Omeo & District Football League

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Swifts Creek and Buchan playing off in the 2001 ODFL Grand Final at Buchan
Omeo & District Football League is located in Shire of East Gippsland
Bruthen
Bruthen
Buchan
Buchan
Lindenow South
Lindenow South
Omeo-Benambra
Omeo-Benambra
Swan Reach
Swan Reach
Swifts Creek
Swifts Creek
Locations of current ODFL teams as of 2016

The Omeo and District Football League (ODFL) is an Australian rules football League based on the Omeo Region of East Gippsland, Victoria, Australia. The ODFL has existed in some form since 1893, and operates under the auspices of the Victorian Country Football League (VCFL).[1] The league is situated in an area with a small population, resulting in the league playing 16-a-side rather than the standard 18-a-side, and not fielding a reserve grade.

Clubs involved in the ODFL are invited to field a men's Senior football team and boys' Junior (Under 16) football team. Clubs can also enter a women's Senior netball team, and girls' Junior (Under 16) and Midget (primary school age) netball teams competing in a concurrent netball league.[2]

History[]

The first recorded football competition in the Omeo District, dates back to 1893. Other than short recesses resulting from the two World Wars, some type of official competition has continued uninterrupted from this time.[3] In 1923 the competition was renamed the Omeo District Football League (ODFL), and it has continued with this name until the present day.[4]

Throughout most of its history the ODFL and its precedents has contained teams from the four main towns of the Omeo District, namely Benambra, Ensay, Omeo, and Swifts Creek. Up until around World War I, when the population of the region was significantly higher due to the lingering effects of the gold rushes, a team from the now minor locality of Cassilis (originally known as Long Gully) was also involved in most seasons and experienced considerable success.[5][6] Records indicate other historical localities from the district also occasionally fielded teams, including Bindi, Glen Wills, Little River, Reedy Creek, and Tambo Crossing. Since 1893 Omeo, or its later incarnation as the merged Omeo-Benambra team, has competed in all but possibly two seasons, while Swifts Creek has never missed a season, making it one of the oldest continuously operating Australian Rules Football or general sporting clubs in the country.[7][8]

The league was named for Omeo, the largest town and traditionally the administrative centre of the region. The area was commonly referred to as the Omeo District, and existed as the independent local government Shire of Omeo, or Omeo Shire, until it was amalgamated with several other shires into the newly formed Shire of East Gippsland in 1994.[9]

In historical times the region was relatively isolated, with the remote 52 km section of the Omeo Highway (now the Great Alpine Road) between Ensay and Bruthen mainly unsealed and regularly impassable, especially during the winter months. This made the road slow to navigate, especially before readily available motorised transport became common. This was the reason for the historical governmental separation of the region despite its low population, and explained the need for the small isolated football league.

Boyle and Mac's Challenge Cup (1893–96)[]

The earliest recorded history of a football competition in the Omeo District was the Boyle and Mac's Challenge Cup,[5][10] referred to alternatively as the Boyle and Mac Cup,[3] Boyle Mac Challenge Cup,[6] or Boyle Mac trophy.[11] This competition began in 1893, four years before the formation of the Victorian Football League (now Australian Football League), the premier football league in Victoria and Australia. It is unknown exactly why the competition had the Boyle and Mac's title,[10] however the captain of Omeo was named Boyle.[5]

Records indicate that the 1893 trophy was awarded following a series of games between Long Gully, Omeo, and Swifts Creek Football Clubs, with each club playing the others two times for a total of six matches. A newspaper report from early in the season suggests a final match was scheduled,[5] presumably between the top two sides, however the same paper reported at the end of the season that the winner of the cup was decided on the top placed team at the end of the six matches, with no actual final being played.[6]

Swifts Creek defeated Omeo in the final match of the season,[12] placing them two points clear at the top of the ladder with two wins and a draw (for ten points), from Omeo with two wins (eight points), and Long Gully with one win and a draw (six points).[6] The 1893 trophy is engraved on the front with:

BOYLE & MAC'S
CHALLENGE CUP
Won by
SWIFT'S CREEK
1893

with a separate engraving on the back presenting the trophy to the club's secretary.[10] The Boyle and Mac's Challenge Cup ran from 1893 until 1896.[3]

Noble Explosives Cup (1897–98)[]

Following the 1896 season the Boyle and Mac's Challenge Cup was disbanded, being replaced with the Noble Explosives Cup. This competition only ran for two seasons, 1897 and 1898, with its two premiers being Omeo and Cassilis.[13]

Omeo District Football Association (ODFA) (1899–1907, 1914–21)[]

Swifts Creek's 1919 ODFA premiership team; note the variety of club jumper designs, all significantly different from the current design

The Omeo District Football Association (ODFA) was formed in 1899, replacing the Noble Explosives Cup.[13] The competition ran under this name from 1899 to 1907, then from 1914 to 1921.[14] Clubs that competed in the ODFA over this time were Cassilis, Omeo, Benambra, Swifts Creek, and Ensay, although only Omeo played in every season that the ODFA was operational.[7] After a year's absence in 1922, the competition would relaunch in 1923 as the Omeo District Football League. Further discussion is included below on the interaction between the ODFA and the Tambo Valley Football Association during their overlapping years of operation between 1907 and 1921.

