Gridiron Victoria

Last updated
American Football Victoria
American Football Victoria Logo.jpg
Sport Gridiron
Founded1997
Motto"Bigger and Better"
No. of teams13
CountryFlag of Australia (converted).svg  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

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

Contents

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 Gridiron Victoria Womens 2017 Vic Bowl.jpg
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 Gridiron Victoria Vic Bowl 2016.jpg
The 2016 men's Vic Bowl between Western Crusaders and Monash Warriors

Former women's teams

A game between the Northern Lady Raiders and Lady Monash Warriors in 2018 Gridiron Victoria Raiders vs Warriors.jpg
A game between the Northern Lady Raiders and Lady Monash Warriors in 2018

Former men's teams

Championship Games

Men's Senior Division 1

Mens Division 1 Vic Bowl Tally
TeamWinsLossesAppearances
Monash/Warriors Gridiron11617
Western Crusaders10111
Croydon Rangers41317
Brighton Outlaws404
Berwick Miners336
Doncaster Devils202
Kew Colts202
Geelong/Bay City Buccaneers145
Waverley Sharks112
Moorabbin Raiders101
Melbourne Hornets033
Frankston Sweathogs022
Banyule Panthers022
Westside Vikings011
Melbourne Uni Royals011
South Eastern Predators011

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

VicbowlYearWinning TeamScoreLosing TeamScoreVenue
I1985Outlaws12Rangers0 Olympic Park Stadium, Melbourne
II1986Outlaws26Hornets6Olympic Park Stadium, Melbourne
III1987Outlaws26Hornets19Olympic Park Stadium, Melbourne
IV1988Outlaws20Hornets17Olympic Park Stadium, Melbourne
V1989Devils13Sweathogs8Olympic Park Stadium, Melbourne
VI1990Devils62Sweathogs26Olympic Park Stadium, Melbourne
VII1991Miners45 Vikings 8Olympic Park Stadium, Melbourne
VIII1992Colts26Miners20Olympic Park Stadium, Melbourne
IX1993Colts24Miners7Olympic Park Stadium, Melbourne
X1994Miners20Sharks14St Kilda Football Club Reserve, Linton Street, Moorabbin
XI1995Sharks27Miners23St Kilda Football Club Reserve, Linton Street, Moorabbin
XII1996Raiders20Rangers6Sparks Reserve, Box Hill
XIII1997Rangers18Panthers5Sydney Pargeter Reserve, Endeavour Hills
XIV1998Rangers28Panthers21Sydney Pargeter Reserve, Endeavour Hills
XV1999 Crusaders 20* Rangers 14*Sydney Pargeter Reserve, Endeavour Hills
XVI2000 Crusaders 14 Warriors 0Footscray Hockey Centre, Yarraville
XVII2001 Warriors 16 Rangers 0Footscray Hockey Centre, Yarraville
XVIII2002 Warriors 19 Rangers 12Sydney Pargeter Reserve, Endeavour Hills
XIX2003 Miners 38 Rangers 28Springfield Reserve, Croydon
XX2004 Rangers 19 Warriors 0Springfield Reserve, Croydon
XXI2005 Warriors 18 Rangers 13Tony Dodemaide Reserve, Footscray
XXII2006 Warriors 12 Rangers 3Sydney Pargeter Reserve, Endeavour Hills
XXIII2007 Crusaders 21 Warriors 13Sydney Pargeter Reserve, Endeavour Hills
XXIV2008 Warriors 6 Rangers 0Sydney Pargeter Reserve, Endeavour Hills
XXV2009 Warriors 36 Rangers 12Sydney Pargeter Reserve, Endeavour Hills
XXVI2010 Warriors 23Buccaneers14Springfield Reserve, Croydon
XXVII2011Buccaneers34 Rangers 14LE Cotchin Reserve, Reservoir
XXVIII2012 Warriors 22 +Buccaneers14Moorabbin Oval, Linton St, Moorabbin
XXIX2013 Warriors 30Buccaneers13Moorabbin Oval, Linton St, Moorabbin
XXX2014 Warriors 39Buccaneers14Tom Flood Sports Centre, Bendigo
XXXI2015 Rangers 16 Warriors 7Latrobe City Stadium, Morwell
XXXII2016 Warriors 16 Crusaders 12Lakeside Stadium, Albert Park
XXXIII2017 Crusaders 30Royals9MacPherson Park Recreation Reserve, Melton
XXXIV2018 Crusaders 36Warriors6Hendy Street Reserve, Corio
XXXV2019 Crusaders 38Warriors6Casey Fields, Casey
XXXVI2022 Crusaders 44Rangers0Springfield Reserve, Croydon
XXXVII2022Crusaders42Rangers12Springfield Reserve, Croydon
XXXVIII2023Crusaders50Predators16Henry Turner Reserve, Footscray
XXXIX2024Crusaders20Buccaneers14Henry Turner Reserve, Footscray

