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Mortlock Football League

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Coordinates: 31°18′6.7″S 116°49′28.4″E / 31.301861°S 116.824556°E / -31.301861; 116.824556
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31°18′6.7″S 116°49′28.4″E / 31.301861°S 116.824556°E / -31.301861; 116.824556

Mortlock Football League
SportAustralian rules football
First season1946
No. of teams7
Most recent
champion(s)		Dalwallinu Football Club
Most titlesGoomalling Football Club (20 Premierships)

The Mortlock Football League is an Australian rules football competition based around 8 clubs in the south-west region of Western Australia. It is one of a number of football leagues in the wheat-belt region of WA. The eight teams represent the towns of Calingiri, Dalwallinu, Dowerin, Gingin, Goomalling, Toodyay, Wongan-Ballidu. Wyalkatchem played until the end of 2010.

Mortlock League also includes a hockey competition which involves all clubs mentioned above. Teams compete in a home and away season of 14 rounds with a number of byes and one week during the season dedicated to playing country week football against other south-western country leagues. The season ends with a finals campaign including the top 4 teams from the home and away rounds. Notable players that have been recruited from their respected towns to AFL teams include; Josh and Matthew Carr (Goomalling), Lance Franklin (Dowerin), Willie Dick (Goomalling, Ballidu), Brendan Fewster (Gingin), Mal Brown (Dowerin). Retired AFL players to have previously/currently played in the Mortlock Football League are; Michael Pettigrew, Ashley Sampi, Antoni Grover, Kepler Bradley, Greg Broughton.

History

The Mortlock Football League's origins date back to the formation of the Goomalling-Dowerin Association in 1923, although organised football had been played in the district since 1904.

The Goomalling Football Association was formed at a meeting held in the Goomalling Agricultural Hall on 28 May 1904. Representatives from Dowerin, Goomalling and Mumberkine were present and the district was divided into three wards from which the teams would select their players. E. F. Edwardes was elected as President and H. Slater took on the role of Secretary. Mumberkine were premiers in the Association’s inaugural season. The Oak Park club was formed in 1905, but their lifespan proved to be a short one.

Goomalling were premiers in 1905 and 1906, before hotel proprietor T. F. Elliott provided a cup for the premier side in the Association. The 1907 season saw Dowerin, Goomalling and new side Rovers (Goomalling) compete for the Elliott Cup. Rovers, donning the colours of yellow and black, drew their players from the north side of the Goomalling-Dowerin Railway line and played at the Oak Park ground.

The known results for the 1907 season saw Goomalling defeat Rovers before Rovers later exacted revenge with a 34-point win, Goomalling overcame Dowerin, 6.9 to 3.6, Rovers outclassed Dowerin, 6.13 to 1.3, Dowerin beat Goomalling by 6.7 to 5.8 and Goomalling edged out Rovers, 5.8 to 4.6.

At the end of the season, Goomalling and Rovers were equal on points, so a play-off was scheduled, with Rovers triumphant by 13 points, 4.10 to 3.3. Captain Herb Slater and Black Tommy, both outstanding players and goal scorers, played key roles in Rovers taking out the premiership.

In 1908, Rovers were premiers once again when they defeated Goomalling by five points to retain the Elliott Cup. A derby match in July saw some 500 people in attendance as Rovers defeated Goomalling by 11 points.

In 1909, W.A.F.L. club East Perth were the guests of the Goomalling Association for a match in the region on August 21, with the visitors running out narrow 4.10 to 3.15 winners. The local competition saw Rovers achieve a hat-trick of premierships after a solid 9.10 to 4.9 win over Goomalling in the decider.

Despite good coverage of football throughout the state, the West Australian provided virtually no coverage of the 1910 Goomalling Association season. It is known, however, that Rovers won their fourth consecutive flag.

The Goomalling Association made the journey to Perth for a return fixture with East Perth in 1910. In a one-sided contest played at Loton Park, East Perth were comfortable 44 point winners, 12.12 to 5.10. Later in the season, the Goomalling Association met the Eastern Districts Association at Northam and, in wet conditions, the home side prevailed 5.8 to 1.3.

The 1911 season was rocked by the disqualification of the Rovers club on July 20, following the off-field actions of some members of the club, including a clique supposedly led by Herbert Slater and ‘Gunner’ Hills, who ‘attempted to run the Goomalling Football Association and endeavoured to bully members of the committee into letting them have their sweet way.’ The season continued with just two clubs, with Goomalling proving far too strong for Dowerin and were crowned premiers.

The 1912 season saw the admission of the Wanderers (Goomalling) to restore a three-team competition. The Wanderers players were chiefly Karranadgin settlers, and the team chose to wear the colours of red, white and blue. Dowerin won the premiership in this season, which by now was the F. L. Rose Cup.

