Southern Football Netball League Explained

Southern Football Netball League
Pixels:200px
Formerly:South East Suburban Football League
Sport:Australian rules football
Teams:36
Countries:-->
Continent:or
Continents:-->
Levels:4
Relegation:Division 2
Division 3
Division 4
Website:sfnl.com.au

The Southern Football Netball League (SFNL) is an Australian rules football league, based in the south and south eastern suburbs of Melbourne, Victoria, for both seniors and juniors.

History

The South East Suburban Football League was formed in 1963 as a merger of the Caulfield Oakleigh District Football League with the East Suburban Football League after a number of its clubs moved to the Croydon Ferntree Gully FL (now Eastern Football League).

When the Federal Football League folded at the end of 1981, the SESFL had twenty clubs. After the addition of all but one of the Federal clubs for 1982, the league had a 16 team A grade, and a 12 team B grade competition. The league twice tried 3 divisions but the idea was later dropped as clubs left or folded.

In a major project in 1991, the league underwent a major revamp of its administration and opted to employ a full-time administrator and staff to manage the league's affairs. The League's administration along with its member clubs undertook a far-reaching corporate planning programme to map out future directions and objectives. The extra manpower allowed the elevation of League and club standards and the improved marketability of attracting the corporate sponsorship that modern football now required to keep the organisation afloat. Much of this work was completed by early 1992 and it was decided that a new name would be required to flow on from the work already achieved. The Southern Football League was adopted to show that a new professionalism was running football in the southern suburbs.

The league had another major change in 1993, when it absorbed the Eastern Suburbs Churches Football Association (ESCFA). The newly merged league began in 1993 with around 50 clubs playing 5 divisions, though this had dropped to 28 clubs in 3 divisions by 2002 due to clubs folding, merging, or moving to other competitions.[1]

In April 1997, the Southern Football Show began on Optus Vision's Localvision channel, covering the weekly news of the league.[2] [3] It moved to Channel 31 Melbourne the following year. This program soon became known as the Southern Footy Show. It later expanded its scope to become the Local Footy Show, covering many Melbourne leagues until 2011.

In the new millennium, the league grew slightly with the addition of the Southern Dragons in 2009, Endeavour Hills in 2011 and Hallam in 2012. The Dragons returned to the VAFA after the 2012 season,[4] but the revival of Carrum Patterson Lakes FC in 2013 after almost 20 years in recess kept the league at 31 clubs.

The 2014 SFL third division seniors grand final was called off after a brawl broke out between players and supporters. The game in which Mount Waverley was taking on Carrum Patterson Lakes. A police spokeswoman said supporters started heckling one of the teams as it left the ground at half-time. A fight broke out and one person was treated in hospital. The game was called off when one of the teams refused to return to the field."[5]

On 11 April 2015, acknowledging the netball part of the competition, the SFL changed its name to the Southern Football Netball League (SFNL).[6] The 2015 season was also a time when the Southern Dragons went into recess.

In 2016 Port Melbourne Colts transferred in from Western Region Football League, and Lyndhurst FC fielded a senior side for the first time.[7]

2017 saw the introduction of women's football.

The inclusion of 3 new clubs - Hampton Park, Frankston Dolphins and Cerberus - enabled the league to have 4 men's divisions for 2018.

In 2022 Cranbourne and Doveton Park joined the league from the Outer East Football Netball League.

Narre Warren and Berwick Springs entered the SFNL from the Outer East Football Netball League in 2025, while Clyde fielded an Open Grade side for the first time.

Current Clubs (2025 season)

Division 1

ClubColoursNicknameHome GroundFormer LeagueEst.Years in CompSFNL/SESFL Senior Premierships
TotalMost recent
Bentleigh Reserve, BentleighVAFA19651993-12013
CheltenhamRosellasCheltenham Reserve, CheltenhamFFL18911982-62024
CranbourneEaglesLivingston Reserve, Cranbourne EastOEFNL18892022-12022
DingleyDingoesSouter Oval, Dingley VillageMPNFL19582007-52019
East BrightonVampiresHurlingham Park, Brighton East19491963-112023
MurrumbeenaLionsMurrumbeena Park, Murrumbeena19181963-52024
Magpies Kalora Park, Narre Warren NorthOEFNL19532025-0-
Port MelbourneColtsJL Murphy Reserve, Port MelbourneWRFL19571975-80, 2016-22016
DemonsSpringvale Reserve, Springvale19591993-22018
BulldogsMcKinnon Reserve, Bentleigh19481993-42018