* Vicbowl XV was decided in Overtime (5 periods)

+ Vicbowl XXVIII was decided in Overtime (2 periods)

Women's Vic Bowl

YearWinning TeamScoreLosing TeamScoreVenue
2013 Western Crusaders 32Northern Lady Raiders8Springfield Reserve, Croydon
2014 Western Crusaders 42Northern Lady Raiders34Sydney Pargeter Reserve, Endeavour Hills
2015Geelong Buccaneers20Northern Lady Raiders12MacPherson Park Recreation Reserve, Melton
2016Geelong Buccaneers38Melbourne Uni Chargers24Heatherbrae Reserve, Officer
2017Croydon Rangers12Melbourne Uni Chargers7Ranger Field, Croydon
2018Western Crusaders12Croydon Rangers0Ranger Field, Croydon
2019Northern Raiders54Western Crusaders26Casey Fields, Casey

[3]

Men's Senior Division Two

Championship games:

YearWinning TeamScoreLosing TeamScoreVenue
2011Raiders18Gladiators6LE Cotchin Reserve, Reservoir
2012Royals16 Barbarians 6Moorabbin Oval, Linton St, Moorabbin
2013 Barbarians 20Royals6Moorabbin Oval, Linton St, Moorabbin
2014Gladiators12Falcons0Tom Flood Sports Centre, Bendigo
2015Silverbacks9 Barbarians 6Latrobe City Stadium, Morwell
2016Silverbacks43Raiders8Lakeside Stadium, Albert Park
2017Raiders10Wolves0MacPherson Park Recreation Reserve, Melton
2022Crusaders 238Raiders0Springfield Reserve, Croydon
2024Vikings30Dragons0Henry 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
TeamWinsLossesAppearances
Croydon Rangers8816
Geelong Buccaneers448
Berwick Miners437
Monash/Warriors Gridiron358
Melbourne Uni Royals/Lions314
South Eastern Predators213
Western Crusaders123
Northern Blackhawks101
Geelong Wildcats011
Banyule Panthers011
Southern Vikings011

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

YearWinning TeamScoreLosing TeamScoreVenue
1996Cowboys (VGFL Juniors)xxxxxxxx
1997Wolfpack18 Rangers 0Springfield Reserve, Croydon
1998 Miners 18 Rangers 14Sydney Pargeter Reserve, Endeavour Hills
1999 Rangers 28Panthers0Springfield Reserve, Croydon
2000 Rangers 28 Miners 6Sydney Pargeter Reserve, Endeavour Hills
2001 Miners 28Wildcats0Sydney Pargeter Reserve, Endeavour Hills
2002 Miners 20 Warriors 12Sydney Pargeter Reserve, Endeavour Hills
2003*Blackhawks44 Rangers 8Sydney Pargeter Reserve, Endeavour Hills
2003** Warriors 20 Miners 8Springfield Reserve, Croydon
2004 Rangers 28Buccaneers24Springfield Reserve, Croydon
2005 Rangers 26Buccaneers8Springfield Reserve, Croydon
2006Buccaneers16 Miners 6Deakin University, Waurn Ponds (Geelong)
2007 Miners 42Buccaneers22Sydney Pargeter Reserve, Endeavour Hills
2008Buccaneers36 Rangers 16Springfield Reserve, Croydon
2009 Warriors 22 Rangers 0Springfield Reserve, Croydon
2010 Rangers 32 Warriors 14Springfield Reserve, Croydon
2011Buccaneers16 Rangers 14Springfield Reserve, Croydon
2012 Rangers 34 Warriors 0Springfield Reserve, Croydon
2013Crusaders38 Warriors 0Springfield Reserve, Croydon
2014Lions25Predators18Sydney Pargeter Reserve, Endeavour Hills
2015Lions28Crusaders15MacPherson Park Recreation Reserve, Melton
2016 Warriors 42Lions6Heatherbrae Reserve, Officer
2017Predators46Crusaders21Springfield Reserve, Croydon
2018Royals38Warriors36Springfield Reserve, Croydon
2019COVID-19--No Season--
2022Buccaneers28Rangers12Springfield Reserve, Croydon
2022Rangers41Buccaneers18Springfield Reserve, Croydon
2023Predators26Rangers14Henry Turner Reserve, Footscray
2024Rangers28Vikings20Henry 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

