SOUTHERN DISTRICTS
Affiliated: NTFL 1987/88-present
Club Address: P.O. Box 1296, Palmerston 0831
Home Ground: Fred's Pass Reserve
Formed: 1984
Colours: Black, red and white
Emblem: Crocodiles
Premierships: 1997/98, 2006/7 (2 total)
Nichols Medallists: Brentley Hughes 1989/90; Adrian Collard 1998/99; Kelvin Maher 1999/00 & 2000/01; Bruce Jarmyn 2001/02; Shannon Rusca 2006/7 (5 Medallist/6 Medals)
| MINI-BIOGRAPHIES: | Fabian Francis |
Known as the Crocodiles, Southern Districts are the NTFL's newest members. Originally formed as a junior club they gained admittance to the NTFL's Under 16 competition in 1984/85 and the Under 18 and Reserves competitions the following year. In 1987/88 the club became a full member of the league and by the 1990s was starting to emerge as a real force. In 1995/96 it reached a grand final for the first time, only to succumb by 16 points to the might of St Marys. It was the Saints who ended the Crocodiles' season again the following year, this time at the preliminary final stage, but in 1997/98 the big breakthrough finally arrived. After securing pole position going into the finals with a 12-4 record the side overcame the temporary setback of a 44 point 2nd semi final loss to St Marys to qualify for the 'big one' with a hard fought 9.4 (58) to 6.8 (44) preliminary final defeat of Waratahs. With the sniff of premiership glory in their nostrils there was no holding the Crocodiles and on grand final day the whole team played to the limits of their ability to overcome St Marys by 25 points, 17.8 (110) to 12.13 (85).
The Crocodiles had to wait nine years before securing a second senior premiership which they did thanks to a thrilling 13.12 (90) to 11.15 (81) grand final defeat of Waratahs. The victory, which followed a surprise 47 point loss against the same opponent in the 2nd semi final, was the crowning achievement of a magnificent season that had earlier seen Southern Districts players earning both the Nichols Medal in the person of Shannon Rusca, and the league goal kicking title through Ashley Wedding, whose 4 goals in the grand final gave him a tally for the year of 115. The Crocodiles were the first club other than St Marys (five times) and Darwin (twice) to manage a clean sweep of all the major awards in the same season. The achievement appears all the more remarkable when you consider that in the five seasons immediately following their previous finals appearance in 2000/1 the side had finished 6th (of 7), last, last, 6th and last.
In 2007/8 the side appeared well placed to repeat its success when it headed the list going into the finals with a 13-5 record. However, it then inexplicably fell in a heap with consecutive finals losses to St Marys and Waratah to finish a disappointing third.
Perhaps Southern Districts' best known former player is Nathan Buckley who, in 1990/91, achieved the rare club 'double' of best and fairest player award and top goalkicker (27 goals). Buckley's subsequent exploits with Port Adelaide in the SANFL, and Brisbane and Collingwood in the AFL earned him a reputation as one of the outstanding footballers of his generation.
Another fine ex-Southern Districts player was Fabian Francis, who represented Port Adelaide with distinction in both the SANFL and the AFL, besides playing briefly for both Melbourne and Brisbane.
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