AFL Darling Downs

AFL Darling Downs
Formerly Darling Downs Australian Football League
Sport Australian rules football
Founded 1971
President Trevor Green
No. of teams 12
Country Australia
Most titles University (11)
Official website AFL Darling Downs

AFL Darling Downs is an Australian rules football competition based in the area around the city of Toowoomba west of Brisbane, Queensland. The competition was formed as the Darling Downs Australian Football League in 1971. The senior representative team is known as the Demons and wear guernseys modelled on the Melbourne Demons guernseys. The Under 18 representative team who participate in the AFLQ Under 18 competition are known as the "Crows" and wear guernseys modelled on the Adelaide Crows guernseys.

History of Australian Football in the Darling Downs, Queensland

The Darling Downs Australian Football League was first played as an official organised competition in 1971. Signals, Coolaroo and Aviation were the three foundation clubs and were joined by a fourth club, South Toowoomba in 1972.

The League has had many changes to the amount of clubs participating since then, with eleven A Grade Senior Clubs currently competing, and now known as AFL Darling Downs. It is the largest regional League in Queensland. There are four Senior clubs based in Toowoomba, and the other senior clubs come from Dalby, Gatton, Goondiwindi, Highfields, and Warwick. New teams from Kingaroy, and Chinchilla are participating in the 2013 revamped competition.

University Cougars AFC is the most successful club with 11 premierships, 4 under the banner of "Institute Eagles". Coolaroo Roos has 8 premierships and Goondiwindi Hawks has 7. South Toowoomba Bombers (formerly Longhorns) and Toowoomba Tigers (formerly Pinkies) have 6 premiership flags each.[1]

AFL Darling Downs Senior Clubs

There have been many different towns in the Darling Downs of Queensland fielding Australian Rules Football teams over the forty plus years of Senior Competition. Coolaroo Roos have played every season from the inaugural year, and Toowoomba Tigers have played the second most seasons. Below is a full list of Current and Former Clubs in the region.

Current Senior Clubs

Club Colors Years in Competition Flags Home Ground
Chinchilla Suns          2013 0 Chinchilla Showgrounds
Chinchilla
Coolaroo Roos          1971- 8 Gold Park
Toowoomba
Dalby Swans          1980-1994, 1998-2000,
2005-2007, 2010-2013 		0 Dalby AFL Oval
Dalby
Goondiwindi Hawks          1980-1986,
1988- 		7 Riddles Oval
Goondiwindi
Highfields Lions              2010- 0 Kratzke Oval
Highfields
Lockyer Valley Demons
Formerly Magpies 		             1981-1994, 1996-2000,
2010- 		2 Cahill Park
Gatton
South Burnett Saints
Formerly Kingaroy Bulldogs 		             1982-1984, 1988-1994, 2001-2004, 2006, 2013 0 Lyle Vidler Oval
Kingaroy
South Toowoomba Bombers
Formerly Longhorns
Central Bombers 2005-06 		         1972-1993, 1996-1997,
2005- 		6 Heritage Oval
Toowoomba
Toowoomba Tigers
Formerly Pinkies 		         1974-2001,
2003- 		6 Rockville Oval
Toowoomba
University Cougars
Formerly Institute Eagles 		             1976-1998,
2003- 		11 USQ AFL Oval
Toowoomba
Warwick Redbacks          1999,
2001- 		1 Roddies Oval
Warwick

Former Senior Clubs

Club Years in Competition Flags
Signals 1971-1972 1
Aviation 1971-1977 2
Combined Services 1973 0
QAC Gatton 1974, 1977 0
Lockyer-Warwick 1980 0
Moonie 1985-1986 0
Goondiwindi-Moonie 1987 0
Goondiwindi 2 2000 0
Coolaroo Roos 2 2002 0

NOTE: Some clubs listed above played in Reserve Grade (Division 2) only for many seasons, but were not part of the A Grade competition and those years are not included in the above table.

