12/04/2020
CAULFIELD - OAKLEIGH DISTRICT FOOTBALL LEAGUE
1932 – 1962
The C.O.D.F.L. is mentioned spasmodically in both the daily and local newspaper reports under various names, from as early as 1913 through to 1932.
In 1913 the Oakleigh-Dandenong Football League included teams such as Dandenong, Springvale, Oakleigh, Carnegie and Murrumbeena fielding both senior and junior teams.
During WW1 the league changed to Oakleigh District Junior F.A. with both senior and junior grades with reports mentioning teams Oakleigh West, Dandenong Standards, Pakenham, Carnegie and Springvale.
In 1918 another name change was made to the Caulfield-Oakleigh-Dandenong Junior F.A. with most clubs who played previously plus Camberwell Juniors, Wattle Park, Glenhuntly and Caulfield. These name changes occured regularly between 1920 and 1932.
The V.F.L and V.F.A. Sub-District competitions, Reserve Grades of the V.F.L. and V.F.A. and other senior grade bodies were introduced during this same period and it appears that the League continued as an under 21 or 22 Grade only. It was not until 1932 that they formally joined the V.J.F.A. as a junior association initially, then a senior body in 1934.
The League handbooks that I have refer to 1932 as the date that the competition was ‘re-formed’ and although the the top grade was recorded as ‘A’ Grade newspaper reports at the time mention the competition as being under 21.
Mr.W.J.Wilde, a Murrumbeena resident and a local Football Club member was elected as the Leagues first secretary at a meeting held in early 1932. Mr.Wilde was also involved with cricket clubs in the area. He maintained his position as secretary of the C.O.D.F.L. then the S.E.S.F.L. until his sudden death in 1966. For many years the Best & Fairest Senior Grade Trophy was named after him in both the C.O.D.F.L. and the S.E.League.
The Oakleigh Football Club entered the V.F.A. in 1929 and were very keen to have a local competition within its district and were of much assistance in the early years of the League.
The name changes continued, in 1932 Caulfield-Oakleigh Junior F.A., 1933 & 34 Caulfield-Oakleigh-Dandenong J.F.A. then finally in 1935 Caulfield-Oakleigh District F.L.
Teams that competed in the first year of the re-formed competition were:
Caulfield Juniors( Caulfield Park East ), 37/52nd.Battalion (Caulfield Park),Wattle Park( McKinnon ), Hughesdale( Murrumbeena Park ), Broadway Juniors( Police Paddocks ) and Gardiner Methodist ( Kooyong, played one year then transferred to the E.S.P.C.F.A. ). Caulfield Juniors lost only one game during the season and finished on top of the ladder with 56 points and were declared ‘Minor Premiers’. As the ‘Page System’ of finals was not introduced until the 1935 season the’Challenge System’ was used. The semi finals and ‘final’ games were played at Waverley Park, East Malvern. Wattle Park defeated Hughesdale in the first semi, Caulfield Juniors defeated Broadway Juniors in the second final. Caulfield Juniors lost to Wattle Park in the ‘Final’ and as was their right as ‘Minor Premiers’ challenged for a return match. The Challenge final was played at the East Caulfield Reserve in front of a large number of spectators. The game as it developed turned into a hard, fast and fair game admirably controlled by umpire Mason. Caulfield Juniors ran out comfortable winners 9.12.66 to 6.10.46 and deservidly accepted the Premiership trophy donated by the Oakleigh Football Club. Best players for Caulfield were Henry, Goninen, Billings, Hill, Bohanie, Lee and Fagan. Goalkickers being Goninen 4, Henry 2, Hirst, Simmons and Hamilton. Best for Wattle Park were Thomas, Hoskin, Murphy, Brooks, Turnley and Daly. Goalkickers being Hoskin 2, Murphy, Turnley and Finlayson.
In the first season there was no formal Best & Fairest award. At the final meeting of the competition in October the delegates voted on a ‘Most Popular Player’ Award which unanimously went to J.Oakes of Hughesdale.
