Gridiron Victoria

American Football Victoria (Formerly Gridiron Victoria) is the governing body for American football in the state of Victoria, Australia.

American Football Victoria

Sport	Gridiron
Founded	1997
Motto	"Bigger and Better"
No. of teams	13
Country	Australia
Most recent champion(s)	(Men's Senior Division One) Western Crusaders (Women's) Western Crusaders (Men's Senior Division Two) Southern Vikings (COLTS) Croydon Rangers
Official website	gridironvictoria.com.au

Formed in 1997, Gridiron Victoria was an amalgamation of the two existing governing bodies of the time, the Victoria Gridiron Football League and the Gridiron Association of Victoria.

In 2025, the name was changed to American Football Victoria to incorporate both tackle and flag football into one governing body. This brought American Football Victoria in line with American Football Australia (Formerly Gridiron Australia), as well as the other state leagues in the country.

Vic Bowl

Tanya Russell of the Croydon Rangers in the 2017 Women's Vic Bowl, in which she won the MVP award

The Vic Bowl is the Championship Game played between the two best teams in the men's Division One competition throughout the American Football Victoria season, whilst the best teams in the men's second division compete for the Division Two Championship.

The Junior Championship game is known as the Junior Vic Bowl, whilst the Women's Championship game is known as the Women's Vic Bowl.

The Warriors Girdiron Clubare the most decorated Division One club with 11 Vic Bowls, their most recent in 2016 with a 16 - 12 win over the Western Crusaders.

The Pakenham Silverbacks have won the most Division Two Championships with 2, their most recent in 2016 with a 43 - 8 victory over the Northern Raiders.

The Croydon Rangers are the most successful Junior team with 8 titles, their most recent in 2024 with a 28 - 20 win over the Southern Vikings.

In the Women's division, the Western Crusaders and Geelong Buccaneers have both won 2 Women's Vic Bowls each. ^[1]

Clubs

The following is a list of current and former teams competing in American Football Victoria.

Men's teams

The 2016 men's Vic Bowl between Western Crusaders and Monash Warriors

• Bendigo Dragons based at Bendigo
• Croydon Rangers based at Croydon
• Geelong Buccaneers based at Corio
• Melton Wolves based at Melton
• South Eastern Predators based at Cheltenham
• Southern Vikings based at Hampton Park / Endeavour Hills
• Warriors Gridiron Club based in Mulgrave
• Western Crusaders based at Footscray

Former women's teams

A game between the Northern Lady Raiders and Lady Monash Warriors in 2018

• Ballarat Kestrels based at Ballarat
• Berwick Miners Diamonds based at Endeavour Hills
• Croydon Rangers based at Croydon
• Geelong Buccaneers based at Geelong
• Melbourne Uni Chargers based at Parkville
• Melton Wolves based at Melton
• Monash Warriors based at Mulgrave
• Northern Lady Raiders based at Reservoir
• Pakenham Silverbacks based at Pakenham
• Western Foxes based at Footscray

Former men's teams

• Ballarat Falcons based at Ballarat
• Ballarat Pioneers based at Ballarat
• Banyule Panthers based at Greensborough
• Bendigo Dragons: 1992-2002 Bendigo^[2]
• Berwick Miners based at Endeavour Hills
• Brighton Outlaws based at Brighton
• Broadmeadows Cowboys based at Broadmeadows
• Casey Spartans based at Dandenong
• Dallas Cowboys based in Dallas
• Doncaster Devils based at Doncaster
• Frankston Sweathogs based at Frankston
• Gippsland Gladiators based at Morwell
• Geelong Wildcats based at Geelong
• Hawthorn Hurricanes based in Hawthorn
• Kew Colts based at Kew
• Lilydale Steelers based at Lilydale
• Melbourne Hornets based at Fitzroy
• Melbourne University Royals based at Parkville
• Moorabbin Raiders based at Oakleigh
• Northern Blackhawks based at Fawkner
• Northern Raiders based at Reservoir
• Pakenham Silverbacks based at Pakenham
• Peninsula Razorbacks based in Mornington
• Peninsula Sharks based at Carrum Downs
• Southern Bulls based at Hampton
• Southern Seahawks based at Frankston
• South Yarra Rams based at South Yarra
• Subway Stealers
• Templestowe Thunder based at Templestowe
• Valley Pirates based at Greensborough
• Waverley Sharks based at Waverley
• Westside Vikings based at Altona

