Adelaide Plains Football League

Last updated

Adelaide Plains Football League
Current season, competition or edition:
AFL current event.svg2023
Adelaide plains footleague logo.png
Sport Australian rules football
Founded1909
Official website apfl.com.au

The Adelaide Plains Football League (APFL) is an Australian rules football competition based in the Adelaide Plains region immediately north of Adelaide, South Australia. It is an affiliated member of the South Australian National Football League.

Contents

History

Grace Plains was possibly the first club formed in the District in 1904. Football was certainly played in the other towns of Mallala, Dublin and Two Wells at that time with those clubs all officially forming in 1908. When Virginia was formed in 1909, moves were being made to form an association from a group of clubs that had played an unofficial competition in 1908.

A meeting held in Dublin on 4 May 1909, resulted in the formation of the Adelaide Plains Football Association. Delegates were present from Mallala, Virginia, Two Wells, Windsor, Lower Light and Dublin. Officers elected were, patron Mr Coombe, president Mr George Cheney and secretary Mr Andrew Driscoll. At a second meeting the colours were chosen as double blue.

Dublin had a comfortable victory over Two Wells in the first match of the new association 9.14 (68) to 0.2 (2). Dublin had gone to a lot of trouble to ensure their facilities were adequate for their opening match of the season. In the preceding months they had built dressing rooms, a pavilion and had even erected new goal posts.

Mr Ron Murrell of Two Wells presented the Murrell Medal to the best and fairest footballer in Adelaide Plains football. This medal was the forerunner to the presenting of a Mail Medal. Jack Wallace of Long Plains was a dominant player in the early 1920s, winning two Murrell Medals and being runner up for a further two. Mallala provided the winner in 1921 with Walter Dunstan.

Wasleys Football Club created a record in 1927 when they became the first Adelaide Plains club to complete a season without losing a match. Hamley Bridge applied to join the association in 1930 but their application was rejected because of the poor condition of the roads over which visiting teams would have to travel to arrive at Hamley Bridge.

When the program of matches was drawn up for the 1935 season it was decided to begin on May 25th to allow farmers the chance to finish their seeding. It was also planned to take a week off when the South Australia vs Victoria state match was set down to be played at Adelaide Oval.

During the 1947 season, Balaklava and Long Plains played each other on four occasions. Their first meeting was early in the minor round at Balaklava, the scores were Balaklava 4.9 (33) drawing with Long Plains 5.3 (33). Their return match in June resulted in a narrow six point win to Balaklava 8.3 (51) to 5.15 (45). The next encounter was in the first semi final with the scores tied again Balaklava 5.2 (32) Long Plains 4.8 (32) and then the replayed semi final resulted in another draw 7.7 (49) each. Long Plains possessed more powerful staying qualities and eventually won the first semi final 10.11 (71) to 4.5 (29). Long Plains made it to the grand final but obviously ran out of steam losing to Wasleys by 8 points.

From the early 1960s, a Central Districts football carnival was held and sponsored by Caltex Oil, The leagues taking part were Adelaide Plains, North Eastern, North Western and Gawler and Districts. Mid North replaced North Western when that association closed after the 1963 season. The carnival was renamed the Mid North carnival in 1975, Adelaide Plains dropped out of the format in 1998.

Adelaide Plains introduced a new import rule in 1998 where a boundary was placed around the competition with only those living within the limits able to play as locals. Depending on the size of their population base and where the finished the previous season, each club was assigned a designated allowance of 'outside' players.

During a history of just over 100 years, the Adelaide Plains association has stood tall, outlasting many nearby associations. The Wooroora, Wakefield, North Western, Lower North and Gilbert associations have all fallen by the wayside with their member clubs or their incarnations filtering through to become the Adelaide Plains of today.

(From South Australian Country Football Digest - Peter Lines)

Current clubs

ClubColoursNicknameHome GroundFormer LeagueEst.Years in APFLAPFL Senior Premierships
TotalYears [1]
Angle Vale
Angle Vale Football Club colours.jpg
OwlsAngle Vale Oval, Angle Vale AdFL 19982016–0-
Balaklava
Balaklava Football Club colours.jpg
PeckersBalaklava Oval, Balaklava WFA19031940–2019; 2021– [2] 131951, 1957, 1958, 1977, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1991, 1994, 1996, 1999, 2000, 2011
Hamley Bridge
Eltham Football Club.jpg
BombersHamley Bridge Sports and Community Centre, Hamley Bridge GDFL18991936–63, 1984–91938, 1939, 1952, 1956, 1960, 1988, 1989, 2004, 2014
Hummocks Watchman
Hummocks Watchman Eagles Football Club colours.jpg
EaglesPort Wakefield Oval, Port Wakefield and Lochiel Oval, Lochiel 19951995–2019; 2021– [2] 62001, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2019
Mallala
Mallala Football Club colours.jpg
MagpiesMallala Oval, Mallala 19081904–271912, 1913, 1914, 1915, 1919, 1920, 1921, 1923, 1924, 1925, 1953, 1955, 1959, 1962, 1963, 1970, 1974, 1978, 1979, 1990, 1997, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2020
Two Wells
Two Wells Football Club colours.jpg
RoostersTwo Wells Oval, Two Wells GDFLc.19111909–27, 1932–38, 1987–81987, 2012, 2017, 2018, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
United
RichmondDesign.svg
TigersLong Plains Recreation Ground, Long Plains 19641964–31982, 1995, 2002
Virginia

