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Hills Football League

Australian rules football league

Summary

Australian rules football league

FieldValue
founded1967
teams20

The Hills Football League (HFL) is an Australian rules football league, situated in the Adelaide Hills region of South Australia, to the south east of the state capital Adelaide.

The League has over 3000 players belonging to 20 member Clubs. The League's Clubs are divided into two playing Divisions:

  • Division 1 (Formerly Central Division – mostly the larger towns in the Hills region);
  • Division 2 (Formerly Country Division – the remaining clubs in the region).

Both divisions have their own programs for the season. There is a promotion and relegation system that received criticism in 2014 following the ultimately unsuccessful decision to relegate Echunga in the same season that they won the Central Division premiership. It is the second biggest league in South Australia after the South Australian Amateur Football League.

In 2009 the Uraidla Districts Football Club became the first team in HFL history to secure all senior premierships (A, B & C) in a single season a feat that was followed by Hahndorf in 2016.

History

The Hills FL was formed in 1967 as a result of the merger of the original Hills Central FL and the Torrens Valley FL. For a number of years, the competition consisted of three divisions, firstly known as the Central Zone, the Northern Zone and the Southern Zone. This later changed to Zone 1, 2 and 3 with two years also providing a Zone 4. Eventually in 1979 the two divisions that exist today was established. The one year that was an exception was 1983 when competition was played in one division.

Heathfield-Aldgate United hold the record for the most premierships won in succession from 1971 to 1977.

Clubs

Grades

The HFL consists of:

  • Junior Grades
    • Under 14's (mini colts)
    • Under 16's (junior colts)
    • Under 18's (senior colts)
  • Senior Grades
    • A Grade (A1)
    • B Grade (A2)
    • C Grade (A3)

Locations

Division 1

ClubJumperNicknameHome GroundFormer LeagueEstYears in HFLHFL Senior PremiershipsTotalYearsBlackwoodHahndorfLobethalMount BarkerMount Lofty DistrictNairne Bremer UnitedOnkaparinga ValleyUraidla Districts
[[File:Blackwood Football Club Colours.svgcenter40x40px]]WoodsBlackwood Hill Reserve, BlackwoodSMFL19121987-3Div 1: 1988, 1991, 2017
[[File:Hahndorf Football Club Colours.svgcenter40x40px]]MagpiesHahndorf Oval, HahndorfHCFL18871967-13Div 1: 1984, 1985, 1992, 1993, 1995, 1997, 2001, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2024
[[File:RichmondDesign.svgcenter40x40px]]TigersLobethal Recreation Ground, LobethalTVFA19011967-5Div 1: 1981, 1998, 1999, 2002, 2022
[[File:Mount Barker Football Club Colours.svgcenter40x40px]]BarkeroosHanson Oval, Mount BarkerHCFL18811967-8Div 1: 1969, 1970, 1982, 1983, 2000, 2003, 2004, 2012
[[File:North Adelaide Football Club colours (1983 to 1997).svgcenter40x40px]]Mountain DevilsHeathfield Oval, HeathfieldSAFA19781986-6Div 1: 1986, 1990, 2006, 2007, 2008
Div 2: 2014
[[File:Nairne Football Club Colours.svgcenter40x40px]]RamsNairne Oval, Nairne–19781978-1991, 1998-5Div 1: 2023, 2025
Div 2: 1985, 1989, 2017
[[File:Onkaparinga Valley Football Club Colours.svgcenter40x40px]]Onkas, BulldogsJohnston Memorial Park, Balhannah–19671967-2Div 1: 1978, 1994
[[File:Uraidla Districts Football Club Colours (2025-).svgcenter40x40px]]DemonsUraidla Showgrounds, Uraidla–19971997-5Div 1: 2005, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013

