Top Qs
Timeline
Chat
Perspective
Sunraysia Football League
Australian rules football and netball competition From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Remove ads
The Sunraysia Football and Netball League (SFNL) is an Australian rules football and netball competition in the Sunraysia district of north-west Victoria and south-west New South Wales.
Remove ads
History
Summarize
Perspective
The Sunraysia Football League was formed in 1945, after World War Two, which superseded the Mildura Football League.
In 1947, Melbourne: 23.18 - 156 defeated the Sunraysia FL: 8.16 - 64 at the Mildura Recreation Oval.[1]
In 1948, Imperials FC finished last on the ladder,[2] then went onto win the 1949 premiership.
In 1957, Wentworth and Dareton merged to form Wentworth & Districts Football Club.
Between 1951 and 1960, Mildura played in nine grand finals in ten years, winning five premierships, with former Essendon player, Les Griggs coaching the team between 1950 and 1956.
In 1965, Irymple FC finished last on the ladder, then went onto win the 1966 SFL premiership.[3]
Between 1967 and 1986, the Sunraysia Football League was Richmond's rural VFL zoning area and provided Richmond with many good players and a period of premiership success and regular finals appearances in the late 1960's, 1970's and early 1980's.
Imperials FNC had a very successful period between 1986 and 1996, playing in 10 grand finals in 11 years, which included two lots of five consecutive grand finals. The only year Imperials missed the grand final was in 1991, when they lost the preliminary final.
Under the coaching of former VFL star player, Merv Neagle, Merbein won senior football premierships in 2002 and 2003, with some very smart recruiting, but have since struggled to be regular finalists.[4]
The SFNL is considered a major country league. The league's grand final was traditionally played at City Oval in Mildura, however from 2022 it has played at the newly-opened Mildura Sporting Precinct in Mildura's South.
In 2023, Imperials FNC finished last (9th) on the senior football ladder, then went onto win the 2024 premiership.
- Mildura Football Association
Australian Rules football has been active in Sunraysia since the formation of the Mildura Football Club in 1888,[5][6] with Mildura finishing on top of the ladder in the first recorded, local Australian Rules competition, the Mildura Football Association in 1891.[7][8]
In 1891, Mildura FC received the Jamieson Premiership Cup, while "Best All-round Player" went to "Dot" Desailly (South Mildura) and best goalkicker award was won by W. "Bill" Bartlett (North Mildura).[9]
There was no official competition football in 1896, as there was only two active football clubs, Irymple and North Mildura, with Wentworth Imperials FC showing some interest in joining the competition,[10] which did not go ahead, but some friendly matches were played between these clubs.
Between 1900 and 1903, there are no newspapers references to any Australian Rules football competitions in or around the Mildura area, which was partially due to player shortages from enlistments in the Army who served Australia in the Second Boer War. There is no evidence of local football in The Mildura Cultivator newspaper until 1904.[11] In February, 1904, there was a push get the Mildura Recreation Reserve "into immediate use and proper order" to get the games of cricket and football going again, like the good old days.[12]
- Mildura Football League
In 1904, the Mildura Football League was formed from the following teams - Irymple, Mildura and the Mildura Fire Brigade, [13] with the Fire Brigade defeating Irymple in the grand final.
In 1907, the Fire Brigade FC disbanded and was reformed as the Mildura Rovers FC[14] and the club initially wore a red and white guernsey and blue knickers.[15]
In 1919, East Mildura and West Mildura Football Club's were formed when the town of Mildura was divided up into zoning areas for players to be zoned to a certain club, depending where the player lived.[16]
In 1921, the Mildura Football League was re-formed from the following teams - Irymple, Merbein, Mildura, North Cliffs and Red Cliffs,[17] with a new committee of management.[18] The official new club colours were - Irymple: blue and gold jerseys and socks, blue shorts; Merbein: black and white jerseys and socks, white shorts; Mildura: black and red jerseys and socks, white shorts; Red Cliff: maroon and royal blue jerseys and socks, white shorts; Red Cliffs North: cardinal and black jerseys and socks, white shorts.[19]
In a golden era for the town of Merbein, between 1924 and 1938, Merbein and / or South Merbein played in 16 consecutive Mildura FL grand finals, with Merbein winning seven premierships and South Merbein winning six premierships.
