Australian rules football leagues in regional Queensland

There are several Australian rules football leagues in regional Queensland.

The sport of Australian rules football has a rich history in Queensland which dates back to the 1860s, however the game outside of South East Queensland was slower to take off than in Brisbane.

In 1913, a team of servicemen briefly existed on Thursday Island, but was short lived. In 1944, a league of servicemen was formed around the Atherton Tableland. Teams represented included Wongabel, Wondelca, Kairi, Mareeba and Ravenshoe. The league was a precursor to the nearby Cairns, Queensland league.

In 1955, the Townsville Australian Football League began. Two years later the Cairns Australian Football League was formed. AFL was also introduced to Mount Isa. In the early 1970s, organised leagues started appearing in Mackay, the Darling Downs and Central Queensland.

The Australian Football League has occasionally played pre-season matches in Cairns and there have been semi-regular premiership matches on the Gold Coast.

AFL Cairns

Main article: AFL Cairns

AFL Cairns is a semi-professional league that includes clubs from the Cairns region in Queensland, Australia. It is widely regarded as the strongest regional Australian rules football league in Queensland and has a large base at Cazaly's Stadium which has staged pre-season Australian Football League matches.

The league has significant coverage in local media such as The Cairns Post. Each year the Grand Final attracts between 2,000–3,000 spectators.

AFL Capricornia

Main article: AFL Capricornia

AFL Capricornia is an amateur competition played in the areas of Rockhampton, Gladstone and Yeppoon between the months of March and September in the cooler seasons of the Central Queensland climate.

The league is covered primarily by the Rockhampton Morning Bulletin in the local print media.

AFL Darling Downs

Main article: AFL Darling Downs

AFL Darling Downs is an amateur competition formed as the Darling Downs Australian Football League in 1971. It is based around the city of Toowoomba west of Brisbane. The senior representative team is known as the Demons and wear guernseys modelled on the Melbourne Demons guernseys. The Under 18 representative team who participate in the AFLQ Under 18 competition are known as the "Crows" and wear guernseys modelled on the Adelaide Crows guernseys.

Premiers[1]

  • 1971 Signals
  • 1972 South Toowoomba
  • 1973 Aviation
  • 1974 Aviation
  • 1975 Coolaroo
  • 1976 South Toowoomba
  • 1977 Toowoomba
  • 1978 Institute
  • 1979 Toowoomba
  • 1980 Goondiwindi
  • 1981 South Toowoomba
  • 1982 South Toowoomba
  • 1983 Goondiwindi
  • 1984 South Toowoomba
  • 1985 Lockyer Valley

  • 1986 Institute
  • 1987 Institute
  • 1988 Toowoomba
  • 1989 Institute
  • 1990 University
  • 1991 Goondiwindi
  • 1992 University
  • 1993 Lockyer Valley
  • 1994 University
  • 1995 Goondiwindi
  • 1996 Goondiwindi
  • 1997 University
  • 1998 University
  • 1999 Goondiwindi
  • 2000 Goondiwindi

  • 2001 Coolaroo
  • 2002 Coolaroo
  • 2003 Coolaroo
  • 2004 Coolaroo
  • 2005 Coolaroo
  • 2006 University
  • 2007 University
  • 2008 South Toowoomba
  • 2009 Coolaroo
  • 2010 Toowoomba Tigers
  • 2011 Toowoomba Tigers
  • 2012 Toowoomba Tigers
  • 2013 Coolaroo
  • 2014 Warwick

Clubs

Club Moniker Colours Years in Competition No. of Premierships
Chinchilla Suns 2013 - -
Coolaroo Roos 1971– 8
Dalby Swans
1980–1994, 1998–2000, 2005–2007, 2010–
Goondiwindi Hawks 1980– 7
Highfields Lions Maroon, Blue and Gold 2010– -
Lockyer Valley Demons 1981–1994, 1996–2000, 2010–
(Moniker was Magpies 1981-2000)
2
South Burnett Saints 2013- -
South Toowoomba Bombers 1972–1993, 1996–1997, 2005–
(Known as Central Bombers 2005-2006)
(Moniker was Longhorns 1972-1997)
6
Toowoomba Tigers 1974–2001, 2003-
(Moniker was Pinkies 1974-1980)
6
University Cougars Red, Blue and Yellow 1976–1998, 2003–
(Known as Institute 1976-1989)
(Moniker was Eagles 1976-1998)
11
Warwick Redbacks Red and black 1999, 2001– 1

