By JARROD POTTER
SOUTHERN football is set to return on Saturday with teams from around Greater Dandenong and Casey.
Newcomers Keysborough have recruited heavily ahead of their SFL Division-2 debut against soon-to-be local rivals Doveton Eagles while Springvale Districts have recruited the big forward ammunition needed for a return to the finals.
With the controversy of last year’s no-result grand final still around Division 3, everyone will be out for a clean start without any issues.
JARROD POTTER takes a look at the ins and outs around the divisions with Round 1 a mere six days away.
SFL DIVISION 2
DOVETON EAGLES
COACH: Daniel Macklin
IN: Trent Day, Mitch Gersbeck, Daniel Macklin.
OUT: Nathan Wilson, Peter Dye, Matt O’Callaghan, Sam Parlapiano, Darren Ramsdale.
Cobras are becoming Eagles rapidly under new coach Daniel Macklin while their tall stocks have taken a hit with Nathan Wilson and Peter Dye heading back to Doveton this year. Doveton Eagles will host Keysborough in its first SFL match.
KEYSBOROUGH
COACH: Ryan Goodes
IN: Scott Chamberlain, Matthew Day, Shaun Dekkers, Jake Dunn, Shane Dunn, Will Gayfer, Nathan Kriening, George Lazaridis, Justin Tully, Greg Walker, Dylan Wheeler.
OUT: Chris Bryan, Daniel Papa, David Vassallo.
The prodigal sons have returned home. With hopes of a successful season in the new ranks, Keysborough’s numbers have skyrocketed as new coach Ryan Goodes has a problem with too many selection choices rather than previous Casey Cardinia selection nightmares. Will Gayfer, a former skipper, has returned to Rowley Allen Reserve while former coach and ruckman Chris Bryan has packed up and gone to Bonbeach. Daniel Papa and David Vassallo are the other two main clearances heading away from the Burra. Keysborough will travel for its first SFL match, facing Doveton Eagles.
SPRINGVALE DISTRICTS
COACH: Brett Dunne
IN: James Gough, Ben Stacey, Shannon Brown, Patrick Cooke, Richard Costantino, Hugh Cullen-Scholes, Mitch Latimer.
OUT: Clinton Brooks, Chris Chalmers, Gavin Vassollo, Greg Walker.
There was no bigger name in SFL Division 3 last year than James Gough – who dominated any opposition backline en route to 105 goals and will be the Demons’ forward coach under Brett Dunne. Losing Gavin Vassallo is not ideal as he generated a lot of the club’s midfield hard-ball gets last season, but Ben Stacey will give some added power after earning an SFL Divison-3 best and fairest last season. Springvale Districts heads to Highett to start 2015.
DIVISION 3
DANDENONG
COACH: Glenn Jose
IN: Josh Cole, Paul Gould, Luke Harvey, Nathan Osler.
OUT: Matthew Van Schajik, Brodie O’Laughlin, Rob Mackwell, Daniel Egan.
A lot of experience has left Greaves Reserve, with the new look Redlegs set to run out under new coach Glenn Jose. With a playing/coaching resume as long as your arm – playing at Frankston Pines, Beaconsfield, Bunyip and coaching Gembrook – he has the credentials needed to push the Redlegs back up the ladder, but will need to unearth a few gems along the way to bolster his playing stocks.
ENDEAVOUR HILLS
COACH: Steve Muscat
IN: David Vassallo, Daniel Morrison, Joel Marie, Cade Marshall, Daniel Strom.
OUT: Mathew Ashenden, Daniel Batson.
Mostly similar squad to last year. Bit more experience in the Falcons’ legs won’t do them any harm in a stronger Division-3 competition. Endeavour Hills faces Sandown at home on Saturday.
HALLAM
Coach: Gary Frangalas
IN: Luke Barrie-Sewell, Danny Hartley, Nathan Prosser, Shane Thomas, Travis Walker.
OUT: Jack Barrie-Sewell, Hayden Fredericks, Ryan Marriott, Bryce Neve, Rory Mcivor, Kieran Smith.
There’s been a big cleanout at Frawley Road with the inaugural captain Keiran Smith and first coach Hayden Fredericks departing the Hawks after three years together, as well as losing star young duo Rory Mcivor and Bryce Neve. It leaves a lot for new coach Gary Frangalas – former Richmond/Sydney AFL player – to turn around, but on the positive side quite a lot of juniors have joined from the SEJ side. Hallam heads to Carrum Patterson Lakes first up.
LYNDALE
COACH: Ivan Lajoie
IN: Dale Fitzgerald, Anthony McDonald, Phillip Ross, Shannon Schofield, Daniel Vigliarolo, Michael Woodward.
OUT: Ordell Buntine, Brad Carroll, Ben Cox, Trent Day, Trevor Kumetaitis, Matthew Smith.
The core of last year’s preliminary final side has left along with former coach Rod Benstead. There are a lot of ins to fill the holes, but only time will tell if they match up to the same calibre as the 2014 Pumas. Brett Tosh was announced skipper of the Pumas and will lead them out in the season opener against Dandenong.
SANDOWN
Coach: Rick Bean
IN: Luke Newton, Owen Uaongo, Mitchell Uaongo.
OUT: Jake Chapman, John Frenken, Mitch Gersbeck, Brad Hemphill, Daniel Macklin, Matthew Menzies, Michael Rossborough, Jason Toan, Jesse Tregea, Nicholas Morrish.
The ins list is impressive for Sandown Cobras – with country tall tandem Owen and Mitchell Uaongo set to star in the Cobras’ ruck. The only problem so far for Sandown has been its struggles to get clearances from Chelsea Heights as Daniel Gerandt, Richard Gow and Luke Williams have all been knocked back at the final moments before the first bounce. These ins were going to form the basis of the side, especially with a number of top calibre players like Daniel Macklin and Jason Toan leaving. Sandown will also get a one-game forward boost from Carlton/Brisbane AFL player Brendan Fevola. Sandown will travel to face Endeavour Hills.
