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Southern Football Netball League

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Southern Football Netball League
FormerlySouth East Suburban Football League
SportAustralian rules football
Founded1993; 31 years ago (1993)
No. of teams36
Level on pyramid4
Relegation toDivision 2
Division 3
Division 4
Official websitesfnl.com.au

The Southern Football Netball League (SFNL) is an Australian rules football league, based in the south and south eastern suburbs of Melbourne, Victoria, for both seniors and juniors.

History

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The South East Suburban Football League was formed in 1963 as a merger of the Caulfield Oakleigh District Football League with the East Suburban Football League after a number of its clubs moved to the Croydon Ferntree Gully FL (now Eastern Football League).

When the Federal Football League folded at the end of 1981, the SESFL had twenty clubs. After the addition of all but one of the Federal clubs for 1982, the league had a 16 team A grade, and a 12 team B grade competition. The league twice tried 3 divisions but the idea was later dropped as clubs left or folded.

In a major project in 1991, the league underwent a major revamp of its administration and opted to employ a full-time administrator and staff to manage the league's affairs. The League's administration along with its member clubs undertook a far-reaching corporate planning programme to map out future directions and objectives. The extra manpower allowed the elevation of League and club standards and the improved marketability of attracting the corporate sponsorship that modern football now required to keep the organisation afloat. Much of this work was completed by early 1992 and it was decided that a new name would be required to flow on from the work already achieved. The Southern Football League was adopted to show that a new professionalism was running football in the southern suburbs.

The league had another major change in 1993, when it absorbed the Eastern Suburbs Churches Football Association (ESCFA). The newly merged league began in 1993 with around 50 clubs playing 5 divisions, though this had dropped to 28 clubs in 3 divisions by 2002 due to clubs folding, merging, or moving to other competitions.[1]

In April 1997, the Southern Football Show began on Optus Vision's Localvision channel, covering the weekly news of the league.[2][3] It moved to Channel 31 Melbourne the following year. This program soon became known as the Southern Footy Show. It later expanded its scope to become the Local Footy Show, covering many Melbourne leagues until 2011.

In the new millennium, the league grew slightly with the addition of the Southern Dragons in 2009, Endeavour Hills in 2011 and Hallam in 2012. The Dragons returned to the VAFA after the 2012 season,[4] but the revival of Carrum Patterson Lakes FC in 2013 after almost 20 years in recess kept the league at 31 clubs.[5]

The 2014 SFL third division seniors grand final was called off after a brawl broke out between players and supporters. The game in which Mount Waverley was taking on Carrum Patterson Lakes. A police spokeswoman said supporters started heckling one of the teams as it left the ground at half-time. A fight broke out and one person was treated in hospital. The game was called off when one of the teams refused to return to the field."[6]

On 11 April 2015, acknowledging the netball part of the competition, the SFL changed its name to the Southern Football Netball League (SFNL).[7] The 2015 season was also a time when the Southern Dragons went into recess.

In 2016 Port Melbourne Colts transferred in from Western Region Football League, and Lyndhurst FC fielded a senior side for the first time.[8]

2017 saw the introduction of women's football.

The inclusion of 3 new clubs - Hampton Park, Frankston Dolphins and Cerberus - enabled the league to have 4 men's divisions for 2018.

In 2022 Cranbourne and Doveton Park joined the league from the Outer East Football Netball League.

Narre Warren and Berwick Springs entered the SFNL from the Outer East Football Netball League in 2025, while Clyde fielded an Open Grade side for the first time.

Current Clubs (2025 season)

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Division 1

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Club Colours Nickname Home Ground Former League Est. Years in Comp SFNL/SESFL Senior Premierships
Total Most recent
Bentleigh
Demons Bentleigh Reserve, Bentleigh VAFA 1965 1993- 1 2013
Cheltenham
Rosellas Cheltenham Reserve, Cheltenham FFL 1891 1982- 6 2024
Cranbourne
Eagles Livingston Reserve, Cranbourne East OEFNL 1889 2022- 1 2022
Dingley
Dingoes Souter Oval, Dingley Village MPNFL 1958 2007- 5 2019
East Brighton
Vampires Hurlingham Park, Brighton East CODFL 1949 1963- 11 2023
Murrumbeena
Lions Murrumbeena Park, Murrumbeena CODFL 1918 1963- 5 2024
Narre Warren
Magpies Kalora Park, Narre Warren North OEFNL 1953 2025- 0 -
Port Melbourne
Colts JL Murphy Reserve, Port Melbourne WRFL 1957 1975-80, 2016- 2 2016
Springvale Districts
Demons Springvale Reserve, Springvale ESCFL 1959 1993- 2 2018
St Pauls
Bulldogs McKinnon Reserve, Bentleigh ESCFL 1948 1993- 4 2018

