Southern league 2019: reigning premier St Paul’s loses experience but gains more young talent

Southern league Division 1 champion premier St Paul’s has lost a chunk of experience but picked up five senior players ahead of the 2019 season.

St Paul’s was a young team last year as it surged to the Southern league Division 1 premiership.

And the Doggies will be even more youthful in 2019 following the departure of some seasoned players.

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“We’re not a club to go chasing superstars … we’re more about pushing up the young talent that’s floating around the traps, so we’re going to be younger again,’’ coach Jason Heffernan said.

“It’s pretty exciting for us as a club and as a team. Now whether it puts us in the top bracket again, I’m not really sure. We’ll see how we go.’’

The Doggies have farewelled five premiership players — experienced trio Brad Gilder (crossed to Division 2 club Chelsea Heights), Trent McIntyre (relocated to Alice Springs) and Josh Verlin (retired), best and fairest Curtis Murfett (Tyabb) and Lachie Butler (Bendigo league).

Kieran Knox and coach Jason Heffernan raise the premiership cup.

On the positive side, Harry Hunt and Jack Hayes have returned from Fish Creek, Cameron McPhan has been recruited from Gippsland, last year’s Southern league Under 19 medallist Gianluca Cappiello has transferred from Oakleigh District, and Sandringham VFL-listed onballer James Sziller is back after spending last year with St Bedes Mentone Tigers in the VAFA.

Alex Spencer has joined Collingwood’s VFL team but will keep St Paul’s as his home club.

“The ins are quality … probably not well-known names in Southern like Brad Gilder and Josh Verlin, but they’re younger and they’re hungry,’’ Heffernan, a former VFL assistant who joined the Doggies in 2017, said.

“We’ve got some other boys we think will step up. Tom Gamble is around 20 and he’s coming good. Connor Byrne (best-afield in the grand final) is 20, 21. Some others are looking sharp too.’’

They include McPhan, a premiership player at Lindenow.

“He’s a half back flanker/winger, a six-footer with a good left foot on him,’’ Heffernan said. “He’s a nice fit for us.’’

Sandringham-listed James Sziller is back at St Paul’s.

The Doggies kicked away late in the season to finish two games clear on top of the ladder with a 15-3 record.

And they converted the minor premiership into the major prize, holding out East Malvern in the second semi-final and defeating the same opponent more comfortably in the grand final.

But Heffernan is expecting Division 1 to be tight this year, with Cheltenham (Myke Cook), St Kilda City (Sam Fisher and Raph Clarke) and East Malvern (Liam Sumner) counting former AFL players among their recruits, Mordialloc making a string of signings and Dingley expected to rally after failing in its bid for a fourth consecutive premiership.

Heffernan also has a healthy regard for the young Highett team, promoted after winning the Division 2 premiership.

“I think it’s going to be a cracker of a year,’’ he said.

“We’re going to have to be working hard to stay in the race.’’

With upgraded lights at McKinnon Oval, St Paul’s will open its season with a night match against Bentleigh on Saturday, April 6.