Tambo Valley Football Association (TVFA) (1907–25)[]

The mainstays of the early football competitions up to the ODFA were Swifts Creek and Omeo, with Long Gully/Cassilis, Benambra, and Ensay also fielding teams in some or most years. In 1907 the competition split into two branches. The ODFA continued as an 'above the gap' competition involving Omeo, Benambra, and Cassilis, while a new 'below the gap' competition, the Tambo Valley Football Association (TVFA), was formed by Swifts Creek, Ensay, and a new team from the small locality at Bindi.[7][8][15][16] At this time roads were poor and transport options limited, making the 70 km between Benambra and Ensay for example very significant, so presumably this split was largely to help with travel as the competition expanded to more clubs over a larger area.

In 1908, after just one year of the split competition, the ODFA temporarily folded, leaving the TVFA as the only competition in the district. In 1909 the short-lived Bindi club was discontinued, and after a year's hiatus Omeo and Cassilis joined Swifts Creek and Ensay in the TVFA competition, taking it back to four of the regular teams from the previous ODFA. Benambra did not field a team again until 1914 when the TVFA/ODFA split was again implemented. For this split competition in 1914 Bindi temporarily reformed to make up numbers in the TVFA, and the dominant Swifts Creek club which had won the last six straight premierships fielded a one-time only second team, Swifts Creek A, which would lead to the unusual situation of Swifts Creek A defeating Swifts Creek in the 1914 TVFA Grand Final.[7][8]

After just one year of this re-split competition, World War I would then cause both competitions to enter recess from 1915 to 1918. Following the war in 1919 both competitions again recommenced, but Swifts Creek now returned to the ODFA along with Omeo, Benambra, and Cassilis in their last season. The TVFA meanwhile would consist of Ensay and two nearby minor localities, Reedy Creek and Little River. At the end of 1921 the ODFA wound up for the last time, and Omeo and Swifts Creek rejoined Ensay in the TVFA for the 1922 season. The commencement of the rebranded ODFL in 1923 would see Omeo and Swifts Creek again leave the TVFA to take part in that competition, with the TVFA having its last season in 1925 with Ensay, Reedy Creek, and a once only team from Tambo Crossing. After this Ensay would again join Benambra, Omeo, and Swifts Creek in the new ODFL.[7][8]

Omeo District Football League (ODFL)/Omeo District Football Netball League (ODFNL) (1923–present)[]

In 1923 the Omeo District Football League (ODFL) was formed to replace the ODFA, and has continued with that name ever since.[4][14] Following the termination of the TVFA after the 1925 season, the ODFL competition ran for more than fifty years with a stable four club structure involving the four main Tambo Valley/Omeo District towns, Benambra, Ensay, Omeo, and Swifts Creek.[7]

In 1978 the league first expanded beyond its traditional range, with Bruthen and Buchan being admitted.[7] Following on from this the competition later became more often referred to as the Omeo and District Football League (still abbreviated to ODFL), with the "and" recognising that it now incorporated teams from beyond the original Omeo District. In 1995 one of the four traditional clubs, Ensay, folded due a lack of players. In 1997 the league admitted two more new clubs from beyond its original range, Swan Reach and Lake Tyers. Lake Tyers would only play for two seasons, but in 2004 another outside team, Lindenow South was also admitted.[7]

By the 2000s many clubs were struggling to find sufficient players every week, and the two historic 'above the gap' teams, Benambra and Omeo, would make the difficult decision to merge and form Omeo-Benambra from the 2007 season onwards. By this era most of the football teams in the competition had also already fully affiliated with their associated netball teams, and the competition eventually officially adopted the title of Omeo District Football Netball League (ODFNL).[17]

Key events in competition history[]

Note: unless otherwise stated, all items refer to senior football teams. Netball and junior teams often, but not always, follow the senior football teams. There are also insufficient available data sources relating to netball and juniors, including when the competitions originated.

