Australian rules football in South East Queensland explained

Boxwidth:250
Australian rules football in
South East Queensland
Union:AFL Queensland
Sport:Australian rules football
Clubs:46 (divided in 5 divisions)
Club List:QFA (Division 1 to 5)

Australian rules football in South East Queensland has a varied history, and many changes were made especially in the 21st century. Ruled and organised by the AFL Queensland, the region had a total of 46 teams playing in different divisions.[1]

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

History

Early beginning

See main article: Australian rules football in Queensland. The earliest known record of Australian rules football commencing in Queensland was in May 1866, when the Brisbane Football Club was formed,[2] with the aim of keeping cricketers fit in the winter months. The club played its first match on Saturday 9 June 1866 at Queen's Park (now part of the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens).[3] By 1870 four more clubs had been created: Volunteer Artillery, Brisbane Grammar School, Civil Service and Ipswich, all adopting Victorian Rules over rugby football.

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

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

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

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

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

In 1887, one of the most significant events in the history of the code occurred at this time. Independent Schools headmasters voted by 1 vote to adopt rugby football.[6] The decision was influenced by the recent creation of a Queensland-based governing body to govern rugby, and the majority of councillors objected on the basis that the reference of "Victorian" in the name of the sport did not represent the interests of Queenslanders. This dealt a significant blow to the sport and advantage to rugby union. Despite the advances made by Queensland football, it was clear that Victoria was progressing faster than any other state. On 21 June 1890, South Melbourne Football Club toured, playing against Queensland on Albion Park. The result of the match was a complete 6-17 to 1-0 humiliation (behinds were recorded in the scores at the time but did not actually count until 1897). The humiliation was obviously felt by the players as when Queensland defeated a New South Wales Rugby Union team shortly afterwards many of the former rugby players receded from the Australian football ranks and formed clubs of their own.[7] Over the next few years, rugby union's popularity in South East Queensland would swamp Victorian Rules.

Modern era

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

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

Current South East Queensland structure

Since 2017 to present:

Queensland Football Association (QFA) league system
width=050pxLevelwidth=100pxLeagues width=100pxN° of teams
(Reserves)
width=100pxN° of teams
(Seniors)
width=050px↑ Promotionwidth=050px↓ Relegation
1QFA Division 19 9 01 **
2QFA Division 29 9 1 *1 **
3QFA Division 310 10 1 *0
4QFA Division 49 01 **
5QFA Division 59 1 *0
Notes

Queensland Football Association clubs

Clubs for the 2022 season:

Queensland Football Association Division 1

ColoursClub NameNicknameSuburb/sLocation/sHome Ground/sFormed
Beenleigh Buffaloes Guardian Gantry Hire Oval 1998
Caloundra Panthers Carter Park 1973
Coorparoo Kings 1996
HinterlandBluesSunshine CoastG Rae Oval1970
Mayne Tigers Enoggera Memorial Park 1924
Moreton BayLions Moreton Bay Regional Sports Park 1987
Springwood Pumas Lowe Oval 1972
Uni. of Queensland Red Lions UQ Playing Field 2 1956
Notes

Queensland Football Association Division 2 North

ColoursClub NameNicknameSuburb/sLocation/sHome Ground/sFormed
Alexandra HillsBombers Keith Surridge Park 1980
GympieCats Ray Warren Oval 1971
Jindalee Jags Jindalee Districts AFC 1971
KedronLions EK (Ted) Anderson Oval 1937
Kenmore Bears Chelmer Oval 1967
Park Ridge Pirates Park Ridge High School 2013
Pine RiversSwansStrathpineBrisbaneRob Akers Reserve1970
Redcliffe Tigers Nathan Road Sports Complex 1974
Sandgate Hawks Sandgate Hawks AFC 1943
WynnumVikingsBrisbaneKianawah Oval1971
Yeronga
South Brisbane
Devils Leyshon Park 1929
ZillmereEaglesZillmereBrisbaneO'Callaghan Park1923

Queensland Football Association Division 2 South

ColoursClub NameNicknameSuburb/sLocation/sHome Ground/sFormed
Bond University Bullsharks Bond University Oval2011
Burleigh BombersGold Coastc. 1979
Carrara Saints Alan Nielsen Oval 2012
Coolangatta
Tweed Heads
Blues 2012
CoomeraMagpies Coomera Sports Park 2009
Robina Roos Scottsdale Reserve 1996
Southern StingraysStingraysBallina, Byron BayNew South WalesFripp Oval, Cavanbah Centre2024
Tweed CoastTigers Barry Sheppard Oval 2009

Queensland Football Association Division 3 North

ColoursClub NameNicknameSuburb/sLocation/sHome Ground/sFormed
AspleyHornetsBrisbaneGraham Road 1964
CaloundraPanthersGolden BeachSunshine CoastCarter Park1973
Coorparoo KingsCoorparooBrisbaneGiffin Park1996
Marcellin Old CollegiansGorillasBrisbaneiinergy Oval1945
Maroochydore Roos Neil Upton Oval1969
Moreton BayLionsBurpengaryMoreton BayMoreton Bay Regional Sports Park1987
North ShoreJetsSunshine CoastNorth Shore Multisports Complex 1999

