Activities by year

The Southern Tasmanian Junior Football Association was formed. It was during this early period of changes to the face of football, that the reference ‘Junior’ referred to second tier competitions. There was no junior football as we know it today.

A player clearance system was introduced in Tasmania.

North Adelaide joined SAFL.

Southern Tasmanian Football Assoication included: City, Railway, Kingston, Fitzroy and North Hobart.

The Southern Tasmanian Junior Football Association (second tier competition) was made-up of clubs : Fitzroy Imperials, Union, Glenorchy, Union Jack, West Hobart and North Hobart.

The Huon Football Association commenced with only three clubs: Huonville, Franklin and Liverpool.

North Western Football Association was formed on the North West Coast. Its headquarters were at Devonport.

Foundation teams included: Mersey, Latrobe, Devonport, Wesley Vale, and Ulverstone.

The following teams participated in several second tiered (juniors) competition from the Midlands to the south of Hobart: All Saints Choir, Bellerive, Bellerive Imperials, Bellerive Thirds, Black Watch, Bothwell, Boys Training School, Bridgewater, Bridgewater Juniors, Bushy Park & Glenora Combined, Cameron, Campbell Town, Carlton, Cathederal, Central, Central School, Davey Street, Derwent, Derwent Juniors, East Hobart, Ellendale, Federal, Fentonbury, Flemington, Friends, Friends School Juniors, Glenorchy Seconds, Glenview,, Grasshopers,  Hamilton, High School Hutchins,,Kingston Thirds, Lone Star, Macquarie Plains, Macquarie Plains Juniors, Memorial, Mentone, Moonah, New Norfolk, New Norfolk Juniors, New Town, New Town State School, Oatlands, Officer College Juniors, Ormond, Queens College, Red Rose, Rhyndaston, Richmond, Rokeby, Silver Star, St. George Thirds, Summerton, Tunnack, Venus, Victorians, West Hobart Thirds and Woodbanks.

Geelong, Essendon, Collingwood, Fitzroy, Melbourne and South Melbourne met to form the Victorian Football League as a break-away competition, with Carton and St. Kilda later invited to join.

Subiaco Football Club formed (current WAFL club).

Collingwood defeated South Adelaide in National Championship game.

STFA changed name to Southern Tasmanian Football League.

The system of scoring points was introduced, with six points for a goal and one point for a behind. The team finishing with the most amount of points was declared the winner.

The first VFL game played was on 18th May 1897.

First year of eight teams in VFL competition and introduction of a finals series to determine the premier.

STFL changed name back to Southern Tasmanian Football Association. The Junior body voted to have the word ‘Junior’ erased from its constitution. Which meant there would be no Junior body in Hobart. The old Junior Association became the Southern Tasmanian Football Association. This meant that clubs had seniors and seconds in their competitions

Introduction of the Magarey Medal for Best & Fairest in SAFA.

Clubs in the STFA were: Lefroy, North Hobart, Glenorchy and Wellington, with Summerton withdrawing after one season.

Glenorchy withdrew from the STFA, leaving only three clubs.

The Derwent Association reformed after several years in recess.

The Cananore club was formed this year and joined the Derwent Association, one of several associations playing in and around Hobart.

VFL club Fitzroy visited the State to play two matches against the STFA winning both games.

Highlight of the season was a visit of VFL powerhouse club Collingwood who played two games in Launceston and Hobart. The result of the Southeners match was Collingwood 17.17 (119) defeated STFA 8.11 (59).

Essendon also played two matches in both the North and South of the State, winning both games.

South Melbourne came to Tasmania to play two game. But after the first game against the NTFA, the Southern match was cancelled due to an outbreak of smallpox in the capital.

The Crescent club was formed and joined the Derwent Association.

No grand-final played. Wellington Football Club was declared Premier.

First WA State championship with Goldfields premiers Kalgoorlie Railways defeating WAFA premiers East Fremantle.

Boundary umpires were introduced in both the South and North.

No grand-final played. Wellington Football Club was declared Premier.

West Australia played its first Interstate match against Victoria and South Australia.

