Northern Football Netball League

The Northern Football Netball League (formerly known as the Diamond Valley Football League and later Northern Football League) is an Australian sports league based in the Diamond Valley region of suburban Melbourne, Victoria. The league regulates competitions of both sports, Australian rules football and netball in the region.

Northern Football Netball League
Formerly
  • Diamond Valley Football League
  • Northern Football League
SportAustralian rules football, Netball
Founded1922
CEOMartin Stillman
Motto
  • Communities Working Together
  • Live it. Love it
No. of teams29
CountryAustralia
Most recent
champion(s)
Heidelberg
Most titlesHeidelberg (21)
Official websitenfl.org.au

History

The league was founded in 1922, originally having six clubs, three of whom still participate. In 1941 the league went into recess for five years as a result of World War II, the competition recommencing in 1946. After the war the league continued to grow.

Formation of Division Two

In 1981 the league was split into two divisions. The top 10 teams at the end of the 1980 season formed Division One (Diamond Creek, Greensborough, Heidelberg West, Lalor, Macelod-Rosanna, Montmorency, North Heidelberg, Reservoir-Lakeside, Templestowe and Watsonia) for the 1981 season. Division Two was formed by the 4 bottom placed teams from the 1980 season (Eltham, Epping, Heidelberg and South Morang) and 4 new teams making their debut (Bundoora, Northcote Park, Reservoir and West Preston) for the 1981 season.

Renaming of the League

The entire DVFL board resigned over the summer of 2006–2007 and was replaced by officials from AFL Victoria until suitable replacements were found before the start of the 2008 season. At the end of the 2017 season, the NFL was renamed the NFNL to incorporate Netball under the one banner- the NFNL.

Formation of Division Three

In 2008 the NFL added an open-age Netball competition and announced an intention that a third division would be added for the 2009 season with the old 14 team second division to be split into eight and six team divisions, however Kinglake and Wallan both left the league so the NFL did not proceed. In 2009, the NFL stated that a permanent Division Three for 2010 would be dependent on at least one more club joining the league.[1] With St Mary's indicating that they intended to field a senior team in 2010, the NFL announced a stand-alone Division Three to commence from 2010.[2][3] Reversing an earlier decision, the NFL decided that Division Two would be split during the 2009 season based on ladder position after the 13th round once all teams had played each other once, with the top 8 teams remaining in Division Two and the bottom 6 teams forming Division Three for the remaining games of the season. It was also decided that the newly formed Division Three would play a finals series in 2009, but the premier would not gain promotion to Division Two as these teams had already been relegated for the 2009 season. At the end of Round 13, Diamond Creek, Epping, Fitzroy Stars, Lower Plenty, Macleod, Mernda, Watsonia and Whittlesea formed the top 8 teams and remained in Division Two, whilst Heidelberg West, Hurstbridge, Panton Hill, Parkside, Reservoir and South Morang were the bottom 6 teams and formed the new Division Three.

League details

AFL Victoria Community Championships

In 2016, the Northern Football Netball League began playing in the AFL Victoria Community Championships for metropolitan and country competitions to challenge each other for the title of best football league in Victoria. In 2016, the league were defeated by the Mornington Peninsula Nepean Football League to be fifth.[4] The next year the league defeated the Western Region Football League and were ranked fourth.[5] In 2018, the league avenged its 2016 defeat by the MPNFL to be ranked second.[6] In 2019, the Northern Football Netball League defeated the Geelong Football League to become the number one ranked league in Victoria.[6]

Key people

  • Chairman – Scott Walker
  • CEO – Peter McDougall

Presidents

Name Start End
R.Rogers 1922 1922
A.Santon 1923 1928
S.W.Kirkland 1928 1941
F.Smith 1946 1947
R.R.Scott 1948 1953
G.J.Gilberg 1954 1954
W.Hart 1955 1979
R.G.Ward 1980 2006
B.Treager 2007 2007

Secretaries

Name Start End
W.S.Laurie 1922 1940
G.J.LeBrocq 1941 1975
B.A.Tooth 1976 1983
P.G.Floyd 1983 2006
D.Collings 2007 2007

Senior Competition

Locations of the 2023 NFNL clubs. Red pogs represent teams in Division One, orange pogs represent teams in Division Two, and yellow pogs represent teams in Division Three. Kilmore is based approximately 30 km north-west of Whittlesea.

Division 1

Club Founded Nickname Location Home Ground Entered Competition Most recent Promotion Jumper
Banyule Football Club 1967 Bears Heidelberg R.J Brockwell Oval 2015 2022 (Div 2 Premiers)
Bundoora Football Club 1974 Bulls Bundoora Yulong Reserve 1981 1982
Eltham Football Club 1909 Panthers Eltham Eltham Central Park 1922–35, 1938 2023 (Div 2 Premiers)
Greensborough Football Club 1893 Boro Greensborough War Memorial Park 1922 2007
Heidelberg Football Club 1876 Tigers Heidelberg Warringal Park 1923–25, 1928–34, 1937 1984
Hurstbridge Football Club 1914 Bridges Hurstbridge Ben Frilay Oval 1923, 1928, 1931, 1939-41 as Diamond Valley Juniors merger with Diamond Creek, 1988 2016
Macleod Football Club 1946 Kangaroos Rosanna De Winton Park 1947 2009
Montmorency Football Club 1924 Magpies Montmorency Montmorency Park, North Oval 1925–30, 1936–40, 1946 N/A
North Heidelberg Football Club 1958 Bulldogs Heidelberg Heights Shelley Street Reserve 1958–72, 1974 2017
West Preston Lakeside Football Club 1998 Roosters Reservoir J E Moore Park 1996 1997

Division 2

Club Founded Nickname Location Home Ground Entered Competition Most recent Relegation/Promotion Jumper
Diamond Creek Football Club 1904 Demons Diamond Creek Coventry Oval 1922–37, 1939-41 as Diamond Valley Juniors merger with Hurstbridge, 1946 2008 (Div 1 Relegation)
Laurimar Football Club 2017 Power Doreen Laurimar Reserve 2017 2023 (Div 3 Premiers)
Lower Plenty Football Club 1961 Bears Montmorency Montmorency Park, South Oval 1995 2019 (Div 1 Relegation)
Northcote Park Football Club 1952 Cougars Northcote Bill Lawry Oval 1981 2022 (Div 1 Relegation)
Panton Hill Football Club 1926 Redbacks Panton Hill Cracknell Reserve 1929–30, 1997 2019 (Div 3 Premiers)
South Morang Football Club
(Known as Morang-Bundoora from 1960-64)
1954 Lions Mill Park Lakes Mill Park Lakes Reserve 1955 2022 (Div 3 premiers)
St Mary's Senior Football Club 2009 Burra Greensborough Whatmough Park 2010 2018 (Div 3 Premiers)
Thomastown Football Club 1976 Bears Thomastown Main Street Reserve 1930–31, 2001 2014 (Div 3 Premiers)
Watsonia Football Club 1967 Saints Watsonia A K Lines Reserve 1969 2016 (Div 3 Premiers)
Whittlesea Football Club 1896 Eagles Whittlesea Whittlesea Showgrounds 1934–39, 1946, 1992 2023 (Div 1 Relegation)

Division 3

Club Founded Nickname Location Home Ground Entered Competition Most recent Relegation Jumper
Epping Football Club 1904 Blues Epping Epping Recreation Reserve 1933 2023 (Div 2 Relegation
Fitzroy Stars Football Club 1973 Stars Thornbury Sir Douglas Nicholls Oval 2008 2022
Heidelberg West Football Club 1936 Hawks Heidelberg Heidelberg Park 1941 2009
Ivanhoe Football Club 1910 Hoers Ivanhoe Ivanhoe Park 2024 NA
Kilmore Football Club 1887 Blues Kilmore JJ Clancy Reserve, Kilmore 2016 NA
Kinglake Football Club 1925 Lakers Kinglake Kinglake Memorial Reserve 1996-2000, 2002-2007, 2023 [7] NA
Lalor Football Club 1955 Bloods Lalor Lalor Reserve 1968 2018
Mernda Football Club 1891 Demons Mernda Waterview Recreation Reserve 1937–1939,1941, 1946, 1987 2015
Old Eltham Collegians Football Club 1986 Turtles Research Eltham College Reserve 2019[8] NA
Old Paradians Football Club 1929 Raiders Bundoora Garvey Oval, Parade College 2024 NA
Reservoir Football Club 1923 Mustangs Reservoir Crispe Park 1946–1948, 1981–2006, 2008–2015, 2017 2016

Promotion and Relegation

At the end of each year the Premiers of Division 2 and 3 are promoted, while the clubs that finish bottom in Division 1 and 2 are relegated.