Queensland Football Association Division 3 South

ColoursClub NameNicknameSuburb/sLocation/sHome Ground/sFormed
Collingwood Park Power Redbank Plains Recreational Reserve 2012
Coorparoo Kings Giffin Park1996
Jimboomba Redbacks Glenlogan Park 2000
MoorookaRoostersBrisbaneAlexander Park2009
Morningside Panthers Jack Esplen Oval 1947
Ormeau BulldogsOrmeau Sports Park 2008
Pacific Pines Power McAuley Parade Oval 2005
Sherwood Magpies Powenyenna Oval 1991

Queensland Football Association Division 4 North

ColoursClub NameNicknameSuburb/sLocation/sHome Ground/sFormed
Ferny Grove Falcons Ferny Grove Oval 1991
Glasshouse Hinterland Lions Landsborough Sport & Recreation Centre 1997
HinterlandBluesPalmwoodsSunshine CoastG Rae Oval1970
KedronLionsKedronBrisbaneEK (Ted) Anderson Oval1937
MayneTigersEnoggeraBrisbaneEnoggera Memorial Park1924
RedcliffeTigersKippa-RingMoreton BayNathan Road Sports Complex1974
SandgateHawksBrisbaneSandgate Hawks AFC1943
Uni. Of Queensland Red Lions UQ Playing Field 2 1956
Yeronga South BrisbaneDevilsYerongaBrisbaneLeyshon Park1929

Queensland Football Association Division 4 South

ColoursClub NameNicknameSuburb/sLocation/sHome Ground/sFormed
Brisbane Valley Rattlers Fernvale Sports Park 2016
CarraraSaintsCarraraGold CoastAlan Nielsen Oval2012
Coolangatta Tweed Heads Blues 2012
CoomeraMagpies Coomera Sports Park 2009
Ipswich Cats AmberleyIpswichIvor Marsden Memorial Sports Centre 1959
IpswichEaglesIpswichLimestone Park2001
Greater SpringfieldStormSpringfield Central Sports complex2022
Labrador Tigers 1964
Mount GravattVulturesDittmer Park1964
Redland-Victoria Point Sharks Victoria PointRedlandTotally Workwear Park 2014
SouthportSharksGold CoastSouthportFankhauser Reserve1961

Notes

Clubs in other Leagues

Several clubs from South East Queensland do not take part of local Leagues, giving priority to Queensland Australian Football League or Victorian Football League competitions where they compete.
Other clubs have teams in both, Queensland Football Association and Queensland Australian Football League/Victorian Football League or Australian Football League/Victorian Football League.

ColoursFootball Club NameNicknameCity/RegionSuburb/sQFAOther League/s
Aspley Hornets Queensland Australian Football League
Brisbane Lions
Broadbeach Cats Queensland Australian Football League
Gold Coast Suns
Labrador Tigers Queensland Australian Football League
Maroochydore Roos Queensland Australian Football League
Morningside Panthers
Mount Gravatt Vultures
Noosa Tigers
Palm Beach Currumbin Lions
Redland-Victoria Point Sharks Queensland Australian Football League
Southport Sharks Victorian Football League
Sherwood Districts Magpies
Wilston Grange Gorillas
Notes

Notable Queensland Football Association clubs defunct, in recess or in other leagues

ColoursClub NameNicknameCity/TownSuburb/sState/TerritoryHome Ground/sFormedFate
BallinaBombersBallinaBallinaNew South WalesFripp Oval1984Senior men's team merged with Byron to form Southern Stingrays in 2024
Banyo Bloods Nudgee Recreation Reserve 1967Folded
Bribie IslandBulldogsBongareeBribie IslandQueenslandBribie Island Recreation ReserveIn recess
ByronMagpiesByron BayByron BayNew South WalesCavanbah Centre1984Senior men's team merged with Ballina to form Southern Stingrays in 2024
Calamvale Leopards Calamvale Sportsfield ????Folded, still field junior teams
Lismore Swans LismoreGloria Mortimer Oval 2002Moved to AFL North Coast, in recess since 2022 floods
Marsden Hawks Mudgee Street Park 1992Folded
Murri Mavericks Melrose Park 1998Merged with Ferny Grove
PomonaDemons Reserve Street Oval 1973Entered recess, re-formed in AFL Wide Bay in 2024

