AFL Wide Bay explained

AFL Wide Bay
Last Season:2020
Formerly:Bundaberg Wide Bay AFL
Sport:Australian rules football
Founded:1987
Teams:4
Country:Australia
Champion:Across The Waves Bundaberg Eagles
Champ Season:2020
Most Champs:Hervey Bay Bombers (15)
Website:AFL Wide Bay

The AFL Wide Bay is an amateur Australian rules football competition that was formerly known as the "Bundaberg-Wide Bay Australian Football League", which was formed in 1987 through the merger of the "Bundaberg Australian Football League" and "Wide Bay Australian Football League". The competition currently featured teams from the cities of Bundaberg, Maryborough and Hervey Bay.

Teams from Gympie and Pomona played in this competition up until 2006, before changing leagues. The representative team was known as the "Tigers", wearing guernseys similar to those of the Richmond Tigers.

The competition was merged into the South East Queensland structure for the 2017 season.It resumed under the banner of AFL Wide Bay once again in 2018. In 2021 it was managed by AFL Queensland.

AFL Wide Bay origins: the merger

In 1985, the WBAFL played a five team competition which included teams from Hervey Bay (2), Cooloola Coast and Gympie (2), with Maryborough fielding junior grades. The BAFL played a four team competition which included the three main clubs, Wests, Norths, and Souths (2) with Burnett Heads fielding Reserves and juniors only.

In 1986, the WBAFL played a four team competition, but finished the season with just two clubs, Hervey Bay and Gympie, who fielded just one senior club each that year. Maryborough and Cooloola Coast folded. The BAFL had only three senior teams, Wests, Norths and Souths (with Souths fielding just one A Grade team that year only), and so with backing of the Queensland Australian Football League, the two Leagues merged.

In 1987, the Bundaberg Wide Bay Australian Football League was formed with the five remaining senior clubs, Hervey Bay, Gympie, Norths, Wests and Souths, and the addition of Burnett Heads for a few senior games, before being relegated to the Reserves after five rounds.

In 1988, Maryborough joined the competition to resume a six team competition.

A Grade Senior Premiers

[1]

Bundaberg Wide Bay AFL

AFL Bundaberg Wide Bay

AFL Wide Bay

Years in recess: 2003 and 2017 summary

In 2003, four out of the eight clubs that played in a Brisbane League Division Three, were from AFL Bundaberg Wide Bay. They were Hervey Bay Bombers, Maryborough Bears, Across The Waves Bundaberg, and Brothers Bulldogs from Bundaberg. Gympie Cats and Pomona Demons had also previously played in the Wide Bay League. It was a competition which lasted only one season before the above mentioned six clubs, with the addition of new club, Bay Power, resulted in a revamped seven club League reforming the AFL Bundaberg Wide Bay competition the following year.

Hervey Bay Bombers won the Division Three Flag in 2003 beating ATW Bundaberg Eagles, with Maryborough Bears finishing third. The other two clubs in the competition were Bribie Island Bulldogs and Glasshouse Lions.

In 2017, a very similar set up to the 2003 Season took place. Hervey Bay Bombers, Across The Waves Bundaberg, Brothers Bulldogs and Bay Power, joined Sunshine Coast clubs, Maroochydore Roos, Gympie Cats and Pomona Demons, to form QFA Wide Bay-Sunshine Coast for just one season. Maroochydore Roos defeated Brothers Bulldogs in the Grand Final, played at Gympie. The AFL Wide Bay Reserves and Youth/Junior Grades continued under the banner of AFL Wide Bay. Gympie returned to play in the AFL Wide Bay competition in 2018, before leaving the competition once again.