  • 1893: The first recorded football competition in the Omeo District, the Boyle and Mac's Challenge Cup was formed, consisting of Long Gully (Cassilis), Omeo, and Swifts Creek. Swifts Creek won the first 'cup'.[3][10]
  • 1895: Benambra joined the competition.[7]
  • 1897: The Noble Explosives Cup replaced the Boyle and Mac's Challenge Cup, which had been disbanded after the 1896 season.[13]
  • 1899: After just two years the Noble Explosives Cup was disbanded, being replaced by the Omeo District Football Association (ODFA).[14]
  • 1900: Ensay is thought to have joined the competition.[7]
  • 1907: The competition split into the ODFA and the Tambo Valley Football Association (TVFA).[7][8][16]
  • 1908–13: The TVFA was the only active competition after the ODTA ceased to operate.[7][8]
  • 1914: The ODFA reformed, again resulting in a split competition.[7][8]
  • 1915–18: Both the ODFA and TVFA were in recess due to the large number of young men from the district involved in World War I.[7][8]
  • 1919: Both the ODFA and TVFA recommenced competition. Founding club Cassilis (originally Long Gully) played their last season.[7][8]
  • 1921: Last season of the ODFA, again leaving only the TVFA operational.[7][8]
  • 1923: The Omeo District Football League (ODFL) was formed.[4][14]
  • 1925: Last season of the TVFA.[7][8]
  • 1926: Ensay from the TVFA joined Benambra, Omeo, and Swifts Creek to form the stable four team ODFL.[7][8]
  • 1941–44: The league was in recess due to the large number of young men from the district involved in World War II.[4]
  • 1978: Bruthen (from the East Gippsland Football League) and Buchan (after an eight-year recess from the Snow Valley Football League) were admitted,[18] extending the league beyond the traditional 'Omeo District' of the upper Tambo Valley for the first time, and taking the number of teams to six.
  • 1995: Ensay's last season. In Round 4 Benambra scored 52.24.342 against them. Ensay folded after Round 5 due to being unable to field a team. Ensay's record for the season was expunged.
  • 1996: Lake Tyers reformed after many years in recess, affiliating with the ODFL for the first time, and competing in 1996–97, returning the league to six teams.[19]
  • 1997: Swan Reach were admitted from the Riviera Football League after spending a year in recess, making a seven team competition.
  • 1997: Lake Tyers were ejected from the league following conflicts with other clubs, after having made the 1997 Grand Final, returning the league to six teams.[19]
  • 2000s: Most towns fully affiliated their long associated football and netball clubs, and the league officially adopted the title Omeo District Football Netball League (ODFNL).[17]
  • 2004: Lindenow South were admitted after the Riviera Football League folded, making seven teams, and introducing a bye.
  • 2007: Benambra and Omeo merged to form Omeo-Benambra, returning the league to six teams.
  • 2020: the season was cancelled for the first time in 75 years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which was particularly bad in Victoria during the second half of the year.

Clubs[]

Note that details given in this section refer to senior football teams. In terms of colours and jumper designs, junior football teams generally follow the same design as senior teams. Netball teams share much the same colour combination, typically with a skirt of one of the primary team colours and a top of the other colour. Years in the league for other teams are also mainly in line with the club's senior football, although clubs are not always able to field all teams in any given year.

Current[]

Club Colours Nickname Home ground Years in Competition Senior Premierships (known) Total
Bruthen
AFL Footscray Icon.jpg
Bulldogs Bruthen Rec. Reserve
37°42′47″S 147°50′05″E / 37.71306°S 147.83472°E / -37.71306; 147.83472
1978 – present 1979, 1984, 1985, 1988, 1989, 2003, 2017, 2018, 2019 9
Buchan
North-melbourne.svg
Cavemen Buchan Rec. Reserve
37°29′51″S 148°10′38″E / 37.49750°S 148.17722°E / -37.49750; 148.17722
1978 – present 1983, 1987, 1998, 2004, 2005 5
Lindenow South
LindenowSthDesign.png
Swampies
(Swamp Hawks)
Lindenow South Rec. Res.
37°49′58″S 147°25′50″E / 37.83278°S 147.43056°E / -37.83278; 147.43056
2004 – present 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016 4
OmeoBenambra
OmeoBenambraDesignNew.png
Ranges
(Alpine Ranges)
Omeo Recreation Reserve
37°05′40″S 147°35′52″E / 37.09444°S 147.59778°E / -37.09444; 147.59778
2007 – present 2007
NB: the two clubs merged in 2007 – see below for prior records, inc. a combined 54 flags
1
Swan Reach
SwanReachDesign.png
Swans Swan Reach Rec. Reserve
37°49′28″S 147°51′34″E / 37.82444°S 147.85944°E / -37.82444; 147.85944
1997 – present 1999, 2009, 2014 3
Swifts Creek
MelbourneDesign.svg
Demons Swifts Creek Rec. Reserve
37°15′55″S 147°42′54″E / 37.26528°S 147.71500°E / -37.26528; 147.71500
1893 – present 1893, 1908, 1909, 1910, 1911, 1912, 1913, 1914, 1919, 1920, 1925, 1926, 1931, 1935, 1938, 1945, 1959, 1978, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1993, 1997, 2001, 2002, 2008, 2010, 2011 28

* Note that the jumper design shown is a representation of the club's most recent jumper design. Most designs have been changed over the years, some quite significantly.