In 1925, Merbein Park was changed to the Kenny Memorial Park in honour of the late E J Kenny, for all the work Mr Kenny performed in Merbein as the "Father" of the Merbein settlement.[20]
In 1927, the Mildura Rovers Junior FC (Under 18 side) wore "white knicks, dark blue guernsey, with a yellow sash".[21]
In August 1927, Mildura FL: 11.10 - 76 defeated Essendon Reserves: 6.8 - 44.[22]
In September 1936, St Kilda 14.18 - 102 defeated the Mildura Football League 11.20 - 86, with St Kilda's Bill Mohr kicking 10 goals.[23]
In 1937, the Mildura FC disbanded and the Mildura Working Man's Club[24] entered a team in the Mildura FL.[25]
In 1938, Laurie Leask won the 1938 Mildura Football League / Sunraysia Daily newspaper best and fairest award, the Snow Trophy.[26][27]
In September 1938, Essendon Reserves: 16.17 - 113 defeated the Mildura Football League: 16.16 - 112 in a thrilling game.[28]
In 1940, because of World War Two, the Mildura & DFL was reduced to a six team competition between the Imperials, Irymple, Merbein, Red Cliffs, Wentworth and Workers, with the season shortened, the grand final was played in June.[29]
- Mildura Boys Football Association
In April 1946, the Sunraysia Boys Football Association was formed with an Under 18 division and an Under 16 division from the following teams[30] - Coomealla, Curlwaa, Gol Gol, Irymple, Merbein, Mildura Community Centre, Mildura Convent, Mildura High School, Methodists, Red Cliffs Community Centre and Wentworth.[31]
- Mildura Wednesday Football Association
The Mildura Wednesday FA was formed in 1921[32] and initially comprised the following three clubs - Fitzroys (Maroon), Imperials (blue and white) and Tigers (yellow and black).[33] In 1929, C Whitmore (Mildura Rovers) won the MWFA best and fairest award.[34]
- Timeline
- 1891 - 1895: Mildura Football Association
- 1896 - MFA in recess
- 1897 - 1899: Mildura Football Association
- 1900 - 1903: MFA in recess due to Australia in the Second Boer War
- 1904 - 1915: Mildura Football League
- 1916 - 1918: MFL in recess due to World War One
- 1919 - 1940: Mildura Football League[35]
- 1941 - 1943: MFL in recess due to World War Two
- 1944 - Mildura Football League. Newspapers reports sometimes referred to the local football competition as the Mildura & District Football League and occasionally the Mildura Football Association between 1904 and 1944, but it was mostly referred to as the Mildura Football League during this period.
- 1945 - 2019: Sunraysia Football League
- 2020 - SFNL in recess due to COVID-19 pandemic in Victoria. 2021 season was cut short due to COVID-19 pandemic in Victoria and no finals series was played.
- 2021 - 2025: Sunraysia Football League
- Stance on Violence
Irymple Football Club is working with Kim O'Reilly to educate players around healthy relationships and violence against women. O'Reilly was seriously assaulted by former Irymple player Jake Frecker in January 2018.
Irymple Club president Dennis Mitchell called for football clubs to change their culture around violence, condemning the support Dimboola provided to Frecker after he was charged with the assault on O'Reilly. "When your sporting club is the heart of the community, then it is our responsibility to be a vehicle for [education on family violence]"[36]
Remove ads
Clubs
Summarize
Perspective
Nine clubs – Imperials, Irymple, Merbein, Mildura, Ouyen United Red Cliffs, Robinvale–Euston, South Mildura, and Wentworth – participate in the competition, which includes senior and junior grades of football and netball.