(Kids of angle vale)

Virginia Football Club colours.jpg
RamsVirginia Sports Oval, Virginia NMFL 19071909–13, 1919, 1995–41909, 1910, 1998, 2015

Former clubs

ClubColoursNicknameHome GroundFormer LeagueEst.Years in APFLAPFL Senior PremiershipsFate
TotalYears [1]
Avon  WFA1900s1946-19470-Folded after 1947 season
Bute
Koonibba Football Club colours.jpg
RoostersBute Oval, Bute YPFL 18922020 [2] 0-Returned to Yorke Peninsula FL in 2021
Dublin   (1921)
Sturt Football Club colours (1910).svg
(1927)

   (1954)

Dublin Oval, Dublin 19211921-1949, 1954-196351922, 1928, 1931, 1932, 1933Merged with Long Plains to form United in 1964
Dublin (original)  (1909)Dublin Oval, Dublin 19091909-192011911Merged with Windsor and Wild Horse Plains to form United (Dublin)following 1920 season
Grace Plains  19041915-193521926, 1930Folded after 1935 season
Hummocks United
Hummocks United Football Club colours.svg
BulldogsLochiel Oval, Lochiel and Nantawarra Oval, Nantawarra 19641964-1984111964, 1965, 1966, 1969, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1976, 1980, 1981Merged with Watchman Auburn to form Hummocks Watchman in 1985
Hummocks Watchman
Hummocks Watchman Football Club colours.svg
Lochiel Oval, Lochiel 19851985-19940-Merged with Port Wakefield to form Hummocks Watchman Eagles in 1995
Korunye  Lower Light Oval, Lower Light 19081909-1915, 1919-1920, 1933-19340-Entered recess after 1920, re-formed in Lower North FA in 1925. Folded after 1934 season
Long PlainsLong Plains Recreation Ground, Long Plains 1910s1920-196371940, 1945, 1946, 1948, 1949, 1950, 1954Merged with Dublin to form United in 1964
Mundoora Wokurna
Hawthorn Football Club Colours.svg
HawksMundoora Oval, Mundoora BFL19661981-19830-Merged with Broughton to form Broughton-Mundoora in 1984
Owen
North Adelaide Football Club colours (2013-).svg
Owen Oval, Owen WFA19051946-19730-Merged with Port Wakefield to form Port-Owen Hawks in 1974
Port-Owen Hawks
Hawthorn Football Club Colours.svg
HawksPort Wakefield Oval, Port Wakefield 19741974-19760-De-merged into Port Wakefield and Owen in 1977
Port Wakefield
West Torrens Football Club colours.svg
EaglesPort Wakefield Oval, Port Wakefield NWFA18931964-1973, 1978-199521984, 1992Merged with Owen to form Port-Owen Hawks in 1974. Merged with Hummocks Watchman to form Hummocks Watchman Eagles in 1995
RAAF Edinburgh  Mallala Oval, Mallala 19471947-19500-Folded after 1950 season
Roseworthy
Roseworthy Football Club colours.svg
RoostersOval opposite Leitch's Roseworthy Hotel, Roseworthy GDFL1920s19610-Returned to Gawler & District FL in 1962
Roseworthy College
Roseworthy College Football Club colours.jpg
PanthersRoseworthy College Oval, Agricultural College, Roseworthy GDFL18971961-1963, 1985-19960-Returned to Gawler & District FL in 1964. Absorbed by Adelaide University in 1997
South Gawler
AFL North Melbourne Icon.jpg
LionsSouth Gawler Oval, Evanston GDFL18891961-196211961Returned to Gawler & District FL after 1962 season
Two Wells Virginia
Big V jumper.jpg
NMFL 19591970-19730-Moved to Gawler & District FL in 1974
Wasleys
Wasleys Football Club colours.svg
Wasleys Oval, Wasleys GDFL19011924-196371927, 1929, 1934, 1935, 1936, 1937, 1947Returned to Gawler & District FL after 1963 season
Watchman
Essendon Football Club colours.svg
Hoyleton Oval, Hoyleton NWFA19211964-197421967, 1968Merged with Auburn to form Watchman Auburn in 1975
Watchman Auburn  WolvesAuburn Oval, Auburn 19751975-19840-Merged with Hummocks United form Hummocks Watchman in 1985
Wild Horse PlainsWild Horse Plains Oval, Wild Horse Plains 19191919-19200-Merged with Dublin to form United (original) in 1921
Windsor19081909-19150-Folded

