NOW to sometime later in the year (maybe) - Talk about anything

[Harry Cheezels]

Premier 2026

Blackburn- Premier
Rowville
Balwyn
East Ringwood- Runner Up
Berwick
Doncaster East
Noble Park
Vermont
South Croydon
South Belgrave

 

[localfootyguru]

Premier 2026

Blackburn - will be strong again and set the pace
Rowville - recruited well and an exceptionally strong junior base
Balwyn - a good combination of experience and recruits
East Ringwood - have recruited well
South Croydon - very good developing list

South Belgrave - will be very competitive with a large wages bill
Vermont - can’t see much improvement in 2026
Noble Park - ageing list, minimal depth and no local juniors coming through
Doncaster East - full of overpaid, selfish recruits and don’t play as a team
Berwick - coming from a long way back and will struggle again

 

[Pendles1991]

Rowville - premiers
Blackburn
East ringwood
Balwyn
South Croydon

South Belgrave
Noble Park
Berwick
Vermont
Doncaster East

I think Rowville are the team to beat. Unreal juniors coming through with an extremely loyal and talented list. Berwick will improve, but how much will be dependent on the new recruits and whether they play majority VFL or local. Doncaster East I don't believe will actually be wooden spoons, but just wishful thinking as I don't like how there answer to everything is throw money around instead of investing in youth and local.

 

[The jouneyman]

Rowville - premiers
Blackburn
East ringwood
Balwyn
South Croydon

South Belgrave
Noble Park
Berwick
Vermont
Doncaster East

I think Rowville are the team to beat. Unreal juniors coming through with an extremely loyal and talented list. Berwick will improve, but how much will be dependent on the new recruits and whether they play majority VFL or local. Doncaster East I don't believe will actually be wooden spoons, but just wishful thinking as I don't like how there answer to everything is throw money around instead of investing in youth and local.

South Belgrave have they picked anyone up, I've only heard they have lost a couple, plus a few out of there development team.

 

[Pendles1991]

South Belgrave have they picked anyone up, I've only heard they have lost a couple, plus a few out of there development team.

They've recruited pretty well. No ex AFL stars like they usually do, but have bolstered depth whilst keeping their stars. So I think if they keep there old players like Garners and Smith for instance fit, they'll have a huge advantage on there small sized ground.

 

[CliffMcTainshaw]

They've recruited pretty well. No ex AFL stars like they usually do, but have bolstered depth whilst keeping their stars. So I think if they keep there old players like Garners and Smith for instance fit, they'll have a huge advantage on there small sized ground.

Hasn't Smith gone back to UFTG.

 

[Pendles1991]

Hasn't Smith gone back to UFTG.

I dont believe so. My apprentice plays at South and believes he is still there. And if Smith did go to UFTG, I would have thought they'd be shouting it from the rooftops by now and it would be on social media. I may be wrong, but I believe Smith has stayed at South

 

[Mynamesinuse]

I dont believe so. My apprentice plays at South and believes he is still there. And if Smith did go to UFTG, I would have thought they'd be shouting it from the rooftops by now and it would be on social media. I may be wrong, but I believe Smith has stayed at South

at South.

 

[CliffMcTainshaw]

Here's one for all you punters. Yes, Bob this means you!

 

[Saltness]

Here's one for all you punters. Yes, Bob this means you!

Does anyone remember Ringwood United from this Inside Football 1982 article.
I know there was a South Ringwood many years ago but not United

 

[CliffMcTainshaw]

Does anyone remember Ringwood United from this Inside Football 1982 article.
I know there was a South Ringwood many years ago but not United
View attachment 2502496

Either South Ringwood became Ringwood United or Ringwood United became South Ringwood. They played in the ESCFA.
Ringwood United sounds more like a soccer club, so maybe they became South Ringwood.

 

[jumperfan]

Does anyone remember Ringwood United from this Inside Football 1982 article.
I know there was a South Ringwood many years ago but not United
View attachment 2502496

Same club - they were Ringwood United until sometime in the late 80s. Played in the ESCFA.

