Wangaratta Football Club


The Wangaratta Magpies Football Club, officially known as the Wangaratta Magpies Football & Netball Club, is an Australian rules football club, which first played in the Ovens and Murray Football League in 1893 and is based in Wangaratta, Victoria at the Wangaratta Showgrounds and play on the Norm Minns Oval.

Club History

On 20 June 1864, the first Wangaratta Football Club in Wangaratta was formed, with Edward Lucas, President, Henry B. K. Leigh as Secretary and Thomas Cusack and seven others as committee. The Wangaratta Football Club was then reformed in Wangaratta, in 1875, when matches were played intermittently against other local towns like – Albury, Beechworth, Benalla, Chiltern, Corowa, Howlong, Rutherglen, Tarrawingee and Wahgunyah.
There were two Wangaratta teams that entered the Ovens & Murray Football League in 1893, Wangaratta Central FC and West End FC, with Wangaratta Central remaining in the O&MFA and moving between the Ovens & King Football League on a number of occasions prior to World War Two. These two teams played in the Wangaratta Football Association in 1892, with Wangaratta FC finishing on top of the ladder and winning the premiership.
In July, 1897, the club withdrew from the O&MFA competition after not winning any matches up until that point.
Wangaratta FC then joined the Murray Valley Junior Football Association and won the 1898 premiership, before rejoining the O&MFA for the 1899 season.
In July, 1900, Collingwood, 12.18 - 90 defeated Wangaratta, 2.8 - 20 in Wangaratta.
Wangaratta FC moved into the Ovens and King FL in its first year of competition in 1903.
Wangaratta's first golden era was between 1919 and 1926 when they played in eight consecutive senior football grand finals, with the first three in the Ovens & King Football League and the last five in the Ovens & Murray Football League, winning an O&KFL premiership in 1920 and an O&MFL premiership in 1925, under coach, Percy Rowe.
In late September 1931, Wangaratta defeated Weir United in a challenge match to decide the champion club in the North East of Victoria. Then in 1932, Wangaratta defeated Corowa to once again be the North Eastern Victoria champion club.
Wangaratta FC entered two sides into the Ovens & King FL in 1941 and they both played off in the grand final, with the "Rainbows" defeating the more fancied Wangaratta team.
In 1945 Wangaratta entered a team in the Murray Valley Football League and they became undefeated premiers.
Wangaratta FC have been in the Ovens & Murray Football League continuously since 1946.
Wangaratta's second golden era was between 1945 and 1957 when they won six premierships, and were runners up in 1955, winning a record four consecutive premierships between 1949 and 1952 under their captain / coach, former Collingwood player, Mac Holten.
The club had a very lean period between 1997 and 2002, collecting six consecutive wooden spoons and losing 32 consecutive games between 1997 and 1999, but by the mid-2000s were playing finals and later played in seven O&MFNL senior football grand finals between 2007 and 2025, winning four. This included the 2022 grand final, but the club was stripped of its premiership flag for salary cap breaches in the 2022 season, a first in country football.
Since 2012, the club has fielded three football teams and four netball teams in the Ovens & Murray Football League.

Football competition timeline

;Seniors
;Reserves
;Thirds / Under 18's

Football Premierships

;Seniors
LeagueTotal flagsPremiership yearRunner up
Wangaratta Football Association11892
Murray Valley Junior Football Association11898
Ovens & King Football Association61905, 1906, 1920, 1931, 1932, 19411908, 1909, 1910, 1919, 1921, 1941
Murray Valley Patriotic Football Association11945
Corowa & District Knockout Competition – "VFL Cup"11949
Ovens & Murray Football League151925, 1933, 1936, 1938, 1946, 1949, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1957, 1961, 1976, 2007, 2008, 2017.1922, 1923, 1924, 1926, 1955, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1969, 1977, 2018, 2019, 2025.