Was a popular mid-week competition that provided opportunities in the main, for those who worshipped footy, but worked on weekends. It also brought together region against region, rivalry yes, but on a more social level.

What helped make the competition successful, was that Wednesday afternoon was a half-day holiday during the early 1900’s. Although it was a great community and recreational sporting event, it succumbed to the ever changing dynamics of the game and that of communities, it too ceased to operate after 1912.

Clubs that participated included: Butchers, Drapers, Grocers, GPO, Ironmongers and Tramways.

Apart from Drapers being the initial premiership winners in 1904, Butchers won five consecutive premierships from 1909 until the Association became defunct in 1913.

A matter of interest was the pre-season meeting of the Southern Tasmanian Football Association, conducted on Wednesday evening 19th April, where Mr. C. J. Eady was elected Chairman for the year, and Mr. W. H. Gill again filled the post of Secretary.

The roster was drawn up to accommodate the three teams participating and the North Hobart club was to play Lefroy in a season opener on the coming Saturday, with Wellington meeting the former the following week.

The matter of admitting New Town Football Club to the competition was discussed at length, and further consideration postponed pending more information from the suburban club.

VFL clubs Essendon and St. Kilda arrived in Hobart to play the STFA and convincingly won both games.

Southern Tasmanian Football League, its three member clubs namely, New Town, Cananore and University.

No grand-final played. North Hobart Football Club was declared Premier.

Saw the formation of the Australian Football Council the games peak body until the 1980’s.

Probably the most significant decision to emerge from the Australian Football Council (AFC) conference was that it recognised the TFL as being the controlling body for football in Tasmania, which in turn gave the TFL a right to have two delegates to the AFC conferences. There was however, a stipulation that one of the two Tasmanian Delegates be appointed from the NTFA.

Mr. W. H. Gill was elected as the TFL’s representative to its Executive Committee.

When the TFL was formed there would be only three clubs competing, Lefroy, North Hobart and Derwent Football Clubs. The Derwent Club had replaced Wellington Football Club that disbanded at the end of the 1905 season. 

VFL Clubs Fitzroy and Collingwood visited Tasmania for a challenge against a STFA side made up from the following selected players: E. Russell, Lee, Mills, Orpwood, Langford, Hill, P. Dodge, Heathorn, Bridges, Brain, Burrell, Weare, P. Williams, Carroll, Able, Anderson, & Laurie Lobdale. Emergencies: C. Williams, Cook, W. Dodge, Donoghue, Searl and C. Williams.

The Fitzroy match was held in June and the visitors won comfortably 6.18 (54) to the STFA 5.5 (35).

The second match against Collingwood in August was a whitewash for the touring team, giving the locals a lesson in what the game was all about. Collingwood 16.8 (104) to the STFA scoring the same outcome as its previous game, 5.5 (35).

No grand-final played. Derwent Football Club was declared Premier.

Wellington Football Club became defunct and was replaced by the Derwent Football Club.

A new resolution was written into the constitution this year to change the name Southern Tasmanian Football Association to the Tasmanian Football League. 

There were two games played between the TFL and NTFA, the first in Launceston on 3rd June, where the League 10.14 (74) defeated the Northerners 7.9 (51).

The return match was also won by the TFL 8.13 (61) defeated NTFA 6.11 (47).

Top VFL clubs Melbourne and St. Kilda visited the State for two games against the TFL. In the match against Melbourne, the League scored 4.6 (30) to Melbourne 14.14 (98) and in the other game against St. Kilda (which at the time was the leading club in the VFL competition) the TFL scored 8.11 (59) to the Saints 17.15 (117).

No grand-final played. Lefroy Football Club was declared Premier.

Norwood defeats Carlton in the National Championship game.

No premiership played, but City was declared premiers based on heading the roster ladder. North Launceston were declared runners-up.

The NECFA was the parent association to 2 later association.

In June of 1907 at the quaint North Eastern Tasmanian township of Derby, the NECFA was formed. Its location rests at the intersection of the Ringarooma and Casade Rivers.

