The River Murray Football League is an Australian rules football competition based in the Murray Bridge region of South Australia, Australia. It is an affiliated member of the South Australian National Football League.
History The competition was founded in 1931 with the foundation clubs Imperials, Ramblers and Mypolonga.
Traditionally the 2 Murray Bridge clubs, Imperials and Ramblers, have had a fierce rivalry, and both have had their fair share of success over the years. Tailem Bend and Jervois, who are both based in smaller townships, are proud clubs with fine traditions and premiership success to go with it. Mannum and Mypolonga both broke premiership droughts in recent decades, however both clubs have struggled in the last 15 years to convert multiple grand final appearances into premierships. Meningie broke through for their first premiership in the RMFL in 2001, however their form since has fluctuated dependent on their ability to recruit players from the Adelaide region.
In 2007 the Jervois Football Club won their fourth consecutive League Premiership when they defeated the Imperial Football Club for the second consecutive year. 2004 to 2007 was a golden era for the Jervois Football Club, but they were unable to win 5 in a row in 2008, with the Rambler Football Club winning their first premiership since 1987 after defeating Mypolonga.
Ramblers won their 2nd premiership in 3 years in 2010 with victory over Mannum.
In the clash of the Murray Bridge clubs in 2011, Imperials defeated reigning premiers Ramblers in the Grand Final at Meningie Oval. Mail Medalist Tyson Wait led the Blues to victory with a dominant performance in defence.
Very little separated the top 5 clubs in season 2012. In the Grand Final at Johnston Park, the fast finishing Ramblers side defied the odds to claim a 5-point victory in a high-scoring game against Minor premiers Mypolonga.
The Mannum Football Club broke the recent stranglehold of the 2 Murray Bridge clubs, in 2013, with victory over Imperials in the Grand Final. With retired SANFL stars Jeremy Clayton and Jade Sheedy featuring prominently, the Roos stormed home in the last quarter to collect their first flag since 2003.
A merger was announced between Meningie and Border Downs-Tintinara of the Mallee Football League at the end of the 2022 season, with the two clubs forming the Coorong Cats. Two other merged entities, Mallee Districts and the Southern Mallee Suns would also join the league following the demise of the Mallee Football League.
Clubs Locations
Current ClubJumperNicknameHome GroundFormer LeagueEst.Years in RMFLRMFL Senior Premierships Total Years Coorong CatsMeningie Oval, Meningie; Coonalpyn Oval, Coonalpyn and Tintinara Oval, Tintinara–2022 2023– 2 2024, 2025Imperial BluesJohnstone Park, Murray Bridge–1931 1931– 22 1931, 1946, 1948, 1952, 1953, 1957, 1958, 1967, 1969, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1983, 1988, 1993, 1998, 1999, 2002, 2009, 2011, 2018, 2022 Jervois BludsJervois