SFNL: Detailed analysis of how each SFNL club ranks in players used
As September approaches, list health and selection continuity is as important as ever. We analyse how each list is looking and where it ranks among all SFNL clubs.
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As the contenders emerge and aim their projections towards September, list health and selection continuity becomes as important as ever.
Each club has dealt with injury, suspension, mid-season holidays and the rise of youth.
Ranked by the least numbers of players used, here is a detailed analysis of how each Southern league club has managed their list this season.
1ST: DINGLEY, DIVISION 1
Ladder position: 3rd
Players used: 29
Players played under 5 games: 6
Analysis: Dingley is the only club to have used less than 30 players this season and it has shown in the results. If this ranking was compiled in a fortnights time, the Dingoes would be further down the list with injuries and expected mid-season holidays.
2ND: EAST BRIGHTON, DIVISION 2
Ladder position: 1st
Players used: 31
Players played under 5 games: 8
Analysis: The Vampires are flying in Division 2, meaning the competition for senior spots is fierce. The seniors have won each of their past 10 matches, as have the reserves.
3RD: MOORABBIN KANGAROOS, DIVISION 4
Ladder position: 2nd
Players used: 32
Players played under 5 games: 7
Analysis: The Kangaroos are going under the radar in Division 4, such is the dominance of ladder leaders South Mornington. However Division 4 has shown strange things can happen in finals series, so the Roos’ list health holds them in good stead.
4TH: SPRINGVALE DISTRICTS, DIVISION 1
Ladder position: 4th
Players used: 33
Players played under 5 games: 6
Analysis: Kris Thompson’s men are building after a strong month. The continuity in the side has his group looking at a Division 1 finals berth.
5TH: ST PAUL’S MCKINNON, DIVISION 1
Ladder position: 6th
Players used: 33
Players played under 5 games: 12
Analysis: The Bulldogs have had an indifferent year with some excellent performances balanced with some disappointing days. They’ll likely compete with Port Melbourne Colts for the final spot in the five.
6TH: CRANBOURNE, DIVISION 1
Ladder position: 2nd
Players used: 34
Players played under 5 games: 11
Analysis: It’s strange to consider a reigning premier flying under the radar, but it’s exactly what the Eagles are doing. With the hype surrounding Dingley and Cheltenham, Cranbourne is right where it wants to be.
7TH: MORDIALLOC, DIVISION 1
Ladder position: 10th
Players used: 34
Players played under 5 games: 9
Analysis: The Bloodhounds are in a unique position, high on this list while simultaneously facing a relegation battle with St Kilda City.
8TH: HAMPTON PARK, DIVISION 2
Ladder position: 4th
Players used: 34
Players played under 5 games: 10
Analysis: Sitting second on this list among Division 2 clubs, behind only East Brighton, likely suggests the Redbacks are well poised to contend at the pointy end of the year.
9TH: SOUTH MORNINGTON, DIVISION 4
Ladder position: 1st
Players used: 34
Players played under 5 games: 11
Analysis: The Tigers are no doubt Division 4 premiership favourites. It would take a serious reason to keep a senior player from fronting up for this side.
10TH: CHELSEA HEIGHTS, DIVISION 1
Ladder position: 7th
Players used: 35
Players played under 5 games: 12
Analysis: 35 players used but only 12 have with less than five appearances suggest there is a healthy core at the Demons. No wonder many are already tipping them to be a meteoric riser in 2024.
11TH: DOVETON DOVES, DIVISION 2
Ladder position: 2nd
Players used: 35
Players played under 5 games: 11
Analysis: A fair chunk of the 35, and simultaneously the 11 under five, were used early when the Doves battled injury woes. A smooth six-week period has seen Doveton rocket up the ladder, and this list.
12TH: EAST MALVERN, DIVISION 2
Ladder position: 6th
Players used: 35
Players played under 5 games: 12
Analysis: Without the recent changes to the senior side, the Panthers could have sat inside the top five on this list.
13TH: HEATHERTON, DIVISION 3
Ladder position: 6th
Players used: 35
Players played under 5 games: 8
Analysis: While Heatherton may sit in the log jam of sides that have used 35 players, it is one of just seven sides to have single figures with less than five appearances.
14TH: CHELTENHAM, DIVISION 1
Ladder position: 1st
Players used: 36
Players played under 5 games: 15
Analysis: The Rosellas have added to this list heavily across the past month but it hasn’t stopped them from winning nine matches on the bounce.
15TH: HAMPTON, DIVISION 4
Ladder position: 3rd
Players used: 36
Players played under 5 games: 14
Analysis: Hampton certainly has what it takes to compete, its list health will be crucial come September.
16TH: LYNDALE, DIVISION 4
Ladder position: 7th
Players used: 36
Players played under 5 games: 16
Analysis: While Lyndale sits middle-table for its players used, the rotation appears heavy with 16 of them playing under five matches.
