Southern league: Oakleigh District cleared to Eastern

The Southern league has confirmed its divisional structure for 2022 after AFL Victoria granted the Oaks’ wish to switch competitions.

Oakleigh District has been cleared to the Eastern league.

Southern league mainstay Oakleigh District has been cleared to Eastern.

AFL Victoria confirmed it had approved the Oaks’ transfer after a hearing in which the SFNL opposed the club’s move.

Oakleigh District had been in Division 1 of Southern and will start in Division 2 – the third tier – of Eastern.

With Cranbourne and Doveton joining Southern from the AFL Outer East and Oakleigh District leaving, there has been a shuffling through the SFNL’s four divisions.

Cranny, long a powerhouse club, will kick off in Division 1.

Doveton will start in Division 2.

Springvale Districts, the minor premier and hot flag favourite in Division 2 this year, has been elevated to the top grade.

Highett, which finished with only one win in Division 1 in 2021, has been relegated to Division 2.

And Murrumbeena has taken the drop to Division 3 after suffering an exodus of players and failing to win a game this year.

The Lions will come up against Carrum Patterson Lakes, which gained promotion after winning all its games in Division 4.

South Mornington and Deveton Eagles go from Division 3 to 4.

The Eagles didn’t win a game, although they did manage a draw against South Yarra, and South Mornington struggled in its first year in the competition.

With 37 clubs, a bye will be part of the Division 4 fixtures.

Meanwhile, the league has told clubs that, in line with instructions from AFL Victoria, players, coaches and support staff can attend pre-season training if they are unvaccinated.

They can use changerooms and toilets.

Tim McGenniss on the run for Somerville.

But if the club has a function all attendees must be vaccinated as per hospitality rules.

In other SFNL news, East Malvern topliner Luke Duffy has moved to Whittlesea and Dingley has locked in Somerville star Tim McGennis, a former North Melbourne rookie.

This year Duffy was fourth in the Division 1 medal count and named in the team of the season.

Taken with pick 10 in the 2012 rookie draft after winning the Dandenong Stingrays’ best and fairest, McGenniss was overlooked for a senior AFL game at the Kangaroos despite turning in consistent performances for Werribee in the VFL.

He’s regarded as one of the best players in the MPNFL second division and is expected to be in the top bracket of footballers in the SFNL.

SOUTHERN LEAGUE DIVISIONS FOR 2022

Division 1 (10)

Bentleigh

Cheltenham

Cranbourne

Dingley

East Malvern

Mordialloc

Port Melbourne Colts

Springvale Districts

St Kilda City

St Paul’s McKinnon

Division 2 (10)

Caulfield Bears

Chelsea Heights

Doveton Doves

East Brighton

Hampton

Hampton Park

Heatherton

Highett

Keysborough

Skye

Division 3 (8)

Ashwood

Black Rock

Carrum Patterson Lakes

Clayton

Endeavour Hills

Narre South Saints

Murrumbeena

South Yarra

Division 4 (9)

Cerberus

Dandenong

Doveton Eagles

Frankston Dolphins

Hallam

Lyndale

Lyndhurst

Moorabbin Kangaroos

South Mornington