Hills Football League Explained

Hills Football League
General Information
Founded1967 in the Adelaide Hills
Current clubsBirdwood
Blackwood
Bridgewater-Callington
Echunga
Gumeracha
Hahndorf
Kangarilla
Kersbrook
Macclesfield
Meadows
Milang
Mount Barker
Mount Lofty
Nairne Bremer United
Onkaparinga Valley
Torrens Valley
Uraidla Districts

The Hills Football League (HFL) is an Australian rules football league, situated in the Adelaide Hills region of South Australia, to the south east of the state capital Adelaide.

The League has over 3000 players belonging to 20 member Clubs.[1] The League's Clubs are divided into two playing Divisions:

Both divisions have their own programs for the season. There is a promotion and relegation system that received criticism in 2014 following the ultimately unsuccessful decision to relegate Echunga in the same season that they won the Central Division premiership.[2] It is the second biggest league in South Australia after the South Australian Amateur Football League.

In 2009 the Uraidla Districts Football Club became the first team in HFL history to secure all senior premierships (A,B&C) in a single season a feat that was followed by Hahndorf in 2016.

History

The Hills FL was formed in 1967 as a result of the merger of the original Hills Central FL and the Torrens Valley FL. For a number of years, the competition consisted of three divisions, firstly known as the Central Zone, the Northern Zone and the Southern Zone. This later changed to Zone 1, 2 and 3 with two years also providing a Zone 4. Eventually in 1979 the two divisions that exist today was established. The one year that was an exception was 1983 when competition was played in one division.[3]

Heathfield-Aldgate United hold the record for the most premierships won in succession from 1971 to 1977.

Grades

The HFL consists of:

Division 1

JumperClubNicknameHome GroundEstYears in compHFL PremiershipsHFL Premiership Years
Blackwood[4] WoodsWood Tech Oval, Blackwood19121987–3Div 1: 1988, 1991, 2017
EchungaDemonsEchunga Recreation Ground, Echunga19031967–8Div 1: 2014
Div 2: 1995, 1996, 2000, 2011, 2013
Div 3: 1972
Southern B: 1968
Hahndorf[5] MagpiesHahndorf Oval, Hahndorf18871967–13Div 1: 1984, 1985, 1992, 1993, 1995, 1997, 2001, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021
Lobethal[6] TigersLobethal Recreation Ground, Lobethal19011967–5Div 1: 1981, 1998, 1999, 2002, 2022
Mount Barker[7] BarkeroosHanson Oval, Mount Barker18811967–8Div 1: 1969, 1970, 1982, 1983, 2000, 2003, 2004, 2012
Mount Lofty District[8] Mountain DevilsHeathfield Oval, Heathfield19781986–6Div 1: 1986, 1990, 2006, 2007, 2008
Div 2: 2014
Nairne Bremer UnitedRamsNairne Oval, Nairne19781978–1991, 1998–4Div 1: 2023Div 2: 1985, 1989, 2017
Onkaparinga Valley[9] BulldogsJohnston Memorial Park, Balhannah19671967–2Div 1: 1978, 1994
Uraidla DistrictsDemonsUraidla Showgrounds, Uraidla19971997–5Div 1: 2005, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013

Premierships

Division 2

JumperClubNicknameHome GroundEstYears in compHFL PremiershipsHFL Premiership Years
BirdwoodRoostersBirdwood Oval, Birdwood1967-6Div 2: 1973, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1992, 1994
GumerachaMagpiesGumeracha Oval, Gumeracha18871967-6Div 2: 1970, 1982, 1984, 2019, 2022, 2023
KangarillaDouble BluesKangarilla Recreation Ground, Kangarilla19011967–1978, 2006-5Div 2: 2006
Div 3: 1970, 1973, 1974, 1978
KersbrookBlues/BrookersKersbrook Soldiers Memorial Park, Kersbrook19121971-10Div 2: 1972, 1974, 1986, 1993, 1997, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2015, 2021
MacclesfieldBlood and TarsMacclesfield Oval, Macclesfield18801967–1983, 1987-4Div 2: 1980
Div 3: 1969
Div 4: 1972, 1973
MeadowsBulldogsStringybark Park, Meadows19031967-1982, 2001-5Div 2: 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004
Div 3: 1967
Torrens ValleyMountain LionsCentenary Park, Mount Torrens19971997- *3Div 2: 2005, 2007, 2010

