Australian rules football in South East Queensland

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Australian rules football in
South East Queensland
Taringa versus Wests Australian Rules football game at Perry Park, Bowen Hills, Brisbane (27443050170).jpg
Taringa v West, 1940
Governing bodyAFL Queensland
First played1866; 155 years ago (1866) [1]
Clubs46 (divided in 5 divisions)
Club competitions
QFA (Division 1 to 5)

Australian rules football in South East Queensland has a varied history and many changes were made especially in the 21st century. Ruled and organised by the AFL Queensland, the region had a total of 46 teams playing in different divisions.[2]

Occasionally inter-zone matches are held with separate South East Queensland representative sides taking part, they include the "Gold Coast Stingrays", the "Suncoast Power", the "Western Taipans", and the "Northern Raiders". Additionally when the South East competes together they are known as the "South East Bushrangers".

History[]

Early beginning[]

The Queensland state team who played Melbourne in 1888

The earliest known record of Australian rules football commencing in Queensland was in May 1866, when the Brisbane Football Club was formed,[1] with the aim of keeping cricketers fit in the winter months.[citation needed] The club played its first match on Saturday 9 June 1866 at Queen's Park (now part of the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens).[3] By 1870 four more clubs had been created: Volunteer Artillery, Brisbane Grammar School, Civil Service and Ipswich, all adopting Victorian Rules over rugby football.

The original Brisbane Football Club disbanded in the late 1880s and has no direct relationship to the modern Brisbane Bears or Lions clubs.

The first schoolboys match was between Brisbane Grammar played matches against Ipswich Grammar in 1870 – the outcome was a draw. Early games in Queensland were exceptionally long – one match between IGS and Brisbane Grammar in 1876 commenced at 10.30am and ended at 2.30pm, at which time IGS had scored 6 goals to Brisbane Grammar's nil.

During this era, no local governing body for the game was established. All rules and decisions about the rules and competitions were still made from Melbourne and was known in Queensland as "Victorian Rules".

However Victorian rules was growing rapidly and was the most popular football code in Queensland by 1880.[citation needed] Queensland sent delegates to the Intercolonial Football Conference in 1883.[citation needed]

By the early 1880s, there may have been as many as 300 players in the Brisbane and Ipswich region, as contemporaneous newspaper records show that there were at least six active clubs (Brisbane, Excelsiors, Grammars, Wallaroos, Rovers and Athenians (Ipswich)), each of which had at least two teams ('senior' and 'junior' 20s). Matches were played at the Albert Ground, Kedron Park, Grammar School and Ipswich, with occasional matches at Queen's Park.[4][5]

In 1887, one of the most significant events in the history of the code occurred at this time. Independent Schools headmasters voted by 1 vote to adopt rugby football.[6] The decision was influenced by the recent creation of a Queensland-based governing body to govern rugby, and the majority of councillors objected on the basis that the reference of "Victorian" in the name of the sport did not represent the interests of Queenslanders. This dealt a significant blow to the sport and advantage to rugby union.

Despite the advances made by Queensland football, it was clear that Victoria was progressing faster than any other state. On 21 June 1890, South Melbourne Football Club toured, playing against Queensland on Albion Park. The result of the match was a complete 6-17 to 1-0 humiliation (behinds were recorded in the scores at the time but did not actually count until 1897). The humiliation was obviously felt by the players as when Queensland defeated a New South Wales Rugby Union team shortly afterwards many of the former rugby players receded from the Australian football ranks and formed clubs of their own.[7] Over the next few years, rugby union's popularity in South East Queensland would swamp Victorian Rules.

Modern era[]

In 1969, the "South Queensland Australian Football Association" (SQAFA) was established with the purpose of developing players for the Queensland Australian Football League (QAFL). Most of the players were amateurs. In 1992, the league changed its name to the "Brisbane Australian Football League" (BAFL) and included clubs from the Sunshine Coast.

Another name change in 2000 brought about AFL South Queensland. In 2006, AFL South Queensland was taken under the umbrella of AFL Queensland and rebranded as the Queensland State Association. In 2012, it was renamed South East Queensland AFL.[8] Finally in 2014 the local level was divided into two leagues, the Queensland Football Association (QFA) and the Queensland Amateur Football Association (QAFA). Again in 2017 the name will change again to the Queensland Football Association (QFA), now covering five (5) divisions and the re-introduction of two (2) regional based leagues (AFL Northern Rivers & AFL Sunshine Coast / Wide Bay).