Premierships

YearA GradeReservesSenior ColtsJunior Colts
1909Virginia
1910Virginia
1911Dublin
1912Mallala
1913Mallala
1914Mallala
1915Mallala
1916-1918 - competition in recess due to WWI
1919Mallala
1920Mallala
1921Mallala
1922United (original)
1923Mallala
1924Mallala
1925Mallala
1926Grace Plains
1927Wasleys
1928Dublin
1929Wasleys
1930Grace Plains
1931Dublin
1932Dublin
1933Dublin
1934Wasleys
1935Wasleys
1936Wasleys
1937Wasleys
1938Hamley Bridge
1939Hamley Bridge
1940Long Plains
1941-1944 - competition in recess due to WWII
1945Long Plains
1946Long Plains
1947Wasleys
1948Long Plains
1949Long Plains
1950Long Plains
1951Balaklava
1952Hamley Bridge
1953Mallala
1954Long Plains
1955Mallala
1956Hamley Bridge
1957Balaklava
1958BalaklavaOwen
1959MallalaBalaklava
1960Hamley BridgeHamley Bridge
1961Gawler SouthGawler South
1962MallalaGawler South
1963MallalaBalaklava
1964Hummocks UnitedBalaklava
1965Hummocks UnitedMallala
1966Hummocks UnitedMallalaUnited
1967WatchmanMallalaOwen
1968WatchmanBalaklavaMallala
1969Hummocks UnitedMallalaUnited
1970MallalaTwo Wells-VirginiaTwo Wells-VirginiaTwo Wells-Virginia
1971Hummocks UnitedMallalaBalaklavaMallala
1972Hummocks UnitedBalaklavaTwo Wells-VirginiaBalaklava
1973Hummocks UnitedMallalaMallalaTwo Wells-Virginia
1974MallalaHummocks UnitedMallalaBalaklava
1975Hummocks UnitedBalaklavaWatchman-AuburnMallala
1976Hummocks UnitedPt Owen HawksWatchman-AuburnBalaklava
1977BalaklavaHummocksBalaklavaBalaklava
1978MallalaWatchman-AuburnBalaklavaBalaklava
1979MallalaBalaklavaMallalaBalaklava
1980Hummocks UnitedBalaklavaBalaklavaUnited
1981Hummocks UnitedBalaklavaBalaklavaBalaklava
1982UnitedBalaklavaBalaklavaBalaklava
1983BalaklavaBalaklavaMallalaBalaklava
1984Port WakefieldBalaklavaBalaklavaUnited
1985BalaklavaHamley BridgeUnitedUnited
1986BalaklavaBalaklavaUnitedBalaklava
1987Two WellsHamley BridgeTwo WellsUnited
1988Hamley BridgeUnitedTwo WellsHummocks-Watchman
1989Hamley BridgeMallalaTwo WellsHummocks-Watchman
1990MallalaTwo WellsTwo WellsHummocks-Watchman
1991BalaklavaMallalaBalaklavaMallala
1992Port WakefieldTwo WellsHummocks-WatchmanUnited
1993MallalaMallalaHamley BridgeBalaklava
1994BalaklavaTwo WellsMallalaTwo Wells
1995UnitedMallalaHW EaglesHW Eagles
1996BalaklavaVirginiaHW EaglesMallala
1997MallalaMallalaBalaklavaVirginia
1998VirginiaBalaklavaVirginiaVirginia
1999BalaklavaUnitedHW EaglesTwo Wells
2000BalaklavaHamley BridgeVirginiaMallala
2001HW EaglesHW EaglesTwo WellsHamley Bridge
2002UnitedTwo WellsTwo WellsTwo Wells
2003HW EaglesVirginiaMallalaTwo Wells
2004Hamley BridgeVirginiaTwo WellsTwo Wells
2005HW EaglesUnitedTwo WellsUnited
2006HW EaglesVirginiaMallalaBalaklava
2007MallalaUnitedUnitedBalaklava
2008HW EaglesHamley BridgeTwo WellsBalaklava
2009MallalaTwo WellsBalaklavaTwo Wells
2010MallalaMallalaBalaklavaTwo Wells
2011BalaklavaBalaklavaTwo WellsMallala
2012Two WellsVirginiaTwo WellsBalaklava
2013MallalaUnitedTwo WellsMallala
2014Hamley BridgeTwo WellsMallalaBalaklava
2015VirginiaVirginiaMallalaBalaklava
2016MallalaVirginiaMallalaTwo Wells
2017Two WellsVirginiaAngle ValeTwo Wells
2018Two WellsMallalaTwo WellsVirginia
2019HW EaglesTwo WellsTwo WellsAngle Vale
2020MallalaTwo WellsMallalaTwo Wells
2021Two WellsMallalaVirginiaAngle Vale
2022Two WellsBalaklavaAngle ValeAngle Vale
2023Two WellsBalaklavaAngle ValeAngle Vale
2024Two WellsMallalaTwo WellsAngle Vale