The 1933 season saw a number of changes and new clubs enter the League. Caulfield Juniors remained along with Hughesdale, Wattle Park and the Battalion. Broadway Juniors became East Oakleigh ( Huntingdale ), South Oakleigh ( Crosbie Park ) entered along with Dandenong Amateurs, Noble Park and Springvale Juniors. The first semi was played at the Clayton reserve, South Oakleigh with Hughesdale being defeated by South Oakleigh 14.14.98 to 12.17.89. In what was described as a bruising affair the following Hughesdale players supended, M.Somers 6 weeks, C.Burns 1 week, W.McDermott 4 weeks, from South Oakleigh W.Simpson 4 weeks, H.Box reprimanded. Minor Premiers East Oakleigh with only one loss for the season eliminated Caulfield Juniors in the second semi 10.10.70 to 6.12.48. The Final played at the Oakleigh V.F.A. ground between East and South Oakleigh was of a poor standard due to bad weather and if not for some poor goal shooting by East Oakleigh the end result would have been much wider between the two sides. East Oakleigh 11.23.89 to South Oakleigh 10.7.76.
East Oakleigh disbanded in 1934 with many of its players joining Murrumbeena who had returned to the local League from the Sub-District competition. The Battalion also disbanded and were replaced by Malvern who were a second team of the Malvern Amateurs in the V.A.F.A. Wattle Park became Ormond United then McKinnon.
Murrumbeena were undefeated Minor Premiers and throughout the season had many high scoring victories one in particular defeating a hapless Hughesdale 40.26.226 to 5.7.37.
An alteration to the Finals system saw Murrumbeena (first) play Caulfield Juniors (third) with the game ending in a draw. The following week South Oakleigh (second) played Hughesdale (fourth) in the second semi with victory going to South in a high scoring entertaining game 18.19.127 to 16.9.105. The first semi was then replayed the following week with Murrumbeena falling over the line due to some poor kicking by Caulfield Juniors 9.11.65 to 7.18.60.
The Final was played at Oakleigh on a terribly wet day with sheets of water covering the oval and in a close finish South Oakleigh managed to hit the front with a few minutes to go only to see Murrumbeena storm home kicking four goals in the time remaining. Murrumbeena 10.15.75 to South Oakleigh 8.6.54. Best and Goals for the winners, Strahan 2, Potter 1, Orgill, McDermott 3, Mathers 2, Thorburn, Ashton, Halfpenny 1 and Lee. South Oakleighs best Parkinson, Bishop, Holland, Rowlands, D.Fraser 2, Sharman, Clarke 2, H.Fraser 2, Lyne 1, and Wilmot 1.
Dandenong Juniors and Dandenong Amateurs combined to enter a new club Dandenong United for 1935. Caulfield Juniors changed its name to Caulfield East and entered the Eastern Suburban Football League. Noble Park entered a ‘B’ Grade team in the Dandenong District F.A. Hughesdale disbanded with most of its players going to Murrumbeena. To bolster the number of teams which had dropped to five, two new clubs entered Ormond United (Lords Reserve) and Moorabbin City (McKinnon Reserve) creating a bye.
The winter of 1935 was one of the wettest on record which created shocking conditions at most grounds for most of the season. I suspect this may have been a blessing as many fixtures were lopsided with the top four clubs Dandenong United (undefeated), Murrumbeena, Ormond United and Moorabbin City clearly ahead in standard. By having many low scoring matches the competition appeared more even than it really was. The ‘Page System ‘ of finals was introduced for the first time with all matches played at Oakleigh. Ormond United accounted for Moorabbin City in the first semi on a wet and windy day with Smith of Ormond best on ground with six goals. Dandenong United continued its run with a solid victory over Murrumbeena in the second final with Alf.Fairbanks from United and B. Lee-Archer of Murrumbeena joint best.
The Preliminary Final between Murrumbeena and Ormond was played in fine conditions with Ormond jumping out to an early lead which they maintained until part way through the last quarter. Some fine marking and goalkicking from McDermott and Mathers saw Murrumbeena home 10.18.78 to 8.10.58.
The Grand Final was played in fine conditions with match reports commenting on a ‘high standard of skill mixed with aggresion’. Dandenong controlled the match from the start and if not for some poor kicking would have won the game by a considerably larger margin, 16.20.116 to 9.9.63. Fairbanks, the United Captain was again Best player ending the season with 78 goals. Others to do well for United: L.Williams 4, May 2, Sturtz, Hansen, Peckfield 1, Hamilton, Kerr 2, A.Williams 2 and Standish. For Murrumbeena best and goals, R.McDermott 5, Mathers 4, Bywater, W.McDermott, Sibley, Oakley, Hamity and Hendricks.