;Reserves
LeagueTotal flagsPremiership yearRunner up
Benalla Tungamah Football League11951
Ovens & Murray Football League51959, 1967, 1968, 1985, 20241964, 1965, 1966, 1978, 1984, 1993, 2014

;Thirds
LeagueTotal flagsPremiership yearRunner up
Ovens & Murray Football League91975, 1976, 1992, 2000, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 20221974, 1978, 1979, 2000, 2006, 2007, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2024, 2025

Football League Best & Fairest Award Winners

; Seniors
;Reserves
  • Ovens & Murray Football League
  • *Ralph Marks Medal: 1953 - 1963
  • *Les Cuddon Medal: 1964 - 1975
  • *Leo Burke Medal: 1976–present day
  • **1963 - Ron Wales
  • **1967 - Alan Benton
  • **1992 - Tony Gleeson
  • **2003 - Colin McClounan
  • **2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011 - Carl Norton
;Thirds
  • Ovens & Murray Football League
  • *3NE Award: 1973 - 1984
  • *Leo Dean Award: 1985 to present day
  • **1974 - Mick Ketchup
  • **2013 - Louis Vescio
  • **2014 - Hugh Amery
  • **2015 - Hugh Amery

Team of the Century

Below is the Wangaratta FNC Team of the Century, that was announced on Saturday evening, 5 August 2006.
  • Back line: Graeme Nish, Jack Ferguson, Kevin French
  • Half backline: Fred Carey, Lionel Wallace, Jack McCormack
  • Centre line: Des Steele, Alec Fraser, Lance Oswald
  • Half forward line: Norm Minns, Ernie Ward, Mac Holten
  • Forward line: Phil Nolan, John Leary, Bert Carey
  • Ruck: Bill Comensoli
  • Ruck Rover: Jack O'Halloran
  • Rover: Tim Lowe
  • Interchange: Graham Wood, Jeffrey Hemphill, Jason Lappin, Kevin Mack, Ken Nish
  • Coach: Mac Holten
  • Administration: Norm McGuffie, Jack White

Ovens and Murray Football League - Hall of Fame Inductees

  • 2005 - Norm Minns
  • 2006 - Mac Holten
  • 2010 - Tim Lowe
  • 2013 - Bob Constable
  • 2014 - Kevin Mack
  • 2014 - Phil Nolan
  • 2016 - John Henry
  • 2016 - Jack O'Halloran
  • 2017 - Kevin Allan
  • 2018 - Jack McCormick
  • 2024 - Graham Nish

VFL / AFL Footballers

The following footballers played for Wangaratta FC prior to making their VFL / AFL debut & / or were drafted to an AFL club, with the year indicating their debut or year drafted.

Most Football Games

;Seniors
  • 351 - Daine Porter
  • 264 - Brett Keir
  • 260 - Judd Porter
  • 249 - Ken Nish
  • 249 - Graham Wood
  • 217 - John Leary
  • 214 - Graeme Nish
  • 210 - Kevin Mack
  • 203 - Alec Fraser
  • 200+ - Matt Kelly*
  • 200+ - Chris Crimmins
  • 200+ - Michael Bordignon*
  • - * still playing