In 1912, The Goomalling Association wrote to the W.A.F.L. in 1912, suggesting the staging of a Country Week competition. Unfortunately, the Association was unable to raise a representative side, leaving Avon, Bunbury, Geraldton, Moora and Nelson as the first teams to participate in this competition.

In 1913, Goomalling lost only two matches all season en route to securing the premiership, ‘icing the cake’ with a 5.16 to 4.4 win over Dowerin in the Final.

In 1914, the Country Week competition included eight teams – Bunbury, Forrest, Geraldton, Goomalling, Moora, Quairading, South Suburban and Warren. The Final saw an upset six point victory for Forrest over Goomalling, 6.12 to 6.6.

The W.A.F.L. affiliated associations in 1914 were Albany, Arthur West, Bunbury, Central District, Central Murchison, Collie, Forrest, Geraldton, Goomalling, Katanning, Moora, Meekatharra, Narrogin, Nelson, South Suburban, Upper Chapman, Warren and the W.A.F.A.

There was virtually no reference to the Association in the West Australian in 1914, but it is known that Dowerin were premiers after a comprehensive 13.25 to 3.2 win over Goomalling.

The onset of the First World War meant that football was set aside until later in the decade.

In the first five seasons after World War I, five different associations were formed

1919 - Central Districts FA (Goomalling, North Jennacubbine, South Jennacubbine)
1920 - Goomalling-Dowerin-Jennacubbine FA (Dowerin, Goomalling, Jennacubbine)
1921 - Goomalling FA (Goomalling, Karranadgin, Konnongorring)
1922 - Central Districts FA (Australs, Jennacubbine, Jennapullin, Rovers)

The Goomalling-Dowerin Association was formed in 1923 and has remained intact since then (apart from a three-season World War II recess from 1942-1944). Jennacubbine won the first two premierships.

The Association was renamed as the Goomalling & Districts Association in 1925 (11 years after its predecessor disbanded) and this competition was conducted until 1941, when World War 2 forced the cessation of the competition for three seasons from 1942 to 1944.

The competing clubs from 1923 to 1941 were: Dowerin (1923-1924, 1933-1941), Goomalling (1926), Goomalling Australs (1923, 1927-1941), Goomalling Country (1925), Goomalling Rovers (1923, 1927-1941), Goomalling Town (1925 - withdrew mid season), Jennacubbine (1923-1926; 1928-1941), Konnongorring (1927; 1930; 1932-1937), Mumberkine (1932-1937), North Goomalling (1924), South Goomalling 1924), Toodyay Rangers (1931) and Wongan Hills (1925-1926; 1928-1930; 1936-1940). Rovers were the standout performers with 6 premierships, Australs, Dowerin and Jennacubbine all won 4 premierships and Wongan Hills were premiers in the inaugural season in 1925.[1]

The G&DFA resumed in 1945, with five clubs (Dowerin, Ejanding, Goomalling, Konnongorring and Wongan Hills) affiliating. In 1973, the league changed its name to the Mortlock National Football League.

The affiliated clubs since World War 2 have been: Ballidu (1961-1995), Bolgart (1958-1976), Cadoux (1967-1970), Calingiri (since 1959), Dalwallinu (since 1992), Dowerin (1945-2012), Dowerin/Wyalkatchem (since 2013), Ejanding (1945-1962), Gingin (since 1973), Goomalling (since 1945), Jennacubbine (1946-1971), Konnongorring (1945-1948; 1954-1975), Toodyay (since 1960), Wongan/Ballidu (since 1996), Wongan Hills (1945-1995), Wyalkatchem (1955-1957; 1976-2010) and Yerecoin (1959).[2]

In 1973, with the inclusion of Gingin the association changed its name to the Mortlock National Football League.

The most well-known players to come out of the MFL are four-time All-Australian Jack Clarke (ex-Jennacubbine) and the legendary Mal Brown (ex-Dowerin), as well as VFL/AFL players Eric 'Tarzan' Glass (ex-Goomalling), Willy Dick (ex-Goomalling and Ballidu), brothers Josh and Matthew Carr (ex-Goomalling), Brendon Fewster (ex-Gingin) and arguably today's highest profile player in four-time All-Australian Lance Franklin (ex-Dowerin).

Seven players have played at VFL/AFL level and 95 players have been recruited to the WAFL from current MFL clubs. Players to have played 50 or more WAFL games are Laurence Watson (Bolgart), Mal Brown, Ronald Brown, Murray Couper and Ian Newman (Dowerin), Brendon Fewster (Gingin), Gary Brookes, Willy Dick, Eric Glass and Charles Western (Goomalling), Jack Clarke (Jennacubbine), Anthony Beattie and Chester Mackean (Toodyay) and Ron Bayens (Wongan Hills).