Oval, JervoisMDFA1926 1932–1937, 1946– 21 1932, 1934, 1935, 1936, 1937, 1959, 1961, 1963, 1964, 1966, 1968, 1984, 1986, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2020, 2021, 2023, 2026 Mallee Districts StormPeake Oval, Peake and Karoonda Oval, Karoonda–2022 2023– 0 - Mannum RoosMannum Oval, Port MannumMRFA, TVFA1927 1933–36, 1939–57, 1964– 7 1944, 1949, 1955, 1956, 2003, 2013, 2015 Mypolonga TigersMypolonga Memorial Oval, MypolongaMRFA1928 8 1938, 1939, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1994, 2017, 2019Rambler RoostersLeMessurier Oval, Murray Bridge–1931 1931– 15 1933, 1950, 1951, 1971, 1975, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1985, 1987, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2016 Southern Mallee SunsLameroo Sport Grounds, Lameroo and Pinnaroo Oval, Pinnaroo–2022 2023– 0 - Tailem Bend EaglesJaensch Park, Tailem Bend–1946 1946– 14 1947, 1954, 1960, 1962, 1965, 1970, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1992, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2000
Former ClubJumperNicknameHome GroundFormer LeagueEst.Years in RMFLRMFL Senior PremiershipsFate Total Years Border Downs MagpiesCoonalpyn Oval, Coonalpyn and Yumali Oval, Yumali–1955 1955–1991 0 -Merged with Tintinara in 1992 to form Border Downs-Tintinara Border Downs-Tintinara CrowsCoonalpyn Oval, Coonalpyn and Tintinara Oval, Tintinara–1992 1993–2001 0 -Moved to Mallee FL in 2002BremerCallington Oval, Callington–19310 -Moved to Hills Central FA in 1958CallingtonCallington Oval, Callington19040 -Moved to Hills Central FA in 1946 MonteithMonteith Oval, MonteithMDFA1914 0 -Folded after 1951 seasonMurray BridgeMurray Bridge Showgrounds, Murray Bridge–19441944–19450 -Split back into Imperials and Rambler after WWIIMurray Bridge Redlegs RedlegsMurray Bridge Showgrounds, Murray Bridge–1983 1983–2005 0 -Folded halfway through 2005 season Nairne Bremer RamsNairne Oval, NairneHFL1978 1992–1997 0 -Returned to Hills FL in 1998 Meningie (1955-95)(1996-2022)Meningie Oval, MeningieLDFA1898 1955–2022 2 2001, 2014Merged with Border Downs-Tintinara in 2023 to form Coorong CatsPalmerEaglesCollier Park, PalmerMRFA18910 -Moved to Torrens Valley FA in 1958Tailem Bend WarriorsWarriorsMDFA19341941–19450 -Folded in 1946
Inter-league From 1958 to 1969 and from 1972 to 1999, the River Murray FL participated in the Lovelock Shield against the Great Southern Football League, Southern Football League and Hills Football League.
League premiers 2026 Jervois 10.12 (72) defeated Mannum 8.8 (56) 2025 Coorong Cats 7.14 (56) defeated Jervois 7.8 (50) 2024 Coorong Cats 19.9 (123) defeated Mypolonga 5.3 (33) 2023 Jervois 10.13 (73) defeated Mypolonga 8.16 (64) 2022 Imperials 14.18 (77) defeated Jervois 7.7 (49) 2021 Jervois 14.5 (89) defeated Imperials 5.8 (38) 2020 Jervois 11.14 (80) defeated Imperials 9.8 (62) 2019 Mypolonga 12.7 (79) defeated Ramblers 7.11 (53) 2018 Imperials 9.6 (60) defeated Mannum 8.10 (58) 2017 Mypolonga 13.7 (85) defeated Meningie 3.9 (27) 2016 