The South West District Football League was a major Australian rules football competition which ran from 1910 until 1981 in the Riverina region of New South Wales.
History The first recorded Australian Rules Football match in the Riverina area was on 1 August 1881 between Wagga Wagga and the more experienced Albury team and was played in Wagga.
The South West District Football Association (SWDFL) was formed in 1913, when it superseded the Ganmain Football Association, which was formed in 1910, with all clubs moving into play in the SWDFL competition.
In 1924 a South Western District Football League team played Collingwood Football Club at Narrandera with Collingwood winning, 86 to SWDFL 76.
In May, 1930 the SWDFL competition was abandoned, after Whitton withdrew earlier at the AGM, then both Ganmain and Matong club withdrew due to a lack of players. In the 1931 SWDFL grand final, Jim Ceely, from Matong FC received a trophy for best player on the ground.
In August 1933, Melbourne Football Club played a match at Narandrea Park Oval against a SWDFL representative team, with Melbourne: 15.19 - 109 defeating SWDFL: 8.20 - 68. In 1934, a SWDFL representative team played a match at Leeton against a combined Hawthorn - Footscray team, with Hawthorn - Footscray: 20.15 - 135 defeating the SWDFL: 6.11 - 47.
In 1937 and 1938, both Ganmain & Matong football clubs pulled out of the SWDFL and thus the SWDFL went into recess. In April, 1939, the SWDFL was reformed with the following seven clubs taking part - Coolamon, Ganmain, Griffith, Grong Grong, Leeton, Matong and Narandera.
Laurie Taylor and Dudley Smith from Coolamon FC, played for New South Wales against Victoria in July, 1949, at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
In 1953, Ariah Park FC and Mirrool FC merged and entered one senior team & one reserves team in the SWDFL. Ardlethan FC joined the SWDFL in 1954 and wore a jumper featuring three vertical stripes, black, gold and red.
In 1959, former Brownlow Medalist, Grong Grong Matong captain-coach, Peter Box won the Gammage Medal, but SWDFL officials later decide that coaches would be ineligible to win the league award in future years.
The SWDFL first played in the Victorian Country Football League in 1961 and in 1964, won the Victorian Country Football Championships, with SWDFL: 13.14 - 92 defeating the Hampden Football League: 9.16 - 70 in the grand final, played at Narrandera. In 1969, Ricky Quade and Frank Gumbleton both finished third in the SWDFL best and fairest award, the Gammage Medal, with both going on to have fine VFL careers.
Mr. Jim Quinn was President of the South Western District Football League for 25 consecutive years, before resigning on Monday 5 April 1976 due to ill health.
The league was forced to merge with the Central Riverina Football League and the Farrer Football League to form the Riverina Football League and Riverina District Football League in 1982, under the recommendations from the VCFL, with the CRDFL changing its name to the Farrer Football League in 1985. It was between 1983 and 1994 that the Riverina District Football League / Farrer Football League maintained a two division system.
Clubs
Final Clubs ClubColoursNicknameHome GroundFormer LeagueEst.Years in SWDFLSWDFL Senior PremiershipsFateTotal YearsArdlethanStarsArdlethan Sports Ground, ArdlethanB&DFL1907 1954-19810 - Moved to Riverina FL following 1981 seasonAriah Park-Mirrool Brown BombersAriah Park Recreation Reserve, Ariah Park–1953 1953-19813 1954, 1955, 1962 Moved to Riverina FL following 1981 seasonCoolamon Rovers HoppersKindra Park, CoolamonGFA, WAFL, C&DFA1894 5 1920, 1922, 1959, 1970, 1973 Played in Coolamon & District FA in 1918 and 1945 and Wagga AFL in 1937-38. Moved to Riverina FL following 1981 seasonCootamundra BluesClarke Oval, CootamundraCRFL1960 19810 - Moved to Riverina District FL following 1981 seasonGanmain MaroonsGanmain Sports Ground, GanmainGFA, C&DFA1893 13 1925, 1935, 1940, 