Skye on top. They have recruited well down there but they did finish 8th last year and Black Rock who have also recruited ok beat them by 10ish goals in the last game. Why have Fermanis and Arvianitis been rejected, did they sign contracts. If those 2 are not playing it brings Oakleigh back to the field a bit. I hear Skye have knocked back 3 to CH as they have already cleared 6 players there and the SFL rule states you can only have 5 players from 1 SFL club to another. Bentleigh looked fairly sluggish against Heatherton from all reports in there practice match but don't know what they had missing. A lot of Hamptons ins are just footballers too and they have lost quite a few to retirements etc. Don't know much about East Malverns recruits (anyone have info)but they are from Goulburn Valley league so would assume they will be very strong as have the last 2 Div 1teams that have come down.Div2 looks like it will be a very tight comp. I'll have a go at a ladder.
East Malvern
Oakleigh
Springvale
Skye
Bentleigh
Murrumbeena
Black Rock
Southern Dragons
Hampton
South Yarra
Quality post Mene Gene, with some good insight. May be I could fill in some gaps on the teams you've touched on, whether it be informed or otherwise. I also may be going over old ground here as well
Skye: Not being a smartass or blowing wind in your sails, but you guys are the team to beat in my humble opinion. Have lost a few to Chelsea Heights but have recuited some quality players from MPNFL - more than 30 players in total to the club, as well as colts coming through. Depth will surely not be a problem for Skye this year, so deserved favourites even though they finished 8th last year.
Black Rock: Lost a few, (but those few are big outs) but gained a few. I'd imagine they'd around the same mark as last year.
Oakleigh: Not sure what the go is with Fermanis & Big Arvo is with clearances, but this could theoretically make or break their season. One could surmise that they have signed contracts, even for more than 1 season, which is what country teams are putting on the table these days, to keep players coming back. I've nosily enquired on the Central Highlands board, but no one from Bungaree has been forthcoming with any info on Fermanis. Maybe ROOTA#06 (an avid reader of Big Footy) from Lalbert can give some insight on Arvanitis' status?? Or he may tell us to mind our Ps & Qs as well
Bentleigh: What you saw at Heatherton is what you'll get. You might say sluggish, some might say still blowing out a few cobwebs from preseason. Might have to give Heatherton a bit of credit as well, they're SFL Div 1 for a reason & they've recuited well in the offseason. Got a couple of key on ballers to go back into our side, so we'll be on the improve.
Hampton: You White Maggot has been pumping up Hamptons tyres all summer with 6-8 Hampton Rovers players coming across, so proof will be in the pudding whether they're "just footballers." Bare in mind they're probably young blokes who have played C Section VAFA (SFL Div 1 equivalent) so they will be decent. SFL radio on Sunday also decribed them as "fringe VAFA C Grade players." We have got them first up this Saturday so we'll find out soon enough. Did lose a praccy match to Fish Creek by 40pts, but would have had a lot of players playing cricket finals for East Sandy then. We're not taking them lightly, that is for sure.
East Malvern: A team that has flown under the radar, so cannot give any more info than you have. Have come down from SFL Div 1, have a new coach from Strathmore & recuited player from Goulburn Valley as you say. That makes them genuine contenders in my book.
Your ladder is pretty much spot on, I know you're being modest about Skye (will be top 2). I'd just push Hampton up a bit going on You White Maggot's judgement