Sunraysia Football League

The Sunraysia Football and Netball League is an Australian rules football and netball competition in the Sunraysia district of north-west Victoria and south-west New South Wales.

History

The Sunraysia Football League was formed in 1945, after World War Two, which superseded the Mildura Football League.
In 1947, Melbourne: 23.18 - 156 defeated the Sunraysia FL: 8.16 - 64 at the Mildura Recreation Oval.
In 1948, Imperials FC finished last on the ladder, then went onto win the 1949 premiership.
In June 1949, Collingwood: 19.14 - 128 defeated the Sunraysia FL: 13.6 - 84.
In 1957, Curlwaa-Wentworth and Coomealla merged to form Wentworth & Districts Football Club.
Between 1951 and 1960, Mildura played in nine grand finals in ten years, winning five premierships, with former Essendon player, Les Griggs coaching the team between 1950 and 1956.
In 1965, Irymple FC finished last on the ladder, then went onto win the 1966 SFL premiership.
Between 1967 and 1986, the Sunraysia Football League was Richmond's rural VFL zoning area and provided Richmond with many good players and a period of premiership success and regular finals appearances in the late 1960's, 1970's and early 1980's.
Imperials FNC had a very successful period between 1986 and 1996, playing in 10 grand finals in 11 years, which included two lots of five consecutive grand finals. The only year Imperials missed the grand final was in 1991, when they lost the preliminary final.
Under the coaching of former VFL star player, Merv Neagle, Merbein won senior football premierships in 2002 and 2003, with some very smart recruiting, but have since struggled to be regular finalists.
The SFNL is considered a major country league. The league's grand final was traditionally played at City Oval in Mildura, however from 2022 it has played at the newly-opened Mildura Sporting Precinct in Mildura's South.
In 2023, Imperials FNC finished last on the senior football ladder, then went onto win the 2024 premiership.
;Mildura Football Association
Australian Rules football has been active in Sunraysia since the formation of the Mildura Football Club in 1888, with Mildura finishing on top of the ladder in the first recorded, local Australian Rules competition, the Mildura Football Association in 1891.
In 1891, Mildura FC received the Jamieson Premiership Cup, while "Best All-round Player" went to "Dot" Desailly and best goalkicker award was won by W. "Bill" Bartlett.
There was no official competition football in 1896, as there was only two active football clubs, Irymple and North Mildura, with Wentworth Imperials FC showing some interest in joining the competition, which did not go ahead, but some friendly matches were played between these clubs.
Between 1900 and 1903, there are no newspapers references to any Australian Rules football competitions in or around the Mildura area, which was partially due to player shortages from enlistments in the Army who served Australia in the Second Boer War. There is no evidence of local football in The Mildura Cultivator newspaper until 1904. In February, 1904, there was a push get the Mildura Recreation Reserve "into immediate use and proper order" to get the games of cricket and football going again, like the good old days.
;Mildura Football League
In 1904, the Mildura Football League was formed from the following teams - Irymple, Mildura and the Mildura Fire Brigade, with the Fire Brigade defeating Irymple in the grand final.
In 1907, the Fire Brigade FC disbanded and was reformed as the Mildura Rovers FC and the club initially wore a red and white guernsey and blue knickers.
In 1919, East Mildura and West Mildura Football Club's were formed when the town of Mildura was divided up into zoning areas for players to be zoned to a certain club, depending where the player lived.
In 1921, the Mildura Football League was re-formed from the following teams - Irymple, Merbein, Mildura, North Cliffs and Red Cliffs, with a new committee of management. The official new club colours were - Irymple: blue and gold jerseys and socks, blue shorts; Merbein: black and white jerseys and socks, white shorts; Mildura: black and red jerseys and socks, white shorts; Red Cliff: maroon and royal blue jerseys and socks, white shorts; Red Cliffs North: cardinal and black jerseys and socks, white shorts.
In a golden era for the town of Merbein, between 1924 and 1938, Merbein and / or South Merbein played in 16 consecutive Mildura FL grand finals, with Merbein winning seven premierships and South Merbein winning six premierships.
In 1925, Merbein Park was changed to the Kenny Memorial Park in honour of the late E J Kenny, for all the work Mr Kenny performed in Merbein as the "Father" of the Merbein settlement.
In 1927, the Mildura Rovers Junior FC wore "white knicks, dark blue guernsey, with a yellow sash".
In August 1927, Mildura FL: 11.10 - 76 defeated Essendon Reserves: 6.8 - 44.
In September 1936, St Kilda 14.18 - 102 defeated the Mildura Football League 11.20 - 86, with St Kilda's Bill Mohr kicking 10 goals.
In 1937, the Mildura FC disbanded and the Mildura Working Man's Club entered a team in the Mildura FL.
In 1938, Laurie Leask won the 1938 Mildura Football League / Sunraysia Daily newspaper best and fairest award, the Snow Trophy.
In September 1938, Essendon Reserves: 16.17 - 113 defeated the Mildura Football League: 16.16 - 112 in a thrilling game.
In 1940, because of World War Two, the Mildura & DFL was reduced to a six team competition between the Imperials, Irymple, Merbein, Red Cliffs, Wentworth and Workers, with the season shortened, the grand final was played in June.
;Mildura Boys Football Association
In April 1946, the Sunraysia Boys Football Association was formed with an Under 18 division and an Under 16 division from the following teams - Coomealla, Curlwaa, Gol Gol, Irymple, Merbein, Mildura Community Centre, Mildura Convent, Mildura High School, Methodists, Red Cliffs Community Centre and Wentworth.
;Mildura Wednesday Football Association
The Mildura Wednesday FA was formed in 1921 and initially comprised the following three clubs - Fitzroys, Imperials and Tigers. In 1929, C Whitmore won the MWFA best and fairest award.
;Timeline

