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.

[1] In April 1997, the Southern Football Show began on Optus Vision's Localvision channel, covering the weekly news of the league.

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.

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

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.