SFNL 2025: Club-by-club Division 1 men’s previews

Bentleigh is eyeing off a place back in the Southern league’s top-five this season and a package of recruits could be crucial in its chances.

Bentleigh Demons players huddle. Picture: Steve Tanner.

As the highly anticipated Southern League men’s season draws closer, we’re taking a look at how every club is shaping up.

See our rolling coverage of each side below, which will be updated daily leading into the season.

Bentleigh

New Bentleigh coach Jack Jess is hopeful his side can make a return to finals footy in the Southern league’s top division this season.

Jess said after his appointment adding A-graders to a promising young list would be the focus this off-season for the Demons, and it’s an aim that he believes has been fulfilled.

Among the additions are Campbell Bedford from De La Salle and Caleb Sheahan from Strathfieldsaye, who have both impressed on the track throughout pre-season.

“Both really good age bracket, bring something new and something different this year which I’m really impressed with,” Jess said.

Bentleigh recruit Campbell Bedford in action for De La Salle in the VAFA. Picture: Andy Brownbill.

Top ruckman Mitch Smart has also returned to the club, and will be joined by his brother Daniel.

“They’re two huge additions as well, in the backline and a number one ruckman,” Jess said.

“We’ve structured up really well in the recruiting side of things, we’re really happy with how we’ve recruited.

“We’ve got some really quality players in that we’re really happy with, we’re still a young side and we’ve still got a lot of development to go, I’m really excited to see that progress in-season as well.”

Bentleigh finished eighth last season under Kristian Bardsley with five wins and a promising percentage of 85.84. The Demons were buoyed by a resounding 69-point win over Port Melbourne Colts late in the season.

“The more experience we get into this great crop of young kids we’ve got coming through is really important as well, that’ll set the club up for the future going forward,” Jess said.

“Having said that we’re there to win games and we’re there to play finals footy, that’s definitely our aim this year, we’re really excited with the year ahead and what it looks like for us.”