Premiership TimelineNote

Division Promotion and Relegation TimelineNote

Note:

  • In 1938, Diamond Creek and Hurstbridge lacked senior players due to WWII. Having a number of boys still wanting to play, they decided to merge their clubs and play as 'Diamond Valley Juniors' against other junior teams in the Melbourne Boys League. In 1939, enough senior players were found to form a team and Diamond Valley Juniors entered a senior team into the DVFL competition from 1939 to 1941. After WWII, Diamond Creek and Hurstbridge returned to playing as separate clubs.
  • In 1987, Watsonia won the Division 2 Premiership, but declined to compete in Division 1 due to concerns regarding financial stability and competitiveness: the DVFL allowed Reservoir-Lakeside (the 1987 runners-up) to be promoted to Division 1 for the 1988 season to avoid a bye.
  • In 1997, Reservoir-Lakeside asked to be relegated to Division 2 due to an exodus of players, leaving a nine team Division 1 and a bye for that season: Greensborough avoided relegation since Reservoir-Lakeside had dropped before the season began. At the end of the 1997 season, Reservoir-Lakeside (Div 2) and West Preston (Div 1) merged to become West Preston-Lakeside and played the 1998 season in Division 1.
  • In 2015, Reservoir won the Division 3 Premiership, but went into recess before the 2016 season, leaving Division 2 with seven teams and requiring a bye.
  • In 2018, Lalor requested relegation to Division 3 due to an exodus of players, so that the club could survive and rebuild. The NFL granted Lalor's request, trading places with Epping who agreed to be promoted from Division 3 to Division 2 for the 2018 season to avoid a bye.
  • In 2019, the league decided to move to a ten team Division 1 & 2 and an eight team Division 3 structure for the 2020 season with Old Eltham Collegians's successful transfer from the VAFA into the NFNL's Division 3 for the 2019 season. This decision created a nine team Division 2 and 3 for the 2019 season: the league thus promoted the 2018 Division 3 premier, St Mary's, to Division 2 and allowed the last placed 2018 Division 2 team, Watsonia to avoid relegation. At the conclusion of the 2019 season, Panton Hill were promoted to Division 2 after winning the Division 3 premiership and last placed Epping avoided relegation, thus completing the competition restructure.
  • In 2021, the season commenced but was interrupted several times due to Victoria being locked down due to Covid-19 outbreaks. A lengthy lock down occurred at the end of the home and away season which caused the finals series to be cancelled. It was subsequently decided that there would be no promotion or relegation between the divisions, however the Best and Fairest and Leading Goal Kicker awards were presented.

Premiership Table

Seniors Reserves Thirds
Club Div 1 Div 2 Div 3 Div 1 Div 2 Div 3 Div 1 Div 2 Div 3
Heidelberg 21 1 - 15 1 - 1 1 -
Greensborough 17 1 - 7 2 - 13 2 -
Eltham 8 7 - 3 4 - 3 - -
Epping 6 3 - 1 2 - 2 - -
North Heidelberg 6 2 - 11 1 - 5 - -
Northcote Park / Northcote Park – Alphington 6 2 - - 2 - 6 2 -
Lalor 5 3 - 3 3 - 4 2 -
Bundoora 5 1 - 13 - - 4 1 -
Diamond Creek 4 3 - 1 6 - - 3 -
Montmorency 4 - - 6 - - 7 - -
West Preston Lakeside 4 - - 2 - - 3 - -
Reservoir – Lakeside 3 - - 6 2 - 7 1 -
Reservoir 2 1 1 - 2 1 - 3 -
Macleod – Rosanna / Macleod 2 1 - 5 - - 2 3 -
Templestowe 2 - - - - - 1 - -
Heidelberg West 1 - - 1 - 1 1 - -
Whittlesea - 4 - - 1 - - 3 -
West Preston - 3 - - 6 - - 1 -
Lower Plenty - 3 - - 1 - - 4 -
Hurstbridge - 2 1 - - 1Note - 1 -
Mernda / Plenty Rovers - 1 1 - 2 1 - 1 -
Thomastown - 1 1 - 2 - - 1 1
Watsonia - 1 1 - - 1 1 - 1
Banyule - 1 1 - - 1 - 1 -
South Morang - - 2 1 1 2 - 1 -
Panton Hill - - 2 - - 1 - - -
St Mary's - - 1 - - 3 - 1 -
Laurimar - - 1 - - - - - -
Parkside - - 1Note - - - - - -
Research - - - - 1 - - 1 -
Fitzroy Stars - - - - 1 - - - -
Old Eltham Collegians - - - - - 1 - - -
Thornbury - - - - - - - 1 -
Wallan - - - - - - - 1 -
West Lalor - - - - - - - 1 -
Total 96 41 13Note 75 41 13Note 60 36 2

Division 1

NFL Seniors Captain Coach Reserves Thirds
2023 Heidelberg [9] Sam Gilmore Vin Dattoli Heidelberg Greensborough
2022 Heidelberg Sam Gilmore Danny Nolan Bundoora Montmorency
2020 Competition and 2021 Finals suspended due to COVID-19 pandemic
2019 West Preston-Lakeside Nathan Valladares