The first four seasons were played as an under 21/22 Grade with an allowance of sometimes up to four over-age players under 25 years. Allowance was also made for a Captain/Coach who could be over 25 years.
The first fully Senior Grade was introduced in 1936 with competing clubs being: Ormond United, Oakleigh District , Dandenong United ( changed from Amateurs), Murrumbeena, Malvern, Moorabbin City, McKinnon and Springvale. A Junior Grade was also run at an under 21 level and was often referred to as ‘B’ Grade or Reserves. The Junior Section clubs were: Noble Park Juniors, McKinnon, Murrumbeena Juniors, South Oakleigh, Oakleigh Juniors and Springvale Juniors.
Dandenong United again dominated 1936 losing only three games leading into the finals. Ormond United, Murrumbeena and the newly formed McKinnon made up the final four in what was a far more evenly contested competition.
The first semi between McKinnon and Murrumbeena was played at a fast and furious pace with the score goal for goal until with one minute to go Murrumbeena hit the front by one point only to have Dalton from McKinnon mark in the goal mouth. He kicked truly giving him 8 goals for the game in a heart stopping victory. Best and goals for Murrumbeena were Hamaty, Wills 2, Sahlstrom, Randall, Rolls, Walsh, Patmore, Watts 2, Watson 2, Leecher and Mummery.
The second semi between Ormond and Dandenong was a lack lustre game with the Minor Premiers very disappointing in going down by 14 points 14.16.100.to 11.20.86. The Preliminary final between Dandenong and McKinnon resulted in an exciting draw 14.11.95 apiece in what was an exciting high standard game played in the right spirit. In the replay another spirited game ensued with McKinnon drawing away in the final quarter to win by 16 points.
As a result of the drawn Final the Oakleigh ground became unavailable for the Grand Final and the game was transferred to the Bentleigh Reserve which was between Ormond United and McKinnon. A record crowd was in attendance to witness an excellent contest. Ormond raced to a quarter time lead of 30 points which McKinnon managed to peg back with the aid of the strong breeze to lead by 2 points at the long break. Ormond was playing the steadier game and led by 17 points points at orange time. McKinnon attacked at every opportunity and slowly reduced the margin to 10.points when unluckily for United one of their players was injured and was forced to leave the field leaving them with 17 players (no reserves). Into the time on period Ormond hung onto a 1 point lead then in the dying seconds the McKinnon Captain Coach Bourke managed to take a strong mark close to goal, played on and kicked the winning goal with the siren sounding seconds later. McKinnon 10.22.82 v Ormond United 10.17.77.
The Junior section was won by Oakleigh Juniors 15.8.98 to Springvale Juniors 2.6.18. This section for some reason was not recorded in the 1953 handbook.
The Senior Grade remained the same for 1937 with the following teams entered into a new ‘B Grade under 21 division; Caulfield Park, Ormond United, Noble Park, Glen Waverley, Heatherton, Murrumbeena Juniors, South Oakleigh, East Oakleigh, Carnegie Rovers and Springvale.
With only eight clubs in the Senior section fourteen rounds were played with the dominant clubs being, McKinnon, Dandenong United, Murrumbeena and Malvern. Ormond United had struggled from the start of the season having lost many of its players to the Ormond Amateurs and withdrew after round eight creating a bye.
The first semi final between Malvern overun Murrumbeena in the final term to win by fourteen points. The second semi was contested by the two dominant teams during the year McKinnon and Dandenong United. On a perfect day for football the two met at Oakleigh to contest what turned out to be a very disappointing game. McKinnon were superior in all aspects of the game whilst United were well below their best. The former winning 13.21.99 to 8.10.58.
On a wet and windy day at Oakleigh, United played Malvern and defeated them for the third time in the season by twenty points. The two teams had produced tight struggles each time they met and Malvern were far from disgraced.
A large crowd was in attendance at the Oakleigh ground for the Grand Final between McKinnon and Dandenong United. A hard and entertaining game ensued with McKinnon superior in the ruck play and United kicking poorly. Final scores were McKinnon 10.10.70 to United 6.20.56.