 

[Bunk Moreland]

The ESCFA is one of the leagues that’s became the SFNL. They have quite a detailed history on their website: https://sfnl.com.au/league/history/eastern-suburbs-churches-football-association/

Last mention of Ringwood United is 1987 and then South Ringwood appears in 1988 and 1989, which lines up with what Cliff said. They probably folded after that.

Many of these clubs started about as church clubs and then later changed their names to reflect their suburb / area to better draw on more players. Perhaps what happened here. I think North Ringwood may have been the same.

There’s also an East Ringwood Baptists mentioned there from the 1950s.

The ESCFA churches league was strong in its day, as was the churches cricket league. I think the football league ran for 70 years from the 1920s to the 1990s.

 

[Bunk Moreland]

Here’s a (perhaps not complete) list of clubs that were in the ESCFA and the years they were there

Affiliated clubs (Historical)
East Malvern Presbyterians (VIC) 1925-1992; Gardenvale (VIC) 1927-1992; St. Marys COE (VIC) 1932-1989; Box Hill Adelphians (VIC) 1936-1992; Burwood United (VIC) 1946-1992; Blackburn United (VIC) 1946-1982; Balwyn Combined (VIC) 1951-1992; Canterbury Presbyterians (VIC) 1951-1977; Whitehorse Pioneers (VIC) 1954-1992; Springvale Districts (VIC) 1959-1992; Hampton (VIC) 1959-1992; St. Andrews Box Hill (VIC) 1959-1982; Malvern South Uniting (VIC) 1960-1978; Noble Park Bears (VIC) 1962-1988; Ashburton Uniting (VIC) 1962-1985; Emmanuel (VIC) 1962-1991; Hawthorn Amateurs (Original) (VIC) 1962; North Balwyn Methodists (VIC) 1964-1977; Bentleigh (VIC) 1965-1992; Wattle Park (Original) (VIC) 1965-1991; Bellfield (VIC) 1966-1992; South Yarra(VIC) 1967-1992; Syndal (VIC) 1967-1980; East Camberwell (VIC) 1970-1992; Donvale United (VIC) 1971-1991; Lower Plenty (VIC) 1971-1982, 1986-1992; Wattle Park (VIC) 1972-1991; Salesian OC(VIC) 1973-1988; Chadstone Salesians(VIC) 1973-1985; Oakleigh Sacred Heart(VIC) 1973-1991; Fairfield (VIC) 1974-1992; St. Anthony's⁠–⁠Glen Huntly (VIC) 1974-1990; Mount Waverley Catholics (VIC) 1975-1992; St. Kevin's Ormond (VIC) 1976-1992; South Caulfield YCW (VIC) 1977-1978; Mazenod OC (VIC) 1978-1988; Canterbury⁠–⁠North Balwyn (VIC) 1978-1992; South Caulfield⁠–⁠Malvern (VIC) 1979; St. Paul's McKinnon (VIC) 1980-1992; Black Rock (VIC) 1980-1985; Knox (VIC) 1980-1988; Saint Patricks Mentone (VIC) 1980-1990; Murrumbeena⁠–⁠Sth Caulfield(VIC) 1980-1991; Aquinas OC (VIC) 1981-1986; Syndal Tally Ho (VIC) 1981-1992; Box Hill North (VIC) 1983-1992; Dandenong West (VIC) 1984-1992; Wonga Park (VIC) 1985; Clayton Saints(VIC) 1985-1992; East Bentleigh (VIC) 1985-1992; North Blackburn (VIC) 1985-1992; Ashburton⁠–⁠Chadstone (VIC) 1986-1992; Moorabbin West (VIC) 1986-1992; Collingwood District (VIC) 1987-1992; Richmond Rosellas (VIC) 1987-1992; Salvation Army (VIC) 1987-1989; Lyndale(VIC) 1989-1992; Heatherton (VIC) 1990-1992

 

[josha93]

A

The ESCFA is one of the leagues that’s became the SFNL. They have quite a detailed history on their website: https://sfnl.com.au/league/history/eastern-suburbs-churches-football-association/

Last mention of Ringwood United is 1987 and then South Ringwood appears in 1988 and 1989, which lines up with what Cliff said. They probably folded after that.

