Benalla & District Football League
The original Benalla District Football League was formed in 1929[ 2] from the following clubs - Baddaginnie, Benalla - "B", Swanpool, Tatong, Thoona and Winton.
The Benalla & District Football League (B&DFL) was formed immediately after World War Two in 1946[ 3] and an Australian rules football competition based in the Benalla region of Victoria, Australia and ran until 2009.
History
The B&DFL was formed in 1946 and superseded the former Tatong & Thoona Football Association after World War Two .[ 4]
In 1968, Benalla All Blacks kicked 45.31 - 301 against Devenish: 1.0 - 6, with All Black's Gavin Cherry kicking 19 goals.
In round thirteen of 1981, Glenrowan: 46.18 - 294 defeated Longwood: 1.1 - 7, with Glenrowan's R Fitzgerald kicking 18 goals.
The Victorian Country Football League shut the competition down at the end of the 2009 season when the VCFL policy of leagues having a minimum of six clubs could not be met.
The five remaining clubs joined the following leagues during the 2009 post-season.
League Competition History
The football association commenced in 1929 and has changed its name several times during their 81 years:
1929-1931: Benalla District Football League
1932-1940: Tatong and Thoona Football Association
1941-1945: Recess - World War II
1946-2009: Benalla & District Football League
Clubs
Final
Club
Colours
Nickname
Home Ground
Former League
Est.
Years in BDFL
Premierships
Fate
Total
Years
Bonnie Doon
Bulldogs
Bonnie Doon Recreation Reserve, Bonnie Doon
1885
1965-2009
7
1966, 1989, 1999, 2002, 2004, 2008, 2009
Moved to Ovens & King FNL following 2009 season
Goorambat
Bats
Goorambat Recreation Reserve, Goorambat
1893
1947-2009
13
1935, 1947, 1949, 1959, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1974, 1978, 1979, 2001, 2006, 2007
Moved to Ovens & King FNL following 2009 season
Longwood
Redlegs
Longwood Recreation Reserve, Longwood
1888
1970-2009
3
1977, 1985, 2000
Moved to Kyabram District FNL following 2009 season
Swanpool
(1950s) (Post-1950s)
Swans
Albert Heaney Oval, Swanpool
1920s
1929-2009
5
1933, 1951, 1957, 1997, 1998
Moved to Ovens & King FNL following 2009 season
Tatong
Magpies
Tatong Recreation Reserve, Tatong
–
1920s
1929-2009
12
1934, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1984, 1988, 1994, 1995, 1996
Moved to Ovens & King FNL following 2009 season
Club
Colours
Nickname
Home Ground
Former League
Est.
Years in BDFL
Premierships
Fate
Total
Years
Baddaginnie
HG Parker Memorial Reserve, Baddaginnie
EDFA
1931-1935
0
-
Folded
Benalla All Blacks
Panthers
Friendlies Oval, Benalla
CGVFL
1934
1934-40, 1953-80
11
1934, 1936, 1937, 1940, 1953, 1954, 1956, 1967, 1968, 1971, 1976
Moved to Tungamah FL in 1981
Benalla Rovers
Tigers
1976-1989
1
1986
Folded
Benalla Seconds
Demons
Benalla Showgrounds, Benalla
–
1871
1929-1931, 1946
3
1930, 1931, 1946
Joined Euroa Line FA in 1932. Moved to Benalla Mulwala FL following 1931 season