Current
Former clubs
Remove ads
Senior Football Premierships
- Sunraysia FNL
- Senior Football
- 1945 RAAF
- 1946 Mildura
- 1947 University
- 1948 Merbein
- 1949 Imperials
- 1950 Imperials
- 1951 Mildura
- 1952 Mildura
- 1953 Red Cliffs
- 1954 Irymple
- 1955 Mildura
- 1956 Imperials
- 1957 Imperials
- 1958 Mildura
- 1959 Red Cliffs
- 1960 Mildura
- 1961 Red Cliffs
- 1962 Merbein
- 1963 Merbein
- 1964 Red Cliffs
- 1965 Robinvale
- 1966 Irymple
- 1967 Robinvale
- 1968 South Mildura
- 1969 South Mildura
- 1970 South Mildura
- 1971 Imperials
- 1972 Robinvale
- 1973 Wentworth District
- 1974 Robinvale
- 1975 Merbein
- 1976 Irymple
- 1977 Imperials
- 1978 Irymple
- 1979 Robinvale
- 1980 Red Cliffs
- 1981 Red Cliffs
- 1982 Mildura
- 1983 Red Cliffs
- 1984 Wentworth District
- 1985 Red Cliffs
- 1986 Imperials
- 1987 Imperials
- 1988 Imperials
- 1989 Robinvale
- 1990 Imperials
- 1991 Robinvale
- 1992 Imperials
- 1993 Imperials
- 1994 Imperials
- 1995 Imperials
- 1996 Wentworth District
- 1997 Robinvale
- 1998 South Mildura
- 1999 Imperials
- 2000 Red Cliffs
- 2001 Wentworth District
- 2002 Merbein
- 2003 Merbein
- 2004 Imperials
- 2005 Imperials
- 2006 Irymple
- 2007 Mildura
- 2008 Imperials
- 2009 Wentworth District
- 2010 Robinvale
- 2011 Irymple
- 2012 Wentworth District
- 2013 Imperials
- 2014 Red Cliffs
- 2015 Red Cliffs
- 2016 Ouyen United
- 2017 Irymple
- 2018 Ouyen United
- 2019 Irymple
- 2020 In recess > COVID-19
- 2021 (No finals series > COVID-19)
- 2022 Irymple
- 2023 Irymple
- 2024 Imperials
- Reserves Football
- Thirds Football
- Mildura Football League[49]
- 1904 - Fire Brigade: 3.6 d Irymple: 0.3[50]
- 1905 - 1st: Irymple 2nd: Mildura[51]
- 1906 - 1st: Irymple[52][53] 2nd: Fire Brigade
- 1907 - 1st: Irymple 2nd: Mildura[54]
- 1908 - 1st: Mildura 2nd: Mildura Rovers[55]
- 1909 - 1st: Mildura Rovers 2nd: Irymple[56][57]
- 1910 - Mildura Rovers: 6.12 d Mildura 3.3[58]
- 1911 - 1st: Mildura Rovers 2nd: Mildura[59]
- 1912 - Irymple: 4.7 d Mildura Rovers: 0.7[60]
- 1913 - 1st: Irymple 2nd: Merbein[61]
- 1914 - Mildura Rovers: 6.10 d Merbein: 2.7
- 1915 - 1st: Irymple declared premiers[62][63]
- 1916-18: In recess > WW1
- 1919 - West Mildura: 3.7 d Irymple:2.6
- 1920 - Irymple: 6.7 d East Mildura: 4.4[64]
- 1921 - Mildura: 8.8 d Merbein: 4.3[65]
- 1922 - Mildura: 8.12 d Red Cliffs: 3.7
- 1923 - Merbein: 8.8 d Red Cliffs: 6.9[66]
- 1924 - Mildura: 4.4 d Merbein: 2.8[67]
- 1925 - Mildura: 6.8 d Sth Merbein: 4.17[68]
- 1926 - Merbein: 9.10 d Sth Merbein: 6.10[69]
- 1927 - South Merbein: 11.12 d Merbein: 7.9[70]
- 1928 - South Merbein: 11.11 d Merbein: 6.12[71]
- 1929 - South Merbein: 9.15 d Merebin: 5.12[72]
- 1930 - Merbein: 11.6 d Sth Merbein: 6.10[73]
- 1931 - South Merbein: 14.15 d Curlwaa 13.13
- 1932 - Merbein: 11.10 d Sth Merbein: 5.11[74]
- 1933 - South Merbein: 11.12 d Mildura: 7.12[75]
- 1934 - Red Cliffs: 19.16 d Sth Merbein: 15.17[76]
- 1935 - South Merbein: 11.17 d Red Cliffs: 11.8[77]
- 1936 - Imperials: 11.11 d Sth Merbein: 9.16[78]
- 1937 - Merbein: 20.7 d Imperials: 10.11[79]
- 1938 - Merbein: 19.15 d Workers: 11.10[80]
- 1939 - Workers: 12.8 d Red Cliffs: 8.4[81]
- 1940 - Red Cliffs 6.6 d Imperials: 3.11[82]
- 1941-43: In recess > WW2
- 1944 - Merbein: 6.12 d RAAF: 5.13[83]
- Mildura Football Association
- 1891 - 1st: Mildura 2nd: North Mildura[84]
- 1892 - South Mildura[85]
- 1893 - South Mildura[86]
- 1894 - 1st: North Mildura 2nd: South Mildura[87]
- 1895 - North Mildura[88]
- 1896 - No official competition[89]
- 1897 - 1st: North Mildura[90]
- 1898 - South Mildura[91]
- 1899 - 1st: South Mildura[92]
- 1900 - 1903: In recess > Second Boer War
- Mildura Wednesday Football Association - 1921 to 1929
- 1921 - Fitzroys: 5.6 d Imperials: 1.7[93][94]
- 1922 - Fitzroys: 5.6 d Imperials: 2.5[95][96]
- 1923 - Imperials: 3.13 d Fitzroys: 3.6[97]
- 1924 - ?
