147-678: The South Australian National Football League , or SANFL ( / ˈ s æ n f əl / or S-A-N-F-L ), is an Australian rules football league based in the Australian state of South Australia . It is also the state's governing body for the sport. Originally formed as the South Australian Football Association on 30 April 1877, the SANFL is the oldest surviving football league of any code in Australia and
294-638: A dominion , leagues were also established in the major cities. This renewed popularity helped encourage the formation of the Australasian Football Council , which in 1908 in Melbourne staged the first national interstate competition, the Jubilee Australasian Football Carnival , with teams representing each state and New Zealand. The game was also established early on in the new territories. In
441-517: A century. State of Origin rules, introduced in 1977, stipulated that rather than representing the state of their adopted club, players would return to play for the state they were first recruited in. This instantly broke Victoria's stranglehold over state titles and Western Australia and South Australia began to win more of their games against Victoria. Both New South Wales and Tasmania scored surprise victories at home against Victoria in 1990. The term " Barassi Line ", named after VFL star Ron Barassi ,
588-466: A few Salisbury gents help made up their numbers). Gawler Captain was Mr. R.C. Sandland and Woodville's Mr. A. Crooks who scored the only goal after 1 hour of play. On 23 June 1874 it was reported that at game between Gawler and Kensington Football Club at the Park Lands that went on for four hours before a crowd of hundreds that failed to reduce in number. The final score was one goal each. There
735-419: A game for either medical or tactical reasons. Players on the playing surface can be swapped with those on the interchange bench at any time. They must though pass through a designated "Interchange Area". In the event a player fails to pass through this area correctly, or if too many players from one team are found to be on the ground at a time, a free kick will be awarded to the opposing side. While there
882-516: A good attendance was held at the Old Spot Hotel, on Monday June 7, 1880, for the purpose of forming a junior football club. With Mr. T. Bright in the chair the following officers were elected Captain, Mr. J. Fitzgerald, Vice - Captain Mr. T. Bright, Secretary and Treasurer Mr. E. Fitzgerald ; Committee Mr. G. Simpson, J. Devine, T. Freak, and E. Summerton. It was decided that the club be named
1029-399: A mark is taken, a small protected zone is established on the field, extending 10 metres (11 yd) either side of "the mark" and the player who marked the ball, with a small protected corridor between "the mark" and the player. The opposition player is permitted to jump, but is not allowed to move from their position on "the mark". Any other movements result in a distance penalty (50 metres in
1176-488: A meeting held on 11 April it was decided that the colour of the merged club be black-and scarlet guernsey, hose, and cap, and navy blue knickerbockers. The SAFA was notified in writing of the amalgamation which was read at a meeting held on 27 April 1881. The merged club played 4 games before resigning on 1st June. In 1882 - The first general meeting of the committee of the Junior Football Association
1323-617: A meeting of the South Adelaide Football Club , which had formed the previous year, was held at the Arab Steed Hotel. There was a good attendance, and officers and Committee for the season were elected. Dissatisfaction was expressed relative to the rules by which matches were conducted last season, and the Secretary was instructed to communicate with the various Clubs in order to arrange for regulations. It
1470-622: A merger in 1887 of the Gawler and Gawler Albions an application to the SAFA was successful for a Seniors Team called Gawler Albion to join the SAFA competition. Albion was dropped from the Club name the following season. The Gawler Junior Football Association was formed on Tuesday 23 April 1889 and comprised three junior local teams - Gawler South, Centrals and Willaston. All three clubs still exist. During
1617-412: A player breaks a rule, a free kick is awarded to the opposing team, from the location that the misconduct occurred, or the ball's current location—whichever is closer to the team's scoring zone. As when a mark is taken, this location is called "the mark", and the same protections regarding the space apply. Gawler Football Club The Gawler Football Club was an Australian rules football club that
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#17327729572551764-514: A proposed hybrid code of Australian football and rugby league , the predominant code of football in New South Wales and Queensland, was trialled without success. In Queensland, the state league went into recess for the duration of the war. VFL club University left the league and went into recess due to severe casualties. The WAFL lost two clubs and the SANFL was suspended for one year in 1916 due to heavy club losses. The Anzac Day match ,
1911-888: A pupil at Rugby School in England, and returned to his homeland a star athlete and cricketer. Two weeks later, Wills' friend, cricketer Jerry Bryant , posted an advertisement for a scratch match at the Richmond Paddock adjoining the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). This was the first of several "kickabouts" held that year involving members of the Melbourne Cricket Club , including Wills, Bryant, W. J. Hammersley and J. B. Thompson . Trees were used as goalposts and play typically lasted an entire afternoon. Without an agreed-upon code of laws, some players were guided by rules they had learned in
2058-439: A quiet day the greater part of the townspeople went to Adelaide to see the review or the races. The only thing to cause any attraction was the football match — Gawler v. Norwood, which resulted in a runaway victory for the latter of seven goals to one. They are a new club, composed of the pick of older clubs, and are the strongest team that have ever visited Gawler. The play of Dedman (captain), McMichael, Giffen, Coward, and Osborne,
2205-505: A second-tier status. The VFA merged with the former VFL reserves competition in 1998, adopting the VFL name. State of Origin also declined in importance, especially after an increasing number of player withdrawals. The AFL turned its focus to the annual International Rules Series against Ireland in 1998 before abolishing State of Origin the following year. State and territorial leagues still contest interstate matches, as do AFL Women players. In
2352-513: A select few ways as defined by the Laws of Australian Football, published by the AFL. The ball can be propelled in any direction by way of a kick or a clenched fist (called a handball )—deemed a correct disposal. Failure to dispose of the ball in one of these two methods will result in a free kick to the opposing team. If the ball is not currently in a player's possession, it can be moved legally through
2499-635: A seven team competition. Medindie was a foundation member in 1885 of the South Australian Junior Football Association, before spending the 1886 and 1887 seasons competing in the Adelaide and Suburban Football Association. Hotham which renamed to North Adelaide for 1888 merged with Adelaide for the 1889 season. On Friday 5 April 1889 At the Annual General Meeting held on Friday 5 April 1889 in
2646-620: A similar situation existing in Western Australia in the sport, the VFL pursued a more national competition. Two more non-Victorian clubs, West Coast and Brisbane , joined the league in 1987 generating more than $ 8 million in license revenue for the Victorian clubs and increasing broadcast revenues which helped the Victorian clubs survive. In their early years, the Sydney and Brisbane clubs struggled both on and off-field because
2793-498: A slightly modified version of the Victorian game in 1879. The South Australian Football Association (SAFA), the sport's first governing body , formed on 30 April 1877, firmly establishing Victorian rules as the preferred code in that colony. The Victorian Football Association (VFA) formed the following month. Clubs began touring the colonies in the late 1870s, and in 1879 the first intercolonial match took place in Melbourne between Victoria and South Australia . To standardise
