Southern league: top 40 Division 1 players of the 2021 season
Who has seen plenty of the pill in the first seven weeks of the season? We have a dash at naming the top 40 SFNL Division 1 players.
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There have been injuries galore and some of Southern’s best players have had to sit it out, including two-time league medal champion Matt Kreymborg, ex-Adelaide wingman Myke Cook, former VFL forwards Mykelti Lefau and Josh Fox, Port Melbourne Colts spearhead Jase Perkins and Dingley playing coach Danny Ades.
Still, there has been no shortage of influential players to choose from to make a top 40 list after seven rounds.
We went on form and wanted at least four matches from players.
In alphabetical order, here’s our squad of Southern stars.
Will Bodman, Highett
It’s been a rugged start to the season for the Bulldogs but they’ve taken heart and hope from the performances of Gippsland recruit Bodman. He’s been in the best six times. “He plays the wing at a much higher level than local footy,’’ coach Brad Berry said. “He will get all the way back into the back 50 to defend, he understands and sets up all our stoppage structures and his effort is through the roof. He’s been not a revelation – you could see the boy could play from the day he came to training – but he’s been outstanding.’’
Frank Bonacci, Oakleigh District
The midfielder has laid the base for a rousing season, getting mentions in the best players in all six of his games. Well balanced, hunts the ball and a reliable shot for goal.
Will Clarke, St Paul’s
It’s been hard going for the Doggies this year but Clarke – centre half back in the Division 1 team of the year in 2019 – has maintained his high standards, in defence and occasionally rucking. They listed him as their best player against Cheltenham, Colts and Mordialloc.
Chris Deluca, Port Melbourne Colts
The former WAFL premiership player made his name in Southern in 2019. He’s a tough left-footer and dynamic over and around the ball. Deluca has been a little up and down, but his best puts him in top bracket of players.
Cam Dickie, Dingley
The 20-year-old has taken great strides at Souter Oval since switching from Parkdale Vultures. Supremely fit and in a strong side, he’s found a position as a half forward and midfielder. Might even be giving the best and fairest a nudge.
Luke Duffy, East Malvern
Has made an excellent return from a knee injury he suffered at Dingley early in 2019. His effort against Highett to kick eight goals and collect 35 possessions will stand as one of the best of the season.
Aaron Edwards, St Kilda City
In his first season at the Peanut Farm the former AFL swashbuckler and VFL JJ Liston Trophy champion has 23 goals from his seven games, including a bag of 10 against Oakleigh District. There will be more to come.
Dan Farmer, Dingley
The experienced forward has ran hot in a few games and blown cold in others. But he tops the league goalkicking with 28, helped by bags of nine and eight.
Jack Firns, Bentleigh
Key defender who takes a good opponent every week and invariably wins his duel. Plays with the class and composure that explain why he played senior football with Box Hill Hawks in the VFL.
Paul Fry, East Malvern
The midfielder returned from two weeks out with injury to be best-afield in his team’s rousing win over Cheltenham. One of those players who wins praise at all clubs, not just his own.
Daniel DeGois, St Kilda City
Kicked a century of goals in senior football for Queenscliff in 2014 but he’s playing fullback for City and taking a bag of marks every week.
Dylan Gregson, Mordialloc
The full back joined the Bloodhounds from Mornington Peninsula Nepean club Karingal, where he was a team-of-the-year player. He’s quickly made a name as one of Mordialloc’s leading players and a defender who hates to give up goals. He has the skills to prevent them being kicked on him.
Lucas Hall, East Malvern
Among the premier defenders in the Southern league and one of his side’s most valuable players (as well as its fittest). When he missed the game against St Kilda City, East badly missed him.
Cam Hansen, Dingley
Dingoe watchers suggest the strongly built centreman has been the club’s most consistent player this year. Crossed from St Kilda City at the end of 2019 and he can say it’s been a good move for his football.
Sam Hayes, Cheltenham
Dashing defender who undoubtedly has the ability to make his way on to a VFL list. Made the Division 1 team of the year in 2019 and was presumably among the first few players picked.
Christopher Horton-Milne, Dingley
The left-foot onballer has been setting the standard at Dingley for a while now. Bores in for the ball, brings it out, gets the Dingoes going and moves on to the next contest. Can knock over a goal too.
Sam Jackson, Highett
Stout-hearted Sam is the captain of the Bulldogs and he leads boldly every week. Had 37 possessions and 24 “pressure points’’ against St Kilda City.
Austin Johnson, Cheltenham
Smooth-moving wingman destined to play a higher level of football. Indeed, Rosellas coach Dessie Ryan even said a few weeks ago that the right-footer was AFL material. “His running capacity is pretty good … he’s a high-cruising player, he gets right back, he gets right forward, he’s a point post to point post sort of wingman,’’ Ryan said. “He’s reasonably well accredited in a lot of areas. His contested marking is good. He’ll stand under the ball and take them.’’
Tyler Jones, Port Melbourne Colts
Jones rarely gets mentioned when discussion turns to the leading players in Division 1. But he’s influential off half back for the Colts, negating attacks and then creating them. Consistency is at their heart of his game. Club officials suspect he would be leading the best and fairest.
