The Waranga North East Football Association was established in 1913 as an Australian Rules football association which was based in the North East and Upper Goulburn Valley regions of Victoria and was active up until 1976.

History In May 1913 representatives from Avenel, Euroa, Murchison, Nagambie and Seymour met at the Tabilk Hotel, Tabilk and formed the Waranga North East Football Association, with a draw being established with the first round of matches taking place on Wednesday, 21 May 1913.

Broadford hold the record with four, for the most consecutive premiership wins in a row, which they achieved twice between 1924 and 1927 and later on between 1971 and 1974.Amazingly, Broadford defeated Seymour in all eight grand finals.

Three clubs went through the season as undefeated premiers: Nagambie in 1919 and 1938, Seymour in 1923 and Euroa in 1963 and 1969.

In 1926, J P Minogue, from Seymour (one of the founders of the association) was presented with a Life Membership gold medal for his services rendered.

In 1939 the WNEFA went into recess, with Euroa, Nagambie and Seymour joining the Goulburn Valley Football League and Yea joining the Alexandra Mansfield Football Association. Broadford withdrew from the competition in 1939, due to the closure of the local paper mills.

Mick Minogue (Avenel) was secretary of the former North East Football Association and then the WNEFA from February 1908 to 1939 and never missed a delegate's meeting during that time.

The original colours of the WNEFA representative jumper were blue and gold.

In May 1950, the WNEFA changed its name to the Waranga North East Football League.

In 1960, Bill Burns was presented with a WNEFL Life Membership. Burns was a former coach of Broadford and association delegate.

In October 1960, the WNEFL was granted major league status by the Victorian Country Football League.

The Bonnie Doon senior team played in nine consecutive WNEFL Reserves grand finals between 1956 and 1964.

In 1966, Dick Tossol from Thornton received a Life Membership of the WNRFL.

Seymour made a record ten consecutive grand finals between 1966 and 1975, winning premierships in 1966 and 1975, but were also runner up for an incredible eight consecutive years between 1967 and 1974.

Records + Senior Football RecordsMost premierships 12 – Euroa FC Most premierships in a row 4 – Broadford: 1924 – 27 & 1971 – 74 Most grand finals in a row 10 – Seymour FC: 1966 – 1975Highest grand final score 1969 – Euroa: 22.13 – 145 d Seymour: 10.7 – 67Highest winning grand final margin 1969 – (78 points) – Euroa: 22.13 – 145 d Seymour: 10.7 – 67 Highest losing grand final score 1927 – Broadford: 20.9 – 129 d Seymour: 16.8 – 104 Most goals in a grand final 8: Dick O'Bree (Euroa). 1955 Mansfield d Euroa. Highest Team Score ? Most goals in a season ? Most goals in a game 13: Alan Jewell, Mansfield v Thornton AV, 24 April 1954 Most wins in a row38: Euroa.

Clubs

Final ClubColoursNicknameHome GroundFormer LeagueEst.Years in WNEFAWNEFA Senior PremiershipsFateTotalYearsAlexandra RebelsAlexandra Showgrounds, AlexandraADFA, MAFA18721927–1935, 1947–197651931, 1952, 1956, 1960, 1962Broadford BombersHarley Hammond Reserve, BroadfordMFA, HHFA18901921–1938, 1947–1976111924, 1925, 1926, 1927, 1929, 1930, 1949, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974Mansfield BluesMansfield Recreation Reserve, MansfieldUGFL1880s1947–197641951, 1963, 1954, 1955Moved to Tungamah FL in 1977Thornton-Eildon District ShinbonersThornton Recreation Reserve, Thornton–19491949–197611961Moved to Yarra Valley Mountain District FL in 1977Yea TigersYea Showgrounds, YeaA&YFA, UGFL18931924–1938, 1947–1976.31950, 1968, 1976

Former ClubColoursNicknameHome GroundFormer LeagueEst.Years in WNEFAWNEFA Senior PremiershipsFateTotalYearsAvenel SwansAvenel Recreation Reserve, AvenelNEFA18811913–195531921, 1932, 1933Avenel-Longwood –19560 –Folded when Longwood re-formed in 1970Bonnie DoonBulldogsBonnie Doon Recreation Reserve, Bonnie DoonHHFA18850 –Moved to Benalla & District FL in 1965Euroa MagpiesEuroa Memorial Oval, EuroaNEFA, E&DFA, GVFL18801913–1930, 1934–1938, 1947–1970121913, 1922, 1936, 1937, 1957, 1958, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1967, 1969, 1970Kilmore BluesJJ Clancy Reserve, KilmoreMFA, RDFL18731921–1931, 1933–19370 –Played in Riddell District FL in 1932. Moved to Hume Highway FA in 1938Longwood RedlegsLongwood Recreation Reserve, LongwoodE&DFA, HHFA18881919, 0 –MurchisonMurchison Recreation Reserve, MurchisonGVFA18791913–191411914Recess during WWI, re-formed in Goulburn Valley FL in 1919Seymour (?-1963)(1964–75)LionsKings Park, SeymourNEFA, GVFL18801913–1938, 1947–1975101920, 1923, 1928, 1934, 1935, 1947, 1948, 1959, 1966, 1975Moved to Goulburn Valley FL in 1939 and 1976Nagambie LakersNagambie Recreation Reserve, NagambieGVFA18811913–1914, 1919–193821919, 1938Moved to Goulburn Valley FL in 1939Strathbogie Strathbogie Recreation Reserve, StrathbogieHHFA1900s0 –Moved to Benalla & District FL in 1962TallarookNEFA1920–19210 –Entered recess in 1922, re-formed in Hume Highway FA in 1934YarckYarck Recreation Reserve, YarckHHFA0 –Folded after 1957 season

