Southern league: the 40 players setting the standard in Division 2
Who are the players starring in Division 2 of the SFNL this season? We have a dash at naming the top 40 – and three emergencies.
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Division 2 of the SFNL is an exciting competition this year, and there are plenty of good players making their mark.
Here are 40 setting the standard.
Georgie Angelopoulos, Springvale Districts
The combative small forward played in the 2010-11 premierships at Noble Park and spent time at Narre Warren before joining Districts in 2017. He’s been a strong contributor at Newcomen Rd, figuring in the Division 3 flag and helping the club to the top rungs in Division 2.
Blair Atkins, East Brighton
The Ormond centre half back was one of coach Andrew Kahofer’s major recruits as he set about building a new-look team. Was coming off a foot injury and is getting better with each game.
James Bateman, Skye
No one would hold him up as the most talented footballer to pull on a boot, but he’s a heart-and-soul player and captain of his club. “Tough as nails,’’ is how coach Luke Martin describes him.
Anthony Brannan, Keysborough
Has missed a few games this year, and when he has his club has really missed him. His age is a fair few years higher than his jumper number (22) but he’s still one of the classiest customers in Division 2.
Matthew Brown, Caulfield
Takes his place in a strong midfield and might even be leading the best and fairest count. Found a favourable match-up against Chelsea Heights, played forward and kicked two goals. Was originally at St Paul’s, where he won the Under 19 league medal in 2015.
Jake Buggy, Caulfield
Probably hasn’t hit the heights of 2019, when he was remarkably consistent, being named in the best on 14 occasions, booting 27 goals and streaking off with the best and fairest. Has spent some time on the wing but played on the ball in the last round. In the best dozen players in Division 2, no doubt.
Gary Carpenter, Chelsea Heights
Injury has restricted the former Mornington Peninsula Nepean star to four games, but they were four good games. The experienced Carpenter will be at the heart of any threat the Demons can pose to the likes of Springvale Districts and Caulfield.
Matthew Carnelley, Keysborough
In the veteran category but the crafty Carnelley is still keeping good backmen busy. Has 25 goals for the season, adding to a career tally that is only eight shy of 1000.
Luke Clark, Chelsea Heights
Has played in the midfield and half forward, willingly and strongly, and been a consistent contributor. The Heights picked him up from Parkdale Vultures, where he was held in high regard.
Ben Clark-Henry, Heatherton
Tough and tenacious in-and-under onballer who gives it everything, and then a lot more. Consistency has been his calling card this season.
Russell Gabriel, Hampton Park
Imposing ruckman Gabriel is probably the best player in the division. Joined the Redbacks as a two-time league medal winner in the South East league (formerly Casey Cardinia) and well-performed VFL player with Frankston, and has showed he’s a level above this grade of football. Had more than 70 hit-outs against Hampton in the last round. A champion of the local game.
Brad Gilder, Chelsea Heights
Has been a fine player in the Southern league for a long time and shows few signs of slowing up despite age staking a claim on him. The Heights are enjoying having the St Paul’s premiership player back at their club.
Tom Heagney, Caulfield
Bulldozer of a midfielder who has won two best and fairests and played more than 100 games with the Bears. Came back from Wodonga Bulldogs, part of the impressive group of returnees to have helped Caulfield make the jump into the top tier of Division 2.
Tom Heuston, Skye
The midfielder is enjoying a consistent season, getting four mentions in the best. Classy, uses the ball well and can knock over a goal.
Kyle Hendy, Hampton Park
There’s more than a dash of class about Hendy, an onballer and dangerous forward with plenty of pace and poise. Originally from Doveton, he crossed to the Redbacks from Highett, where he was a premiership player, interleague representative and gained the interest of VFL club Sandringham.
Peter Heng, Springvale Districts
The small forward-turned-midfielder is getting some lift-off, with coach Kris Thompson saying he’s been the club’s best player in the first third of the season. Improved his fitness considerably and his running ability has come to the surface.
Cory Hutchinson, Springvale Districts
Possesses more natural talent than most players in Southern, and has given some great showings on the wing this year. Stands 190cm, is athletic, kicks the ball well, has speed and is exceptional in the air, either when marking or coming in with a big spoil.
Shaun James, East Brighton
Plenty of newcomers are making their mark at Hurlingham Park. So is James, who has been part of the senior side for a while now and is leading it this year as captain.
Clinton Johnston, East Brighton
Forward who has been a bright presence in the East Brighton attack this season, bagging 20 goals. Played at Wandin in 2019 and before that in Tasmania, and joined the Vampires through his friendship with skipper Shaun James.
Mladin Josic, Springvale Districts
Unheralded onballer who often gets his team going with a key clearance or one-on-one win. Has helped the Dees cover the absence of matchturning midfielder Sam Raru.
Wade King, Murrumbeena
One of the few Beena senior players still at the club from 2019 (which says a lot about his character), and with his running and linking he’s been their best player this year.
Brody Ledder, Springvale Districts
Among the premier defenders in Division 2. Great in the air, takes intercept marks and can break the lines with his running and kicking. One course for another team-of-the-year jumper. When it comes to ranking backmen, Ledder is high up ladder.
