SFNL: A mid-season grade and analysis for every Division 2 club

A selection of teams are flying towards finals while some have fallen away badly. Find grading and analysis of every Southern league Division 2 club here.

Half of the Southern league Division 2 season has been run and done.

A couple of teams are flying, with many exceeding expectations, but others have fallen badly.

We’ve taken a deep dive into every club at the midway point of the year.

Did we get it right?

CAULFIELD BEARS

Grade: B

Ladder: 5th

Leading goal kicker: Patrick Chin (21)

Most times in best: Corey Barter (seven)

Analysis: Caulfield should bounce back into the Division 2 finals after a disappointing season last year. Injuries haven’t rattled the Bears as much as they did last year and it’s showing in their form.

DOVETON DOVES

Grade: A

Ladder: 2nd

Leading goal kicker: Sam Muirhead (24)

Most times in best: Jake Ingaliso (seven)

Analysis: The Doves are right where they want to be. They’ve dropped two games but are a win clear in second with a double chance beckoning. Doveton has the highest percentage in the competition, having conceded almost 10 goals less than the next best. The Doves went down to Murrumbeena earlier in the year but have a chance to challenge the Lions again at home later this year.

Division 2 ladder after Round 9.

EAST MALVERN

Grade: A

Ladder: 3rd

Leading goal kicker: Isaac Morrisby (32)

Most times in best: Jacob Brunner (seven)

Analysis: A sloppy three weeks has cost East Malvern an even stronger grade but if you had of offered coach Mick Rossborough third on the ladder at the this point ahead of the season, he would have taken it. Hampton Park next week is an excellent chance for the Panthers to consolidate their position as a top-three side.

Endeavour Hills coach Matt Peake. Picture: Valeriu Campan

ENDEAVOUR HILLS

Grade: C-

Ladder: 8th

Leading goal kicker: Jacob Grant (13)

Most times in best: Luke Peters and John Rafferty (six)

Analysis: The Falcons started the season in scintillating touch, winning their first three games, but Matt Peake’s men have since dropped their past six. For a club that’s paved its own way into Division 2, remaining in this flight for season 2025 is a pass.

HAMPTON PARK

Grade: B+

Ladder: 4th

Leading goal kicker: Declan Brunell (17)

Most times in best: Tanner Stanton (seven)

Analysis: Hampton Park looks set to improve on last season with at least a top-four finish this year. The Redbacks knocked off Doveton and took it up to Murrumbeena for a half last week. They will approach the pointy end of the Division 2 season a seriously dangerous side.

Hampton Park player Tanner Stanton. Picture: Valeriu Campan

HIGHETT

Grade: D-

Ladder: 9th

Leading goal kicker: Jacob Apted (19)

Most times in best: Lachlan Carroll and Jacob Duscher (five)

Analysis: It’s been a disappointing season to date for the Bulldogs. After winning a final last year, they were forced to win their past two matches to avoid relegation. Positively, Highett has unearthed some promising young players to help its future.

KEYSBOROUGH

Grade: C

Ladder: 6th

Leading goal kicker: Cooper Sheppard (14)

Most times in best: Jamie Plumridge (five)

Analysis: It would take a capitulation from Caulfield for the Burras to close the gap on a finals berth but there’s plenty for them to build on. They’ve had small losses to the Bears, Redbacks and Saints, which could have them inside the five if they had of won all three. There were no expectations on Keysborough this year, so an encouraging finish will be enough to register a pass.

Jamie Plumridge. Picture: Andy's Pix

MURRUMBEENA

Grade: A+

Ladder: 1st

Leading goal kicker: Todd Elton (28)

Most times in best: Sam Michael (six)

Analysis: Murrumbeena was faultless in the first half of the season. The Lions are 9-0 with their smallest win being 12 points. But what has been unrecognised is how many young players they are playing: Dareo Rogers, Lachlan English and Blake Meadows are all under the age of 20 and are all rising to the occasion.

Murrumbeena’s Byron Wright. Picture: Valeriu Campan

SKYE

Grade: F

Ladder: 10th

Leading goal kicker: Matt Long (seven)

Most times in best: Joel McConville (eight)

Analysis: It’s been a really difficult year for the Bombers. Much like Black Rock last year, Skye will look to grab a win on the run home and then reset in Division 3 next year.

ST KILDA CITY

Grade: C+

Ladder: 7th

Leading goal kicker: James Tasiyan (13)

Most times in best: Sebastian Harris-Knope (five)

Analysis: The Saints earn a C+ because of how far they have gone above and beyond expectations this season. After such a horrible 2023, St Kilda City looks to be holding its own in Division 2. There’s a transformed energy at the Peanut Farm and it has the young Saints playing good footy.