AFL Mackay

AFL Mackay is an amateur competition formed as the Mackay Australian Football League in 1970. It is based around the city of Mackay with further clubs in Airlie Beach, Sarina, Alligator Creek, Pioneer Valley and Moranbah. The representative team is known as the Crows.

Premiers

  • 1970 East Mackay
  • 1971 Bakers Creek
  • 1972 Bakers Creek
  • 1973 East Mackay
  • 1974 North Mackay
  • 1975 Walkerston
  • 1976 North Mackay
  • 1977 Moranbah
  • 1978 Moranbah
  • 1979 Bakers Creek
  • 1980 East Mackay
  • 1981 Bakers Creek
  • 1982 Mackay City
  • 1983 North Mackay
  • 1984 Trend United
  • 1985 Mackay City

  • 1986 Mackay City
  • 1987 North Mackay
  • 1988 Eastern Swans[2]
  • 1989 Bakers Creek
  • 1990 Bakers Creek
  • 1991 Bakers Creek
  • 1992 Bakers Creek
  • 1993 Whitsunday
  • 1994 Whitsunday
  • 1995 Whitsunday
  • 1996 Whitsunday
  • 1997 Northern Beaches
  • 1998 Eastern Swans
  • 1999 Bakers Creek
  • 2000 Mackay City
  • 2001 North Mackay

  • 2002 North Mackay
  • 2003 North Mackay
  • 2004 Whitsunday
  • 2005 Whitsunday
  • 2006 Whitsunday
  • 2007 North Mackay
  • 2008 North Mackay
  • 2009 Eastern Swans
  • 2010 Whitsunday
  • 2011 Mackay City
  • 2012 Mackay City
  • 2013 Mackay City
  • 2014 Moranbah

Clubs

Club Moniker Colours Years in competition Premierships
Magpies Northern Beaches Magpies 2012 –
(Also known as Andergrove Kangaroos 2011)
Bakers Creek Tigers 1971– 9
Eastern Swans Swans
1970–
(Known as East Mackay Demons 1970-1986)[3]
(Merged with Trend United in 1987)
6
Mackay City Hawks 1977–1978, 1980–
(Known as Northern Beaches Hawks 1990-1997)
8
Moranbah Bulldogs 1975–1982, 1989–1991, 2006– 3
North Mackay Saints 1970–
1970 to 1973 known as North Mackay Colts, played in the navy blue and white Carlton colours.
9
Whitsunday Sea Eagles 1990–
(Known as Bloods 1984-1989)
8
Alligator Creek Bombers Juniors only
Sarina Demons Juniors only
Pioneer Valley Power Juniors only

AFL Mount Isa

AFL Mount Isa is an amateur competition formed as the North West Australian Football League in 1967, changing its name to the Mount Isa AFL in 1969. Prior to this the game was played but was not organised. It is based around the city of Mount Isa.

Premiers

  • 1967 Hawks
  • 1968 Rovers
  • 1969 Saints
  • 1970 Saints
  • 1971 Tigers
  • 1972 Hawks
  • 1973 Tigers
  • 1974 Saints
  • 1975 Hawks
  • 1976 Rovers
  • 1977 Mary Kathleen
  • 1978 Mary Kathleen
  • 1979 Mary Kathleen
  • 1980 Rovers
  • 1981 Rovers
  • 1982 Rovers
  • 1983 Tigers
  • 1984 Rovers
  • 1985 Rovers