Premierships

[11]

C-Grade Only

JumperClubNicknameHome GroundEstYears in compHFL PremiershipsHFL Premiership Years
Bridgewater-Callington[13] RaidersBridgewater Oval, Bridgewater20122013-2022, 2024-2Div 2: 1981, 2016
MilangPanthersMilang Oval, Milang1986-2005, 2010-2017, 2021-0-

Former Clubs

JumperClubNicknameHome GroundEstYears in compHFL PremiershipsHFL Premiership YearsFate
AshtonAshton Oval, Ashton1972-810-Merged with Lenswood Rangers to form Eastern Rangers in 1983
Barossa DistrictBulldogsWilliamstown Oval, Williamstown19791987-903Div 2: 1987, 1988, 1990moved to Barossa, Light & Gawler FA in 1991
Bremer1967-782Div 3B: 1974, 1978Merged with Nairne to form Nairne Bremer United in 1978
BridgewaterRaidersBridgewater Oval, Bridgewater19561967-20121Div 2: 1981Merged with Callington United Eagles to form Bridgewater Callington in 2012
Callington United Eagles[14] EaglesCallington Oval, Callington19951995-20120-Merged with Bridgewater to form Bridgewater Callington in 2012
Eastern RangersSaints19831983-961Div 1: 1987Merged with Uraidla to form Uraidla Districts in 1997
Heathfield Aldgate United19671967-789Div 1: 1967, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977Merged with Stirling to form Mount Lofty District in 1978
Ironbank-Cherry GardensThunderersCherry Gardens Ironbank Recreation Ground, Cherry Gardens19861986-20224Div 2: 1998, 1999, 2018, 2020Merged with Bridgewater-Callington in 2023, moved to Southern Football League in 2024
Ironbank-Cherry Gardens- BridgewaterIronraidersBridgewater Oval, BridgewaterCherry Gardens Ironbank Recreation Ground, Cherry Gardens202320230-De-merged into Bridgewater-Callington and Ironbank-Cherry Gardens
Langhorne CreekTigersLanghorne Creek Oval, Langhorne Creek19061967-773Div 3: 1975, 1976, 1977Moved to Great Southern Football League in 1977
Lenswood RangersLenswood Memorial Park, Lenswood19671967-822Div 2: 1978, 1979Merged with Ashton to form Eastern Rangers in 1983
Littlehampton1967-721Southern: 1968
Mount TorrensBombersCentenary Park, Mount Torrens1967-1975,
1986-1996
1Div 2: 1991Merged with Sedan Cambrai in 1976 to form Mount Torrens-Cambrai.Merged with Pleasant Valley in 1997 to form Torrens Valley
Mount Torrens-Cambrai19761976-850-De-merged into Mount Torrens and Sedan Cambrai in 1986
Mylor1967-722Southern B: 1967, 1970Folded
NairneNairne Oval, Nairne1967-780-Merged with Bremer to form Nairne Bremer United in 1978
Palmer1967-1970, 1972-19731Div 4B: 1972
Pleasant ValleyRoosTalunga Park, Mount Pleasant1967-884Northern: 1967, 1968, 1969, 1971Merged with Mount Torrens in 1997 to form Torrens Valley
Sedan CambraiMagpiesCambrai Sportsground, Cambrai19221967-750-Merged with Mount Torrens in 1976 to form Mount Torrens-CambraiMoved to Mid Murray FA in 1987Moved to Riverland Independent FL in 2016[15]
StirlingEaglesStirling Oval, Stirling1800s1967-780-Merged with Heathfield-Aldgate United to form Mount Lofty District in 1978
UraidlaRedlegsUraidla Showgrounds, Uraidla19051967-964Div 1: 1979, 1980, 1989, 1996Merged with Eastern Rangers to form Uraidla Districts in 1997
WilliamstownRoversWilliamstown Oval, Williamstown1967-73 0-Moved to Gawler and District FL in 1974

AFL Players

The following were drafted to AFL club lists having previously participated in the Hills Football League.[16]