Ahmed Saad

Rob Maiorana Bundoora Eltham
2018 West Preston-Lakeside Nathan Valladares

Ahmed Saad

Rob Maiorana Bundoora Montmorency
2017 Bundoora Brent Marshall Ricky Dyson Greensborough Eltham
2016 Heidelberg Michael Brunelli Charles Gaylard Heidelberg Greensborough
2015 Macleod Kane Shaw Garry Ramsay Greensborough Greensborough
2014 Greensborough Lachlan Mcquilken
Tim Bongetti
Matthew Hyde
Robert Hyde West Preston-Lakeside Greensborough
2013 Bundoora Brayden Shaw
Micheal Farrelly
Phil Plunkett Heidelberg West Preston-Lakeside
2012 Northcote Park Bronik Davies Jason Heatley West Preston-Lakeside Northcote Park
2011 Bundoora Brayden Shaw Phil Maylin Montmorency Greensborough
2010 West Preston Lakeside Nick Meese Vin Dattoli Bundoora Greensborough
2009 Heidelberg Abe Williams Phil Plunkett Bundoora Greensborough
2008 Heidelberg Blair Harvey Phil Plunkett Heidelberg West Preston Lakeside
2007 Heidelberg Blair Harvey Phil Plunkett Heidelberg Eltham
DVFL Seniors Captain Coach Reserves Thirds
2006 Heidelberg Blair Harvey Craig Hunter Bundoora West Preston Lakeside
2005 North Heidelberg Leigh Gray Brett Hancock Montmorency N'cote Park/Alphington
2004 Heidelberg Blair Harvey Craig Hunter Heidelberg N'cote Park/Alphington
2003 West Preston Lakeside Fabian Carelli Ryan Smith Bundoora N'cote Park/Alphington
2002 Northcote Park Matthew Amad Peter Dean Montmorency Bundoora
2001 Northcote Park Matthew Amad Vin Hanlon Heidelberg Montmorency
2000 Northcote Park Matthew Amad Steve Easton Heidelberg Bundoora
1999 Northcote Park Matthew Amad Steve Easton Bundoora N'cote Park/Alphington
1998 Lalor Darryl Sinclair Ray Shaw Lalor N'cote Park/Alphington
1997 Northcote Park John Origlasso Steve Easton Bundoora Epping
1996 Bundoora Trevor Robinson Gary Massey Bundoora North Heidelberg
1995 Bundoora Trevor Robinson Gary Massey Montmorency Lalor
1994 North Heidelberg Mark Perkins Mark Perkins North Heidelberg Montmorency
1993 Lalor Graham Spillard Steve Easton Bundoora Epping
1992 Lalor Steve Petrucelle Steve Easton North Heidelberg Reservoir-Lakeside
1991 Lalor Brett Mancini Barry Rist Bundoora Montmorency
1990 Heidelberg Nick Delanty Michael Sullivan North Heidelberg Greensborough
1989 Greensborough Brett Fowler Harold Martin North Heidelberg North Heidelberg
1988 Greensborough Wayne Dobson Greg Jones North Heidelberg Bundoora
1987 North Heidelberg Paul Storey Gary Massey North Heidelberg Lalor
1986 Heidelberg Ray Shephard Michael Sullivan North Heidelberg Bundoora
1985 North Heidelberg Paul Storey Gary Massey North Heidelberg Lalor
1984 Greensborough Robert Hyde Robert Hyde Greensborough North Heidelberg
1983 Greensborough Robert Hyde Robert Hyde Bundoora Lalor
1982 Diamond Creek John O'Connell John O'Connell Montmorency Templestowe
1981 Diamond Creek John O'Connell John O'Connell Lalor Montmorency
1980 Lalor Chris Valerkou Barry Rist Lalor Heidelberg
1979 Montmorency Shane Molloy Shane Molloy Montmorency Greensborough
1978 North Heidelberg Kevin Grose Kevin Grose Reservoir-Lakeside Reservoir-Lakeside
1977 Reservoir-Lakeside Dennis Le Gassick Bob Edmonds North Heidelberg Watsonia
1976 Montmorency Lee Adamson Lee Adamson North Heidelberg Reservoir-Lakeside
1975 Reservoir-Lakeside Dennis Le Gassick Kevin Egan Reservoir-Lakeside Reservoir-Lakeside
1974 Eltham Bernie Massey Bernie Massey Eltham Greensborough
1973 Templestowe Garry Dyring Barry Rist Macleod-Rosanna Reservoir-Lakeside
1972 Eltham John Newnham Ray Slocum Greensborough Greensborough
1971 Macleod-Rosanna Kevin Simpson Kevin Dillon Eltham Reservoir-Lakeside
1970 Eltham John Walker John Walker Reservoir-Lakeside Greensborough
1969 Eltham Barry Capuano Hugh Mitchell Reservoir-Lakeside Greensborough
1968 Templestowe Craig Chivers Bob Symes South Morang Reservoir-Lakeside
1967 Greensborough John Carmody John Carmody Heidelberg Montmorency
1966 Greensborough John Carmody John Carmody Reservoir-Lakeside Heidelberg West
1965 Reservoir-Lakeside Graham Campbell Graham Campbell Reservoir-Lakeside Macleod-Rosanna
1964 Heidelberg Brian McMahon Brian McMahon North Heidelberg Macleod-Rosanna
1963 Epping Trevor Johnson Trevor Johnson Heidelberg North Heidelberg
1962 North Heidelberg Ron Buckley Eddie Draper Greensborough North Heidelberg
1961 Greensborough Joe Murphy Joe Murphy Greensborough
1960 Greensborough Joe Murphy Joe Murphy Heidelberg
1959 Heidelberg Peter Gurry Peter Gurry Macleod-Rosanna
1958 Greensborough Frank Londrigan Frank Londrigan Macleod-Rosanna
1957 Heidelberg Kevin Hart Kevin Hart Macleod-Rosanna
1956 Heidelberg Kevin Hart Kevin Hart Heidelberg
1955 Greensborough Fred Anderson Fred Anderson Heidelberg West
1954 Montmorency R. Hibbert Phil Ryan Greensborough
1953 Eltham Keith Headon Jack Harding Heidelberg
1952 Greensborough Percy Adamson Percy Adamson Epping
1951 Montmorency Phil Ryan Phil Ryan Heidelberg
1950 Heidelberg R. Clarke R. Clarke Heidelberg
1949 Eltham G.Hunter Henry Downing Diamond Creek
1948 Heidelberg G. Irvine Alan Stott Macleod-Rosanna
1947 Reservoir Don Atkinson Don Atkinson Eltham
1946 Reservoir Ron McConchie Tom Manchester
1942–1945 Competition suspended due to World War II
1941 Heidelberg West Plunkett
1940 Epping Eddie Worthington
1939 Epping Eddie Worthington
1938 Heidelberg Alan Stott Alan Stott
1937 Heidelberg Alan Stott Alan Stott
1936 Epping Tom Dea
1935 Epping Tom Dea
1934 Greensborough Vin Broderick
1933 Epping W. Callaghan
1932 Eltham H.Weidlich A.Parsons
1931 Greensborough Bill McDowell
1930 Eltham A.Parsons A.Parsons
1929 Heidelberg D. O'Keefe
1928 Heidelberg G. Rank
1927 Greensborough Tony Crees
1926 Diamond Creek E. Murray
1925 Greensborough Gus Lines
1924 Diamond Creek Richard Wadeson
1923 Heidelberg W. Parsons
1922 Greensborough Harold Hodgson