WNEFA Grand Finals Seniors

The John Gordon (MLA) Shield: 1913 – 1926 The Mick Minogue Shield: 1927 – 1938

YearPremiersScoreRunners upScoreVenueCoach 1913Euroa 10.12 – 72 Nagambie 2.6 – 18Seymour 1914Murchison7.6 – 48 Nagambie 4.8 – 32Seymour 1915–18 In recess > World War I 1919Nagambie*8.10 – 58 Avenel 6.9 – 45Seymour E Caelli 1920Seymour 5.14 – 44 Nagambie 6.6 – 42 Seymour 1921Avenel 6.3 – 39 Broadford 3.9 – 27 Seymour 1922Euroa 6.8 – 44 Seymour 3.13 – 31 Seymour 1923Seymour* 9.16 – 70 Nagambie 3.16 – 34 Avenel Seymour Premiers and Champions 1924Broadford8.14 – 62 Seymour 5.12 – 42 Avenel 1925Broadford8.18 – 66 Seymour 8.9- 57Avenel 1926Broadford10.16 – 76 Seymour 8.16 – 64 Nagambie Broadford Premiers and Champions1927Broadford20.9 – 129 Seymour 16.8 – 104 Avenel 1928Seymour 16.15 – 111Alexandra14.9 – 93 Broadford 1929Broadford13.12 – 90 Yea 12.5 – 77 Nagambie 1930Broadford 13.11 – 89 Alexandra8.10 – 58 Seymour 1931Alexandra 15.12 – 102Nagambie 8.12 – 66 BroadfordF Keppel 1932Avenel 14.13 – 97 Alexandra11.6 – 72 Nagambie 1933Avenel 9.13 – 67 Nagambie 5.8 – 38 Seymour 1934Seymour 20.16 – 136Kilmore 11.23 – 89 Broadford 1935Seymour 16.13 – 109Alexandra7.12 – 54 Yea 1936Euroa 14.22 – 106Nagambie 14.19 – 103Avenel 1937Euroa 9.20 – 74 Yea 4.11 – 35 Nagambie 1938Nagambie* 15.9 – 99 Yea 10.9 – 69 Seymour 1939 WNEFA in recess 1940–46 In recess > World War II 1947Seymour 16.26 – 122Yea 15.9 – 99 Avenel 1948Seymour 7.20 – 62 Euroa 9.6 – 60 Avenel 1949Broadford 10.13 – 73 Thornton-AV10.10 – 70Euroa 1950Yea 9.10 – 64 Seymour 6.5 – 35 Euroa John McLeish 1951Mansfield 16.7 – 103 Euroa 13.10 – 88SeymourTed Leehane 1952Alexandra 10.13 – 73 Mansfield10.7 – 68 Euroa Jack Cotter 1953Mansfield 13.12 – 90 Alexandra7.5 – 47 Euroa Ted Leehane 1954Mansfield 10.13 – 73 Seymour 5.7 – 37 Euroa Ted Leehane 1955Mansfield 12.15 – 87 Euroa 11.12 – 78 Ted Leehane 1956Alexandra 10.4 – 64 Seymour 9.7 – 61 Yea Ian Alexander 1957Euroa 12.11 – 83 Mansfield9.7 – 61 Bob Bosustow 1958Euroa 13.18 – 96 Thornton-E5.12 – 42 Bob Bosustow 1959Seymour 10.11 – 71 Broadford7.14 – 56 Alan Pickering 1960Alexandra 8.11 – 59 Seymour 8.10 – 58 Yea Ian Alexander 1961Thornton-E12.8 – 80 Yea 8.16 – 64 AlexandraEddie Jackson 1962Alexandra 9.10 – 64 Avenel 6.12 – 48 Seymour Ian Alexander 1963Euroa* 9.8 – 62 Thornton-E7.14 – 56 Dick O'Bree 1964Euroa 9.12 – 66 Seymour 7.10 – 52 Dick O'Bree 1965Euroa 9.7 – 61 Alexandra 8.10 – 58SeymourDick O'Bree 1966Seymour 10.14 – 74 Yea 9.14 – 68 Ian Shelton 1967Euroa 12.14 – 86 Seymour 8.6 – 54 Dick O'Bree 1968Yea 15.11 – 101Seymour 11.8 – 74 1969Euroa* 22.13 – 145Seymour 10.7 – 67 Dick O'Bree 1970Euroa 18.14 – 122Seymour 8.13 – 61 Dick O'Bree 1971Broadford 12.17 – 89 Seymour 6.11 – 47 Mike Howe1972Broadford 12.10 – 82 Seymour 10.11 – 71 John Spargo 1973Broadford 17.15 – 117Seymour 15.4 – 94 John Spargo 1974Broadford 10.15 – 75 Seymour 4.10 – 34 John Spargo 1975Seymour 10.12 – 72 Mansfield 9.13 – 67 Ronnie Gratton 1976Yea 12.15 – 87 Mansfield 13.5 – 83 YearPremiersScoreRunner UpScoreVenueCoach