Tyrell Lafituanai, St Kilda City
First-year player thriving under the coaching and mentorship of Matty Hoy. He’s as hard as a coffin nail, has good skills and is happy to take a tagging role. In the SFNL development squad and should look at VFL clubs next year. His mate and teammate Misilisi Faimalo is another excellent prospect.
Sam Lewin, Bentleigh
Versatile customer enjoying a cracking season. Equally at home in defence or attack but played as a forward against Dingley in Round 5 and dragged in 18 marks and kicked 3.6. Coach Peter Pirera called it “one of the best individual games I’ve seen’’.
Kwame McHarg, Port Melbourne Colts
“He’s the best player in the comp,’’ a Division 1 coach said of the former Deer Park star, who crossed to the Colts ahead of the 2020 season that never heard a starting siren. Speedy, elusive, adventurous and brilliantly skilled, he sparkled under Friday night lights when his team opened the season against St Kilda City at the Peanut Farm. McHarg has been named in the best in six of his seven matches for his new club.
Tom Massey, Bentleigh
Consistent onballer who can run hard for four quarters and match it with the best opponents. Played junior football with ruckman Mitch Smart, and even with his eyes closed he knows where to go.
Max Mitchell-Russell, Port Melbourne Colts
The young defender was among the best on the ground against Bentleigh, continuing his terrific season. Has already had a VFL stint, at Coburg, but it won’t be a surprise if he has another dash at the higher level, and when he does he should make a go of it. Has been included in the Southern “young guns’’ development squad.
James Morris, Mordialloc
Has kicked plenty of goals for Mordi – he had season hauls of 60 in 2014 and 63 in 2017. But they’ve played him more as an onballer this year and his height, strength and pin-sharp kicking have allowed him to do it well.
Chris Murfett, St Paul’s
The former best and fairest has made a sterling return to the Doggies even as they’ve slipped down the ladder. Has been a club champion in three of his four seasons in senior football; little wonder VFL clubs maintain an interest in him. Sets himself high standards, thinking he’s had a poor day if he gets less than 30 possessions.
Ryan Pearson, Oakleigh District
Smart onballer who gets to the right positions – and gets a lot of the ball. The Oaks say he’s averaging around 30 disposals a game.
Jackson Peet, Dingley
Like teammate Christopher Horton-Milne, a determined presence around the pill and a smart user of it. Has come back to football after effectively missing two years (he tore his pectoral muscle in 2019, missing the premiership).
Jordan Pollard, St Kilda City
The ex-Casey and Frankston VFL small man received little attention when he joined St Kilda City but it only took him two or three weeks to show he’d be in the top group of players at his club. Never stops trying or contributing.
Luke Potts, St Kilda City
The former Frankston VFL co-captain and best and fairest and Frankston Pines premiership player has been a tremendous addition to City and the competition. If City can make a run of at the flag, onballer Potts will be setting the pace.
Tom Preece, East Malvern
The half back and onballer arrived at Southern with a high reputation made in the strong Goulburn Valley league and has upheld it with a number of excellent outings.
Daniel Rendell, Cheltenham
Big, strong ruckman whose work around the ground sets him apart from most opponents. The son of former league star Matt Rendell was recruited from Parkdale Vultures. He’s not the tallest ruckman around, but he’s got loads of desire.
Michael Rogers, Bentleigh
Has given Bentleigh stout service and he’s still going strong across half back. Likes to take a dash and drive the ball long, and he’s done it countless times for the Demons.
Ed Sim, East Malvern
Returned to the club from Eastern this year and, where had been a midfielder, he is thriving in a defensive role.
Mitch Smart, Bentleigh
With Chris Carey on the Sandringham VFL list, Smart stands tall at the league’s No 1 ruckman. Wins a stack of hit-outs and lays a lot of tackles; he’s a tap-and-wrap big man. And he rarely plays a bad game for the Demons.
James Sziller, St Paul’s
The son of former Saint Steve played senior football at Sandringham, and there are few better SFNL on-ballers than the tenacious left-footer.
Daniel Vaughan, Cheltenham
The long-serving Rosella hasn’t reached the heights of teammates Sam Hayes and Austin Johnson but he’s played a strong role in Chelt getting by despite its long injury list.
Lucas Walmsley, Dingley
Yes, it’s true: the champion Dingoe hasn’t played to his customary high standard, but he’s still done enough to make this list. Truth is, we’d be laughed all the way to Lorne if we didn’t include the pacy right-footer, who does have two mentions in the best.
Dylan Weickhardt, Cheltenham
The former Sandringham VFL player had a lot to do with Cheltenham’s rise in 2019, being listed in the best players in 13 of his 21 games and named in the team of the year. He’s having an impact this year too. He’a star.
Marley Williams, Port Melbourne Colts
The former Collingwood and North Melbourne left-footer has made a smooth transition to Southern, taking five mentions in the best and playing mainly off half back. The Colts believe his second half of the season will be better than his first as he gains a greater understanding of his teammates and opponents.
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