Image gallery

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Championship Games

Men's Senior Division 1

Mens Division 1 Vic Bowl Tally

Team	Wins	Losses	Appearances
Monash/Warriors Gridiron	11	6	17
Western Crusaders	10	1	11
Croydon Rangers	4	13	17
Brighton Outlaws	4	0	4
Berwick Miners	3	3	6
Doncaster Devils	2	0	2
Kew Colts	2	0	2
Geelong/Bay City Buccaneers	1	4	5
Waverley Sharks	1	1	2
Moorabbin Raiders	1	0	1
Melbourne Hornets	0	3	3
Frankston Sweathogs	0	2	2
Banyule Panthers	0	2	2
Westside Vikings	0	1	1
Melbourne Uni Royals	0	1	1
South Eastern Predators	0	1	1

Vic Bowl history, in the Victorian Gridiron Football League, Gridiron Victoria, and American Football Victoria Division One:

Vicbowl	Year	Winning Team	Score	Losing Team	Score	Venue
I	1985	Outlaws	12	Rangers	0	Olympic Park Stadium, Melbourne
II	1986	Outlaws	26	Hornets	6	Olympic Park Stadium, Melbourne
III	1987	Outlaws	26	Hornets	19	Olympic Park Stadium, Melbourne
IV	1988	Outlaws	20	Hornets	17	Olympic Park Stadium, Melbourne
V	1989	Devils	13	Sweathogs	8	Olympic Park Stadium, Melbourne
VI	1990	Devils	62	Sweathogs	26	Olympic Park Stadium, Melbourne
VII	1991	Miners	45	Vikings	8	Olympic Park Stadium, Melbourne
VIII	1992	Colts	26	Miners	20	Olympic Park Stadium, Melbourne
IX	1993	Colts	24	Miners	7	Olympic Park Stadium, Melbourne
X	1994	Miners	20	Sharks	14	St Kilda Football Club Reserve, Linton Street, Moorabbin
XI	1995	Sharks	27	Miners	23	St Kilda Football Club Reserve, Linton Street, Moorabbin
XII	1996	Raiders	20	Rangers	6	Sparks Reserve, Box Hill
XIII	1997	Rangers	18	Panthers	5	Sydney Pargeter Reserve, Endeavour Hills
XIV	1998	Rangers	28	Panthers	21	Sydney Pargeter Reserve, Endeavour Hills
XV	1999	Crusaders	20*	Rangers	14*	Sydney Pargeter Reserve, Endeavour Hills
XVI	2000	Crusaders	14	Warriors	0	Footscray Hockey Centre, Yarraville
XVII	2001	Warriors	16	Rangers	0	Footscray Hockey Centre, Yarraville
XVIII	2002	Warriors	19	Rangers	12	Sydney Pargeter Reserve, Endeavour Hills
XIX	2003	Miners	38	Rangers	28	Springfield Reserve, Croydon
XX	2004	Rangers	19	Warriors	0	Springfield Reserve, Croydon
XXI	2005	Warriors	18	Rangers	13	Tony Dodemaide Reserve, Footscray
XXII	2006	Warriors	12	Rangers	3	Sydney Pargeter Reserve, Endeavour Hills
XXIII	2007	Crusaders	21	Warriors	13	Sydney Pargeter Reserve, Endeavour Hills
XXIV	2008	Warriors	6	Rangers	0	Sydney Pargeter Reserve, Endeavour Hills
XXV	2009	Warriors	36	Rangers	12	Sydney Pargeter Reserve, Endeavour Hills
XXVI	2010	Warriors	23	Buccaneers	14	Springfield Reserve, Croydon
XXVII	2011	Buccaneers	34	Rangers	14	LE Cotchin Reserve, Reservoir
XXVIII	2012	Warriors	22 +	Buccaneers	14	Moorabbin Oval, Linton St, Moorabbin
XXIX	2013	Warriors	30	Buccaneers	13	Moorabbin Oval, Linton St, Moorabbin
XXX	2014	Warriors	39	Buccaneers	14	Tom Flood Sports Centre, Bendigo
XXXI	2015	Rangers	16	Warriors	7	Latrobe City Stadium, Morwell
XXXII	2016	Warriors	16	Crusaders	12	Lakeside Stadium, Albert Park
XXXIII	2017	Crusaders	30	Royals	9	MacPherson Park Recreation Reserve, Melton
XXXIV	2018	Crusaders	36	Warriors	6	Hendy Street Reserve, Corio
XXXV	2019	Crusaders	38	Warriors	6	Casey Fields, Casey
XXXVI	2022	Crusaders	44	Rangers	0	Springfield Reserve, Croydon
XXXVII	2022	Crusaders	42	Rangers	12	Springfield Reserve, Croydon
XXXVIII	2023	Crusaders	50	Predators	16	Henry Turner Reserve, Footscray
XXXIX	2024	Crusaders	20	Buccaneers	14	Henry Turner Reserve, Footscray