Division 2

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Club Colours Nickname Home Ground Former League Est. Years in Comp SFNL/SESFL Senior Premierships
Total Most recent
Caulfield Bears
Bears Koornang Park, Carnegie 1993 1993- 1 1994
Chelsea Heights
Demons Beazley Reserve, Chelsea Heights SWGFL 1969 1993- 4 2022
Doveton
Doves Robinson Oval, Doveton OEFNL 1959 2022- 0 -
East Malvern
Panthers D.W. Lucas Oval, Malvern East VAFA 1964 1973- 5 2012
Endeavour Hills
Falcons Barry Simon Reserve, Endeavour Hills 2011 2011- 1 2023
Frankston Dolphins
Dolphins Overport Park, Frankston South 2017 2018- 1 2024
Hampton Park
Redbacks Robert Booth Reserve, Hampton Park SEFNL 1958 2018- 1 2019
Highett
Bulldogs Turner Road Reserve, Highett 1988 1989- 4 2018
Keysborough
Burras Rowley Allan Reserve, Keysborough MPNFL 1947 2015- 0 -
Mordialloc
Bloodhounds Ben Kavanagh Reserve, Mordialloc VFA 1891 1988– 2 2014

Division 3

[edit]
Club Colours Nickname Home Ground Former League Est. Years in Comp SFNL/SESFL Senior Premierships
Total Most recent
Ashwood
Magpies Essex Heights Reserve, Ashwood 1985 1985- 2 2001
Berwick Springs
Titans Mick Morland Reserve, Clyde North OEFNL 2020 2025- 0 -
Black Rock
Jets Donald MacDonald Reserve, Black Rock ESCFL 1908 1986- 4 2022
Carrum Patterson Lakes
Lions[9] Roy Dore Reserve, Carrum 2013 2013- 0 -
Hampton
Hammers Peterson Street Reserve, Highett ESCFL 1947 1993–2020, 2022- 1 2024
Heatherton
Tunners Heatherton Recreation Reserve, Heatherton ESCFL 1913 1993- 3 2009
Lyndhurst
Lightning Marriott Waters Reserve, Lyndhurst 2009 2016- 1 2022
Skye
Bombers Carrum Downs Recreation Reserve, Carrum Downs 2005 2006- 1 2009
South Mornington
Tigers Citation Oval, Mount Martha VAFA 2006 2006, 2020- 1 2023
St Kilda City
Saints Peanut Farm Reserve, St Kilda NMFL 1946 1965- 9 2010

Division 4

[edit]
Club Colours Nickname Home Ground Former League Est. Years in Comp SFNL/SESFL Senior Premierships
Total Most recent
Clayton
Clays Meade Reserve, Clayton EFNL 1908 1982-1985, 1999- 5 2010
Dandenong West
Westerners Greaves Reserve, Dandenong ESCFA 1964 1984-1986, 1993- 0 -
Doveton Eagles
Eagles Power Reserve, Doveton VAFA 1980 1995- 4 2017
Hallam
Hawks Hallam Recreation Reserve, Hallam OEFNL 2011 2012-2022, 2024- 0 -
Lyndale
Pumas Barry Powell Reserve, Noble Park North ESCFL 1961 1987-1989, 1993- 3 2000
Moorabbin
Kangaroos A.W Oliver Reserve, Hampton East ESCFL 1978 1982, 1993- 3 2012
Narre South Saints
Saints Strathaird Reserve, Narre Warren South VAFA 2007 2020- 0 -
South Yarra
Lions Leigh Park, Balwyn North ESCFL 1967 1993- 3 2019