Many of these clubs started about as church clubs and then later changed their names to reflect their suburb / area to better draw on more players. Perhaps what happened here. I think North Ringwood may have been the same.

There’s also an East Ringwood Baptists mentioned there from the 1950s.

The ESCFA churches league was strong in its day, as was the churches cricket league. I think the football league ran for 70 years from the 1920s to the 1990s.

North Ringwood started out as the Ringwood Catholic Rovers in 1962, dropped the catholic name in 1964 and became North Ringwood Football Club in 1966

 

[ManInWhite]

Salvation Army (the "Salvo Saints") sadly had dry aftermatches. Was quite common for the officiating umpires to finish the game, have a quick shower and then check The Record to find the closest home game and drive there for a drink with that games umpires!

 

[jumperfan]

Salvation Army (the "Salvo Saints") sadly had dry aftermatches. Was quite common for the officiating umpires to finish the game, have a quick shower and then check The Record to find the closest home game and drive there for a drink with that games umpires!

Do you happen to remember where their home ground was? Been looking for info on it for a while but haven't had much luck.

 

[ManInWhite]

Do you happen to remember where their home ground was? Been looking for info on it for a while but haven't had much luck.

Memory very hazy but I recall in the Hawthorn / Auburn area??

 

[hansie]

Memory very hazy but I recall in the Hawthorn / Auburn area??

Might ask my brother he played in that comp an fairly sure he played salvo saints.

 

[Voice of the G]

Might ask my brother he played in that comp an fairly sure he played salvo saints.

There was a Salvation Army boys home at The Basin,I think they had a football team but could be wrong.

PS Checking old records there was a couple of Salvation Army teams in that competition.As for the Salvation Army place at The Basin I think I am now wrong but still have memories of a football ground there, but a long time ago.

 

[Glorfindel]

Do you happen to remember where their home ground was? Been looking for info on it for a while but haven't had much luck.

I found someone on Facebook that says they played for them and thinks the grounds they used were Albert Park and/or South Melbourne.
Though it seems there has been a few incarnations of “Salvos Saints” both here in Vic and interstate.

 

[Bunk Moreland]

There was a Salvation Army boys home at The Basin,I think they had a football team but could be wrong.

PS Checking old records there was a couple of Salvation Army teams in that competition.As for the Salvation Army place at The Basin I think I am now wrong but still have memories of a football ground there, but a long time ago.

No you are correct, was a Salvos boys home at The Basin. They no doubt had teams in local sporting competitions, most of these places did.

Bayswater Boys’ Home (1897–1987)

A guide to finding historical records from Bayswater Boys’ Home. The home was largely for boys with custodial sentences from the Children's Court.

www.vic.gov.au

Like most of these institutions, unfortunately now infamous for the covered-up abuse that went on there.

 

[Voice of the G]

No you are correct, was a Salvos boys home at The Basin. They no doubt had teams in local sporting competitions, most of these places did.

Bayswater Boys’ Home (1897–1987)

A guide to finding historical records from Bayswater Boys’ Home. The home was largely for boys with custodial sentences from the Children's Court.

www.vic.gov.au

Like most of these institutions, unfortunately now infamous for the covered-up abuse that went on there.

I now think I can remember them having junior sides in the EFL in the 80,s but not sure about a senior side Read some where they merged with Blackburn Baptist Church and then merged with Bennettswood but not sure about the senior side of things when I say that.

 

[MortlockWatcher]

They wore the old Footscray guernseys except with yellow bands instead of white.

The Salvation Army Australia - Museum

SALVO FOOTY TEAMS ........ but never on a Sunday ! 1. Salvo Saints - 1999. 2.Hawthorn Corps - 1939. 3. Combined Corps (Melbourne) - 1949 4. Adelaide Congress Hall - 1966

www.facebook.com

 

[Bunk Moreland]

The EFNL history states that Salvation Army Boys Home entered junior sides in the late 1960s

Affiliate Member Historical Overview | EFNL

Dive into the rich history of EFNL's affiliate members. Discover clubs' journey, key milestones, and contributions to the league since 1962.

www.efnl.org.au

No doubt separate to the Salvos Saints senior club, many local clubs around Australia would’ve played under the Salvos banners across the years, based on their local chapter or institution.