2940-528: A spirit of friendly rivalry, thus making the game enjoyable and interesting not only to players, but to spectators. He then moved that the rules played in Victoria should be considered. They differed but slightly from the old Adelaide rules. If such rules were adopted he felt sure that football would be carried on far more successfully than had bean the case lately, and there would be a greater probability of intercolonial matches being arranged, as he hoped would be
3087-406: A technique known shepherding when the ball is within 5 metres (5.5 yd) of an opposition player. Shepherding involves the use of a player's body to push, bump or otherwise block an opposition player, providing they do not have possession of the ball. If a player takes possession of the ball that has travelled more than 15 metres (16 yd) from another player's kick, by way of a catch within
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#17327729572553234-588: A tie with each team scoring 1 goal and 5 behinds. Captains - Tardif (Gawler) and Wyatt (Old Adelaide). After the gallant struggle with tbe Old Adelaide Club the Gawlers entertained the visitors at dinner at the Old Spot Hotel. On 14 December 1882 a meeting for the purpose of forming a Gawler Cricket and Football Association was held at the Institute Hall. His Worship the Mayor Mr. J. C. Wilkinson occupied
3381-427: A uniform code known as "Victorian rules". In 1866, the "first distinctively Victorian rule", the running bounce , was formalised at a meeting of club delegates chaired by H. C. A. Harrison , an influential pioneer who took up football in 1859 at the invitation of Wills, his cousin. The game around this time was defensive and low-scoring, played low to the ground in congested rugby-style scrimmages. The typical match
3528-552: A uniform set of rules and establish a governing body. The South Australian Football Association was formed at a meeting called at the Prince Alfred Hotel in King William Street, Adelaide on 30 April 1877, and adopted rules similar to those used in Victoria upon the urging of Charles Cameron Kingston . The use of an oval ball, bouncing the ball and pushing from behind forbidden amongst the rules agreed at
3675-820: A well contested game with the final scores Albion winning 3 goals 16 behinds to Ports 2 goals 13 behinds. Bischoff scoring all 3 goals for the Albions. The effort to resuscitate the town club at Gawler has proved successful, and on Wednesday evening, May 31, 1882 a meeting was held at the Gawler Institute, when the following officers were appointed :—Patron, His Worship the Mayor (Mr. H. Dean); President, Councillor Burton; Vice-Presidents, Messrs. J. Martin, J.P., F.D. Hodge, J.P., J. F. Martin, D. W. Duffield,J.P., E. S. Burkitt, A. H. Mumme. W. F.Wincey, J.P., E. Clement, and Councillor Callaghan ; Captain, J. Tardif. It
3822-544: Is also responsible for the management of all levels of football in the state. This includes junior football, country football, amateur football and specific programs rolled out across schools, indigenous communities (including the APY Lands in the state's north) and newly arrived migrant communities. The SANFL owned Football Park , formerly the largest stadium in South Australia. The stadium, which opened in 1974,
3969-405: Is analogous to a basketball center and as such rucks are typically the tallest player on the team. Lifting teammates is not allowed so the ruck may only jump to reach the ball. If the ruck does not take possession of the football, it must must be tapped or fisted, which is known as a hit-out. An effective hit-out that passes the ball to a teammate is known as a hit-out to advantage. In the event
4116-460: Is known as the Goal Line. Around the perimeter of the field, two white lines are drawn between the set of behind posts in an arc-shape, marking the field of play. Other field markings include: The 50m arcs, centre square, centre circle and goal square are used at the beginning of each quarter or after each goal. With each team permitted a maximum of six players in each 50m arc, with one in
4263-470: Is no set uniform, the basic equipment for Australian football consists of a guernsey, shorts, socks and boots, with additional pieces of apparel such as headbands and gloves additionally being permitted. Players may wear certain pieces of protective equipment, such as helmets or arm guards, if approved by the relevant controlling body. Mouthguards are strongly recommended for all players. Players are not permitted to wear jewellery, or other materials which
4410-493: Is officiated by at least five match officials, known as an umpire . These match officials are placed into three categories based upon their roles and responsibilities, with varying minimum numbers of Umpires required depending on position: At AFL level, a video score review system is utilised. Only umpires are permitted to request a review, and only scoring shots and potential scoring shots are permitted to be reviewed. An Australian rules football may only be propelled forward in
4557-482: Is paid. Players can tackle using their hands or use their whole body to obstruct opponents. Dangerous physical contact (such as pushing an opponent in the back ), interference when marking, and deliberately slowing the play are discouraged with free kicks, distance penalties , or suspension for a certain number of matches depending on the severity of the infringement. The game features frequent physical contests, spectacular marking , fast movement of both players and
South Australian National Football League - Misplaced Pages Continue
4704-689: Is the 7th-oldest club football league in the world . Consisting of a single-division competition since the admission of the Adelaide Crows reserves in 2014, the season has since been a 10-team, 18-round home-and-away (regular) season from April to September. The top five teams play off in a final series culminating in the grand final for the Thomas Seymour Hill Premiership Trophy. The grand final had traditionally been held at Football Park in October, generally
4851-783: Is used. The ball must be inflated to a pressure of 69 kilopascals (10.0 pounds per square inch). There are no defined laws regarding what material a ball must be made from, but standard AFL match-used balls are produced by Sherrin using cowhide leather. While there is no standard colour of the ball, red and yellow are most common and the only colours used at AFL level. Yellow is used for games beginning after 3 pm or in an enclosed stadium, due to its greater visibility, and to assist score reviews. Unlike other forms of football which are played on rectangular fields, Australian rules football playing fields are oval-shaped, and are between 135 and 185 metres (148 and 202 yd) long and 110 and 155 metres (120 and 170 yd) wide. At either end of
4998-473: The 1890 SAFA season the Gawler Association was unhappy with the SAFA programme having only been given five home games for the senior club in Gawler, they subsequently forfeited a number of games including two at Alberton against Port Adelaide, and finished bottom of the ladder with no wins and just two draws. In April 1891, the Gawler Association informed the SAFA that they would not participate in
5145-561: The Australian Football League (AFL), the sport's only fully professional competition, is the nation's wealthiest sporting body. The AFL Grand Final , held annually at the Melbourne Cricket Ground , is the second-highest-attended club championship event in the world . The sport is also played at amateur level in many countries and in several variations . Its rules are governed by the AFL Commission with
5292-510: The Magarey Medal was awarded to the fairest and most brilliant player for the first time. In 1899, after a period of declining public interest in football due to the long term inequality between the three traditional clubs ( Port Adelaide , South Adelaide and Norwood) and the three younger clubs (West Adelaide, West Torrens and North Adelaide), the SAFA introduced electorate football , meaning that players were allocated to clubs based on