YearEventWinning TeamScoreLosing TeamScoreVenue
20122012 Australian Gridiron League Game 3QLD Sundevils27Victorian Eagles14Super Sports Centre, Runaway Bay, QLD
20122012 Australian Gridiron League Game 2NSW Wolfpack52Victorian Eagles22Sydney Academy of Sport, Narrabeen, NSW
20122012 Australian Gridiron League Game 1WA Raiders16Victorian Eagles0State Netball Hockey Centre, Melbourne, VIC
YearEventWinning TeamScoreLosing TeamScoreVenue
20112011 Junior National 3rd Place GameQLD Sundevils47Victorian Eagles16Sydney Academy of Sport, Narrabeen, NSW
20112011 Junior National ChampionshipsVictorian Eagles57SA Fire20Sydney Academy of Sport, Narrabeen, NSW
20112011 Junior National ChampionshipsWA Raiders38Victorian Eagles14Sydney Academy of Sport, Narrabeen, NSW
YearEventWinning TeamScoreLosing TeamScoreVenue
20102010 Senior National Championship GameNSW Wolfpack28Victorian Eagles7State Netball Hockey Centre, Parkville, VIC
20102010 Senior National ChampionshipsVictorian Eagles33Queensland Sundevils6State Netball Hockey Centre, Parkville, VIC
20102010 Senior National ChampionshipsVictorian Eagles40ACT Monarchs0State Netball Hockey Centre, Parkville, VIC
YearEventWinning TeamScoreLosing TeamScoreVenue
20092009 Junior National Championship GameNSW Wolfpack14Victorian Eagles6Sports Super Centre, Runaway Bay, QLD
20092009 Junior National ChampionshipsVictorian Eagles14Queensland Sundevils8Sports Super Centre, Runaway Bay, QLD
20092009 Junior National ChampionshipsVictorian Eagles54ACT Monarchs8Sports Super Centre, Runaway Bay, QLD
YearEventWinning TeamScoreLosing TeamScoreVenue
20062006 National Championship GameNSW Wolfpack22Victorian Eagles16Pines Stadium, Adelaide, SA
20062006 National ChampionshipsVictorian Eagles44SA Fire0Pines Stadium, Adelaide, SA
20062006 National ChampionshipsVictorian Eagles34WA Raiders8Pines Stadium, Adelaide, SA
YearEventWinning TeamScoreLosing TeamScoreVenue
20052005 National Championship GameNSW Wolfpack14Victorian Eagles13Pines Stadium, Adelaide, SA
20052005 National ChampionshipsVictorian Eagles62QLD0Pines Stadium, Adelaide, SA
20052005 National ChampionshipsVictorian Eagles14NSW Wolfpack0Pines Stadium, Adelaide, SA
YearEventWinning TeamScoreLosing TeamScoreVenue
20052005 Junior FriendlyVictorian Eagles34ACT monarchs0Berwick, VIC
20052005 Junior FriendlyS.A Sharks20Victorian Eagles12Pines Stadium, Adelaide, S.A
20052005 Junior FriendlyS.A Sharks28Victorian Eagles24Pines Stadium, Adelaide, S.A
YearEventWinning TeamScoreLosing TeamScoreVenue
2005Downunder BowlKentucky/Virginia33Victorian Eagles0Carrara, QLD
2005Downunder BowlMinnesota/Dakota28Victorian Eagles0Carrara, QLD
YearEventWinning TeamScoreLosing TeamScoreVenue
2004Downunder BowlVictorian Eagles20North Dakota14Carrara, QLD
2004Downunder BowlHawaii/California33Victorian Eagles0Carrara, QLD
YearEventWinning TeamScoreLosing TeamScoreVenue
20042004 Junior National ChampionshipsNSW Wolfpack30Victorian Eagles0Runaway Bay, QLD
20042004 Junior National ChampionshipsVictorian Eagles12QLD Sundevils8Runaway Bay, QLD
20042004 Junior National ChampionshipsVictorian Eagles30ACT Monarchs6Runaway Bay, QLD
YearEventWinning TeamScoreLosing TeamScoreVenue
2004Junior VIC vs NZNew Zealand38Victorian Eagles20Ranger Field
YearEventWinning TeamScoreLosing TeamScoreVenue
20042004 Tour GameVictorian Eagles28WA Raiders19Perth, WA
YearEventWinning TeamScoreLosing TeamScoreVenue
20032003 National ChampionshipsVictorian Volunteers1ACT Monarchs (forfeit)0Pines Stadium, Adelaide, SA
YearEventWinning TeamScoreLosing TeamScoreVenue
2003Under 17’s Friendly GameVictorian Eagles26S.A Sharks8Ranger Field VIC
YearEventWinning TeamScoreLosing TeamScoreVenue
20012001 National ChampionshipsACT Monarchs27Victorian Volunteers8Canberra, ACT
20012001 National ChampionshipsQueensland24Victorian Volunteers12Canberra, ACT
YearEventWinning TeamScoreLosing TeamScoreVenue
19991999 GA Eastern Regional'sVictorian Volunteers18New South Wales8Homebush, Sydney, NSW
19991999 GA Eastern Regional'sVictorian Volunteers8Queensland0Homebush, Sydney, NSW
YearEventWinning TeamScoreLosing TeamScoreVenue
19991999 GA National ChallengeVictorian Volunteers1ACT (forfeit)0Penrith Panthers, NSW
YearEventWinning TeamScoreLosing TeamScoreVenue
19961996 National Championship GameNew South Wales7Victorian Volunteers6ACTFL Park, Canberra, ACT
19961996 National ChampionshipsVictorian Volunteers49ACT6ACTFL Park, Canberra, ACT
19961996 National ChampionshipsVictorian Volunteers14South Australia35ACTFL Park, Canberra, ACT
YearEventWinning TeamScoreLosing TeamScoreVenue
19911991 Tour GameVictoria22South Australia12Adelaide, SA
19911991 Tour GameVictoria19New South Wales0Olympic Park, Melbourne, VIC
YearEventWinning TeamScoreLosing TeamScoreVenue
19901990 Tour GameVictorian All-Stars19South Auckland Raiders19Olympic Park, Melbourne, VIC
YearEventWinning TeamScoreLosing TeamScoreVenue
19891989 Tour GameAurgsberg College (NCAA Div 3)41Victoria12Olympic Park, Melbourne, VIC
YearEventWinning TeamScoreLosing TeamScoreVenue
1987Curtain raiser to NCAA gameVictoria26South Australia20Princess 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.