* Vicbowl XV was decided in Overtime (5 periods)

+ Vicbowl XXVIII was decided in Overtime (2 periods)

Women's Vic Bowl

Year	Winning Team	Score	Losing Team	Score	Venue
2013	Western Crusaders	32	Northern Lady Raiders	8	Springfield Reserve, Croydon
2014	Western Crusaders	42	Northern Lady Raiders	34	Sydney Pargeter Reserve, Endeavour Hills
2015	Geelong Buccaneers	20	Northern Lady Raiders	12	MacPherson Park Recreation Reserve, Melton
2016	Geelong Buccaneers	38	Melbourne Uni Chargers	24	Heatherbrae Reserve, Officer
2017	Croydon Rangers	12	Melbourne Uni Chargers	7	Ranger Field, Croydon
2018	Western Crusaders	12	Croydon Rangers	0	Ranger Field, Croydon
2019	Northern Raiders	54	Western Crusaders	26	Casey Fields, Casey

^[3]

Men's Senior Division Two

Championship games:

Year	Winning Team	Score	Losing Team	Score	Venue
2011	Raiders	18	Gladiators	6	LE Cotchin Reserve, Reservoir
2012	Royals	16	Barbarians	6	Moorabbin Oval, Linton St, Moorabbin
2013	Barbarians	20	Royals	6	Moorabbin Oval, Linton St, Moorabbin
2014	Gladiators	12	Falcons	0	Tom Flood Sports Centre, Bendigo
2015	Silverbacks	9	Barbarians	6	Latrobe City Stadium, Morwell
2016	Silverbacks	43	Raiders	8	Lakeside Stadium, Albert Park
2017	Raiders	10	Wolves	0	MacPherson Park Recreation Reserve, Melton
2022	Crusaders 2	38	Raiders	0	Springfield Reserve, Croydon
2024	Vikings	30	Dragons	0	Henry Turner Reserve, Footscray

The Division Two season was incorporated into Division One from 2018 to 2021.
As of 2022, Division 2 has been re-established, with the Western Crusaders 2 taking the title.
There was no Division 2 champion awarded in 2023 due to the finals structure.

Under 19's Vic Bowl

Under 19's Vic Bowl Tally

Team	Wins	Losses	Appearances
Croydon Rangers	8	8	16
Geelong Buccaneers	4	4	8
Berwick Miners	4	3	7
Monash/Warriors Gridiron	3	5	8
Melbourne Uni Royals/Lions	3	1	4
South Eastern Predators	2	1	3
Western Crusaders	1	2	3
Northern Blackhawks	1	0	1
Geelong Wildcats	0	1	1
Banyule Panthers	0	1	1
Southern Vikings	0	1	1

Note: including history in Victorian Gridiron Football League and Gridiron Victoria:

Year	Winning Team	Score	Losing Team	Score	Venue
1996	Cowboys (VGFL Juniors)	xx	xx	xx	xx
1997	Wolfpack	18	Rangers	0	Springfield Reserve, Croydon
1998	Miners	18	Rangers	14	Sydney Pargeter Reserve, Endeavour Hills
1999	Rangers	28	Panthers	0	Springfield Reserve, Croydon
2000	Rangers	28	Miners	6	Sydney Pargeter Reserve, Endeavour Hills
2001	Miners	28	Wildcats	0	Sydney Pargeter Reserve, Endeavour Hills
2002	Miners	20	Warriors	12	Sydney Pargeter Reserve, Endeavour Hills
2003*	Blackhawks	44	Rangers	8	Sydney Pargeter Reserve, Endeavour Hills
2003**	Warriors	20	Miners	8	Springfield Reserve, Croydon
2004	Rangers	28	Buccaneers	24	Springfield Reserve, Croydon
2005	Rangers	26	Buccaneers	8	Springfield Reserve, Croydon
2006	Buccaneers	16	Miners	6	Deakin University, Waurn Ponds (Geelong)
2007	Miners	42	Buccaneers	22	Sydney Pargeter Reserve, Endeavour Hills
2008	Buccaneers	36	Rangers	16	Springfield Reserve, Croydon
2009	Warriors	22	Rangers	0	Springfield Reserve, Croydon
2010	Rangers	32	Warriors	14	Springfield Reserve, Croydon
2011	Buccaneers	16	Rangers	14	Springfield Reserve, Croydon
2012	Rangers	34	Warriors	0	Springfield Reserve, Croydon
2013	Crusaders	38	Warriors	0	Springfield Reserve, Croydon
2014	Lions	25	Predators	18	Sydney Pargeter Reserve, Endeavour Hills
2015	Lions	28	Crusaders	15	MacPherson Park Recreation Reserve, Melton
2016	Warriors	42	Lions	6	Heatherbrae Reserve, Officer
2017	Predators	46	Crusaders	21	Springfield Reserve, Croydon
2018	Royals	38	Warriors	36	Springfield Reserve, Croydon
2019	COVID-19	--	No Season	--
2022	Buccaneers	28	Rangers	12	Springfield Reserve, Croydon
2022	Rangers	41	Buccaneers	18	Springfield Reserve, Croydon
2023	Predators	26	Rangers	14	Henry Turner Reserve, Footscray
2024	Rangers	28	Vikings	20	Henry Turner Reserve, Footscray

(* Autumn season of 2003) (** Spring season of 2003 : Two seasons were played in 2003 to re-align the senior season)

Gridiron Victoria State team results

Year	Event	Winning Team	Score	Losing Team	Score	Venue
2012	2012 Australian Gridiron League Game 3	QLD Sundevils	27	Victorian Eagles	14	Super Sports Centre, Runaway Bay, QLD
2012	2012 Australian Gridiron League Game 2	NSW Wolfpack	52	Victorian Eagles	22	Sydney Academy of Sport, Narrabeen, NSW
2012	2012 Australian Gridiron League Game 1	WA Raiders	16	Victorian Eagles	0	State Netball Hockey Centre, Melbourne, VIC

Year	Event	Winning Team	Score	Losing Team	Score	Venue
2011	2011 Junior National 3rd Place Game	QLD Sundevils	47	Victorian Eagles	16	Sydney Academy of Sport, Narrabeen, NSW
2011	2011 Junior National Championships	Victorian Eagles	57	SA Fire	20	Sydney Academy of Sport, Narrabeen, NSW
2011	2011 Junior National Championships	WA Raiders	38	Victorian Eagles	14	Sydney Academy of Sport, Narrabeen, NSW

Year	Event	Winning Team	Score	Losing Team	Score	Venue
2010	2010 Senior National Championship Game	NSW Wolfpack	28	Victorian Eagles	7	State Netball Hockey Centre, Parkville, VIC
2010	2010 Senior National Championships	Victorian Eagles	33	Queensland Sundevils	6	State Netball Hockey Centre, Parkville, VIC
2010	2010 Senior National Championships	Victorian Eagles	40	ACT Monarchs	0	State Netball Hockey Centre, Parkville, VIC