– 1919 & 1938: Nagambie undefeated. 1923: Seymour undefeated. 1926 Broadford undefeated. 1963 & 1969 – Euroa undefeated.

Reserves YearPremiersScoreRunners upScoreVenueCoach 1951Alexandra 14.9 – 93 Euroa 6.8 – 32 Avenel 1952Seymour 11.13 – 79 Alexandra 7.13 – 55 Euroa 1953Seymour 11.11 – 77 Mansfield 8.8 – 56 Euroa 1954Seymour 12.17 – 89 Mansfield 5.10 – 40 Euroa 1955Broadford 12.18 – 90 Euroa 5.6 – 36 1956Bonnie Doon 11.5 – 71 Broadford 10.9 – 69 Yea 1957Bonnie Doon 10.12 – 72 Strathbogie4.8 – 32 1958Bonnie Doon 16.16 – 112Euroa 2.9 – 21 1959Seymour 13.10 – 88 Bonnie Doon10.11 – 71 1960Yea 7.5 – 47 Bonnie Doon4.8 – 32 Yea 1961Bonnie Doon 9.11 – 65 Seymour 7.15 – 57 1962Bonnie Doon 8.5 – 53 Seymour 7.6 – 48 Seymour 1963Euroa 14.12 – 96 Bonnie Doon5.7 – 37 1964Euroa* 8.10 – 58 Bonnie Doon4.3 – 27 1965Euroa 12.11 – 83 Seymour 8.5 – 53 Seymour 1966Euroa 12.13 – 85 Seymour 8.10 – 58 1967Seymour 11.13 – 79 Euroa 6.13 – 49 1968Euroa 15.12 – 102Seymour 9.11 – 65 1969Seymour 10.7 – 67 Euroa 9.8 – 62 1970 1971Broadford 13.7 – 85 Mansfield 10.15 – 75 1972Broadford 11.15 – 81 Mansfield 7.15 – 57 1973Seymour 10.18 – 78 Broadford 9.6 – 60 1974Seymour 12.9 – 81 Broadford 11.9 – 75 1975Seymour 1976

– 1964: Euroa were undefeated premiers

Thirds Waranga North East JUNIOR Football Association: 1925 & 1926 Graham Diggle Shield. 1961 – 1976

YearPremiersScoreRunners upScoreVenueCoach Waranga North East JUNIOR Football Association: 1925 & 1926 1925Seymour Imperials*7.5 – 47 Seymour Rovers7.3 – 45 1926Seymour Imperials 14.4 – 88 Seymour Rovers9.8 – 62 Graham Diggle Shield. 1961 – 1976 1961Alexandra8.9 – 57 Euroa 5.13 – 43 Alexandra 1962Broadford17.13 – 115Alexandra 4.2 – 26 Yea 1963Broadford*17.17 – 119Alexandra1.1 – 7 Avenel 1964Euroa 15.11 – 101Broadford 4.9 – 33 Avenel 1965Broadford11.8 – 74 Euroa 10.8 – 68 Seymour 1966Broadford14.23 – 107Euroa 12.10 – 82 Avenel L Roberts 1967 1968 1969Euroa* Peter Hodges 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976

– 1925: Seymour Imperials were undefeated premiers. – 1963: Broadford lost the premiership on a protest from Alexandra, as Broadford played an ineligible player. – 1969: Euroa were undefeated premiers.

Most Premierships Most Senior Premierships / Runners Up ClubMost PremiershipsRunner upTotalEuroa 123 15Broadford 112 13Seymour 101828Alexandra 5 611Mansfield 4 48Yea 3 69Avenel 3 25Nagambie 2 79Thornton Eildon 1 23Murchison 1 01Kilmore 0 11Thornton Acheron Valley 0 11Total 5252104

Best and Fairest Award Winners The initial best and fairest award was donated by the Kia Ora company in 1948. Then Mr. Keith D. Bryant, a local Yea businessman and councillor, donated the WNEFA best and award trophy from 1949 onwards. Bryant was also Vice President of the WNEFA in 1950, under President, Harry Alexander. and President in 1951.