Division 2

ClubColoursNicknameHome GroundFormer LeagueEst.Years in CompSFNL/SESFL Senior Premierships
TotalMost recent
Caulfield BearsBearsKoornang Park, Carnegie19931993-11994
Chelsea HeightsDemonsBeazley Reserve, Chelsea Heights19691993- 42022
DovetonDovesRobinson Oval, DovetonOEFNL19592022-0-
PanthersD.W. Lucas Oval, Malvern EastVAFA19641973-52012
Endeavour HillsFalconsBarry Simon Reserve, Endeavour Hills20112011-12023
Frankston DolphinsDolphinsOverport Park, Frankston South20172018-12024
Hampton ParkRedbacksRobert Booth Reserve, Hampton ParkSEFNL19582018-12019
BulldogsTurner Road Reserve, Highett19881989- 42018
KeysboroughBurrasRowley Allan Reserve, KeysboroughMPNFL19472015-0-
MordiallocBloodhoundsBen Kavanagh Reserve, MordiallocVFA18911988–22014

Division 3

ClubColoursNicknameHome GroundFormer LeagueEst.Years in CompSFNL/SESFL Senior Premierships
TotalMost recent
AshwoodMagpiesEssex Heights Reserve, Ashwood19851985-22001
Berwick SpringsTitansMick Morland Reserve, Clyde NorthOEFNL20202025-0-
Black RockJetsDonald MacDonald Reserve, Black Rock19081986-42022
Carrum Patterson LakesLions[8] Roy Dore Reserve, Carrum2013- 0-
HammersPeterson Street Reserve, Highett19471993–2020, 2022-12024
TunnersHeatherton Recreation Reserve, Heatherton19131993-32009
LyndhurstLightningMarriott Waters Reserve, Lyndhurst20092016-12022
SkyeBombersCarrum Downs Recreation Reserve, Carrum Downs20052006-12009
South MorningtonTigersCitation Oval, Mount MarthaVAFA20062006, 2020-12023
St Kilda CitySaintsPeanut Farm Reserve, St Kilda19461965-92010

Division 4

ClubColoursNicknameHome GroundFormer LeagueEst.Years in CompSFNL/SESFL Senior Premierships
TotalMost recent
ClaytonClaysMeade Reserve, ClaytonEFNL19081982-1985, 1999-52010
WesternersGreaves Reserve, Dandenong19641984-1986, 1993-0-
EaglesPower Reserve, DovetonVAFA19801995-42017
HallamHawksHallam Recreation Reserve, HallamOEFNL20112012-2022, 2024-0-
LyndalePumasBarry Powell Reserve, Noble Park North19611987-1989, 1993-32000
KangaroosA.W Oliver Reserve, Hampton East19781982, 1993-32012
SaintsStrathaird Reserve, Narre Warren SouthVAFA20072020-0-
LionsLeigh Park, Balwyn North19671993-32019

Open Grade Only

ClubColoursNicknameHome GroundFormer LeagueEst.Years in CompSFNL/SESFL Senior Premierships
TotalMost recent
ClydeCougarsClyde Recreation Reserve, Clyde20242025-0-
HeatherhillHawksBruce Park, Frankston20232023-0-

Women's Division 1

ClubColoursNicknameHome GroundFormer LeagueEst.Years in CompSFNL Premierships
TotalMost recent
BentleighDemonsBentleigh Reserve, Bentleigh19652018-0-
Casey ThunderThunderThe Hunt Club Reserve, Cranbourne East20192021-12023
East BrightonVampiresHurlingham Park, Brighton East19492018-12023
Endeavour HillsFalconsBarry Simon Reserve, Endeavour HillsVWFL20112018-2022, 202432024
SaintsStrathaird Reserve, Narre Warren South20072022-0-

Women's Division 2

ClubColoursNicknameHome GroundFormer LeagueEst.Years in CompSFNL Premierships
TotalMost recent
Black RockJetsMcDonald Reserve, Black Rock19082022-12022
Chelsea HeightsDemonsBeazley Reserve, Chelsea Heights19692023-0-
Casey ThunderThunderThe Hunt Club Reserve, Cranbourne East20192021-0-
ClaytonClaysMeade Reserve, Clayton19082018-12018
Frankston DolphinsDolphinsOverport Park, Frankston South20172018-12024
HallamHawksHallam Recreation Reserve, HallamOEFNL20112018-2022, 2024-0-
LyndalePumasBarry Powell Reserve, Noble Park North19612018-12019
MurrumbeenaLionsMurrumbeena Park, Murrumbeena19182018-12017
SaintsStrathaird Reserve, Narre Warren South20072022-0-
SkyeBombersCarrum Downs Recreation Reserve, Carrum Downs20062021-0-