  • 1986 Rovers
  • 1987 Saints
  • 1988 Rovers
  • 1989 Tigers
  • 1990 Rovers
  • 1991 Rovers
  • 1992 Buffaloes
  • 1993 Rovers
  • 1994 Buffaloes
  • 1995 Buffaloes
  • 1996 Rovers
  • 1997 Rovers
  • 1998 Tigers
  • 1999 Tigers
  • 2000 Rovers
  • 2001 Rovers
  • 2002 Lake Nash
  • 2003 Lake Nash
  • 2004 Rovers

  • 2005 Rovers[4]
  • 2006 Tigers
  • 2007 Rovers
  • 2008 Rovers
  • 2009 Rovers
  • 2010 Rovers
  • 2011 Tigers
  • 2012 Rovers
  • 2013 Rovers
  • 2014 Tigers
  • 2015 Tigers

Clubs

Club Colours Years in competition No. of Premierships
Buffaloes          1983- 3
Rovers          1967- 24
Tigers          1967- 9
Young Guns              *1993- 2

* – Young Guns, at various times have fielded two teams including the Bushies and the Bats. Prior to 2010 the club was known as "Lake Nash".

AFL Townsville

AFL Townsville is an amateur competition formed as the Townsville Australian Football League in 1955, the first AFL competition to be formed in Queensland outside of the South East. It is based around the city of Townsville. For a short period in the 1980s, the competition was played during the summer months. The representative team is known as the Eagles and they wear similar guernseys to the Zillmere Eagles old white and blue guernsey's.

Premiers

  • 1955 Hermit Park
  • 1956 RAAF
  • 1957 South Townsville
  • 1958 Garbutt
  • 1959 South Townsville
  • 1960 South Townsville
  • 1961 Garbutt
  • 1962 Garbutt
  • 1963 South Townsville
  • 1964 Garbutt
  • 1965 Garbutt
  • 1966 Garbutt
  • 1967 Hermit Park
  • 1968 South Townsville
  • 1969 2RAR
  • 1970 Hermit Park
  • 1971 West Townsville
  • 1972 Lavarack
  • 1973 Currajong
  • 1974 South Townsville
  • 1975 Currajong

  • 1976 Currajong
  • 1977 Currajong
  • 1978 Currajong
  • 1979 Currajong
  • 1980 West Townsville
  • 1981 Wulguru
  • 1982 Garbutt
  • 1983 Currajong
  • 1984 Currajong
  • 1984/85 Hermit Park
  • 1985/86 Currajong
  • 1986/87 Hermit Park
  • 1987/88 West Townsville
  • 1988 Townsville
  • 1989 University Hawks
  • 1990 West Townsville
  • 1991 West Townsville
  • 1992 West Townsville
  • 1993 University Hawks
  • 1994 University Hawks
  • 1995 University Hawks

  • 1996 Curra Swans
  • 1997 Curra Swans
  • 1998 Curra Swans
  • 1999 West Townsville
  • 2000 West Townsville
  • 2001 West Townsville
  • 2002 Hermit Park
  • 2003 University Hawks
  • 2004 University Hawks
  • 2005 University Hawks
  • 2006 Hermit Park
  • 2007 University Hawks
  • 2008 Hermit Park
  • 2009 University Hawks
  • 2010 Thuringowa
  • 2011 Thuringowa
  • 2012 Hermit Park
  • 2013 Thuringowa
  • 2014 Thuringowa

Clubs

Club Moniker Colours Years in competition Premierships
Curra Swans Swans 1990–
(merger of South Townsville and Currajong)
3
Hermit Park Tigers 1955– 9
Thuringowa Bulldogs 1970–
(known as West Townsville 1970–2001)
13
Townsville City Lions 1999-2002 as Northern Beaches,
2003-2008 as Twin Cities,

2012-

University Hawks 1989– 9

AFL Wide Bay

The AFL Wide Bay competition was formerly known as the Bundaberg-Wide Bay Australian Football League which was formed in 1987 through the merger of the Bundaberg Australian Football League and Wide Bay Australian Football Leagues. The competition currently features teams from the cities of Bundaberg, Maryborough and Hervey Bay. The representative team is known as the Tigers wearing guernseys similar to those of the Richmond Tigers.

