Gridiron Victoria


Gridiron Victoria is the governing body for American football in the state of Victoria, Australia.
Formed in 1997, Gridiron Victoria was an amalgamation of the two existing governing bodies of the time, the Victoria Gridiron Football League and the Gridiron Association of Victoria.
In 2025, the name was changed to briefly changed to American Football Victoria to incorporate both tackle and flag football into one governing body, but was reverted back a few months later. This brought American Football Victoria in line with American Football Australia, as well as the other state leagues in the country.

Vic Bowl

The Vic Bowl is the Championship Game played between the two best teams in the men's Division One competition throughout the American Football Victoria season, whilst the best teams in the men's second division compete for the Division Two Championship.
The Junior Championship game is known as the Junior Vic Bowl, whilst the Women's Championship game is known as the Women's Vic Bowl.
The are the most decorated Division One club with 11 Vic Bowls, their most recent in 2016 with a 16 - 12 win over the Western Crusaders.
The Pakenham Silverbacks have won the most Division Two Championships with 2, their most recent in 2016 with a 43 - 8 victory over the Northern Raiders.
The Croydon Rangers are the most successful Junior team with 8 titles, their most recent in 2024 with a 28 - 20 win over the Southern Vikings.
In the Women's division, the Western Crusaders and Geelong Buccaneers have both won 2 Women's Vic Bowls each.

Clubs

The following is a list of current and former teams competing in American Football Victoria.

Men's teams

Championship Games

Men's Senior Division 1

Vic Bowl history, in the Victorian Gridiron Football League, Gridiron Victoria, and American Football Victoria Division One:
VicbowlYearWinning teamScoreLosing teamScoreVenue
I1985Outlaws12Rangers0Olympic Park Stadium, Melbourne
II1986Outlaws26Hornets6Olympic Park Stadium, Melbourne
III1987Outlaws26Hornets19Olympic Park Stadium, Melbourne
IV1988Outlaws20Hornets17Olympic Park Stadium, Melbourne
V1989Devils13Sweathogs8Olympic Park Stadium, Melbourne
VI1990Devils62Sweathogs26Olympic Park Stadium, Melbourne
VII1991Miners45Vikings8Olympic Park Stadium, Melbourne
VIII1992Colts26Miners20Olympic Park Stadium, Melbourne
IX1993Colts24Miners7Olympic Park Stadium, Melbourne
X1994Miners20Sharks14St Kilda Football Club Reserve, Linton Street, Moorabbin
XI1995Sharks27Miners23St Kilda Football Club Reserve, Linton Street, Moorabbin
XII1996Raiders20Rangers6Sparks Reserve, Box Hill
XIII1997Rangers18Panthers5Sydney Pargeter Reserve, Endeavour Hills
XIV1998Rangers28Panthers21Sydney Pargeter Reserve, Endeavour Hills
XV1999Crusaders20*14*Sydney Pargeter Reserve, Endeavour Hills
XVI2000Crusaders140Footscray Hockey Centre, Yarraville
XVII2001160Footscray Hockey Centre, Yarraville
XVIII20021912Sydney Pargeter Reserve, Endeavour Hills
XIX20033828Springfield Reserve, Croydon
XX2004190Springfield Reserve, Croydon
XXI20051813Tony Dodemaide Reserve, Footscray
XXII2006123Sydney Pargeter Reserve, Endeavour Hills
XXIII2007Crusaders2113Sydney Pargeter Reserve, Endeavour Hills
XXIV200860Sydney Pargeter Reserve, Endeavour Hills
XXV20093612Sydney Pargeter Reserve, Endeavour Hills
XXVI201023Buccaneers14Springfield Reserve, Croydon
XXVII2011Buccaneers3414LE Cotchin Reserve, Reservoir
XXVIII201222 +Buccaneers14Moorabbin Oval, Linton St, Moorabbin
XXIX201330Buccaneers13Moorabbin Oval, Linton St, Moorabbin
XXX201439Buccaneers14Tom Flood Sports Centre, Bendigo
XXXI2015167Latrobe City Stadium, Morwell
XXXII20161612Lakeside Stadium, Albert Park
XXXIII201730Royals9MacPherson Park Recreation Reserve, Melton
XXXIV201836Warriors6Hendy Street Reserve, Corio
XXXV201938Warriors6Casey Fields, Casey
XXXVI202244Rangers0Springfield Reserve, Croydon
XXXVII2022Crusaders42Rangers12Springfield Reserve, Croydon
XXXVIII2023Crusaders50Predators16Henry Turner Reserve, Footscray
XXXIX2024Crusaders20Buccaneers14Henry Turner Reserve, Footscray
XL2025Crusaders21Buccaneers6MacPherson Park, Melton