The League receives good promotion in the local media and season 2014 sees the return of live football broadcasts of MFL matches after an absence of many years, thanks to Frontier Sports Media. Their weekly 'Mortlock Matchday' broadcasts can be heard via www.frontiersportsmedia.com as a live audio stream and via the TuneIn radio app.

Mortlock Football League (and Goomalling Association) 1945 to 2017

Club Status Joined Years in comp. Premierships: Premiership Years
Calingiri Current 1959 59 13 1962, 1975, 1976, 1978, 1983, 1984, 1986, 1989, 1990, 1991, 2000, 2006, 2015
Dalwallinu Current 1992 26 1 2017
Dowerin/Wyalkatchem Current 2013 5 1 2013
Gingin Current 1973 45 3 1997, 2002, 2011
Goomalling Current 1945 73 20 1945, 1946, 1948, 1952, 1958, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1970, 1971, 1977, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2007
Toodyay Current 1960 58 7 1961, 1973, 1974, 1980, 1988, 2004, 2014.
Wongan/Ballidu Current 1994 24 2 2009, 2016
Ballidu Former 1961-1993 33 2 1981, 1987
Bolgart Former 1958-1976 19 2 1960, 1969
Cadoux Former 1967-1970 4 0
Dowerin Former 1945-2012 68 8 1947,1972, 1982, 1985, 2005, 2008, 2010, 2012
Ejanding Former 1945, 1962 18 2 1955, 1957
Jennacubbine Former 1946-1971,
1973-1978 		32 2 1954, 1956
Konnongorring Former 1945-1975 31 1 1959
Wongan Hills Former 1945-1993 49 5 1949, 1950, 1951, 1953, 1979
Wyalkatchem Former 1955-1957,
1976-2010 		41 2 2001, 2003
Yerecoin Former 1959 1 0

Boekeman Medal (Fairest and Best)

Bendigo Bank Player Of The Year Award

  • 2007 Craig Wilson (Dowerin)
  • 2008 Dean Trewhella (Dowerin)
  • 2009
  • 2010 Brad McNeill (Dalwallinu)
  • 2011 Rheece Bartel (Gingin)
  • 2012 Rheece Bartel (Gingin)

Lyndon Bird Goal Kicking Award

LEAGUE

  • 2000
  • 2001
  • 2002
  • 2003 Justin Kiely (Wyalkatchem) 62 Goals
  • 2004 Phil Brookes (Dalwallinu) 62 Goals
  • 2005 Daniel King (Calingiri)
  • 2006 Michael Potts (Gingin) 83 Goals
  • 2007 Samuel Stanton (Toodyay)76 Goals
  • 2008 Jay Betts (Toodyay) 87 Goals
  • 2009 David Wilson (Dowerin) 62 Goals
  • 2010 David Wilson (Dowerin) 56 Goals
  • 2011 Geoffrey Rouse (Gingin) 83 Goals
  • 2012 Geoffrey Rouse (Gingin) 99 Goals
  • 2013 Geoffrey Rouse (Gingin) 101 Goals

2011 Ladder

Mortlock Wins Byes Losses Draws For Against % Pts
Gingin 12 2 0 0 1413 629 224.64% 56
Toodyay 9 2 3 0 1253 873 143.53% 44
Dowerin 9 2 3 0 1038 917 113.20% 44
Dalwallinu 4 2 8 0 983 1043 94.25% 24
Goomalling 4 2 8 0 924 1178 78.44% 24
Wondan Hill/Ballidu 2 2 10 0 905 1322 68.46% 16
Calingiri 2 2 10 0 724 1278 56.65% 16

FINALS

Final Team G B Pts Team G B Pts
1st Semi Dowerin 17 7 109 Dalwallinu 12 6 78
2nd Semi Gingin 18 16 124 Toodyay 9 12 66
Preliminary Toodyay 14 12 96 Dowerin 5 15 45
Grand Gingin 16 12 108 Toodyay 9 9 63

2012 Ladder

Mortlock Wins Byes Losses Draws For Against % Pts Final Team G B Pts Team G B Pts
Toodyay 11 0 3 0 1458 681 214.10% 44 1st Semi Dowerin 13 14 92 Wondan Hill/Ballidu 11 10 76
Gingin 11 0 3 0 1664 783 212.52% 44 2nd Semi Toodyay 16 7 103 Gingin 15 8 98
Dowerin 11 0 3 0 1529 878 174.15% 44 Preliminary Dowerin 11 10 76 Gingin 9 16 70
Wondan Hill/Ballidu 8 0 6 0 1333 1132 117.76% 32 Grand Dowerin 15 5 95 Toodyay 10 14 74
Goomalling 6 0 8 0 1199 1296 92.52% 24
Dalwallinu 2 0 12 0 856 1487 57.57% 8
Calingiri 0 0 14 0 495 2277 21.74% 0