1891 - 1895: Mildura Football Association
1896 - MFA in recess
1897 - 1899: Mildura Football Association
1900 - 1903: MFA in recess due to Australia in the Second Boer War
1904 - 1915: Mildura Football League
1916 - 1918: MFL in recess due to World War One
1919 - 1940: Mildura Football League
1941 - 1943: MFL in recess due to World War Two
1944 - Mildura Football League. Newspapers reports sometimes referred to the local football competition as the Mildura & District Football League and occasionally the Mildura Football Association between 1904 and 1944, but it was mostly referred to as the Mildura Football League during this period.
1945 - 2019: Sunraysia Football League
2020 - SFNL in recess due to COVID-19 pandemic in Victoria. 2021 season was cut short due to COVID-19 pandemic in Victoria and no finals series was played.
2021 - 2025: Sunraysia Football League

;Stance on Violence
Irymple Football Club is working with Kim O'Reilly to educate players around healthy relationships and violence against women. O'Reilly was seriously assaulted by former Irymple player Jake Frecker in January 2018.
Irymple Club president Dennis Mitchell called for football clubs to change their culture around violence, condemning the support Dimboola provided to Frecker after he was charged with the assault on O'Reilly. ''"When your sporting club is the heart of the community, then it is our responsibility to be a vehicle for "''

Clubs

Nine clubs – Imperials, Irymple, Merbein, Mildura, Ouyen United, Red Cliffs, Robinvale–Euston, South Mildura and Wentworth – participate in the competition, which includes senior and junior grades of football and netball.

Senior Football Premierships

;Sunraysia FNL
;Senior Football

1945 RAAF
1946 Mildura
1947 University
1948 Merbein
1949 Imperials
1950 Imperials
1951 Mildura
1952 Mildura
1953 Red Cliffs
1954 Irymple
1955 Mildura
1956 Imperials
1957 Imperials
1958 Mildura
1959 Red Cliffs
1960 Mildura
1961 Red Cliffs
1962 Merbein
1963 Merbein
1964 Red Cliffs
1965 Robinvale
1966 Irymple
1967 Robinvale
1968 South Mildura
1969 South Mildura
1970 South Mildura
1971 Imperials
1972 Robinvale
1973 Wentworth District
1974 Robinvale
1975 Merbein
1976 Irymple
1977 Imperials
1978 Irymple
1979 Robinvale
1980 Red Cliffs
1981 Red Cliffs
1982 Mildura
1983 Red Cliffs
1984 Wentworth District
1985 Red Cliffs
1986 Imperials
1987 Imperials
1988 Imperials
1989 Robinvale
1990 Imperials
1991 Robinvale
1992 Imperials
1993 Imperials
1994 Imperials
1995 Imperials
1996 Wentworth District
1997 Robinvale
1998 South Mildura
1999 Imperials
2000 Red Cliffs
2001 Wentworth District
2002 Merbein
2003 Merbein
2004 Imperials
2005 Imperials
2006 Irymple
2007 Mildura
2008 Imperials
2009 Wentworth District
2010 Robinvale
2011 Irymple
2012 Wentworth District
2013 Imperials
2014 Red Cliffs
2015 Red Cliffs
2016 Ouyen United
2017 Irymple
2018 Ouyen United
2019 Irymple
2020 In recess > COVID-19
2021
2022 Irymple
2023 Irymple
2024 Imperials
2025 Mildura