Best players and goalkickers during the finals series were: Malvern, Nelson 2, Flegg 2, Calleson 2, Moore, Cameron, Lovett and James. Dandenong, Terry 1, Philp, Pocknee, Prosser, Hawklsey, Rogers 1, Stockdale 1, Edwards 10, Bignell 3, Hayes 3, Hamilton 3, Neil 1, Charles 1, Cotton 1, Wood. McKinnon, Dalton 2, Kelly 8, Grieves, Haugh, Findlay 4, Penny 4, Speakman, Di**le, Morrison, Lees, Harrop 3.
Caulfield Park defeated Heatherton in the ‘B’ Grade.
The 1938 season commenced with a number of changes. Bentleigh District entered from the Amateurs, Ormond United reformed to contest in ‘B’ Grade, Caulfield Park were promoted from ‘B’ Grade and Mt.Waverley transferred from the ‘B’ Section of the Federal League. Glen Waverley reformed after a stint in the Federal
A Grade:
McKinnon, Dandenong United, Moorabbin City, Murrumbeena, Mt.Waverley, Springvale, Oakleigh District, Bentleigh, Caulfield Park and Malvern.
B Grade: Under 21.
Ormond United, Glen Waverley, Oakleigh District, Carnegie, Noble Park, Sandringham Amateurs, Heatherton and Murrumbeena.
Moorabbin City defeated Dandenong United in the first semi by five points. Best for United Rogers, Philp 4, Hopper, Stockdale, Baker, Sleeth 4, Trewin, Prosser and Charles.
In what was described as the best and most spectacular game of the season Bentleigh defeated McKinnon by fifteen points. McKinnon bounced back in the preliminary final to thrash Moorabbin City by almost eight goals. Best for City in the finals, Harvey 7, Price, L.Quinn 2, Beulke, Sisely, A.Finnegan 5, R.Quinn, Hayes 2, Smith 6, R.Quinn.
The Grand Final at Oakleigh saw a great display of the game of football from both McKinnon and Bentleigh with the lead seesawing all day with McKinnon eventually hanging onto a fifteen point lead to win their third flag in a row. Best for Bentleigh in the finals, Swarbuck 3, Newling 3, Allen 2, Ogden, Gillies 3, Pitt 3, Edwards, Bodley, Percy, Middleton, Collings 2, Parke 2. For the Premiers, Carey 10, Kelly 5, J.Dalton 4, A.Dalton 2, Speakman, Finlay 2, Dixon, Wiltshire, McGuiness, Robinson 2 , Harrop 2, Howe, Morrison.
Heatherton defeated Sandringham Amateurs in the ‘B’ Grade.
Further changes in 1939 saw the competitoin expand to ‘A’ Grade, ‘B’ Grade under 21 and ‘B’ Grade under 18. Glen Waverley were promoted from ‘B’ Grade, Carnegie entered from ther Amateurs whilst Springvale could only enter two under age sides.
A Grade:
Moorabbin City, Malvern, Mt.Waverley, Glen Waverley, Dandenong United, Carnegie, Bentleigh, Oakleigh District, McKinnon, Murrumbeena and Caulfield Park.
B Grade Under 21:
Heatherton, Ormond United, Sandringham Amateurs, Springvale, South Oakleigh, Carnegie, Oakleigh Juniors and Bentleigh.
B Grade Under 18:
Carnegie Rovers, East Malvern Congragational, Carnegie Church of Christ, Carnegie Sons of Soldiers, Murrumbeena and Springvale.
The first semi between Bentleigh and Oakleigh District saw a great display from both teams with the result in the balance up until mthe last few minutes with Bentleigh ahead by ten points at the final siren. Best for Oakleigh, O’Donoghue 2, Sharman 2, Tresize 2, Hatfield 2, dowler and Rowe.
Carnegie totally ouclassed Dandenong United in the second semi. It was a hectic game – close, vigorous and full of incident. Carnegie revealed greater pace, better use of handball and relished in the open spaces. The winning margin of eleven points was a little flattering to United.
Dandenong took on Bentleigh in the preliminary final at Oakleigh. At half time United looked all but beaten but staged a great comeback in the second half to win by twenty nine points by playing fast dashing football. With credit to both clubs for a great display. Best for Bentleigh in the finals, Putt 8, Gillies 2, Clements 2, C.Bodley, Maine, Harrop 3, Cook, Newling, L.Bodley, L.McCulloch, dowsett and O’Looughlin.