Premiers

Bundaberg Wide Bay AFL

  • 1987 West Bundaberg
  • 1988 Hervey Bay Bombers
  • 1989 Hervey Bay Bombers
  • 1990 Hervey Bay Bombers
  • 1991 Hervey Bay Bombers
  • 1992 Hervey Bay Bombers
  • 1993 Fraser Coast
  • 1994 Hervey Bay Bombers
  • 1995 West Bundaberg
  • 1996 Hervey Bay Bombers
  • 1997 ATW Bundaberg
  • 1998 ATW Bundaberg
  • 1999 ATW Bundaberg

AFL Bundaberg Wide Bay

  • 2000 Hervey Bay Bombers
  • 2001 ATW Bundaberg
  • 2002 Hervey Bay Bombers
  • 2003 In recess
  • 2004 Hervey Bay Bombers
  • 2005 Hervey Bay Bombers
  • 2006 ATW Bundaberg
  • 2007 Hervey Bay Bombers
  • 2008 ATW Bundaberg

AFL Wide Bay

  • 2009 Hervey Bay Bombers
  • 2010 Brothers Bulldogs
  • 2011 ATW Bundaberg
  • 2012 Hervey Bay Bombers
  • 2013 Hervey Bay Bombers
  • 2014 ATW Bundaberg

Clubs

Club Moniker Colours Years in competition No. of Premierships
ATW Bundaberg Eagles 1997–
(merger of North Bundaberg Kangaroos and South Bundaberg/ATW Magpies)
8
Hervey Bay Bombers 1987– 15
Bay Power Power 2004–
Brothers Bulldogs Bulldogs 1987–
(known as West Bundaberg Bulldogs 1987-1996)
3
Maryborough Bears
1988, 1990–1991, 1993–1999, 2001–2012
(Moniker was Tigers 1988–1994)

Defunct competitions

Bundaberg AFL

The Bundaberg Australian Football League was an amateur competition formed in 1972 and continued until 1986, before merging with the Wide Bay Australian Football League, starting a new competition called the Bundaberg Wide Bay Australian Football League in 1987, now known as AFL Wide Bay.

The four foundation clubs were Burnett Heads, Southern Suburbs (South Bundaberg), Western Suburbs (West Bundaberg), and North Bundaberg.

Premiers

  • 1972 North Bundaberg
  • 1973 Western Suburbs
  • 1974 Western Suburbs
  • 1975 North Bundaberg
  • 1976 North Bundaberg

  • 1977 Hervey Bay
  • 1978 North Bundaberg
  • 1979 North Bundaberg
  • 1980 West Bundaberg
  • 1981 South Bundaberg

  • 1982 Hervey Bay
  • 1983 Hervey Bay
  • 1984 Urangan[5]
  • 1985 West Bundaberg
  • 1986 West Bundaberg

Clubs

Club Colours Years in Competition Premierships
North Bundaberg Blue and White 1972–1986 5
South Bundaberg Black and White 1972–1986 1
West Bundaberg Red, White and Black 1972–1986 5
Burnett Heads Red and White 1972–1982 -
Hervey Bay Red and Green 1977, 1982–1983 3
South Bundaberg 2 Blue and White 1979 -
Maryborough Black and Gold 1979 -
Biggenden Brown and White 1983 -
Gympie Navy Blue and White 1984 -
Cooloola Coast Navy Blue and White 1984 -
Urangan Red and Green 1984 1
Brothers Blue and White 1985 -

Central Highlands AFL

The Central Highlands Australian Football League was an amateur competition formed in 1983 and ceased operations after the 1997 season. Most of the previous clubs still exist and operate Auskick programs, including Dysart and Emerald. The Moranbah Bulldogs moved to the AFL Mackay after the league folded.