Division 2

ClubJumperNicknameHome GroundFormer LeagueEstYears in HFLHFL Senior PremiershipsTotalYearsBirdwoodBridgewater (Bridgewater-Callington 2013-25)EchungaGumerachaKangarillaKersbrookMacclesfieldMeadowsTorrens Valley
[[File:Birdwood Football Club Colours.svgcenter40x40px]]RoostersBirdwood Oval, BirdwoodTVFA1880s1967-6Div 2: 1973, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1992, 1994
[[File:Bridgewater Football Club Colours (SA).svgcenter40x40px]]RaidersBridgewater Oval, Bridgewater–20122013-2022, 2024-2Div 2: 1981, 2016
[[File:Echunga Football Club Colours.svgcenter40x40px]]DemonsEchunga Recreation Ground, EchungaHCFL19031967-7Div 1: 2014
Div 2: 1995, 1996, 2000, 2011, 2013
Div 3: 1972
[[File:Gumeracha Football Club Colours.svgcenter40x40px]]MagpiesGumeracha Oval, GumerachaTVFA18871967-7Div 2: 1970, 1982, 1984, 2019, 2022, 2023, 2024
[[File:Kangarilla Football Club Colours.svgcenter40x40px]]Double BluesKangarilla Recreation Ground, KangarillaHCFL, SFL19011967-1978, 2006-5Div 2: 2006
Div 3: 1970, 1973, 1974, 1978
[[File:Kersbrook Football Club Colours.svgcenter40x40px]]Blues, BrookersKersbrook Soldiers Memorial Park, KersbrookETFA19121971-10Div 2: 1972, 1974, 1986, 1993, 1997, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2015, 2021
[[File:Essendon_Football_Club_colours.svgcenter40x40px]]Blood and TarsMacclesfield Oval, MacclesfieldHCFL, SFL18801967-1983, 1987-5Div 2: 1980, 2025
Div 3: 1969
Div 4: 1972, 1973
[[File:Meadows Football Club Colours.svgcenter40x40px]]BulldogsStringybark Park, MeadowsHCFL, SFL19031967-1982, 2001-5Div 2: 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004
Div 3: 1967
[[File:Torrens Valley Football Club Colours.svgcenter40x40px]]Mountain LionsCentenary Park, Mount Torrens–19971997-3Div 2: 2005, 2007, 2010

C-Grade Only

ClubJumperNicknameHome GroundFormer LeagueEstYears in HFLHFL Senior PremiershipsTotalYearsMilang
[[File:Milang Football Club Colours.svgcenter40x40px]]PanthersMilang Oval, MilangHCFA, GSFL18811967-1978, 1986-2005, 2010-2017, 2021-1Div 3: 1989

Former clubs

ClubJumperNicknameHome GroundFormer LeagueEstYears in HFLHFL Senior PremiershipsFateTotalYearsAshtonBarossa DistrictBremerBridgewaterCallington United EaglesEastern RangersHeathfield Aldgate UnitedIronbank-Cherry GardensIronbank-Bridgewater-Cherry GardensLanghorne CreekLenswood RangersLittlehamptonMount TorrensMount Torrens-CambraiMurraylands SwansMylorNairnePalmerPleasant ValleySedan CambraiStirlingUraidlaWilliamstown
[[File:St Kilda Football Club colours.svgcenter40x40px]]SaintsAshton Oval, AshtonNNFA1920s1972-19820-Merged with Lenswood Rangers to form Eastern Rangers in 1983
[[File:Footscray_Football_Club_colours_(1975-1996).svgcenter40x40px]]BulldogsWilliamstown Oval, WilliamstownGDFL19791987-19903Div 2: 1987, 1988, 1990Moved to Barossa, Light & Gawler FA in 1991
Callington Oval, CallingtonRMFL19311967-19780-Merged with Nairne to form Nairne Bremer United in 1978
[[File:Bridgewater Football Club Colours (SA - original).svgcenter40x40px]]RaidersBridgewater Oval, BridgewaterTVFA19561967-20121Div 2: 1981Merged with Callington United Eagles to form Bridgewater Callington in 2012
[[File:North Warrnambool Football Club Colours.svgcenter40x40px]]EaglesCallington Oval, Callington–19951995-20120-Merged with Bridgewater to form Bridgewater Callington in 2012
[[File:St Kilda Football Club colours.svgcenter40x40px]]SaintsAshton Oval, Ashton–19831983-19961Div 1: 1987Merged with Uraidla to form Uraidla Districts in 1997
[[File:Heathfield Aldgate United Football Club Colours.svgcenter40x40px]]United, Red and GreensHeathfield Oval, Heathfield–19671967-19789Div 1: 1967, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977Merged with Stirling to form Mount Lofty District in 1978
[[File:Ironbank Cherry Gardens Football Club Colours.svgcenter40x40px]]ThunderersCherry Gardens Ironbank Recreation Ground, Cherry Gardens–19861986-20224Div 2: 1998, 1999, 2018, 2020Merged with Bridgewater-Callington in 2023. Split from merger and moved to Southern FL in 2024
[[File:Ironbank Bridgewater Cherry Gardens Football Club Colours.svgcenter40x40px]]IronraidersBridgewater Oval, Bridgewater and Cherry Gardens Ironbank Recreation Ground, Cherry Gardens–202320230-De-merged into Bridgewater-Callington and Ironbank-Cherry Gardens in 2024
[[File:RichmondDesign.svgcenter40x40px]]TigersLanghorne Creek Oval, Langhorne CreekHCFA19061967-19773Div 3: 1975, 1976, 1977Moved to Great Southern FL in 1977
[[File:Lenswood Rangers Football Club Colours.svgcenter40x40px]]RangersLenswood Memorial Park, Lenswood–19671967-19822Div 2: 1978, 1979Merged with Ashton to form Eastern Rangers in 1983
[[File:Littlehampton Football Club Colours.svgcenter40x40px]]Sky BluesDunn Park Oval, Mount BarkerHCFL19591967-19721Southern: 1968Folded after 1972 season
[[File:Blackburn Football Club colours.svgcenter40x40px]]BombersCentenary Park, Mount TorrensTVFA19301967-1975,
1986-19961Div 2: 1991Merged with Sedan Cambrai in 1976 to form Mount Torrens-Cambrai.
[[File:Blackburn Football Club colours.svgcenter40x40px]]HCFL19761976-19850-De-merged into Mount Torrens and Sedan Cambrai in 1986
[[File:Murraylands_Swans_Football_Club_colours.svgcenter40x40px]]SwansLeMessurier Oval, Murray BridgeAdFL20162019-20220-Folded after 2022 season
[[File:Campbells_Creek_Football_Club_Colours.svgcenter40x40px]]MagpiesMylor Oval, MylorHCFL19021967-19720-Folded after 1972 season
[[File:Nairne Football Club Colours.svgcenter40x40px]]RamsNairne Oval, NairneHCFL19031967-19780-Merged with Bremer to form Nairne Bremer United in 1978
[[File:Essendon_Football_Club_colours.svgcenter40x40px]]BloodsCollier Park, PalmerTVFA18911967-1970, 1972-19731Div 4B: 1972Folded after 1973 season
[[File:North_Melbourne_Football_Club_colours.svgcenter40x40px]]RoosTalunga Park, Mount PleasantTVFA1960s1967-19964Northern: 1967, 1968, 1969, 1971Merged with Mount Torrens in 1997 to form Torrens Valley
[[File:Moonee_Valley_Football_Club_Colours.svgcenter40x40px]]MagpiesCambrai Sportsground, CambraiTVFA19221967-1975, 2010-20150-Merged with Mount Torrens in 1976 to form Mount Torrens-Cambrai
[[File:Nyah_Football_Club_colours.svgcenter40x40px]]EaglesStirling Oval, StirlingTVFA1800s1967-19780-Merged with Heathfield-Aldgate United to form Mount Lofty District in 1978
[[File:Norwood Football Club colours (SANFL).svgcenter40x40px]]RedlegsUraidla Showgrounds, UraidlaTVFA19051967-19964Div 1: 1979, 1980, 1989, 1996Merged with Eastern Rangers to form Uraidla Districts in 1997
RoversWilliamstown Oval, Williamstown–19671967-19730-Moved to Gawler and District FL in 1974