5439-413: The SAFA 1888 Season - - Won 2 Lost 10. Scoring 20 Goals. It was reported that the Gawler ground, was rather rough, and some of the visiting teams were loud in their objections to the telegraph posts in the centre and the bicycle track around the playing area. The post was removed during the season, and by 1889 the bicycle track will be altered. Then the Gawlers will have a nice little ground. A summary of
5586-635: The South Australian Football Association (now SANFL). At a meeting held at the Gawler Institute on 2 April 1887 of over 100 footballers from the Gawler Albion and Gawler Football Clubs it was resolved that the two clubs would amalgamate and make an application to join the Adelaide Association. Following some discussion it was agreed the team would be called Gawler Albion. It was also resolved that
5733-641: The Victorian Football League since 2020. The league owned the sub-licences for South Australia's two AFL clubs— Adelaide Football Club and Port Adelaide Football Club —until March 2014, when South Australian Football Commission reached an agreement with the Adelaide and Port Adelaide clubs—endorsed by the AFL—which will see the two AFL licences transferred to the clubs in return for payments totalling more than $ 18 million. The league
5880-407: The field umpire has deemed to be either potentially dangerous or increase the risk of injury to other players. Australian rules football is played with an ellipsoid ball, between 72 and 73 cm (28 and 29 in) in long circumference, and 54.5 and 55.5 cm (21.5 and 21.9 in) in short circumference. For women's competitions, a smaller ball size of 69 and 53 cm (27 and 21 in)
6027-650: The 1889 Season - 11 games played - Won 4 Lost 7. Scoring 21 Goals. Goalkickers:— Thompson 6, Holbrook 5, Penny 3, C. Bischoff 1, H.Bischoff 1, Cheek 1, Miller 1, Allen 1, Darling 1, Harker 1. At a meeting in March 1890, Mr. A. Ross was appointed Secretary and was instructed to write to the S.A.Football Association, signifying their intention to still continue in the Senior Association. Gawler played its last SAFA game on 6 September 1890 at Gawler Oval in Round 17 of
South Australian National Football League - Misplaced Pages Continue
6174-479: The 1890 SAFA Season against Medindie (later renamed North Adelaide in 1893) which was abandoned at half-time due to torrential rain in the second quarter and officially ended in a "draw" 0.3 to 0.1 (as only goals counted) when the Medindies refused to take to the ground after half-time due to the condition of the oval. Despite protests from Gawler the 1890 Programme gave them only five home games (one each against
6321-612: The 2010s, the AFL signalled further attempts at expanding into markets outside Australian football's traditional heartlands by hosting home-and-away matches in New Zealand, followed by China. After several failed bids since the early 1990s for a Tasmania-based AFL team, the Tasmania Football Club secured the 19th AFL license in 2023, and is set to compete by 2028. In a standard match, a team may consist of anywhere between 14 and 18 players who may be permitted on
6468-632: The 3 country clubs – Gawler, Kapunda and Willunga was played on the Adelaide Ground. With the Adelaide team winning 5 goals to 1. In 1880 it was proposed to create a Junior Football Association, similar to the Cricket Association, from Clubs such as the North Parks, St. Peter's College, Prince Alfred College, Royal Parks, West Torrens, Woodville, South Suburban, Hotham, and Middlesex. In 1881 - Adelaide and Kensington merged at
6615-464: The AFL). The player who was awarded the mark may then choose to either dispose of the ball over "the mark" or may choose to attempt disposal via a different method, in which case the field umpire will call "play on"—a verbal instruction to continue play. "Play on" may also be called if the umpire deems the player awarded the mark to be taking an unreasonable amount of time to dispose of the football. Once
6762-472: The AFLW using 17 minutes per quarter. For any given match, two timekeepers are appointed to officiate the duration. The timekeepers record all relevant statistics for the match, such as total quarter duration and score by each team. Additionally timekeepers are required to sound a siren prior to and at the conclusion of each quarter until such time they are acknowledged by the field umpires. To stop and recommence
6909-641: The ANFC, and later the Australian Football Championships (AFC) ran a night series , which invited clubs and representative sides from around the country to participate in a knock-out tournament parallel to the premiership seasons, which Victorian sides still dominated. With the lack of international competition, state representative matches were regarded with great importance. Due in part to the VFL poaching talent from other states, Victoria dominated interstate matches for three-quarters of
7056-672: The Australian colonies in the first half of the 19th century. Compared to cricket and horse racing , football was considered a mere "amusement" by colonists at the time, and while little is known about these early one-off games, evidence does not support a causal link with Australian football. In Melbourne , in 1858, in a move that would help to shape Australian football in its formative years, private schools (then termed " public schools " in accordance with nomenclature in England) began organising football games inspired by precedents at English public schools . The earliest match, held on 15 June,
7203-539: The British Isles, "others by no rules at all". Another milestone in 1858 was a 40-a-side match played under experimental rules between Melbourne Grammar and Scotch College , held at the Richmond Paddock. Umpired by Wills and teacher John Macadam , it began on 7 August and continued over two subsequent Saturdays, ending in a draw with each side kicking one goal. It is commemorated with a statue outside
7350-479: The Club colours would be orange and black stripes. The club was admitted at SAFA General Meeting and confirmation was received at a Gawler Albion Meeting and the following officers were elected : The Gawler "Albion" Club played its first SAFA match against the Port Adelaide Football Club at Alberton Oval in Round 1 of the 1887 Season losing 0.1 to Port Adelaide 12.28 and finished
7497-471: The Clubs in and around Adelaide to appoint delegates to consider the question of adopting a uniform code of rules. Nothing, however, had followed the issuing of the circular, and the meeting that evening was called in consequence. He was extremely pleased to see so large an attendance, as it augured well for a revival of the manly game, which, owing to what he considered a foolish modification of what were known as
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#17327729572557644-716: The Electoral of East Adelaide and delegates from the Port Natives Football Club stated they would rename and take the West Torrens District. 1897 again saw a number of changes, District football based on the State Electoral Districts was introduced optionally with the aim of zoning players to a SAFA club (and became compulsory in 1899) and was the first season of football in South Australia where behinds contributed to
7791-554: The Exhibition Grounds against the visiting Victorian Hothams (renamed North Melbourne Football Club in 1887) which arrived by the first train of the day on Tuesday 5 May 1885. Gawler hosted the visitors for lunch at the Old Spot and the game commenced shortly before 3 pm with the Albions losing 1 goal 5 behinds to Hothams 4 goals 12 behinds before a crowd of approx 350. For the local team Fitzgerald kicked off after losing
7938-574: The Gawler Albions and the colors blue jersey white knickerbockers, red caps and hose. A challenge from the South Suburban Football Club, (Adelaide) was read and accepted for June 21, 1880. The Albions being successful with one goal to nil. In July 1880, Gawler Albions also played against Salisbury Football Club (which was their first reported match) – These two Clubs played their return match on Saturday, July 26, on