The league was a once flourishing competition with Clubs competing in Seniors, Reserves and juniors in Under 16's, 14's, and 12's. Around 1994, the mines in the area shifted from a five-day week into a seven-day 12-hour roster, which in turn limited teams' playing rosters. The league then changed onfield playing numbers from 18 to 13 with unlimited bench players. Unfortunately this still did not help and most clubs were forced to cease operations due to lack of playing numbers and not of financial matters.

Prior to the formation of the competition, Dysart, Middlemount and Moranbah had played in the Mackay competition.

Premiers

  • 1983 Dysart
  • 1984 ?
  • 1985 Moranbah
  • 1986 Moranbah
  • 1987 Middlemount

  • 1988 Emerald
  • 1989 Emerald
  • 1990 Blackwater
  • 1991 Blackwater
  • 1992 Blackwater

  • 1993 Emerald
  • 1994 Emerald
  • 1995 Emerald
  • 1996 Emerald
  • 1997 Emerald

Clubs

Club Colours Years in competition Premierships
Blackwater Dark Blue and White 1983–1997 3
Clermont Red and Black 1985–1986 -
Dysart Red and White 1983–1997 1
Emerald Black, White and Red 1983–1997 7
Middlemount Blue and White 1983–1991 1
Moranbah Blue, White and Red 1983–1988, 1994–1997 2
Tieri Black and Yellow 1983–1991, 1996 -
United Black and Yellow 1992–1995 -

Gold Coast AFL

The Gold Coast Australian Football League was a competition that operated from at least 1961 to 1996 before being absorbed by the Queensland AFL as its Gold Coast Division.

Clubs

Club Colours Years in Competition Premierships
Ashmore Nerang Black and White 1985-1989 0
Broadbeach White and blue 1971–1996 2
Burleigh Heads Red and Black 1979–1996 0
Coolangatta Tweed Heads 1965–1996 6
Ipswich 1963 0
Labrador Black and Yellow 1964–1996 5
Lismore 1968–1970, 1978–1983 0
Palm Beach Currumbin Yellow and Purple 1961–1996 4
Robina Roos Blue and White 1996 0
Southport White and black 1961–1982 9
Surfers Paradise Red and Blue 1962–1996 9

Premiers

  • 1961 Southport
  • 1962 Southport
  • 1963 Surfers Paradise
  • 1964 Southport
  • 1965 Palm Beach/Currumbin
  • 1966 Southport
  • 1967 Surfers Paradise
  • 1968 Surfers Paradise
  • 1969 Surfers Paradise
  • 1970 Labrador

  • 1971 Palm Beach/Currumbin
  • 1972 Surfers Paradise
  • 1973 Palm Beach/Currumbin
  • 1974 Surfers Paradise
  • 1975 Southport
  • 1976 Southport
  • 1977 Southport
  • 1978 Coolangatta
  • 1979 Southport
  • 1980 Southport

  • 1981 Coolangatta
  • 1982 Coolangatta
  • 1983 Coolangatta
  • 1984 Surfers Paradise
  • 1985 Palm Beach/Currumbin
  • 1986 Labrador
  • 1987 Broadbeach
  • 1988 Coolangatta
  • 1989 Coolangatta
  • 1990 Surfers Paradise

  • 1991 Labrador
  • 1992 Surfers Paradise
  • 1993 Labrador
  • 1994 Labrador
  • 1995 Palm Beach/Currumbin
  • 1996 Broadbeach

AFLQ - Gold Coast Division

  • 1997
  • 1998 Surfers Paradise
  • 1999 Palm Beach Currumbin

Maryborough AFL

The Maryborough Australian Football League was an amateur competition that lasted two full seasons in 1981 and 1982. In 1983, there was only a limited number of fixtures, and due to lack of players, the competition folded after the season was over.

In 1983, Biggenden played in the both the Bundaberg AFL and the Maryborough competition. Biggenden 2 lost to Cooloola Coast in the 1983 MAFL Grand Final, as their seniors did the previous year.

