SFNL 2025: Division 3 club-by-club season guide

Southern league Division 3 footy is here. Discover our verdict on every club and catch up on the latest key player movement in our season preview.

The Southern league Division 3 season is upon us.

See how every club is shaping up below.

Ashwood

Coach: Michael Decorrado

Last year: 5-13 (7th)

In: Jordan Skalamera (Springvale Districts), Jesse Cattivera (Tarneit), Michael Hemmett (Swinburne University), Drew Parker (Banyule), Mitch Wilkinson (Noble Park), Liam Harrington (returning), Jayden Brown (returning), Tommy Smith (returning), Kane Johnson (Blackburn), James Zapedowski (Mazenod), Jake Rowe (Forest Hill), Stephen Naylor (Yarra Junction), Todd Burger (Chirnside Park), Ethan Hocking (Box Hill North), Kyle Hocking (Box Hill North), Josh Hocking (Box Hill North), Declan Tibb (Beaumaris)

Out: Max Travis (Mt Evelyn)

Verdict: Ashwood has enjoyed what coach Michael Decorrado described as a “fruitful” off-season. The heavy recruiting spree was done out of necessity, in the eyes of Decorrado, to simply keep up with the competition after a lowly seventh-place finish in 2024. 24-year-old defender Mitch Wilkinson has joined the club from the Eastern league’s premier division and will take on the captaincy in a major signing coup. It seems improvement is on the horizon for the Magpies, who are well placed to move up the ladder.

Berwick Springs

Co-Coaches: Hayden Stagg, Chris Johnston

Last year: 2-16 (12th in OEFN Premier)

In: Mitch Latimer (Catani), Jack Roberts (Catani), Tom McLean (Bunyip), Cooper Tracy (Narre Warren), Tom Stiglich, Ty Ellison (returning)

Out: Jett Kearney (Narre Warren), Riley Hillman (Ringwood), Luke Morrell (Cranbourne)

Verdict: Berwick Springs struggled in the Premier division of Outer East FN last season after earning promotion when they were cruelled by injuries, and come into Division 3 of the Southern league as a largely unknown quantity. Likewise, Berwick Springs has little idea what to expect. Their goal is to win the flag but a finals appearance in their debut season would be a tick.

Black Rock

Coach: Matt Huber

Last year: 6-12

In: Aaron Cloke (Oakleigh Amateur), Jayden Bradbury (returning), Andrew Mase (Oakleigh Amateur), Caleb Qumivutia (Oakleigh Amateur), Luke Huber (Hawthorn Amatuer), Ricky Wait (St Marys), Liam Holding (Edithvale-Aspendale), Blake Gordon, Declan Capp (Highett), Dylan O’Neill (Edithvale-Aspendale), Harry Voegeler (Swinburne University), Brady McNeill (Basketball), Jasper Young (Cheltenham), Zac White (Dingley), Mina Farid (Oakleigh), Jordan Cole (Beaumaris), Sean Carbury (Colac Tigers), Zac Bowen (Beaumaris), Raage Noor (Monash Blues), Seth Adams (Quinns Districts)

Out: Ryan Handley (Powelltown), Jarryd Wines (Powelltown), Mitch Caddy, Cooper Ferries (Powelltown), Stuart Wines (St Paul’s McKinnon)

Verdict: Black Rock, like Ashwood, is another Division 3 club that missed finals but looks to be on the up after a heavy off-season recruiting drive. Champion goal-kicker Aaron Cloke, who has twice surpassed the 100-goal mark – headlines the signing spree. He played just one game in 2024 but fired 83 goals in 19 matches for Oakleigh Amateurs the year before. By Matt Huber’s estimation, 12 “genuine” senior players have been recruited with a focus on key positions and youth. It will be exciting to see what difference the changes make on-field for the Jets, who could also bounce up the ladder.

Aaron Cloke celebartes. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Carrum Patterson Lakes

Coach: Sean Stanton

Last year: 11-6 (4th)

In: James Waldron (Fairpark), Nick Macente (Fairpark), Jake O’Dempsey (Chelsea), Riley Maggio (Chelsea), Angus Smith (Chelsea), Brad Seamons (Chelsea), Baylin O’Neil (Edithvale-Aspendale), Mandrez Manu (Chelsea), Jacob Race (Edithvale-Aspendale)

Out: Brendon Head (Koo Wee Rup), Harrison Paul

Verdict: Fresh off reaching the first week of finals, a new-look Carrum Patterson Lakes outfit is set to take to the field in 2025 under new coach Sean Stanton. While they will be a different looking team, they have retained most of the forward-minded half of their list, while the midfield depth has been bolstered. Stanton said there have been good signs across the practice matches.

