.
Dogs find fresh bark after ‘heartbreaking’ injury spree
Two St Paul’s McKinnon smalls, including a mid-season recruit, combined for 17 majors on Saturday after it was dealt three cruel injury blows.
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