Name HFL Club Year Drafted SANFL Club (or equiv.) AFL Club(s)
Brenton SandersonBlackwood1992SturtAdelaide, Collingwood, Geelong
Scott BurnsBirdwood[17] 1992NorwoodCollingwood
Brett JamesKersbrook[18] 1992NorwoodCollingwood, Adelaide
Steven SzillerLobethal1994Woodville-West TorrensSt Kilda, Richmond
Roger JamesKersbrook1996NorwoodPort Adelaide
Ben NelsonBridgewater1996SturtCarlton, Adelaide
Barnaby FrenchIronbank-Cherry Gardens[19] 1997SturtPort Adelaide, Carlton
Sudjai CookKersbrook1998NorwoodAdelaide
Courtney JohnsOnkaparinga Valley2002East FremantleEssendon
Darren PfeifferBirdwood[20] 2005NorwoodAdelaide, Carlton, Port Adelaide
Cleve HughesLobethal[21] 2005NorwoodRichmond
Benet CoppingMt Barker2006SturtFremantle
Paul CahillBlackwood2008SturtSt Kilda
Matthew JaenschHahndorf2009SturtAdelaide
Sam ColquhounBirdwood2013Central DistrictsPort Adelaide
Alex GeorgiouLobethal2013NorwoodMelbourne
Matthew FullerLobethal2013NorwoodWestern Bulldogs
Dean GoreHahndorf2014SturtGeelong, Adelaide
Mitch CrowdenMeadows2017SturtFremantle
Callum Coleman-JonesBlackwood2017SturtRichmond
Tom SparrowBridgewater2018South Adelaide

References

[22]

External links

Books

Notes and References

  1. http://www.sportingpulse.com/assoc_page.cgi?assoc=6621&pID=1 About the League
  2. News: Turner. Matt. Echunga Football Club exploring ways to avoid relegation despite winning Hills Football League flag. 29 September 2014. Messenger Community News. News Limited. 26 September 2014.
  3. http://footypedia.isgreat.org/00002257.htm Footypedia
  4. Web site: Blackwood Football Club. 7 July 2009.
  5. Web site: Hahndorf Football Club. 8 May 2010.
  6. Web site: Lobethal Football Club. 7 July 2009.
  7. Web site: Mt Barker Football Club. 7 July 2009.
  8. Web site: Mt Lofty Football Club. 7 July 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20090709033353/http://www.mtloftyfootballclub.com/index.html. 9 July 2009. dead.
  9. Web site: Onkaparinga Valley Football Club. 11 August 2009.
  10. Web site: Central Div A Grade Grand FiInal. Hills Football League. Fox Sports Pulse. 29 September 2014.
  11. Web site: Past Premiers. Hills Football League. 23 September 2013.
  12. Web site: Country Div A Grade Grand Final. Hills Football League. Fox Sports Pulse. 29 September 2014.
  13. Web site: Bridgewater Raiders . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090621062826/http://www.bridgewaterraiders.org.au/ . 21 June 2009 . 7 July 2009.
  14. Web site: Callington United Eagles Football Club. 7 July 2009.
  15. News: Dillon . Nick . 5 February 2016 . Sedan-Cambrai makes eight for Independents . 13 February 2016 . Murray Pioneer.
  16. Web site: AFL Drafted Players. 24 December 2013.
  17. News: Rielly. Stephen. Scott Burns: Humble Pie. 20 January 2014. The Age. 9 August 2003.
  18. Web site: Devaney. John. SA Football Companion - Brett James. Full Points Footy. 20 January 2014.
  19. News: Connolly. Rohan. French Plans to Stand Tall. 20 January 2014. The Age. 23 November 2003.
  20. News: Fjeldstad. Jesper. Darren Pfeiffer: It's lonely on the fringe of the AFL. 20 January 2014. Sunday Mail (SA). 2 November 2013.
  21. News: Porter. Ashley. Cubs on song as Tigers stun Port. 20 January 2014. Illawarra Mercury. 21 June 2008.
  22. Book: Lines, Peter. South Australian Country Football Digest. 2012. Peter Lines. Cowell. 978-0-9871591-9-9. 227–237.