Division 2

NFL Seniors Captain Coach Reserves Thirds
2023 Eltham Darcy Vallance
Jackson Weatherald
Tim Bongetti Eltham Diamond Creek
2022 Banyule Devin McDonald Ricky Dyson Eltham Banyule
2020 Competition and 2021 Finals suspended due to COVID-19 pandemic
2019 Whittlesea Riley Dyson Blair Harvey Fitzroy Stars South Morang
2018 Lower Plenty Patrick Flynn Ben Turner Eltham Heidelberg
2017 North Heidelberg Daniel Bramich Stephen Saddington Diamond Creek Lower Plenty
2016 Hurstbridge Sean Jellie
Brayden Shaw
Trevor Frost
Rob Dyson
Thomastown Diamond Creek
2015 Whittlesea Andrew Fairchild Brad Dean Thomastown Whittlesea
2014 North Heidelberg Leigh Gilbert Stephen Saddington North Heidelberg St Mary's
2013 Whittlesea Roy Dyson
Garrett Heenan
Peter Bugden Diamond Creek Whittlesea
2012 Epping Daniel Moore Mario Bandera Diamond Creek Thomastown
2011 Lower Plenty Billy Barden Gary Ramsay Lower Plenty Lower Plenty
2010 Whittlesea Garret Heenan Peter Budgen Mernda Diamond Creek
2009 Macleod Kane Shaw Christian Brandt Diamond Creek Whittlesea
2008 Thomastown Barry McDonald
Vince Capeci
Dean Sinclair Mernda Macleod
2007 Lalor Steven Marshall Mark Pederson Thomastown Mernda
DVFL Seniors Captain Coach Reserves Thirds
2006 Greensborough Paul Hattenfels Russell Dickson Greensborough Greensborough
2005 Diamond Creek Shannon Logan Neale Carroll Greensborough Macleod
2004 Lalor Steve Marshall Gavin Langbourne Lalor Greensborough
2003 Hurstbridge Jai Audley Rob Dyson Lalor Lalor
2002 Eltham Craig McKay Wayne Freeman South Morang Wallan
2001 Lalor Darryl Sinclair Darryl Sinclair Lalor Lalor
2000 Eltham Mark Minney Gary Jessop Eltham Bundoora
1999 Lower Plenty Paul Hicks Paul Hicks Whittlesea Lower Plenty
1998 Diamond Creek Steven Legg Danny Davenport Diamond Creek Reservoir
1997 Eltham Paul Smith Ray Spratt Diamond Creek Lower Plenty
1996 West Preston Adam Bruni Harold Martin West Preston Research
1995 Eltham Paul Smith Grant Wilmot West Preston Hurstbridge
1994 Northcote Park Dave Robertson Dave Robertson Northcote Park
1993 West Preston Pat Fitzgerald Andrew Smith West Preston Macleod Juniors
1992 Diamond Creek Greg Elliot Jon Collins West Preston West Lalor
1991 Mernda Simon Smythe Vin Hanlon West Preston
1990 Epping Kalev Vann Graham Bux Epping
1989 Eltham Andrew Russell Peter Moore Epping
1988 West Preston Phil Crapper Mark Duckworth Research
1987 Watsonia Adrian Sanderson Barry Rist Reservoir Lakeside Thornbury
1986 Epping Matt Scully Matt Scully Reservoir Lakeside West Preston
1985 Northcote Park Wayne Bannister Wayne Bannister West Preston Reservoir Lakeside
1984 Reservoir Rob Docherty Harold Martin Reservoir Reservoir
1983 Heidelberg Michael Sullivan Michael Sullivan Northcote Park Reservoir
1982 Eltham Warren Deards Hassa Mann Reservoir Northcote Park
1981 Bundoora Mark Slater Mark Slater Heidelberg Northcote Park

Division 3

NFL Seniors Captain Coach Reserves Thirds
2023 Laurimar Luke Wilson
Mitch Thompson
Jimmy Atkins Old Eltham Collegians Thomastown
2022 South Morang Matt Robinson Gary Hall South Morang Watsonia
2020 Competition and 2021 Finals suspended due to COVID-19 pandemic
2019 Panton Hill Mitchell Anderson Steve Layt Heidelberg West
2018 St Mary's Dillan Ronalds Fabian Carelli St Mary's
2017 Banyule Scott Gumbleton Pete Davey St Mary's
2016 Watsonia Matthew Crompton Corey McCall St Mary's
2015 Reservoir Danny O'Sullivan
Ryan Docherty
Ross Terranova Banyule
2014 Thomastown Anthony Fazzari Dean Sinclair Reservoir
2013 Panton Hill Will Box Dean Haydock Watsonia
2012 Mernda Rohan Davies Brett Wilson Mernda
2011 South Morang Daniel Heatley Gary Kallinikos Panton Hill
2010 Hurstbridge Michael Richards Darren Blyth South Morang
2009Note Parkside Rob Wise Peter Dean Hurstbridge

Division 1

NFL Best and Fairest
Frank Rosbrook Medal
Leading Goal Kicker Best on Ground in Grand Final
Year Player Club Player Club Goals Player Club
2023 Lachlan Wilson Heidelberg Patrick Fitzgerald Montmorency 72 Matthew Smith Heidelberg
2022 Matthew Harman West Preston-Lakeside Patrick Fitzgerald Montmorency 67 Matthew Smith Heidelberg
2021 Lachlan Wilson Heidelberg Ahmed Saad West Preston-Lakeside 54 2021 Finals suspended due to COVID-19 pandemic
2020 Competition suspended due to COVID-19 pandemic
2019 Tom Bell Greensborough Ahmed Saad West Preston-Lakeside 76 Luke Lirosi West Preston-Lakeside
2018 Lucas Hobbs
Michael Brunelli
Macleod
Heidelberg
Shane Harvey North Heidelberg 72 Mark Kovacevic West Preston-Lakeside
2017 Matthew Dennis Bundoora Ahmed Saad West Preston-Lakeside 73 Matthew Dennis Bundoora
2016 Matthew Dennis Bundoora Gary Moorcroft Bundoora 64 Lachlan Wilson Heidelberg
2015 Matt Vasilevski Lower Plenty James Kroussoratis Eltham 65 Liam Brandt Macleod
2014 Bronik Davies
Matt Vasilevski
Northcote Park
Lower Plenty
Patrick Fitzgerald Montmorency 68 Michael Hooper Greensborough
2013 Cameron Cloke Bundoora Cameron Cloke Bundoora 93 Brayden Shaw Bundoora
2012 Bronik Davies
Matthew Dennis
Northcote Park
Bundoora
Gary Moorcroft Bundoora 75 Anthony Hogan Northcote Park
2011 Michael Finn Heidelberg Dean Limbach Montmorency 83 Micheal Farrelly Bundoora
2010 Nick Meese West Preston Lakeside Saul Caddy Heidelberg 82 Jake Williams West Preston Lakeside
2009 Daniel Keenan Montmorency Shane Harvey North Heidelberg 102 Dean Haydock Heidelberg
2008 Shane Harvey
Daniel Keenan
David Mitchell
North Heidelberg
Montmorency
Bundoora
Shane Harvey North Heidelberg 108 Blair Harvey Heidelberg
2007 Daniel McFerran West Preston L'side Chris Hall
Shaun Ryan
Heidelberg
North Heidelberg
72 Michael Gay Heidelberg
DVFL Best and Fairest
Frank Smith Medal
Leading Goal Kicker Best on Ground in Grand Final
Gary Massey Medal
2006 Brett Jeffrey Northcote Park Adrian Baker West Preston L'side 73 Dale Nolan Heidelberg
2005 Daniel King Epping Chris Hall Heidelberg 102 Jake King North Heidelberg
2004 Daniel King Epping Cristian Brandt North Heidelberg 78 Chris Hall Heidelberg
2003 Fabian Carelli West Preston L'side Peter Van Blommestein Heidelberg 87 Damien Walsh-Quay West Preston L'side
2002 Mario Bandera North Heidelberg Steve Bawden Epping 87
2001 Dean Haydock Heidelberg Jason Heatley North Heidelberg 110
2000 Paul King Bundoora Damien Yze Northcote Park 99
1999 Leigh Gray North Heidelberg Jamie Shaw North Heidelberg 134
1998 Ryan Smith Heidelberg Athas Hrysoulakis Lalor 88
1997 Barry Mitchell Northcote Park Jamie Shaw North Heidelberg 114
1996 John Origlasso Northcote Park Jamie Shaw North Heidelberg 88
1995 Adrian Cameron Bundoora Jamie Shaw North Heidelberg 113
1994 Renato Marinelli Diamond Creek Jamie Shaw North Heidelberg 161
1993 Kevin Brown Bundoora Brett Hancock North Heidelberg 97
1992 Chris Keating Bundoora Jason Heatley North Heidelberg 118
1991 Peter Woodward
Neil Brindley
Peter Mastin
Montmorency
Greensborough
Greensborough
Jamie Solyom Lalor 73
1990 Chris Keating Bundoora David Miller Heidelberg 95
1989 Richard Guldon Heidelberg Steve Webster Montmorency 62
1988 Brad Dunbar Heidelberg West Steve Webster Montmorency 57
1987 Wayne Dobson Greensborough Steve Webster Montmorency 83
1986 Mark Perkins Heidelberg West Mark Johnson North Heidelberg 59
1985 Darryl Harries Lalor Glenn Townsend Greensborough 103
1984 Kelvin Wood Heidelberg West Russell Jessop Lalor 103
1983 Wayne Dobson Greensborough Bill Seiler Diamond Creek 82
1982 Wayne Headlam Diamond Creek Bill Seiler Diamond Creek 86
1981 Wayne Headlam Diamond Creek Bill Seiler Diamond Creek 82
1980 Elias Demestichas South Morang Keith Robbins Lalor 90
1979 John Ellis Watsonia Robert Downie Watsonia 64
1978 Mario Cipolla North Heidelberg Kevin Grose
Graeme Fraser
North Heidelberg
Montmorency
80
1977 Jeff Edwards North Heidelberg Ron Wilson South Morang 83
1976 John Horton Diamond Creek Bruce McDowell Greensborough 97
1975 John Clancy Heidelberg Bruce McDowell Greensborough 86
1974 Mario Cipolla North Heidelberg Lindsay Hopkins Templestowe 66
1973 Stephen Thorpe Templestowe Ivan Bromley Reservoir-Lakeside 87
1972 Robin Perkins Heidelberg Ivan Bromley Reservoir-Lakeside 115
1971 Jim Christou Heidelberg John Horton Diamond Creek 78
1970 Frank Natoli Reservoir Lakeside John Vadja Macleod-Rosanna 81
1969 Geoff Noble Macleod-Rosanna Ted Wallace Templestowe 94
1968 Dennis Aspinall Eltham Bill Chapman Macleod-Rosanna 73
1967 Geoff Condie Diamond Creek Bernie Drury Montmorency 69
1966 Ken Jones
Graham Campbell
Diamond Creek
Reservoir-Lakeside
Max Condie Diamond Creek 81
1965 Graham Campbell Reservoir-Lakeside Doug Hayes Reservoir-Lakeside 85
1964 Pat Foley Heidelberg West Claude Howard Heidelberg 74
1963 Pat Foley Heidelberg West Gerald Walsh Epping 96
1962 Ken Jones Montmorency Gerald Walsh Epping 70
1961 Joe Murphy Greensborough Les Cann Reservoir Lakeside 68
1960 Clem Cooper Epping Ivan Francis Heidelberg West 67
1959 John Elliot Diamond Creek Ed Crawley Heidelberg West 70
1958 John Elliot
Don McDowell
Diamond Creek
Greensborough
Gerald Walsh Epping 81
1957 John Elliot Diamond Creek Ray Skals Greensborough 96
1956 Jack Davies Epping Les Cann Montmorency 85
1955 Kevin Hart Macleod Ron Denmead Montmorency 65
1954 Joe Murphy
Doug King
Greensborough
Reservoir-Lakeside
Ron Denmead Montmorency 126
1953 Jack Tucker Heidelberg West Roy Kelly Eltham 64
1952 Kevin Hart Macleod Wally Dingle Montmorency 71
1951 Joe Adams Epping Brian Gillberg Montmorency 74
1950 Geoff Heddle Diamond Creek Bill Harvey Heidelberg 102
1949 Geoff Heddle Diamond Creek Jack Dempster Templestowe 97
1948 Jack Dempster Templestowe Gordon Hastings Reservoir 68
1947 Reg Milburn Epping Gordon Hastings Reservoir 112
1946 Joe Delaney Heidelberg Gordon Hastings Reservoir 73
1937 Jim Giddens Plenty Rovers
1933 J West Eltham 128

