Benalla & District Football League

Benalla & District Football League
General Information
Founded 1929
as Benalla District Football League
Known As
1929-1931 Benalla District Football League
1932-1940 Thoona & Tatong Football Association
1946-2009 Benalla & District Football League
Folded 2009
after 78 seasons
Last clubs Bonnie Doon
Goorambat & District
Longwood
Swanpool
Tatong
2009 Season
Premiers Bonnie Doon
Minor Premiers Bonnie Doon
Website https://websites.sportstg.com/assoc_page.cgi?c=1-6146-0-0-0&sID=89772

The original Benalla District Football League was formed in 1929 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 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The B&DFL was formed in 1946 and superseded the former Tatong & Thoona Football Association after World War Two.

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

Former Clubs: 1929-2009

  • Baddaginnie Football Club: Foundation member. contested 1929, 1934-1935 seasons - folded in 1936.
  • Benalla All Blacks Football Club: contested 1934-1940; 1953-1976 seasons - joined Ovens & King Football League in 2005.
  • Benalla Football Club Juniors: Foundation member - contested from 1929 to 1931 seasons. Changed their name to Benalla Imperials FC in 1932 and joined the Euroa Line Football Association. Benalla Imperials merged with the Benalla Football Club in 1934 and Benalla Seniors played in the Benalla Mulwala FA, while the Benalla Reserves played in the Benalla Yarrawonga Lines FA in 1934.
  • Benalla Football Club 2nds: 1946. Joined the Murray Valley North East Football League in 1947. Played in the Benalla Tungamah Football League from 1948 to 1952, then joined the Ovens and Murray Football League Reserves competition in 1953.
  • Benalla Football Club 3rds (U/21 team): 1947 to 1952. Players went into the newly formed Benalla Junior Football League in 1953.
  • Benalla Rovers: Played in the North East Football Association in 1920 and 1921. Then the Yarrawonga Line FA from 1922 to 1928, then played in the O&MFL in 1929 and 1930. In recess from 1931 to 1975. Played in the Benalla & DFL from 1976 to 1989, when they went into recess.
  • Bonnie Doon Football Club: 1965 - 2009, joined the Ovens & King Football League in 2010.
  • Devenish Football Club: 1963 to 2006 Went into recess
  • Dookie Collegians Football Club Seconds: 1948, 1961
  • Glenrowan Football Club: 1934-1938 & 1946 - 1959. In recess in 1960. 1963 - 1991. Joined the Ovens & King Football League in 1992.
  • Glenrowan-Thoona United Football Club 1961 & 1962.
  • Longwood Football Club: 1970 to 2009
  • Molyullah Football Club: contested 1933-1934 seasons - folded in 1935.
  • North Wangaratta Football Club: 1953 to 1960. Joined the Ovens & King Football League in 1961.
  • Strathbogie Football Club: 1961,
  • Swanpool Football Club: Foundation member. 1929 - 1931, 1932 - 1940, 1946 - 2009
  • Tatong Football Club: Foundation member. 1929 - 1931, 1932 - 1940 ?
  • Thoona Football Club: "Maroons" (Maroon with blue sash): Foundation member - contested 1929-1931, 1932-1940; 1946-1967 seasons - folded in 1968.
  • Thornton-Eildon Football Club: 1986 - 1994. Joined the Goulburn Valley FNL – Division 2 in 1995.
  • Tolmie Football Club: 1952 - 1962,
  • Violet Town Football Club: 1930, 1978 - 1995. Joined the Goulburn Valley Football League Division Two in 1996.
  • Winton Football Club: Foundation member - contested 1929-31; 1947-1957 seasons - folded in 1958.

Senior Football Premierships / Runner Up: 1929 to 2009

Benalla District Football League.
(Nichols & Sullivan Jewellers Shield)
  • 1929: Winton: 3.19 - 37 d Benalla Juniors: 4.12 - 36
  • 1930: Benalla Juniors: 9.16 - 70 d Swanpool: 7.10 - 52
  • 1931: Benalla Juniors: 10.14 - 74 d Swanpool: 5.6 - 36
Tatong / Thoona Football Association
  • 1932: Thoona
  • 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) #
  • 1934: Tatong: 12.15 - 87 d Glenrowan: 10.6 - 66 (2nd G/Final)
  • 1935: Goorambat: 9.6 - 60 d Tatong: 4.10 - 34
  • 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
  • 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.

Football Best & Fairest Awards

Tatong & Thoona Football Association
Year B & F Winner Club Votes Runner Up Club Votes
1932
1933
1934 Harry Billman Glenrowan 7 Joe Askew & Benalla All Blacks 4
Arthur Hall Benalla All Blacks 4
1935
1936 J A Fisher Tatong 3 R Reaper Thoona 2 & 1/2
1937 Larry O'Brien Glenrowan 14 J Byrnes Benalla All Blacks 13
1938 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 Lewis James Goorambat 7 A Hyland & Benalla 5
Lewis James Goorambat W Murphy Tatong 5
1948 Jack Andrews & Benalla
Dick Joyce & Winton
Jack Saunders Goorambat
1949 Tom Dempsey & Goorambat 3
Charles Tolliday Swanpool 3
1950 Lewis James Goorambat
1951 Ken Lakeman & Winton
Erin Murray & Swanpool
Athol Sims & Tatong
Frank Saunders Goorambat
1952 Doug Probyn Tolmie 27 & 1/2 R Symes Tatong 27
1953 Charles Tolliday Swanpool Athol Sims Tatong
1954 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

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