Derby was established in the mid–1870’s during a mining boom and the town has since flourished as an adventure and tourism destination.

Although teams came and went on an almost regular basis, it nevertheless remained a strong competition and produced many a top player.

Competing teams were many between 1907 and 1921: Alberton, Branxholm, Bridport, Cameron, Derby, Derby City, Fingal, Gladstone, Legerwood, Lilydale, Militia, Moorina, North Scottsdale, Pioneer, Pioneer-Gladstone, Ringarooma, Scottsdale, Scottsdale Crows, South Mt. Cameron, St. Helens, Wanderers, Warrentinna and Winnaleah.

Victoria was host State for the 1908 Carnival that included representation from New Zealand. The carnival was conducted under a two section system as indicated by the below carnival ladder and played at the MCG:

‘A’ Section

‘B’ Section

New Zealand player G. Gillett, played Rugby Union for the New Zealand All Blacks.

In 1908 and the Australian Football Council marked the occasion by conducting a Jubilee Carnival in Melbourne. This was the first ever Australian Championships played and Tasmania surprised all with their performance throughout the series 

North Western Football League formed on the coast on 8th August., with boundaries from Latrobe to Burnie.

Teams in the League were: Latrobe, Penguin and Ulverstone.

Both Richmond and University Clubs were admitted to the VFL.

West Adelaide defeated Carlton in National Championship game.

The official State Premiership commenced in 1909 between premiers of the TFL and NTFA, and the State final was played between the two. 

It wasn’t until 1950 when Premiers of the NWFU joined, thus created a rotational format, ie one League would host and automatically qualify for the final, and the other two Leagues would play-off in a preliminary final, with the winner progressing to the final.

During the course of the competition there were several interruptions, mainly caused through disputes. Falling patronage became a serious concern and eventually, the State Premiership series came to an end in 1978. 

At a special ‘Disputes’ meeting of the North Western Football Association (controlling body on North West Coast) the Ulverstone club was disqualified and Latrobe, which supported Ulverstone in the dispute, withdrew from the competition. When no reconciliation was possible, Ulverstone and Latrobe combined with Penguin to form the North Western Football League.

The NWFA continued with its member clubs from the Western end of the coast.

On 17th April, both the NWFA and NWFL applied to the TFL for affiliation. The NWFA was accepted, but the NWFL was refused because Ulverstone and Latrobe were disqualified clubs.

After the TFL had sent a delegate to the coast to help resolve the dispute. The TFL finally recognised the NWFL only for the purpose of transfers and clearances and not as the controlling body of football on the coast.

TFL delegates heard appeals from both clubs and the Association and after several weeks made the following decision, (a) Appeal from Ulverstone was upheld on the grounds that the disqualification was imposed after the resignation had been accepted by the NWFA. (b) Latrobe: That the TFL considers that the fine imposed on the Latrobe club, having been paid, such club disqualification should upon application to the NWFA, be forthwith withdrawn by such Association and failing removal, the appeal be upheld and the disqualification be removed by the TFL.

Following this, the TFL advised both the NWFA and NWFL to get together and form a new strong Union. In 1910 the North Western Football Union was formed as the governing body of football on the North West Coast.

South Melbourne defeats West Adelaide in National Championship game.

No premiership played, but Launceston was declared premiers based on heading the roster ladder. North Launceston was declared runners-up.

Was formed in 1909 in the Cape Portland district of the Dorset Municipality. Its located near the North-Eastern tip of Tasmania. The cape points west across Ringarooma Bay where the Ringarooma River empties into the Tasman Sea.

Portland is named after Duke of Portland by Matthew Flinders during his 1798 circumnavigation of Tasmania. Renowned for its rugged coast-line and beautiful terrain, its green pastures and stunning sand beaches are a must.

From 1909 though to 1951 when the Association went unto recess. It catered for several teams from the North East region including: Anchor, City, Georges Bay, Lottah, Miners, Pyengana, St, Helens,  Union Rovers and Weldborough.

Railway, season Premiers, 8.11.59 defeated Mechanics (no score provided) and St.Marys.

