SFNL 2024: Every Division 1 club answers the burning questions

We asked the Southern league Division 1 clubs for their vote on the flag favourites, an opposition player they’d like, the best young player, their take on Narre Warren and much more. See their answers here.

Club corners: SFNL Division 1 clubs vote on the hot topics.

The business end of the Southern league Division 1 season is fast approaching.

We posed eight topical questions to each of the 10 clubs.

They weren’t allowed to vote in favour of their own club or players and their answers were strictly anonymous.

See where the answers fell ...

Well, the answers are anonymous ... until it’s unanimous.

Cheltenham was forced to show its hand here with the rest of the competition earmarking the Rosellas to defend their Southern league crown.

The vote landed heavily in Cheltenham’s favour for good reason, as it sits undefeated after 11 home-and-away games.

The clubs have voted for Cheltenham to defend its crown. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Cheltenham’s Jack Lonie racked up six of the possible nine votes from clubs when asked who would win the Southern league best and fairest.

Lonie hasn’t played every game but when he has played, he’s more often than not been the best player on the ground.

St Paul’s McKinnon superstar Matthew Kreymborg didn’t receive a vote but he is doing his chances of a third league medal no disservice.

Cheltenham’a Jack Lonie. Pictures: Andrew Keech

Clubs voted for necessity rather than star-power when answering this question.

Jackson Peet and Matthew Kreymborg — both outstanding leaders — share the mantle on this one.

Key-position players such as Kristen Feehan, Sam Hayes and Brayden O’Toole were on the wish list for clubs in need of a boost down the spine.

Jackson Peet. Picture: JAM-VISUALS

Dingley’s Zach Horsley wins the approval from his peers by one vote ahead of fellow interleague assistant Kris Thompson.

St Paul’s McKinnon coach Andy Scott is capturing the respect of the competition in his debut season, grabbing two votes and sharing second position.

Horsley split this vote with Cheltenham’s Des Ryan last year.

Dingley coach Zach Horsley. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Cranbourne at Livingston Reserve is a road trip the majority of competition do not want to take.

The Eagles showed their capability on their own patch last weekend by testing the flying Cheltenham.

Clubs would love to avoid Cranbourne on the road Picture: Valeriu Campan

Cheltenham smooth-mover Sean Lai was deemed the best young player in the competition.

Lai has announced himself as more than just a good young player this year, with one opposition coach declaring “Sean Lai is a problem” after a best-on-ground performance this season.

Sean’s brother Josh impressively earnt a vote despite playing just a handful of senior games.

Brothers Sean (R) and Josh Lai won five of a possible nine votes as the best young player in the competition.

Off-field seems to be running as well as on-field for Cheltenham this year.

The Rosellas pipped rival Dingley by one vote.

Interestingly, and perhaps the reason they won majority of the votes, neither the Rosellas or Dingoes have fully functioning rooms this season.

Southern league clubs will quickly learn who Sam Toner is if Narre Warren is approved into Division 1. (Photo by Josh Chadwick)

Narre Warren gained eight votes for yes but two of them came with a concession.

Two clubs were fully against the Magpies joining the competition in any aspect.

The overwhelming feedback from the clubs who voted yes was: “if they make the competition better, why not?”