Southern league 2022 season: Division 1 club-by-club preview
Some star players have left but others have come into the top section of the Southern Football Netball League. Here’s a preview of Division 1.
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After two seasons killed off by Covid, Southern league Division 1 clubs have fingers – and toes – crossed that 2022 will bring a full year of football.
It starts on Saturday, with Cranbourne making its debut in the SFNL and Kris Thompson’s Springvale Districts returning to the top tier after an unbeaten 2021.
Here’s a club-by-club look at their prospects of each of the 10 teams.
BENTLEIGH
Coach: Peter Pirera
Last year: 4-8
In: Jakob De Winter (Cohuna, Central Murray league), Nick McCann (VAFA), Kya Austin (VAFA), Rhys De Deugd (MPNFL), Dan O’Loughlin (VAFA), Bailey Thomas (VAFA)
Out: Mitch Smart, Tom Massey, Sam Lewin, Jayce Morgan
Bottom line: There was lot of movement at Bentleigh in the off-season, with quite a few players joining the Demons but some of their most accomplished performers saying their goodbyes too. Ruck star Mitch Smart, onballer Tom Massey and key position man Sam Lewin moved on and so did Michael Rogers, linking with Mornington, but it’s understood Rogers is now heading interstate with work. Coach Peter Pirera has some holes to fill, for sure. But he also has an exciting group of young players coming through. Some of them were seen last season, including Josh Mackie (who has made VFL club Frankston’s Academy squad), Jack Hastings, Jacob Curry, big Jonno Hunt, Under 19s co-captain Seb Erharter and Nick Paizis. The young talent popping through will play under the leadership of captain Ben Cooper, vice-captains Hudson Thomas and Jack Firns, and deputy vice-captains Ash Di Ciero. Former Old Xaverians star Nick Wynne has no title but he’s an exemplary leader. It’s hard to see the Demons pushing in top bracket. But it’s easy to imagine them having some good days and collecting a few big scalps.
CHELTENHAM
Coach: Des Ryan
Last year: 10-2
In: Nick Burke (Geelong VFL), Ollie Moran (Mentone Grammar)
Out: Sean McLaren, Kyle Parsons, Anthony Malamas, Ben McDonald
Bottom line: There are four notable departures for the Rosellas, who were on the pace in the abandoned 2021 season. But there are also some reasons to believe they’ll be a threat again in 2022. The word is top signing Nick Burke is impressing at Port Melbourne, meaning Chelt won’t see a lot of him. But they’ll see much more of Myke Cook and Josh Fox, both fit after serious injuries and both top-line players. And they’ve brought in another good prospect in Ollie Moran, who can be added to an impressive collection of young players that includes Rex Kilburn and Declan and Alec McComb and Finn Ryan. Dylan Weickhardt, Daniel Vaughan, Sam Hayes, Daniel Rendell, Jack Worrell, Dan Harrison, Austin Johnson (listed with Richmond VFL), Jackson Barclay, Robert Iudica, Sam Hayes, Will McTaggart, Tom Davis … there’s plenty of talent flying with the Rosellas. Of course they can challenge again.
CRANBOURNE
Coach: Steve O’Brien
Last year: 5-2-1 in AFL Outer East Premier
In: Kobe Seers (MPNFL), Zak Roscoe (Noble Park), Mitch White (Casey Demons VFL), George Grey (Casey Demons VFL)
Out: Troy Tharle, Dylan Bass, Tom Marks
Bottom line: It’s Cranbourne’s kick-off season in the Southern league and it goes straight into Division 1 as a perennially powerful club in the outer south-east region. Rivals are expecting the Eagles to quickly rise to the top rungs of the ladder and be a force in the finals. Their off-season focus was on player retention rather than recruitment, although they did regain Zak Roscoe from Noble Park and signed Casey VFL pair Mitch White and George Grey as home-club players. Cranny also have Corey Ellison and Jarryd Barker on the Casey list. Ellison is a promising tall forward. The Eagles have a legendary tall forward in Marc Holt, who has kicked more than 1000 goals in senior football. Good luck to the key defenders given the task of standing Holt, a powerful man with hands the size of dinner plates. Captain Brandon Osborne and ruckman Mick Boland, who has recovered from a serious knee injury, are other leading players.