Benalla Thirds
Demons
Benalla Showgrounds, Benalla
–
1871
1947-1952
0
-
Moved to Benalla Junior FL following 1952 season
Devenish
Barbers
Devenish Recreation Reserve, Devenish
TFL
1884
1963-2006
2
2003, 2005
Folded
Dookie Collegians seconds
Students
Dookie College
1930s
1939-1971
1
1948
Left competition
Glenrowan
Kelly Tigers
Glenrowan Recreation Reserve, Glenrowan
EDFA
1919
1934-1938, 1946-1960, 1963-1991
5
1955, 1969, 1970, 1980, 1981
Moved to Ovens & King FNL following 1991 season
Glenrowan-Thoona United
–
1961
1961-1962
0
-
De-merged following 1962 season
Greta
Blues
Greta Recreation Reserve, Hansonville
1901
1935-1940
0
-
Moved to Ovens & King FNL in 1945
Molyullah
1920s
1933-1934
0
-
Folded
North Wangaratta
Hawks
North Wangaratta Sports Reserve, North Wangaratta
TFL
1892
1954–1960
1
1958
Moved to Ovens & King FNL following 1960 season
Samaria West
1932
1
1932
Folded
Strathbogie
Strathbogie Recreation Reserve, Strathbogie
1900s
1962-1986
1
1983
Folded
Thoona
Maroons
Thoona Recreation Reserve, Thoona
1919
1931-1960, 1963-1967
0
-
Folded
Thornton-Eildon
Shinboners
Thornton Recreation Reserve, Thornton
YVMDFL
1958
1986-1994
3
1991, 1992, 1993
Moved to Tungamah FL following 1994 season
Tolmie
Snowmen
Tolmie Recreation Reserve, Tolmie
1940s
1951-1970
1
1952
Folded
Violet Town
(1979) (1987)
Towners
Violet Town Recreation Reserve, Violet Town
EDFA
1880
1936-40, 1978-91
5
1938, 1939, 1982, 1987, 1990
Moved to Tungamah FL following 1994 season
Winton
1900s
1929-31, 1947-57
2
1929, 1950
In recess between 1932 & 1946. Folded
Benalla District Football League.
(Nichols & Sullivan Jewellers Shield)[ 6]
1929: Winton: 11.7 - 73 d Benalla: 10.5 - 65[ 7] [ 8]
1930: Benalla Juniors: 9.16 - 70 d Swanpool: 7.10 - 52[ 9]
1931: Benalla Juniors: 10.14 - 74 d Swanpool: 5.6 - 36[ 10]
Tatong / Thoona Football Association
1932: Samaria West 8.12 - 60 d Thoona 4.12 - 36
1933: Swanpool: 10.8 - 68 d Thoona: 7.13 - 55
1934: Benalla All Blacks: 6.6 - 42 d Tatong: 5.10 - 40 (1st G/Final) #[ 11]
1934: Tatong: 12.15 - 87 d Glenrowan: 10.6 - 66 (2nd G/Final)
1935: Goorambat: 9.6 - 60 d Tatong: 4.10 - 34[ 12]
1936: Benalla All Blacks: 12.24 - 96 d Violet Town: 10.12 - 72
1937: Benalla All Blacks: 13.9 - 87 d Violet Town: 10.14 - 74
1938: Violet Town: 17.15 - 117 d Benalla All Blacks: 12.11 - 83
1939: Violet Town: 12.15 - 87 d Tatong: 4.6 - 30
1940: Benalla All Blacks: 13.9 - 87* d Violet Town: 9.5 - 39
1941: Recess - World War II
1942: Recess - World War II
1943: Recess - World War II
1944: Recess - World War II
1945: Recess - World War II
Benalla & District Football League
1946: Benalla 2nds: 12.17.89 d Violet Town 12.11 - 83
1947: Goorambat: 8.7 - 55 d Swanpool: 7.7 - 49
1948: Dookie Collegians: 8.22 - 70 d Goorambat: 2.11 - 23[ 13]
1949: Goorambat: 9.10 - 64 d Benalla 3rds: 8.6 - 54
1950: Winton: 6.14 - 50 d Goorambat: 6.9 - 45
1951: Swanpool: 12.4.76 defeated Winton 5.16.46.
1952: Tolmie: 7.10.52 defeated Tatong 7.8.50.