Ramblers 20.7 (127) defeated Mannum 11.12 (78) 2015 Mannum 19.5 (119) defeated Imperials 11.5 (71) 2014 Meningie 15.17 (107) defeated Ramblers 7.7 (49) 2013 Mannum 13.15 (93) defeated Imperials 10.9 (69) 2012 Ramblers 21.15 (141) defeated Mypolonga 21.10 (136) 2011 Imperials 16.15 (111) defeated Ramblers 9.9 (63) 2010 Ramblers 13.10 (88) defeated Mannum 9.16 (70) 2009 Imperials 22.15 (147) defeated Mannum 12.8 (80) 2008 Ramblers 15.15 (105) defeated Mypolonga 10.9 (69) 2007 Jervois 11.8 (74) defeated Imperials 10.10 (70) 2006 Jervois 19.10 (124) defeated Imperials 16.10 (106) 2005 Jervois 26.17 (173) defeated Tailem Bend 5.8 (38) 2004 Jervois 10.12 (72) defeated Imperials 8.7 (55) 2003 Mannum 8.8 (56) defeated Imperials 5.9 (39) 2002 Imperials 15.6 (96) defeated Meningie 12.10 (82) 2001 Meningie 14.12 (96) defeated Imperials 9.3 (57) 2000 Tailem Bend 15.10 (100) defeated Imperials 9.3 (57) 1999 Imperials 18.10 (118) defeated Mannum 10.6 (66) 1998 Imperials 12.12 (84) defeated Mannum 4.15 (39) 1997 Tailem Bend 14.9 (93) defeated Imperials 11.16 (82) 1996 Tailem Bend 15.13 (103) defeated Mannum 4.11 (35) 1995 Tailem Bend 19.19 (133) defeated Murray Bridge Redlegs 14.10 (94) 1994 Mypolonga 18.9 (117) defeated Imperials 14.9 (93) 1993 Imperials 16.10 (106) defeated Mannum 11.10 (76) 1992 Tailem Bend 20.9 (129) defeated Mannum 12.3 (75) 1991 Mypolonga 17.15 (117) defeated Tailem Bend 8.9 (57) 1990 Mypolonga 9.11 (65) defeated Mannum 7.16 (58) 1989 Mypolonga 16.8 (104) defeated Meningie 12.10 (82) 1988 Imperials 8.9 (57) defeated Mypolonga 7.10 (52) 1987 Ramblers 10.18 (78) defeated Imperials 7.17 (57) 1986 Jervois 8.15 (63) defeated Imperials 7.12 (54) 1985 Ramblers 17.17 (119) defeated Jervois 16.5 (101) 1984 Jervois 14.11 (95) defeated Imperials 9.11 (65) 1983 Imperials 11.11 (77) defeated Ramblers 11.10 (76) 1982 Ramblers 11.11 (77) defeated Imperials 10.1 (61) 1981 Ramblers 12.20 (92) defeated Jervois 7.8 (50) 1980 Ramblers 15.25 (115) defeated Imperials 13.9 (87) 1979 Ramblers 16.14 (96) defeated Imperials 13.11 (89) 1978 Imperials 11.11 (77) defeated Ramblers 10.12 (72) 1977 Imperials 15.11 (101) defeated Ramblers 9.17 (71) 1976 Imperials 11.11 (77) defeated Ramblers 10.12 (72) 1975 Ramblers 12.14 (86) defeated Imperials 6.12 (48) 1974 Tailem Bend 14.20 (104) defeated Ramblers 15.8 (98) 1973 Tailem Bend 14.18 (102) defeated Jervois 8.6 (54) 1972 Tailem Bend 17.7 (109) defeated Mypolonga 12.10 (82) 1971 Ramblers 16.13 (109) defeated Tailem Bend 11.21 (87) 1970 Tailem Bend 13.8 (86) defeated Meningie 10.18 (78) 1969 Imperials 10.14 (74) defeated Ramblers 10.12 (72) 1968 Jervois 18.8 (116) defeated Imperials 15.14 (104) 1967 Imperials 14.10 (94) defeated Jervois 11.7 (73) 1966 Jervois 15.10 (100) defeated Tailem Bend 13.12 (90) 1965 Tailem Bend 17.15 (117) defeated Ramblers 13.5 (83) 1964 Jervois 8.11 (59) defeated Ramblers 9.3 (57) 1963 Jervois 11.15 (81) defeated Tailem Bend 5.13 (43) 1962 Tailem Bend 12.5 (77) defeated Jervois 8.6 (54) 1961 Jervois 9.20 (74) defeated Tailem Bend 9.6 (60) 1960 Tailem Bend 11.18 (84) defeated Ramblers 8.12 (60) 1959 Jervois 17.13 (115) defeated Imperials 10.6 (66) 1958 Imperials 8.11 (59) defeated Tailem Bend 8.10 (58) 1957 Imperials 9.20 (74) defeated Tailem Bend 10.7 (67) 1956 Mannum 10.13 (73) defeated Imperials 7.14 (56) 1955 Mannum 11.11 (77) defeated Tailem Bend 9.14 (68) 1954 Tailem Bend 11.5 (71) defeated Ramblers 6.7 (43) 1953 Imperials 14.10 (94) defeated Mannum 6.8 (44) 1952 Imperials 9.14 (68) defeated Mannum 6.7 (43) 1951 Ramblers 9.11 (65) defeated Imperials 8.5 (53) 1950 Ramblers 8.5 (53) defeated Mannum 5.15 (45) 1949 Mannum 11.10 (76) defeated Imperials 10.11 (71) 1948 Imperials 15.8 (98) defeated Tailem Bend 11.8 (74) 1947 Tailem Bend 11.17 (83) defeated Imperials 9.11 (65) 1946 Imperials 7.4 (46) defeated Jervois 4.6 (30) 1941–1945 No Competition 1940 Season abandoned after 8 matches 1939 Mypolonga 10.8 (68) defeated Ramblers 8.6 (54) 1938 Mypolonga 12.13 (85) defeated Ramblers 12.8 (80) 1937 Jervois 9.15 (69) defeated Imperials 8.6 (54) 1936 Jervois 11.14 (80)defeated Ramblers 7.7 (49) 1935 Jervois 4.13 (37) defeated Mypolonga 4.7 (31) 1934 Jervois 15.17 (107) defeated Ramblers 7.7 (49) 1933 Jervois 14.15 (99) defeated Ramblers 9.7 (61). Ramblers protested awarded the win 1932 Jervois 13.9 (87) defeated Imperials 5.12 (42) 1931 Imperials 4.14 (38) defeated Ramblers 4.6 (30)
Standard Medalists / Mail Medalists The Mail Medal was awarded to the best and fairest player of the year. Awarded from 1938 to 1940, and then 1949-2012. In 2013 the RMFL changed the name to the Murray Valley Standard Medal. It has since been renamed The Mail Medal again. 2026 Lachlan Thomas (Jervois) 2025 Rory O'Driscoll (Southern Mallee Suns) 2024 Malakai Kartinyeri (Ramblers) 2023 Alex Stidiford (Coorong Cats) 2022 Harley Montgomery (Imperials) 2021 Blake Tabe (Mannum) 2020 Will McMurray (Tailem Bend)/ Adam Smyth (Mannum) 2019 Matt Rankine (Ramblers) 2018 Clint Diment (Mypolonga) Taite Silverlock (Jervois) 2017 Brodie Martin (Meningie) 2016 Brian Fenton (Meningie) 2015 Jacob Bowen (Mannum) 2014 Brian Fenton (Meningie) 2013 Tyson Wait (Imperials) 2012 Phil Smith (Imperials) 2011 Tyson Wait (Imperials) 2010 Adam Eckermann (Mypolonga) 2009 Tyson Wait (Imperials) 2008 Liam O'Neil (Ramblers) 2007 Ryan Morris (Ramblers) 2006 Zac Ewer (Jervois) 2005 Mervyn Kartinyeri (Tailem Bend) 2004 Mervyn Kartinyeri (Tailem Bend) / Duane Dumesney (Tailem Bend) 2003 Daniel Zadow (Mannum) 2002 Ben Quinn (Mannum) 2001 Mark Marchetti (Mannum) 2000 Kym White (Meningie) 1999 Brett Lienert (Imperials) 1998 Michael Smart (Ramblers) 1997 Mervyn Kartinyeri (Tailem Bend) 1996 Craig Gilbert (Border Downs Tintinara) 1995 Brett Lienert (Imperials) 1994 Dwayne Krollig (Mannum) 1993 Greg Stephenson (Border Downs Tintinara) 1992 Roger Wilson (Tailem Bend) 1991 Mike Hunt (Tailem Bend) / David Buckley (Mannum) 1990 Lee Adams (Mannum) 1989 Noel Hartman (Tailem Bend) / David McKechnie (Meningie) 1988 Des Hicks (Imperials)