Former clubs

ClubJumperNicknameHome GroundFormer LeagueEst.Years in compSFNL/SESFL Senior PremiershipsFate
TotalMost recent
AshburtonDragonsBurwood Reserve, Glen Iris1963-198761987Merged with Caulfield following 1988 season to form Caulfield-Ashburton
Ashburton-ChadstoneToffee Apples19861993-19940-Folded in 1994
BalwynTigersBalwyn Park, Balwyn19091963-200672005Moved to Eastern FNL after 2006 season
BeaumarisSharksBanksia Reserve, Beaumaris19621963-199421977Moved to VAFA after 1994 season
BennettswoodSwansBennettswood Reserve, Burwood, 19591963-19650-Senior club entered recess, reformed in Eastern Districts FL in 1968
Boronia ParkBombersMiller Park, BoroniaVAFA19901994-19990-Moved to Yarra Valley & Mountain District FL after 1999 season
Box Hill NorthDemonsElgar Park, Box Hill North19831993-20010-Moved to VAFA after 2001 season
Box Hill PioneersPioneersSpringfield Park, Box Hill North19541993-199711997Moved to Eastern FNL after 1997 season, now known as Whitehorse Pioneers
BrooklynBullsMcIvor Reserve, YarravilleWRFL19812003-20040-Folded in 2004
BurnleyBurnley Oval, Burnley, 1963-19650-Folded in 1965
BurwoodMagpiesBurwood Reserve, Glen Irisc.1950s1963-198431979Merged with Essex Heights to form Ashwood after 1984 season
Burwood UnitedWoodsc.1940s19930-Merged with Mount Waverley to form Mount Waverley Burwood after 1993 season
PowerHoward Dawson Reserve, Glen Irisc.1930s1993-19960-Folded in 1996
CanterburyCobrasCanterbury Sports Ground, Surrey Hills18811963-200842003Moved to Eastern FNL after 2008 season
CarnegieDemonsEast Caulfield Reserve, Caulfield Eastc.1920s1963-1976, 1980-199921975Folded in 2000
Carrum DownsFalconsCarrum Downs Recreation Reserve, Carrum Downs1993-199911994Moved to Mornington Peninsula Nepean FL after 1999 season
CaulfieldCaulfield Park, Caulfield1983-840-Folded in 1984
Caulfield AmateursCaulfield Park, Caulfield19461963-197111963Folded in 1972
Caulfield-AshburtonPrinces Park, Caulfield1988198911989Voted out of league after 1989 season
Caulfield KontiasVAFA198919920-Folded in 1992
CerberusDogsMcAuliffe Oval, HMAS Cerberus20042004-2010, 2018-202312018Merged with South Mornington Thirds side in 2023, folded in 2024
ChadstonePercy Treyvaud Memorial Park, Malvern East1963-19850-Folded in 1985
Cheltenham AssumptionRed RoostersLe Page Park, Cheltenham1993-199811996Folded in 1998
Collingwood DistrictsRamsden Street Oval, Clifton Hill19861993-19950-Folded in 1996
East BentleighMackie Road Reserve, Bentleigh East1993-19950-Absorbed by St Pauls Bentleigh to form St Pauls East Bentleigh after 1995 season
East BrunswickMagpiesFleming Park, Brunswick EastWRFL192219940-Folded in 1994
East CamberwellLynden Park, Camberwell19461993-19940-Merged with Surrey Hills to form Surrey Park after 1994 season
East HawthornHawksSt James Park, Hawthorn19311975-198731984Expelled from league in 1988
East Malvern AmateursT.H. King Oval, Glen Irisc.1920s1965-198411969Folded in 1985
East SandringhamRG Chisholm Reserve, Sandringham1963-19750-Folded in 1975
Eley ParkSharksEley Park, Blackburn South199219930-Moved to VAFA after 1993 season
Essex HeightsTigersEssex Heights Reserve, Ashwood1970-19820-Seniors entered recess in 1983, merged with Burwood to form Ashwood after 1984 season
Fairfield ParkBloodsFairfield Park Oval, Fairfieldc.1900s1993-19950-Moved to Diamond Valley FL following 1995 season