* Vicbowl XV was decided in Overtime
+ Vicbowl XXVIII was decided in Overtime

Women's Vic Bowl

YearWinning teamScoreLosing teamScoreVenue
201332Northern Lady Raiders8Springfield Reserve, Croydon
201442Northern Lady Raiders34Sydney Pargeter Reserve, Endeavour Hills
2015Geelong Buccaneers20Northern Lady Raiders12MacPherson Park Recreation Reserve, Melton
2016Geelong Buccaneers38Melbourne Uni Chargers24Heatherbrae Reserve, Officer
2017Croydon Rangers12Melbourne Uni Chargers7Ranger Field, Croydon
2018Western Crusaders12Croydon Rangers0Ranger Field, Croydon
2019Northern Raiders54Western Crusaders26Casey Fields, Casey

Men's Senior Division Two

Championship games:
YearWinning teamScoreLosing teamScoreVenue
2011Raiders18Gladiators6LE Cotchin Reserve, Reservoir
2012Royals166Moorabbin Oval, Linton St, Moorabbin
201320Royals6Moorabbin Oval, Linton St, Moorabbin
2014Gladiators12Falcons0Tom Flood Sports Centre, Bendigo
2015Silverbacks96Latrobe City Stadium, Morwell
2016Silverbacks43Raiders8Lakeside Stadium, Albert Park
2017Raiders10Wolves0MacPherson Park Recreation Reserve, Melton
2022Crusaders 238Raiders0Springfield Reserve, Croydon
2024Vikings30Dragons0Henry Turner Reserve, Footscray
2025Chargers24Dragons6MacPherson Park Recreation Reserve, Melton

The Division Two season was incorporated into Division One from 2018 to 2021.
As of 2022, Division 2 has been re-established, with the Western Crusaders 2 taking the title.
There was no Division 2 champion awarded in 2023 due to the finals structure.

Under 19's Vic Bowl

TeamWinsLossesAppearances
Croydon Rangers9817
Geelong Buccaneers448
Berwick Miners437
Monash/Warriors Gridiron358
Melbourne Uni Royals/Lions314
South Eastern Predators213
Western Crusaders134
Northern Blackhawks101
Geelong Wildcats011
Banyule Panthers011
Southern Vikings011

Note: including history in Victorian Gridiron Football League and Gridiron Victoria:
YearWinning teamScoreLosing teamScoreVenue
1996Cowboys xxxxxxxx
1997Wolfpack180Springfield Reserve, Croydon
19981814Sydney Pargeter Reserve, Endeavour Hills
199928Panthers0Springfield Reserve, Croydon
2000286Sydney Pargeter Reserve, Endeavour Hills
200128Wildcats0Sydney Pargeter Reserve, Endeavour Hills
20022012Sydney Pargeter Reserve, Endeavour Hills
2003*Blackhawks448Sydney Pargeter Reserve, Endeavour Hills
2003**208Springfield Reserve, Croydon
200428Buccaneers24Springfield Reserve, Croydon
200526Buccaneers8Springfield Reserve, Croydon
2006Buccaneers166Deakin University, Waurn Ponds
200742Buccaneers22Sydney Pargeter Reserve, Endeavour Hills
2008Buccaneers3616Springfield Reserve, Croydon
2009220Springfield Reserve, Croydon
20103214Springfield Reserve, Croydon
2011Buccaneers1614Springfield Reserve, Croydon
2012340Springfield Reserve, Croydon
2013Crusaders380Springfield Reserve, Croydon
2014Lions25Predators18Sydney Pargeter Reserve, Endeavour Hills
2015Lions28Crusaders15MacPherson Park Recreation Reserve, Melton
201642Lions6Heatherbrae Reserve, Officer
2017Predators46Crusaders21Springfield Reserve, Croydon
2018Royals38Warriors36Springfield Reserve, Croydon
2019COVID-19--No Season--
2022Buccaneers28Rangers12Springfield Reserve, Croydon
2022Rangers41Buccaneers18Springfield Reserve, Croydon
2023Predators26Rangers14Henry Turner Reserve, Footscray
2024Rangers28Vikings20Henry Turner Reserve, Footscray
2025Rangers26Crusaders22MacPherson Park Recreation Reserve, Melton

