Ranked 30 to 1: The Southern league’s best ahead of 2024
From never-say-die defenders to clever forwards and star midfielders, we have ranked our top 30 ahead of the Southern league Division 1 season. See who made the list and where they rank.
Sport
Locked in: Eastern league practice matches revealed
The season is fast approaching and a host of clubs have locked in scratch-matches as they prepare for 2024. See who your club is playing.
Named: Analysis of every Eastern Ranges boy
The Ranges have a rich history of producing AFL talent – and this year could follow the trend. We examine every player in the 2024 boys squad.
All the latest Eastern league key signings
Ex-AFL talent, state league names, homecoming heroes and more – there’s been no shortage of key player signings landing across all five Eastern league divisions …
Named: Analysis of every Eastern Ranges girl
We examine every Eastern Ranges under-18 girl ahead of the Coates Talent League season.
Blues’ upset of the decade, Rams’ awesome eight
Talking Points: Manningham United pulls off the upset of the decade, while Pascoe Vale puts a rival to the sword. Plus, coaching change chaos.
The ultimate Premier Cricket grand final guide
Analysis of the decider, a look at who has the hot hand for Carlton and Casey-South Melbourne, PLUS, tips from a panel of experts. Here is everything you need to know before watching this weekend’s Premier Cricket grand final.
Named: 100+ of Victoria’s best junior basketballers
Victoria is the home of Australian basketball and the talent coming through our ranks is only getting better. Meet more than 100 of our state’s best juniors.
‘Fell into our lap’: East Ringwood signs ex-WAFL star
A late pre-season gift for the Eastern Premier Division club with the signing of more than 100 games of state league experience.
‘I finally got it’: How ‘Slick’ secured an elusive Turf 1 title
Buckley Ridges star Michael ‘Slick’ Davies copped a bit of criticism when he chased a Turf 1 flag, but when he finally got his hands on one, it all seemed worth it.
The stars set to shine in the 2024 Big V season
From star imports to local heroes, there will be plenty of exciting talents on Big V courts this season. Here are some of the best to keep an eye on.
The young guns ready to light up Big V Basketball in 2024
The 2024 Big V season has finally arrived and there’s a wave of young stars ready to make their mark. Here’s some of the next gen stars you need to keep an eye on.
Every Southern league club’s ins and outs
Keep up to date with every in and out across all four divisions of the Southern Football Netball League. See all moves here.
Local footy club’s desperate bid to play in 2024
With a host of players needing to select work over footy, a local club in Melbourne’s outer east has called to arms for numbers on the eve of the season.
Named: all 312 NPL/VPL recruits for 2024
With the VPL2 season kicking off, we can finally reveal every club’s full list of recruits for 2024 with more than 300 players arriving over summer.
Your ultimate DDCA Turf 1 grand final preview
Analysis, potential selection news and how each side wins the decider. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the Dandenong District Turf 1 grand final.
‘You can’t replace him’: Berwick’s hammer blow
A cruel blow to Eastern Premier Division club Berwick, with one of its most important players set to miss the 2024 season. Latest here.
Why ‘big challenge’ Buckley Ridges is eyeing another chase
On its way to a fifth DDCA Turf 1 grand final in six years, Buckley Ridges coach Manjula Munasinghe believes there’s a difference to his side this time around.
‘Got out of jail’: Rams prevail in semi-final grind
It was a slog, but Ringwood finds itself one win from its first top-flight men’s decider in years as some usual suspects fired – and a teen prodigy was unearthed.
The three-step plan that brought the Bulls back from ‘lowest point’
Just days after Dandenong West completed its second successive DDCA flag, Bulls stalwart Peter Lindsay recalls the meeting that sparked the club’s revival.
VPL2 kicks off in style, St Albans opens account
There were goals galore as the VPL2 season kicked off, while St Albans opened its account and Langwarrin continues to shine. Plus, our Goal of the Week.
REVEALED: Athletes to look out for at the Little Athletics state titles
The heat won’t stop Victoria’s best athletes compete at the Little Athletics state titles with plans in place to combat it. We look at those in contention for state glory over the weekend.
Named: The players set to shape FTGDCA flag fight
It’s finals time in the Ferntree Gully & District Cricket Association’s top-flight. We’ve named the players who could shape the premiership race …
Named: Analysis of every Dandenong Stingrays boy
The Dandenong Stingrays continue to pump out AFL talent and this year looks no different. Here’s what you need to know about every player in the 2024 boys squad.
Named: Analysis of every Gippsland Power boy
The Gippsland Power continue to pump out AFL talent and this year looks no different. Here’s what you need to know about every player in the 2024 boys squad.