Open Grade Only

[edit]
Club Colours Nickname Home Ground Former League Est. Years in Comp SFNL/SESFL Senior Premierships
Total Most recent
Clyde
Cougars Clyde Recreation Reserve, Clyde 2024 2025- 0 -
Heatherhill
Hawks Bruce Park, Frankston 2023 2023- 0 -

Women's Division 1

[edit]
Club Colours Nickname Home Ground Former League Est. Years in Comp SFNL Premierships
Total Most recent
Bentleigh
Demons Bentleigh Reserve, Bentleigh 1965 2018- 0 -
Casey Thunder
Thunder The Hunt Club Reserve, Cranbourne East 2019 2021- 1 2023
East Brighton
Vampires Hurlingham Park, Brighton East 1949 2018- 1 2023
Endeavour Hills
Falcons Barry Simon Reserve, Endeavour Hills VWFL 2011 2018-2022, 2024 3 2024
Narre South Saints
Saints Strathaird Reserve, Narre Warren South 2007 2022- 0 -

Women's Division 2

[edit]
Club Colours Nickname Home Ground Former League Est. Years in Comp SFNL Premierships
Total Most recent
Black Rock
Jets McDonald Reserve, Black Rock 1908 2022- 1 2022
Chelsea Heights
Demons Beazley Reserve, Chelsea Heights 1969 2023- 0 -
Casey Thunder
Thunder The Hunt Club Reserve, Cranbourne East 2019 2021- 0 -
Clayton
Clays Meade Reserve, Clayton 1908 2018- 1 2018
Frankston Dolphins
Dolphins Overport Park, Frankston South 2017 2018- 1 2024
Hallam
Hawks Hallam Recreation Reserve, Hallam OEFNL 2011 2018-2022, 2024- 0 -
Lyndale
Pumas Barry Powell Reserve, Noble Park North 1961 2018- 1 2019
Murrumbeena
Lions Murrumbeena Park, Murrumbeena 1918 2018- 1 2017
Narre South Saints
Saints Strathaird Reserve, Narre Warren South 2007 2022- 0 -
Skye
Bombers Carrum Downs Recreation Reserve, Carrum Downs 2006 2021- 0 -