1953: Benalla All Blacks: 11.16 - 82 d Tatong: 7.13 - 55
1954: Benalla All Blacks: 12.14 - 86 d Glenrowan: 6.12 - 48
1955: Glenrowan: 14.9 - 93 d Swanpool: 9.16 - 70
1956: Benalla All Blacks: 13.10 - 88 d Glenrowan 11.6 - 72
1957: Swanpool: 9.9 - 63 d Glenrowan: 7.14 - 56
1958: North Wangaratta: 18.14 - 122 d Goorambat: 9.10 - 64
1959: Goorambat: 16.10 - 106 d Tatong: 8.9 - 57
1960: Tatong: 13.9.87 defeated North Wangaratta 10.8.68
1961: Tatong: 12.14.86 defeated Swanpool 8.13.61
1962: Tatong: 10.16.76 defeated Swanpool 10.15.75
1963: Goorambat: 6.8 - 44 d Swanpool: 5.13 - 43
1964: Goorambat: 10.7 - 67 d Strathbogie: 6.8 - 44
1965: Goorambat: 9.19 - 73 d Bonnie Doon: 10.4 - 64
1966: Bonnie Doon: 14.9 - 93 d Benalla All Blacks: 13.10 - 88
1967: Benalla All Blacks: 13.18 - 96 d Bonnie Doon: 11.9 - 75
1968: Benalla All Blacks: 13.16 - 94 d Glenrowan: 13.9 - 87
1969: Glenrowan: 13.14 - 92 d Benalla All Blacks: 11.9 - 75
1970: Glenrowan: 15.8 - 98 d Benalla All Blacks: 13.11 - 89
1971: Benalla All Blacks: 13.6 - 84 d Glenrowan: 11.4 - 70
1972: Tatong: 17.11 - 113 d Swanpool: 10.14 - 74
1973: Tatong: 12.13 - 85 d Longwood: 10.8 - 68
1974: Goorambat: 9.12 - 66 d Benalla All Blacks: 5.8 - 38
1975: Tatong: 15.16 - 106 d Bonnie Doon: 9.11 - 65
1976: Benalla All Blacks: 18.19 - 115 d Tatong: 9.7 - 61
1977: Longwood: 17.4 - 106 d Benalla All Blacks: 8.19 - 67
1978: Goorambat: 16.16 - 112 d Glenrowan: 16.11 - 107
1979: Goorambat: d Glenrowan:
1980: Glenrowan: 16.6 - 102 d Tatong: 15.7 - 97
1981: Glenrowan: 17.13 - 115 d Tatong: 14.11 - 95
1982: Violet Town: 13.10 - 88 d Bonnie Doon 10.13 - 73
1983: Strathbogie: 8.10 - 58 d Bonnie Doon: 6.12 - 48
1984: Tatong: 16.18 - 114 d Bonnie Doon: 6.15 - 51
1985: Longwood: 23.13 - 151 d Goorambat: 12.6 - 78
1986: Benalla Rovers: 16.11 - 107 d Longwood 11.14 - 80
1987: Violet Town: 14.16 - 100 d Tatong: 11.8 - 74
1988: Tatong: 21.7 - 133 d Bonnie Doon 13.7. - 85
1989: Bonnie Doon: 18.12 - 120 d Tatong: 10.14 - 74
1990: Violet Town: 22.14 - 146 d Thornton-Eildon Districts 9.16 - 70
1991: Thornton-Eildon: 19.9 - 123 d Violet Town: 6.10 - 46
1992: Thornton-Eildon: 14.10 - 94 d Bonnie Doon: 12.15 - 87
1993: Thornton-Eildon: 17.14 - 116 d Bonnie Doon: 12.8 - 80
1994: Tatong: 11.8 - 74 d Bonnie Doon: 10.12 - 72
1995: Tatong: 19.8 - 122 d Longwood 16.14 - 110
1996: Tatong: 24.10 - 154 d Swanpool: 16.12 - 108
1997: Swanpool: 19.26 - 140 d Bonnie Doon: 11.8 - 74
1998: Swanpool: 9.15 - 69 d Bonnie Doon: 8.12 - 60
1999: Bonnie Doon: 17.14 - 116 d Goorambat: 9.6 - 60
2000: Longwood: 18.12 - 120 d - Devenish: 10.5 - 65
2001: Goorambat: 10.13 - 73 d Bonnie Doon: 4.5 - 29
2002: Bonnie Doon: 12.18 - 90 d Longwood 13.8 - 86
2003: Devenish: 15.11 - 101 d Longwood: 12.10 - 82
2004: Bonnie Doon: 28.13 - 181 d Devenish: 11.8 - 74
2005: Devenish: 13.15 - 93 d Goorambat: 8.10 - 58
2006: Goorambat: 21.7 - 133 d Bonnie Doon: 15.7 - 97
2007: Goorambat: 19.10 - 124 d Bonnie Doon: 13.11 - 89
2008: Bonnie Doon: 10.17 - 77 d Goorambat: 11.6 - 72
2009: Bonnie Doon: 19.12 - 126 d Swanpool: 4.9 - 33
Notes
- In 1934, Benalla All Blacks won the first grand final, then Glenrowan FC protested against an unregistered player. Tatong then defeated Glenrowan in the 2nd grand final.
