Federal Football League

Federal Football League
FormerlyFederal Football Association (1909−32)
Federal District Football League (1932−62)
SportAustralian rules football
Founded1909
Ceased1981; 43 years ago (1981)
CountryAustralia
Most titlesMoorabbin (12)

The Federal Football League (FFL), also known simply as the Federal League, was an Australian rules football competition in the south-eastern suburbs of Melbourne, Victoria. The competition was in existence from 1909 to 1981 and was regarded as one of the strongest metropolitan leagues in Melbourne.[1]

It is said that, in the mid-1960s, Channel 7 was seeking to telecast FFL games on a Sunday.[2]

Formation

Formed in 1909[3] as the Federal Football Association,[4] the competition's eight founding members were Cheltenham, Ellindale, Elsternwick, Frankston, Mentone, Mordialloc, Moorabbin, and Glen Huntly,[5] all from the southern/south eastern suburbs.[6]

Local Councillor F. T. Le Page was elected president.[7]

History

In 1915, the Federal football Association (FFA) A. Grade teams were - Brighton District, Moorabbin, Cheltenham, Moorabbin Park, Oakleigh and Elsternwick, whilst the B. Grade clubs were Sandringham, Mentone, Heatherton and Glenhuntly.[8]

In 1925, the FFA comprised 10 senior and 9 junior club's and had over 1,000 registered players.[9]

In 1933, J Nolan kicked 116 goals for the Caulfield.[10]

In 1937 the A Section competition teams were composed of - Black Rock, Mordialloc, Cheltenham, East Burwood, Moorabbin, Caulfield, Darling and Mentone, and in the B section, Chelsea, Highett, Mt. Waverley, Mordialloc, Black Rock and Edithvale-Aspendale.[11]

Middle Brighton FC kicked 50.40 - 340 v Heatherton: 0.0 - 0 in a match in 1914.

Clubs

Nine clubs competed in the FFL's final season.

Club Colours Nickname Seasons Fate/current league
Bentleigh
Demons 1957–1978 Merged
1979 with McKinnon to form Moorabbin (II)
Black Rock
Jets 1913–14; 1919–1926;
1931–1972 		SFNL
Brighton Districts
1913-1915;
1919-1921 		Merged[12][13]
1928 with Brighton
Camden 1939–1956 Merged
1956 with South Caulfield CYMS to form South Caulfield
Carrum
Lions 1911; 1913–1914;
1922–1927 		SFNL
Chelsea
Seagulls 1919–1958 MPNFL
Cheltenham
Rosellas 1909–1928;
1930–1981 		SFNL
Clayton
Clays 1954–1981 SFNL
Dandenong
Redlegs 1951–1957 Folded
1994
Darling 1934–1940 Folded
c. 1940
Doveton
Doves 1972–1976 SFNL
East Burwood
Rams 1931–1938 EFNL
East Caulfield
1932–1976 Folded
1976
East Malvern
1962–1973 Folded
1973
Ellindale 1909–1910;
1912 		Folded
c. 1913
Elsternwick
Wickers 1909–1910, 1913 VAFA
Glen Orme 1946-1948 Folded[14]
c. 1948
Glen Huntly Hunters 1960–1974 Merged
1974 with Glen Huntly Amateurs
Hampton 1920[15] Merged[16]
1929 with various clubs to form Sandringham
Heatherton
(Freighters)
Tonners 1913–1914; 1920–1921;
1927–1928; 1946–1952 		SFNL[17]
Highett
Bulldogs 1934–1981 SFNL
McKinnon 1954–1977 Merged
1979 with Bentleigh to form Moorabbin (II)
Mentone
Tigers 1909; 1913–1914;
1920–1981 		Merged
1993 with St Bedes
Moorabbin (I)
Kangaroos 1909–1950 Folded
1965
Moorabbin (II)
Kangaroos 1979–1981 Folded
1987
Moorabbin Park 1913-1915 Folded[18][19]
1915
Mordialloc
Bloodhounds 1909–1911;
1921–1957 		SFNL
Noble Park
Bulls 1964–1981 SFNL
Oakleigh District
Districts 1964–1981 SFNL
Parkdale Seagulls 1955–1981 Merged
2004 with Mentone to form Parkdale Vultures
South Caulfield 1957–1961 Merged
1964 with Brighton
Springvale
Demons 1957–1981 VFL
as Casey
University Reds
Reds 1971−1972 Merged
2008 with Fitzroy
Vermont
Eagles 1936 EFNL
Victoria Brewery 1910–1912 Folded[20]
1913