Ben Lewis, Hampton
Onballer who along with ruckman Guy Timms (now out with an injured knee) has led the way for the Hammers this year. No frills about him but slogs away for four quarters.
Kai Love-Linay, East Brighton
Midfielder whose past month has been exceptional. Was captain of the Vampires and the reigning best and fairest when he left for Mooroopna in the strong Goulburn Valley in 2019. Happily for East Brighton he’s back at The Coffin.
Rob MacPherson, Chelsea Heights
The vice-captain has been the Demons’ most consistent player, shutting some good forwards out of the game. A show of the vote cards would probably put him in front in the best and fairest. Trains hard, goes at the ball like a bull, and has reached first-picked status with the selectors. They would like two or three more like him.
Simon Marchese, Keysborough
Rising player who came from nowhere to make the Dandenong Stingrays list for the NAB League Boys season that never went ahead last year. He’s putting together a good year for Keysy.
Riley Mayne, Springvale Districts
Powerful big man who joined the Districts from Queensland, where he’d had a run in the QAFL. He’s given them what they thought they were lacking in 2019, a genuine ruckman, which pleases club great Tony Cooper.
Liam Myatt, Hampton Park
Like Russell Gabriel, could include Dandenong Stingrays and Frankston VFL on his resume as he joined the Redbacks. They were hoping to get a top-line onballer for the step-up from Division 3. Strong over the ball and a relentless accumulator of it, Myatt is just that.
Joel McConville, Skye
No Skye player has handled the ball more often than magnet McConville. Tends to be underrated, like a few Bombers, but his club appreciates the week in, week out efforts of its onballer.
Chris O’Keefe, Caulfield
Has turned 40, but the Bears’ playing coach remains a fine player. And he’s one of the most decorated footballers in metropolitan ranks. Before joining Caulfield in 2019 he’d won two league best and fairests and played in three premierships at Spotswood in the Western Region. Played for North Ballarat in the VFL after coming out of the North Ballarat Rebels in the TAC Cup.
Adam Read, Springvale Districts
The 2019 Doveton Eagles premiership player has added another threat to the Districts forward line with his marking and mobility. Takes a turn in the ruck too and is capable of producing bursts that give the Demons the ascendancy. A class act.
Nathan Robinson, Chelsea Heights
With injuries to other players the former East Malvern Division 1 playing coach has had to carry a lot of the workload in the midfield this season. He’s done it with gusto – and a fair bit of guts.
Mason Russell, Springvale Districts
The left-footer has been a terrific pick-up from Karingal in the Mornington Peninsula Nepean league. Plays on the wing and tests his opponents with a mix of pace and endurance. One of the recruits of the year.
Chris Smith, Caulfield
Came to the Bears as a heralded recruit with a snazzy CV: time at Coburg in the VFL, Old Xaverians premiership player in the VAFA, prominent goalkicker in Eastern. And he’s lived up to his reputation by booting 27 goals from seven outings.
Bryce Sutton, Keysborough
One of the best big men in the division and indeed the Southern league. Strong, gets from contest to contest, and is rarely beaten. Has played five games this season; Keysy have won four of them.
Daniel Taberner, East Brighton
Ruckman who is enjoying a consistent first year with the Vampires, taking four mentions in the best. The brother of AFL Fremantle Docker Matt and was recruited from Waverley Blues.
Brandon Turner, Caulfield
Centre half back who returned to the Bears after a stint in Division 1 with Bentleigh. Can go into shut-down mode or launch an attack.
Dave Velardo, Heatherton
The left-footer is in the veteran class these days – it seems moons ago that he started making his name as a balanced and often brilliant goalkicker at Noble Park – but he’s still a dangerous player. His overall level of skill makes him a standout at Heatherton.
Tim Werner, Keysborough
A much-admired player, nimble and skilful, and often able to answer the need for a goal. Also serving as an assistant coach with the Burras this year.
Matt Wetering, Springvale Districts
Key forward with clamps for hands and the ability, if not the appetite, to play at a higher level. Crossed to Districts from Parkdale Vultures ahead of the 2019 season, won the league best and fairest, and will give this year’s competition award a shake too. What a star.
Cameron Williamson, Hampton Park
Exciting little left-footer who makes things happen when he has the ball, especially around goal. Figured in the Redbacks’ 2019 flag after making the move from Doveton.
AND THREE TO COME OFF THE BENCH
Ryan Goodes, Keysborough
“Bomber’s’’ next birthday will be his 40th. And his next football reunion will be for a 20-year bash for Clayton’s 2001 Division 1 premiership. It’s remarkable to think that all these years later he’s still boring in for the Burra and still contributing.
Ben Ingham, Heatherton
Big lump of a young man who is still learning the ruck caper but he’s making good progress with the Tonners. Added to the Southern league “young guns’’ development squad.
James McNamara, East Brighton
Another fresh face at Hurlingham Park and to the Southern scene. Has played a number of positions and been a handy goalkicker when used as a forward. The former Queenslander was a senior regular for Echuca before relocating to Melbourne and the bayside area.
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