Strong competition, new clubs, recruits for Southern league in 2021
The Southern league season didn’t get off the ground in 2020, but there’s plenty of light at the end of the tunnel as its clubs take stock for next year. Here’s why 2021 will be worth the wait.
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BOUNCE OF THE BALL
The waiting game was the only game played this year after COVID-19 struck at the sporting scene and all else in Victoria. On March 23 the SFNL, VAFA, Eastern, Essendon District, Northern and Western Region met AFL Victoria officials and decided to postpone their seasons until May 31. From that point they held regular meetings with AFL Vic, working towards a kick-off. Hopes of a start rose and dipped according to the number of coronavirus cases and advice from the State Government. But on June 3 Eastern and Northern pulled the pin, the WRFL followed on June 22 and Essendon District went the same way two days later. That left the VAFA and Southern as the last leagues standing. The Ammos bowed out on July 1, saying the health and safety risks were too great to push on in 2020. And Southern made it official on July 3 after a string of clubs withdrew and revised return-to-play protocols made it clear crowds would be unable to attend.
NEW CLUBS
Narre South Saints and South Mornington were meant to make their debuts this year after joining Southern from the VAFA but they’ll have to wait for 2021. The Saints, who changed their name from St Francis Xavier Old Collegians, will start in Division 3 after winning the VAFA Division 4 flag in 2019. South Mornington, the Tigers, will also take their bow in Division 3.
UNDER 19s
Only seven under-age teams took the field last year but there has been an encouraging increase in 2020. As the league attempted to get Under 19s on the ground this year, 13 sides were ready to go, including two from Bentleigh and South Mornington. There was even an expression of interest from Dandenong. The league is looking for continued growth in women’s football too.
REDEVELOPED MOORABBIN
Stage two of the Linton St redevelopment should be well finished by the start of next season, giving the league an excellent venue for finals. The Division 1 decider was staged at Moorabbin last year, and the lack of cover for supporters was felt when rain rolled in. But the gate was great (helping the league to rake in an extra $44,000 in finals revenue). Southern chipped in $250,000 towards Moorabbin and can call it home for the next 25 years.
HOT DIVISION 1
Everything pointed to the top division reaching another level this year as Dingley sought to defend its premiership under new coach Danny Ades. Cheltenham (the first team into the 2019 grand final), East Malvern, Port Melbourne Colts, St Paul’s, Bentleigh and St Kilda City were expected to give the Dingoes imposing opposition, the Rosellas and Doggies presenting with strong squads again and the Colts, Demons and Saints having recruited well.
EVEN DIVISION 2
Division 2 was a cracking competition last season, with top three Springvale Districts, Keysborough and Murrumbeena split only on percentage as they gained 15 home-and-away wins. But Doveton Eagles came from fourth to win the flag, knocking over Districts in the grand final. A few weeks later it was clear the Eagles would be losing most of their premiership players, and the exodus prompted the league to place them in Division 3 for 2020. Last year’s Division 3 premier Hampton Park, a rejuvenated Caulfield and Hampton, usually thereabouts, should ensure no slackening of standards in 2021.
KWAME McHARG
The former Williamstown VFL player joined Port Melbourne Colts for 2020 after an outstanding seven years at Deer Park. He played in seven premierships (and was best-afield in two of the grand finals), took four best and fairests and won a league medal. How’s this for consistency: in his 136 matches for Deer Park he was named in the best 82 times and booted 343 goals as a midfielder and forward. McHarg came in at No 9 on Leader’s list of the top 50 local footballers.
DECLAN KEILTY
Declan Keilty was a standout on the SFNL transfer list this year: rarely does a player join Southern straight from the AFL. Drafted from the Casey Demons, Keilty played two matches with Melbourne in 2019 and as a versatile tall he was expected to dominate for Bentleigh. He will in 2021.
DAN CONNORS
The colourful former Tiger was one of the headline-grabbing signings for 2020, choosing to play close to his home by joining St Kilda City. Connors seems to have been around for moons, but he’s only 31 and the 29-game AFL Tiger and ex-Port Melbourne VFL forward has a bag of tricks as deep as a well and will give spectators plenty to savour.
OLIVER TATE
It was Cheltenham’s lucky day when it signed Ollie Tate from Williamstown. The VFL stalwart and ex-WAFL player is a fine footballer and model clubman, and should make a duck-to-water transition to Southern in a Rosellas team that will be a force for the next few years.
MORE RECRUITS
It’s not official but there’s a good chance former AFL swashbuckler Aaron Edwards and ex-Frankston VFL captain and best and fairest Luke Potts will join St Kilda City next year (and possibly another former Dolphin, Jordie Pollard). Edwards and Potts figured in Frankston Pines’ 2018 premiership and were registered with City when the Mornington Peninsula competition fell over last month. They both live not far from the Peanut Farm and are keen to player closer to home. With all suburban leagues to have salary caps of $100,000 next year, Southern clubs will fancy attracting good players facing pay cuts elsewhere.
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