DINGLEY
Coach: Danny Ades
Last year: 11-1
In: Tim McGenniss (MPNFL), Jake Mullen (Doveton), Michael Dolan (VAFA)
Out: Christopher Horton-Milne, Matt Edwards, Aaron Hodges, Matt Terech
Bottom line: The Dingoes won the flag in 2019 and so are the reigning premiers. They might have won the premiership in 2021 too had Covid not interrupted and then finally killed off the season. The squad looks strong again, despite Division 1 best and fairest Christopher Horton-Milne returning to Noble Park. Of the inclusions, Tim McGenniss was on North Melbourne’s rookie list and is a classy midfielder, Mullen has brilliance bursting out of his boots and can play most positions, and Michael Dolan is a centre half-forward. Familiar names like Jackson Peet, Lucas Walmsley, Matt Morwood, Dan Farmer, Kristen Feehan, Cam Hansen and Josh Ferguson will set the standard again, Cam Dickie can help cover the loss of ball-hog Horton-Milne, and Remmi Faulkner-Wood, Lachie Lamble, Luke Simmonds and Rory Goldsmith are gaining experience and extending their influence. There’s more. Jack Williams and Travis La Rocca are coming back from injury, and ace goalkicker Justin Van Unen is ready to show SFNFL why he’s been so highly regarded in other leagues. Expect Dingley to give the premiership a mighty shake.
EAST MALVERN
Coach: Brent Chapman
Last year: 6-6
In: Michael Cooke (Shepparton Swans), Luke Armstrong (Murray league), Nathan McDonald (Karingal)
Out: Luke Duffy, Mackenzie Bristow, Ben Timms
Bottom line: things were a little quieter in the off-season at East Malvern than in previous years. The Panthers chased but couldn’t land a few good types and with accomplished players Luke Duffy, Mackenzie Bristow and Ben Timms moving on, it’s probably left them slightly weaker. Centre half forward Luke Armstrong and former best and fairest Michael Cooke will be more than handy in attack, and Lucas Hall and Ed Sim will hold down the key-position posts. Throw in midfielders of the calibre of Paul Fry, Matt Tighello and Tom Preece, and they should be around the mark again for the top five. Any time they see champion ruckman Chris Carey – the Sandringham VFL captain this year – this season will be a bonus. They’re a three-goal better side when he’s around.
MORDIALLOC
Coach: Brendon Moore
Last year: 4-8
In: Ryan Santon (Mid Gippsland), Lachlan Howes (Mid Gippsland), Ryan Stringer (East Brighton), Zinzi Mosimane (Frankston YCW), Nick McCann (Goulburn Valley), Ben Martin (Mid Gippsland), Brett O’Hanlon (VFL)
Out: Toby Arms, Cal Dixon, Dave Marguglio
Bottom line: You won’t hear reappointed coach Brendon Moore making any grand forecasts about his Bloodhounds. What you will hear is him talking about is gradual improvement and being competitive. Depth will be an issue for Mordi, as it will be for a few other Division 1 clubs, but his best 22 is decent. Frankston YCW premiership player Ryan Santon is a good pick-up, as are ex-YCW big man Zini Mosiamane and former East Brighton skipper Ryan Stringer. And two days before the bounce of the ball the Bloodhounds brought in former Richmond AFL player Brett O’Hanlon, who is coming off a stint in the VFL with Frankston. His father, “Jezza’’, is a former senior coach of the club. Watch for Ben Stephenson as he returns from a broken wrist; Moore rates him highly. Hopefully a few others can come through too. Division 1 needs a strong Mordialloc.
PORT MELBOURNE COLTS
Coach: Graeme Yeats
Last year: 9-3
In: Steve Brewer (Western Region FL), Paul “Chewy’’ Scanlon (Kyabram District FNL), Jake Anderson (Kyabram District FNL), Callan Wellings (Collingwood VFL), David Kovacevic (Ballarat FNL), Jackson Williams (Central Murray FNL), Darrean Wyatt (Tasmania State League), Jarrah Brownhill (AFL Canberra), Sam Leitch (Central Murray FNL), Harrison Paul (AFL Outer East), Jordie Maloney (Port Melbourne Colts juniors)
Out: Kwame McHarg, Max Bruin, Mason Crozier, Hamish Hosking, Brad Sutcliffe
Bottom line: The Colts hit the headlines a couple of weeks ago when they unveiled a package of recruits that included legendary local footballer “Chewy’’ Scanlon; another Western Region Barry Priest Medal winner in David Kovacevic, a ruckman who was in the Ballarat league last year; 204cm former Collingwood AFL rookie Darrean Wyatt; and well-performed country and ex-VFL player Jake Anderson. They’ve since put in a clearance for ex-Bendigo Pioneer Jackson Williams, who was on Collingwood VFL’s books in 2019 and who has brought along his Cohuna Kangas teammate Sam Leitch, a ruckman. Half-forward Harrison Paul has also come on to the list, which was immediately strengthened with the signing of Port Melbourne VFL premiership player Steve Brewer back in October. Kwame McHarg’s return to Deer Park takes a champion away from the Colts and the competition. And club great Brad Sutcliffe has retired after a decorated career that took in senior football in the VFL with Port Melbourne. Still, the Colts have an impressive squad and they should give the premiership a push.