AFL Darling Downs A Grade Premiers List[2]

  • 1971 Signals
  • 1972 South Toowoomba Longhorns
  • 1973 Aviation
  • 1974 Aviation
  • 1975 Coolaroo Roos
  • 1976 South Toowoomba Longhorns
  • 1977 Toowoomba Pinkies
  • 1978 Institute Eagles
  • 1979 Toowoomba Pinkies
  • 1980 Goondiwindi Hawks
  • 1981 South Toowoomba Longhorns
  • 1982 South Toowoomba Longhorns
  • 1983 Goondiwindi Hawks
  • 1984 South Toowoomba Longhorns
  • 1985 Lockyer Valley Magpies
  • 1986 Institute Eagles
  • 1987 Institute Eagles
  • 1988 Toowoomba Tigers
  • 1989 Institute Eagles
  • 1990 University Eagles
  • 1991 Goondiwindi Hawks
  • 1992 University Eagles
  • 1993 Lockyer Valley Magpies
  • 1994 University Eagles
  • 1995 Goondiwindi Hawks
  • 1996 Goondiwindi Hawks
  • 1997 University Eagles
  • 1998 University Eagles
  • 1999 Goondiwindi Hawks
  • 2000 Goondiwindi Hawks
  • 2001 Coolaroo Roos
  • 2002 Coolaroo Roos
  • 2003 Coolaroo Roos
  • 2004 Coolaroo Roos
  • 2005 Coolaroo Roos
  • 2006 University Cougars
  • 2007 University Cougars
  • 2008 South Toowoomba Bombers
  • 2009 Coolaroo Roos
  • 2010 Toowoomba Tigers
  • 2011 Toowoomba Tigers
  • 2012 Toowoomba Tigers
  • 2013 Coolaroo Roos
  • 2014 Warwick Redbacks

Recent AFL Darling Downs A Grade Grand Final Results

Year Premiers Score Runners Up Score Best On Ground
1993 Lockyer Valley Magpies 24.12 (156) University Eagles 15.14 (104)
1994 University Eagles 14.3 (87) Goondiwindi Hawks 7.3 (45)
1995 Goondiwindi Hawks 11.8 (74) University Eagles 10.8 (68)
1996 Goondiwindi Hawks 12.20 (92) University Eagles 12.9 (81)
1997 University Eagles 11.3 (69) Goondiwindi Hawks 8.13 (61)
1998 University Eagles 22.8 (140) Goondiwindi Hawks 9.4 (58)
1999 Goondiwindi Hawks 16.18 (114) Toowoomba Tigers 4.6 (30)
2000 Goondiwindi Hawks 16 10 (106) Coolaroo Roos 13.12 (90)
2001 Coolaroo Roos 14.17 (101) Warwick Redbacks 2.6 (18)
2002 Coolaroo Roos 21.7 (133) Warwick Redbacks 8.9 (57)
2003 Coolaroo Roos 23.13 (151) Goondiwindi Hawks 8.7 (55) Clinton Wright (Coolaroo)
2004[3] Coolaroo Roos 10.8 (68) Toowoomba Tigers 6.9 (45) Damian Cooper (Coolaroo)
2005 Coolaroo Roos 16.11 (107) Central Bombers 5.8 (38)
2006 University Cougars 16.12 (108) Toowoomba Tigers 6.7 (43)
2007 University Cougars 14.9 (93) Coolaroo Roos 13.6 (84)
2008 South Toowoomba Bombers 11.14 (80) Coolaroo Roos 11.7 (73)
2009 Coolaroo Roos 10.13 (73) South Toowoomba Bombers 5.9 (39) Jeremy Wilson (Coolaroo)
2010 Toowoomba Tigers 10.17 (77) South Toowoomba Bombers 10.14 (74)
2011 Toowoomba Tigers 10.10 (70) Warwick Redbacks 7.7 (49)
2012 Toowoomba Tigers 11.15 (81) South Toowoomba Bombers 7.10 (52)
2013 Coolaroo Roos 14.8 (92) University Cougars 13.11 (89) Thomas Rudolph (Coolaroo)
2014 Warwick Redbacks 10.18 (78) University Cougars 9.7 (61) Adam Stevenson (Warwick)