Division 2

Best and Fairest Leading Goal Kicker Best on Ground in Grand Final
John Elliot Medal
Year Player Club Player Club Goals Player Club
2023 Tane Cotter St Marys James Lucente Watsonia 59 Finbar Maley Eltham
2022 Darcy Barden Lower Plenty Jack Langford Banyule 59 Tim Martin Banyule
2021 Tom Keys Lower Plenty Jack Langford
Ryan Pingree
Banyule
Diamond Creek
29 2021 Finals suspended due to COVID-19 pandemic
2020 Competition suspended due to COVID-19 pandemic
2019 Xavier Dimasi
Riley Loton
Brent Macaffer
Whittlesea
Banyule
Eltham
Michael Still Eltham 44 Xavier Dimasi Whittlesea
2018 Patrick Flynn Lower Plenty James Kroussoratis Banyule 71 Patrick Flynn Lower Plenty
2017 Brent Harvey North Heidelberg Shane Harvey North Heidelberg 106 Jesse Tardio North Heidelberg
2016 Tyron Loader Hurstbridge Daniel Francis Fitzroy Stars 68 Brayden Shaw Hurstbridge
2015 Shane Jacobs Lalor Todd Hughes Lalor 81 Todd Behan Whittlesea
2014 Tyler Scarce Panton Hill Shane Harvey North Heidelberg 110 Jesse Tardio North Heidelberg
2013 Rohan Davies Mernda Shane Harvey North Heidelberg 123 Malcolm Dow* Fitzroy Stars
2012 Lionel Proctor Fitzroy Stars Shane Harvey North Heidelberg 103 Shane Harvey* North Heidelberg
2011 Darcy Barden Lower Plenty Peter Shepherd Lalor 93 Darcy Barden Lower Plenty
2010 Luke Jackson Diamond Creek Benjamin Gill Lower Plenty 59 Lucas Hobbs Whittlesea
2009 Daniel Moore Epping John Hayes Fitzroy Stars 89 Kane Shaw Macleod
2008 Lionel Proctor Fitzroy Stars Aaron Willitts Epping 78 Stefan Berak Thomastown
2007 Andrew Bennett Macleod Cristian Brandt Macleod 109 Nick Mafilovski Lalor
2006 Daniel Eifermann Whittlesea Nick Lynch Macleod 102 David Hutchison Greensborough
2005 Ryan Bongetti South Morang Tom Felle Mernda 104 Shannon Logan Diamond Creek
2004 William Box Panton Hill Aaron James Lalor 114 Paul Briggs Lalor
2003 Jai Audley Hurstbridge Toby O'Meara Reservoir 73 Justin Crowe Hurstbridge
2002 Heath Ayres Wallan Adam Bruni Reservoir 82
2001 Tony Callea Fawkner Park Paul Baker Whittlesea 107
2000 Paul Eccles Watsonia Gavin Tapner Watsonia 90
1999 Mark Spiteri Kinglake Ron McKeown Whittlesea 114
1998 Dean Harrington Whittlesea Jamie Bown Whittlesea 79
1997 Ray Buttigieg
Tony Maraschiello
South Morang
Mernda
Paul Baker Kinglake 102
1996 Rocky Iacopino Macleod Paul Baker Hurstbridge 93
1995 Dale Carmody West Preston Paul Baker
David Miller
Hurstbridge
West Preston
85
1994 Billy Colosimo Reservoir Paul Baker Hurstbridge 139
1993 Adam Bruni West Preston Paul Baker Hurstbridge 116
1992 Paul Tilley West Preston Cristian Brandt West Preston 68
1991 Robert Mietus Hurstbridge Greg Withers Heidelberg West 80
1990 Malcolm Griffiths
John Hassell
Watsonia
Mernda
Steve Webster Epping 96
1989 Brett Johnstone
Glenn Whittenbury
South Morang
Templestowe
Malcolm Niddrie Templestowe 92
1988 Steve Easton Research Darren Scott Epping 80
1987 Greg Fyffe West Preston Ron Wilson Eltham 83
1986 Stan Apostola Epping Darren Scott Epping 97
1985 Les Pugh Thornbury Warren Jarman Eltham 72
1984 Adrian Sullivan West Preston Steve Banbury West Preston 56
1983 Bernie Nicholson Macleod–Rosanna Peter McNiece Northcote Park 83
1982 Anthony McFarlane
Glenn Irving
Eltham
Eltham
Peter Lowe Macleod-Rosanna 85
1981 Mark Slater Bundoora Rob Michaelangeli Northcote Park 76
  • Player awarded Best on Ground despite playing for the losing team