A name that was to become very well known in later years through his involvement with the TANFL/TFL, Major Vic Geard was a member of Mechanics that season.

Commonwealth (wore blue and white), Zeehan and Silver King.

One game played each Sunday: Gormanston, Linda, North Lyell and Imperials.

Buckingham (Premiers), Training College and New Town Rovers.

Excelsior, formerly Hobart Central, (Premiers), Crescent and Brisbane Rovers who were introduced when Collingwood disbanded.

Bellerive, season Premiers, 13.15.93 defeated Glebe, 2.3.15. Glebe jumpers were yellow and blue with white knickers. Also included Battery Point and all games played at Bellerive oval.

East Hobart, New Town and Trinity.

Lottah, season Premiers, Gould’s Country and St. Helens. Teams were 16 a side.

Ulverstone, Mersey, Penguin, Latrobe and Mengha.

Stanley, Forest, Smithton and Irish Town.

D.R.C., Premiers, Imperial, (previously Lefroy Juniors), and Rialannah. Records indicate all games played at Lindisfarne ground.

Westbury Wanderers (Premiers) and Deloraine.

This competition was the first time the trophy had been given with New Norfolk, Hawthorn, Derwent and Lackworth involved.

Although nothing recorded, it would appear the donor(s) were strong supporters of the game. Competing teams were: Kempton, Bothwell, Bagdad, and Brighton Junction.

The clubs involved were Huonville, Sandfly, Kermandie (captained by F. Drake) and Woodbridge.

Only Hartford was recorded as being involved.

Campaina and Richmond were the only two sides recorded.

This was donated by Robert Shoobridge. The Shoobrigde name is well known as early settlers to the area. The teams involved were; New Norfolk, Lachlan, Hawthorn, Upper Derwent, New Norfolk Juniors and Valleyfield.

The final was played at the Redlands Estate in Plenty which is now a major cherry farm and distillery. New Norfolk went premiers, kicking 6.3.39 defeating Upper Derwent, 3.7.25.

Another interesting footnote is Valleyfield is a property located on the Lyell Highway, over the Derwent River and was established by the Warner family as part of the early settlement to the area with the family still living there today and is home to Tasmania’s first female Governor, her husband Richard and their family.

Only two teams have been recorded, Parattah and Whitford.

A competition played in the most southern area of the state and the two teams listed were Southport, the winners and Hastings.

A competition involving Nugent, Runnymede, Spring Bay and Buckland, with Runnymede holding the trophy.

Only Sorell and Oatlands recorded as competing that year.

In recess.

Kingston Football Club changed their colours from Blue and White to Green and White.

Four sides involved in the competition, namely Wesley Vale, Premiers, Devonport Juniors, Runner’s -up, Don and Commercials.

Comprised of Ridgley, Wanderers, Burnie and Yeoman.

Premiers that season were Kindred who defeated Forth by 7 points. Also in the competition were Leven and Sprent.

The only information provided was City, who wore Red and White, 5.8.38 defeated Scottsdale 2.4.16 whose colours were Red and Black.

Norwood (SA) and VFL club Melbourne arrived to play matches against the TFL. Victory was attained by the League in the match against Norwood, but the TFL had to concede to Melbourne.

Matches once again were played between the NTFA, TFL and the NWFU, in what became known as the TFL Triangular Series.

1910 was an important year for football in general as the differences in the North and North West were healed, with the formation of the North Western Football Union at Latrobe on 3rd May, as a new governing body of football on the coast following dissatisfaction with the NWFA.

First roster matches played on 14th May. With teams from Latrobe, Mersey, Ulverstone, Penguin and Wesley Vale competing. Although Wesley Vale withdrew early in the season.

Ulverstone won the NWFU’s first premiership.

No grand-final played. Cananore Football Club was declared Premier.

Port Adelaide defeats Collingwood in National Championship game.

Formerly known as the Hobart Junior Football Association, and renamed the Southern Tasmania Football Association, it only lasted one season. There were just three teams that played in 1910: Brisbane Rovers, Crescent and Excelsior. Its sole premiership was won by the Excelsior team.