Notes

A. Grade Football Premiers / Runners Up

The Agar Wynne Shield. The Honourable Agar Wynne, MHR was the Federal Football Association's Patron from 1909 to 1915.[23]

  • 1948 – Moorabbin 19.11.125 d Camden 10.5.65
  • 1949 - Caulfield 11.15.81 drew Moorabbin 11.15.81
  • 1949 – Caulfield 14.10.94 d Moorabbin 11.10.76 (Grand Final Replay)
  • 1950 – Mordialloc 9.9.63 d Moorabbin 7.14.56
  • 1951 – Mordialloc 21.17.143 d Freighters 6.8.44
  • 1952 – Mordialloc 14.7.91 d Camden 10.13.73
  • 1953 – Dandenong 11.20.86 d Caulfield 9.6.60
  • 1954 – Black Rock 16.17.113 d Dandenong 15.12.102
  • 1955 – Chelsea 10.17.77 d Dandenong 7.12.54
  • 1956 – Mentone 11.8.74 d Mordialloc 9.11.65
  • 1957 – McKinnon 13.9.87 d Mordialloc 12.13.85
  • 1958 – McKinnon 8.12.60 d Springvale 6.9.45
  • 1959 – McKinnon 8.13.61 d Mentone 8.9.57
  • 1960 – Springvale 14.9.93 d McKinnon 8.16.64
  • 1961 – Springvale 12.8.80 d Glen Huntly 10.11.71
  • 1962 – Springvale 14.13.97 d Glen Huntly 7.12.54
  • 1963 – Springvale 17.16.118 d Mentone 8.13.61
  • 1964 – East Malvern 8.18.66 d Glen Huntly 7.9.51
  • 1965 – Springvale 15.13.103 Glen Huntly 3.12.30
  • 1966 – East Malvern 13.13.91 d Springvale 11.13.79
  • 1967 – Mentone 14.10.94 d Glen Huntly 11.9.75
  • 1968 – Mentone 6.17.53 d Oakleigh District 5.13.43
  • 1969 – East Malvern 8.10.58 d Oakleigh District 6.20.56
  • 1970 – East Malvern 20.12.132 d Springvale 15.21.111
  • 1971 – Highett 17.10.112 d Springvale 12.7.79
  • 1972 – Noble Park 15.16.106 d Highett 14.9.93
  • 1973 – Highett 17.19.121 d Noble Park 16.14.110
  • 1974 – Highett 11.15.81 d Cheltenham 11.14.80
  • 1975 – Springvale 20.14.134 d Parkdale 16.13.109
  • 1976 – Mentone 12.17.89 d Cheltenham 12.11.83
  • 1977 – Springvale 18.19.127 d Oakleigh District 17.13.115
  • 1978 – Parkdale 22.19.141 d Oakleigh District 15.17.107
  • 1979 – Highett 14.12.96 d Clayton 11.13.79
  • 1980 – Clayton 17.30.132 d Springvale 13.14.92
  • 1981 – Clayton 16.9.105 d Oakleigh District 11.13.79

Best and Fairest Awards

Senior Football / A. Grade Section[51]

Cr. J.W. ALLNUT MEDAL. (Allnut was President of the FFA from 1936 to 1945 & a life member).