Division 3

Best and Fairest Leading Goal Kicker Best on Ground in Grand Final
Year Player Club Player Club Goals Player Club
2023 Lachlan Evans Heidelberg West Matthew Williamson Old Eltham Collegians 63 Joshua Leather Laurimar
2022 Chris Ryall Kilmore Jackson Cecil Laurimar 84 James Hewson South Morang
2021 Chris Ryall Kilmore Josh Williamson Laurimar 43 2021 Finals suspended due to COVID-19 pandemic
2020 Competition suspended due to COVID-19 pandemic
2019 Jarryd Coulson Heidelberg West Rhys Boyden Panton Hill 62 Daniel Freeman Panton Hill
2018 Jarryd Coulson Heidelberg West Rhys Boyden Panton Hill 76 Myles Gouldon St.Marys
2017 Jarryd Coulson Heidelberg West James Kroussoratis Banyule 74 Scott Gumbleton Banyule
2016 Matthew Crompton Watsonia Aaron Willits Epping 67 Levi Moss Watsonia
2015 Daniel Moore Epping Kyl Ewart Heidelberg West 62 Judd Darby Reservoir
2014 Matthew Cupo
Danny O'Sullivan
Thomastown
Reservoir
Jacob Osei-Duro Thomastown 71 Matthew Cupo Thomastown
2013 Lochie Dornauf Watsonia Ben Finnin Panton Hill 53 Abe Williams Panton Hill
2012 Rohan Davies Mernda Johnathon Bryon Panton Hill 96 Matthew Rees Mernda
2011 Brad Hockey Parkside Dallas King Parkside 60 Matthew Manning South Morang
2010 Ryan Docherty Reservoir Johnathon Garrard Panton Hill 88 Josh Saw Hurstbridge
2009Note Robbie Wise Parkside Benjamin Gill Panton Hill 63 Robbie Wise Parkside

Women's Senior Competition

The NFNL Women's Senior Competition was established in 2017. As the NFNL was one of the first metropolitan leagues in Melbourne to begin their own senior women's competition, football clubs from the EDFL, EFL, VAFA and WRFL participated in the NFNL until their own leagues established women's competitions.

There is currently no promotion or relegation between the divisions. To ensure a competitive balance each season, the competition is graded, meaning teams are placed on their level of ability rather than on how they performed the previous year.

All Divisions

Club Founded Nickname Location Home Ground Entered Competition Jumper
Banyule Football Club 1974 Bears Heidelberg RJ Brockwell Reserve 2021
Darebin Women's Sports Club 1990 Falcons Preston A.H. Capp Reserve 2017
Diamond Creek Women's Football Club 2010 Creekers Plenty Plenty Park Oval 2017
Eltham Football Club 1909 Panthers Eltham Eltham Central Park 2018
Fitzroy Stars Football Club 1973 Stars Thornbury Sir Douglas Nicholls Oval 2021
Greensborough Football Club 1893 Boro Greensborough War Memorial Park 2018
Heidelberg Football Club 1876 Tigers Heidelberg Warringal Park 2019
Heidelberg West Football Club 1936 Hawks Heidelberg Heidelbrg Park 2023
Hurstbridge Football Club 1914 Bridges Hurstbridge Ben Frilay Oval 2019
Laurimar Football Club 2017 Power Doreen Laurimar Reserve 2017
Mernda Football Club 1891 Demons Mernda Waterview Recreation Reserve 2018
Montmorency Football Club 1924 Magpies Montmorency Montmorency Park, North Oval 2017
North Heidelberg Football Club 1958 Bulldogs Heidelberg Heights Shelley Street Reserve 2023
St Mary's Senior Football Club 2009 Burra Greensborough Whatmough Park 2018
Wallan Football Club 1904 Magpies Wallan Greenhill Reserve 2019
West Preston Lakeside Football Club 1998 Roosters Reservoir J E Moore Park 2017
Whittlesea Football Club 1896 Eagles Whittlesea Whittlesea Showgounds 2021

Women's Clubs Currently In Recess

Club Founded Nickname Location Home Ground Years in Competition Jumper
Bundoora Football Club 1974 Bulls Bundoora Yulong Reserve 2018-2021, 2022 merger to form Lower Plenty-Bundoora
Lower Plenty Football Club 1961 Bears Lower Plenty Montmorency Park, South Oval 2021, 2022 merger to form Lower Plenty-Bundoora
Reservoir Football Club 1923 Mustangs Reservoir Crispe Park 2019-2021
South Morang Football Club 1954 Lions Mill Park Lakes Mill Park Lakes Reserve 2017-2019

Premiership Table

Seniors
Club Div 1 Div 2 Div 3
Bendigo 2 - -
VU Western Spurs 1 2 -
Diamond Creek Women’s 1 - -
Montmorency 1 - -
Eltham - 1 -
St Mary's - 1 -
West Preston Lakeside - 1 -
Bundoora - - 1
Greensborough - - 1
Hurstbridge - - 1
Wallan - - 1
Total 5 5 4

Division 1

NFL Seniors Captain Coach
2023 Montmorency Madeline Gallagher Warren Harris
2022 Diamond Creek Women's Stacey Cross Collin Wallington
2020 Competition and 2021 Finals suspended due to COVID-19 pandemic
2019 VU Western Spurs Jessica Francke
Tara Morgan
Christine Polatajko
2018 Bendigo Andrea Walsh Luis Alvarez-Harris
2017 Bendigo Leah French Cherie O'Neill

Division 2

NFL Seniors Captain Coach
2023 St Mary's Elyssa Rees Troy Bickerton
2022 Eltham Darren Cardamone
2020 Competition and 2021 Finals suspended due to COVID-19 pandemic
2019 VU Western Spurs Amy Unwin John Mustafa
2018 West Preston Lakeside Chloe Kalanj Brett Pollard
2017 VU Western Spurs B Muscat Christine Polatajko

Division 3

NFL Seniors Captain Coach
2023 Wallan Kelly Lennox Leigh Senior
2022 Hurstbridge Amy Graham Paul Reid
2020 Competition and 2021 Finals suspended due to COVID-19 pandemic
2019 Greensborough Kelly Mullins Stewart Lewis
2018 Bundoora Ashleigh Del Romano Gary Moorcroft

Division 1

Best and Fairest Leading Goal Kicker Best on Ground in Grand Final
Year Player Club Player Club Goals Player Club
2022 Ashleigh Snow West Preston-Lakeside Linda Thorp Diamond Creek Women’s 47 Stacey Cross Diamond Creek Women’s
2021 Shae Audley Diamond Creek Women's Linda Thorp Diamond Creek Women's 33 2021 Finals suspended due to COVID-19 pandemic
2020 Competition suspended due to COVID-19 pandemic
2019 Nicole Blyth Montmorency Kerrie Clarke VU Western Spurs 21 Jessica Francke VU Western Spurs
2018 Sarah Wright Keilor Andrea Walsh Bendigo 58 Isabella Ayre Bendigo
2017 Shannon Egan Darebin Andrea Walsh Bendigo 50 Jacinta Louttit Bendigo

Division 2

Best and Fairest Leading Goal Kicker Best on Ground in Grand Final
Year Player Club Player Club Goals Player Club
2022 Jessica Hardy St Mary’s Sarah Johnston St Mary’s 45 Angelique Reibelt Eltham
2021 Maree Stephenson Wallan Rebecca Hayes Hurstbridge 16 2021 Finals suspended due to COVID-19 pandemic
2020 Competition suspended due to COVID-19 pandemic
2019 Demi Hallett South Morang Emma Rowe Heidelberg 31 Danielle Mazzocca VU Western Spurs
2018 Catherine O'Bryan West Preston Lakeside Samantha Greene La Trobe Uni 39 Catherine O'Bryan West Preston Lakeside
2017 Natarsha Bamblett
Nicole Blythe
Rechelle McSwain
West Preston Lakeside
Montmorency
South Morang
Nadine Rabah VU Western Spurs 24 Nadine Lampard VU Western Spurs