Clubs

ColoursClubMonikerHome groundYears in competitionNo. of PremiershipsPremiership yearsNotes
Bay Power Power 2004– 1 2019
Brothers Bulldogs 1987–* 3 1987, 1995, 2010 Known as West Bundaberg Bulldogs from 1987 until 1996
Hervey Bay Bombers1987– 181988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1996, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2012, 2013, 2021, 2022, 2023
The Waves Eagles 1997–* 11 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2006, 2008, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2020 Also known as Across the Waves Bundaberg Eagles
Reserve Grade Only
MaryboroughBearsAFL Federation Reserve, Cardigan Street, Maryborough1988, 1990–1991, 1993–1999, 2001–2012, 2018
2015-2017, 2019-2021 reserve grade only
Moniker was Tigers 1988–1994
PomonaDemonsPomona Oval, Pomona Connection Road, Pomona1993-1996, 2004-2006, 2024-

Former Senior Teams

ClubMonikerYears in competitionNo. of PremiershipsPremiership yearsNotes
Fraser Coast Lions 1992-2000
(known as Fraser Coast Magpies 1997-2000)
11993
Gympie Cats 1987-1989, 1993-1999, 2004–2006, 2018 1 2018
North Bundaberg Kangaroos 1987-1996 - Merged with South Bundaberg to become Across The Waves (ATW) Eagles
South Bundaberg Magpies 1987-1996 Merged with North Bundaberg to become Across The Waves (ATW) Eagles

2009 AFL Wide Bay Ladder and Finals Results

AFL Wide Bay Wins Byes Losses Draws For Against % Pts Final Team G B Pts Team G B Pts
Brothers Bulldogs 15 4 1 0 1611 803 200.62% 76 1st Semi Across The Waves 13 8 86 Bay Power 9 9 63
Hervey Bay Bombers 9 4 7 0 1538 1140 134.91% 52 2nd Semi Brothers Bulldogs 14 7 91 Hervey Bay Bombers 12 18 90
Across The Waves 8 4 7 1 1576 1038 151.83% 50 Preliminary Hervey Bay Bombers 20 16 136 Across The Waves 6 6 42
Bay Power 7 4 8 1 1420 1308 108.56% 46 Grand Hervey Bay Bombers 15 12 102 Brothers Bulldogs 10 7 67
Maryborough 0 4 16 0 390 2246 17.36% 16

2010 AFL Wide Bay Ladder and Finals Results

AFL Wide Bay Wins Byes Losses Draws For Against % Pts Final Team G B Pts Team G B Pts
Across The Waves 15 0 1 0 1809 722 250.55% 60 1st Semi Brothers Bulldogs 30 19 199 Bay Power 2 2 14
Hervey Bay Bombers 12 0 4 0 1750 754 232.10% 48 2nd Semi Across The Waves 15 7 97 Hervey Bay Bombers 11 10 76
Brothers Bulldogs 9 0 7 0 1746 1133 154.10% 36 Preliminary Brothers Bulldogs 17 11 113 Hervey Bay Bombers 12 13 85
Bay Power 2 0 14 0 840 1801 46.64% 8 Grand Brothers Bulldogs 10 8 68 Across The Waves 7 16 58
Maryborough 2 0 14 0 546 2281 23.94% 8

2011 AFL Wide Bay Ladder and Finals Results

AFL Wide Bay Wins Byes Losses Draws For Against % Pts Final Team G B Pts Team G B Pts
Across The Waves 15 4 0 1 2095 509 411.59% 78 1st Semi Hervey Bay Bombers 12 10 82 Bay Power 8 16 64
Brothers Bulldogs 8 4 7 1 1205 1168 103.17% 50 2nd Semi Across The Waves 14 9 93 Brothers Bulldogs 9 5 59
Bay Power 6 4 9 1 1109 1291 85.90% 42 Preliminary Hervey Bay Bombers 14 11 95 Brothers Bulldogs 7 9 51
Hervey Bay Bombers 6 4 9 1 969 1320 73.41% 42 Grand Across The Waves 20 8 128 Hervey Bay Bombers 9 7 61
Maryborough 3 4 13 0 875 1965 44.53% 28

2012 AFL Wide Bay Ladder and Finals Results

AFL Wide BayWinsByesLossesDrawsForAgainst%PtsFinalTeamGBPtsTeamGBPts
Hervey Bay Bombers 15 4 0 1 2000 383 522.19 62 1st Semi Across The Waves 23 12 150 Maryborough 6 10 46
Brothers Bulldogs 11 4 5 0 1263 1178 107.22 44 2nd Semi Hervey Bay Bombers 16 18 114 Brothers Bulldogs 6 8 44
Across The Waves 8 4 7 1 1394 1080 129.07 34 Preliminary Across The Waves 13 8 86 Brothers Bulldogs 6 7 43
Maryborough 3 4 12 1 768 1937 39.65 14 Grand Hervey Bay Bombers 11 14 80 Across The Waves 10 10 70
Bay Power 1 4 14 1 773 1620 47.72 6