Year Player's Name Club Votes Year Player's Name Club Votes
1927 P Gleeson Chelsea 1952 C. Mudge Mentone
1928 P Gleeson Chelsea 1953 A. Beckwith Mentone
1929 Les Warren & Chelsea 1954 [52] G March Camden 22
W Hughes Mordialloc 1955 R Goodes Parkdale
1930 Les Warren Chelsea 1956 George Ashman Mordialloc
1931 A Perry Black Rock 1957 Kevin Phillips Chelsea
1932 B.Kavanagh Mordialloc 1958 Kevan Hamilton McKinnon
1933 J Ash & Caulfield 1959 K Roberts Cheltenham
I Corry Cheltenham 1960 I Gardner Springvale
1934 V Hunter East Burwood 1961 Kevan Hamilton McKinnon
1935 E Roff East Burwood 1962 Kevan Hamilton McKinnon
1936 E Martin East Burwood 1963 Kevan Hamilton McKinnon
1937[53] J Mitchell Mentone 1964 K Hamilton McKinnon
1938[54] P Witchell Black Rock 21 1965 G Gotch Glenhuntly
1939 K Dunn Mentone 1966 W Morrison Highett
1940 E.McInerny Moorabbin 1967 J Ward Black Rock
1941[55] Laurie Kelly Camden 1968 I House Caulfield
1942 In recess. WW2 1969 C Hutchins East Malvern
1943 In recess. WW2 1970 K Ellis Glenhuntly
1944 In recess. WW2 1971 J Calleja Bentleigh
1945 R.Hocking Camden 1972 D. McGrath Noble Park
1946 D.Fankhauser Mordialloc 1973 F.Clifford Doveton
1947 C.Mudge & Mordialloc 1974 G.Skinner Parkdale
Alf Evans Chelsea 1975 R.Johnston McKinnon
1948 C.Coade & Glen Orme 1976 A.Sierowkoski Mentone
G.Daley & Heatherton 1977 L.Studham Noble Park
C.Mudge Mordialloc 1978 T.Quinn Bentleigh
1949 R.Fox Moorabbin 1979 S.Watt Noble Park
1950 C.Dawson Caulfield 1980 D.Brooks Noble Park
1951 C.Mudge Mentone 1981 T.Quinn Moorabbin