;Reserves Football

2009 - 2019: SFNL Gameday site unavailable
2020 In recess > COVID-19
2021 No finals series > COVID-19
2022 Irymple
2023 Merbein
2024 Irymple
2025 South Mildura

;Thirds Football

2009 - 2019: SFNL Gameday site unavailable
2020 In recess > COVID-19
2021 No finals series > COVID-19
2022 Irymple
2023 Irymple
2024 Irymple
2025 Mildura

;Mildura Football League

1904 - Fire Brigade: 3.6 d Irymple: 0.3
1905 - 1st: Irymple 2nd: Mildura
1906 - 1st: Irymple 2nd: Fire Brigade
1907 - 1st: Irymple 2nd: Mildura
1908 - 1st: Mildura 2nd: Mildura Rovers
1909 - 1st: Mildura Rovers 2nd: Irymple
1910 - Mildura Rovers: 6.12 d Mildura 3.3
1911 - 1st: Mildura Rovers 2nd: Mildura
1912 - Irymple: 4.7 d Mildura Rovers: 0.7
1913 - 1st: Irymple 2nd: Merbein
1914 - Mildura Rovers: 6.10 d Merbein: 2.7
1915 - 1st: Irymple declared premiers
1916-18: In recess > WW1
1919 - West Mildura: 3.7 d Irymple:2.6
1920 - Irymple: 6.7 d East Mildura: 4.4
1921 - Mildura: 8.8 d Merbein: 4.3
1922 - Mildura: 8.12 d Red Cliffs: 3.7
1923 - Merbein: 8.8 d Red Cliffs: 6.9
1924 - Mildura: 4.4 d Merbein: 2.8
1925 - Mildura: 6.8 d Sth Merbein: 4.17
1926 - Merbein: 9.10 d Sth Merbein: 6.10
1927 - South Merbein: 11.12 d Merbein: 7.9
1928 - South Merbein: 11.11 d Merbein: 6.12
1929 - South Merbein: 9.15 d Merebin: 5.12
1930 - Merbein: 11.6 d Sth Merbein: 6.10
1931 - South Merbein: 14.15 d Curlwaa 13.13
1932 - Merbein: 11.10 d Sth Merbein: 5.11
1933 - South Merbein: 11.12 d Mildura: 7.12
1934 - Red Cliffs: 19.16 d Sth Merbein: 15.17
1935 - South Merbein: 11.17 d Red Cliffs: 11.8
1936 - Imperials: 11.11 d Sth Merbein: 9.16
1937 - Merbein: 20.7 d Imperials: 10.11
1938 - Merbein: 19.15 d Workers: 11.10
1939 - Workers: 12.8 d Red Cliffs: 8.4
1940 - Red Cliffs 6.6 d Imperials: 3.11
1941-43: In recess > WW2
1944 - Merbein: 6.12 d RAAF: 5.13

;Mildura Football Association

1891 - 1st: Mildura 2nd: North Mildura
1892 - South Mildura
1893 - South Mildura
1894 - 1st: North Mildura 2nd: South Mildura
1895 - North Mildura
1896 - No official competition
1897 - 1st: North Mildura
1898 - South Mildura
1899 - 1st: South Mildura
1900 - 1903: In recess > Second Boer War

;Mildura Wednesday Football Association - 1921 to 1929

1921 - Fitzroys: 5.6 d Imperials: 1.7
1922 - Fitzroys: 5.6 d Imperials: 2.5
1923 - Imperials: 3.13 d Fitzroys: 3.6
1924 - ?
1925 - Mildura Rovers: 9.16 d Imperials: 6.12
1926 - Red Cliffs: 10.13 d Imperials: 10.10
1927 - Merbein: 10.14 d Red Cliffs: 5.11
1928 - ?
1929 - Ramblers d Mildura Rovers
1930-32: No Wednesday competition