Gridiron Victoria State team results

YearEventWinning teamScoreLosing teamScoreVenue
20122012 Australian Gridiron League Game 3QLD Sundevils27Victorian Eagles14Super Sports Centre, Runaway Bay, QLD
20122012 Australian Gridiron League Game 2NSW Wolfpack52Victorian Eagles22Sydney Academy of Sport, Narrabeen, NSW
20122012 Australian Gridiron League Game 1WA Raiders16Victorian Eagles0State Netball Hockey Centre, Melbourne, VIC

YearEventWinning teamScoreLosing teamScoreVenue
20112011 Junior National 3rd Place GameQLD Sundevils47Victorian Eagles16Sydney Academy of Sport, Narrabeen, NSW
20112011 Junior National ChampionshipsVictorian Eagles57SA Fire20Sydney Academy of Sport, Narrabeen, NSW
20112011 Junior National ChampionshipsWA Raiders38Victorian Eagles14Sydney Academy of Sport, Narrabeen, NSW

YearEventWinning teamScoreLosing teamScoreVenue
20102010 Senior National Championship GameNSW Wolfpack28Victorian Eagles7State Netball Hockey Centre, Parkville, VIC
20102010 Senior National ChampionshipsVictorian Eagles33Queensland Sundevils6State Netball Hockey Centre, Parkville, VIC
20102010 Senior National ChampionshipsVictorian Eagles40ACT Monarchs0State Netball Hockey Centre, Parkville, VIC

YearEventWinning teamScoreLosing teamScoreVenue
20092009 Junior National Championship GameNSW Wolfpack14Victorian Eagles6Sports Super Centre, Runaway Bay, QLD
20092009 Junior National ChampionshipsVictorian Eagles14Queensland Sundevils8Sports Super Centre, Runaway Bay, QLD
20092009 Junior National ChampionshipsVictorian Eagles54ACT Monarchs8Sports Super Centre, Runaway Bay, QLD

YearEventWinning teamScoreLosing teamScoreVenue
20062006 National Championship GameNSW Wolfpack22Victorian Eagles16Pines Stadium, Adelaide, SA
20062006 National ChampionshipsVictorian Eagles44SA Fire0Pines Stadium, Adelaide, SA
20062006 National ChampionshipsVictorian Eagles34WA Raiders8Pines Stadium, Adelaide, SA

YearEventWinning teamScoreLosing teamScoreVenue
20052005 National Championship GameNSW Wolfpack14Victorian Eagles13Pines Stadium, Adelaide, SA
20052005 National ChampionshipsVictorian Eagles62QLD0Pines Stadium, Adelaide, SA
20052005 National ChampionshipsVictorian Eagles14NSW Wolfpack0Pines Stadium, Adelaide, SA

YearEventWinning teamScoreLosing teamScoreVenue
2005Downunder BowlKentucky/Virginia33Victorian Eagles0Carrara, QLD
2005Downunder BowlMinnesota/Dakota28Victorian Eagles0Carrara, QLD

YearEventWinning teamScoreLosing teamScoreVenue
20042004 Junior National ChampionshipsNSW Wolfpack30Victorian Eagles0Runaway Bay, QLD
20042004 Junior National ChampionshipsVictorian Eagles12QLD Sundevils8Runaway Bay, QLD
20042004 Junior National ChampionshipsVictorian Eagles30ACT Monarchs6Runaway Bay, QLD

YearEventWinning teamScoreLosing teamScoreVenue
20042004 Tour GameVictorian Eagles28WA Raiders19Perth, WA

