Southern league: Division 1 thrashings prompt two-up, two-down talk

Cricket scores: there were three 100 point-plus margins when Division 1 of the Southern league resumed last Saturday.

Nailed it: St Kilda City young gun Tyrell Lafituanai drills a goal against Bentleigh. Picture: Steve Tanner

Has there been a more one-sided round in the top section of the Southern league?

There were thrashings galore on Saturday as the Division 1 competition resumed from a second Covid interruption and the top four teams topped up their percentages with thumping wins.

Cheltenham routed Oakleigh District by 177 points, Dingley caned Highett by 148, Port Melbourne Colts mauled Mordialloc by 109, St Kilda City blitzed Bentleigh by 69 and St Paul’s swept past East Malvern by 49 points.

Whip out the calculator: that’s a combined margin of 552 points.

Southern league CEO Lee Hartman said it was a concern and not only in Division 1.

Malcolm Neiwand takes possession for St Kilda Cityr. Picture: Steve Tanner

He pointed out there were sides in the other divisions who were clearly out of their depth.

“There’s a massive gap in all our divisions, from top to bottom,’’ Hartman said.

“It is concerning. Obviously we have promotion and relegation, which over time tries to help that situation. But whether something else needs to be looked at, that will be a discussion going forward. But most definitely the margins in first division were a concern.’’

Southern has a one-up, one-down promotion and relegation system, and it will apply at the end of this season.

But Hartman said two-up, two-down, as occurs in the VAFA, could be an option in the future.

“There’s definitely a discussion point there, with both the board and member clubs, going forward, should we look at a different model, because there’s a couple in each grade that would potentially be better placed in different divisions, both up and down,’’ he said.

Cheltenham won 29.22 (196) to 3.1 (19) and Rosellas coach Dessie Ryan saw a “shattered’’ opponent in Oakleigh District, which like Highett is 1-11.

St Kilda City coach Matty Hoy makes a point at three-quarter time. Picture: Steve Tanner

The Bulldogs are on the bottom with a percentage of 36.40. The Oaks’ percentage is 38.49.

Ryan hesitated when asked if he felt for Oakleigh District, saying he didn’t want to come across as patronising to Oaks coach Paul Howroyd and his team.

“It’s the second half of the season and there’s been these interruptions with Covid … it would be tremendously hard to keep that group competitive,’’ he said.

“I can understand how it can happen to a club.

“It’s been a unique 24 months for footy clubs hasn’t it, in terms of losing personnel. You have to keep it in perspective. They finished on the bottom in ’19 and stayed up (because Doveton Eagles were denied promotion). Then you get a Covid year that fleeces you … and then you come back and you’re stopping and starting.’’

The Rosellas had 14 goalkickers, with little left-footer Campbell James heading the list with six.

Michael Rogers kicks clear for Bentleigh against St Kilda City. Picture: Steve Tanner

James, who is still eligible for Under 19s, has kicked 18 goals from his seven senior matches this season and Ryan says he’s been an excellent addition to the team playing the role Drew Kelly filled in 2019.

Howroyd, a two-time Division 1 premiership coach at St Paul’s, said it had been a difficult year but he had been expecting it after an exodus of players from 2020.

He said Cheltenham was a formidable team.

“They hurt us on the turnover and they’re good around the stoppages … they get the numbers, they feed it out wide and off they go,’’ he said. “If you get caught ball watching, you’re buggered. They’re as good as I’ve seen this year.

“But we’ll live to fight another day. We’ll keep our heads up. It is what it is. We know we need to recruit some players and we know it’s going to be tough, because the scoreline isn’t flattering, but it’s a great club.’’

Dane Swan sums up his options for St Kilda City.

With three rounds to be played St Paul’s is making a late run for the finals, improving to 5-7. It’s now only a game behind fifth-placed East Malvern.

The Doggies were hammered with injuries in the first few weeks of the season but with key players back they’re giving the type of performances that have made them such a respected and consistent Division 1 club.

Ace forward Steve Muller kicked seven goals, taking his season tally to 33 from 12 matches.

St Pauls’ coach Jason Heffernan said his team had persisted through injuries and patchy form, and had come to an “exciting’’ part of the season, with matches against Dingley, St Kilda City and Highett.

St Pauls coach Jason Heffernan.

“If we can get there it will be a huge credit to the boys for not giving up the ghost,’’ he said.

“Our culture really stood tall in that we still had our 45 on the track and a good vibe around the club. For the wheels to turn, it’s been really good. We went down to Chelt just, but then we’ve got the Colts and East Malvern, and that’s a good feeling.’’

Where it had a long list of missing players in the early rounds, the Doggies have only premiership ruckman Nick Halliday (hand) out of their best team.

Colts spearhead Jase Perkins filled his bag with 10 goals against Mordialloc, Dan Farmer booted seven for Dingley against Highett, and Brayden Irving slotted four for St Kilda City against Bentleigh.

Gotcha: City’s Nick Perry brings down Bentleigh’s Kayen O’Brien.

City sprang from the blocks with seven goals to one, went on to one of its best wins for the season and held third place on the ladder.

Stalwarts Josh Cochrane and Nick Perry were in the best, as was Brownlow Medal champion Dane Swan, former VFL pair Irving and Luke Potts, and the fast-rising Tyrell Lafituanai, who is certain to attract interest from VFL clubs for 2022.

Young Charlie Clarke joined top-liners Kwame McHarg, Chris Deluca, Perkins and Marley Williams in the Colts’ best.