8085-476: The Gawler Association again was affiliated with the SAFA. Subsequently, it tried to rejoin the competition a number of times but was rejected. In 1913, it was admitted but withdrew before the season started. On 14 March 1893, at a meeting held at Temperance Hall, North Adelaide Medindie renamed itself to North Adelaide Football Club . In March 1894, Adelaide withdrew from the Association in writing before
8232-552: The Gawler Club. With Adelaide winning by 3 goals to nil. Captains, Messrs. Sparks (Adelaide) and Sandland (Gawler). On Saturday 17 July 1869 a match was played between the members of the Gawler Football Club, who mustered to the number of about 18. The sides were distinguished by the colors pink and blue, Mr. T. R. Bright being elected Captain of the pinks, and Mr. Sandland captain of the blues. The pinks kicked
8379-518: The Gawler Recreation ground. Captains - Gawler - Fitzgerald, Salisbury - O'Leary . Final Score - Gawler 9 behinds, Salisbury 1 behind. Albion played five games (winning four) during 1881. President Mr H.E. Bright jr and Captain J. Fitzgerald. Club colours worn - red stockings and cap, blue guernsey, and black Knickerbockers. The Gawler Albion Football Club held their first meeting for the 1885 season on Wednesday evening 15 April 1885 at
8526-527: The Irish game evolved in a similar direction. Another theory, first proposed in 1983, posits that Wills, having grown up among Aboriginals in Victoria, may have seen or played the Aboriginal ball game of Marn Grook , and incorporated some of its features into early Australian football. There is only circumstantial evidence that he knew of the game, and according to biographer Greg de Moore's research, Wills
8673-752: The MCG at the Parade Hotel, owned by Bryant, and drafted ten rules: "The Rules of the Melbourne Football Club" . These are the laws from which Australian football evolved. The club aimed to create a simple code suited to the hard playing surfaces around Melbourne, and to eliminate the roughest aspects of English school games—such as "hacking" (shin-kicking) in Rugby School football—to reduce the risk of injuries to working men. In another significant departure from English public school football,
8820-503: The MCG, and the two schools have since competed annually in the Cordner–Eggleston Cup , the world's oldest continuous football competition . Since the 1920s, it has been suggested that Australian football may have been derived from the Irish sport of Gaelic football . However, there is no archival evidence in favour of a Gaelic influence, and the style of play shared between the two modern codes appeared in Australia long before
8967-576: The Melbourne rules omitted any offside law . "The new code was as much a reaction against the school games as influenced by them", writes Mark Pennings. The rules were distributed throughout the colony; Thompson in particular did much to promote the new code in his capacity as a journalist. Following Melbourne's lead, Geelong and Melbourne University also formed football clubs in 1859. While many early Victorian teams participated in one-off matches, most had not yet formed clubs for regular competition. A South Yarra club devised its own rules. To ensure
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#17327729572559114-662: The Old Adelaide Club, Port Suburban (founded in 1868 and renamed Woodville in 1870), Port Adelaide and Young Australians both formed in 1870 and Kensington were the principal clubs that were organising interclub matches. Country clubs had also been established at Gawler , Kapunda and Willunga and the City clubs would sometimes be hosted by these clubs principally on Public Holidays. The early years of interclub football began to be dogged by arguments over which set of rules to adopt. A meeting of three delegates from each of
9261-409: The SANFL's Port Adelaide (1997), the only pre-existing club outside Victoria to join the league. In 2011 and 2012, respectively, two new non-Victorian clubs were added to the competition: Gold Coast and Greater Western Sydney . The AFL, currently with 18 member clubs, is the sport's elite competition and most powerful body. Following the emergence of the AFL, state leagues were quickly relegated to
9408-641: The Trades Exchange with all the clubs present the United Football Association renamed itself to South Australian Football Association. Gawler after its 4th season notified the Association in writing in April 1891 that it would no longer be joining (principally due to being given only 5 home games at Gawler and 10 away games in Adelaide for the 1890 season). In 1889 it had created its own Junior League consisting of 3 clubs. In May 1892,
9555-500: The advice of the AFL's Laws of the Game Committee. Australian rules football is known by several nicknames, including Aussie rules, football and footy. In some regions, where other codes of football are more popular, the sport is most often called AFL after the Australian Football League , while the league itself also uses this name for local competitions in some areas. Primitive forms of football were played sporadically in
9702-429: The annual game between Essendon and Collingwood on Anzac Day, is one example of how the war continues to be remembered in the football community. The role of the Australian National Football Council (ANFC) was primarily to govern the game at a national level and to facilitate interstate representative and club competition. In 1968, the ANFC revived the Championship of Australia , a competition first held in 1888 between
9849-409: The association changed its name to the South Australian Football League. In 1910 Adelaide University made an application to enter the competition as the 8th team. This led to players such as Jack Londrigan leaving league clubs such as Sturt in anticipation for a university league team. However the application was ultimately rejected by the competition out of fear a university side would compromise
9996-414: The ball must intermittently bounce or touch it on the ground . Throwing the ball is not allowed, and players must not get caught holding the ball . A distinctive feature of the game is the mark , where players anywhere on the field who catch the ball from a kick (with specific conditions) are awarded unimpeded possession . Possession of the ball is in dispute at all times except when a free kick or mark
10143-472: The ball, and high scoring. The sport's origins can be traced to football matches played in Melbourne , Victoria , in 1858, inspired by English public school football games . Seeking to develop a game more suited to adults and Australian conditions, the Melbourne Football Club published the first laws of Australian football in May 1859. Australian football has the highest spectator attendance and television viewership of all sports in Australia, while
10290-412: The case at no distant date. (Applause.) Mr. A. Crooks having seconded the motion, the Melbourne Football Rules were considered seriatim and adopted In their entirety, with the exception of Rules 6, 7, and 8. which were amended in a manner to assimilate somewhat to the old Adelaide rules. An addition to Rule 6 provided that no player having claimed his mark should run with the ball. Rule 7 was struck out, and
10437-442: The case of Sydney , denial of access to grounds, the influence of university headmasters from Britain who favoured rugby, and the loss of players to other codes inhibited the game's growth. In 1896, delegates from six of the wealthiest VFA clubs— Carlton , Essendon , Fitzroy , Geelong, Melbourne and South Melbourne —met to discuss the formation of a breakaway professional competition. Later joined by Collingwood and St Kilda ,
10584-414: The central goal posts (worth six points), or between a central and outer post (worth one point, otherwise known as a "behind"). During general play, players may position themselves anywhere on the field and use any part of their bodies to move the ball. The primary methods are kicking , handballing and running with the ball. There are rules on how the ball can be handled; for example, players running with
10731-602: The chair, and there were twenty-two persons present. It was resolved that a Cricket and Football Association be formed, and that a committee be formed of two members from each club represented at the meeting, for the purpose of drawing up rules to lay before a future meeting. The following were appointed the committee pro tem : Messrs. R. K. Thomson and W. Tribe, Gawler Cricket Club H. Coombe and W. Ross, Union Cricket Club J. Fitzgerald and E. R. Harry, Gawler Albion Football Club A. Tardif and J. Thomson, Gawler Football Club Secretary pro tem, Mr. E. W. Minchin. It