The ex-AFL players set to light up the Eastern league
Some are fresh out of the system, while others have sought a change of club. Here’s where the Eastern league’s newest ex-AFL names will be getting a kick this year …
Revealed: Steve O’Brien’s greatest-ever side
Steve O’Brien’s coaching career spans over 25 years at five clubs and now he has squeezed his best ever side together. See who made it.
Talent: The 45 young guns to watch in NPL Victoria
NPL Victoria is chock full of exciting young talent. The 14 club coaches share their pick of the young guns to watch in 2024.
Why Bloods’ captain sensed another Wyatt stunner
Springvale South captain Ryan Quirk saw early indications of another Jordan Wyatt century to savour. All that and more from another bumper weekend across the Dandenong District Association.
Brilliant Beaver’s record-busting blitz
Lysterfield’s Nathan Walsh is no stranger to hitting tons – but his masterclass on Saturday shattered a longstanding record stretching more than four decades in the FTGDCA’s top-flight.
Revealed: Victoria’s brightest young sporting stars
Victoria is full of emerging sports stars destined for big futures. We’ve identified the young guns you need to keep an eye out for.
‘Go big’: What sparked Dandenong’s centurion streak
A pre-season request from coach Tom Donnell has played a role in Dandenong’s unshackling with the bat this summer. Brett Forsyth, who just hit his third ton of the summer, explained why.
Revealed: The future stars of Victorian cricket
The Dowling Shield has been a breeding ground for some of Victoria’s finest cricketers and this season was no different. Here’s some names to keep an eye on in the future.
The top performers in the 2024 J.G Craig Shield
From centuries and bag of wickets, there were plenty of good performances and performers at the Sub-District cricket Under 15 tournament. Here are a few names to track.
Centurions dominate Team of the Week
It was a batters paradise in Premier Cricket this weekend and that dominance is reflected in our Team of the Week. Check out the high-scoring XI here.
Croydon comeback clinches Craig Shield
A stunning revival at the crease spearheaded Croydon to victory in Sunday’s JG Craig Shield decider, with a pair of unbeaten knocks delivering the Cockies their first title in years.
The local footy teams to keep an eye on in 2024
From clubs with massive off-season recruiting drives to those who need to live up to the pressure, these are the local footy teams you need to keep an eye on in 2024.
The recruits and returning guns set to boost Blues
A new division awaits Croydon after suffering relegation at the end of 2023 – but a package of recruits along with returning stars are set to lift the club.
‘Bullseye’: Meet 11 of Vic’s best archers set to target State Champs
We name 11 of the state’s top archers set to take aim at Angel Archers in this weekend’s Victorian Short Range Championships.
‘Baby Wickers’: Why Berwick refresh has coach bullish
It’s a changing of the guard at Eastern Premier club Berwick, with a host of top-liners moving on. But the coach is backing youth. Here’s why.
East Ringwood snares ex-AFL speedster
It’s another recruiting coup for East Ringwood, signing a former AFL Demon and Eagle from an Eastern Premier Division rival.
How Rowville is shaping for flag defence
Rowville’s premiership defence is uncharted territory for the coach and players – but it’s a challenge the club will embrace according to Ben Wise. And there’s been some signings …
Where Scoresby will hunt improvement
Scoresby fell just short of a grand final in 2023, but a package of recruits headlined by a gun forward look set to boost its fortunes this season, as the coach highlights the key area for improvement.
25 wickets, 10 ducks: Ball mauls bat in stunning DDCA match
Batters came and went, many taking a dip in the duck pond, in an incredible day of DDCA cricket. The stunning match between Narre South and St Mary’s leads off our wrap.
Future Victorian cricket stars light up Premier under-18s
The new look Victorian Premier Cricket under-18 men’s competition has seen special performances throughout the pool phase. See who were the most dominant players with the semi-finals now set.
Cockies’ ‘selfless’ star notches 200
Steve Wright’s numbers stack up among the best to have represented Croydon across almost 140 years of history – and the former captain’s latest feat is no exception.
‘Twelve in and two out’: Woori Yallock’s exciting list changes
Woori Yallock is poised to sign more key recruits as it sets itself for a big 2024 under new coach Brendan Donovan.
How Eastern club lured former The Recruit star
He’s been one of local footy’s most damaging forwards of the past decade. Now the former The Recruit contestant is set to light up Eastern’s Division 4.
Ex-Aussie blaster leaves lasting impression with local club
Ex-Aussie batter Brad Hodge left an impression at Berwick Springs while a Premier Cricket champion guided his side to victory.
Where the Cobras must improve
Despite edging closer to another finals campaign, HSD coach Craig Hookey has identified the area his side must improve to contend for the DDCA Turf 2 silverware.
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