YearEventWinning teamScoreLosing teamScoreVenue
20032003 National ChampionshipsVictorian Volunteers1ACT Monarchs 0Pines Stadium, Adelaide, SA
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YearEventWinning teamScoreLosing teamScoreVenue
20012001 National ChampionshipsACT Monarchs27Victorian Volunteers8Canberra, ACT
20012001 National ChampionshipsQueensland24Victorian Volunteers12Canberra, ACT

YearEventWinning teamScoreLosing teamScoreVenue
19991999 GA Eastern Regional'sVictorian Volunteers18New South Wales8Homebush, Sydney, NSW
19991999 GA Eastern Regional'sVictorian Volunteers8Queensland0Homebush, Sydney, NSW

YearEventWinning teamScoreLosing teamScoreVenue
19991999 GA National ChallengeVictorian Volunteers1ACT 0Penrith Panthers, NSW

YearEventWinning teamScoreLosing teamScoreVenue
19961996 National Championship GameNew South Wales7Victorian Volunteers6ACTFL Park, Canberra, ACT
19961996 National ChampionshipsVictorian Volunteers49ACT6ACTFL Park, Canberra, ACT
19961996 National ChampionshipsVictorian Volunteers14South Australia35ACTFL Park, Canberra, ACT

YearEventWinning teamScoreLosing teamScoreVenue
19911991 Tour GameVictoria22South Australia12Adelaide, SA
19911991 Tour GameVictoria19New South Wales0Olympic Park, Melbourne, VIC

YearEventWinning teamScoreLosing teamScoreVenue
19901990 Tour GameVictorian All-Stars19South Auckland Raiders19Olympic Park, Melbourne, VIC

YearEventWinning teamScoreLosing teamScoreVenue
19891989 Tour GameAurgsberg College 41Victoria12Olympic Park, Melbourne, VIC

YearEventWinning teamScoreLosing teamScoreVenue
1987Curtain raiser to NCAA gameVictoria26South Australia20Princess Park, Carlton, VIC

Best & Fairest Trophy

The Victorian Gridiron Officials Association Best & Fairest Trophy is a perpetual award, presented to the player who displays the highest levels of gridiron skill throughout the senior season together with high levels of fairness and sportsmanship encouraged by the rules of the sport.
Three, two and one votes are allocated by the officiating crews at the conclusion of each senior match and these are totalled at the end of the regular season allowing the recipient to be determined.
YearPlayerTeam
1986Geoff WoollardBrighton Outlaws
1987NotAwarded
1988Arthur SpanosMelbourne Hornets
1989Brett PopplewellDoncaster Devils
1990Martin VealDoncaster Devils
1991Tommy Burrell
1992Michael SmithCroydon Rangers
1993Tim GambleSouthern Bulls
1994Dale Mitchell
1995Dale Mitchell
1996Byron McLachlanGeelong Wildcats
1997Byron McLachlanGeelong Wildcats
1998Richard Butcher
1999Glenn Parke
2000Kriss GuidottiGeelong Wildcats
2001Steve ChurchillCroydon Rangers
2002Steve ChurchillCroydon Rangers
2003Grant LambBerwick Miners
2004Judd Davidson & Steve ChurchillCroydon Rangers
2005Karl MaslowskiNorthern Blackhawks
2006Kriss GuidottiBay City Baccaneers
2007Nol Arabit
2008Lincoln Decker
2009Alex Moloney
2010Daniel Barnett Bay City Buccaneers
2011Andrew Nixon Berwick Miners
2012Tyson Garnham
2013Luke Jackson
2014Daniel Barnett Geelong Buccaneers
2015Jordan Beck
2016Luke Jackson
2017Ben Curley
2018Brady Kelliher
2019No Season due COVID-19
2020No Season due COVID-19
2021*Mathew Krul Western Crusaders
2022Mathew Krul Western Crusaders
2023Cooper Maher South Eastern Predators
2024Tyson Garnham Western Crusaders
2025DJ Battistella Western Crusaders

* The 2021 season was delayed due to COVID-19 lock downs in Victoria and was conducted in Summer/Autumn 2022, before the regularly scheduled Spring/Summer season in 2022.