10878-435: The clock, the field umpires are required to signal to the timekeepers to indicate when the clock should be stopped or restarted. Between each quarter, a break is observed to allow players a rest period. Two six-minute breaks are observed between the first and second quarters, and the third and fourth quarters. A longer 20-minute break is observed between the second and third quarter, commonly known as half-time . Each game
11025-426: The clubs formed the Victorian Football League (VFL), which held its inaugural season in 1897 . The VFL's popularity grew rapidly as it made several innovations, such as instituting a finals system, reducing teams from 20 to 18 players, and introducing the behind as a score. Richmond and University joined the VFL in 1908, and by 1925, with the addition of Hawthorn , Footscray and North Melbourne , it had become
11172-490: The code took hold during a series of gold rushes . Likewise, when New Zealand experienced a gold rush , the sport arrived with a rapid influx of Australian miners. Now known as Australian rules or Australasian rules, the sport became the first football code to develop mass spectator appeal, attracting world record attendances for sports viewing and gaining a reputation as "the people's game". Australian rules football reached Queensland and New South Wales as early as 1866;
11319-621: The competition by the start of the 1885 Season. Only Port Adelaide and South Adelaide hadn't folded or resigned. In 1885, a new Adelaide Club joined the senior competition and won the Premiership the following season. The club was formed from a merger of North Adelaide Juniors (which had renamed to Adelaide in 1884) and North Parks. Upon merger and admission the Club took up the Old Adelaide colours of Black and Red. In 1887 another three Clubs were admitted Hotham and West Adelaide and
11466-413: The district in which they resided. and the playing teams were reduced from 20 to 18. At a meeting held on Monday 8 May 1899 with a large number of delegates present the Secretary was instructed to write to the Gawler and Port Pirie Associations to inform them that their applications to join the SAFA would not be entertained this year as purely electorate football was being tried. In mid to late 1900 there
11613-438: The dominance it had between 1892 and 1900 (six flags and runner up three times) and was replaced by Norwood and Port Adelaide, who were joined by West Adelaide and North Adelaide; between them, the four clubs won all premierships between 1901 and 1913. West Adelaide followed three straight wooden spoons from 1904 to 1906 with four out of the five premierships from 1908 to 1912 (including Championship of Australia in 1908 and 1913),
11760-422: The electorate system, also referred to as zones, introduced to equalise the state competition. Australian rules football Australian rules football , also called Australian football or Aussie rules , or more simply football or footy , is a contact sport played between two teams of 18 players on an oval field , often a modified cricket ground . Points are scored by kicking the oval ball between
11907-409: The field of play, it is deemed as a mark . To be awarded a mark, it must be deemed that the player sufficiently controlled the ball and took possession prior to it being touched, touching the ground, or in the case of a contest, being spoiled by an opponent. Upon a mark being taken, one opposition player may choose to stand on the point on the field where the mark was taken, known as "the mark". When
12054-413: The field, two sets of posts are erected in a straight line to indicate the scoring areas on the field, each with two kinds of posts, named the goal posts and the behind posts respectively. The goal posts are placed first, located 6.4 metres (7.0 yd) apart from each other, with a behind post being placed a further 6.4 metres to the side of each goal post. The name for the field line between two goal posts
12201-492: The first goal and afterwards two goals were kicked by the blues. The game was kept up with great spirit till about dusk. In addition to Football the club was also involved with Athletics. On Saturday 28 August 1869, it was reported that a football match would be played in the afternoon between 15 members of the Kapunda Football Club (wearing blue), and 15 of the Gawler Club (wearing pink). The following were
12348-627: The first match in Darwin . The game went on to become the most popular sport in the Territory and build the highest participation rate for the sport nationally. Both World War I and World War II had a devastating effect on Australian football and on Australian sport in general. While scratch matches were played by Australian " diggers " in remote locations around the world, the game lost many of its great players to wartime service. Some clubs and competitions never fully recovered. Between 1914 and 1915,
12495-426: The following substituted:— " The ball may be taken in hand at any time, but the player shall be liable to be held or thrown until he drops it." An addition to Rule 8 provided that pushing from behind should only be allowable when the player was running. The chief alterations in the game as hitherto played in Adelaide are the dispensing with the cross bar and top rope in favour of two upright posts of unlimited height, and
12642-536: The formation of the Adelaide Football Club , the oldest football club in Australia outside Victoria. It devised its own rules, and, along with other Adelaide -based clubs, played a variety of codes until 1876, when they uniformly adopted most of the Victorian rules, with South Australian football pioneer Charles Kingston noting their similarity to "the old Adelaide rules". Similarly, Tasmanian clubs quarrelled over different rules until they adopted
12789-435: The goal square and four players in the centre square with one in the centre circle. If this is breached, a free kick is awarded. A game lasts for 80 minutes, split into four-quarters consisting of 20 minutes playing time, with the clock being stopped for stoppages in play such as scores, or at the umpire 's discretion, e.g. for serious injury. Leagues may choose to employ shorter quarters of play at their discretion, such as
12936-500: The institute, Mr. E. Harker in the chair. The following officers were elected : — Patron, His Worship the Mayor Mr. L. S. Burton ; President, Mr. James Martin, J.P. Vice-presidents, Messrs. J. F. Martin, L A. Plummer, Dr. Popham, J. C. Wilkinson, J.P., E. Gartrell, and J.Short; Captain, Mr. J, Fitzgerald; vice captain, Mr. .A. Harker; Secretary and Treasurer, Mr. Howard Wilkinson Gawler Albion hosted an intercolonial team on
13083-530: The interpretation of one of the rules. Following a successful trip to Kapunda in May 1877, the Old Adelaide Football Club played a game at Gawler on 20 June 1877. With a crowd of 400-500 spectators present the game ended in a draw - one goal each. The Gawler Captain was C. E Harris. Gawler's goal was scored by a young promising player - Fitzgerald. On May 27, 1878 - The Queen's Birthday was
13230-583: The introduction of the Electoral System. In 1896, North Adelaide and the Natives were permitted to field 23 players (3 extra players). At an Association committee meeting held on 10th August 1896, a proposal was tabled to introduce having no more than eight clubs in the association and that all clubs and any new players be zoned based on the state electoral districts . At an adjourned meeting on Monday 26 Oct 1896, South Adelaide agreed to be zoned to
13377-424: The knees (a low tackle or a trip ) or above the shoulders (a high tackle ), the team with possession of the football gets a free kick. Furthermore, tackles deemed to be dangerous by the umpire and those conducted from front-on while an opposition player has their head over the football are deemed to be prohibited contact, and will incur a free kick against the offending player. Additionally, players may perform