- In 1940 Benalla All Blacks were undefeated Premiers.
Tatong & Thoona Football Association
Year
B & F Winner
Club
Votes
Runner Up
Club
Votes
1932
1933
1934[ 14]
Harry Billman[ 15]
Glenrowan
7
Joe Askew &
Benalla All Blacks
4
Arthur Hall
Benalla All Blacks
4
1935
1936[ 16]
J A Fisher
Tatong
3
R Reaper
Thoona
2 & 1/2
1937[ 17]
Larry O'Brien
Glenrowan
14
J Byrnes
Benalla All Blacks
13
1938[ 18]
Geoff Peacock &
Violet Town
11
Jim Cleary
Thoona
8
Fred Wallis
Benalla All Blacks
11
1939
1940
Benalla & District Football League
Seniors
Year
B & F Winner
Club
Votes
Runner Up
Club
Votes
1947[ 19]
Lewis James
Goorambat
7
A Hyland &
Benalla
5
Lewis James
Goorambat
W Murphy
Tatong
5
1948[ 20]
Jack Andrews &
Benalla
Dick Joyce &
Winton
Jack Saunders
Goorambat
1949[ 21]
Tom Dempsey &
Goorambat
3
[ 22]
Charles Tolliday
Swanpool
3
1950
Lewis James
Goorambat
1951[ 23]
Ken Lakeman &
Winton
Erin Murray &
Swanpool
Athol Sims &
Tatong
Frank Saunders
Goorambat
1952[ 24]
Doug Probyn
Tolmie
27 & 1/2
R Symes
Tatong
27
1953[ 25]
Charles Tolliday
Swanpool
Athol Sims
Tatong
1954[ 26]
C Brisbane
Tolmie
22
Don Matthews
Tatong
18
Athol Sims
Tatong
18
1955
1956
1957
John “Mac” Hill
Glenrowan
1958
Laurie O'Donnell
Benalla All Blacks
1959
1960
Kevin Allan
North Wangaratta
23
Barry Mathieson
Swanpool
20
1961
Neil Hanlon
Goorambat
1962
1963
Alan O'Brien
Glenrowan
26
1964
Alan O’Brien
Glenrowan
21
1965
1966
Neil Hanlon
Goorambat
1967
Neil Hanlon
Goorambat
27
Gary Wilson
Tolmie
21
1968
Bryan Gibson
Thoona
24
Paul Hooper
Devenish
19
1969
Neville Smedley
Glenrowan
31
T Dale
Tolmie
18
1970
Nick Farrell
Goorambat
25
John Foley
Goorambat
16
1971
John Burns
Swanpool
32
R Houston
Longwood
25
1972
Merv Hubbard
Bonnie Doon
29
Wayne McIntyre
Goorambat
16
1973
1974
Phil Newth
Swanpool
23
Malcom Larkin
Bonnie Doon
16
1975
John Burns
Benalla All Blacks
22
John Booth
Glenrowan
20
1976
David McCullough
Glenrowan
1977
M Shiell
Benalla All Blacks
23
T Harding
Longwood
19
1978
Fred Malloy
Glenrowan
23
1979
Geoff Payne
Bonnie Doon
23
R Vance
Violet Town
18
1980
David McCann
Devenish
21
V Edwards
Strathbogie
18
Geoff Payne
Bonnie Doon
18
1981
David McCann
Devenish
34
Ian Lee
Goorambat
22
1982
Andrew Knowles
Violet Town
29
David McCann &
Devenish
21
David Pallpratt &
Devenish
21
Greg Withers &
Strathbogie
21
1983
Robert Lowe
Tatong
23
Brendan Purcell