The much awaited Grand Final was played at Oakleigh between Carnegie and Dandenong United. In a great display from Carnegie who seemed to have control of the game from the first bounce they ran out comfortable winners of the 1939 Premiership in thier first season in the competition. The win was set up with a devistating first quarter 9.7.61 to 2.0.12. The winners recieving a cheque from the V.F.L. fo fifteen Pounds fifteen shillings whilst the losers had to be content with seven Pounds seven shillings.
Best in the finals for Carnegie, Taylor11, Tremewan 3, Harris 2, DeLuca 6, Harwood, Forrest, Lucas, Mains, Spencer, New 4, Allen, Martin, Mawby, Considine. For Dandenong United, H.Sleeth 11, B.Trewin 6, G.Woods 5, B.Berry 1, F.Cotton 1, T.Rowe, J.Oakes, G.Prosser 4, M.Philps 9, G.Cotton, B.Sleeth 2, F.Baker, Rodd, Wedding, Phillips, Stockdale.
The under 21 section was won by South Oakleigh over Oakleigh Juniors and in the under 18 section Carnegie Rovers defeated East Malvern Congregationals.
The C.O.D.F.L. was very pleased that there was not one reportable incident during the finals series. The only exception was the report of two club supplied boundary umpires in the final between United and Bentleigh who were reprimanded for fighting during the course of the game!
With Australias entry into WW2 looming it was decided to continue the League into 1940 to keep things as normal as possible. Caulfield Park was the only club that were forced into recess due to enlistments.
A Grade: Mt.Waverley, Malvern, Dandenong United, Heatherton, Carnegie, McKinnon, Glen Waverley, Moorabbin City, Bentleigh, Springvale.
B Grade: South Oakleigh, Sandringham Amateurs, Ormond Juniors, Carnegie District, Bentleigh, Carnegie Church of Christ, Heatherton, Carnegie Rovers.
B Grade Under 18: Carnegie Rovers, Noble Park, Murrumbeena Juniors, Carnegie Sons of Soldiers, Oakleigh District, East Malvern Congregationals, Dandenong United, Oakleigh Juniors.
McKinnon and Carnegie met in the first semi at Bentleigh. McKinnon played fast systematic football and led all day but were also aided by Carnegies poor kicking 15.18.108 to 9.26.80.
Beat for Carnegie, DeLuca, Lucas and Sonsie.
The two dominant teams during the season Bentleigh and Dandenong United met at Bentleigh on a wet and very windy day which did not produce paticularly attractive football. Bentleigh raced away in the first term 7.7.49 to 1.0.6. Aided by the very strong wind United slammed on ten goals straight in the second quarter to go in at half time with a seventeen point advantage, 11.7.73 to 8.8.56. The third term was Bentleighs turn and surged to a thirty six point lead at orange time. The strong wind suddenly abated for the last quarter and Bentleigh cruised to comfortable thirty one point victory.
In an exciting preliminary final played at Oakleigh, Dandenong United scraped in by one goal against McKinnon. Although the losers played the more polished football United would not be denied and their fighting spirit saw them win a wonderful match. Best for McKinnon, Watson, Paton 1, Dalton 3, F.Moore, D.Moore, Allan, Carey, Morrison 3, Hall 2, Di**le, West and Nash.
The headlines in the Dandenong Journal read:
A MINUTE TO GO AND FIVE POINTS DOWN
WOODS SNAPS WINNING GOAL DURING TIME ON
The Grand Final , which was played at Oakleigh was close all day and in ther closing stages developred into a battle of tactics. The match was ‘fought’ with great vigour and pace from both teams. Hardly had the ball been bounced following Woods’ goal than the bell rang with United one point ahead of Bentleigh 8.7.55 to 7.12.54. Best in finals for Bentleigh, Edwards 3, Christie 2, Bodley, A.Clements, Guiver, Gillies 2, Harrop 6, O’Loughlin, Shaw. Beast for United in the finals, H.Sleeth 6, Trewin 8, Mace, Stanesby, Cooper, Woods, McKay, Oakes, Rowe, Cunningham Cotton, Stockdale, Fairbanks 2, Charles 1.