Current South East Queensland structure[]

Since 2017 to present:

Queensland Football Association (QFA) league system
Level Leagues [2] N° of teams ↑ Promotion ↓ Relegation
1 QFA Division 1 9 (Seniors & Reserves) 0 1 **
2 QFA Division 2 9 (Seniors & Reserves) 1 * 1 **
3 QFA Division 3 10 (Seniors & Reserves) 1 * 0
4 QFA Division 4 9 (Seniors) 0 1 **
5 QFA Division 5 9 (Seniors) 1 * 0
Notes

* Premiers
** Wooden spooners

QFA clubs[]

Clubs for the 2021 season:

Division 1[]

Club Colours Moniker Location Ground Formed
Aspley    Hornets Brendale, Brisbane South Pine Sports Complex 1964
Beenleigh    Buffaloes Beenleigh, Logan Dauth Park 1998
Caloundra      Panthers Golden Beach, Sunshine Coast Carter Park, North Street 1973
Coorparoo [note 1]    Kings Coorparoo, Brisbane Giffin Park 1996
Mayne    Tigers Enoggera, Brisbane Enoggera Memorial Park 1924
Springwood    Pumas Underwood, Brisbane Lowe Oval 1972
University of Queensland    Red Lions St Lucia, Brisbane UQ Oval No.7 1956
Notes
  1. ^ Established in 1996, one year after the original Coorparoo FC folded.

Division 2 North[]

Club Colours Moniker Location Ground Formed
Alexandra Hills    Bombers Alexandra Hills, Redland City Surridge Oval 1980
Gympie    Cats Glanmire, Gympie Ray Warren Oval
Hinterland    Blues Palmwoods, Sunshine Coast Jubilee Drive 1970
Ipswich     Eagles Ipswich, Queensland Limestone Park 2001
Jindalee    Jags Jindalee, Brisbane Jindalee
Kedron     Lions Wooloowin, Brisbane Melrose Park 1937
Kenmore    Bears Chelmer, Brisbane Akuna Oval 1967
Moorooka    Roosters Moorooka, Brisbane Alexander Park 2009 -
Moreton Bay     Lions Burpengary, Brisbane Central Sports Complex 1987
Park Ridge     Pirates Park Ridge, Logan Park Ridge High School Oval 2013
Pine Rivers    Swans Strathpine, Brisbane Rob Akers Reserve 1970
Redcliffe    Tigers Rothwell, Brisbane Rothwell Park 1974
Sandgate     Hawks Taigum, Brisbane Lemke Rd 1943
Wynnum    Vikings Wynnum West, Brisbane "300 Kianawah Rd." 1971'
Yeronga South Brisbane    Devils Yeronga, Brisbane Leyshon Park 1929

Division 2 South[]

Club Colours Moniker Location Ground Formed
Ballina    Bombers Ballina, New South Wales Fripp Oval 1984
Bond University    Bullsharks Robina, Gold Coast Bond University 2011
Burleigh [note 1]    Bombers Burleigh Waters, Gold Coast Bill Godfrey Oval c. 1979
Byron Bay    Magpies Byron Bay, New South Wales Byron Recreation Ground 1984
Carrara     Saints Carrara, Gold Coast Alan Nielsen Park 2012
Coolangatta Tweed Heads    Blues Coolangatta, Gold Coast Len Peak Oval 2012
Coomera    Magpies Coomera, Gold Coast Coomera Sports Park 2009
Robina    Roos Robina, Gold Coast Scottsdale Reserve 1996
Tweed Coast    Swans Lismore, New South Wales Pottsville Oval 2009

QFA Division 3[]

Club Colours Moniker Location Ground Formed
Bribie Island    Bulldogs Bongaree, Bribie Island Bribie Ground
Jimboomba    Redbacks Jimboomba, Logan City Glen Logan Park 2000
Maroochydore    Roos Maroochydore, Sunshine Coast Multisports Complex 1969
Mayne    Tigers Enoggera, Brisbane Enoggera Memorial Park 1924
Morningside     Panthers Hawthorne, Brisbane Jack Esplen Oval 1947
Ormeau     Bulldogs Ormeau, Gold Coast Ormeau Sports Park 2008
Sherwood Districts    Magpies Chelmer, Brisbane Sherwood AFC 1991
Zillmere    Eagles Zillmere, Brisbane O'Callaghan Park 1923

QFA Division 4[]