Previous[]

Club Jumper* Nickname Home ground Years in Competition Senior Premierships (known) Total
Benambra
SouthMelbourneDesign.png
Bloods Benambra Memorial Recreation Reserve
36°56′38″S 147°41′59″E / 36.94389°S 147.69972°E / -36.94389; 147.69972
1895 – 2006;
merged with Omeo
1900, 1927, 1928, 1930, 1932, 1939, 1953, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1961, 1968, 1969, 1973, 1974, 1990, 1994, 2000, 2006 20
Bindi Unknown Unknown 1907, 1908, 1914;
folded
0
Cassilis
(aka Long Gully)
Unknown Unknown Long Gully Oval[20] 1893 – 1919;
folded
1894, 1895, 1896, 1898, 1905, 1906, 1907, 1914 8
Ensay
BathurstEaglesDesign.svg
Eagles Ensay Recreation Reserve
37°22′57″S 147°49′23″E / 37.38250°S 147.82306°E / -37.38250; 147.82306
1900 – 1995;
folded
1907, 1919, 1920, 1934, 1936, 1940, 1946, 1947, 1950, 1960 10
Glen Wills Unknown Unknown 1894 – 1895;
folded
0
Lake Tyers
LakeTyersDesign.png
Sea Eagles Lake Tyers Oval
37°50′10″S 148°06′03″E / 37.83611°S 148.10083°E / -37.83611; 148.10083
1996 – 1997;
voted out of league
0
Little River Unknown Unknown 1919 – 1921;
folded/merged with Ensay
1921 1
Omeo
OmeoDesign jjron2010.png
Maroons Omeo Recreation Reserve
37°05′40″S 147°35′52″E / 37.09444°S 147.59778°E / -37.09444; 147.59778
1893 – 2006;
merged with Benambra
1897, 1899, 1901, 1903, 1904, 1921, 1922, 1923, 1924, 1929, 1933, 1937, 1948, 1949, 1951, 1952, 1954, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1986, 1991, 1992, 1995, 1996 34
Reedy Creek Unknown Unknown 1919 – 1921, 1925;
folded/merged with Ensay
0
Tambo Crossing Unknown Unknown 1925;
folded
0

* Note that the jumper design shown is a representation of the club's final known jumper design. Where the design is unknown, a representation of the club colours, if known, is displayed instead.

Premierships[]

Senior football[]

As ODFL[]