13524-450: The list of the Gawler players:— Sandland (Captain), Messrs. R. Semple, T. R. Bright, R. Lewis, Barber, Crispe, Crump, Ferguson, Fitzgerald, Fuller, Martin, Smith, Symonds, N. Woods, and C. Harris. On Saturday 20 August 1870, it was reported that a football match was played at Salisbury on a vacant piece of land opposite the Mill between 12 members of the Gawler Club and Woodville (who had
13671-522: The local Irish community in 1843 to celebrate St Patrick's Day. In 1844, there was debate amongst the South Australian Legislative Council whether it be allowed that "foot-ball" be played on Sundays, with arguments against preferring the quiet worship of God. In 1859, the Gawler Institute ran a rural fete which included a game of football being staged. The earliest recorded Australian rules football club in South Australia
13818-482: The meeting. The clubs that sent 2 delegates each to the meeting were: South Park, Willunga, Port Adelaide, Adelaide, North Adelaide, Prince Alfred College, Gawler, Kapunda, Bankers, Woodville, South Adelaide, Kensington, and Victorian. The inaugural 1877 SAFA season was contested by 8 clubs. A total of 4 games were also played by Adelaide and Woodville when they were hosted twice each by the country clubs Gawler and Kapunda on public holidays but these weren't counted in
13965-707: The most successful period in West Adelaide's history. The Constitution of the Association allowed up to eight teams based on the State's Electoral Districts and the competition expanded to seven teams when a new football club Sturt formed by the local cricket club joined the Association in 1901 to fill the zone based on the Electoral District of Sturt , but it performed poorly initially, finishing last in its first four seasons. In 1902, Port Adelaide adopted its now famous black and white colours. In 1907,
14112-568: The new national capital Canberra both soccer and rugby had a head start, but following the first matches in 1911, Australian rules football in the Australian Capital Territory became a major participation sport. By 1981 it had become much neglected and quickly lagged behind the other football codes. Australian rules football in the Northern Territory began shortly after the outbreak of the war in 1916 with
14259-418: The occasion. The Adelaide men returned to the city by the train leaving at 8.30pm. A meeting to form a junior football club was held at Mr. L. J. Wilson's office, kindly lent by him for the occasion, on 19th April 1880. The club opened with twenty members. W. F. Nott, Captain ; G. F. Barnet, Secretary and Treasurer. The Committee are - J. Horsfall, C. Nott, H. Wilkinson, R. Harry, and A. M. Roberts. It
14406-511: The old Adelaide rules, had sadly degenerated. The regulations generally known as the Kensington roles had during the last two seasons in which they had been adopted only provoked continual disputes when matches were engaged in. He was sure they all desired to see the game prosper in the colony, and that by a suitable code of rules encouragement should be given to the exhibition of skill, strength, and pluck, while all matches might be played under
14553-447: The only country team ever admitted Gawler Albion but all only lasted for a few seasons. West Adelaide folded after just one season (1887), their resignation was accepted at the Annual General Meeting held on 5th April 1888, as they were unable to get a team together. At the same meeting permission was given for Hotham to change their name to North Adelaide and for Gawler to remove the word Albion from their name. The 1888 SAFA season
14700-401: The other clubs) and two away games against each of the other clubs from Adelaide and Port Adelaide. They forfeited both of their games against Port Adelaide at Alberton and ended up collecting the wooden spoon. The end of year report stated they had a good deal to put up with in the way of a badly arranged programme, for they were brought down to town Saturday after Saturday, and sometimes to play
14847-461: The phasing out of many of the game's kicking styles and the increasing use of handball; while presentation was influenced by television. In 1982, in a move that heralded big changes within the sport, one of the original VFL clubs, South Melbourne, relocated to Sydney and became known as the Sydney Swans . In the late 1980s, due to the poor financial standing of many of the Victorian clubs, and
14994-407: The player has disposed of the ball, or "play on" is called, normal play resumes. Rucking is the only specialist skill and is performed by a ruck, the term for designated players from each side to which umpire sends the ball to commence play. Only a nominated ruck may contest ball-ups and throw-ins. They are the only player allowed within the 10 metre circle at a centre bounce. Functionally the role
15141-429: The player penalised for ' holding the ball ', except if the umpire deems there was a lack of prior opportunity to do so. The ball carrier may only be tackled between the shoulders and knees from the front or side. If the player forcefully contacts the opposing in the back while performing a tackle, the opposition player will be penalised for a push in the back . If the opposition tackles the player with possession below
15288-436: The playing surface at any given time. Each team may have up to four interchange (reserve) players who may be swapped for those on the field at any time during the game. Although some leagues in less populated areas may use as few as 12 players. In addition, some leagues notably including the AFL, have each team designate one additional player as a substitute who can be used to make a single permanent exchange of players during
15435-609: The preeminent league in the country and would take a leading role in many aspects of the sport. The time around the federation of the Australian colonies in 1901 saw Australian rules undergo a revival in New South Wales, New Zealand and Queensland. In 1903, both the Queensland Australian Football League and the NSW Australian Football Association were established, and in New Zealand, as it moved towards becoming
15582-530: The premiers of the VFA and SAFA. Although clubs from other states were at times invited, the final was almost always between the premiers from the two strongest state competitions of the time—South Australia and Victoria—with Adelaide hosting most of the matches at the request of the SAFA/SANFL. The last match took place in 1976, with North Adelaide being the last non-Victorian winner in 1972. Between 1976 and 1987,
15729-403: The premiership table at the end of the season. South Adelaide and Victorian were declared joint Club Champions. In 1878, a brand new club Norwood was formed following the entire collapse of Woodville by a number of former players and it joined the Association for the season. An end of season match on 31 August between a combined Adelaide Team from the Association against a combined team from
15876-484: The question of a uniform code of rules to be adopted by the various Clubs. There were 56 persons present, including representatives from the Old Adelaide, South Adelaide, Woodville, and Victorian Clubs. Mr. T. Lotchford presided. Mr. C. C. Kingston, in explaining the object of the meeting, mentioned that a circular bad been issued about six weeks previously by the Kensington Football Club , calling upon
16023-442: The season commenced. This reduced the number of senior clubs to just 4 - Port Adelaide, South Adelaide, Norwood and North Adelaide (originally called Medindie). In March 1895, a new club called Natives applied to join as the 5th Senior Club. It was formed from players from various districts and a group of former Port Adelaide players from a junior club called Port Natives. "The Natives" was adopted so as to prevent any feeling that it
16170-481: The season with one win, one draw (both against West Adelaide - no relation to the current SANFL club) from the 11 games it contested. A summary of the SAFA 1887 Season - 11 games played - Won 1. Drawn 1, Lost 9. Scoring 14 Goals. Goalkickers:— H Bischof 3, Solomon 1, Lonsdale 1, W. Devine 3, Doherty 3, May 1, C. Bischof 1, O. Sanderson 1 At the Annual Meeting held at Gawler Institute on 20 March 1888 it