Mail Medallists

2009 Ladder

Adelaide PlainsWinsByesLossesDrawsForAgainst%PtsFinalTeamGBPtsTeamGBPts
Mallala 13030154175867.03%261st SemiTwo Wells141498Hummocks-Watchman61349
Virginia 12040122789257.90%242nd SemiMallala111480Virginia9963
Two Wells 100601679135055.43%20PreliminaryTwo Wells1818126Virginia101171
Hummocks-Watchman 80801485129753.38%16GrandMallala167103Two Wells91064
United70901340123452.06%14
Balaklava601001250128749.27%12
Hamley Bridge00160799250324.20%0

2010 Ladder

Adelaide PlainsWinsByesLossesDrawsForAgainst%PtsFinalTeamGBPtsTeamGBPts
Mallala 13030127492258.01%261st SemiVirginia7749Balaklava3927
Hummocks-Watchman 110501442102958.36%222nd SemiMallala2214Hummocks-Watchman1511
Balaklava 110501429110056.50%22PreliminaryVirginia81159Hummocks-Watchman21022
Virginia 100601551117656.88%20GrandMallala61551Virginia7850
Two Wells70901306131249.89%14
United30130897132940.30%6
Hamley Bridge10150967199832.61%2

2011 Ladder

Adelaide PlainsWinsByesLossesDrawsForAgainst%PtsFinalTeamGBPtsTeamGBPts
Balaklava 130301845101764.47%261st SemiMallala101676United71052
Virginia 130301645107960.39%262nd SemiBalaklava1622118Virginia111177
Mallala 100601209102454.14%20PreliminaryVirginia11975Mallala101171
United 80801198126348.68%16GrandBalaklava1515105Virginia9458
Hummocks-Watchman601001040138642.87%12
Two Wells301301044145241.83%6
Hamley Bridge30130988174836.11%6

2012 Ladder

Adelaide PlainsWinsByesLossesDrawsForAgainst%PtsFinalTeamGBPtsTeamGBPts
Balaklava 13030170796863.81%261st SemiVirginia131694Mallala101373
Two Wells 12040197589568.82%242nd SemiTwo Wells1710112Balaklava111480
Mallala 11050144898859.44%22PreliminaryVirginia12779Balaklava101373
Virginia 110501499120055.54%22GrandTwo Wells15797Virginia111177
Hamley Bridge301211198198437.65%7
United30121925170835.13%7
Hummocks-Watchman20140739174829.71%4

2013 Ladder

Adelaide PlainsWinsByesLossesDrawsForAgainst%PtsFinalTeamGBPtsTeamGBPts
Mallala 14020162684165.91%281st SemiTwo Wells2018138Virginia13785
Hamley Bridge 120401422122753.68%242nd SemiMallala131896Hamley Bridge8957
Two Wells 100601480108857.63%20PreliminaryTwo Wells1812120Hamley Bridge6743
Virginia 90701623135354.54%18GrandMallala101171Two Wells6945
Balaklava601001154140045.18%12
United301301137161441.33%6
Hummocks-Watchman20140930184933.47%4

2014 Ladder

Adelaide PlainsWinsByesLossesDrawsForAgainst%PtsFinalTeamGBPtsTeamGBPts
Hamley Bridge 120402018118163.08%241st SemiBalaklava166102Virginia131391
Mallala 110411559113157.96%232nd SemiHamley Bridge1712114Mallala179111
Virginia 100601910118961.63%20PreliminaryMallala121082Balaklava6844
Balaklava 90701239132648.30%18GrandHamley Bridge1613109Mallala175107
Two Wells80801576127255.34%16
United501011221147245.34%11
Hummocks-Watchman00160639259119.78%0

Bibliography

References

  1. 1 2 "Adelaide Plains Football League (South Australia, Australia)". australianrulesfootball.com.au. Retrieved 9 April 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 Dillon, Nick (24 July 2020). "You 'Butey': first win for Roosters in Adelaide Plains FL". SANFL . Retrieved 7 June 2024.