The Federal Football League (FFL), also known simply as the Federal League, was an Australian rules football competition in the south-eastern suburbs of Melbourne, Victoria. The competition was in existence from 1909 to 1981 and was regarded as one of the strongest metropolitan leagues in Melbourne.
It is said that, in the mid-1960s, Channel 7 was seeking to telecast FFL games on a Sunday.
History Formation Formed in 1909 as the Federal Football Association (FFA), the competition's eight founding members were Cheltenham, Ellindale, Elsternwick, Frankston, Mentone, Mordialloc, Moorabbin, and Glen Huntly, all from the southern/south eastern suburbs.
Local Councillor F. T. Le Page was elected president.
History In 1915, the Federal football Association (FFA) A. Grade teams were - Brighton District, Moorabbin, Cheltenham, Moorabbin Park, Oakleigh and Elsternwick, whilst the B. Grade clubs were Sandringham, Mentone, Heatherton and Glenhuntly.
In 1925, the FFA comprised 10 senior and 9 junior club's and had over 1,000 registered players.
In 1937 the A Section competition teams were composed of - Black Rock, Mordialloc, Cheltenham, East Burwood, Moorabbin, Caulfield, Darling and Mentone, and in the B section, Chelsea, Highett, Mt. Waverley, Mordialloc, Black Rock and Edithvale-Aspendale.
Middle Brighton FC kicked 50.40 - 340 v Heatherton: 0.0 - 0 in a match in 1914.
Clubs Source: Final clubs Nine clubs competed in the FFL's final season. ClubColoursNicknameHome GroundFormer LeagueEst.Years in FFLFateTotalYears CheltenhamRosellasCheltenham Recreation Reserve, Cheltenham–1895 1909–1928; 1930–198161909, 1911, 1913, 1922, 1925, 1934 Moved to South East Suburban FL in 1982 ClaytonClaysClayton Reserve, ClaytonDDFA1908 1954–198121980, 1981 Moved to South East Suburban FL in 1982 HighettBulldogsHighett Reserve, Highett–1929 1934–198141971, 1973, 1974, 1979Moved to South East Suburban FL in 1982 MentoneTigersMentone Reserve, Mentone–1900s 1909; 1913–1914; 1920–198151928, 1956, 1967, 1968, 1976 Moved to South East Suburban FL in 1982 Moorabbin (II) KangasMcKinnon Reserve, McKinnon–1979 1979–19810 - Moved to South East Suburban FL in 1982 Noble ParkBullsPat Wright Senior Oval, Noble ParkSESFL1918 1964–198111972 Moved to South East Suburban FL in 1982 Oakleigh DistrictDistrictsPrinces Highway Reserve, Oakleigh EastSESFL1950 1964–19810 - Moved to South East Suburban FL in 1982 ParkdaleSeagullsGerry Green Reserve, ParkdaleVAFA1934 1930-1932, 1955–198111978 Moved to South East Suburban FL in 1982 SpringvaleDemonsSpringvale Reserve, SpringvaleCODFL1903 1957–198171960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1965, 1975, 1977 Moved to VFA in 1982
Former clubs ClubColoursNicknameHome GroundFormer LeagueEst.Years in FFLFateTotalYears AspendaleAspendale Racecourse, Aspendale–19241924-19300 -Merged with Edithvale to form Edithvale-Aspendale in 1931 Bentleigh DemonsBentleigh Reserve, BentleighSDFA, CODFL1919 1909-1912, 1914, 1920–1928, 1957-19780 -Moved to VAFA after 1928 season. Merged with McKinnon to form Moorabbin in 1979 Black RockJetsDonald MacDonald Reserve, Beaumaris–1908 1913–1914; 1919–1926; 1931–197231935, 1936, 1954 Entered recess in 1973; re-formed in YCWFL in 1976 Middle Brighton Brighton– 1913-1915; 1919-1921, 192731915, 1920, 1921 Merged with Brighton in 1928 BrightonvaleHurlingham Park, Brighton–19290 -Senior team entered recess in 1930 Camden Caulfield South– 1912-1914, 1939–19560 - Merged with South Caulfield CYMS to form South Caulfield in 1957 CarnegieTigersKoornang Park, CarnegieVFLSD1920s1932-19340 -Moved to VAFA in 1935 CarrumKeast Park, Seaford–1909 1911; 1922–19270 - Folded in 1928; re-formed in Peninsula & District FA in 1932 Carrum-ChelseaPaddock on Breeze St, Bonbeach–19111912-19140 -Entered recess in 1915 ChelseaSeagullsChelsea Recreation Reserve, Chelsea–1919 1919–195811955 Moved to Mornington Peninsula FL in 1959Dandenong (I)Dandenong Showgrounds, DandenongBDFA18741930, 1934 0 -1931-33, 1935-36 unknown. Moved to Dandenong District FA in 1937. Dandenong (II)RedlegsDandenong Showgrounds, Dandenong–1951 1951–195711953 Moved to VFA in 1958 DarlingDarling Park, Malvern EastVFLSD 1934–194021937, 1938 Folded after 1940 season DovetonDovesRobinson Reserve, DovetonSWGFL1959 1972–19760 - Returned to South West Gippsland FL in 1977 East BurwoodRamsEast Burwood Reserve, Burwood EastSDFA1910 1931–193811932 Senior team entered recess in 1939; re-formed in Eastern Suburban FL in 1945 East Caulfield FieldsmenEast Caulfield Reserve, Caulfield EastVFLSD1894 1932–19761 1949 Folded after 1976 season East MalvernDemonsWaverley Oval, Malvern EastCODFL1900s 1962–197341964, 1966, 1969, 1970 Folded after 1973 season EdithvaleRegents Park, Aspendale–1900s1921-19300 -Merged with Aspendale to form Edithvale-Aspendale in 1931 Edithvale-Aspendale EaglesRegents Park, Aspendale–19311931-19550 -Moved to Mornington Peninsula FL in 1956 ElsternwickWickersElsternwick Park, Elsternwick–1906 1909–1910, 19130 - Moved to VAFA in 1914 Exchange 19170 - FrankstonFrankston Park, Frankston–19090 - Freighters TonnersHeatherton Recreation Reserve, HeathertonCODFL1913 1913–1914; 1920–1921; 1927–1928; 1946-19540 - Moved to CYMSFA as Mentone CYMS in 1954 Glen OrmeKoornang Park, Carnegie–1946 1946-19490 - Moved to Eastern Suburban FL after 1950 season Glen HuntlyHuntersGlen Huntly Park, Caulfield EastCODFL1900s 1960–19760 - Folded after 1976 season Glen Huntly AmateursKoornang Park, Carnegie–1900s1909, 1913–1915, 1920–19220 -Moved to Caulfield Oakleigh District FL in 1923 Glen Waverley Central Reserve, Glen WaverleyBDFA1908 1930–19310 - Moved to VFL Sub-District FL in 1932 HamptonCastlefield Reserve, Hampton–1919 19200 - Merged with various clubs to form Sandringham in 1929 McKinnonMaccasMcKinnon Reserve, McKinnonCODFL 1954–197731957, 1958, 1959Entered recess in 1978; merged with Bentleigh to form Moorabbin in 1979 Moorabbin (I)MagpiesMoorabbin Oval, Moorabbin–1909 1909–1950121914, 1926, 1927, 1930, 1931, 1933, 1940, 1941, 1945, 1946, 1947, 1948 Moved to VFA in 1951 Moorabbin ParkGardenersDane Road Reserve, Moorabbin– 1913-1915, , 19300 - Folded after 1930 season MordiallocBloodhoundsBen Kavanagh Reserve, Mordialloc–1891 1909–1911; 1921–195771923, 1924, 1929, 1939, 1950, 1951, 1952 Moved to VFA in 1958 Mount WaverleyMounts, BluesOval on corner of Springvale and High St Roads, Glen WaverleySDFA19241934-19370 -Moved to Caulfield Oakleigh District FL in 1938 MurrumbeenaFrogmore Estate, Carnegie–19151915, 19210 -Moved to VAFA in 1923 NavyHMAS CerberusMPFL191319590 -Moved to Nepean FL in 1960 OakleighOaks, DevilsWarrawee Park, Oakleigh–190619150 -Moved to VFL Sub-Districts in 1919 Sandringham Amateurs–1915–19200 -Moved to VAFA in 1921 South CaulfieldPrinces Park, Caulfield South–1957 1957–19610 - Merged with Brighton in 1964 VermontEaglesVermont Reserve, VermontRDFA1920 1936 0 - Moved to Eastern Suburban FL in 1937 Victoria Brewery– 1910–191221910, 1912 Left league in 1913 Wells Road–19261926-19290 -Split from Chelsea in 1926, re-merged in 1930
Notes Bentleigh is not to be confused with the present-day Bentleigh Football Netball Club
A. Grade Football Premiers / Runners Up The Agar Wynne Shield. The Honourable Agar Wynne, MHR was the Federal Football Association's Patron from 1909 to 1915.