16317-492: The senior Association (SAFA) with the Junior Association (called the Adelaide and Suburban Association) was started with 5 delegates from each Association to confer as what steps can be taken but was in the end rejected by the SAFA. Of the original senior clubs – Bankers (1877), Woodville (1877), Adelaide and Kensington (1881 after merging), South Park (1884), Victorian (1884) - i.e. 6 of the original 8 had all left
16464-686: The senior ranks in 1964. At ODDFELLOWS' and FORESTERS' picnic on Easter Monday in April 1867, which was held in the grounds of the Hon. W. Duffield , situated to the west of the Township of Gawler, football was one of the several games provided that met with a fair amount of patronage. At a meeting of the Gawler Corporation held on Tuesday, June 30, 1868, a letter from Mr. J. C. Harris, Hon. Secretary Football Club, asked permission to erect two goals on Park Lands. On June 27 1868 an advertisement
16611-467: The sport across Australia, delegates representing the football associations of South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and Queensland met in 1883 and updated the code. New rules such as holding the ball led to a "golden era" of fast, long-kicking and high-marking football in the 1880s, a time which also saw players such as George Coulthard achieve superstardom, as well as the rise of professionalism , particularly in Victoria and Western Australia , where
16758-472: The sport experienced a period of dominance in the former, and in the latter, several regions remain strongholds of Australian rules, such as the Riverina . However, by the late 1880s, rugby football had become the dominant code in both colonies, as well as in New Zealand. This shift was largely due to rugby's spread with British migration, regional rivalries and the lack of strong local governing bodies. In
16905-414: The substantial TV revenues they generated by playing on a Sunday went to the VFL. To protect these revenues the VFL granted significant draft concessions and financial aid to keep the expansion clubs competitive. The VFL changed its name to the Australian Football League (AFL) for the 1990 season , and over the next decade, three non-Victorian clubs gained entry: Adelaide (1991), Fremantle (1995) and
17052-655: The substitution of an oval football for the round one. Messrs. C. C. Kingston, A. Crooks, J. A. Osborne, T.Letchford, and C. D. Perkins were appointed a Committee to confer with the Secretaries of other Clubs with a view to securing their concurrence in the action taken by the meeting. They were also empowered to consider the question of offering a Challenge Cup for next season. The meeting then closed. In 1877, following an initial meeting called by Richard Twopeny on Thursday 19 April 1877 at Prince Alfred Hotel delegates from 13 of South Australia's football clubs met to develop
17199-613: The supremacy of the Melbourne rules, the first-club level competition in Australia, the Caledonian Society's Challenge Cup (1861–64), stipulated that only the Melbourne rules were to be used. This law was reinforced by the Athletic Sports Committee (ASC), which ran a variation of the Challenge Cup in 1865–66. With input from other clubs, the rules underwent several minor revisions, establishing
17346-480: The team being named as Gawler for the zone covered by the Electoral District of Barossa but withdrew just before the 1913 season was due to commence. It would take another 46 years before a senior Club north of Gepps Cross would again be admitted to the SANFL. Central District Football Club was formed as a brand new Club in 1959 and admitted to the SANFL reserves (B Grade) for five years before joining
17493-611: The three clubs— Adelaide , Kensington and Port Adelaide —held a meeting on 10 March 1873, with Charles Kingston from Adelaide voted as chair in an attempted to draw up a standard code of playing rules. However, after a match between Port Adelaide and Kensington in July 1873, it was remarked that neither side understood the rules clearly. As the years progressed, there became a growing push for uniformity and structure in South Australian football. On Wednesday 22 March 1876,
17640-533: The toss, Bischof played grandly and Brown scored the only goal. For the first time in eight years Gawler's Albion Football Club played a game against Kapunda at the Dutton Oval, Kapunda on 24 May 1886. The game being declared a draw - Albions 10 behinds to Kapunda Uniteds 5 behinds. Albions best players - J. Fitzgerald (capt.), T. Cullen, W. Devine, W. Crace, and A. Ross. Gawler Albion hosted Port Adelaide Football Club at Gawler on Saturday 29 May 1886 in
17787-631: The total score, not just goals. (which brought it in to line with the VFA ). On 5 April 1897, The Association approved the application of the current West Adelaide Football Club to join the SAFA from the Suburban Association and The Native Football Club (1895–1896) altered its name to West Torrens Football Club ,. Despite the constitution allowing 8 clubs based on the Electoral Districts the Association comprised six clubs until
17934-475: The turn of the century. The three newer clubs (North, West Adelaide and West Torrens) continued to struggle against the older three clubs (Norwood, Port and South Adelaide). In the First Round both West Adelaide (vs Norwood) and West Torrens (vs Port Adelaide) failed to score for the whole game. There were also a number of walkovers throughout the season when the newer clubs failed to field a team. In 1898,
18081-580: The upcoming season. In 1898 the Gawler Football Association attempted to rejoin the SAFA senior competition in Adelaide but the application was rejected at a meeting held on Monday 8 May 1899 on the grounds that Electoral District football was being tried by the SAFA. On 2 Dec 1912, the South Australia Football League granted the Gawler Association admission to the senior competition in Adelaide with
18228-412: The usage of other means, such as punching. While in possession of the ball, players may run with the ball, but are required to either bounce or touch the ball on the ground at least once every 15 metres (16 yd). Tackling is a technique employed by players used to force opposition players to dispose of the ball when they are in possession. Failure to dispose of the ball when legally tackled may see
18375-558: The week after the AFL Grand Final , though this was altered ahead of the 2014 season , resulting in Adelaide Oval hosting the grand final in the penultimate weekend of September. The semi-professional league is considered the strongest competition after the fully professional Australian Football League (AFL) and the strongest state-based competition with its representative team has been undefeated in competition against
18522-468: Was Adelaide Football Club (unrelated to the modern day Adelaide Football Club ), formed in April 1860. An advertisement, sponsored by John Acraman , W.J. Fullarton and R. Cussen noted that group had already gathered 30 members. The club initially only played internal matches between players located North and South of the River Torrens. By 1871 a number of new clubs were formed. In addition to
18669-504: Was "almost solely influenced by his experience at Rugby School". A loosely organised Melbourne side, captained by Wills, played against other football enthusiasts in the winter and spring of 1858. The following year, on 14 May, the Melbourne Football Club was officially established, making it one of the world's oldest football clubs . Three days later, Wills, Hammersley, Thompson and teacher Thomas H. Smith met near
18816-556: Was a 20-per-side affair, played with a ball that was roughly spherical, and lasted until a team scored two goals. The shape of the playing field was not standardised; matches often took place in rough, tree-spotted public parks, most notably the Richmond Paddock ( Yarra Park ), known colloquially as the Melbourne Football Ground. Wills argued that the turf of cricket fields would benefit from being trampled upon by footballers in winter, and, as early as 1859, football
18963-410: Was agreed to strike out the word "Albion" from the Club name. It was also confirmed that the Gawler Football Club would remain associated with the SAFA. At a special Meeting held at Gawler Institute on 23 April 1888, with a large attendance present, it was resolved to protest against the upcoming season programme and of the Club being excluded from playing matches on the Adelaide Oval . A summary of