2013 Ladder

AFL Wide Bay Wins Byes Losses Draws For Against % Pts Final Team G B Pts Team G B Pts
Across The Waves 12 0 3 0 1454 1127 129.02% 48 Semi Hervey Bay Bombers 23 17 155 Brothers Bulldogs 6 7 43
Hervey Bay Bombers 11 0 4 0 1561 988 158.00% 44 Grand Hervey Bay Bombers 22 11 143 Across The Waves 9 10 64
Brothers Bulldogs 4 0 11 0 1019 1439 70.81% 16
Bay Power 3 0 12 0 1038 1518 68.38% 12

2014 Ladder

AFL Wide Bay Wins Byes Losses Draws For Against % PtsFinalTeamGBPtsTeamGBPts
Hervey Bay Bombers 14 0 2 0 2001 679 294.70% 56 Semi Across The Waves 15 11 101 Brothers Bulldogs 7 7 49
Across The Waves 12 0 4 0 1473 1115 132.11% 48 Grand Across The Waves 14 16 100 Hervey Bay Bombers 10 6 66
Brothers Bulldogs 5 0 11 0 853 1640 52.01% 20
Bay Power 3 0 13 0 941 1720 54.71% 12
Maroochydore Roos 1 0 1 0 192 128 150.00% 4
Gympie 0 0 1 0 71 89 79.78% 0
Pomona 0 0 2 0 68 119 57.14% 0
Glasshouse Hinterland 0 0 1 0 23 132 17.42% 0

2015 Ladder

AFL Wide Bay Wins Byes Losses Draws For Against % Pts Final Team G B Pts Team G B Pts
Across The Waves 12 0 2 0 1806 751 240.48% 48 Preliminary Brothers Bulldogs 19 20 134 Hervey Bay Bombers 9 13 67
Hervey Bay Bombers 7 0 7 0 1118 1228 91.04% 28 Grand Across The Waves 17 9 111 Brothers Bulldogs 14 13 97
Brothers Bulldogs 7 0 7 0 1173 1232 95.21% 28
Bay Power 4 0 10 0 799 1426 56.03% 16

2016 Ladder

AFL Wide Bay Wins Byes Losses Draws For Against % Pts Final Team G B Pts Team G B Pts
Across The Waves 12 0 4 0 1794 997 179.94% 48 Preliminary Bay Power 13 14 92 Hervey Bay Bombers 9 11 65
Hervey Bay Bombers 11 0 5 0 1437 1190 120.76% 44 Grand Across The Waves 13 15 93 Bay Power 11 7 73
Bay Power 8 0 8 0 1302 1448 89.92% 32
Brothers Bulldogs 4 0 12 0 1083 1515 71.49% 16