Former clubs

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Club Jumper Nickname Home Ground Former League Est. Years in comp SFNL/SESFL Senior Premierships Fate
Total Most recent
Ashburton
Dragons Burwood Reserve, Glen Iris CODFL 1963-1987 6 1987 Merged with Caulfield following 1988 season to form Caulfield-Ashburton
Ashburton-Chadstone
Toffee Apples ESCFL 1986 1993-1994 0 - Folded in 1994
Balwyn
Tigers Balwyn Park, Balwyn ESFL 1909 1963-2006 7 2005 Moved to Eastern FNL after 2006 season
Beaumaris
Sharks Banksia Reserve, Beaumaris CODFL 1962 1963-1994 2 1977 Moved to VAFA after 1994 season
Bennettswood
Swans Bennettswood Reserve, Burwood CODFL, ESFL 1959 1963-1965 0 - Senior club entered recess, reformed in Eastern Districts FL in 1968
Boronia Park
Bombers Miller Park, Boronia VAFA 1990 1994-1999 0 - Moved to Yarra Valley & Mountain District FL after 1999 season
Box Hill North
Demons Elgar Park, Box Hill North ESCFL 1983 1993-2001 0 - Moved to VAFA after 2001 season
Box Hill Pioneers
Pioneers Springfield Park, Box Hill North ESCFL 1954 1993-1997 1 1997 Moved to Eastern FNL after 1997 season, now known as Whitehorse Pioneers
Brooklyn
Bulls McIvor Reserve, Yarraville WRFL 1981 2003-2004 0 - Folded in 2004
Burnley
Burnley Oval, Burnley CODFL, ESFL 1963-1965 0 - Folded in 1965
Burwood
Magpies Burwood Reserve, Glen Iris ESFL c.1950s 1963-1984 3 1979 Merged with Essex Heights to form Ashwood after 1984 season
Burwood United
Woods ESCFL c.1940s 1993 0 - Merged with Mount Waverley to form Mount Waverley Burwood after 1993 season
Camberwell Power
Power Howard Dawson Reserve, Glen Iris ESCFL c.1930s 1993-1996 0 - Folded in 1996
Canterbury
Cobras Canterbury Sports Ground, Surrey Hills ESFL 1881 1963-2008 4 2003 Moved to Eastern FNL after 2008 season
Carnegie
Demons East Caulfield Reserve, Caulfield East CODFL c.1920s 1963-1976, 1980-1999 2 1975 Folded in 2000
Carrum Downs
Falcons Carrum Downs Recreation Reserve, Carrum Downs 1993-1999 1 1994 Moved to Mornington Peninsula Nepean FL after 1999 season
Caulfield
Caulfield Park, Caulfield 1983-84 0 - Folded in 1984
Caulfield Amateurs
Caulfield Park, Caulfield CODFL 1946 1963-1971 1 1963 Folded in 1972
Caulfield-Ashburton
Princes Park, Caulfield 1988 1989 1 1989 Voted out of league after 1989 season
Caulfield Kontias
VAFA 1989 1992 0 - Folded in 1992
Cerberus
Dogs McAuliffe Oval, HMAS Cerberus 2004 2004-2010, 2018-2023 1 2018 Merged with South Mornington Thirds side in 2023, folded in 2024
Chadstone
Percy Treyvaud Memorial Park, Malvern East CODFL 1963-1985 0 - Folded in 1985
Cheltenham Assumption
Red Roosters Le Page Park, Cheltenham ESFL 1993-1998 1 1996 Folded in 1998
Collingwood Districts
Ramsden Street Oval, Clifton Hill ESCFL 1986 1993-1995 0 - Folded in 1996
East Bentleigh
Mackie Road Reserve, Bentleigh East ESCFL 1993-1995 0 - Absorbed by St Pauls Bentleigh to form St Pauls East Bentleigh after 1995 season
East Brunswick
Magpies Fleming Park, Brunswick East WRFL 1922 1994 0 - Folded in 1994
East Camberwell
Lynden Park, Camberwell ESCFL 1946 1993-1994 0 - Merged with Surrey Hills to form Surrey Park after 1994 season
East Hawthorn
Hawks St James Park, Hawthorn NMFL 1931 1975-1987 3 1984 Expelled from league in 1988
East Malvern Amateurs
T.H. King Oval, Glen Iris CODFL c.1920s 1965-1984 1 1969 Folded in 1985
East Sandringham
RG Chisholm Reserve, Sandringham 1963-1975 0 - Folded in 1975
Eley Park
Sharks Eley Park, Blackburn South 1992 1993 0 - Moved to VAFA after 1993 season
Essex Heights
Tigers Essex Heights Reserve, Ashwood 1970-1982 0 - Seniors entered recess in 1983, merged with Burwood to form Ashwood after 1984 season
Fairfield Park
Bloods Fairfield Park Oval, Fairfield ESCFL c.1900s 1993-1995 0 - Moved to Diamond Valley FL following 1995 season
