SFNL Div 1 2025

[Greg Tivendale]

Do you have an under 19s this year

Nope, pulled the pin last week on it. Ormond have pinched a few, and coach I believe now headed to Hampton.

We will retain some kids so they'll play reserves/seniors and have a discussion in the works with another club to find a home for them on permit just for this year so that they can play 19's if they wish and still be linked to the club.

It's a ruthless game the Under19 caper!

 

[bedford]

Nope, pulled the pin last week on it. Ormond have pinched a few, and coach I believe now headed to Hampton.

We will retain some kids so they'll play reserves/seniors and have a discussion in the works with another club to find a home for them on permit just for this year so that they can play 19's if they wish and still be linked to the club.

It's a ruthless game the Under19 caper!

Especially with those parasites at Packer Park , we have a common enemy

 

[Marousses]

Especially with those parasites at Packer Park , we have a common enemy

Read the fine print closely Bedford , the poster clearly states ‘Ormond’ not ‘Packer Pack’.

 

[bedford]

Read the fine print closely Bedford , the poster clearly states ‘Ormond’ not ‘Packer Pack’.

Oh i did , St'Pauls and Ormond have a great relationship and tried to facilitate a combined 19s 2 years ago which sadly didn't happen . Hopefully the parasites don't have one , the coach they had is a bit strange as well

 

[sammelb80]

Nope, pulled the pin last week on it. Ormond have pinched a few, and coach I believe now headed to Hampton.

We will retain some kids so they'll play reserves/seniors and have a discussion in the works with another club to find a home for them on permit just for this year so that they can play 19's if they wish and still be linked to the club.

It's a ruthless game the Under19 caper!

Sadly, this is becoming a yearly thing for St Pauls.

 

[Nepotism]

Oh i did , St'Pauls and Ormond have a great relationship and tried to facilitate a combined 19s 2 years ago which sadly didn't happen . Hopefully the parasites don't have one , the coach they had is a bit strange as well

I think you are being extremely OSTENTATIOUS.

It is a small area that is trying to facilitate a lot of teams and there just isn't enough under 19s to go around.

Bentleigh, Caulfield Bears, St Pauls, Ormond and Glen Eira and even AJAX are basically all in ovals next to each other.

It seems Ormond has won this round and will have two u19 teams this year but that doesn't mean St Pauls and Caulfield Bears and Glen Eira and AJAX don't deserve teams.

Bentleigh are always strong in the u19s but that doesn't translate to success in the firsts.

When players go to firsts, they often move again to another team in the area anyway.

Where a boy plays junior football does not equate to where he plays senior football also.

It's nothing for a player in the Bentleigh/Ormond area to at some stage have played for 3 different clubs by the time he makes seniors.

You should be happy if all teams are successful in producing under 19s on the field because that means footy is growing rather than shrinking which it is currently doing in the marketplace.

For 19-year-olds there is so much more to do these days plus the dreaded concussion which is stopping a lot of mums from letting their boy's play in under 19s these days.

Calling other teams' parasites is silly given the boys move from team to team anyway depending on where the best deal is or who their mates are playing for.

You should be happy that Ormond are the club of choice at the moment and not wish ill on other teams.

 

[bedford]

I think you are being extremely OSTENTATIOUS.

It is a small area that is trying to facilitate a lot of teams and there just isn't enough under 19s to go around.

Bentleigh, Caulfield Bears, St Pauls, Ormond and Glen Eira and even AJAX are basically all in ovals next to each other.

It seems Ormond has won this round and will have two u19 teams this year but that doesn't mean St Pauls and Caulfield Bears and Glen Eira and AJAX don't deserve teams.

Bentleigh are always strong in the u19s but that doesn't translate to success in the firsts.

When players go to firsts, they often move again to another team in the area anyway.

Where a boy plays junior football does not equate to where he plays senior football also.

It's nothing for a player in the Bentleigh/Ormond area to at some stage have played for 3 different clubs by the time he makes seniors.

You should be happy if all teams are successful in producing under 19s on the field because that means footy is growing rather than shrinking which it is currently doing in the marketplace.

For 19-year-olds there is so much more to do these days plus the dreaded concussion which is stopping a lot of mums from letting their boy's play in under 19s these days.

Calling other teams' parasites is silly given the boys move from team to team anyway depending on where the best deal is or who their mates are playing for.

You should be happy that Ormond are the club of choice at the moment and not wish ill on other teams.