AFL Wide Bay A Grade Senior Mens Grand Finals

YearPremiersScoreRunners UpScoreVenue
1987 West Bundaberg Bulldogs 12.12 (84) Hervey Bay Bombers 7.14 (56) Frank Coulthard Oval, Bundaberg
1988 Hervey Bay Bombers 17.17 (119) West Bundaberg Bulldogs 9.15 (69) Faircloth Oval, Bundaberg
1989 Hervey Bay Bombers 10.19 (79) West Bundaberg Bulldogs 10.12 (72) Dundowran Oval, Hervey Bay
1990 Hervey Bay Bombers 21.18 (144) West Bundaberg Bulldogs 9.9 (63) Faircloth Oval, Bundaberg
1991 Hervey Bay Bombers 9.9 (63) West Bundaberg Bulldogs 8.7 (55) N.E. Mclean Oval, Hervey Bay
1992 Hervey Bay Bombers 12.10 (82) South Bundaberg Magpies 11.10 (76) Faircloth Oval, Bundaberg
1993 Fraser Coast Lions 14.10 (94) South Bundaberg Magpies 10.14 (74) N.E. McLean Oval, Hervey Bay
1994 Hervey Bay Bombers 13.8 (86) South Bundaberg Magpies 10.14 (74) N.E. McLean Oval, Hervey Bay
1995 West Bundaberg Bulldogs 10.6 (66) South Bundaberg Magpies 8.8 (56) Faircloth Oval, Bundaberg
1996 Hervey Bay Bombers 12.5 (77) Maryborough Bears 9.10 (64) Newtown Oval, Maryborough
1997 ATW Bundaberg Eagles 15.13 (103) Fraser Coast Magpies 10.16 (76) N.E. McLean Oval, Hervey Bay
1998 ATW Bundaberg Eagles 12.8 (80) Gympie Cats 7.6 (48) Faircloth Oval, Bundaberg
1999 ATW Bundaberg Eagles 10.14 (74) Hervey Bay Bombers 3.8 (26) Frank Coulthard Oval, Bundaberg
2000 Hervey Bay Bombers 10.7 (67) ATW Bundaberg Eagles 4.12 (36) N.E. McLean Oval, Hervey Bay
2001 ATW Bundaberg Eagles 17.12 (114) Hervey Bay Bombers 7.11 (53) N.E. McLean Oval, Hervey Bay
2002 Hervey Bay Bombers 16.12 (108) ATW Bundaberg Eagles 7.11 (53) Faircloth Oval, Bundaberg
  • 2003*
  • HERVEY BAY BOMBERS
8.8 (56)
  • ATW BUNDABERG EAGLES
6.17 (53) N.E.McLEAN OVAL, HERVEY BAY
2004 Hervey Bay Bombers 17.12 (114) ATW Bundaberg Eagles 8.7 (55) Frank Coulthard Oval, Bundaberg
2005 Hervey Bay Bombers 17.13 (115) ATW Bundaberg Eagles 9.11 (65) Keith Dunne Oval, Hervey Bay
2006 ATW Bundaberg Eagles 19.14 (128) Hervey Bay Bombers 14.15 (99) Ocean Reef Park, Maryborough
2007 Hervey Bay Bombers 17.15 (117) ATW Bundaberg Eagles 8.5 (53) Faircloth Oval, Bundaberg
2008 ATW Bundaberg Eagles 15.15 (105) Hervey Bay Bombers 15.13 (103) Frank Coulthard Oval, Bundaberg
2009 Hervey Bay Bombers 15.12 (102) Brothers Bulldogs 10.7 (67) N.E. McLean Oval, Hervey Bay
2010 Brothers Bulldogs 10.8 (68) ATW Bundaberg Eagles 7.16 (58) Keith Dunne Oval, Hervey Bay
2011 ATW Bundaberg Eagles 20.8 (128) Hervey Bay Bombers 9.7 (61) Ocean Reef Park, Maryborough
2012 Hervey Bay Bombers 11.14 (80) ATW Bundaberg Eagles 10.10 (70) Faircloth Oval, Bundaberg
2013 Hervey Bay Bombers 22.11 (143) ATW Bundaberg Eagles 9.10 (64) Frank Coulthard Oval, Bundaberg
2014 ATW Bundaberg Eagles 14.16 (100) Hervey Bay Bombers 10.6 (66) N.E. McLean Oval, Hervey Bay
2015 ATW Bundaberg Eagles 17.9 (111) Brothers Bulldogs 14.13 (97) Keith Dunne Oval, Hervey Bay
2016 ATW Bundaberg Eagles 13.15 (93) Bay Power 11.7 (73) Brothers AFL Reserve, Bundaberg
  • 2017*
MAROOCHYDORE ROOS 20.12 (132) BROTHERS BULLDOGS 5.6 (36) RAY WARREN OVAL, GYMPIE
2018 Gympie Cats 14.11 (95) Hervey Bay Bombers 10.4 (64) N.E. McLean Oval, Hervey Bay
2019 Bay Power 7.16 (58) Hervey Bay Bombers 3.5 (23) Keith Dunne Oval, Hervey Bay
2020 ATW Bundaberg Eagles 10.7 (67) Bay Power 10.4 (64) Frank Couthard Oval, Bundaberg
2021 Hervey Bay Bombers 9.10 (64) Bay Power 2.2 (14) Port City Park, Maryborough
2022Hervey Bay Bombers13.6 (84)Brothers Bulldogs7.7 (49)Brothers Sports Ground, Bundaberg
2023Hervey Bay Bombers6.11 (47)Brothers Bulldogs5.3 (33)N.E. McLean Oval, Hervey Bay
NOTE: In both seasons of 2003 and 2017 all of the AFL Bundaberg Wide Bay Clubs participated in a Brisbane Competition before resuming the Regional League the following year.