;Mildura Wednesday Football League - 1933 to 1934

1933 - Mildura Rowers: 4.12 d Red Cliffs: 3.13
1934 - Red Cliffs: 6.6 d Mildura Rowers: 4.7
1935 - MWFL disbands

Grand Finals

Reserves Football

In 1928, the Mildura Junior Football League was formed, which was a "Reserves" football competition, set up for boys too old for the Under 18 competition.
In 1945, the initial seconds 18 football competition was known as the "Reserves", then between 1946 and 1954, it was referred to as the "Junior" competition, even though adults were playing in this competition. Then from 1955 onwards the Sunraysia Daily referred to it as the "Seconds" competition.

Thirds Football

Juniors:
Under 18's:
Under 18's:

Under 16's

U/16's: 1946 - 1956
U/15's: From ?
U/15.5: 2004 - 2006
U/16's: 2007 - 2025

Under 14's

1961 - 1973: Under 14?
1974 - 2003: Under 13?
2005 - 2006: Under 13.5?
2007 - 2025: Under 14

Football Premiership Table

;Senior Football
;Sunraysia FNL – Football Premiership: 1892 to 2024

Football Club	Mildura FA: 1891 - 1903	Mildura & DFL: 1904 - 1944	Sunraysia FNL: 1945 - 2024	Total
Fire Brigade FC		1		1
Imperials FC		1	20	21
Irymple FC		7	10	17
Merbein FC		7	6	13
Mildura FC	1	5	9	15
Mildura Rovers FC		4		4
North Mildura FC	3			3
Ouyen United FC			2	2
RAAF FC			1	1
Red Cliffs FC		2	11	13
Robinvale FC			9	9
South Merbein FC		6		6
South Mildura FC	4		4	8
University FC			1	1
Wenthworth & DFC			6	6
West Mildura FC		1		1
Workers FC		1		1
TOTAL	8	35	78	121

League Best and Fairest

Senior Football

;Mildura FL
In 1914, Mr Miller agreed to donate a trophy for the best and fairest player in the Mildura FL, but later on in the year he decided to donate the trophy to the premiership team, Mildura Rovers.

Pollock Medal. Donated by Mr. J Pollock Junior for only the 1934 Mildura FL season.
*1934 - Laurie Leask - Mildura FC. 7 votes
Snow Trophy. In 1938 the Sunraysia Daily newspaper had a Mildura FL best and fairest award, which was a public poll from a cut out newspaper coupon. The winner was -
*1938 - Laurie Leask - Workers FC. 935 votes.

;Sunraysia FNL
The very first Sunraysia FL best and fairest award in 1946, was called the Ozone Medal as it was donated by the . The first official best and fairest award presented by the Sunraysia Football League in 1947, was known as the Sunraysia Trophy for a number of years.
The Sunraysia Trophy appears to have been renamed the McLeod Memorial Medal in 1955, in honour of former Mildura footballer, Private Gregor "Jigger" Drummond McLeod, who was born on 15 April 1909 and died in 1942 while serving in the 2/21 Australian Infantry Battalion
;Multiple Medal Winners

4 - Don Favlo: 1995, 2006, 2009, 2013
3 - Kevin Coleman: 1973, 1974, 1975
2 - Neil "Steelo" Hogan: 1952, 1953
2 - Ian Ross: 1955, 1958
2 - Bill Lanyon: 1960, 1961
2 - John Martin: 1960, 1961
2 - Bruce Tschirpig: 1969, 1970
2 - Phillip Nash: 1986, 1987
2 - Tony Hickey: 1991, 1992
2 - Brad Eaton: 2005, 2007

;The Sunraysia Daily - Player of the Year Award
The Sunraysia Daily sports journalist initiated a senior football Player of the Year in 1950, based on the three, two, one voting system.

1950 - Don Matheson - Merbein FC: 26 votes
1955 - Jack Young - Irymple FC: 16 votes

Reserves

In 1947, the first Reserves or "Junior" section best and fairest award, the Murray Linton Trophy went to W Rodgers of the Curlwaa FC.
Between 1949 and 1956, the Reserves competition had two divisions, a Junior A section and a Junior B section.