Year	Event	Winning Team	Score	Losing Team	Score	Venue
2009	2009 Junior National Championship Game	NSW Wolfpack	14	Victorian Eagles	6	Sports Super Centre, Runaway Bay, QLD
2009	2009 Junior National Championships	Victorian Eagles	14	Queensland Sundevils	8	Sports Super Centre, Runaway Bay, QLD
2009	2009 Junior National Championships	Victorian Eagles	54	ACT Monarchs	8	Sports Super Centre, Runaway Bay, QLD

Year	Event	Winning Team	Score	Losing Team	Score	Venue
2006	2006 National Championship Game	NSW Wolfpack	22	Victorian Eagles	16	Pines Stadium, Adelaide, SA
2006	2006 National Championships	Victorian Eagles	44	SA Fire	0	Pines Stadium, Adelaide, SA
2006	2006 National Championships	Victorian Eagles	34	WA Raiders	8	Pines Stadium, Adelaide, SA

Year	Event	Winning Team	Score	Losing Team	Score	Venue
2005	2005 National Championship Game	NSW Wolfpack	14	Victorian Eagles	13	Pines Stadium, Adelaide, SA
2005	2005 National Championships	Victorian Eagles	62	QLD	0	Pines Stadium, Adelaide, SA
2005	2005 National Championships	Victorian Eagles	14	NSW Wolfpack	0	Pines Stadium, Adelaide, SA

Year	Event	Winning Team	Score	Losing Team	Score	Venue
2005	2005 Junior Friendly	Victorian Eagles	34	ACT monarchs	0	Berwick, VIC
2005	2005 Junior Friendly	S.A Sharks	20	Victorian Eagles	12	Pines Stadium, Adelaide, S.A
2005	2005 Junior Friendly	S.A Sharks	28	Victorian Eagles	24	Pines Stadium, Adelaide, S.A

Year	Event	Winning Team	Score	Losing Team	Score	Venue
2005	Downunder Bowl	Kentucky/Virginia	33	Victorian Eagles	0	Carrara, QLD
2005	Downunder Bowl	Minnesota/Dakota	28	Victorian Eagles	0	Carrara, QLD

Year	Event	Winning Team	Score	Losing Team	Score	Venue
2004	Downunder Bowl	Victorian Eagles	20	North Dakota	14	Carrara, QLD
2004	Downunder Bowl	Hawaii/California	33	Victorian Eagles	0	Carrara, QLD

Year	Event	Winning Team	Score	Losing Team	Score	Venue
2004	2004 Junior National Championships	NSW Wolfpack	30	Victorian Eagles	0	Runaway Bay, QLD
2004	2004 Junior National Championships	Victorian Eagles	12	QLD Sundevils	8	Runaway Bay, QLD
2004	2004 Junior National Championships	Victorian Eagles	30	ACT Monarchs	6	Runaway Bay, QLD

Year	Event	Winning Team	Score	Losing Team	Score	Venue
2004	Junior VIC vs NZ	New Zealand	38	Victorian Eagles	20	Ranger Field

Year	Event	Winning Team	Score	Losing Team	Score	Venue
2004	2004 Tour Game	Victorian Eagles	28	WA Raiders	19	Perth, WA

Year	Event	Winning Team	Score	Losing Team	Score	Venue
2003	2003 National Championships	Victorian Volunteers	1	ACT Monarchs (forfeit)	0	Pines Stadium, Adelaide, SA

Year	Event	Winning Team	Score	Losing Team	Score	Venue
2003	Under 17’s Friendly Game	Victorian Eagles	26	S.A Sharks	8	Ranger Field VIC

Year	Event	Winning Team	Score	Losing Team	Score	Venue
2001	2001 National Championships	ACT Monarchs	27	Victorian Volunteers	8	Canberra, ACT
2001	2001 National Championships	Queensland	24	Victorian Volunteers	12	Canberra, ACT

Year	Event	Winning Team	Score	Losing Team	Score	Venue
1999	1999 GA Eastern Regional's	Victorian Volunteers	18	New South Wales	8	Homebush, Sydney, NSW
1999	1999 GA Eastern Regional's	Victorian Volunteers	8	Queensland	0	Homebush, Sydney, NSW

Year	Event	Winning Team	Score	Losing Team	Score	Venue
1999	1999 GA National Challenge	Victorian Volunteers	1	ACT (forfeit)	0	Penrith Panthers, NSW