17TH: PORT MELBOURNE COLTS, DIVISION 1
Ladder position: 5th
Players used: 37
Players played under 5 games: 15
Analysis: The Colts have had an interesting run with injuries. Coach Josh Caddy sits in the under five camp himself but will break out of it soon.
18TH: NARRE SOUTH SAINTS, DIVISION 3
Ladder position: 7th
Players used: 37
Players played under 5 games: 12
Analysis: While 36 seems high, the Saints haven’t had it their way this season and, with three senior teams, are justified looking for answers.
19TH: BENTLEIGH, DIVISION 1
Ladder position: 8th
Players used: 38
Players played under 5 games: 16
Analysis: The Demons have had a succession of strong under-19s, so their swift rotation in the senior side is to be expected as they look for the future under Kristian Bardsley.
20TH: MURRUMBEENA, DIVISION 2
Ladder position: 3rd
Players used: 38
Players played under 5 games: 15
Analysis: The Beena hasn’t made much noise about their list, quietly going about their business in Division 2. They competed with East Brighton on Saturday and await the addition of a stack of mid-season recruits from St Kilda City.
21ST: FRANKSTON DOLPHINS, DIVISION 4
Ladder position: 2nd
Players used: 39
Players played under 5 games: 13
Analysis: The Dolphins are fighting it out for promotion again, so while the Dolphins sit in the bottom half of this list, coach Richard Mathers is doing a lot right.
22ND: CAULFIELD BEARS, DIVISION 2
Ladder position: 7th
Players used: 40
Players played under 5 games: 18
Analysis: After competing in finals last year, it has been a disappointing season for the Bears, and perhaps 40 players used suggests why. Injury to coach Lynden Dunn early in the season really hurt.
23RD: LYNDHURST, DIVISION 3
Ladder position: 5th
Players used: 40
Players played under 5 games: 15
Analysis: The reigning premiers have won five and lost five. While the Lightning seem to be adrift from the contenders, we learned from writing them off last year.
24TH: HIGHETT, DIVISION 2
Ladder position: 5th
Players used: 41
Players played under 5 games: 16
Analysis: Inside the five and showing plenty of signs. Some selection stability could see the Doggies finish strong.
25TH: SKYE, DIVISION 2
Ladder position: 8th
Players used: 41
Players played under 5 games: 6
Analysis: While 41 players have been used, only six have played less than five matches, indicating the same players are coming in and out of the senior side.
26TH: BLACK ROCK, DIVISION 2
Ladder position: 10th
Players used: 41
Players played under 5 games: 18
Analysis: Black Rock has battled this year but has got a lot of games into younger players.
27TH: ENDEAVOUR HILLS, DIVISION 3
Ladder position: 1st
Players used: 41
Players played under 5 games: 19
Analysis: Sitting undefeated atop of the ladder with 41 players used and 19 playing under five. Either coach Matt Peake has masterminded his way through a stack of injuries or he’s settling for nothing short of perfection on game day.
28TH: ASHWOOD, DIVISION 3
Ladder position: 3rd
Players used: 41
Players played under 5 games: 19
Analysis: Similar to Endeavour Hills, Ashwood’s position this low is staggering considering how its travelling.
29TH: DOVETON EAGLES, DIVISION 4
Ladder position: 5th
Players used: 41
Players played under 5 games: 16
Analysis: Doveton Eagles are the last of four teams to have used 41 senior players.
30TH: CARRUM PATTERSON LAKES, DIVISION 3
Ladder position: 4th
Players used: 42
Players played under 5 games: 19
Analysis: The Lions have done extraordinarily well to be inside the top four with this kind of weekly turnover.
31ST: DANDENONG, DIVISION 4
Ladder position: 4th
Players used: 42
Players played under 5 games: 23
Analysis: Despite having more than half of the senior list with less than five games, Dandenong is poised to play finals.
32ND: KEYSBOROUGH, DIVISION 2
Ladder position: 9th
Players used: 43
Players played under 5 games: 21
Analysis: While they’re low on this list and sit 9th on the ladder, Keysborough has been one of the form teams in Division 2.
33RD: SOUTH YARRA, DIVISION 4
Ladder position: Null.
Players used: 44
Players played under 5 games: 29
Analysis: South Yarra pulled its senior side a fortnight ago, fielding just a reserves side.
34TH: ST KILDA CITY, DIVISION 1
Ladder position: 9th
Players used: 45
Players played under 5 games: 20
Analysis: The Saints have battled through the last week. This number is set to rise in the coming days with a band of former players coming back to assist them through the remainder of the season.
35TH: CLAYTON, DIVISION 3
Ladder position: 10th
Players used: 45
Players played under 5 games: 21
Analysis: Clayton has battled this year but has got a lot of games into younger players.
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