Season Premier Runner Up Score Margin
2020 No competition (COVID-19)
2019 Bruthen Omeo-Benambra 10.12 (72) – 8.11 (59) 13
2018 Bruthen Swifts Creek 14.11 (95) – 10.9 (69) 26
2017 Bruthen Lindenow South 18.11 (119) – 14.16 (100) 19
2016 Lindenow South Swan Reach 19.22 (136) – 9.7 (61) 75
2015 Lindenow South Buchan 22.13 (145) – 13.20 (98) 47
2014 Swan Reach Omeo-Benambra 28.24 (192) – 12.13 (85) 107
2013 Lindenow South Swifts Creek 19.10 (124) – 12.17 (89) 35
2012 Lindenow South Swifts Creek 20.15 (135) – 10.10 (70) 65
2011 Swifts Creek Lindenow South 17.17 (119) – 11.15 (81) 38
2010 Swifts Creek Bruthen 22.12 (144) – 13.10 (88) 56
2009 Swan Reach Swifts Creek 25.19 (169) – 21.7 (133) 36
2008 Swifts Creek Bruthen 16.12 (108) – 13.9 (87) 21
2007 Omeo-Benambra Swan Reach 24.12 (156) – 13.8 (86) 70
2006 Benambra Swifts Creek 19.16 (130) – 9.9 (63) 67
Benambra Swifts Creek 15.11 (101) – 16.5 (101) Draw
2005 Buchan Omeo 18 12 (120) – 14.13 (97) 23
2004 Buchan Omeo 14.10 (94) – 9.15 (69) 25
2003 Bruthen Swan Reach 17.15 (117) – 15.12 (102) 15
2002 Swifts Creek Omeo 16.12 (108) – 11.16 (82) 26
2001 Swifts Creek Buchan 16.12 (108) – 10.12 (72) 36
2000 Benambra Omeo 10.17 (77) – 11.9 (75) 2
1999 Swan Reach Bruthen 25.15 (165) – 5.10 (40) 125
1998 Buchan Benambra 19.8 (122) – 11.3 (69) 53
1997 Swifts Creek Lake Tyers 28.14 (182) – 13.9 (87) 95
1996 Omeo Swifts Creek 10.15 (75) – 9.6 (60) 15
1995 Omeo Swifts Creek 18.5 (113) – 10.9 (69) 44
1994 Benambra Swifts Creek 20.19 (139) – 14.12 (96) 43
1993 Swifts Creek Bruthen 20.12 (132) – 15.7 (97) 35
1992 Omeo Swifts Creek 12.12 (84) – 9.18 (72) 12
1991 Omeo Benambra 18.18 (126) – 17.12 (114) 12
1990 Benambra Buchan 25.17 (167) – 8.2 (50) 117
1989 Bruthen Benambra 16.18 (114) – 6.11 (47) 67
1988 Bruthen Benambra 18.18 (126) – 11.18 (84) 44
1987 Buchan Bruthen 20.14 (134) – 18.16 (124) 10
1986 Omeo Bruthen 13.8 (86) – 12.9 (81) 5
1985 Bruthen Omeo 24.14 (158) – 12.16 (88) 70
1984 Bruthen Buchan 23.14 (152) – 11.9 (75) 77
1983 Buchan Benambra 14.14 (98) – 14.12 (96) 2
1982 Swifts Creek Benambra 18.7 (115) – 15.17 (107) 8
1981 Swifts Creek Bruthen 24.17 (161) – 3.7 (25) 136
1980 Swifts Creek Buchan 18.14 (122) – 10.10 (70) 52
1979 Bruthen Swifts Creek 18.12 (120) – 15.18 (108) 12
1978 Swifts Creek Omeo 16.10 (106) – 9.19 (73) 33
1977 Omeo Swifts Creek 21.9 (135) – 17.18 (120) 15
1976 Omeo Benambra 17.14 (116) – 6.11 (47) 69
1975 Omeo Benambra 17.20 (122) – 11.8 (74) 48
1974 Benambra Swifts Creek 16.12 (108) – 14.17 (101) 7
1973 Benambra Omeo 10.8 (68) – 10.4 (64) 4
1972 Omeo Ensay 11.18 (84) – 12.8 (80) 4
1971 Omeo Swifts Creek 17.17 (119) – 12.8 (80) 39
1970 Omeo Swifts Creek 16.17 (113) – 3.14 (32) 81
1969 Benambra Omeo 13.22 (100) – 6.14 (50) 50
1968 Benambra Omeo
1967 Omeo
1966 Omeo
1965 Omeo
1964 Omeo
1963 Omeo
1962 Omeo
1961 Benambra
1960 Ensay
1959 Swifts Creek
1958 Benambra
1957 Benambra
1956 Benambra
1955 Benambra
1954 Omeo Benambra 9.12 (66) – 10.5 (65) 1
1953 Benambra
1952 Omeo Ensay 8.17 (65) – 6.13 (49) 16
1951 Omeo Swifts Creek 9.13 (67) – 8.12 (60) 7
1950 Ensay
1949 Omeo Ensay 9.17 (71) – 8.6 (54) 17
1948 Omeo Swifts Creek 8.12 (60) – 8.10 (58) 2
1947 Ensay
1946 Ensay
1945 Swifts Creek
1944 No competition (World War II)
1943 No competition (World War II)
1942 No competition (World War II)
1941 No competition (World War II)
1940 Ensay Omeo 11.7(73) – 9.9 (63) 10
1939 Benambra
1938 Swifts Creek
1937 Omeo Ensay 10.18 (78) – 10.8 (68) 10
1936 Ensay
1935 Swifts Creek
1934 Ensay
1933 Omeo Ensay 12.18 (90) – 12.17 (89) 1
1932 Benambra
1931 Swifts Creek
1930 Benambra
1929 Omeo Benambra 6.10 (46) – 5.14 (44) 2
1928 Benambra
1927 Benambra
1926 Swifts Creek Omeo 10.5 (65) – 5.12 (42) 23
1925 Swifts Creek Omeo 5.9 (39) – 5.5 (35)[21] 4
1924 Omeo Swifts Creek 6.12 (48) – 6.4 (40) 8
1923 Omeo Swifts Creek 3.11 (29) – 3.7 (25) 4

Pre-ODFL[]

Season Premier* Runner Up Score Margin
1922 Omeo (TVFA) Swifts Creek 3.9 (27) – 1.8 (14) 13
1921 Omeo (ODFA)
Little River (TVFA)
1920 Swifts Creek (ODFA)
Ensay (TVFA) Reedy Creek 5.11 (41) – 3.10 (28) 13
1919 Swifts Creek[22] (ODFA)
Ensay (TVFA)
1918 No competition (World War I)
1917 No competition (World War I)
1916 No competition (World War I)
1915 No competition (World War I)
1914 Cassilis (ODFA)
Swifts Creek A (TVFA) Swifts Creek 8.7 (55) – 6.3 (39) 16
1913 Swifts Creek (TVFA) Cassilis 5.11 (41) – 1.2 (8) 33
1912 Swifts Creek (TVFA)
1911 Swifts Creek (TVFA)
1910 Swifts Creek (TVFA)
1909 Swifts Creek (TVFA)
1908 Swifts Creek (TVFA)
1907 Cassilis (ODFA)
Ensay (TVFA)
1906 Cassilis [23] (ODFA) Omeo
1905 Cassilis (ODFA)
1904 Omeo (ODFA) Cassilis 8.11 (59) – 2.7 (19) 40
1903 Omeo (ODFA) Cassilis 3.3 (21) – 2.6 (18) 3
1902 Unknown (ODFA)
1901 Omeo (ODFA)
1900 Benambra (ODFA)
1899 Omeo (ODFA)
1898 Cassilis[13] (NEC) Omeo
1897 Omeo[13] (NEC) Cassilis 2.7 (19) – 1.2 (8) 11
1896 Long Gully (BMC)
1895 Long Gully (BMC)
1894 Long Gully (BMC)
1893 Swifts Creek[10] (BMC) Omeo