1909 – Cheltenham 6.6.42 d Ellindale 2.12.24 1910 – Victorian Brewery 10.12.72 d Mordialloc 5.9.39 1911 – Cheltenham 12.14.86 d Moorabbin 4.7.31 1912 – Victorian Brewery 6.10.46 d Moorabbin 2.12 - 24 1913 – Cheltenham 9.9.63 d Middle Brighton 7.10.52 1914 – Moorabbin 5.10.40 d Cheltenham 2.7.19 1915 – Brighton Districts 9.8.62 d Cheltenham 6.8.44 1916 to 1918 - Federal FL in recess due to World War I 1919 – Sandringham Amateurs 6.13.49 d Black Rock 6.10.46 1920 – Brighton Districts 7.7.49 d Hampton 6.10.46 1921 – Brighton Districts 8.12.60 d Black Rock 7.9.51 1922 – Cheltenham 5.10.40 v Mordialloc 4.14.38 1923 – Mordialloc 10.9.69 d Black Rock 2.9.21 1924 – Mordialloc 6.16.52 d Mentone 4.7.31 (Mordialloc undefeated premiers) 1925 – Cheltenham 9.6.60 d Mordialloc 5.21.51 1926 – Moorabbin 13.11.89 d Mordialloc 9.17 - 71 1927 – Moorabbin 9.11.65 d Middle Brighton 6.9.45 1928 – Mentone 6.14.50 d Moorabbin 5.15.45 1929 – Mordialloc 13.12.90 d Mentone 7.3.45 1930 – Moorabbin 6.11.47 d Mordialloc 5.16.46 1931 – Moorabbin 9.9.63 d Mordialloc 8.7.55 1932 – East Burwood 13.14.92 d Mentone 11.4.70 1933 – Moorabbin 10.26.86 d Mordialloc 10.18.78 1934 – Cheltenham 13.12.90 d Mordialloc 8.13.61 1935 – Black Rock 14.11.95 d East Burwood 11.12.78 1936 – Black Rock 14.9.93 d Darling 12.14.86 1937 – Darling 9.14.68 d Moorabbin 7.12.54 1938 – Darling 9.17.71 d Mordialloc 9.13.67 1939 – Mordialloc 14.9.93 d Moorabbin 12.13.85 1940 – Moorabbin 11.15.81 d Cheltenham 7.14.56 1941 – Moorabbin 18.16.124 d Cheltenham 11.11.77 1942 to 1944 - Federal FL in recess due to World War II 1945 – Moorabbin 14.19.103 d Camden 10.5.65 1946 – Moorabbin 18.17.125 d Cheltenham 9.17.71 1947 – Moorabbin 15.16.106 d Mordialloc 11.13.79
1948 – Moorabbin 19.11.125 d Camden 10.5.65 1949 - Caulfield 11.15.81 drew Moorabbin 11.15.81 1949 – Caulfield 14.10.94 d Moorabbin 11.10.76 (Grand Final Replay) 1950 – Mordialloc 9.9.63 d Moorabbin 7.14.56 1951 – Mordialloc 21.17.143 d Freighters 6.8.44 1952 – Mordialloc 14.7.91 d Camden 10.13.73 1953 – Dandenong 11.20.86 d Caulfield 9.6.60 1954 – Black Rock 16.17.113 d Dandenong 15.12.102 1955 – Chelsea 10.17.77 d Dandenong 7.12.54 1956 – Mentone 11.8.74 d Mordialloc 9.11.65 1957 – McKinnon 13.9.87 d Mordialloc 12.13.85 1958 – McKinnon 8.12.60 d Springvale 6.9.45 1959 – McKinnon 8.13.61 d Mentone 8.9.57 1960 – Springvale 14.9.93 d McKinnon 8.16.64 1961 – Springvale 12.8.80 d Glen Huntly 10.11.71 1962 – Springvale 14.13.97 d Glen Huntly 7.12.54 1963 – Springvale 17.16.118 d Mentone 8.13.61 1964 – East Malvern 8.18.66 d Glen Huntly 7.9.51 1965 – Springvale 15.13.103 Glen Huntly 3.12.30 1966 – East Malvern 13.13.91 d Springvale 11.13.79 1967 – Mentone 14.10.94 d Glen Huntly 11.9.75 1968 – Mentone 6.17.53 d Oakleigh District 5.13.43 1969 – East Malvern 8.10.58 d Oakleigh District 6.20.56 1970 – East Malvern 20.12.132 d Springvale 15.21.111 1971 – Highett 17.10.112 d Springvale 12.7.79 1972 – Noble Park 15.16.106 d Highett 14.9.93 1973 – Highett 17.19.121 d Noble Park 16.14.110 1974 – Highett 11.15.81 d Cheltenham 11.14.80 1975 – Springvale 20.14.134 d Parkdale 16.13.109 1976 – Mentone 12.17.89 d Cheltenham 12.11.83 1977 – Springvale 18.19.127 d Oakleigh District 17.13.115 1978 – Parkdale 22.19.141 d Oakleigh District 15.17.107 1979 – Highett 14.12.96 d Clayton 11.13.79 1980 – Clayton 17.30.132 d Springvale 13.14.92 1981 – Clayton 16.9.105 d Oakleigh District 11.13.79
Best and Fairest Awards Senior Football / A. Grade Section Cr. J.W. ALLNUT MEDAL. (Allnut was President of the FFA from 1936 to 1945 & a life member).