The second AFC Carnival conducted in Adelaide was successful from Tasmania’s view point, as it finished in third position on the points table behind carnival winner South Australia and Victoria second.

The make-up of the NWFU had chanced from the previous season ie: Mersey, Latrobe, Ulverstone and Devonport joined from a local Junior association. Penguin withdrew from the Union and entered the Burnie Football League.

The Burnie Football League consisted of: Yeomen, Wynyard, Wanderers, and Ridgley until Penguin joined.

West Adelaide defeats Essendon in National Championship game.

Three Inter-State clubs came to Hobart to play one game each against the League.

The result of which, was a morale boosting year for the TFL when its combined League team defeated VFL club Melbourne in Hobart. On the deficit side, Port Adelaide (SA) and Richmond (VFL) won their respective games. Scores were : TFL 11.14 (80) defeated Melbourne 9.8 (62), Port Adelaide 7.13 (55) defeated TFL 6.6 (42) and Richmond 11.11 (77) defeated TFL 8.9 (57)

VFL introduced numbers on player guernseys.

This years State premiership was abandoned when NTFA premiers Launceston, caused a sensation by refusing to take the field against TFL premiers Cananore, following a dispute with the League over the appointment of the central umpire for the match. The League endeavoured to replace the original umpire engaged, but no avail. This did not suit Launceston and the match was cancelled. The action of Launceston was reported to the NTFA, which took up the position of supporting the offending players in their action.

Finally, the League, as controlling body of football in the State, took action and disqualified the Launceston players, until such time as the League thought that such disqualification should be lifted.

Another change took place with the NWFU when its four clubs were joined by Wanderers from the Burnie Football League.

Port Adelaide defeats Fitzroy in National Championship game.

This was the third such carnival conducted by the Australian Football Council and it was conducted in Sydney and won by Victoria. The result for Tasmania was not as encouraging as first hoped, as it fell far below what was achieved at the previous carnival.

Before the 1914 season was over, the effects of World War 1 made it difficult for clubs to assemble full teams for competition each week, as many players had enlisted for service. But despite the loss of so many fine players, the League was able to complete the season in a satisfactory manner.

University withdrew from the Victorian Football League.

Port Adelaide defeated Carlton in National Championship game.

The three TFL clubs found it very difficult to field reasonable teams on a weekly basis. Mainland clubs were unable to visit Tasmania. The TFL and NTFA officials decided not to play a State premiership in 1915.

At the end of the season the following players had enlisted for the Armed Service:

Lefroy: Bailey, I. Margetts, N. Allison, C. Abey, T. W. Simpson. W. Abel, F. Burton, B. Kilmartin, R. Totham, D. Nichols, F. Green, L. Barnett, Newman, E. Smith, Townley

Cananore: Randall, Clennett, Hope (killed in action), Lipscombe, Turner, Freeman, Brownell, C. Hannigan (killed in action), Westwood, Shaw, Pennyquick, Bowen.

North Hobart: A. Aulsebrook (killed in action), L. Chambers, E. Russell, A. Bucirde, K. Moore, W. Jack, K. Mackey, Ward (killed in action), V. Shirley, A. Stanton, H. Brain, Mahoney, W. D. Leitch.

Football abandoned until 1919 because of World War 1.

At this time, the Wanderers club was disqualified, because of a non-payment of dues and returned to the Burnie Football League.

The three major football bodies in Tasmania attended a meeting to discuss the future of the game. The result was a resolution that football be discontinued until the end of the War.

SAFL, VFA, and QFA all in recess for WW1, whilst VFL continued with only four clubs, and WAFL continued with full competition.

The resumption of football in Hobart and most other centres after the War, followed a three year lapse of the game. But if that wasn’t enough, the population had to contend with an epidemic of Influenza that swept Australia and rage throughout Tasmania later in the season, football had to be cancelled according to health authorities advice, which applied to all forms of sport that attracted crowds.

New Town Football Club reformed.