Premiers

AFL Wide Bay A Grade Senior Mens Grand Final Summary List 1987-2023

ClubSeasonsGrand FinalsPremiersRunners Up
Hervey Bay Bombers 35 27 18 9
Across The Waves Bundaberg Eagles 25 19 11 8
Brothers Bulldogs (West Bundaberg) 35 11 3 8
Fraser Coast Lions/Magpies 9 2 1 1
South Bundaberg (ATW Magpies) 10 4 0 4
Maryborough Bears (Formerly Tigers) 22 1 0 1
Gympie Cats 14 2 1 1
North Bundaberg Kangaroos 10 0 0 0
Bay Power 19 4 1 3
Pomona Demons 7 0 0 0

AFL Wide Bay Best and Fairest Award (Stedman Medal)

YearStedman Medal WinnerClub
1987 Darren Hunter Hervey Bay Bombers
1988 John Turnbull Hervey Bay Bombers
1989 Paul Longley West Bundaberg Bulldogs
1990 Gavin Rowe West Bundaberg Bulldogs
1991 John Turnbull Hervey Bay Bombers
1992 Doug Maxwell Fraser Coast Lions
1993 Rory Chapple Fraser Coast Lions
1994 Shannon Schonnewille Maryborough Tigers
1995 David Ward West Bundaberg Bulldogs
1996 Scott Banfield (TIED) Hervey Bay Bombers
1996 Grant Staunton (TIED) Hervey Bay Bombers
1997 Grant Staunton Hervey Bay Bombers
1998 Angus Nevin Gympie Cats
1999 Anthony McDonald Fraser Coast Magpies
2000 Josh Charles Hervey Bay Bombers
2001 Josh Charles Hervey Bay Bombers
2002 Jason Hodgkinson Brothers Bulldogs
  • 2003*
Darrel Leech Hervey Bay Bombers
2004 Will Connally Hervey Bay Bombers
2005 Matty Stevens Across The Waves Bundaberg Eagles
2006 Matty Stevens Across The Waves Bundaberg Eagles
2007 Shannon Beavis Maryborough Bears
2008 Hayden Anderson Across The Waves Bundaberg Eagles
2009 Justin Sheehan Brothers Bulldogs
2010 Brendan Murchie (TIED) Across The Waves Bundaberg Eagles
2010 Shaun Stone (TIED) Across The Waves Bundaberg Eagles
2011 Michael Liverton Across The Waves Bundaberg Eagles
2012 Brad Richards Hervey Bay Bombers
2013 Dean Backwell Bay Power
2014 Brad Richards Hervey Bay Bombers
2015 Michael Blair Across The Waves Bundaberg Eagles
2016 Klint Wagstaff Across The Waves Bundaberg Eagles
  • 2017*
Josh Wheeler Bay Power
2018 Scott Stiefler (TIED) Gympie Cats
2018 Marcus Dyson (TIED) Bay Power
2019 Marcus Dyson Bay Power
2020 Damian McRae Across The Waves Bundaberg Eagles
2021 Dylan Rowe Hervey Bay Bombers
2022Tristan TaylorBrothers Bulldogs
2023 Klint Wagstaff Across The Waves Bundaberg Eagles
NOTE: The Stedman Medal was awarded in both seasons of 2003 and 2017, as all AFL Wide Bay clubs were playing each other, plus other teams from South East Queensland, but not under the banner of the AFL Wide Bay for those two seasons.