SPRINGVALE DISTRICTS
Coach: Kris Thompson
Last season: 12-0 in Division 2
In: Tyrone Vickery (AFL), Ryan Macdermid (Parkdale Vultures), Alexander Derzekos (Parkdale Vultures), Matt Blair (Karingal), Toby Arms (Mordialloc), Shakore Bragg-Taylor (Hampton Hammers)
Out: Nathan Brown, Adam Read, Riley Mayne, Luke Behin, Matt Runnalls, Joe McLelland, Justin Dowling
Bottom line: there will be great interest in the showing of the Demons, promoted after a dominant 2021 in which they seemed destined to win the Division 2 premiership. They recruited well, adding former AFL Tiger and Hawk Tyrone Vickery, two good Parkdale Vultures in Ryan Macdermid and Alexander Derzekos, the emerging Toby Arms from Mordi and Hampton cult figure and former US baseballer Shakore Bragg-Taylor. And Matt Blair comes in as a ruckman to replace departed big men Riley Mayne and Luke Behin. Vickery will help cover for two-time league medal winner and ace key forward Matt Wetering, who has joined Collingwood VFL. Districts should still see a bit of Wetering given his selection will swing on the Magpies’ injury list. And hopefully they’ll see Corey Hutchinson, who will make a delayed start to the season. He’s one of the league’s most talented players. Watch for the likes of Matt Thompson, Peter Heng, Georgie Angelopoulos and Mladen Josic to be at the front of the Demons’ effort, and for wingman Mason Russell to quickly make his name in first division. Districts will be well coached and if they’re granted luck on the injury front they might be a surprise package.
ST KILDA CITY
Coach: Matty Hoy
Last year: 9-3
In: James Magner (Berwick), Madison Andrews (Berwick), Anthony Malamas (Cheltenham), Troy Kelm
Out: Aaron Edwards, Jordie Pollard, Malcolm Neiwand, Ed Greene
Bottom line: What would a Southern league pre-season be without St Kilda City making a big signing or two? Last year it was Brownlow Medal champion Dane Swan and former AFL forward Aaron Edwards. This year it’s ex-Melbourne midfielder James Magner and his Berwick premiership teammate Madison Andrews, who won three league best and fairests medals. Andrews retired after leading Berwick into the Eastern league but, like Magner, he’s living close to St Kilda and is keen to have a run in Southern. Ruckman Troy Kelm has returned and onballer Anthony Malamas is a good addition from Cheltenham. Edwards was a prominent goalkicker last year for City, slotting 53 from 12 outings. But it should still have a steady supply of goals through Brayden Irving (a true star of the competition) and Daniel Degois, a century goalkicker with Queenscliff who played as a key backman with the St Kilda club last year. They’ll be fed by the likes of Luke Potts, Jordan Tabakman and Tyrell Lafituanai. And Swan will cruise across half back, setting up attacks. Finals for sure for City.
ST PAUL’S
Coach: Jason Heffernan
Last year: 5-7
In: Harry Hunt (VFA/VAFA), Liam Sumner (Ellinbank and District Football League), Dino Karamoshos (VAFA), Todd Heynen
Out: Curtis Murfett, Will Clarke
Bottom line: with injuries and unavailabilities the Doggies struggled early in the 2021 season. But they rattled home once they got their best team on the ground and no one could look forward to playing them. They’ve lost two of their leading players in onballer Curtis Murfett and reigning best and fairest and class defender Will Clarke. However former AFL player Liam Sumner, key forward Harry Hunt and runner Dino Karamoshos have returned. For a few weeks there in 2019 Hunt was arguably the best player in Division 1 of Southern league and it was no surprise when VFL club Port Melbourne snapped him up. But 2020 never heard a starting siren and ahead of 2021 Hunt crossed to Old Haileybury in the VAFA. Injury and the season shutdown meant he never got going at Port or Haileybury. He’s back with the Doggies full-time and will doubtless keep backmen busy. Sumner played juniors at St Paul’s, going to the TAC Cup with Sandringham Dragons and then the AFL with GWS and Carlton. Experienced midfielder Heynen, from the Central Murray league, should make his mark at McKinnon Rd. Well coached and with a committed squad that includes a fit Matt Kreymborg, the Doggies appeal as a top-five hope.
ROUND 1
Port Melbourne Colts vs St Kilda City
East Malvern vs Mordialloc
Cheltenham vs Dingley
Springvale Districts vs Cranbourne Eagles
St Paul’s McKinnon vs Bentleigh
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