No competition due to Influenza outbreak that swept Australia.

The recovery process was a prosperous one for the game as most clubs around the State had survived well under the circumstance. A ‘remarkable resilience’ is probably the most apt description to describe the rebound by the peoples of Tasmania to the incredible impost of War and an epidemic.

Two clubs from South Australia visited Tasmania, the first was West Torrens that played the TFL in a close encounter with the TFL winning by three points 10.13 (73) to 9.16 (70). The other match also went to the TFL beating West Adelaide 12.17 (89) to 10.9 (69).

This Association was formed approximately 1920 or so, and it’s equally as vague as to its departure from the game around the early 1970’s.

The CFA was regarded as a prominent supporter of community welfare and promoted itself as a strong contributor of well-being for men in the respective regions it represented.

Member clubs included: Claremont, Glenorchy, Brighton, Bridgewater, Derwent, Sorell, Huonville and New Norfolk.

During its existence it, like many other Associations faced ongoing challenging tasks, particularly in latter years, that ultimately forced it to close its doors. Factors such as amalgamations, falling player participation rate, population demographics, public interest and clubs leaving to other associations.

New Norfolk and Glenorchy were the dominant premiership wining teams. New Norfolk held the record with six premierships to its credit.

Wilmot was settled in the 1890’s, proclaimed in 1903 and gazetted as a locality in 1965. The small rural township of Wilmot was named after Sir John Eardley-Wilmot, Lieutenant of Van Diemens Land from 1843 until 1846.

Wilmot is seated in the centre of some of the richest farming communities in the Mountain region of Devonport’s Municipality, South-West of the City.

The WFA was formed in 1920 and during the course of operating its competition, had taken on board both the Kentish and Roland Football Associations, when they merged with WFA in 1949. This practice was common-place during the latter part of the 1980’s through to mid-1900’s.

MFA member clubs: Barrington, Cement Rovers, Rovers, Sheffield, West Kentish and Wilmot, 

The WFA merged with the North West Football Union in 2015.

Fourth National Carnival, held in Perth (WA) and won by West Australia.

Tasmania successfully competed in the minor carnival in Sydney and defeated New South Wales.

The TFL include a fourth club, New Town Football Club, into its ranks to complete an even competition, that automatically alleviated the bye of the previous three team competition.

A highlight was the positive result for first comer to the TFL where New Town Football Club won the opening match of the season.

Introduction of the Sandover Medal for Best Player in WAFL.

Finally, the TFL received approval for the usage of the North Hobart Oval, for its headquarters and roster matches. On the basis of 20% of gross takings, plus 71/4% of all members tickets, with a minimum amount payable of £100 per season.

During the season matches were played against three visiting mainland teams, with the TFL winning one game. Results were: South Adelaide 12.9 (81) defeated TFL 8.13 (61), TFL 14.9 (93) defeated Glenelg (SA) 10.19 (79), Richmond (VFL) 10.9 (69) defeated TFL 9.12 (66).

Was formed in 1922. NECFA clubs carried over to the new Association and were joined by new clubs Saints and Rovers.

Saw the re-introduction of the Triangular Series between the three major bodies : TFL. NTFA and NWFU.

On 11th August the North Hobart club failed to appear for its match against Cananore, claiming the TFL had been unreasonable in imposing a penalty on captain Percy Martyn, after declaring himself unfit for the North verses South match the previous week. He was suspended for two roster matches. North Hobart was fined £15 ($30) and the match was awarded to Cananore.

Formed in 1923 the Association cared for the following clubs from varying times: Bellerive, Bothwell, Claremont, Ellendale, Glenorchy Flyers, Lachlan, Molesworth, Montacute, Montrose, New Norfolk, Oatlands, Ouse, Richmond, Rosegarland, Upper Derwent  and Waterside Workers.

Oatlands 9.11 (65) defeated Richmond 6.8 (44) to win the very first premiership in 1923. Fourteen years later, it was Ouse that scored 15.12 (102) to defeat 11.14 (80) in the last premiership played.

1937 and the STCFA competition came to a close when it entered into recess.