19110-485: Was allowed on the MCG. However, cricket authorities frequently prohibited football on their grounds until the 1870s, when they saw an opportunity to capitalise on the sport's growing popularity. Football gradually adapted to an oval-shaped field, and most grounds in Victoria expanded to accommodate the dual purpose—a situation that continues to this day. Football became organised in South Australia in 1860 with
19257-528: Was between Melbourne Grammar and St Kilda Grammar. On 10 July 1858, the Melbourne-based Bell's Life in Victoria and Sporting Chronicle published a letter by Tom Wills , captain of the Victoria cricket team , calling for the formation of a "foot-ball club" with a "code of laws" to keep cricketers fit during winter. Born in Australia, Wills played a nascent form of rugby football while
19404-435: Was coined by scholar Ian Turner in 1978 to describe the "fictitious geographical barrier" separating the rugby-following parts of New South Wales and Queensland from the rest of the country, where Australian football reigned. It became a reference point for the expansion of Australian football and for establishing a national league. The way the game was played had changed dramatically due to innovative coaching tactics, with
19551-509: Was confined to any given locality. Principally the members were drawn from the Port Natives, who were the premiers of the Adelaide and Suburban Association. After initially having their application refused. At a meeting on the 5th April 1895 the Natives then submitted a list of 50 players to show their strength. They were then admitted by 13 votes to 5 against. This new senior club would rename itself and be called West Torrens in 1897 with
19698-640: Was decided to call the club 'Junior Athenians.' A juvenile football club was formed in Gawler on Tuesday evening, 20th April 1880. A meeting was held in the local institute for the purpose of starting a club for the juniors, and judging from the good attendance and the enthusiasm of those present success is certain. The Gawler Havelock Football Club was the name decided on, and the following officers were appointed: — Captain, Mr. E. Bowne ; vice captain, Mr. J. Norman; secretary, Mr. E. R. Hartley; treasurer, Mr. A. Harber ; committee Messrs. R. Rudall, J. Morriss, F. Mankey, W. Draper; and H. Rowe. A meeting with
19845-570: Was decided to play the Old Adelaide Club on the 20th inst. Sixth Annual Game with Old Adelaide was played on the afternoon Tuesday 20th June with 500 to 600 spectators present at the Gawler Recreation Ground. Punctually at 3 o'clock His Worship the Mayor (Mr. H. Dean), patron of the Gawler Club, started the ball for the Adelaides, but before kicking off each team gave three, hearty cheers for His Worship. The game resulted in
19992-603: Was displayed in the game by the Gawler people, a large number of spectators assembling to watch its progress with the visitors winning 3 goals to 1. The play on both sides was good, the Adelaides excelling in marking and kicking, whilst several of the Gawler team excelled in their running powers. After the match both teams were present at a dinner given by the Gawler Football Club at the Old Spot Hotel, Murray Street , at which Mr. H. E. Bright, Mayor of Gawler , presided. Speeches were made and toasts and songs given suitable to
20139-508: Was founded in June 1868 based at Gawler in the Township of Gawler about 39 km to the north-north east of Adelaide , South Australia. In 1877 it was a foundation club of the South Australian Football Association (later renamed SANFL). By 1880 the township had three additional clubs - Gawler Albion and Athenians junior clubs and Havelock for juveniles which were all playing arranged matches against visiting teams from Adelaide. Following
20286-469: Was further resolved that all Cricket and Football Clubs within a radius of twelve miles of Gawler be written to asking them to join the Association. With the good results of the Albion Club and with the reduction of train fares for sporting teams traveling from Gawler approved (Double ticket would only be the cost of a single) further overtures locally continued regarding fielding a team from Gawler in
20433-593: Was growing interest to form a senior club in the Sturt Electoral District based around Unley to join the SAFA. In 1900, North Adelaide won the Grand Final against South Adelaide breaking the dominance of the 3 old traditional Clubs – Norwood (11), South Adelaide (8) and Port Adelaide (3) which together had won 22 of the first 23 premierships (1877–1899). With the introduction of Clubs being zoned to Electoral Districts South Adelaide lost
20580-424: Was held at the Prince Alfred Hotel on Monday evening, March 27. All the clubs - North Parks, North Adelaide Juniors, Kensington, Kent Town, Albion, Triton, and West Torrens were represented. Later some of these clubs would be admitted to the Senior Association - North Parks would merge with North Adelaide Juniors and join as Adelaide in 1885 and West Torrens as West Adelaide in 1887. In May 1884 - A proposal to merge
20727-400: Was no quarrels during the game and at the end each side cheered the other. In Aug 1874 on Prince Albert's Birthday Public a match was played at Gawler Park Lands between the local Football Club and Port Adelaide Football Club that went on for two hours and was played in great spirits. Robinson from Gawler scored the only goal. A second goal scored by Dawkins from Gawler was disputed owing to
20874-537: Was placed in the Bunyip Newspaper - Gawler Football Club Any person desirous of joining the above Club can do so by attending the next meeting, which will take place at the Commercial Hotel, on Wednesday evening, July 1st at 8 o'clock precisely, J. CHAS. HARRIS, Hon. Sec. On Saturday 29 May 1869 on Park Lands at Gawler between 15 members of the Old Adelaide Football Club and a like number of
21021-475: Was primarily used for Australian Football League matches up until 2013 and had a capacity of over 51,000 prior to being demolished. The stadium was the headquarters for the league from 1974 to 2013. The SANFL competition is the second highest attended Australian rules football league behind the AFL. The first recorded game of any "football" in South Australia was that of 'Caid' played in Thebarton by people of
21168-532: Was remarked that scarcely a game was played last season without some misunderstanding arising, some playing by the Old Adelaide Club , and others the Kensington Club rules. After a lengthy discussion the meeting adjourned to receive a report from the Secretary and Committee. A meeting of those interested in football was held at the Prince Alfred Hotel on Thursday evening, July 20, to consider
21315-562: Was splendid. The treat of seeing football well played — not a mere rough and tumble game, but good skillful play. They were entertained by the Gawlers at Thomson's Commercial Hotel and having thoroughly enjoyed the outing, returned to town by the 8 o'clock train. At a meeting held at the institute on 20 April 1880 with a good attendance of members present it was decided that the club colours would be black and blue stripes. In 1880, Gawler and Adelaide football clubs played their fourth annual match at Gawler , on Monday, June 21. Great interest
21462-413: Was started under a cloud, as a dispute arose when the old senior clubs Adelaide, Port Adelaide and South Adelaide all withdrew and resigned from the SAFA and created their own Association and had invited a junior club Medindie to join them. The split meant Norwood was the only senior club left in the original SAFA along with the two new clubs which had just joined the year before Gawler and Hotham. The result
21609-444: Was the old South Australian Football Association being wound up and a new one formed termed 'The South Australian United Football Association' . The three remaining SAFA clubs Norwood, Gawler and Hotham (North Adelaide) then had to applied to join this new Association which had a number of new rules. In 1888, a junior club Medindie (which would rename itself North Adelaide Football Club in 1893) joined this new Association to maintain
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