Bonnie Doon
21
1984
Colin Tatterson
Violet Town
17
G. "Jedda" Walker &
Longwood
16
Greg Withers
Strathbogie
16
1985
Glen Arndt
Bonnie Doon
1986
Robert Johnson
Benalla Rovers
24
Ian Saunders
Goorambat
20
1987
Andrew Varcoe
Devenish
25
Craig Allchin &
Thornton Eildon
23
Mark Metzner
Thornton Eildon
23
1988
Phil Job
Bonnie Doon
23
Gary Abley
Violet Town
21
1989
Andrew Varcoe
Devenish
23
Mick Grimes
Bonnie Doon
21
1990
Brett Halligan
Thorton Eildon
22
Gary Abley
Violet Town
22 (ineligible)
Mark McGuire
Tatong
15
1991
Chris Pollard
Bonnie Doon
22
Gary Gerada
Violet Town
12
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
Competition Folded
Leading Goal Kickers
Year
Player
H&A goals
Finals goals
Total Goals
1950
Noel Johnson (Winton)
46
8
54
1951
0
0
0
0
1952
0
0
0
0
1953
Pat Fitzgibbon (Benalla All Blacks)
75
10
85
1954
Pat Fitzgibbon (Benalla All Blacks)
88
10
98
1955
O'Brien (North Wagaratta)
57
3
60
1956
Pat Fitzgibbon (Benalla All Blacks)
93
11
104
1957
Pat Fitzgibbon (Benalla All Blacks)
57
0
57
1958
Pat Fitzgibbon (Benalla All Blacks)
108
2
110
1959
0
0
0
0
1960
0
0
0
0
1961
0
0
0
0
1962
K Weston (Tatong)
66
0
66
1963
Robert Ashton (Goorambat)
84
6
90
1964
Robert Ashton (Goorambat)
86
9
95
1965
Robert Ashton (Goorambat)
97
3
100
1966
Bob Burns (Benalla All Blacks)
88
4
92
1967
J Bear (Glenrowan)
69
3
72
1968
Gavin Cherry (Benalla All Blacks)
118
4
122
1969
Gavin Cherry (Benalla All Blacks)
114
4
118
1970
Gavin Cherry (Benalla All Blacks)
114
4
118
1971
D Robertson (Swanpool)
68
5
73
1972
L Withers (Longwood)
79
5
84
1973
M Withers (Longwood)
70
4
74
1974
G Joyce (Tatong)
57
3
60
1975
S Hales (Benalla All Blacks)
88
5
93
1976
Merv Sellars (Tatong)
92
12
104
1977
G Trickey (Benalla All Blacks)
76
2
78
1978
T Harding (Longwood)
52
2
54
1979
P Gipps (Strathbogies)
67
0
67
1980
G Payne (Bonnie Doon)
71
0
71
1981
R Fitzgerald (Glenrowan)
102
6
108
1982
Greg Withers (Strathbogies)
105
8
113
1983
Len Holden (Glenrowan)
86
5
91
1984
Stephen Judd (Tatong)
69
7
76
1985
P Murrell (Glenrowan)
93
0
93
1986
Brian Hogg (Benalla Rovers)
123
12
135
1987
Philip Job (Boonie Doon)
112
0
112
1988
Philip Job (Boonie Doon)
145
4
149
1989
Steve Rowe (TED)
91
8
99
1990
Chris Hayes (Violet Town)
114
14
128
1991
Rodney Webster (Tatong)
98
11
109
1992
Rodney Webster (Tatong)
109
0
109
1993
Steve Rowe (TED)
124
12
136
1994