AFL Wide Bay Reserve Grade Mens Grand Finals

YearPremiersScoreRunners UpScore
1987 North Bundaberg Kangaroos 21.10 (136) Hervey Bay Bombers 8.6 (54)
1988 South Bundaberg Magpies 17.8 (110) Hervey Bay Bombers 7.13 (55)
1989 Hervey Bay Bombers 18.15 (123) North Bundaberg Kangaroos 10.8 (68)
1990 Hervey Bay Bombers 24.28 (172) West Bundaberg Bulldogs 4.4 (28)
1991 Hervey Bay Bombers 7.13 (55) South Bundaberg Magpies 4.7 (31)
1992 Fraser Coast Lions 10.8 (68) Hervey Bay Bombers 8.12 (60)
1993 Fraser Coast Lions 8.8 (56) Hervey Bay Bombers 3.4 (22)
1994 Fraser Coast Lions 8.8 (56) Hervey Bay Bombers 5.8 (38)
1995 Hervey Bay Bombers 10.10 (70) Fraser Coast Lions 8.10 (58)
1996 Hervey Bay Bombers 9.8 (62) ATW - South Bundaberg 6.6 (42)
1997 Fraser Coast Magpies 9.13 (67) Hervey Bay Bombers 10.6 (66)
1998 Hervey Bay Bombers 10.6 (66) ATW Bundaberg Eagles 8.6 (54)
1999 ATW Bundaberg Eagles 10.14 (74) Hervey Bay Bombers 3.8 (26)
2000 Maryborough Bears 8.11 (59) Hervey Bay Bombers 7.11 (53)
2001 Hervey Bay Bombers 21.9 (135) ATW Bundaberg Eagles 2.1 (13)
2002 NO RESERVES GRAND FINAL Suspended after Round 8
2003 NO RESERVES GRAND FINAL Competition Suspended
2004 NO RESERVES GRAND FINAL Competition Suspended
2005 Hervey Bay Bombers 9.6 (60) Maryborough Bears 3.6 (24)
2006 Hervey Bay Bombers 8.3 (51) ATW Bundaberg Eagles 3.6 (24)
2007 Hervey Bay Bombers 13.6 (78) ATW Bundaberg Eagles 6.5 (41)
2008 Hervey Bay Bombers Score N/A ATW Bundaberg Eagles by 1 point
2009 Brothers Bulldogs 6.13 (49) Hervey Bay Bombers 5.1 (31)
2010 Brothers Bulldogs 14.1 (85) Bay Power 11.10 (76)
2011 Hervey Bay Bombers 11.12 (78) Brothers Bulldogs 5.7 (37)
2012 Brothers Bulldogs 7.8 (50) Hervey Bay Bombers 7.4 (46)
2013 Brothers Bulldogs 7.4 (46) Hervey Bay Bombers 5.6 (36)
2014 Hervey Bay Bombers 10.7 (67) ATW Bundaberg Eagles 2.5 (17)
2015 Brothers Bulldogs 11.6 (72) Hervey Bay Bombers 5.6 (36)
2016 Hervey Bay Bombers 12.8 (80) ATW Bundaberg Eagles 3.3 (21)
2017 Maryborough Bears 17.16 (118) ATW Bundaberg Eagles 14.6 (90)
2018 ATW Bundaberg Eagles 14.13 (97) Brothers Bulldogs 0.4 (4)
2019 Hervey Bay Bombers 9.11 (65) Bay Power 5.10 (40)
2020 Hervey Bay Bombers 7.8 (50) ATW Bundaberg Eagles 6.5 (41)
2021 Hervey Bay Bombers 7.11 (53) Bay Power 2.3 (15)
2022Hervey Bay Bombers13.6 (84)Bay Power0.1 (1)
2023Hervey Bay Bombers15.8 (98)Brothers Bulldogs2.1 (13)

AFL Wide Bay Reserves Mens Grand Final Summary List 1987-2023

ClubFull SeasonsGrand FinalsPremiersRunners Up
Hervey Bay Bombers 34 31 19 12
Fraser Coast Lions/Magpies 7 5 4 1
Brothers Bulldogs (West Bundaberg) 34 9 5 4
Across The Waves Bundaberg Eagles 23 11 2 9
South Bundaberg (ATW Magpies) 10 3 1 2
North Bundaberg Kangaroos 9 2 1 1
Maryborough Bears (Formerly Tigers) 22 3 2 1
Bay Power 18 4 0 4
Burnett Heads Saints 1 0 0 0
Pomona Demons 5 0 0 0
Gympie Cats 10 0 0 0
Note: The Reserve Grade Seniors Season was suspended after Round 8 in 2002, and was not contested from 2003-2004.

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: none. News Mail . Bundaberg, Queensland .