1946, 1949, 1950, 1951, 1953, 1956, 1957, 1964, 1965, 1969, 1976Played in Coolamon & District FA in 1918 and 1945. Merged with Grong Grong-Matong to form Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong in Riverina FL following 1981 seasonGriffith SwansGriffith Exies Oval, GriffithL&DFA1914 1939-1940, 1946-19812 1952, 1968 Played in Leeton & District FA in 1941. Moved to Riverina FL following 1981 seasonGrong Grong Matong MagpiesGrong Grong Sports Ground, Grong Grong and Matong Sports Ground, Matong–1952 1952-19810 - Merged with Ganmain to form Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong in Riverina FL following 1981 seasonLeeton RedlegsLeeton Showgrounds, LeetonGFA, L&DFA1912 7 1927, 1936, 1939, 1958, 1971, 1975, 1978 Played in Leeton & District FA in 1937-1938 and 1941. Moved to Riverina FL following 1981 seasonNarrandera Imperial EaglesNarrandera Sports Ground, NarranderaGFA, L&DFA1910 15 1913, 1914, 1924, 1928, 1932, 1933, 1947, 1948, 1960, 1966, 1967, 1972, 1974, 1979, 1981. Played in Leeton & District FA in 1935-1938 and 1941. Moved to Riverina FL following 1981 seasonTurvey ParkBulldogsMaher Oval, Wagga WaggaCRFL1954 1956-19813 1961, 1977, 1980 Moved to Riverina FL following 1981 season
Former clubs ClubColoursNicknameHome GroundFormer LeagueEst.Years in SWDFLSWDFL Senior PremiershipsFateTotal YearsDarlington PointPointers, Riversiders, BluesDarlington Point Football Ground, Darlington PointL&DFA1906 1951-19540 - Moved to Barellan & District FL following 1954 seasonFederalsFederalsRannock Recreation Reserve, RannockR&DFA19230 -Entered recess following 1955 season, re-formed in Central Riverina FL as Rannock in 1962Grong GrongBluesGrong Grong Sports Ground, Grong GrongGFA, L&DFA1890s0 -Reserves only in 1951. Played in Leeton & District FA between 1948 and 1950. Merged with Matong to form Grong Grong-Matong following 1951 seasonJunee BulldogsLaurie Daley Oval, JuneeWAFL1919 1 1921 Played in Wagga AFL between 1937-1940 and 1946-1948. Moved to Wagga Sunday FL in 1953. MarrarBombersLangtry Oval, MarrarC&DFA, WAFL, 1918 1919-1926, 1932, 1949-19513 1918, 1919, 1923 Moved to Rannock & District FA following 1932 season. Moved to Albury & District FL reserves competition in 1952.Matong MagpiesMatong Sports Ground, MatongGFA, C&DFA1900s 2 1926, 1931 Played in Coolamon & District FA in 1918. Merged with Grong Grong to form Grong Grong-Matong following 1951 seasonWhitton TigersWhitton Recreation Ground, WhittonL&DFA1890s 1929, 1947-19790 - Moved to Central Riverina FL after Rd.1, 1979. YancoPenguinsYanco Sportsground, YancoL&DFA19180 -Entered recess following 1952 season, re-formed in Barellan & District FL in 1962
Football Premierships In 1931, the Page Final Four System was introduced by the VFL. Seniors YearPremiersScoreRunners upScoreVenueGateUmpireNotes Ganmain & DFA 1910Ganmain Matong Ganmain 1911Matong Matong were unbeaten in 19111912Matong 27 Ganmain12 "Final" South West DFA 1913Narrandera 4.7 - 31Matong3.8 - 26 Matong 1914Narrandera126 Matong22 Narandera Park £8/14sPitcher Roach Guest Cup1915-17 SWDFL in recess due to WW11918Marrar 7.8 - 50Ganmain 1.1 - 7Matong £35 Coolamon & DFL.1919Marrar 37 Narandera 10 Marrar Harrod Played 7/11/19.1920Coolamon 5.12 - 42 Narandera 3.11 - 29Ganmain £78/6s Norden Roach Guest Cup1921Junee 8.12 - 60 Coolamon 3.7 - 25 Junee Park Oval£60A WickhamW Hardingham Cup1922Coolamon 4.16 - 40Narandera3.7 - 25 Coolamon Racetrack£66Ayling W Hardingham Cup1923Marrar 9.9 - 63 Narandera 7.9 - 51 Ganmain H WarrenW Hardingham Cup1924Narandera 9.18 - 72Ganmain 7.9 - 51 Leeton£95Ayles J A Alexander Cup1925Ganmain 10.5 - 65 Matong 6.16 - 52Ganmain£85 J A Alexander Cup1926Matong 10.9 - 69 Leeton 9.3 - 63 Leeton £100J BrandonJ A Alexander Cup1927Leeton 17.10 - 112Ganmain 10.17 - 78Narrandera Park£178Arthur WickhamJ A Alexander Cup1928Narrandera15.14 - 104Leeton 14.5 - 89 Gaimain £95 Arthur WickhamJohn Hunter & Son Cup1929Leeton 13.16 - 94 Matong 9.12 - 66 Narrandera £150 John Hunter & Son Cup1930 SWDFL in recess.1931Matong 9.7 - 61Narrandera7.5 - 47Coolamon John Hunter & Son Cup1932Narrandera7.8 - 50Leeton 7.7 - 49Matong£55 L Gillman John Hunter & Son Cup1933Narandera 10.13 - 73Leeton 8.18 - 66 Matong£68R Thompson John Hunter & Son Cup1934Narrandera 11.12 - 78Matong 7.9 - 51Coolamon£53/8sE Pawley Rody Hogan Cup. No premiership awarded > dispute.1935Ganmain 13.26 - 104Matong 15.10 - 100Ganmain £78 C RoweBOG: Clonnie Heath1936Leeton 11.7 - 73 Matong 8.11 - 59 Narrandera Park£80McLean 1937 SWDFL in recess1938 SWDFL in recess.1939Leeton 16.13 - 109Coolamon7.15 - 57 Narrandera £122 W Marney O G Washington Cup1940Gamain 22.14 - 146Coolamon10.18 - 78 Ganmain £95 Harry Clayton Thame & Hinchcliffe Cup1941-45 SWDFL in recess: WW21941 Leeton 9.18 - 72 Narandera 6.12 - 48 Narrandera £48Curly HardingWartime Competition Kinlock Cup G Final1946Ganmain 18.17 - 125Narrandera8.6 - 54 Matong Cleary 1947Narrandera11.16 - 82 Coolamon 6.10 - 46 Narrandera £150 F H Grant Bart Nulty Trophy. NFC undefeated in '47.1948Narrandera8.11 - 59 Whitton 6.9 - 45 Leeton 2000+ crowdD SullivanBart Nulty Trophy1949Ganmain 12.11 - 89 Narrandera10.10 - 70 Leeton £358 Dennis FrickerPat F. Withers Trophy1950Ganmain 16.12 - 108Griffith 11.10 - 76 Narrandrea £474 J Wallmeyer Pat F. Withers Trophy1951Ganmain 7.7 - 49 Whitton 5.14 - 44 Narrandera £527 Harry Clayton Narrandera Argus Trophy1952Griffith 12.15 - 87 Whitton 6.12 - 48 Narrandera £686 Peter Watt Narrandera Argus Cup1953Ganmain 13.12 - 90 Leeton 13.7 - 85 Narrandera £965 J Sawyer Narrandera Argus Cup1954Ariah Park Mirrool10.20 - 80Ganmain 6.7 - 43 Narrandera £1011L C SmithNarrandera Argus Cup1955Ariah Park Mirrool15.8 - 98 Leeton 12.12 - 84Narrandera£858 Alan Nash 1956Ganmain 13.13 - 91Ariah Park Mirrool9.10 - 64Narrandera £1,023Bill Barbour 1957Ganmain 11.19 - 85Ariah Park Mirrool8.19 - 67Narrandera £1,053Dudley Ridley1958Leeton 15.14 - 104Coolamon 14.9 - 93 Narrandera £1,281Dudley Ridley 1959Coolamon 13.11 - 89 Turvey Park 11.11 - 79Narrandera £1,281Dudley Ridley 1960Narrandera 9.18 - 72 Turvey Park6.8 - 44 Narrandera £1,881Ron Brophy 1961Turvey Park17.23 - 125Leeton 12.13 - 85Narrandera £1,720Kevin Jackson 1962Ariah Park Mirrool10.20 - 80Coolamon11.12 - 78Narrandera£1,818Ron Brophy1963Turvey Park16.12 - 108Leeton 11.19 - 85 Narrandera £1,716Stan Fisher 1964Ganmain 15.8 - 98 Griffith 13.18 - 96 Narrandera £1,034Ron Brophy 1965Ganmain 12.14 - 86 Griffith 6.12 - 48 Narrandera £1,548Jim Brewer 1966Narrandera 8.15 - 63 Griffith 6.9 - 45 Narrandera $3,059Peter Sheales 1967Narrandera 17.15 - 117Leeton 10.21 - 81 Narrandera $3,622Jim McMaster 1968Griffith13.17 - 95Ariah Park Mirrool10.11 - 71Narrandera $3,542Peter Sheales1969Ganmain 10.16 - 76 Griffith 10.14 - 74 Narrandera $3,542Graham Huggins1970Coolamon 18.21 - 129Turvey Park13.9 - 87 Narrandera $3,108Peter Sheales 1971Leeton 15.18 - 108Griffith 13.12 - 90 Narrandera $3,688Ian Robinson 1972Narrandera 15.14 - 104Griffith 7.12 - 54 Narrandera $2,939Mike Henry 1973Coolamon 13.15 - 93 Turvey Park12.14 - 86 Narrandera $3,487Len Sexton 1974Narrandera 19.17 - 131Coolamon 19.16 - 130Narrandra $3,890Neville Nash 1975Leeton 19.14 - 128Turvey Park16.14 110 Narrandera $5,260Neville Nash 1976Ganmain 20.8 - 128 Narrandera 14.17 101 Narrandera $8,130R H Lyons 1977Turvey Park17.14 - 116Ariah Park Mirrool14.13 - 97Narrandera$6,174John Morgan1978Leeton 18.16 - 124 Turvey Park 16.15 - 111Narrandera$9,400 Glen James 1979Narrandera 17.17 - 119Ariah Park Mirrool15.13 - 103Narrandera$8,771 Ken Norris 1980Turvey Park14.15 - 99 Coolamon 12.13 - 85Narrandera$10,133Jim Chapman1981Narrandera 14.6 - 90Ariah Park Mirrool10.17 - 77Narrandera$8,661Quinn/Russo
Reserves 1980 - Narrandera: 22.11 - 143 d APM: 15.6 - 96
Under 19's 1980 - Turvey Park: 16.13 - 109 d Narrandera: 13.12 - 90
Football Best and Fairest Award Seniors WIlliam Gammage Medal (William J. Gammage was the Treasurer of the SWDFL who first donated the medal in 1948)