In the Grand Final of the under 21 section Ormond Juniors defeated Heatherton and in the under 18 section Carnegie Rovers 13.17.95 defeated Murrumbeena Juniors 7.12.54
The effects of WW2 were now hitting hard and following some lengthy discussions it was decided to continue the competition as it would be good morale for not just the clubs and players but for the local communities also.
Springvale, Moorabbin City, Malvern, Mt.Waverley and Dandenong United all were forced into recess due to enlistments into the armed forces. Grades and teams for 1941 were:
A Grade:
Carnegie, Heatherton, McKinnon, Carnegie District, Bentleigh and Glen Waverley.
B Grade under 21
East Malvern United, South Oakleigh Juniors, Carnegie Church of Christ, Carnegie Sons of Soldiers, Oakleigh Colts and Bentleigh.
B Grade Under 18:
Black Rock, Cheltenham, Glenhuntly, Oakleigh District, Dandenong Amateurs, Carnegie Rovers, Murrumbeena Juniors and East Malvern Congs.
Between 1942 and 1944 the C.O.D.F.L. was run as a junior competition with one grade B grade under 18 with a number of clubs operating two teams A and B. Two sections were introduced in 1945, senior ‘A’ Grade and ‘B’ Grade under 18.
In 1946, the senior grade continued plus the under 18 ‘B’ Grade section. Senior clubs were: Glen Waverley, Bentleigh, Mt.Waverley, East Malvern, Carnegie, Caulfield City, Dandenong United, Murrumbeena Rovers, McKinnon and Caulfield District.
The senior grade for 1947 increased by one with a club called Oakleigh Combined playing for that season only. In 1948 Murrumbeena Rovers fielded both junior and senior teams and East Brighton played its first season.
By 1950 the senior grade had increased to twelve with Murrumbeena Rovers now Murrumbeena and the entry of a new club Oakleigh District. Up to this season the only junior section or C Grade was under 15. Another age group, under 18 was added and played as B Grade Reserves.
Springvale replaced Dandenong United in 1951 and in 1953 Glenhuntly crossed from the E.S.F.L. giving the Senior grade 13 teams.
Caulfield District entered in 1945 as a reborn Federal League Caulfield . In 1959 the ‘District’ team became defunct and the club continued as Caulfield Amateurs with senior and C grade teams.
McKinnon who were runners-up in 1947 then premiers 1949,50,51and 52 transferred to the F.D.L. for the 1954 season bringing the number of clubs back to twelve. With Tooronga and Noble Park transferring in 1955 from the E.S.F.L. the number of clubs increased to fourteen. Tooronga stayed for the one season only, crossing back to the E.S.F.L. to be replaced by Clayton Y.C.W. Tooronga were given one years grace to enter at least one under age side which they failed to do and so were virtually forced back from whence they came.
In 1957 two of the strongest clubs Springvale and Bentleigh transferred to the F.D.L. Their departure was met with considerable criticism levelled by the clubs at the Leagues administration. The F.D.L. had, a few years before established a senior, reserve and third grade ( under 18 ) and were planning a fourth grade ( under 16 ) and these two clubs were keen to be part of that system. Both clubs had a very loyal supporter base, were financially strong and most importantly had enclosed grounds. The C.O.D.F.L. had been planning for a number of years to introduce a reserve grade and were also encouraging clubs to negotiate with their respective councils in regard to ground enclosures.
From 1950 to 1954 the two junior grade had been under 18 and under 15, then under 18 and under 16 from 1955 to 1957. There were a number of strong junior clubs fielding only under age side, the best performed being: Hughesdale, Murrumbeena Juniors, Carnegie Rovers, East Sandringham, Mordialloc Youth Club, Oakleigh (V.F.A.) 4ths., 5ths. and 6ths., Oakleigh Presbyterian and Oakleigh Church of Christ both of whom amalgamated then merged their team into the Oakleigh Districts club in 1950.
In 1958, to protect its position and to insure itself against losing any further strong clubs the C.O.D.F.L. introduced a four tier system. A Grade seniors, B Grade (reserves open age), C Grade (under 17) and D Grade (under 15). Teams that year were:
A Grade:
Carnegie, Caulfield City, Caulfield District, Clayton Y.C.W., Glen Waverley, Glenhuntly, East Brighton, East Malvern, Mt.Waverley, Oakleigh District, Murrumbeena and Noble Park. All these clubs fielded a reserves grade team except for East Brighton, East Sandringham taking its place for that one year only as East Brighton entered its reserves team in 1959. Most but not all the clubs fielded teams in the junior grades.
