By Nick Creely
The Southern Football Netball League has officially advised clubs of the divisional structure for season 2022 as local clubs and leagues steadily prepare for a hopefully uninterrupted pre-season.
Competition newcomers Doveton have long been touted as entering the Division 2 ranks in 2022, with the league confirming that the Doves – who have crossed over from Outer East Football Netball League’s Premier Division – will be in the second division in their first season.
The Doves will have a couple of familiar rivalry matches in 2022, with Hampton Park and Keysborough also in Division 2.
Other clubs in Division 2 in 2022 will be Caulfield Bears, Chelsea Heights, East Brighton, Hampton, Heatherton, Highett and Skye.
Also joining Southern from Outer East’s Premier Division, Cranbourne will officially enter the top-flight of the league, Division 1 in 2022.
The south-east powerhouse who were entrenched in the battle for the senior football premiership this season before Covid hit and forced the cancellation of the 2021 season, will face a plethora of new clubs next season as the club seeks more stability moving forward, with Bentleigh, Cheltenham, Dingley, East Malvern, Mordialloc, Port Melbourne Colts, Springvale Districts, St Kilda City and St Pauls McKinnon.
Springvale Districts is the other newcomer to Division 1 after a dominant Division 2 season in 2021 which saw the club go through undefeated.
“We are pleased to announce that we will be competing in the SFNL 1st Division. This is huge news for our club which allows us to compete against the best teams in the competition,” the Eagles said in a statement.
“We are looking forward to what will be a fantastic competition to be a part; a competition that will be our home for many years to come.”
The league is scheduled to commence on Saturday 2 April with the season ending grand final set for Saturday 17 September.