Glen IrisEric Raven Reserve, Glen Iris1963-198721979Folded in 1987
Glen Iris DistrictT.H. King Oval, Glen Iris1963-19650-Folded in 1965
Victoria Road Reserve, Hawthorn East1963-198921971Entered recess in 1989, re-formed in VAFA as Hawthorn Amateurs in 1995
Heidelberg ColtsColtsOlympic Park, Heidelberg West196719950-Folded in 1995
HighettBulldogsTurner Road Reserve, HighettFFL19291981-19890-Merged with Highett West following 1989 season to form Highett Districts
Highett WestKookaburrasPeterson Street Reserve, Highett19751975-198911986Merged with Highett following 1989 season to form Highett Districts
Highett West Youth ClubPeterson Street Reserve, Highett1963-19650-Senior team entered recess in 1966, merged with Highett YCW to form Highett West in 1975
JolimontCarter Oval, Burnley1965-19680-Folded
KooyongRighetti Oval, KooyongVAFA1966-196821967Merged with Hawthorn Amateurs in 1969 to form Hawthorn District
Lower PlentyBearsMontmorency Park, Montmorency19611993-19940-Moved to Diamond Valley FL following 1994 season
MentoneTigersMentone Reserve, MentoneFFL19041982-19920-Merged with St Bede's Old Collegians following 1992 season to form St Bede's/Mentone Tigers in VAFA
Middle ParkOval 10, Albert Park1983-19840-Folded in 1984
MoorabbinKangasMcKinnon Reserve, MckinnonFFL197919820-Moved to VFA in 1983
Mountain LionsMayfield Park, Mount Waverley19741993-201822016Folded in 2018
Mount WaverleyMounts, BluesMt Waverley Reserve, Mount Waverley19241963-199311964Merged with Burwood United to form Mount Waverley Burwood after 1993 season
Mount Waverley BurwoodMt Waverley Reserve, Mount Waverley19941994-19970-Merged with Waverley Amateurs following 1997 season to form Waverley Blues in Eastern FNL
BullsPat Wright Senior Oval, Noble ParkFFL19181963, 1982-199991997Moved to Eastern FNL after 1999 season
North BlackburnBurnersKoonung Park, Blackburn North1993-19950-Folded in 1996
North KewBearsStradbroke Park, Kew East19321963-200611999Merged with Kew Amateurs following 2006 season to form Kew Bears in VAFA
Oakleigh DistrictDistrictsPrinces Highway Reserve, Oakleigh EastFFL19151963, 1982-202112015Moved to Eastern FNL after 2021 season
ParkdaleSeagullsGerry Green Reserve, ParkdaleFFL19341982-200331995Merged with Mentone Amateurs following 2003 season to form Parkdale Vultures in VAFA
ParkmorePiratesFrederick Wachter Reserve, Keysborough20042005-200712006Folded in 2007
R.A.A.F CadetsHighfield Park, Camberwell19621963, 1966-19690-Folded in 1969
RosellasKevin Bartlett Reserve, Burnley1994-19950-Folded in 1995
Sandown CobrasCobrasEdinburgh Reserve, SpringvaleEFNL19621963-1976, 2002-202321972In recess since 2023
Southern DragonsDragonsKeeley Park, Clayton South20072009-2012, 201512011Folded after round 9, 2015
South Melbourne DistrictsBloodsLindsay Hassett Oval, Albert Park19121974-199921983Moved to VAFA after 1999 season
South MurrumbeenaPacker Park, Carnegie19581963-19650-Folded in 1965
St Bede's Old CollegiansBedasBeda Park, Mordialloc19661966-196911968Moved to VAFA after 1969 season
Surrey ParkPanthersSurrey Park, Box Hill19941995-20010-Moved to Eastern FNL after 2001 season
Syndal-Tally HoSynnersJordan Reserve, Chadstone19931993-199611994Moved to VAFA after 1996 season
ToorongaJohnson Oval, Tooronga Park, Malvern19630-Merged with Malvern to form Tooronga-Malvern in the VAFA in 1964