The following year further steps were taken to expand and strenghten the League by introducing a ‘Reserve Open Age’ grade, which in essence was a second division. An under 13 E Grade was also added. This new system caused a good deal of discussion between the clubs and the League and took many long hours to sort out as all senior teams were re-graded. To play in A Grade a reserve or B grade grade team was compulsory. The Reserve Open grade or second division did not require a reserves team but if they could field one they played in the B Grade reserves section. If a club had only one Senior team it could elect to play that team in the B Grade reserves instead of the Reserve Open Grade. Confused? The following were the grades for 1959:
A Grade:
Carnegie, Glen Waverley, Glenhuntly, East Brighton, East Malvern, Mt.Waverley, Oakleigh District, Murrumbeena, Noble Park and Harrisfield.
Reserve Open:
Caulfield Amateurs, Caulfield City, South Murrumbeena, Huntingdale, Glen Iris District, Chadstone, Bennettswood, Di**ley, Doveton and North Caulfield.
B Grade Reserves:
Carnegie, Clayton Y.C.W., Glen Waverley, Glenhuntly, East Brighton, East Malvern, Mt.Waverley, Oakleigh District, Murrumbeena, Noble Park, Huntingdale and South Murrumbeena.
A number of changes occurred before the 1960 season commenced. Noble Park and Harrisfield merged, Glenhuntly went into the Federal League, Clayton Y.C.W. won the B grade flag and were promoted to A Grade, Bennettswood who also fielded a senior team in the E.S.F.L. for 1959 pulled out and Caulfield City became extinct (refer F.D.L. notes). With nine teams in A Grade and eight in the Reserve Open section a number of meetings were held by the League with the clubs in an effort to find ways to improve the competitions standard and attract more clubs.
The League Executive was given the power to pursue discussions with the E.S.F.L. in regard to the possibility of a merger. Initially the E.S.F.L. were enthusiastic about a merger as long as all the C.O.D.F.L. clubs came under their banner!
Hardly a merger.
Ashburton crossed from the E.S.F.L. in 1961 however the Reserve Open had been reduced to seven teams although many of them had reserves teams which made the B grade a little unweidley with fifteen sides. The loss of East Malvern to the Federal in 1962 was a blow although offset a little by the entry of two new clubs into the Reserve Open, Beaumaris and Highett West.
The Executive of both the Caulfield-Oakleigh and the Eastern Suburban Leagues were faced with the possibility of further losses to the Federal and the new Eastern Districts F.L. Consequently, following a number of meetings a merger was agreed to. The longest talks were about a name for the new League. A number of names were suggested, one being the Eastern & Southern Suburban F.L. The E.S.F.L. Secretary even suggested naming the A Grade Eastern Suburbs F.L. and the Reserve Open Caulfield-Oakleigh F.L.! In the end commonsense prevailed and the South-East Suburban F.L. was born.
Teams for the final season were:
A Grade: Clayton Y.C.W., Chadstone, Di**ley, Ashburton, East Brighton, Glen Iris, Mt.Waverley, Murrumbeena, Noble Park-Harrisfield and Oakleigh District.
Reserve Open: Caulfield Amateurs, South Murrumbeena, Glen Iris District, Burnley, Carnegie, Beaumaris, Highett West, R.A.A.F.Cadets.
B Grade: Highett West, Sandown, Carnegie, Ashburton, East Brighton, Glen Iris District, Mt.Waverley, Murrumbeena, Noble Park-Harrisfield, Oakleigh District, South Murrumbena and Di**ley.
Many of the clubs that had participated in the C.O.D.F.L. had also played in the Federal and Eastern Leagues, where that is the case only brief details are included here. A number of the clubs were also part of the under 21 competitons dating back in some cases to 1913.
Senior Grade clubs from 1936 were:
Ormond United joined in 1932, had one senior season in 1936 then remained in the junior grade until 1940. A Club called Oakleigh District played from 1936 to 1939 then in 1947. They were a combination of the junior teams East and South Oakleigh and played many games at Crosbie Park, known today as the Duncan McKinnon Reserve. They were not the forerunner to the Oakleigh District which play in the S.F.L. today. Dandenong Amateurs/United played from 1936 to 1940 then 1946 to 1950 at the Dandenong Showgrounds and were part of the amalgamated team that entered the Federal League in 1951.