Clubs

Club Colours Years in Competition Premierships
Biggenden Brown and White 1981–1983 1
Cooloola Coast Navy Blue and White 1982–1983 2
Isis Brown and Yellow 1981–1983 -
Maryborough[6] Black and Gold 1981–1983 -
Torbanlea Red and Blue 1981 -

Premiers

Sunshine Coast AFL

The Sunshine Coast Australian Football League was an amateur competition that was formed in 1970 and continued until 1992. The three foundation clubs were Noosa, Maroochydore and Nambour.

In 1993, the clubs from the competition played in the Brisbane Australian Football League, and later split up into various AFL South Queensland Divisions.

Clubs

Club Colours Years in competition Premierships
Caboolture Maroon, Blue and Gold 1973–1975, 1984–1987, 1990 -
Caloundra Navy Blue and White 1973–1983, 1985–1989, 1991–1992 4
Gympie Navy Blue and White 1971–1983, 1992 -
Hervey Bay Red and Green 1978–1981 -
Kawana Blue and Yellow 1983–1984, 1990–1992 -
Maroochydore Green and Gold 1970–1992 11
Maryborough Black and Gold 1977 -
Mooloolah Valley Black and White 1985–1988 -
Nambour Navy Blue and White 1970–1975, 1977–1992 1
Noosa Black and Gold 1970–1992 7
Pomona Blue and Gold 1975, 1987–1990 -
Pomona/Cooroy Red and Blue 1976–1986 -
Pomona/Gympie Blue, White and Gold 1991 -
Southern Districts Red, Blue and Gold 1987–1989 -

Premiers

  • 1970 Maroochydore
  • 1971 Maroochydore
  • 1972 Maroochydore
  • 1973 Noosa
  • 1974 Maroochydore
  • 1975 Noosa
  • 1976 Noosa
  • 1977 Noosa

  • 1978 Maroochydore
  • 1979 Maroochydore
  • 1980 Noosa
  • 1981 Noosa
  • 1982 Maroochydore
  • 1983 Maroochydore
  • 1984 Maroochydore
  • 1985 Noosa

  • 1986 Maroochydore
  • 1987 Caloundra
  • 1988 Caloundra
  • 1989 Maroochydore
  • 1990 Nambour
  • 1991 Caloundra
  • 1992 Caloundra

Wide Bay AFL

The Wide Bay Australian Football League was a short lived amateur competition that was formed in 1985 as a result of a breakaway from the Bundaberg AFL. It only lasted two years before merging with the league it broke away from.

Clubs

Club Colours Years in competition Premierships
Cooloola Coast Navy Blue and White 1985–1986 -
Gympie Blues[9] 1985 -
Gympie Cats Navy Blue and White 1985–1986 -
Hervey Bay Bombers Black and Red 1985–1986 2
Hervey Bay Hawks Brown and Yellow 1985 -
Maryborough Black and Gold 1986 -

Premiers

See also

References

  1. http://www.foxsportspulse.com/assoc_page.cgi?client=1-3485-0-0-0&sID=55951&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=6209642
  2. "Grand Final Report". Daily Mercury (Mackay, Queensland). 19 September 1988. p. 28.
  3. "Grand Final Report". Daily Mercury (Mackay, Queensland). 7 September 1987. p. 26.
  4. "Rovers Win". The North West Star Mount Isa (Mount Isa, Queensland). 12 September 2005. p. 20.
  5. "Urangan in Rules Win". News Mail Bundaberg (Bundaberg, Queensland). 28 August 1984. p. 17.
  6. "Up There Cazaly". Maryborough Chronicle Maryborough (Maryborough, Queensland). 4 August 1981. p. 14.
  7. "Up There Cazaly". Maryborough Chronicle Maryborough (Maryborough, Queensland). 4 August 1981. p. 14.
  8. "Dolphins win final 158-32". Maryborough Chronicle Maryborough (Maryborough, Queensland). 23 August 1983. p. 14.
  9. Wide Bay AFL Year Book 1985.

External links

Leagues

Clubs

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