Division 3

Best and Fairest Leading Goal Kicker Best on Ground in Grand Final
Year Player Club Player Club Goals Player Club
2022 Gulia Ceravolo Mernda Ameerah Gentle Mernda 24 Sheridan Bennett Hurstbridge
2021 Natalie Todaro Mernda Rebekah Di Paola Banyule 31 2021 Finals suspended due to COVID-19 pandemic
2020 Competition suspended due to COVID-19 pandemic
2019 Belinda Harris Hurstbridge Stacy Rigon VU Western Spurs 24 Ashleigh Ashman* VU Western Spurs
2018 Rainbow Ebert Bundoora Amy Callaway Bundoora 29 Krystal Cullinan* Eltham
  • Player awarded Best on Ground despite playing for the losing team

Juniors Competition

The NFNL Juniors Competition has 24 clubs across the boys and girls competitions. The competition comprises age groups from under 9 thorough to under 17. In 2010 the league announced for there to be an under 16 age group which had previously not existed.

Lew Hall Trophy

The trophy is awarded each year to the club which has the most combined premiership points from the under 13, under 15 and under 17 age groups. The Lew Hall Award changed criteria to become an individual award to acknowledge club and community leadership by a young person.

Year Club
2021 Taj Logan (Diamond Creek)
2019 Lynton Martin (Keon Park Stars)
2018 Max Larocia (Kilmore)
2017 Ruby Panozzo (Montmorency)
2007 Research
2006 Hurstbridge
2005 Preston RSL
2004 Epping
2003 Fawkner Park
2002 Mill Park
2001 Mill Park
2000 Yarrambat
1999 Whittlesea
1998 Eltham
1997 Keon Park Stars
1996 Greensborough
1995 Montmorency

Clubs

Club Nickname Location Home Ground Entered Competition Jumpers/Notes Senior Affiliation
Darebin Women's Sports Club Falcons Preston A.H. Capp Reserve 2011
Darebin
Diamond Creek Football Club Creekers Diamond Creek Coventry Reserve 1922
Diamond Creek
Diamond Creek Women's Football Club Creekers Plenty Plenty Park Oval 2011
Diamond Creek
Donnybrook Football Club (Victoria) Dragons Donnybrook Cycad Park 2022 [10]
None
Eltham Football Club Panthers Eltham Eltham Central Park, Susan Street Reserve 1968
Eltham
Epping Football Club Pingers Epping Epping Rec Reserve
Epping
Greensborough Junior Football Club Raiders Greensborough Anthony Beale Reserve 1968
Greensborough
Hurstbridge Football Club Bridges Hurstbridge Ben Frilay Oval
Hurstbridge
Kilmore Football Club Blues Kilmore JJ Clancy Reserve, Kilmore 2017
Kilmore
Keon Park Stars Junior Football Club Stars Reservoir J C Donath Reserve 1993
Heidelberg West
Kinglake Junior Football Club Lakers Kinglake Kinglake Football Ground 2013
Kinglake (YVMDRL)
Laurimar Football Club Power Doreen Laurimar Reserve 2011
Laurimar
Mernda Football Club Demons Mernda Mernda Rec Reserve
Mernda
Mill Park Junior Football Club Stallions Mill Park Redleap Reserve 1981
Watsonia
Montmorency Football Club Magpies Montmorency Montmorency Park 1968
Montmorency
Panton Hill Football Club Redbacks Panton Hill Cracknell Reserve 1997
Panton Hill
Research Junior Football Club Searchers Research Research Park 1987
Lower Plenty
Reservoir Football Club Colts Reservoir Crispe Park
Reservoir
South Morang Football Club Lions Mill Park Lakes Mill Park Lakes Reserve 1960
South Morang
Thomastown Football Club Bears Thomastown Main Street Reserve 2023
Thomastown
Wallan Junior Football Club Magpies Wallan Wallan Rec Reserve 2002
Wallan
West Ivanhoe Junior Football Club Roosters Ivanhoe Seddon Reserve 2013
None
West Preston Football Club Roosters Preston J E Moore Park
West Preston Lakeside
Whittlesea Football Club Eagles Whittlesea Whittlesea Showgrounds
Whittlesea
Yarrambat Junior Football Club Bats Yarrambat Yarrambat War Memorial Park 1979
Old Eltham

Former Clubs

Former Men's Competition Clubs

Club Founded Nickname Location Home Ground Years in NFNL Current Status Jumper in NFNL
All Blacks Football Club All Blacks Templestowe then moved to Heidelberg Unknown venue in Templestowe then Warringal Park 1929-1932 Amalgamated with Heidelberg Football Club
Diamond Valley Juniors Football Club 1939 Diamond Creek Coventry Oval 1939-1941 In 1939, Diamond Creek and Hurstbridge Football Clubs merged to create Diamond Valley Juniors; After WW2, Diamond Creek and Hurstbridge ended the merger
Fairfield Park Football Club 1891 Bloods Fairfield Fairfield Park Oval 1996 Folded
Fawkner Park Football Club 1998 Blues Fawkner Charles Mutton Reserve 1998, 2000-2006 Merged with North Coburg Saints FC and commenced playing as Northern Saints Football Club in the EDFL for the 2007 season
Kangaroo Ground Football Club 1893 Kangaroo Ground Kangaroo Ground Community Oval 1922-28 Folded
Parkside Football Club 1934 Devils Alphington Pitcher Park 2003-2013 Transferred to VAFA
Plenty Rovers Football Club 1891 Rovers Doreen Doreen Recreation Reserve 1937–39, 1941, 1946 Transferred to Panton Hill Football League, renamed to Mernda in 1965, returned to DVFL in 1987
Research Senior Football Club 1958 Bulldogs Eltham Eltham Lower Park 1986-91 Folded
Reservoir-Lakeside Football Club 1947 Lakies Reservoir LE Cotchin Reserve 1947-97 Merged with West Preston to form West Preston Lakeside
St Andrews Coburg Football Club 1986 Saints Coburg De Chene Reserve 1995-96 Folded
Templestowe Football Club 1892 Maroons or 'Stowers Templestowe Porter Street Reserve 1922–26, 1931–32, 1936–37, 1947–54, 1961-1990 Transferred to EFNL
Thornbury Football Club 1973[11] Bears Thornbury John Cain Memorial Reserve 1984-87 Merged with Reservoir Rovers and changed name to Thornbury Rovers
Thornbury Rovers Football Club 1988 Rovers Thornbury Hayes Park 1988-89 Folded
Wallan Football Club 1904 Magpies Wallan Wallan Recreation Reserve 2002-2007 Transferred to RDFNL
Warrandyte Football Club 1906 Bloods Warrandyte Warrandyte Reserve 1922–23, 1925 Competing in EFNL
West Preston Football Club 1948 Roosters Preston JE Moore Park 1981-1997 Merged with Reservoir-Lakeside to form West Preston Lakeside