Great post and fair , but 1 club went about it the wrong way. And then we have the OB's clubs as well

 

[Greg Tivendale]

Sadly, this is becoming a yearly thing for St Pauls.

Yep very frustrating, the junior club has struggled over the last few years to field a side outright so we get situations where teams are merged and you have people in many different camps trying to then sure up the respective senior clubs.

We were close this year, but have made the call not to try stretch things and will focus on forming a side in 2026.

 

[bedford]

Yep very frustrating, the junior club has struggled over the last few years to field a side outright so we get situations where teams are merged and you have people in many different camps trying to then sure up the respective senior clubs.

We were close this year, but have made the call not to try stretch things and will focus on forming a side in 2026.

This is why all those established junior clubs in the area said no to Glen Eira having juniors , too many then , too many now. It's a dog fight every year

 

[2s Hack]

Oh i did , St'Pauls and Ormond have a great relationship and tried to facilitate a combined 19s 2 years ago which sadly didn't happen . Hopefully the parasites don't have one , the coach they had is a bit strange as well

Most would be aware that Ormond have a couple of merged teams with St Pauls at SMJFL level in older aged groups, so to hear some have gone to EE Gunn isn't overly surprising. Still, its not great for St Pauls & the SFNL

Greg Tivendale by coach do you mean Pete Smith?

 

[Nepotism]

Most would be aware that Ormond have a couple of merged teams with St Pauls at SMJFL level in older aged groups, so to hear some have gone to EE Gunn isn't overly surprising. Still, its not great for St Pauls & the SFNL

Greg Tivendale by coach do you mean Pete Smith?

It used to be at juniors' level that St Pauls and Ormond along with Caulfield and Bentleigh and Murrumbeena all had "junior" participation teams in each individual age group from Auskick and under 9s all the way though to under 16s. In fact most Clubs had 30 young players per age group. Now St Pauls have one u9, one u11, one u13 and one u16 team or something like that and even then, they struggle to fill teams in those age groups.

It's similar to other junior Clubs in the area.

The young playing pool has dried up since Covid. there is a few reasons for this; 1) more Chinese and Indian people moving into the district who don't have any affinity to AFL thus their kids don't play. 2) more single mothers or fathers not being involved with their boys for a number of reasons, thus mothers not wanting their boys to play football because it is too tough and the whole concussions drama. 3) other options for kids, junior football clubs used to be like the local boys' gathering group during winter, that is no more.

So, the game is slowly dying in front of our own eyes at junior participation level.

And it is natural in times like this with the market supply of junior footballers dwindling, all Clubs are trying to survive and look after themselves. More so than any time in history, each club sees their juniors as their own while the kids are spoilt for choice and move clubs more so than any time in history. As I said, some kids in the area, have played for 3 different clubs before they make seniors.

This is why all those established junior clubs in the area said no to Glen Eira having juniors , too many then , too many now. It's a dog fight every year

Well, if that is the case then Glen Eira has to replenish their list somehow so it is natural they will offer something of an alternative like the Old Mckinnon bond or whatever it takes to keep their club alive. They are only trying tp survive in a tight market like St Pauls, Ormond and everyone else.

 

[God Yeah]

It used to be at juniors' level that St Pauls and Ormond along with Caulfield and Bentleigh and Murrumbeena all had "junior" participation teams in each individual age group from Auskick and under 9s all the way though to under 16s. In fact most Clubs had 30 young players per age group. Now St Pauls have one u9, one u11, one u13 and one u16 team or something like that and even then, they struggle to fill teams in those age groups.

It's similar to other junior Clubs in the area.

The young playing pool has dried up since Covid. there is a few reasons for this; 1) more Chinese and Indian people moving into the district who don't have any affinity to AFL thus their kids don't play. 2) more single mothers or fathers not being involved with their boys for a number of reasons, thus mothers not wanting their boys to play football because it is too tough and the whole concussions drama. 3) other options for kids, junior football clubs used to be like the local boys' gathering group during winter, that is no more.

So, the game is slowly dying in front of our own eyes at junior participation level.

And it is natural in times like this with the market supply of junior footballers dwindling, all Clubs are trying to survive and look after themselves. More so than any time in history, each club sees their juniors as their own while the kids are spoilt for choice and move clubs more so than any time in history. As I said, some kids in the area, have played for 3 different clubs before they make seniors.