Senior Football Honourboard

YearPresidentSecretaryTreasurerCaptain/CoachBest & FairestTop GoalkickerLadder Position
1880W L Clarke
1881SanfordBanfieldSanford
1882F GrayC C Sanford
1883J H ToneJ H Tone
1884Sanford
1885Slattery
1886Taylor
1887Taylor
1888
1889
1890H G GriffithsA McKay JnrA McKay Jnr
1891Chas Wilson
1892Jack Brew1st. 5 wins, 1 draw. WFA Premiers
1893W J OsboldstoneT HishonB BrownG CarpenterJoined O&MFA
1894A HarrisonR TrembarthJ McCarthyEqual 2nd
1895A HarrisonE HickeyA HarrisonJack Brew5th
1896ClementsT HishonW FlaniganM WalshLast. 0 wins, 12 losses
1897A HarrisonF W MayW Flanigan0 wins. Disbanded, July 1897
1898G PowleyS ToughR G BarryMVJFA Premiers
1899G PowleyT LaiderH A MurdochRejoined O&MFA
1900G PowleyJ W BirdH A MurdochJ W Bird
1901P CockA C FletcherH A Murdoch4th
1902R TurnerH A MurdochJ W Bird4th
1903BryantO&KFA.3rd.3 wins,3 losses,1 draw
1904H A MurdochJ WllisC MarshallS Yoxall
1905H SmithF H Brook &StuartR J "Tot" TurnerO&K Premiers
Mr. Stuart
1906George MaxwellM J CowmanA EbbottR J TurnerO&K Premiers
1907George MaxwellA EbbottA Ebbott
1908J ClarkH FranklandW MurdochO&K Runners Up
1909J ClarkJ TeagueE MartinO&K Runners Up
1910C TeagueO EdwardsW MurdochO&K Runners Up
1911C TeagueA GrassickM O'Keefe
1912G PowleyP J MurphyP J Murphy
1913G MarshallH HillH HillLast.2 wins, 6 losses
1914G MarshallH HillH HillR Banbury19: R Banbury
1915-18In recess > WW1
1919A C CallanderL HowellL HowellR J MetcalfeJ Frawley10: AtkinsonO&K Runners Up
1920A C CallanderR ReidR ReidR J MetcalfeNorm McGuffie34: DenbyO&K Premiers
1921A C CallanderL HowellL HowellR J Metcalfe21: FleggO&K Runners Up
1922A C CallanderL HowellL HowellH Smith19: FleggO&M Runners Up
1923A C CallanderE C PeverillE C PeverillMatt O'Donohue23: A Flegg &O&M Runners Up
23: A Humphrey
1924A C CallanderF MarksG McDonaldMatt O'Donohue36: G HumphreyO&M Runners Up
1925A C CallanderS SmytheJ O'SheaPercy Rowe61: Percy JonesO&M Premiers
1926A C CallanderF MarksJ O'SheaPercy Rowe49: Allan SkehanO&M Runners Up
1927W J PowellG McDonaldJ O'SheaJim BoydJ J Kelly24: P Johnson6th. 5 wins, 9 losses
1928W J PowellG McDonaldG McDonaldErn Elliott63: Jim Boyd4th. 7 wins, 7 losses
1929W J PowellG McDonaldFH EnscoeDermot O'Brien &67: Bert Carey2nd. 9 wins, 5 losses
Fred Carey
1930M J DugganG McDonaldFH EnscoeErnie Loveless78: Bert Carey5th. 7 wins, 7 losses
1931J F QuinnNixonBarnesFred Carey83: Bert CareyO&K Premiers
1932J F QuinnR BarnesFH EnscoeFred CareyAlec Fraser76: Bert CareyO&K Premiers
1933F BakerR BarnesFH EnscoeFred Carey85: Leo Nolan #O&M Premiers
1934F BakerL IrvingW BrownFred Carey80: Charlie Heavey5th
1935W J PowellNorm J McGuffieNorm J McGuffieJ J Nunan109: Charlie Heavey#1st. 10 wins, 7 losses, lost both finals
1936A C JonesNorm J McGuffieNorm J McGuffieFred CareyBert Carey48: Bert Carey2nd. 12 wins, 6 losses. O&M Premiers
1937A C JonesNorm J McGuffieNorm J McGuffieFred CareyErnie Ward64: Keith Thompson #Last
1938W J PowellNorm J McGuffieNorm J McGuffieNorm Le Brun43:Norm Le BrunO&M Premiers