- 1925 - Mildura Rovers: 9.16 d Imperials: 6.12[98]
- 1926 - Red Cliffs: 10.13 d Imperials: 10.10[99][100]
- 1927 - Merbein: 10.14 d Red Cliffs: 5.11[101]
- 1928 - ?
- 1929 - Ramblers d Mildura Rovers[102][103]
- 1930-32: No Wednesday competition
- Mildura Wednesday Football League - 1933 to 1934
Remove ads
Grand Finals
Senior Football
Reserves Football
In 1928, the Mildura Junior Football League was formed,[150] which was a "Reserves" football competition, set up for boys too old for the Under 18 competition.[151] In 1945, the initial seconds 18 football competition was known as the "Reserves", then between 1946 and 1954, it was referred to as the "Junior" competition, even though adults were playing in this competition.[152] Then from 1955 onwards the Sunraysia Daily newspaper referred to it as the "Seconds" competition.
Under 18's
- Juniors: (1917 to 1925)
- Under 18's: (1926 to 1940)
- Under 18's: (1946 to 2025)
Under 16's
- U/16's: 1946 - 1956
- U/15's: From ?
- U/15.5: 2004 - 2006
- U/16's: 2007 - 2025
Under 14's
- 1961 - 1973: Under 14?
- 1974 - 2003: Under 13?
- 2005 - 2006: Under 13.5?
- 2007 - 2025: Under 14
Remove ads
Football Premiership Table
- Senior Football
- Sunraysia FNL – Football Premiership
- 1892 to 2024
Remove ads
League Best and Fairest
Summarize
Perspective
Senior Football
- Mildura FL
In 1914, Mr Miller agreed to donate a trophy for he best and fairest player in the Mildura FL,[276] but later on in the year he decided to donate the trophy to the premiership team, Mildura Rovers.[277]
- Pollock Medal. Donated by Mr. J Pollock Junior for only the 1934 Mildura FL season.[278]
- 1934 - Laurie Leask - Mildura FC. 7 votes[279]
- Snow Trophy. In 1938 the Sunraysia Daily newspaper had a Mildura FL best and fairest award, which was a public poll from a cut out newspaper coupon. The winner was -
- 1938 - Laurie Leask - Workers FC. 935 votes.[280][281]
- Sunraysia FNL
The very first Sunraysia FL best and fairest award in 1946, was called the Ozone Medal as it was donated by the Ozone Picture Theatre.[282] The first official best and fairest award presented by the Sunraysia Football League in 1947, was known as the Sunraysia Trophy for a number of years.[283]
The Sunraysia Trophy appears to of been renamed the McLeod Memorial Medal in 1955, in honour of former Mildura footballer, Private Gregor "Jigger" Drummond McLeod, who was born on the 15th April 1909 and unfortunately died in 1942 during World War Two while serving his country in the 2/21 Australian Infantry Battalion[284]
- Multiple Medal Winners
- 4 - Don Favlo: 1995, 2006, 2009, 2013
- 3 - Kevin Coleman: 1973, 1974, 1975
- 2 - Neil "Steelo" Hogan: 1952, 1953[285]
- 2 - Ian Ross: 1955, 1958
- 2 - Bill Lanyon: 1960, 1961
- 2 - John Martin: 1960, 1961
- 2 - Bruce Tschirpig: 1969, 1970
- 2 - Phillip Nash: 1986, 1987
- 2 - Tony Hickey: 1991, 1992
- 2 - Brad Eaton: 2005, 2007
- The Sunraysia Daily - Player of the Year Award
The Sunraysia Daily newspaper sports journalist initiated a senior football Player of the Year in 1950, based on the three, two, one voting system.[307]
Reserves
In 1947, the first Reserves or "Junior" section (as they called it) best and fairest award, the Murray Linton Trophy[310] went to W Rodgers of the Curlwaa FC.[311]
Between 1949 and 1956, the Reserves competition had two divisions, a Junior A section and a Junior B section.
Under 18's
The Sunraysia Daily newspaper first donated a trophy for the Under 18 best and fairest award in 1952.
- 1955: B McKay (Merbein) finished 2nd under the old countback system.
Under 16's
The Sunraysia Daily newspaper first donated a trophy for the Under 16 best and fairest award in 1952.