Glen Iris
Eric Raven Reserve, Glen Iris CODFL 1963-1987 2 1979 Folded in 1987
Glen Iris District
T.H. King Oval, Glen Iris CODFL 1963-1965 0 - Folded in 1965
Hawthorn Citizens
Victoria Road Reserve, Hawthorn East ESFL 1963-1989 2 1971 Entered recess in 1989, re-formed in VAFA as Hawthorn Amateurs in 1995
Heidelberg Colts
Colts Olympic Park, Heidelberg West MNFL 1967 1995 0 - Folded in 1995
Highett
Bulldogs Turner Road Reserve, Highett FFL 1929 1981-1989 0 - Merged with Highett West following 1989 season to form Highett Districts
Highett West
Kookaburras Peterson Street Reserve, Highett 1975 1975-1989 1 1986 Merged with Highett following 1989 season to form Highett Districts
Highett West Youth Club
Peterson Street Reserve, Highett CODFL 1963-1965 0 - Senior team entered recess in 1966, merged with Highett YCW to form Highett West in 1975
Jolimont
Carter Oval, Burnley 1965-1968 0 - Folded
Kooyong
Righetti Oval, Kooyong VAFA 1966-1968 2 1967 Merged with Hawthorn Amateurs in 1969 to form Hawthorn District
Lower Plenty
Bears Montmorency Park, Montmorency ESCFL 1961 1993-1994 0 - Moved to Diamond Valley FL following 1994 season
Mentone
Tigers Mentone Reserve, Mentone FFL 1904 1982-1992 0 - Merged with St Bede's Old Collegians following 1992 season to form St Bede's/Mentone Tigers in VAFA
Middle Park
Oval 10, Albert Park 1983-1984 0 - Folded in 1984
Moorabbin
Kangas McKinnon Reserve, Mckinnon FFL 1979 1982 0 - Moved to VFA in 1983
Mount Waverley
Mountain Lions Mayfield Park, Mount Waverley ESCFL 1974 1993-2018 2 2016 Folded in 2018
Mount Waverley
Mounts, Blues Mt Waverley Reserve, Mount Waverley CODFL 1924 1963-1993 1 1964 Merged with Burwood United to form Mount Waverley Burwood after 1993 season
Mount Waverley Burwood Mt Waverley Reserve, Mount Waverley 1994 1994-1997 0 - Merged with Waverley Amateurs following 1997 season to form Waverley Blues in Eastern FNL
Noble Park
Bulls Pat Wright Senior Oval, Noble Park FFL 1918 1963, 1982-1999 9 1997 Moved to Eastern FNL after 1999 season
North Blackburn
Burners Koonung Park, Blackburn North ESCFL 1993-1995 0 - Folded in 1996
North Kew
Bears Stradbroke Park, Kew East ESFL 1932 1963-2006 1 1999 Merged with Kew Amateurs following 2006 season to form Kew Bears in VAFA
Oakleigh District
Districts Princes Highway Reserve, Oakleigh East FFL 1915 1963, 1982-2021 1 2015 Moved to Eastern FNL after 2021 season
Parkdale
Seagulls Gerry Green Reserve, Parkdale FFL 1934 1982-2003 3 1995 Merged with Mentone Amateurs following 2003 season to form Parkdale Vultures in VAFA
Parkmore
Pirates Frederick Wachter Reserve, Keysborough 2004 2005-2007 1 2006 Folded in 2007
R.A.A.F Cadets
Highfield Park, Camberwell CODFL 1962 1963, 1966-1969 0 - Folded in 1969
Richmond Rosellas Rosellas Kevin Bartlett Reserve, Burnley ESCFL 1994-1995 0 - Folded in 1995
Sandown Cobras
Cobras Edinburgh Reserve, Springvale EFNL 1962 1963-1976, 2002-2023 2 1972 In recess since 2023
Southern Dragons
Dragons Keeley Park, Clayton South 2007 2009-2012, 2015 1 2011 Folded after round 9, 2015
South Melbourne Districts
Bloods Lindsay Hassett Oval, Albert Park NMFL 1912 1974-1999 2 1983 Moved to VAFA after 1999 season
South Murrumbeena
Packer Park, Carnegie CODFL 1958 1963-1965 0 - Folded in 1965
St Bede's Old Collegians
Bedas Beda Park, Mordialloc 1966 1966-1969 1 1968 Moved to VAFA after 1969 season
Surrey Park
Panthers Surrey Park, Box Hill 1994 1995-2001 0 - Moved to Eastern FNL after 2001 season
Syndal-Tally Ho
Synners Jordan Reserve, Chadstone ESCFL 1993 1993-1996 1 1994 Moved to VAFA after 1996 season
Tooronga
Johnson Oval, Tooronga Park, Malvern ESFL 1963 0 - Merged with Malvern to form Tooronga-Malvern in the VAFA in 1964