This is why all those established junior clubs in the area said no to Glen Eira having juniors , too many then , too many now. It's a dog fight every year

Well, if that is the case then Glen Eira has to replenish their list somehow so it is natural they will offer something of an alternative like the Old Mckinnon bond or whatever it takes to keep their club alive. They are only trying tp survive in a tight market like St Pauls, Ormond and everyone else.

Yet 10 - 15 minutes either side of the clubs you speak of, East Malvern and Beaumaris have some of the biggest junior clubs in Victoria (Both boys and girls).

 

[Nepotism]

Yet 10 - 15 minutes either side of the clubs you speak of, East Malvern and Beaumaris have some of the biggest junior clubs in Victoria (Both boys and girls).

Thats because they have individual catchment areas the same size as the catchment area for Bentleigh, St Pauls, Ormond and Caulfield Glen Eira and Murrumbeena combined. Thats exactly what we are saying.

 

[bedford]

Most would be aware that Ormond have a couple of merged teams with St Pauls at SMJFL level in older aged groups, so to hear some have gone to EE Gunn isn't overly surprising. Still, its not great for St Pauls & the SFNL

Greg Tivendale by coach do you mean Pete Smith?

You can understand that if STP didn't have enough . I suppose most depends on DLS as well

 

[bedford]

It used to be at juniors' level that St Pauls and Ormond along with Caulfield and Bentleigh and Murrumbeena all had "junior" participation teams in each individual age group from Auskick and under 9s all the way though to under 16s. In fact most Clubs had 30 young players per age group. Now St Pauls have one u9, one u11, one u13 and one u16 team or something like that and even then, they struggle to fill teams in those age groups.

It's similar to other junior Clubs in the area.

The young playing pool has dried up since Covid. there is a few reasons for this; 1) more Chinese and Indian people moving into the district who don't have any affinity to AFL thus their kids don't play. 2) more single mothers or fathers not being involved with their boys for a number of reasons, thus mothers not wanting their boys to play football because it is too tough and the whole concussions drama. 3) other options for kids, junior football clubs used to be like the local boys' gathering group during winter, that is no more.

So, the game is slowly dying in front of our own eyes at junior participation level.

And it is natural in times like this with the market supply of junior footballers dwindling, all Clubs are trying to survive and look after themselves. More so than any time in history, each club sees their juniors as their own while the kids are spoilt for choice and move clubs more so than any time in history. As I said, some kids in the area, have played for 3 different clubs before they make seniors.

This is why all those established junior clubs in the area said no to Glen Eira having juniors , too many then , too many now. It's a dog fight every year

Well, if that is the case then Glen Eira has to replenish their list somehow so it is natural they will offer something of an alternative like the Old Mckinnon bond or whatever it takes to keep their club alive. They are only trying tp survive in a tight market like St Pauls, Ormond and everyone else.

Really good and fair read and as you say a lot of Asians moving into the GE catchment , especially at McKinnon High so it's drying up . Ormond at grade 4 and 5 level are struggling for numbers , one reason is that 2 Catholic schools in St Aloysius and St Kevins have closed down , both provided half the Ormond kids

 

[Greg Tivendale]

Most would be aware that Ormond have a couple of merged teams with St Pauls at SMJFL level in older aged groups, so to hear some have gone to EE Gunn isn't overly surprising. Still, its not great for St Pauls & the SFNL

Greg Tivendale by coach do you mean Pete Smith?

Not Pete, his brother Paul.

 

[Greg Tivendale]

You can understand that if STP didn't have enough . I suppose most depends on DLS as well

Yep DLS and other schools also getting their fair share of players out of local clubs

 

[Nepotism]

Yep DLS and other schools also getting their fair share of players out of local clubs

In the area, you have got RC kids who play for St Pauls up till about under 14s then they have to make their school the number one priority. De La, St Bedes and a good portion of SKevs boys and even a few Mazenod boys.

Each school makes sure school footy is prioritised over club footy. I guess that's why you pay the admission fees.

Then by under 19s, the boys want to play for their school alumni old boys with their school mates in VAFA shamateurs rather than play under 19 SNFL club footy.

 

[God Yeah]

Each school makes sure school footy is prioritised over club footy

St Kevins Yes, I'd highly doubt De La, St Bedes and Mazenod (All ACC and Wednesday footy do this).