Year	Event	Winning Team	Score	Losing Team	Score	Venue
1996	1996 National Championship Game	New South Wales	7	Victorian Volunteers	6	ACTFL Park, Canberra, ACT
1996	1996 National Championships	Victorian Volunteers	49	ACT	6	ACTFL Park, Canberra, ACT
1996	1996 National Championships	Victorian Volunteers	14	South Australia	35	ACTFL Park, Canberra, ACT

Year	Event	Winning Team	Score	Losing Team	Score	Venue
1991	1991 Tour Game	Victoria	22	South Australia	12	Adelaide, SA
1991	1991 Tour Game	Victoria	19	New South Wales	0	Olympic Park, Melbourne, VIC

Year	Event	Winning Team	Score	Losing Team	Score	Venue
1990	1990 Tour Game	Victorian All-Stars	19	South Auckland Raiders	19	Olympic Park, Melbourne, VIC

Year	Event	Winning Team	Score	Losing Team	Score	Venue
1989	1989 Tour Game	Aurgsberg College (NCAA Div 3)	41	Victoria	12	Olympic Park, Melbourne, VIC

Year	Event	Winning Team	Score	Losing Team	Score	Venue
1987	Curtain raiser to NCAA game	Victoria	26	South Australia	20	Princess Park, Carlton, VIC

Best & Fairest Trophy

The Victorian Gridiron Officials Association Best & Fairest Trophy is a perpetual award, presented to the player who displays the highest levels of gridiron skill throughout the senior season together with high levels of fairness and sportsmanship encouraged by the rules of the sport.

Three, two and one votes are allocated by the officiating crews at the conclusion of each senior match and these are totalled at the end of the regular season allowing the recipient to be determined.

Year	Player	Team
1986	Geoff Woollard	Brighton Outlaws
1987	Not	Awarded
1988	Arthur Spanos	Melbourne Hornets
1989	Brett Popplewell	Doncaster Devils
1990	Martin Veal	Doncaster Devils
1991	Tommy Burrell	Western Crusaders/Westside Vikings
1992	Michael Smith	Croydon Rangers
1993	Tim Gamble	Southern Bulls
1994	Dale Mitchell	Nunawading Warriors
1995	Dale Mitchell	Nunawading Warriors
1996	Byron McLachlan	Geelong Wildcats
1997	Byron McLachlan	Geelong Wildcats
1998	Richard Butcher	Western Crusaders/Westside Vikings
1999	Glenn Parke	Western Crusaders
2000	Kriss Guidotti	Geelong Wildcats
2001	Steve Churchill	Croydon Rangers
2002	Steve Churchill	Croydon Rangers
2003	Grant Lamb	Berwick Miners
2004	Judd Davidson & Steve Churchill	Croydon Rangers
2005	Karl Maslowski	Northern Blackhawks
2006	Kriss Guidotti	Bay City Baccaneers
2007	Nol Arabit	Western Crusaders
2008	Lincoln Decker (RB)	Monash Warriors
2009	Alex Moloney (WR)	Monash Warriors
2010	Daniel Barnett (RB)	Bay City Buccaneers
2011	Andrew Nixon (QB)	Berwick Miners
2012	Tyson Garnham (WR)	Western Crusaders
2013	Luke Jackson (RB)	Monash Warriors
2014	Daniel Barnett (RB)	Geelong Buccaneers
2015	Jordan Beck (RB)	Croydon Rangers
2016	Luke Jackson (RB)	Monash Warriors
2017	Ben Curley (RB)	Monash Warriors
2018	Brady Kelliher (QB)	Croydon Rangers
2019	No Season due COVID-19
2020	No Season due COVID-19
2021*	Mathew Krul (QB)	Western Crusaders
2022	Mathew Krul (QB)	Western Crusaders
2023	Cooper Maher (WR)	South Eastern Predators
2024	Tyson Garnham (WR/RB)	Western Crusaders

* The 2021 season was delayed due to COVID-19 lock downs in Victoria and was conducted in Summer/Autumn 2022, before the regularly scheduled Spring/Summer season in 2022.

See also

• Australia portal
• American football portal

• Gridiron Australia