1939C PrattH T LeanH T LeanNorm Le Brun56: Reg Sudholz5th
1940W J PowellH T LeanH T LeanAlec FraserErnie Ward53: Ernie Ward4th. 5 wins, 5 losses
1941T FergusonH T LeanH T LeanErnie Ward59: Ernie WardO&K Premiers: Rainbows FC
1941Ron BryantO&K Runners Up: Wang FC
1942-43In recess > WW2
1944G BakerJ Prendergast
1945G BakerJ FaithfulJ FaithfulRon Bryant/G RobinsN BowmanMVPFL Premiers
1946W J PowellH T LeanH T LeanLaurie NashJack Ferguson64: Ernie Ward #2nd. 11 wins, 2 losses. O&M Premiers
1947W J PowellR HowardR HowardTom TribeJack Plaisted26: Doug Ferguson5th.
1948E C EtchesH T LeanH T LeanTom TribeTim Lowe34: Doug Ferguson*1st. 10 wins, 4 losses Lost both finals
1949Norm J McGuffieR Howard &R Howard &Mac HoltenKen Nish71: Max Williams1st. O&M Premiers
A J BrownA J Brown
1950Norm J McGuffieR HowardA J BrownMac HoltenTim Lowe84: Max Williams #1st. O&M Premiers
1951Norm J McGuffieA J BrownJ CoodMac HoltenTim Lowe98: Max Williams #1st. O&M Premiers
1952Norm J McGuffieA J BrownJ CoodMac HoltenTim Lowe68: Max BussellO&M Premiers
1953George CundyJack WhiteF BallantineMac HoltenTim Lowe61: Jock Gardner1st. 15 wins, 2 losses. Lost both finals
1954George CundyJack WhiteF BallantineMac HoltenW Luck24: Ray Preston8th. 4 wins, 14 losses
1955George CundyJack WhiteW AndersonMac HoltenRay Preston62: Lance Oswald1st. 15 wins, 6 losses. Runners Up
1956L TwamleyOwen PatonW AndersonBill Comensoli/Mac HoltenRay Preston &55: Lance Oswald6th: 10 wins, 8 losses
Lance Oswald
1957L TwamleyF BailesW AndersonJack McDonaldLance Oswald95: Lance Oswald2nd: 14 wins, 8 losses. O&M Premiers
1958L TwamleyF BailesJ R PattersonJack McDonaldBill Comensoli58: Jack McDonald #
1959Norm J McGuffieF BailesJ HowlettNeville WallerKevin Mack35: Ian Rowland
1960Norm J McGuffieF BailesJ R PattersonNeville WallerKevin O'Keefe57: Bob Constable #7th: 7 wins, 11 losses
1961Norm J McGuffieF BailesJ R PattersonNeville WallerLen Richards53: Ron McDonald3rd: 14 wins, 5 losses. O&M Premiers
1962Norm J McGuffieOwen PatonJ R PattersonNeville WallerBill Traill49: Ron McDonald4th: 12 wins, 6 losses, 1 draw
1963Owen PatonEd TippettJ R AndersonNeville WallerBernie Killeen33: Jeff Hemphill3rd: 12 wins, 6 losses
1964Owen PatonEd TippettJ R AndersonRon CritchleyKevin Mack62: Ron Critchley2nd: 14 wins, 4 losses. Runners Up
1965Gus BoydEd TippettJ R AndersonRon CritchleyDes Steele59: Geoff Scott1st: 13 wins, 5 losses. Runners Up
1966Gus BoydEd TippettJ R AndersonRon CritchleyJeff Hemphill80: Geoff Scott1st: 14 wins, 4 losses. Runners Up
1967Gus BoydEd TippettJ R AndersonTrevor SteerRon Critchley92: Geoff Scott* #4th: 11 wins, 8 losses
1968Gus BoydEd TippettJ R AndersonTrevor SteerGraeme Nish18: Neville Smedley5th: 11 wins, 7 losses
1969Gus BoydW WoodsJ R AndersonTrevor SteerMick Tanner47: Mick Tanner*2nd: 14 wins, 7 losses. Runners Up
1970Gus BoydW WoodsW SharpTrevor SteerDes Steele43: John Leary*4th: 10 wins, 9 losses