* Key: BMC – Boyle and Mac's Challenge Cup; NEC – Noble Explosives Cup; ODFA – Omeo District Football Association; TVFA – Tambo Valley Football Association.

Junior football (Under 16)[]

Junior football is open to all players under sixteen years of age on the first of January each year. Due to the low population and the number of players needed for football teams this is the only junior competition available, raising the unusual challenge that teenagers as old as sixteen may be playing against children as young as six.

Season Premier Runner Up Score Margin
2020 No competition (COVID-19)
2019 Lindenow South Bruthen 18.18 (126) – 3.4 (22) 104
2018 Omeo-Benambra Swan Reach 11.17 (83) – 5.6 (36) 47
2017 Swan Reach Omeo-Benambra 8.13 (61) – 4.6 (30) 31
2016 Swan Reach Omeo-Benambra 11.19 (85) – 5.3 (33) 52
2015 Bruthen Buchan 10.12 (72) – 6.8 (44) 28
2014 Bruthen Omeo-Benambra 11.13 (79) – 11.9 (75) 4
2013 Buchan Swan Reach 17.10 (112) – 13.7 (85) 27
2012 Buchan Swan Reach 12.12 (84) – 5.9 (39) 45
2011 Omeo-Benambra Swifts Creek 12.8 (80) – 8.10 (58) 22
2010 Bruthen Swifts Creek 13.8 (86) – 3.3 (21) 65
2009 Bruthen Omeo-Benambra 8.13 (61) – 7.5 (47) 14
2008 Bruthen
2007 Bruthen
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002 Omeo Swifts Creek 13.18 (96) – 7.7 (49) 47
2001
2000
1999
1998
1997 Bruthen
1996 Bruthen
1995 Swifts Creek
1994 Swifts Creek
1993 Swifts Creek Benambra 70
1992 Benambra
1991 Bruthen
1990 Buchan
1989 Omeo
1988 Omeo
1987 Bruthen
1986 Bruthen
1985 Bruthen
1984 Bruthen Swifts Creek
1983 Ensay
1982 Swifts Creek Ensay 23
1981 Bruthen Swifts Creek 15.12 (102) – 3.0 (18)[24] 84
1980 Buchan Bruthen 72
1979 Bruthen Buchan 12.17 (89) – 5.1 (31)[25] 58
1978 Buchan Swifts Creek
1977 Swifts Creek
1976 Swifts Creek
1975 Swifts Creek
1974 Ensay
1973 Omeo
1972 Omeo
1971 Omeo
1970 Ensay
1969 Omeo
1968 Swifts Creek
1967 Omeo

Senior netball[]

Season Premier Runner Up Score Margin
2020 No competition (COVID-19)
2019 Lindenow South Buchan 55 - 37 18
2018 Bruthen Lindenow South 35 - 31 4
2017 Bruthen Buchan 47 – 27 20
2016 Omeo-Benambra Bruthen 49 – 25 24
2015 Swan Reach Bruthen 39 – 36 3
2014 Swan Reach Omeo-Benambra 53 – 45 8
2013 Omeo Swan Reach 3
2012 Omeo
2011 Omeo Buchan 28 – 19 9
2010 Omeo
2009
2008
2007 Omeo
2006
2005
2004 Omeo
2003
2002 Swifts Creek Omeo 3
2001
2000

"B" Grade

Season Premier Runner Up Score Margin
2019 Lindenow South Buchan 26 - 11 15
2018 Lindenow South Bruthen 27 - 23 4

Junior netball (17 and Under)[]

Junior netball is open to all female players seventeen years of age and under as of the first of January each year. Prior to 2019 it was an Under 16 competition, open to girls under sixteen years of age as of the first of January. While potentially any juniors can play in these teams, in practical terms girls under twelve will generally only play midgets. Junior boys (generally primary school age) may also participate in the netball teams.