Remove ads
Leading goalkickers
Summarize
Perspective
- Senior Football
- Most Goals kicked in a match by an individual
- 29 - Hec Shaw (Red Cliffs) v South Merbein, 1938[340][341]
- 27 - Hec H Henderson (South Merbein) v Cullullerane, 193?
- 24 - Ian Giles (Workers) v South Merbein, 1938[342]
- 20 - G McWilliams - (Imperials) v Coomealla, 8th August 1936[343][344]
- 20 - Neil McManus (Red Cliffs) v Mildura South, Rd.2, 3rd May, 1947[345]
- 20 – Paul Evans (Robinvale) v South Mildura, 2001
- 20 - Jarrod Arentz (Wentworth Districts) v South Mildura, 2001
- 19 - Stan Pike (Merbein) v Mildura, 1945[346]
- 18 - Neil McManus (Red Cliffs) v Imperials, 4th August 1945[347]
- Juniors
In 1934, Hec Shaw (Red Cliffs FC) kicked 100 plus goals, including a bag of 22 goals against Benetook FC.[348][349]
- Under 16
- 25 - Neil "Nishy" Weight - (Irymple), 1951[350]
Remove ads
Final Five Finals System
As its name states, the McIntyre final five system features five teams. From the second round the McIntyre final five system is the same as the Page–McIntyre system; however, in the first round the lowest-two-ranked teams play to eliminate one team and the second and third-ranked teams determine which match they will play in the second round. The highest-ranked team has a bye in the first round.
In this case, if all teams have an even chance of winning each match, the highest-ranked team has a 37.5% chance, ranks two and three have a 25% chance and the lowest-two-ranked teams have a 6.25% chance of winning the competition.
Remove ads
2009 Ladder
2010 Ladder
Remove ads
2011 Ladder
Remove ads
2012 Ladder
2013 Ladder
2014 Ladder
2015 Ladder
2016 Ladder
2017 Ladder
2018 Ladder
2019 Ladder
External links
- Netball Connect Fixtures, Results & Ladders
- Full Points Footy -Sunraysia Football League[usurped]
- Old Sunraysia FNL League website
- VFL / AFL Players List from Sunraysia FNL
- 1904 - Mildura FC team photo
- 1904 - Mildura FA Premiers: Fire Brigade FC team photo
- 1909 - Mildura Rovers FC team photo
- 1910 - Mildura FC - B. Grade Seniors Runner Up team photo
- 1912 - Mildura & DFL Premiers: Irymple FC team photo
- 1912 - Mildura & DFL Premiers: Irymple FC team photo, with names
- 1912 - Mildura Rovers FC team photo
- 1922 - Merbein FC team photo
- 1922 - Mildura FL Premiers: Mildura FC team photo
- 1922 Pioneer FA Premiers: Red Cliffs Ramblers FC
- 1923 - Mildura FL Premiers - Merbein FC team photo
- / 1923 - Undefeated Mildura FL Premiers - Merbein FC team photo
- 1927 - Mildura FL Premiers - South Merbein FC team photo
- / 1928 - Mildura FL Premiers - South Merbein FC team photo
- 1936 - Mildura & DFL Premiers - Imperials FC team photo
- 1945 - Mildura FC & Red Cliffs FC team photos
- 1946 - Sunraysia FL club delegates photo
- 1946 - Imperials FC team photo
- 1946 - Merbein FC team photo
- 1946 - Mildura FC team photo
- 1946 - Sunraysia FL Grand Final teams photo
- 1947 - Irymple FC team photo
- 1947 - University FC team photo
- 1947 - Sunraysia FL Premiers: University FC team photo
- 1948 - University FC team photo
- 1949 - Sunraysia FL Premiers: Imperial FC team photo
- 1949 - Sunraysia FL Runner Up: Red Cliffs FC team photo
- 1950 - Sunraysia FL U/18 Premiers: Rovers FC team photo
- 1953 - Sunraaysia FL. Six club team photos
- 1953 - Milawa Recreation Reserve Aerial photo
- 1957 - Sunraysia FL Runner Up: Mildura FC team photo
- 1966 - Sunraysia FL Premiers: Irymple FC team photo
- 1967 - Sunraysia FL Senior Rep side team photo
- 1968 - Irymple FC team photo
- 1968 - Robinvale FC team photo
- 1971 - Sunraysia FC team photo
- 1973 - Sunraysia FL Premiers: Wentworth FC team photo
References
Wikiwand - on
Seamless Wikipedia browsing. On steroids.
Remove ads