Inaugural Darling Downs AFL Grand Final Results

Year Premiers Score Runners Up Score
1971 Signals 5.11 (41) Coolaroo Roos 4.14 (38)

GOALS:
Signals - B.Fletcher 2, W. Sampson, T. Osborne, M. Darby.
Coolaroo Roos - A. Jericho 2, I. Shaw, J. Oska.
BEST:
Signals - T. Osborne, D. Akesson, J. Davis, J. Walsh, K. Zeller.
Coolaroo Roos - R. Smith, J. Hagerstrom, J. Smith, A. Jericho, C. Wells.[4]

AFL Darling Downs Premiership Tables and Finals Results

Below is a summary of AFL Darling Downs A Grade Ladders at the end of the home and away fixtures, and the Finals Results for the major rounds:

2006 Ladder

AFL Darling Downs Wins Byes Losses Draws For Against % Pts Final Team G B Pts Team G B Pts
University 12 0 2 0 1419 697 203.59% 48 1st Semi Toowoomba 15 18 108 Centrals 8 7 55
Coolaroo 11 0 3 0 1748 712 245.51% 44 2nd Semi University 16 12 108 Coolaroo 6 9 45
Toowoomba 9 0 5 0 1360 937 145.14% 36 Preliminary Toowoomba 14 6 90 Coolaroo 11 13 79
Centrals 7 0 6 0 1259 997 126.28% 28 Grand University 16 12 108 Toowoomba 6 7 43
Goondiwindi 7 0 7 0 1134 1233 91.97% 28
Warwick 4 0 9 0 1057 1211 87.28% 16
Dalby 2 0 11 0 646 1577 40.96% 8
Kingaroy 2 0 11 0 626 1885 33.21% 8

2007 Ladder

AFL Darling Downs Wins Byes Losses Draws For Against % Pts Final Team G B Pts Team G B Pts
Coolaroo 14 3 0 0 1261 698 180.66% 56 1st Semi Toowoomba 15 14 104 South Toowoomba 15 10 100
University 10 3 4 0 1445 757 190.89% 40 2nd Semi University 16 16 112 Coolaroo 11 4 70
South Toowoomba 9 3 5 0 1393 1054 132.16% 36 Preliminary Coolaroo 13 19 97 Toowoomba 11 9 75
Toowoomba 7 3 7 0 1165 1151 101.22% 28 Grand University 14 9 93 Toowoomba 13 6 84
Warwick 5 3 9 0 997 1254 79.51% 20
Goondiwindi 2 5 10 0 828 1200 69.00% 8
Dalby 1 3 13 0 683 1658 41.19% 4

2008 Ladder

AFL Darling Downs Wins Byes Losses Draws For Against % Pts Final Team G B Pts Team G B Pts
South Toowoomba 15 0 2 0 1917 1069 179.33% 60 1st Semi Coolaroo 14 13 97 University 9 19 73
Warwick 13 0 5 0 1553 1436 108.15% 52 2nd Semi South Toowoomba 18 19 127 Warwick 7 6 48
Coolaroo 10 0 7 1 1663 1191 139.63% 42 Preliminary Coolaroo 14 10 94 Warwick 5 7 37
University 10 0 7 0 1717 1069 160.62% 40 Grand South Toowoomba 11 14 80 Coolaroo 11 7 73
Toowoomba 5 0 12 1 1320 1518 86.96% 22
Goondiwindi 0 0 18 0 713 2504 28.47% 0
Dalby 0 0 2 0 48 144 33.33% 0

2009 Ladder

AFL Darling Downs Wins Byes Losses Draws For Against % Pts Final Team G B Pts Team G B Pts
Coolaroo 16 0 2 0 1860 1087 171.11% 64 1st Semi Toowoomba 19 10 124 Warwick 8 9 57
South Toowoomba 15 0 3 0 1874 1132 165.55% 60 2nd Semi South Toowoomba 13 12 90 Coolaroo 11 9 75
Warwick 7 0 11 0 1468 1535 95.64% 28 Preliminary Coolaroo 17 9 111 Toowoomba 11 9 75
Toowoomba 7 0 11 0 1361 1641 82.94% 28 Grand Coolaroo 10 13 73 South Toowoomba 5 9 39
University 6 0 12 0 1291 1609 80.24% 24
Goondiwindi 3 0 15 0 1255 2105 59.62% 12