Season Premier Runner Up Score Margin
2020 No competition (COVID-19)
2019 Buchan Lindenow South 29 – 26 3
2018 Lindenow South Swifts Creek 27 – 26 1
2017 Swifts Creek Bruthen 32 – 29 3
2016 Swan Reach Swifts Creek 30 – 24 6
2015 Swan Reach Omeo 15 – 13 2
2014 Omeo Swifts Creek 21 – 9 12
2013 Buchan Omeo-Benambra
2012
2011 Swifts Creek Bruthen 23 – 21 2
2010
2009 Swifts Creek Omeo 23 – 20 3

Midget netball (Under 12)[]

Midget netball is open to players under twelve years of age as at the first of January of each year; while it is primarily a female sport, boys may also compete. Prior to 2019 is was open to players attending primary school, effectively making it approximately an under eleven competition. Finals are not played in midget netball; the team that finishes at the top of the ladder at the end of the regular season is regarded as the premier team.

Season Premier Runner Up
2020 No competition (COVID-19)
2019 Swifts Creek Omeo-Benambra
2018 Omeo-Benambra Swifts Creek
2017 Buchan Swifts Creek
2011 Swifts Creek

Senior football final ladders[]

2010 Ladder[]

Omeo DFL Wins Byes Losses Draws For Against % Pts Final Team G B Pts Team G B Pts
Swan Reach 11 0 4 0 1734 1341 129.31% 44 1st Semi Swifts Creek 31 11 197 Lindenow South 11 9 75
Bruthen 11 0 4 0 1653 1322 125.04% 44 2nd Semi Bruthen 14 8 92 Swan Reach 6 10 46
Swifts Creek 10 0 5 0 1823 1194 152.68% 40 Preliminary Swifts Creek 18 13 121 Swan Reach 12 11 83
Lindenow South 7 0 8 0 1249 1311 95.27% 28 Grand Swifts Creek 22 12 144 Bruthen 13 10 88
Omeo Benambra 3 0 12 0 1288 1779 72.40% 12
Buchan 3 0 12 0 1191 1991 59.82% 12

2011 Ladder[]

Omeo DFL Wins Byes Losses Draws For Against % Pts Final Team G B Pts Team G B Pts
Lindenow South 15 0 0 0 2091 1240 168.63% 60 1st Semi Swan Reach 19 13 127 Bruthen 10 25 85
Swifts Creek 11 0 4 0 2155 1433 150.38% 44 2nd Semi Lindenow South 17 7 109 Swifts Creek 16 8 104
Bruthen 8 0 7 0 1813 1848 98.11% 32 Preliminary Swifts Creek 33 13 211 Swan Reach 15 10 100
Swan Reach 6 0 9 0 1825 1764 103.46% 24 Grand Swifts Creek 17 17 119 Lindenow South 11 15 81
Omeo Benambra 4 0 11 0 1410 1781 79.17% 16
Buchan 1 0 14 0 1054 2282 46.19% 4

2012 Ladder[]

Omeo DFL Wins Byes Losses Draws For Against % Pts Final Team G B Pts Team G B Pts
Swifts Creek 13 0 2 0 1987 1177 168.82% 52 1st Semi Omeo Benambra 22 22 154 Bruthen 10 6 66
Lindenow South 11 0 4 0 1954 1508 129.58% 44 2nd Semi Swifts Creek 20 19 139 Lindenow South 20 11 131
Omeo Benambra 8 0 7 0 1886 1387 135.98% 32 Preliminary Lindenow South 16 11 107 Omeo Benambra 13 15 93
Bruthen 7 0 8 0 1811 1589 113.97% 28 Grand Lindenow South 20 15 135 Swifts Creek 10 10 70
Swan Reach 5 0 10 0 1682 1614 104.21% 20
Buchan 1 0 14 0 892 2937 30.37% 4

2013 Ladder[]

Omeo DFL Wins Byes Losses Draws For Against % Pts Final Team G B Pts Team G B Pts
Omeo Benambra 12 0 3 0 2072 1150 180.17% 48 1st Semi Swifts Creek 23 19 157 Buchan 2 9 21
Lindenow South 11 0 4 0 2314 948 244.09% 44 2nd Semi Lindenow South 20 12 132 Omeo Benambra 10 9 69
Swifts Creek 11 0 4 0 1927 1099 175.34% 44 Preliminary Swifts Creek 18 10 118 Omeo Benambra 15 15 105
Buchan 7 0 8 0 1355 1833 73.92% 28 Grand Lindenow South 19 10 124 Swifts Creek 12 17 89
Swan Reach 3 0 12 0 1153 2171 53.11% 12
Bruthen 1 0 14 0 1020 2640 38.64% 4

2014 Ladder[]

Omeo DFL Wins Byes Losses Draws For Against % Pts Final Team G B Pts Team G B Pts
Swan Reach 11 0 4 0 1828 1450 126.07% 44 1st Semi Buchan 17 19 121 Bruthen 12 14 86
Omeo Benambra 10 0 5 0 1566 1223 128.05% 40 2nd Semi Swan Reach 23 22 160 Omeo-Benambra 10 8 68
Buchan 8 0 7 0 1645 1469 111.98% 32 Preliminary Omeo-Benambra 15 8 98 Buchan* 17 15 117
Bruthen 6 0 9 0 1464 1537 95.25% 24 Grand Swan Reach 28 24 192 Omeo-Benambra 12 13 85
Lindenow South 5 0 10 0 1618 1674 96.65% 20
Swifts Creek 5 0 10 0 1194 1962 60.86% 20
  • Buchan were disqualified for playing an ineligible player