2013 Ladder

Mortlock Wins Byes Losses Draws For Against % Pts Final Team G B Pts Team G B Pts
Calingiri 10 0 4 0 1598 1045 152.92% 40 1st Semi Wondan Hill/Ballidu 20 10 130 Gingin 6 6 42
Dowerin 10 0 4 0 1368 1142 119.79% 40 2nd Semi Calingiri 13 16 94 Dowerin 11 10 76
Gingin 9 0 5 0 1588 895 177.43% 36 Preliminary Dowerin 14 10 94 Wondan Hill/Ballidu 8 12 60
Wondan Hill/Ballidu 9 0 5 0 1269 1087 116.74% 36 Grand Dowerin 16 9 105 Calingiri 11 13 79
Toodyay 8 0 6 0 1300 1092 119.05% 32
Dalwallinu 2 0 12 0 671 1615 41.55% 8
Goomalling 1 0 13 0 820 1738 47.18% 4

2014 Ladder

Mortlock Wins Byes Losses Draws For Against % Pts Final Team G B Pts Team G B Pts
Calingiri 11 0 3 0 1622 966 167.91% 44 1st Semi Gingin 14 10 94 Dowerin 8 10 58
Toodyay 11 0 3 0 1486 964 154.15% 44 2nd Semi Calingiri 16 9 105 Toodyay 12 7 79
Gingin 10 0 4 0 1483 1080 137.31% 40 Preliminary Toodyay 19 12 126 Gingin 13 15 93
Dowerin/Wylie 7 0 7 0 1190 1080 110.19% 28 Grand Toodyay 12 14 86 Calingiri 10 14 74
Goomalling 6 0 8 0 1073 1201 89.34% 24
Dalwallinu 4 0 10 0 880 1295 67.95% 16
Wondan Hill/Ballidu 0 0 14 0 708 1856 38.15% 0

2015 Ladder

Mortlock Wins Byes Losses Draws For Against % Pts Final Team G B Pts Team G B Pts
Toodyay 11 0 3 0 1451 1212 119.72% 44 1st Semi Dalwallinu 18 15 123 Dowerin 12 4 76
Calingiri 9 0 5 0 1581 1066 148.31% 36 2nd Semi Calingiri 20 20 140 Toodyay 9 12 66
Dowerin/Wylie 8 0 6 0 1434 956 150.00% 32 Preliminary Dalwallinu 18 5 113 Toodyay 11 14 80
Dalwallinu 8 0 6 0 1159 1111 104.32% 32 Grand Calingiri 18 18 126 Dalwallinu 6 7 43
Gingin 7 0 7 0 1150 947 121.44% 28
Goomalling 6 0 8 0 1239 1221 101.47% 24
Wondan Hill/Ballidu 0 0 14 0 651 2152 30.25% 0

2016 Ladder

Mortlock Wins Byes Losses Draws For Against % Pts Final Team G B Pts Team G B Pts
Wondan Hill/Ballidu 14 0 0 0 1815 923 196.64% 56 1st Semi Dowerin 12 11 83 Goomalling 9 11 65
Dalwallinu 11 0 3 0 1613 887 181.85% 44 2nd Semi Wongan 10 12 72 Dalwallinu 9 10 64
Dowerin/Wylie 9 0 5 0 1280 981 130.48% 36 Preliminary Dalwallinu 16 17 113 Dowerin 9 9 63
Goomalling 7 0 7 0 1533 1108 138.36% 28 Grand Wongan 17 10 112 Dalwallinu 6 8 44
Gingin 6 0 8 0 1170 1117 104.74% 24
Toodyay 2 0 12 0 912 1658 55.01% 8
Calingiri 0 0 14 0 726 2375 30.57% 0

2017 Ladder

Mortlock Wins Byes Losses Draws For Against % Pts Final Team G B Pts Team G B Pts
Dalwallinu 11 0 3 0 1640 777 211.07% 44 1st Semi Toodyay 15 15 105 Gingin 14 10 94
Wondan Hill/Ballidu 11 0 3 0 1524 870 175.17% 44 2nd Semi Dalwallinu 21 17 143 Wongan 12 7 79
Toodyay 11 0 3 0 1622 941 172.37% 44 Preliminary Toodyay 17 8 110 Wongan 14 12 96
Gingin 7 0 7 0 1110 1130 98.23% 28 Grand Dalwallinu 19 12 126 Toodyay 11 10 76
Dowerin/Wylie 4 0 10 0 959 1443 66.46% 16
Calingiri 3 0 11 0 979 1557 62.88% 12
Goomalling 2 0 12 0 827 1943 42.56% 8

References

  1. ^ http://frontiersportsmedia.com
  2. ^ http://frontiersportsmedia.com
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