Additional Information

  • All Blacks Football Club (Folded). A team from Templestowe, the 'All Blacks' were admitted into the Diamond Valley for the 1929 season.[12] It is known that they wore an all-black uniform based upon two small news articles in 1929 where it was reported that the club had lent their strip to the Diamond Valley Football League representative side for their match against the Bourke-Evelyn League as part of the Hartley Shield inter-league competition.[13][14] The All Blacks were a different team to the current Templestowe Football Club as they played against them in the 1931 and 1932 seasons.[15][16] They moved to Warringal Park in Heidelberg during the 1930 season and were co-tenants with Old Paradians.[17][18] They played their final season in 1932 and 'amalgamated' with Heidelberg Football Club in 1933 to play in the VFL Sub-District League.[19]
  • Diamond Valley Juniors was a merger between Diamond Creek and Hurstbridge football clubs in 1938 due to a lack of open aged players. The Diamond Valley Juniors played as a junior club only in the Melbourne Boys League in 1938. In 1939, enough senior players were available and they re-entered the DFVL until 1941. The team was dissolved when the DVFL resumed in 1946 with Diamond Creek and Hurstbridge Football Clubs becoming independent once more.
  • Plenty Rovers Football Club (The Plenty Rovers FC came about because of a merger between the Mernda & Doreen, they played at the Doreen Recreation Reserve, from 1932 to 1964 (1936–1939, 1946 in the DVFL), until they were forced to move out of Doreen due to powerline extensions, and moved to Mernda Recreation Reserve in Schotters Rd, Mernda, where they changed their name back to the Mernda Football Club in 1965). When Mernda rejoined the DVFL, they changed their jumper from the red and blue Melbourne Football Club design to a red jumper with a blue sash (due to Diamond Creek already wearing the Melbourne Football Club jumper).
  • Research Football Club (Club is now solely a junior club, however they do have an alignment with Lower Plenty Football Club). They wore a royal blue jumper with a red hoop and a white hoop either side of it in the style of Footscray Football Club when they played in the Panton Hill Football League but changed to a white jumper with red vertical stripes when they joined the Diamond Valley Football League (Due to North Heidelberg already wearing the bulldogs jumper). As a result of a number of violent on-field altercations, the club was expelled following the 1991 season. The Research Senior Football Club played at Eltham Lower Park, a different venue from the junior football club who still play at Research Park.
  • St Andrews-Coburg Football Club (Folded) played in a gold jumper with a royal blue vee in the VAFA,[20] but changed to a blue and yellow jumper, the same as the original West Coast Eagles jumper, when they crossed to the Diamond Valley Football League. St Andrews originally played at Brearley Reserve, Pascoe Vale South but with Coburg Amateurs Senior Football Club going into recess at the end of the 1987 season, St Andrews made the move to De Chene Reserve, Coburg in 1989.[21] As a result of the move, St Andrews then merged with the Coburg Amateurs Junior Football Club to become St Andrews-Coburg.

Former Women's Competition Clubs

Club Founded Nickname Location Home Ground Years in NFNL Current Status Jumper in NFNL
Bendigo Women's Football Club 2011 Thunder Bendigo Queen Elizabeth Oval 2017-19 Transferred to CVFLW
Deer Park Football Club 1925 Lions Deer Park John McLeod Reserve 2017 Transferred to WRFL
Keilor Football Club 1877 Blues Keilor Keilor Recreation Reserve 2018 Transferred to EDFL
Kew Football Club 1900 Bears Kew JJ Higgins Reserve 2017 Transferred to VAFA
La Trobe University Football Club 1967 Trobers Bundoora Main Oval, La Trobe University 2017-18 Transferred to VAFA
Melbourne University Football Club 1996 MUGARS Parkville Melbourne University Oval 2017 Transferred to VAFA
Pascoe Vale Football Club 1909 Panthers Pascoe Vale Raeburn Reserve 2017 Transferred to EDFL
VU Western Spurs Football Club 1993 Spurs Footscray Henry Turner Reserve 2017-2022 Transferred to WRFL
Whitehorse Colts Football Club 1954 Colts Box Hill Springfield Park 2017-18 Transferred to EFNL

Former Junior Competition Clubs

Club Founded Nickname Location Home Ground Years in NFNL Current Status Jumper in NFNL
Bundoora Park Thunderbolts Junior Football Club 2011 Thunderbolts Bundoora Bundoora Park Oval 2011-2022 Folded
Coburg Amateurs Junior Football Club Coburg De Chene Reserve 1994-1999 Merged with Newlands Coburg to form Coburg Juniors
Coburg Juniors Football Club 2000 Cougars Coburg De Chene Reserve 2000-2004 Folded
Holy Child Junior Football Club Cats Dallas Gibb Reserve 1996-2000 Folded
Jacana Junior Football Club 1961 Jaguars Jacana Jacana Reserve 2011 Female Team Only; joined their Male Teams in EDFL in 2012
Kingsbury RSL Junior Football Club Kangaroos Kingsbury John Hall Reserve 1996-2004 Folded
Lalor Stars Junior Football Club Stars Lalor WA Smith Reserve 1994-2013 Folded
Newlands Coburg Junior Football Club 1966 Cobras Coburg North Jackson Reserve 1996-1999 Merged with Coburg Amateurs to form Coburg Juniors
Northcote Junior Football Club
Formerly Alphington Junior FC
1962 Cougars Northcote McDonell Park -2019 Moved to YJFL
Preston RSL Junior Football Club Preston W Ruthven VC Reserve 1986-2010 Folded
St Damian's Junior Football Club 1979 Saints Bundoora Binnak Park 2011 Female Team Only; joined their Male Teams in Yarra Junior Football League in 2012
West Lalor Junior Football Club 1973 Dragons Lalor Huskisson Recreation Reserve 1987-2013 Folded

Footnote

Halfway through the 2009 season, six clubs (including Parkside and Hurstbridge) split from Division 2 in preparation for a third division in 2010. These clubs competed against each other for the rest of the season and Parkside defeated Hurstbridge in the senior grand final with Hurstbridge winning the reserve grand final. As per the announcement of the league at the time the divisions were split, Parkside were not promoted to Division Two.[3][22]

Main Sources

  1. "500 - Error: 500". Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 18 November 2009.
  2. "500 - Error: 500". Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 19 November 2009.
  3. "NFL third division gets go-ahead – Australian Rules/Footy – Sport – Diamond Valley Leader". whereilive.com.au.
  4. "NFL falls to MPNFL | Northern Football Netball League".
  5. "Oops | AFL Victoria".
  6. "Oops | AFL Victoria".
  7. "Kinglake accepted into NFNL; Northern Football Netball League".
  8. "Eltham Collegians to play Division 3 in the NFNL for Season 2019 | Northern Football Netball League".
  9. "Tigers Stay on Top With Back to Back Flags". 24 September 2023.
  10. "Donnybrook accepted into NFNL | Northern Football Netball League".
  11. https://www.vafa.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/File-AF-1973-No-1.pdf
  12. The Advertiser, Football – Diamond Valley Association, 5 April 1929, Page 2
  13. "Advertiser (Hurstbridge, Vic. : 1922–1939) – 31 May 1929 – p3". Trove.
  14. "Advertiser (Hurstbridge, Vic. : 1922–1939) – 7 Jun 1929 – p3". Trove.
  15. "Advertiser (Hurstbridge, Vic. : 1922–1939) – 5 Jun 1931 – p4". Trove.
  16. "Advertiser (Hurstbridge, Vic. : 1922–1939) – 15 Jul 1932 – p5". Trove.
  17. "Advertiser (Hurstbridge, Vic. : 1922–1939) – 19 Aug 1932 – p2". Trove.
  18. "Old Paradians' History Books – Old Paradians – SportsTG". SportsTG.
  19. "Advertiser (Hurstbridge, Vic. : 1922–1939) – 24 Mar 1933 – p3". Trove.
  20. "Mazenod OCFC | History | Football Club".
  21. "1989 Af".
  22. "Northern Football League". Archived from the original on 20 April 2012. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
Notes
  • Diamond Valley Football League Annual Report's from 1976 to 2007
  • Diamond Valley Football League Website
  • Diamond Valley Football League Clubs
  • Diamond Valley Football League Football Record
  • Diamond Valley Football League Archives
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