YearPlayerTeam
1986Geoff WoollardBrighton Outlaws
1987NotAwarded
1988Arthur SpanosMelbourne Hornets
1989Brett PopplewellDoncaster Devils
1990Martin VealDoncaster Devils
1991Tommy Burrell Western Crusaders/Westside Vikings
1992Michael SmithCroydon Rangers
1993Tim GambleSouthern Bulls
1994Dale Mitchell Nunawading Warriors
1995Dale Mitchell Nunawading Warriors
1996Byron McLachlanGeelong Wildcats
1997Byron McLachlanGeelong Wildcats
1998Richard Butcher Western Crusaders/Westside Vikings
1999Glenn Parke Western Crusaders
2000Kriss GuidottiGeelong Wildcats
2001Steve ChurchillCroydon Rangers
2002Steve ChurchillCroydon Rangers
2003Grant LambBerwick Miners
2004Judd Davidson & Steve ChurchillCroydon Rangers
2005Karl MaslowskiNorthern Blackhawks
2006Kriss GuidottiBay City Baccaneers
2007Nol Arabit Western Crusaders
2008Lincoln Decker (RB) Monash Warriors
2009Alex Moloney (WR) Monash Warriors
2010Daniel Barnett (RB)Bay City Buccaneers
2011Andrew Nixon (QB)Berwick Miners
2012Tyson Garnham (WR) Western Crusaders
2013Luke Jackson (RB) Monash Warriors
2014Daniel Barnett (RB)Geelong Buccaneers
2015Jordan Beck (RB) Croydon Rangers
2016Luke Jackson (RB) Monash Warriors
2017Ben Curley (RB) Monash Warriors
2018Brady Kelliher (QB) Croydon Rangers
2019No Season due COVID-19
2020No Season due COVID-19
2021*Mathew Krul (QB)Western Crusaders
2022Mathew Krul (QB)Western Crusaders
2023Cooper Maher (WR)South Eastern Predators
2024Tyson 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

References

  1. Vic Bowl Honour Board: http://www.gridironvictoria.com.au/honour-board/
  2. "Bendigo Dragons Gridiron Football club inc". Consumer Affairs Victoria. Victorian Government. Retrieved 22 April 2022.
  3. http://footscray.starcommunity.com.au/star/2013-12-10/crusaders-dominate/ [ dead link ]