1971Gus BoydFrank HoltP ClodeGeoff RosenowGraeme Nish51: John Leary6th: 9 wins, 8 losses, 1 draw
1972Gus BoydFrank HoltG O'HalloranGeoff RosenowJohn Leary30: Richard Allan*4th: 13 wins, 7 losses
1973Gus BoydG MilsonG O'HalloranGeoff RosenowGeoff Rosenow62: Gordon McPhan*3rd: 14 wins, 6 losses. Lost both finals.
1974Jack WhiteJohn KerrG O'HalloranGeoff RosenowGraeme Nish60: Mick Pavone*5th: 12 wins, 7 losses
1975Jack WhiteJohn KerrG O'HalloranHarry SkrejaJack O'Halloran95: Harry Skreja2nd: 13 wins, 7 losses, 1 draw. Lost P Final.
1976Jack WhiteJohn KerrG O'HalloranPhillip NolanJack O'Halloran83: John Leary #2nd. 13 wins, 5 losses. O&M Premiers
1977Jack WhiteG WiseG O'HalloranPhillip NolanPhillip Nolan69: John Leary3rd. 9 wins, 8 losses, 1 draw. Runners Up
1978Jack WhiteG WiseR BarrettPhillip NolanPhillip Murray44: John Leary10th 4 wins, 14 losses
1979Jack WhiteG WiseR BarrettVin DoolanDaryl Price46: T ? Nolan6th. 9 wins, 9 losses
1980Neville SandersonJ DawsonR BarrettVin DoolanVin Doolan44: Peter Mulrooney1st. 13 wins, 4 losses, 1 draw. Lost both finals
1981Neville SandersonJ DawsonR BarrettVin DoolanMark Dean49: John Leary7th. 6 wins, 12 losses
1982Neville SandersonG HutchinsonR BarrettPhil NolanGary Voss30: John Leary10th 2 wins, 16 losses
1983Gerry DowlingG HutchinsonR BarrettNeville HoganGreg Mulrooney27: Peter Mulrooney9th. 2 wins, 16 losses
1984Gerry DowlingG HutchinsonR BarrettNeville HoganGreg Mulrooney50: Ian Denny8th. 7 wins, 11 losses
1985Gerry DowlingG HutchinsonR BarrettJohn GannonDanny Craven71: Steven Adamo7th. 7 wins, 11 losses
1986Paul DouthieMerv CrimminsR BarrettJohn GannonDavid Nugent104: Steven Adamo #5th. 12 wins, 6 losses
1987John DawsonMerv CrimminsTrevor SmethurstJohn GannonPeter Mulrooney106: Steven Adamo #7th. 6 wins, 12 losses
1988John DawsonMerv CrimminsTrevor SmethurstRay CardDuane Kerwin74: Steven Adamo4th. 12 wins, 6 losses
1989Sid WrightMerv CrimminsTrevor SmethurstRay CardMark Lincoln53: Steven Adamo2nd. 15 wins, 5 losses.
1990Sid WrightMerv CrimminsR BarrettRay CardShane Lockyer26: Luke Norman9th. 6 wins, 14 losses
1991Bob AndrewsMerv CrimminsR BarrettCharlie WalderCharlie Walder43: Damian Simmonds6th. 12 wins, 7 losses, 1 draw
1992Bob AndrewsCharlie WalderBrian Blood88: John Henry #5th. 11 wins, 9 losses
1993Bob AndrewsBrian WalshJason Lappin75: John Henry5th. 12 wins, 8 losses
1994J DavidsonGraeme Cordy &Michael James35: Mark Higgs10th. 3 wins, 14 losses, 2 byes
Ray Card
1995Bob HeadRay CardSimon Dean44: John Henry10th. 2 wins, 15 losses, 1 draw
1996Bob HeadRay CardMatthew Curran22: Colin McClounan9th. 4 wins, 14 losses
22: Matthew Curran
22: Andrew Haring
1997Lindsey HorrocksMaurice Wingate &G Barrow27: S.Zamaicyl11th
Rob Richards
1998Lindsey HorrocksGary CameronMartin Dillon22: B Phillips10th 0 wins
1999Lindsey HorrocksGary CameronMartin Dillon23: Luke Norman10th
2000Gary NevinColin McClounanLuke Norman33: Luke Norman10th
2001Gary NevinColin McClounanLuke Norman34: John Henry10th