Les Wallace (Tatong)
110
7
117
1995
Geoff Hill (Tatong)
103
8
111
1996
Geoff Hill (Tatong)
91
13
104
1997
John Byrnes (Longwood)
85
2
87
1998
B Groom (Longwood)
65
7
72
1999
Ben Vogelzang (Bonnie Doon)
117
18
135
2000
Leigh Pollard (Bonnie Doon)
78
3
81
2001
Peter Cox (Boonie Doon)
65
5
70
2002
Ben Vogelzang (Bonnie Doon)
111
0
111
2003
Ben Vogelzang (Bonnie Doon)
119
0
119
2004
Ben Vogelzang (Bonnie Doon)
71
20
91
2005
David Matheson (Devenish)
80
12
92
2006
Heath Martin (Bonnie Doon)
75
0
75
2007
Andrew Doxey (Goorambat)
86
16
102
2008
Brad Torney (Bonnie Doon)
62
0
62
2009
Tom Webster (Bonnie Doon)
64
0
64
Senior Seasons
2007 Ladder and Finals
Benalla DFL
Wins
Losses
Draws
Byes
For
Against
%
Pts
Final
Team
G
B
Pts
Team
G
B
Pts
Goorambat
13
3
0
4
1800
1045
172.25%
68
1st Semi
Bonnie Doon
31
15
201
Tatong
7
4
46
Longwood
10
6
0
4
1701
1316
129.26%
56
2nd Semi
Goorambat
21
11
137
Longwood
8
16
64
Bonnie Doon
10
6
0
4
1379
1411
97.73%
56
Preliminary
Bonnie Doon
20
8
128
Longwood
18
16
124
Tatong
7
9
0
4
1526
1709
89.29%
44
Grand
Goorambat
19
10
124
Bonnie Doon
13
11
89
Swanpool
0
16
0
4
953
1878
50.75%
16
2008 Ladder and Finals
Benalla DFL
Wins
Losses
Draws
Byes
For
Against
%
Pts
Final
Team
G
B
Pts
Team
G
B
Pts
Bonnie Doon
16
0
0
4
2691
772
348.58%
80
1st Semi
Longwood
5
3
33
Tatong
3
11
29
Goorambat
10
6
0
4
1653
1302
126.96%
56
2nd Semi
Bonnie Doon
24
17
161
Goorambat
9
11
65
Tatong
9
7
0
4
1513
1794
84.34%
52
Preliminary
Goorambat
8
15
63
Longwood
7
18
60
Longwood
4
12
0
4
1157
1948
59.399%
32
Grand
Bonnie Doon
10
17
77
Goorambat
11
6
72
Swanpool
1
15
0
4
979
2177
44.97%
20
2009 Ladder and Finals
Benalla DFL
Wins
Losses
Draws
Byes
For
Against
%
Pts
Final
Team
G
B
Pts
Team
G
B
Pts
Bonnie Doon
16
0
0
4
2569
382
672.51%
80
1st Semi
Goorambat
12
12
84
Longwood
7
3
45
Swanpool
12
4
0
4
2235
1017
219.76%
64
2nd Semi
Bonnie Doon
13
14
92
Swanpool
5
3
33
Goorambat
7
8
1
4
1661
1258
132.03%
46
Preliminary
Swanpool
17
17
119
Goorambat
6
3
39
Longwood
4
11
1
4
983
1944
44.97%
20
Grand
Bonnie Doon
19
12
126
Swanpool
4
9
33
Tatong
0
16
0
4
316
3163
9.99%
16
References
External links
Representative side Governing bodies Professional clubs Statewide leagues Metropolitan leagues Regional leagues (major) Regional leagues (district) Women's leagues Other leagues Defunct leagues Principal venues Other articles