Premiers

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Men's seniors

[edit]
Southern Football Netball League
Year Division 1 Division 2 Division 3 Division 4 Division 5
2024 Cheltenham Murrumbeena Frankston Dolphins Hampton 4 divisions (2018−)
2023 Cheltenham East Brighton Endeavour Hills South Mornington
2022 Cranbourne Chelsea Heights Black Rock Lyndhurst
2021
(Season abandoned due to COVID-19)
2020
(No competition due to COVID-19)
2019 Dingley Doveton Eagles Hampton Park South Yarra
2018 St Paul's Highett Springvale Districts Cerberus
2017 Dingley Chelsea Heights Doveton Eagles 3 divisions (1999−2017)
2016 Dingley Port Melbourne Colts Mount Waverley
2015 Dingley Oakleigh District Black Rock
2014 East Brighton Mordialloc Match abandoned
2013 St Paul's Bentleigh Doveton Eagles
2012 East Brighton East Malvern Moorabbin
2011 St Paul's Highett Southern Dragons
2010 St Kilda City Clayton Hampton
2009 St Kilda City Heatherton Skye
2008 St Paul's Dingley South Yarra
2007 St Kilda City Springvale District Black Rock
2006 Clayton Heatherton Parkmore
2005 Balwyn St Kilda City Moorabbin
2004 East Brighton Highett Black Rock
2003 Balwyn Murrumbeena Canterbury
2002 St Kilda City East Brighton Hampton
2001 Clayton Ashwood Tooronga Malvern
2000 Balwyn Chelsea Heights Lyndale
1999 Balwyn Mordialloc North Kew
1998 Balwyn St Kilda City Heatherton Mount Waverley Catholics 4 divisions (1996−1998)
1997 Noble Park Balwyn Box Hill Pioneers Lyndale
1996 Noble Park Ashwood Highett Cheltenham Assumption
1995 Parkdale Cheltenham Chelsea Heights Doveton Eagles Lyndale
1994 Noble Park Caulfield St Kilda City Syndal-Tally Ho Carrum Downs
1993 East Brighton Cheltenham Murrumbeena South Yarra Moorabbin West
1992 Noble Park Cheltenham 2 divisions (1992)
South East Suburban Football League
Year Division 1 Division 2 Division 3
1991 East Brighton Canterbury 2 divisions (1987−1991)
1990 Noble Park Tooronga-Malvern
1989 Balwyn Parkdale
1988 Caulfield-Ashburton East Brighton
1987 Noble Park Ashburton
1986 Noble Park Highett West Murrumbeena 3 divisions (1986)
1985 Noble Park Tooronga-Malvern 2 divisions (1985)
1984 Clayton Parkdale East Hawthorn 3 divisions (1983-1984)
1983 Noble Park South Melbourne Districts Hawthorn Citizens
1982 Clayton East Hawthorn 2 divisions (1963−1982)
1981 Ashburton East Hawthorn
1980 Ashburton St Kilda City
1979 Burwood Glen Iris
1978 Ashburton Tooronga-Malvern
1977 Ashburton Beaumaris
1976 East Brighton South Melbourne Districts
1975 Carnegie Port Colts
1974 Murrumbeena Carnegie
1973 East Brighton Ashburton
1972 Canterbury Sandown
1971 Hawthorn District St Kilda City
1970 Burwood Hawthorn District
1969 Canterbury East Malvern
1968 Burwood St Bede's Old Collegians
1967 Kooyong Sandown
1966 East Brighton Kooyong
1965 Glen Iris Beaumaris
1964 Mount Waverley Hawthorn Amateurs
1963 Murrumbeena Caulfield

Women's seniors

[edit]
Year Division 1 Division 2
2024 Endeavour Hills Frankston Dolphins
2023 Casey Thunder East Brighton
2022 Endeavour Hills Black Rock
2021
(Season abandoned due to COVID-19)
2020
(No competition due to COVID-19)
2019 Endeavour Hills Lyndale
2018 Murrumbeena Clayton
2017 Murrumbeena 1 division (2017)

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Moorabbin Kangaroos History". deadlyretribution.com.
  2. ^ "The Local Footy Show's Daryl Pitman In 1997 Southern Football Show". YouTube. 28 January 2018. Archived from the original on 19 December 2021.
  3. ^ "The Local Footy Show: About The Show". www.localfootyshow.com.au.
  4. ^ "monashweekly.com.au". www.monashweekly.com.au. 21 November 2023.
  5. ^ Full Point Footy, Southern Football League, retrieved 21 October 2008
  6. ^ Hatch, Patrick (13 September 2014). "Southern Football League grand final abandoned after brawl between players and supporters". The Age.
  7. ^ "Southern Football League Media Release". GameDay. Southern Football League. 13 April 2015. Archived from the original on 3 October 2023. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
  8. ^ Ractliffe, Damien (9 December 2015). "Former Hawthorn star to put stamp on Power". Herald Sun.
  9. ^ http://www.cplfc.com.au [dead link]
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