Premiers: 1970–present

YearSQAFA Division 1SQAFA Division 2SQAFA Division 3
1970SherwoodDeagon?
1971Mt GravattUniversity QueenslandStafford
1972 Mt Gravatt Banyo Mt Gravatt
1973 Sherwood Banyo Stafford
1974 Mt Gravatt Wynnum Aspley
1975 Sherwood Banyo Redland
1976 Sherwood RAAF Deagon
1977 Sherwood Deagon Beenleigh-Slacks
1978 Sherwood Oakleigh Everton
1979 Sherwood Ipswich RAAF
1980 Sherwood Beenleigh (No competition)
1981 Sherwood Everton (No competition)
1982 Sherwood Banyo (No competition)
1983 Mt Gravatt Ashgrove (No competition)
1984 Acacia Ridge University Queensland (No competition)
1985 Aspley Beenleigh (No competition)
1986 Aspley Jindalee (No competition)
1987 Aspley Redland (No competition)
1988 Aspley Redcliffe (No competition)
1989 Aspley Springwood (No competition)
1990 Aspley Everton (No competition)
1991 Strathpine Ipswich (No competition)
YearBAFL Division 1BAFL Division 2BAFL Division 3
1992 Aspley Moorooka Uni
1993 Maroochydore Sandgate Ipswich
1994 Maroochydore Sandgate Marsden
1995 Maroochydore Marsden
1996 Maroochydore Alexandra Hills Toowong
1997 Noosa Wilston Grange Kenmore
1998 Redland Moorooka Kenmore
1999 Redland Caboolture Redland
YearAFLSQ Premier DivisionAFLSQ Division 1AFLSQ Division 2AFLSQ Division 3AFLSQ Division 4
2000 Palm Beach-Currumbin Coorparoo Kings Gympie ??
2001 Coolangatta Burleigh Heads Coorparoo Kings Gympie ?
2002 Aspley Springwood Redcliffe Kenmore Wilston Grange
2003 Coolangatta Strathpine Wynnum (No competition) ?
2004 Burleigh Strathpine Robina (No competition)?
2005 Burleigh Redcliffe Robina (No competition)?
YearAFLQ State League Div 2AFLQ State Assoc'n Div 1AFLQ State Assoc'n Div 2AFLQ State Assoc'n Div 3 NorthAFLQ State Assoc'n Div 3 Central
2006 Western Magpies Yeronga Kenmore (No competition)?
2007 Palm Beach-Currumbin Yeronga Kedron GympieWestern Magpies
2008 Western Magpies Wynnum Redcliffe NambourStrathpine
2009 Palm Beach-Currumbin Wynnum Beenleigh NambourWoodsmen
2010 Noosa Caloundra Robina Nambour & HinterlandJimboomba
2011 Noosa Coorparoo Kings Nambour & Hinterland PomonaJimboomba
YearSEQAFL Division 1SEQAFL Division 2SEQAFL Division 3SEQAFL Division 4 NorthSEQAFL Division 4 CentralSEQAFL Division 4 South
2012 Western Magpies Coorparoo Kings Redcliffe CaloundraPine Rivers Tweed Coast
2013 Springwood Coorparoo Kings Coomera Pomona ZillmereTweed Coast
YearQFA NorthQFA SouthQAFA A GradeQAFA B Grade NorthQAFA B Grade CentralQAFA B Grade South
2014 Mayne Springwood Griffith Uni/Moorooka Bribie IslandWoodsmenBond Uni
2015 Mayne Springwood Bond Uni GympieKedronTweed Coast
2016MayneCoorparoo Kings Southeast SunsMaroochydore ZillmereByron Magpies
YearQFA Division 1QFA Division 2QFA Division 3QFA Division 4QFA Division 5QFA Northern Rivers
2017 MaroochydoreAspley HornetsVictoria PointZillmereMayneByron Magpies
2018MaroochydorePark RidgeCarraraMaroochydoreYeronga South BrisbaneByron Magpies
2019NoosaBond UniversityMoreton BayPark RidgeBribie IslandByron Magpies
YearQFA Division 1QFA Division 2 NorthQFA Division 2 SouthQFA Division 3QFA Division 4
2020NoosaMoreton BayKenmoreMorningsideOrmeau
2021SpringwoodMoreton BayBurleighSherwood DistrictsCollingwood Park
2022CoorparooHinterland BluesCoolangatta-Tweed HeadsSherwoodPacific Pines
YearQFA Division 1QFA Division 2 NorthQFA Division 2 SouthQFA Division 3 NorthQFA Division 3 SouthQFA Division 4 NorthQFA Division 4 South
2023SpringwoodAlexandra HillsBurleighMaroochydorePacific PinesCaloundraMt Gravatt

Former AFL South Queensland Divisions

Notable former Queensland Football Association regional Divisions

2003 Bundaberg-Wide Bay Hinterland Division

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

Finals summary:

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. https://www.aflq.com.au/seq-competitions/ SEQ teams and competitions
  2. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article20307734 Brisbane Courier 25 May 1866
  3. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1269346 Brisbane Courier 16 June 1866
  4. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article19790889 Brisbane Courier 5 May 1883
  5. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article3430861 Brisbane Courier 7 June 1884
  6. Ronald Lawson, University of Queensland Press, 1973, page 203
  7. 'Queensland Australian National Football League Official Souvenir Programme of Collingwood v South Melbourne', dated Saturday 27 July 1935
  8. Web site: SEQAFL. Australian Football. 2015-10-05. https://web.archive.org/web/20151005164858/http://australianfootball.com/leagues/league/SEQAFL/10. 5 October 2015. dead. dmy-all.