Under 18's

The Sunraysia Daily first donated a trophy for the Under 18 best and fairest award in 1952.

1955: B McKay finished 2nd under the old countback system.

Under 16's

The Sunraysia Daily first donated a trophy for the Under 16 best and fairest award in 1952.

VFL / AFL Players

The following footballers played in either the Mildura FL and / or the Sunraysia FL prior to playing senior VFL / AFL football or drafted with the following clubs, with the year indicating their VFL debut -

1917 - Arthur Fox Sr: Red Cliffs to
1924 - Billy Pardon: Red Cliffs to
1929 - Jack Cross: Merbein to
1925 - Charlie McSwain: Merbein to
1934 - Rex Byrne: Mildura to
1935 - George Winter: Irymple to
1936 - Laurie Leask: Mildura to South Melbourne
1937 - Jack Kelly: Red Cliffs to
1939 - Harold Ball: Merbein to
1939 - Ian Giles: Merbein to
1943 - Mel Brown: Mildura to South Melbourne
1946 - Lance Arnold: Mildura to
1946 - Mick McGlynn: Mildura to
1948 - Arthur Fox Jr: Red Cliffs to South Melbourne
1949 - Bernie Hogan: Merbein to
1950 - Herb Henderson: Imperials to
1953 - Brian Johnson: Mildura to
1953 - Don Keyter: Merbein to South Melbourne
1954 - Brian Dorman: Merbein to
1954 - Ken McGown: Irymple to
1955 - Ian Hinks: Merbein to
1956 - Noel Dickson - Red Cliffs to
1956 - Ivan Smith: Robinvale to
1959 - Hassa Mann: Merbein to
1959 - John R. O'Keefe: Imperials to
1960 - John Kilpatrick: Irymple to
1960 - Len Mann: Merbein to
1961 - Brian Holcombe: Imperials to
1962 - Elkin Reilly: Wentworth to South Melbourne
1964 - Ian Nankervis: Imperials to
1964 - Alan Teasdale: South Mildura to
1965 - Kevin Stevens: Imperials to
1966 - Tony Haenen: Imperials to South Melbourne
1966 - Max Pitt: Imperials to
1966 - Dick Vandenberg: Robinvale to
1967 - Len Cumming: Imperials to
1967 - Chris Fowler: Red Cliffs to
1968 - Pat Curran: Robinvale to
1968 - Keith Smythe: Merbein to
1970 - Mark Amos: Robinvale to
1970 - Greg Hollick: Irymple to
1971 - Daryl Cumming: South Mildura to
1971 - Bruce Tschirpig: Wentworth to
1975 - Allan Edwards: Robinvale to
1975 - Noel Jenkinson: Red Cliffs to
1977 - Mark Lee: Mildura to
1978 - Jeff Berry: Red Cliffs to
1978 - Phil Bottams: Imperials to
1978 - Dale Weightman: Imperials to
1981 - Doug Cox: South Mildura to
1981 - Geoff Martin: Mildura to
1982 - Allan Hassell: Red Cliffs to
1982 - Phil Egan: Robinvale to
1983 - Jamie Siddons: Robinvale to Sydney Swans
1983 - Brian Winton: Wentworth to
1985 - Rohan Robertson: Imperials to
1985 - Shane Robertson: Imperials to
1986 - Brendan Bower:Mildura to
1987 - Darren Bower: Mildura to
1988 - Greg Hamilton: Red Cliffs to
1988 - Matthew Knights: Merbein to
1989 - Michael James: Robinvale to
1989 - Heath Shephard: Robinvale to
1990 - Sean Bowden: Imperials to
1991 - Nathan Bower: Mildura to
1991 - Matthew Croft: Imperials to
1991 - Jamie Lawson: Wentworth to Sydney Swans
1991 - Tony Modra: Red Cliffs to
1992 - Brett Sholl: Irymple to
1993 - Paul Prymke: Mildura to
1995 - Jason Akermanis: South Mildura to
1996 - Brent Frewen: South Mildura to
1998 - Mark Alvey: Wentworth to
1998 - Chris Tarrant: South Mildura to
1998 - Richie Vandenberg: Wentworth to
1999 - Andrew Embley: Robinvale to
1999 - Adam Goodes: Merbein to Sydney Swans
1999 - Heath James: Wentworth to Sydney Swans
2001 - Josh Hunt: Imperials to
2001 - : Wentworth to
2004 - Colin Sylvia: Merbein to
2006 - Ben McGlynn: Wentworth to
2008 - Robbie Tarrant: South Mildura to
2010 - Matt Dea: Imperials to
2012 - Sam Kerridge: Mildura to
2014 - Ariel Steinberg: Imperials to
2017 - Kobe Mutch: Wentworth to
2018 - Jarrod Brander: Wentworth to
2018 - Derek Eggmolesse-Smith: Wentworth to
2018 - Lochie O'Brien: South Mildura to
2020 - Dylan Stephens: Red Cliffs to
2021 - Seamus Mitchell: Robinvale to
2022 - Josh Carmichael: Merbein to
2025 - Sam Davidson: South Mildura to