Club Colours Moniker Location Ground Formed
Beenleigh    Buffaloes Beenleigh, Logan Dauth Park 1998
Collingwood Park     Power Redbank Plains, Ipswich Moreton Avenue Redbank 2012
Coorparoo [note 2]    Kings Coorparoo, Brisbane Giffin Park 1996
Ferny Grove-Murri Mavericks    Falcons Ferny Grove, Brisbane Ferny Grove Ground 1991
Ipswich Cats    Cats Amberley, Ipswich Ivor Marsden Memorial Sports Centre 1959
Marcellin Old Boys     Gorillas Stafford, Brisbane Hickey Park 1945
Mount Gravatt    Vultures Brisbane Dittmer Park 1964
North Shore     Jets Mudjimba, Sunshine Coast North Shore Community Centre 1999
Pacific Pines     Power Pacific Pines, Gold Coast McAuley Parade Oval 2005
University Of Queensland    Red Lions St Lucia, Brisbane Oval n° 7 1956
Notes
  1. ^ The club website indicates that its first president was appointed in 1979, with no more data about its foundation.[9]
  2. ^ Established in 1996, one year after the original Coorparoo FC folded.

Clubs in other competitions[]

Several clubs from SE Queensland do not take part of local competitions, giving priority to QAFL or VFL competitions where they compete. Other clubs have teams in both, QFA and QAFL/VFL.

Club City QFA Other competition
Aspley Carseldine Green tickY VFL
Brisbane Lions Woolloongabba – AFL, VFL [note 1]
Broadbeach Mermaid Waters – QAFL
Gold Coast Suns Carrara – AFL, VFL [note 1]
Labrador Labrador – QAFL
Maroochydore Maroochydore Green tickY QAFL
Morningside Hawthorne Green tickY QAFL
Mount Gravatt Upper Mount Gravatt – QAFL
Noosa Noosaville – QAFL
Palm Beach Currumbin Palm Beach – QAFL
Redland-Victoria Point Victoria Point – QAFL
Southport Southport – VFL
Sherwood Districts Chelmer Green tickY QAFL
Wilston Grange Stafford Green tickY QAFL
Notes
  1. ^ Jump up to: a b Professional team competes in AFL, while reserve team competes in VFL

Notable QFA clubs in recess or defunct[]

As of 2018 season:

Club Colours Moniker Location Ground Formed
Banyo    Bloods Banyo, Brisbane Nudgee Recreation Reserve 1967
Calamvale     Leopards Calamvale, Brisbane Calamvale Sportsfield ?
Glasshouse Hinterland     Lions Landsborough, Sunshine Coast Landsborough Sports Complex 1997
Lismore    Swans Lismore, New South Wales Gloria Mortimer Oval 2002
Marsden    Hawks Marsden, Brisbane Mudgee Street Park 1992
Murri     Mavericks Kedron, Brisbane Melrose Park 1998
Pomona    Demons Pomona, Sunshine Coast Reserve Street Oval 1973

Premiers: 1970-present[]