2010 Ladder

AFL Darling Downs Wins Byes Losses Draws For Against % Pts Final Team G B Pts Team G B Pts
Toowoomba 13 0 3 0 1980 948 208.86% 52 1st Semi South Toowoomba 17 14 116 Coolaroo 7 7 49
University 13 0 3 0 1917 1052 182.22% 52 2nd Semi Toowoomba 14 13 97 University 9 15 69
Coolaroo 11 0 5 0 1955 959 203.86% 44 Preliminary South Toowoomba 13 18 96 University 12 17 89
South Toowoomba 11 0 5 0 1901 1029 184.74% 44 Grand Toowoomba 10 17 77 South Toowoomba 10 14 74
Warwick 11 0 5 0 1925 1088 176.93% 44
Goondiwindi 6 0 10 0 1576 1575 100.06% 24
Highfields 5 0 11 0 1166 1832 63.65% 20
Dalby 2 0 14 0 1034 2065 50.07% 8
Lockyer Valley 0 0 16 0 368 3274 11.24% 0

2011 Ladder

AFL Darling Downs Wins Byes Losses Draws For Against % Pts Final Team G B Pts Team G B Pts
Toowoomba 13 0 3 1 1698 877 193.61% 54 1st Semi University 19 9 123 South Toowoomba 14 9 93
Warwick 12 0 4 1 1876 867 216.38% 50 2nd Semi Warwick 10 10 70 Toowoomba 5 3 33
South Toowoomba 12 0 4 1 1853 968 191.43% 50 Preliminary Toowoomba 9 16 70 University 10 7 67
University 11 0 5 1 1560 941 165.78% 46 Grand Toowoomba 10 10 70 Warwick 7 7 49
Coolaroo 10 0 6 0 1642 1128 145.57% 40
Highfields 8 0 8 0 1262 1247 101.20% 32
Dalby 4 0 12 0 1033 1778 58.10% 16
Goondiwindi 2 0 14 0 1078 1735 62.13% 8
Lockyer Valley 0 0 16 0 323 2784 11.60% 0

2012 Ladder

AFL Darling Downs Wins Byes Losses Draws For Against % Pts Final Team G B Pts Team G B Pts
South Toowoomba 14 0 1 1 2036 731 278.52% 58 1st Semi Toowoomba 11 13 79 University 9 9 63
Coolaroo 13 0 3 0 1856 954 194.55% 52 2nd Semi South Toowoomba 18 9 117 Coolaroo 13 9 87
Toowoomba 12 0 3 1 1861 819 227.23% 50 Preliminary Toowoomba 14 12 96 Coolaroo 12 13 85
University 10 0 6 0 1840 864 212.96% 40 Grand Toowoomba 11 15 81 South Toowoomba 7 10 52
Warwick 7 0 8 1 1268 1110 114.23% 30
Highfields 6 0 9 1 1127 1162 96.99% 26
Dalby 4 0 12 0 1056 2046 51.61% 16
Lockyer Valley 2 0 14 0 473 2361 20.03% 8
Goondiwindi 1 0 15 0 786 2256 34.84% 4

2013 Ladder

AFL Darling Downs Wins Byes Losses Draws For Against % Pts Final Team G B Pts Team G B Pts
University 15 0 1 0 2145 706 303.82% 60 Elimination Warwick 15 7 97 Goondiwindi 11 6 72
Coolaroo 15 0 1 0 2226 815 273.13% 60 Qualifying Toowoomba 10 15 75 Toowoomba 10 15 75
Toowoomba 12 0 4 0 1566 913 171.52% 48 1st Semi Toowoomba 20 10 130 Warwick 9 2 56
Warwick 9 0 7 0 1525 1150 132.61% 36 2nd Semi University 10 15 75 Coolaroo 10 9 69
Goondiwindi 9 0 7 0 1675 1293 129.54% 36 Preliminary Coolaroo 15 13 103 Toowoomba 5 6 36
South Toowoomba 8 0 8 0 1500 1177 127.44% 32 Grand Coolaroo 14 8 92 University 13 11 89
Dalby 8 0 8 0 1573 1298 121.19% 32
Highfields 5 0 11 0 1203 1786 67.36% 20
South Burnett 4 0 12 0 1140 2070 55.07% 16
Lockyer Valley 2 0 14 0 762 2294 33.22% 8
Chinchilla 1 0 15 0 687 2500 27.48% 4