 

[bedford]

Is this grade turning into A grade ammos with the same few up top consistently , now 2 new ones coming up with plenty of cash

 

[sammelb80]

Is this grade turning into A grade ammos with the same few up top consistently , now 2 new ones coming up with plenty of cash

I think it's the opposite. Division 1 is probably the strongest it's been this century (as far as I can remember). Plenty of elite talent (Ex-AFL, VFL, Coates league) spread across each team in the division. There also isn't a deadbeat team this time round for the first time in years too. Sure Bentleigh and Murrumbeena look the weakest out of the 10 but they will win games. One would think Bentleigh's young kids will only improve with another season and some decent signings, while Murrumbeena have a great list and as mentioned above their home ground advantage is real. Sure Cheltenham are dominating right now but it was less than a decade ago I recall them in a relegation scrap. Cheltenham and Dingley are the frontrunners this year but St Pauls, Springvale, Narre and even Port and EB could all match them on their day easily.

Springvale came up to Div 1 in 2022 and are playing finals.
East Brighton came up last season and should play finals this year.

It's the most even I've seen Division 1 and can't wait to crack in!

 

[Nepotism]

St Kevins Yes, I'd highly doubt De La, St Bedes and Mazenod (All ACC and Wednesday footy do this).

They certainly take the boys in at under 19 level.

Hence all those old boys' teams under 19s are flying whereas the local teams in St P and Caulfield are really struggling to even field a team at under 19 level.

 

[bedford]

They certainly take the boys in at under 19 level.

Hence all those old boys' teams under 19s are flying whereas the local teams in St P and Caulfield are really struggling to even field a team at under 19 level.

Ammos are as weak as piss , they should be restricted to 2 U19s max , some have 4 3rds teams like Old Xavs , it's bullshit and the top ones are very good and knock off teams in dIv grades

 

[BillytheLid]

In the area, you have got RC kids who play for St Pauls up till about under 14s then they have to make their school the number one priority. De La, St Bedes and a good portion of SKevs boys and even a few Mazenod boys.

Each school makes sure school footy is prioritised over club footy. I guess that's why you pay the admission fees.

Then by under 19s, the boys want to play for their school alumni old boys with their school mates in VAFA shamateurs rather than play under 19 SNFL club footy.

It’s also a far superior competition. VAFA 19 Premier considered the best underage comp in the land after the TAC cup or whatever it’s called these days. More travel but with 5 divisions and promotion/relegation it is more even. And it’s not just school sides with thriving U19 programs as several district clubs have multiple teams. SFL is making inroads for sure but still too many clubs not totally committed. Across the 4 grades only 14 clubs entered U19 teams and only 5 from Div 1. Under’s reintroduced almost 20 years ago but it has not kept pace with growth and improvement of the senior section. Have said it before but needs to be some sort of incentive or disincentive. I know it can be hard going but give Div 1 clubs 3 years to make genuine and legitimate efforts to a 19s up or they drop back a grade unless they have a genuine reason. St Pauls make genuine efforts to get a team up every year and always do when able but the sheer volume of clubs in that catchment and many clubs scraping for the same infinite number of players. Maybe go back to U18s, as it was originally. Would be a point of difference to the VAFA and get them straight out of local junior comps.

And it is only the APS schools (St Kevs, Xavs, Haileybury etc) that prioritise football. The ACC schools actually lose talent to those schools on scholarships. The attraction is the quality of the competition. The best way to attract platers is to make the SFL competition better.

 

[bedford]

It’s also a far superior competition. VAFA 19 Premier considered the best underage comp in the land after the TAC cup or whatever it’s called these days. More travel but with 5 divisions and promotion/relegation it is more even. And it’s not just school sides with thriving U19 programs as several district clubs have multiple teams. SFL is making inroads for sure but still too many clubs not totally committed. Across the 4 grades only 14 clubs entered U19 teams and only 5 from Div 1. Under’s reintroduced almost 20 years ago but it has not kept pace with growth and improvement of the senior section. Have said it before but needs to be some sort of incentive or disincentive. I know it can be hard going but give a Div 1 clubs 3 years to make genuine and legitimate efforts to a 19s up or they drop back a grade unless they have a genuine reason. St Pauls make genuine efforts to get a team up every year and always do when able but the sheer volume of clubs in that catchment and many clubs scraping for the same infinite number of players. Maybe go back to U18s, as it was originally. Would be a point of difference to the VAFA and get them straight out of local junior comps.

And it is only the APS schools (St Kevs, Xavs, Haileybury etc) that prioritise football. The ACC schools actually lose talent to those schools on scholarships. The attraction is the quality of the competition. The best way to attract platers is to make the SFL competition better.

Haileybury and Caulfield grammar last year forfeited ressies in games last year , but both had strong 19s .