The Murrumbeena Football Club goes back as far as 1913. Should anybody want full details of their history a look at their website or at the Glen Eira Library will give a better explanation of the history of the teams that make up the club as it is today. Briefly there were five separate clubs: Murrumbeena F.C., ( Amateurs 1923 to 1962 ), Murrumbeena (District F.C. 1928-1933), Murrumbeena F.C. (1934 to 1939 then 1949 to 1957)) Murrumbeena Junior F.C. (1913 to 1939), and Murrumbeena Rovers F.C. (1940 to 1957). The Murrumbeena Junior F.C. played in the junior grades. The Murrumbeena Rovers F.C. fielded both senior and junior teams from 1940 to 1948 then junior teams from 1949 to 1957.
All these clubs eventually became one in 1958 with the Murrumbeena Rovers (juniors) and Murrumbeena (seniors) clubs becoming one. In 1963 the Murrumbeena Amateur club was absorbed into the Murrumbeena F.C.
Glen Iris District joined in 1959 using a navy blue jumper with a white V. Their senior team shared grounds with Glen Iris and their B Grade with Tooronga. At the end of 1965 they disbanded with some players going to Glen Iris, East Malvern Amateurs and Tooronga.
Malvern Football Club played from 1936 to 1940 in Caulfield Park.
As mentioned previously in the Federal notes Moorabbin City played in the C.O.District from 1936 to 1940. Heatherton fieded junior teams on some occassions in the Federal and C.O.District and had a senior side in 1940 and 1941. ( refer Federal notes.)
Carnegie District played for one season 1941.
Carnegie is mentioned as far back as 1913 in the Caulfield-Oakleigh competition. They left the Federal in 1934 for the Amateurs 1935 to 1938 then fielded seniors teams in the Caulfield-Oakleigh 1939 to 1941, 1946 to 1962 before joining the new South-East League. They had played in a ‘Richmond’ style jumper for many years then changed to ‘Melbourne’ in 1968. Some years previous they used a pale blue jumper until 1925 then used a ‘St.Kilda’ strip. Another club Carnegie Rovers played in the Junior grades, were part of but separate from the main club. Glen Waverley joined in 1939 continuing 1940, 41 then played 1946 to 1960 before joining the V.F.A.
Bentleigh played 1938, 39 ,41 then 1946 to 1956 before joining the Federal. (see Fed.notes)
Clayton Y.C.W. played at what was then the Dixon street Reserve, Clayton as a junior team initially then fielded a senior side from 1956 to 1962 then joined the Y.C.W. competition then the Churches folding in 1990. Di**ley joined in 1959 based at the Di**ley Reserve and continued into the South-East in 1963. At the end of 1968 they were forced to change their colours from blue with a yellow sash (clashing with Beaumaris) to black with a red sash when they were promoted to A Grade.
Playing at Chadstone Park, Chadstone joined in 1959 going on to the South-East in 1963. Their original jumper was Maroon with a blue yolk and gold monogram.
Mt.Waverley first played 1938,39 and 40 then from 1946 to 1962 before joining the merged League. Originally playing near Central Reserve the Mt.Waverley Reserve was their home since 1946. Their jumper was navy blue with white monogram.
East Brighton first played in 1948 with Dendy Park its home ground. In 1952 a move to Hurlingham Park was orchestrated at the time sharing with the Brighton Soccer Club until 1954 by wich time they were able to obtain sole tenancy. They originaly played in a red jumper with a white V, changed in 1952 to a white jumper with a red V then changed back to its original strip in 1956.
The following clubs have been mentioned previously under the Federal and/or Eastern Leagues.
McKinnon 1936 to 1941 then 1946 to 1953. Springvale 1936 to 1938 then 1951 to 1956. East Malvern 1946 to 1961. Caulfield City 1946 to 1959. Oakleigh District 1950 to 1962. Glenhuntly 1953 to 1959. Harrisfield 1959. Noble Park 1955 to 1959. Noble Park-Harrisfield 1960 to 1962.