New Carrum Patterson Lakes recruit Brad Seamons. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Hampton

Coach: Shannon Grant

Last year: 17-1 (Division 4 premiers)

In: Jett McMillan (Phillip Island), Sonny McMillan (Phillip Island), Will Snowden (Beaumaris), Nathan Introvigne (Bridgetown), Anthony Papa (returning), Declan Conroy (St Kevin’s), Charles Conroy (St Kevin’s), Harrison Harbrow (Coburg Districts)

Out: 

Verdict: Hampton were the standouts in Division 4 last season as the club continues to bounce back from the tough times it fell on in 2022, and one opposition coach that faced them predicts they will surprise plenty of teams in Division 3 with their young and quick outfit. The first year in a new division always carries an element of the unknown, but Frankston are the most recent example of a team that can quickly move up the grades when it nails a youthful core.

Heatherton

Coach: Blake Wadley

Last year: 13-5 (3rd)

In: Tyler Black (Frankston Dolphins), Jarryd Cox (St Paul’s McKinnon), Adam Moro (returning), Flynn Sinclair (Devon Meadows), Harrison Butterss (Old Collegians)

Out: Jayden Arter (retired), Nathan Prosser (coaching at Beaumaris), Nick Murray (retired)

Verdict: Despite a preliminary final appearance last season after a strong campaign, Heatherton is doing things differently in 2025. “Water it and watch it grow” is the ethos coach Blake Wadley has adopted as he prepares his side to move the ball quicker this season. Although there could be growing pains that come with the new style of play early on, Heatherton should be in a position to reach finals and contend for the flag again.

Lyndhurst

Coach: Andy Clarke

Last year: 6-11 (5th)

In: Kaide Robertson (Chelsea Heights), Robbie McMahen (Koo Wee Rup), Jack Hazendonk (Poowong), Beau Cannon (Seaford)

Out: Jason Twite (Skye)

Verdict: Lyndhurst made headlines in the off-season with the boom signing of four-time Ellinbank District league medallist Jack Hazeldonk. Hazeldonk headlines the new faces which will accompany a talented crop of young kids coming through. After missing finals last season, Lyndhurst has some ground to make up but the addition of Hazeldonk will certainly help.

Jack Hazendonk. Picture Yuri Kouzmin.

Skye

Coach: Paddy Cooke

Last year: 0-18 (10th in Division 2)

In: Shane Long (Karingal), Aaron Philp (Pines), Michael Boland (Cranbourne), Chace Struth (Trafalgar), Jordyn Baker (Trafalgar), Daniel Baker (Trafalgar), Jason Twite (Lyndhurst)

Out: 

Verdict: After a winless season last year in Division 2, described by coach Paddy Cooke as the first step of a “complete rebuild” a fresh start awaits for Skye in 2024. Despite the challenges of last season the club hasn’t lost any key players, which is a positive sign toward what it is trying to build. The addition of Michael Boland from Cranbourne in the ruck will be particularly key and should give plenty of midfielders first use of the footy.

Michael Boland in full flight. Picture: Valeriu Campan

South Mornington

Coach: Chris Baker

Last year: 14-4 (runners up)

In: Broden Bird (Red Hill), Paul Dadds (returning), Jackson Wayne, Kieran Taig

Out: Justin McLeary, Angus Wood

Verdict: Despite a grand final appearance last season, South Mornington has turned over its list after it was “found out” by Frankston in last year’s decider. There will be six to seven changes from that grand final team in round one this season, with speed, strength and overall fitness the focus. That pain of that grand final burnt all off-season and it’s made for a much stronger pre-season effort across the board. Should be in the hunt for the flag again.

St Kilda City

Coach: Jason Hamilton

Last year: 5-13 (9th in Division 2)

In: Jordan Grollo (East Brighton), Jack Rolfe (Wandsworth), Harry Waterfall, Tyler Young, Will Hollands, Felix Radovanovic (South Melbourne Districts), Ben Lewis (Tuggeranong Valley), Tom Sargeant (Old Collegians)

Out: James Tasiyan (Roxburgh Park), Fischer McAsey, Rory Freeman, Jonah Bloom

Verdict: St Kilda City was very unlucky to be cruelled by double relegation despite picking up five wins in Division 2 last season, and should, at the very least, be a finals contender this season in Division 3. The club has enjoyed better numbers on the track throughout pre-season compared to last and believes it is better prepared overall. There is also a greater pool of overall senior talent to choose from and there should be competition for spots throughout the season, which hadn’t always been the case. Key defender Jordan Grollo’s experience should be a great addition, while young Tom Sargeant is another signing that coach Jason Hamilton is bullish about. Likewise, he expects reigning best and fairest winner and playing assistant coach Josh McMahon to go to a new level.