2015 Ladder[]

Omeo DFL Wins Byes Losses Draws For Against % Pts Final Team G B Pts Team G B Pts
Buchan 14 0 1 0 2562 1041 246.11% 56 1st Semi Swifts Creek 10 5 65 Bruthen 7 11 53
Lindenow South 12 0 3 0 2182 1433 152.27% 48 2nd Semi Lindenow South 20 25 145 Buchan 13 14 92
Bruthen 10 0 5 0 2147 1255 171.08% 40 Preliminary Buchan 34 19 223 Swifts Creek 0 6 6
Swifts Creek 4 0 11 0 1297 2226 58.27% 16 Grand Lindenow South 22 13 145 Buchan 13 20 98
Omeo Benambra 3 0 12 0 1122 1968 57.01% 12
Swan Reach 2 0 13 0 1078 2465 43.73% 8

References[]

  1. ^ "East Leagues, Clubs & Umpire Associations". Official website. Victorian Country Football League. 2010. Retrieved 4 September 2011.
  2. ^ "Omeo & District Football League". Australian Football. SportingPulse Network Partners. Retrieved 7 September 2010.
  3. ^ a b c d Devaney, John. "Boyle and Mac Cup". Full Points Footy. Archived from the original on 6 August 2011. Retrieved 21 October 2010.
  4. ^ a b c d "ODFL Honour Board". Albion Hotel, Swifts Creek.
  5. ^ a b c d "Football: Boyle and Mac's Challenge Cup". The Omeo Telegraph. 7 July 1893.
  6. ^ a b c d "Football: Swifts Creek vs Omeo". The Omeo Telegraph. 28 July 1893.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r Court, Kev. "Grouse Roots Footy – Omeo District Football League (Vic)". Footypedia.com. Footypedia. Retrieved 8 September 2016.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Court, Kev. "Grouse Roots Footy – Tambo Valley Football Association (Vic)". Footypedia.com. Footypedia. Retrieved 8 September 2016.
  9. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (1 August 1995). Victorian local government amalgamations 1994-1995: Changes to the Australian Standard Geographical Classification (PDF). Commonwealth of Australia. p. 4,6. ISBN 0-642-23117-6. Retrieved 5 January 2008.
  10. ^ a b c d e "Cup poses questions". The Bairnsdale Advertiser. 31 May 1993. p. 12.
  11. ^ "N/A". The Omeo Telegraph. 21 July 1893.
  12. ^ "Could history repeat itself in centenary year". The Bairnsdale Advertiser. 7 June 1993. p. 6.
  13. ^ a b c d e Devaney, John. "Noble Explosives Cup". Full Points Footy. Archived from the original on 6 August 2011. Retrieved 21 October 2010.
  14. ^ a b c d Devaney, John. "Omeo District Football League". Full Points Footy. Archived from the original on 11 February 2012. Retrieved 21 October 2010.
  15. ^ "Football club celebrates its centenary". The News (published by The Bairnsdale Advertiser group). 17 June 1993. p. 28.
  16. ^ a b "A town celebrates". The Bairnsdale Advertiser. 15 June 1993. p. 8. Also of note and a treasured historical item was a cup from 1913 and inscribed "Tambo Valley Football Association – Premiership Cup"
  17. ^ a b "Omeo District Football Netball League". SportsTG. Newscorp. Retrieved 11 September 2016.
  18. ^ Devaney, John. "Buchan". Full Points Footy. Archived from the original on 12 June 2010. Retrieved 29 August 2011.
  19. ^ a b McKinnon, Malcolm (2007). "Looking for a Game at Lake Tyers". Football Stories from Country Victoria. Culture Victoria. Retrieved 7 September 2010.
  20. ^ "Football: Boyle and Mac's Challenge Cup". The Omeo Telegraph. 21 July 1893.
  21. ^ "Football: Omeo District Association: Final Encounter". Omeo Standard. 1925.
  22. ^ "No tea up the spout, spout up the creek". Bairnsdale Advertiser. 31 May 1993. p. 12.
  23. ^ "COUNTRY FOOTBALL". The Argus. Melbourne. 16 August 1906. p. 9. Retrieved 19 October 2011 – via National Library of Australia.
  24. ^ "'Creek romp in from Bruthen". The News (published by The Bairnsdale Advertiser). 2 September 1981. p. 32.
  25. ^ "Bruthen in dual premiership win". The News (published by The Bairnsdale Adertiser group). 7 September 1979. p. 14.

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