The following senior VFL players came to play and or coach in the SFNL, with the year indicating their first season in the SFNL.

1945 - Jack Doherty: to Imperials
1947 - Ralph Shalless: to University
1950 - Les Griggs: to Mildura
1952 - Alan Hickinbotham: to Irymple
1952 - Bob Rouse: to Merbein
1953 - Ron McEwin: to Mildura
1953 - Ron Savage: to Red Cliffs
1954 - Harry Equid: to South Mildura
1954 - Jack Evans: to Irymple
1954 - Lindsay Turnbull: to Irymple
1956 - Bill Brodie: to South Mildura
1956 - Edward Jackson: to Imperials
1957 - Frank Slater: to Red Cliffs
1960 - Alan White: to Imperials
1963 - Derek Cowen: to Irymple
1963 - John James: to Robinvale
1974 - Alan Richardson: to Irymple
1975 - Maurie Fowler: to Robinvale
1977 - Michael Bowden: to Red Cliffs
1980 - Mark Cross: to Red Cliffs
2001 - Paul Evans: to Robinvale
2002 - Merv Neagle: to Merbein
2010 - Shannon Motlop - to Robinvale

Leading goalkickers

;Senior Football
;Most Goals kicked in a match by an individual

29 - Hec Shaw v South Merbein, 1938
27 - Hec H Henderson v Cullullerane, 193?
24 - Ian Giles v South Merbein, 1938
20 - G McWilliams - v Coomealla, 8 August 1936
20 - Neil McManus v Mildura South, Rd.2, 3 May 1947
20 – Paul Evans v South Mildura, 2001
20 - Jarrod Arentz v South Mildura, 2001
19 - Stan Pike v Mildura, 1945
18 - Neil McManus v Imperials, 4 August 1945

;Juniors
In 1934, Hec Shaw kicked 100 plus goals, including a bag of 22 goals against Benetook FC.
;Under 16

25 - Neil "Nishy" Weight -, 1951

Netball

Netball within the Sunraysia Football League commenced in 1991, initially with an A. Grade competition which was won by Imperials. Other netball divisions commenced in -

A. Grade: 1991
B. Grade: 1992
C. Grade: 2008
C. Reserve: 2011
Under 17's - Division One: 2002
Under 15's - Division One: 2005
Under 13's - Division One: 2008
Under 17's - Division Two: 2010
Under 15's - Division Two: 2010
Under 13's - Division Two: 2010

The official SFNL website has an extensive list of all netball premierships and best and fairest winners in all grades.

Final Five Finals System

Round	Match	Name	Team 1		Team 2
1	A	Elimination final	Rank 4	v	Rank 5
1	B	Qualifying final	Rank 2	v	Rank 3
2	C	1st semi-final	Loser B	v	Winner A
2	D	2nd semi-final	Rank 1	v	Winner B
3	E	Preliminary final	Loser D	v	Winner C
4	F	Grand final	Winner D	v	Winner E

As its name states, the McIntyre final five system features five teams. From the second round the McIntyre final five system is the same as the Page–McIntyre system; however, in the first round the lowest-two-ranked teams play to eliminate one team and the second and third-ranked teams determine which match they will play in the second round. The highest-ranked team has a bye in the first round.
In this case, if all teams have an even chance of winning each match, the highest-ranked team has a 37.5% chance, ranks two and three have a 25% chance and the lowest-two-ranked teams have a 6.25% chance of winning the competition.

2024 Ladder

Robinvale lose 12 pts for 2023 player points breaches.