Mortlock Football League

Mortlock Football League

Sport	Australian rules football
First season	1946
No. of teams	7
Most recent champion(s)	Dalwallinu Football Club
Most titles	Goomalling 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.

It must also be noted that 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 bye's 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 May 28, 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.

• 1923 Jennacubbine
• 1924 Jennacubbine
• 1925 Wongan Hills
• 1926 Jennacubbine

• 1927 Rovers
• 1928 Australs
• 1929 Rovers
• 1930 Australs

• 1931 Rovers
• 1932 Rovers
• 1933 Australs
• 1934 Jennacubbine

• 1935 Australs
• 1936 Rovers
• 1937 Dowerin
• 1938 Dowerin

• 1939 Dowerin
• 1940 Dowerin
• 1941 Rovers

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).

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.

Boekeman Medal (Fairest and Best)

LEAGUE

• 2000 Chad Boucher (Calingiri)
• 2001 Troy Foote (Wyalkatchem)
• 2002 Michael Davey (Goomalling)
• 2003 Michael Davey (Toodyay)
• 2004 Nick Smith (Calingiri)
• 2005 Paul Fewster (Gingin)
• 2006 Matthew Borgward (Wyalkatchem)
• 2007 Greg Woods (Goomalling)
• 2008 Craig Wilson (Dowerin)
• 2009 Adam Pearce (Toodyay)
• 2010 Brad McNeill (Dalwallinu)
• 2011 Dean Trewhella (Dowerin)
• 2012 Dean Trewhella (Dowerin)
• 2013 Dean Trewhella (Dowerin/Wyalkatchem) and Geoffrey Rouse (Gingin)

RESERVES

• 2000 Klint Hagboom (Dowerin)
• 2001 Blake Hagboom (Dowerin)
• 2002 Graeme Taylor (Goomalling)
• 2003 Joel Gomersall (Gingin)
• 2004 Graig Whyte (Dalwallinu)
• 2005 Scott Flavel (Dowerin)
• 2006 Rhys Allsop (Dowerin) & Mark McComish (Gingin)
• 2007 Kyhe McKenna (Dowerin)
• 2008 Corey Higgins (Toodyay)
• 2009 Garth King (Dowerin)
• 2010 Chad McKay (Dalwallinu)
• 2011 Chad Hagboom (Dowerin)
• 2012 Jason Gard (Dowerin)

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

External links

• Full Points Footy