References

  1. ^ "Federal League: Its Value to the Game". The Age. 24 April 1936. p. 9. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
  2. ^ "Cheltenham Football Club hosts reunion of Federal league". Moorabbin Glen Eira Leader. Herald Sun. 28 May 2014. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
  3. ^ "Cheltenham". Brighton Southern Cross. Victoria. 6 February 1909. p. 4. Retrieved 4 March 2015 – via National Library of Australia.
  4. ^ "1909 - Federal Association". Mornington and Dromana Standard (Vic). 27 March 1909. p. 3. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  5. ^ "Position of the Clubs". Mornington and Dromana Standard (Morning. ed.). Victoria. 31 July 1909. p. 3. Retrieved 4 March 2015 – via National Library of Australia.
  6. ^ "Events in the Past: The Federal Football League Launched in 1909". City of Kingston. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
  7. ^ "Federal Association". Mornington and Dromana Standard (Morning. ed.). Victoria. 27 March 1909. p. 3. Retrieved 4 March 2015 – via National Library of Australia.
  8. ^ "1915 - Football". Brighton Southern Cross (Vic). 3 April 1915. p. 3. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  9. ^ "1925 - Federal football". Sporting Globe. 8 August 1925. p. 6. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  10. ^ "1933 - Caulfield Shines". Sporting Globe. 21 October 1933. p. 6. Retrieved 31 May 2021.
  11. ^ "1937 - Federal League". The Age. 3 April 1937. p. 43. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  12. ^ "1922 - Junior Football". Sporting Globe (Melbourne, Vic). 19 August 1922. p. 5.
  13. ^ "FEDERAL FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION" (PDF). Southern Football Netball League. p. 10. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 February 2024. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
  14. ^ "1946 - FIXTURES AND ENGAGEMENTS FOR TOMORROW". The Argus. 26 April 1946. p. 13. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
  15. ^ "1920 - Football". The Age. 19 March 1920. p. 12. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  16. ^ "1921 - Metropolitan Semi Finals". The Age. 15 August 1921. p. 11. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  17. ^ "1914 - Federal Football". Brighton Southern Cross (Vic). 29 August 1914. p. 6. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  18. ^ "1913 - Football: Federal Association". Brighton Southern Cross (Vic). 27 September 1913. p. 7. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  19. ^ "1915 - Football". Brighton Southern Cross (Vic). 24 July 1915. p. 2. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
  20. ^ "1913 - Federal Football Association". Brighton Southern Cross (Vic). 29 March 1913. p. 6. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
  21. ^ "1913 - Middle Brighton Club". Brighton Southern Cross (Vic). 12 April 1913. p. 3. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
  22. ^ "1915 - Football". Sandringham Southern Cross (Vic). 20 March 1915. p. 8. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  23. ^ "1910 - Football: Federal Association". Mornington & Dromana Standard (Vic). 5 March 1910. p. 4. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  24. ^ "1909 - Football: Federal Association - Cheltenham Premiers". Mornington and Dromana Standard (Vic. 11 September 1911. p. 2. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  25. ^ "1910 - Federal Association". Brighton Southern Cross (Vic). 13 August 1910. p. 9. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  26. ^ "1911 - Federal Association". Brighton Southern Cross (Vic). 2 September 1911. p. 9. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  27. ^ "1911 - News of the Week: Cheltenham". Brighton Southern Cross (Vic). 7 October 1911. p. 6. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  28. ^ "1912 - Football: Federal Association". Brighton Southern Cross (Vic). 28 September 1912. p. 3. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  29. ^ "1913 - Football: Federal Association". Brighton Southern Cross (Vic). 11 October 1913. p. 9. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  30. ^ "1914 - Football: Federal Association". Brighton Southern Cross (Vic). 26 September 1914. p. 8. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  31. ^ "1915 - Football: Final Match". Seaside News (Cheltenham, Vic). 21 August 1915. p. 8. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  32. ^ "1915 - Football: Final Match, Brighton Districts Premiers". Moorabbin News (Vic). 21 August 1915. p. 8. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  33. ^ "1919 - SECOND JUNIOR SEMI-FINAL TO-MORROW". Geelong Advertiser (Vic). 3 October 1919. p. 6. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  34. ^ "1920 - Cadet Premiership". The Age. 4 October 1920. p. 8. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  35. ^ "1921 - Preparing for Football". The Herald. 2 April 1921. p. 4. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  36. ^ "1921 - Federal Association". The Age. 19 September 1921. p. 14. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  37. ^ "1922 - Sporting Life: Federal Association". Frankston & Somerville Standard (Vic). 30 August 1922. p. 1. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  38. ^ "1923 - Federal Football Association". Frankston & Somerville Standard (Vic). 22 August 1923. p. 2. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  39. ^ "1923 - That Fair Dinkum Football Team". Frankston & Somerville Standard (Vic). 14 September 1923. p. 4. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  40. ^ "1924 - Federal Association". The Argus. 15 September 1924. p. 5. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  41. ^ "1922 - Other Matches: Federal Association". The Age. 21 September 1925. p. 15. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  42. ^ "1926 - Football: Federal Association". The Argus. 27 September 1926. p. 7. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
  43. ^ "1927 - Football: Federal Association Final". The Argus. 26 September 1927. p. 6. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
  44. ^ "1928 - Football: Federal Association". The Argus. 24 September 1928. p. 17. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
  45. ^ "1929 - Football: Federal Association". The Argus. 9 September 1929. p. 16. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
  46. ^ "1925 - Federal FA". Malvern Standard (Vic). 25 September 1925. p. 8. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  47. ^ "1931 - Football". Frankston & Somerville Standard (Vic). 17 October 1931. p. 8. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
  48. ^ "1932 - Federal Districts". The Age. 26 September 1932. p. 12. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
  49. ^ "1933 - Federal District League". The Age. 25 September 1933. p. 6. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
  50. ^ "1938 - Federal First Grade". The Argus. 12 September 1938. p. 14. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  51. ^ Alan Maher & Ross McCulloch. "Federal FL - Best & Fairest Awards". Federal FL - 1909 to 1981. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  52. ^ "1954 - Bill Campbell Dande's "Best & Fairest"". The Dandenong Journal (Vic). 8 September 1954. p. 24. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
  53. ^ "1937 - V.F.L. FEDERAL DISTRICT". Frankston & Somerville Standard (Vic). 29 October 1937. p. 8. Retrieved 31 May 2021.
  54. ^ "1938 - BEST & FAIREST DISTRICT PLAYERS". The Herald. 16 September 1938. p. 8. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
  55. ^ "1942 - Federal League - Annual Meeting". Standard (Frankston, Vic). 10 April 1942. p. 3. Retrieved 22 May 2021.

External links

  • History of the Federal FL - 1909 to 1981
  • Federal FL Premiership Lists
  • 1909 - Federal Football Association Premiers: Cheltenham FC team photo
  • Federal FL Premiership Photos
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Federal Football League
Clubs
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Australian rules football in Victoria
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