Year SQAFA Division 1 SQAFA Division 2 SQAFA Division 3
1970 Sherwood Deagon ?
1971 Mt Gravatt University Queensland Stafford
1972 Mt Gravatt Banyo Mt Gravatt
1973 Sherwood Banyo Stafford
1974 Mt Gravatt Wynnum Aspley
1975 Sherwood Banyo Redland
1976 Sherwood RAAF Deagon
1977 Sherwood Deagon Beenleigh-Slacks
1978 Sherwood Oakleigh Everton
1979 Sherwood Ipswich RAAF
1980 Sherwood Beenleigh (No competition)
1981 Sherwood Everton (No competition)
1982 Sherwood Banyo (No competition)
1983 Mt Gravatt Ashgrove (No competition)
1984 Acacia Ridge University Queensland (No competition)
1985 Aspley Beenleigh (No competition)
1986 Aspley Jindalee (No competition)
1987 Aspley Redland (No competition)
1988 Aspley Redcliffe (No competition)
1989 Aspley Springwood (No competition)
1990 Aspley Everton (No competition)
1991 Strathpine Ipswich (No competition)
Year BAFL Division 1 BAFL Division 2 BAFL Division 3
1992 Aspley Moorooka Uni
1993 Maroochydore Sandgate Ipswich
1994 Maroochydore Sandgate Marsden
1995 Maroochydore Marsden
1996 Maroochydore Alexandra Hills Toowong
1997 Noosa Wilston Grange Kenmore
1998 Redland Moorooka Kenmore
1999 Redland Caboolture Redland
Year AFLSQ Premier Division AFLSQ Division 1 AFLSQ Division 2 AFLSQ Division 3 AFLSQ Division 4
2000 Palm Beach-Currumbin Coorparoo Kings Gympie ? ?
2001 Coolangatta Burleigh Heads Coorparoo Kings Gympie ?
2002 Aspley Springwood Redcliffe Kenmore Wilston Grange
2003 Coolangatta Strathpine Wynnum (No competition) ?
2004 Burleigh Strathpine Robina (No competition) ?
2005 Burleigh Redcliffe Robina (No competition) ?
Year AFLQ State League Div 2 AFLQ State Assoc'n Div 1 AFLQ State Assoc'n Div 2 AFLQ State Assoc'n Div 3 North AFLQ State Assoc'n Div 3 Central
2006 Western Magpies Yeronga Kenmore (No competition) ?
2007 Palm Beach-Currumbin Yeronga Kedron Gympie Western Magpies
2008 Western Magpies Wynnum Redcliffe Nambour Strathpine
2009 Palm Beach-Currumbin Wynnum Beenleigh Nambour Woodsmen
2010 Noosa Caloundra Robina Nambour & Hinterland Jimboomba
2011 Noosa Coorparoo Kings Nambour & Hinterland Pomona Jimboomba
Year SEQAFL Division 1 SEQAFL Division 2 SEQAFL Division 3 SEQAFL Division 4 North SEQAFL Division 4 Central SEQAFL Division 4 South
2012 Western Magpies Coorparoo Kings Redcliffe Caloundra Pine Rivers Tweed Coast
2013 Springwood Coorparoo Kings Coomera Pomona Zillmere Tweed Coast
Year QFA North QFA South QAFA A Grade QAFA B Grade North QAFA B Grade Central QAFA B Grade South
2014 Mayne Springwood Griffith Uni/Moorooka Bribie Island Woodsmen Bond Uni
2015 Mayne Springwood Bond Uni Gympie Kedron Tweed Coast
2016 Mayne Coorparoo Kings Southeast Suns Maroochydore Zillmere Byron Magpies
Year QFA Division 1 QFA Division 2 QFA Division 3 QFA Division 4 QFA Division 5 QFA Northern Rivers
2017 Maroochydore Aspley Hornets Victoria Point Zillmere Mayne Byron Magpies
2018 Maroochydore Park Ridge Carrara Maroochydore Yeronga South Brisbane Byron Magpies
2019 Noosa Bond University Moreton Bay Park Ridge Bribie Island Byron Magpies
Year QFA Division 1 QFA Division 2 North QFA Division 2 South QFA Division 3 QFA Division 4
2020 Noosa Moreton Bay Kenmore Morningside Ormeau
2021 Springwood Moreton Bay Burleigh Sherwood Districts Collingwood Park

Former AFL South Queensland Divisions[]

Notable former QFA regional Divisions

2003 Bundaberg-Wide Bay Hinterland Division[]

All four AFL Bundaberg-Wide Bay Clubs from 2002, Hervey Bay Bombers, Across the Waves Bundaberg Eagles, Brothers Bulldogs and Maryborough Bears were joined by teams further south, Gympie Cats, Pomona Demons, Glasshouse and Bribie Island to play one season against each other before reverting to their various regional leagues in 2004 once again.

Finals summary:

  • Elimination Final - Maryborough 13.8-86 defeated Glasshouse 10.7-67
  • Qualifying Final - Across the Waves 13.12-90 defeated Bribie Island 11.11-77
  • First Semi Final - Maryborough 15.14-104 defeated Bribie Island 12.6-78
  • Second Semi Final - Hervey Bay 18.15-123 defeated Across the Waves 9.7-61
  • Preliminary Final - Across the Waves 14.15-99 defeated Maryborough 4.10-34
  • GRAND FINAL - Hervey Bay 8.8-56 defeated Across the Waves 6.17-53

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b Brisbane Courier 25 May 1866
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b SEQ teams and competitions on AFLQ website
  3. ^ Brisbane Courier 16 June 1866
  4. ^ Brisbane Courier 5 May 1883
  5. ^ Brisbane Courier 7 June 1884
  6. ^ Ronald Lawson, University of Queensland Press, 1973, page 203
  7. ^ 'Queensland Australian National Football League Official Souvenir Programme of Collingwood v South Melbourne', dated Saturday 27 July 1935
  8. ^ "SEQAFL". Australian Football. Archived from the original on 5 October 2015. Retrieved 5 October 2015.
  9. ^ History on Burleigh Bombers site

External links[]

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