AFL Darling Downs Best and Fairest Award (Holman Medalist)

Season Holman Medalist Club
1971 Terry Osborne Signals
1972 Ray Smith Coolaroo Roos
1973 Terry Lee Aviation
1974 John Grinham Toowoomba Pinkies
1975 Harold Simpson Coolaroo Roos
1976 John Loxton Institute Eagles
1977 Phil Pohlner QAC Gatton
1978 Trevor Curtis Toowoomba Pinkies
1979 Phil Heron Institute Eagles
1980 Ian Janetzki Coolaroo Roos
1981 Mark Freidrichs South Toowoomba Longhorns
1982 Mark Holman Goondiwindi Hawks
1983 Peter Scott Lockyer Valley Magpies
1984 John Green Coolaroo Roos
1985 John Green Coolaroo Roos
1986 John Green Coolaroo Roos
1987 Peter Holman Goondiwindi-Moonie
1988 Peter Holman Goodiwindi Hawks
1989 Greg Peltz Dalby Swans
1990 Michael Millar South Toowoomba Longhorns
1991 Jason Dennis Coolaroo Roos
1992 Andrew Fellenberg South Toowoomba Longhorns
1993 Shane McGregor Goondiwindi Hawks
1994 Shane Taggart Toowoomba Tigers
1995 Mark Andrews Toowoomba Tigers
1996 Brendan Sergeant Coolaroo Roos
1997 Craig Jervies Lockyer Valley Magpies
1998 Craig Jervies Lockyer Valley Magpies
1999 Luke Bolden Coolaroo Roos
2000 Greg Peltz Dalby Swans
2001 Darren Hunter Coolaroo Roos
2002 Bernie Mullins (TIED) Coolaroo Roos
2002 Tony O'Connell (TIED) Kingaroy Bulldogs
2003 Geoffrey Smith Warwick Redbacks
2004 Matthew Samin Coolaroo Roos
2005 Keith Webb Central Bombers
2006 Steve Collet (TIED) Goondiwind Hawks
2006 Angus Hill (TIED) Coolaroo Roos
2007 Phillip Driese Coolaroo Roos
2008 Paul Kupke University Cougars
2009 Jeff Neumann (TIED) Coolaroo Roos
2009 Brendan Iles (TIED) Warwick Redbacks
2010 Brendan Iles Warwick Redbacks
2011 Brendan Iles Warwick Redbacks
2012 Trent Saxelby South Toowoomba Bombers
2013 Kurt Millard Warwick Redbacks
2014 Jeremy Leahy Goondiwindi Hawks

Reserve Grade

The Reserve Grade competition ran from 1975 to 1999, and 2001, before player numbers for some clubs became a problem and therefore the "Adrian Jericho Trophy" had not been contested for a full decade.

In 2012, the Reserves competition returned with a three team competition involving University, Coolaroo, and Souths. It was the first time the competition has been staged since Kingaroy defeated Coolaroo in the 2001 Grand Final.[5]

South Toowoomba Longhorns are the most successful team in Reserve Grade with 10 Premierships from 14 Grand Finals. University (Institute) are the next best with 7 flags from 9 Grand Finals, winning the 2012 title over Coolaroo.