2002Peter WhittleseaJohn HenryJason Lappin57: Damian Lang10th
2003Peter WhittleseaJohn HenryJason Lappin63: Damian Lang #8th: 5 wins, 13 losses
2004Russell HiggsPrue MinnsJohn HenryMatthew Byers88: Damian Lang #5th: 8 wins, 11 losses
2005Russell HiggsKen FarrellJohn HenryJason Lappin47: Damian Lang2nd: 14 wins, 7 losses. Lost P Final
2006Paul ChallmanKen FarrellBrian HargreavesJohn HenryJudd Porter34: John Henry9th: 5 wins, 13 losses.
2007Paul ChallmanKen FarrellBrian HargreavesJason LappinJonathon McCormick47: John Henry1st. 16 wins, 5 losses. O&M Premiers
2008Paul ChallmanKen FarrellBrian HargreavesJason LappinSam Higgs44: Jarrod Hayse1st. 17 wins, 2 losses, 1 draw. O&M Premiers
2009Paul ChallmanKen FarrellBrian HargreavesJason LappinJonathon McCormick45: Luke Mullins4th. 11 wins, 9 losses
2010Paul ChallmanPam VossBrian HargreavesJudd PorterJamie Allan35: Dale Whelan6th. 9 wins, 9 losses
2011Paul ChallmanPam VossBrian HargreavesJudd PorterDaine Porter32: Luke Morgan5th. 11 wins, 8 losses
2012Paul ChallmanKen FarrellBrian HargreavesJudd PorterDaine Porter60: James Wong7th. 5 wins, 13 losses
2013Colin McClounanKen FarrellKristian HedinMark KnobelMatthew Crossman63: James Wong6th. 6 wins, 11 losses, 1 draw
2014Colin McClounanKen FarrellKristian HedinMark KnobelJamie Allan50: Joel Harris6th. 7 wins, 10 losses, 1 draw
2015Colin McClounanKen FarrellGlen BouchierMark Knobel &Daine Porter42: Robert Hicks7th. 6 wins, 12 losses
Brendan Cairns
2016Colin McClounanKen FarrellGlen BouchierBrendan CairnsMatthew Crossman42: Michael Newton7th. 8 wins, 9 losses, 1 draw
2017Colin McClounanKen FarrellP GayDean StoneMichael Bordignon74: Michael Newton2nd:17 wins, 5 losses. O&M Premiers
2018Tony GoodisonKen FarrellS ComensoliDean StoneJoe Richards81: Michael Newton #3rd: 16 wins, 6 losses. Runner Up
2019Tony GoodisonKen FarrellRob DoolanLuke MorganJoe Richards44: Ben Speight3rd: 17 wins, 4 losses. Runner Up
2020Colin McClounanLuke MorganNo O&MFNL season > COVID-19
2021Colin McClounan &Dean StoneAbraham Ankers44: Michael Newton #2nd. 11 wins, 2 losses.No final series>COVID-19
Ellyn O'Brien
2022Ellyn O'BrienTamara MarjanovicRob DoolanBen ReidJoe Richards68:Callum Moore*1st: 19 wins, 1 loss. Won G Final, stripped of premiership.
2023Ellyn O'BrienTamara MarjanovicRob DoolanBen ReidDaniel Sharrock81:Callum Moore*#3rd:12 wins, 7 losses, 2 byes. Lost P Final
2024Ellyn O'BrienTamara MarjanovicMegan O'KeefeBen ReidAidan Tilley53:Callum Moore*3rd:11 wins, 9 losses, Lost 1st S Final
2025John HenryKate SleemanMegan O'KeefeJason HeatleyAlex Federico55: Xavier Laverty*5th: 14 wins, 8 losses. Runner Up
2026Jason Heatley
YearPresidentSecretaryTreasurerCaptain / CoachBest & FairestTop GoalkickerLadder Position

  • - Ladder position is at the end of the home & away series of games
  • - # Also won the O&M goal kicking award
  • - * Includes goals kicked in finals
  • - wins / losses also includes finals, when details checked.

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