Premiers

Men's seniors

Southern Football Netball League
YearDivision 1Division 2Division 3Division 4Division 5
2024CheltenhamMurrumbeenaFrankston DolphinsHampton4 divisions (2018−)
2023CheltenhamEast BrightonEndeavour HillsSouth Mornington
2022CranbourneChelsea HeightsBlack RockLyndhurst
2021
2020
2019DingleyDoveton EaglesHampton ParkSouth Yarra
2018St Paul'sHighettSpringvale DistrictsCerberus
2017DingleyChelsea HeightsDoveton Eagles3 divisions (1999−2017)
2016DingleyPort Melbourne ColtsMount Waverley
2015DingleyOakleigh DistrictBlack Rock
2014East BrightonMordiallocMatch abandoned
2013St Paul'sBentleighDoveton Eagles
2012East BrightonEast MalvernMoorabbin
2011St Paul'sHighettSouthern Dragons
2010St Kilda CityClaytonHampton
2009St Kilda CityHeathertonSkye
2008St Paul'sDingleySouth Yarra
2007St Kilda CitySpringvale DistrictBlack Rock
2006ClaytonHeathertonParkmore
2005BalwynSt Kilda CityMoorabbin
2004East BrightonHighettBlack Rock
2003BalwynMurrumbeenaCanterbury
2002St Kilda CityEast BrightonHampton
2001ClaytonAshwoodTooronga Malvern
2000BalwynChelsea HeightsLyndale
1999BalwynMordiallocNorth Kew
1998BalwynSt Kilda CityHeathertonMount Waverley Catholics4 divisions (1996−1998)
1997Noble ParkBalwynBox Hill PioneersLyndale
1996Noble ParkAshwoodHighettCheltenham Assumption
1995ParkdaleCheltenhamChelsea HeightsDoveton EaglesLyndale
1994Noble Park CaulfieldSt Kilda CitySyndal-Tally HoCarrum Downs
1993East BrightonCheltenhamMurrumbeenaSouth YarraMoorabbin West
1992Noble ParkCheltenham2 divisions (1992)
South East Suburban Football League
YearDivision 1Division 2Division 3
1991East BrightonCanterbury2 divisions (1987−1991)
1990Noble ParkTooronga-Malvern
1989BalwynParkdale
1988Caulfield-AshburtonEast Brighton
1987Noble ParkAshburton
1986Noble ParkHighett WestMurrumbeena3 divisions (1986)
1985Noble ParkTooronga-Malvern2 divisions (1985)
1984ClaytonParkdaleEast Hawthorn3 divisions (1983-1984)
1983Noble ParkSouth Melbourne DistrictsHawthorn Citizens
1982ClaytonEast Hawthorn2 divisions (1963−1982)
1981AshburtonEast Hawthorn
1980AshburtonSt Kilda City
1979BurwoodGlen Iris
1978AshburtonTooronga-Malvern
1977AshburtonBeaumaris
1976East BrightonSouth Melbourne Districts
1975CarnegiePort Colts
1974MurrumbeenaCarnegie
1973East BrightonAshburton
1972CanterburySandown
1971Hawthorn DistrictSt Kilda City
1970BurwoodHawthorn District
1969CanterburyEast Malvern
1968BurwoodSt Bede's Old Collegians
1967KooyongSandown
1966East BrightonKooyong
1965Glen IrisBeaumaris
1964Mount WaverleyHawthorn Amateurs
1963MurrumbeenaCaulfield

Women's seniors

YearDivision 1Division 2
2024Endeavour HillsFrankston Dolphins
2023Casey ThunderEast Brighton
2022Endeavour HillsBlack Rock
2021
2020
2019Endeavour HillsLyndale
2018MurrumbeenaClayton
2017Murrumbeena1 division (2017)

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Moorabbin Kangaroos History. deadlyretribution.com.
  2. Web site: The Local Footy Show's Daryl Pitman In 1997 Southern Football Show. . https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211219/kgXeGaWkPyU . 2021-12-19 . live. YouTube. 28 January 2018 .
  3. Web site: The Local Footy Show: About The Show . www.localfootyshow.com.au.
  4. Web site: monashweekly.com.au. www.monashweekly.com.au. 21 November 2023 .
  5. Web site: Southern Football League grand final abandoned after brawl between players and supporters. Patrick. Hatch. 13 September 2014. The Age.
  6. Web site: Southern Football League Media Release . GameDay . Southern Football League . 3 August 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231003002500/https://websites.mygameday.app/club_info.cgi?client=1-3909-47823-0-0&sID=122377&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=34217821 . 3 October 2023 . 13 April 2015.
  7. News: Former Hawthorn star to put stamp on Power. Herald Sun. 9 December 2015. Ractliffe. Damien.
  8. http://www.cplfc.com.au