Recent Reserve Grade Grand Final Results

Year Premiers Score Runners Up Score
1995 Dalby Swans 12.11 (83) Goondiwindi Hawks 8.8 (56)
1996 University Eagles 8.15 (63) Dalby Swans 6.5 (41)
1997 University Eagles 6.4 (40) Kingaroy Bulldogs 5.4 (34)
1998 Warwick Redbacks 13.9 (87) Kingaroy Bulldogs 12.4 (76)
1999 Lockyer Valley Magpies 10.11 (71) Dalby Swans 9.12 (66)
2001 Kingaroy Bulldogs 5.8 (38) Coolaroo Roos 5.1 (31)
2012 University Cougars 11.10 (76) Coolaroo Roos 5.4 (34)
2013 Coolaroo Roos 7.9 (51) University Cougars 6.8 (44)
2014 University Cougars 11.14 (80) South Burnett Saints 4.7 (31)

NOTE: The Reserve Grade Seniors Competition was not contested in 2000 and between 2002-2011.

Future of AFL Darling Downs

Three areas are proposing Senior Football teams in the coming years:

The League has the potential to expand to 12 Senior Clubs if these areas can field enough players, and with Junior competitions also expanding, the future is looking bright for AFL across the region.

In late 2012 it was made official that South Burnett and Chinchilla would enter the Senior Competition, to play in an eleven club League in 2013.

Divisional Football

League president Andrew Foley said splitting the 11-team competition into two divisions for 2014, including the three current reserve grade sides, would help the newer clubs to be more competitive. The senior competition grew last season with the formation of Chinchilla and South Burnett but those clubs struggled on-field .[6] First division has Coolaroo, Goondiwidi, Highfields, Lockyer Valley,South Toowoomba, Toowoomba, University and Warwick. Second division has Chinchilla, Dalby, South Burnett as well as clubs seconds from Coolaroo, Highfields, South Toowoomba, University and Warwick.

2014 Ladder

AFL Darling Downs Div 1 Wins Byes Losses Draws For Against % Pts Final Team G B Pts Team G B Pts
Warwick 14 0 3 0 1962 962 203.95% 56 1st Semi Coolaroo 17 11 113 Goondiwindi 12 5 77
University 13 0 3 1 1925 729 264.06% 54 2nd Semi Warwick 13 16 94 University 7 14 56
Coolaroo 13 0 3 1 2061 857 240.49% 54 Preliminary University 12 12 84 Coolaroo 10 11 71
Goondiwindi 10 0 7 0 1763 1324 133.16% 40 Grand Warwick 10 18 78 University 9 7 61
South Toowoomba 9 0 7 1 1559 1103 141.34% 38
Highfields 5 0 12 0 1330 1616 82.30% 20
Toowoomba 2 0 14 1 795 2025 39.26% 10
Lockyer Valley 0 0 17 0 317 3096 10.24% 0
AFL Darling Downs Div 2 Wins Byes Losses Draws For Against % Pts Final Team G B Pts Team G B Pts
South Burnett 12 0 2 1 1634 633 258.14% 50 1st Semi Dalby 12 12 84 Highfields 11 9 75
University 11 0 2 2 1118 385 290.39% 48 2nd Semi South Burnett 13 14 92 University 9 6 60
Dalby 9 0 6 0 1312 852 153.99% 36 Preliminary University 12 12 84 Highfields 3 1 19
Highfields 8 0 7 0 1194 785 152.10% 32 Grand University 11 14 80 South Burnett 4 7 31
Chinchilla 7 0 8 0 1135 1193 95.14% 28
South Toowoomba 5 0 9 1 763 1452 52.55% 22
Coolaroo 3 0 10 2 685 973 70.40% 16
Warwick 2 0 13 0 454 2022 22.45% 8

See also

References

  1. ↑ "AFL Darling Downs Premiership Teams". AFL Darling Downs. Retrieved 26 November 2012.
  2. ↑ "AFL Darling Downs".
  3. ↑ "Finals Football". Goondiwindi Argus (Goondiwindi, Queensland). 1 September 2004. p. 27.
  4. ↑ "Signals Win Rules Final". Toowoomba Chronicle (Toowoomba, Queensland). 13 September 1971. p. 18.
  5. ↑ "Grand Final Wrap". Toowoomba Chronicle (Toowoomba, Queensland). 10 September 2001. p. 44.
  6. ↑ http://www.foxsportspulse.com/assoc_page.cgi?c=1-3485-0-298788-0&sID=56335&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=27070415

External links