Premierships

title=Past Premiersurl=http://www.sportingpulse.com/assoc_page.cgi?c=1-6621-0-0-0&sID=197658access-date=23 September 2013publisher=Hills Football League}}Division 1Country Division/Division 2Division 3Division 42 divisions (1984-)1 division (1983)2 divisions (1978–1982)3 divisions (1974–1977)Central ZoneNorthern ZoneSouthern Zone3 divisions (1967–1971)
2025Nairne BremerMacclesfield
2024HahndorfGumeracha
2023Nairne BremerGumeracha
2022LobethalGumeracha
2021HahndorfKersbrook
2020HahndorfIronbank-Cherry Gardens
2019HahndorfGumeracha
2018HahndorfIronbank-Cherry Gardens
2017BlackwoodNairne Bremer
2016HahndorfBridgewater-Callington
2015HahndorfKersbrook
2014EchungaMount Lofty
2013Uraidla DistrictsEchunga
2012Mount BarkerKersbrook
2011Uraidla DistrictsEchunga
2010Uraidla DistrictsTorrens Valley
2009Uraidla DistrictsKersbrook
2008Mount LoftyKersbrook
2007Mount LoftyTorrens Valley
2006Mount LoftyKangarilla
2005Uraidla DistrictsTorrens Valley
2004Mount BarkerMeadows
2003Mount BarkerMeadows
2002LobethalMeadows
2001HahndorfMeadows
2000Mount BarkerEchunga
1999LobethalIronbank
1998LobethalIronbank
1997HahndorfKersbrook
1996UraidlaEchunga
1995HahndorfEchunga
1994Onkaparinga ValleyBirdwood
1993HahndorfKersbrook
1992HahndorfBirdwood
1991BlackwoodMount Torrens
1990Mount LoftyBarossa District
1989UraidlaNairne Bremer
1988BlackwoodBarossa District
1987Eastern RangersBarossa District
1986Mount LoftyKersbrook
1985HahndorfNairne Bremer
1984HahndorfGumeracha
1983Mount Barker
1982Mount BarkerGumeracha
1981LobethalBridgewater
1980UraidlaMacclesfield
1979UraidlaLenswood Rangers
1978Onkaparinga ValleyLenswood RangersKangarilla
1977Heathfield-AldgateBirdwoodLanghorne Creek
1976Heathfield-AldgateBirdwoodLanghorne Creek
1975Heathfield-AldgateBirdwoodLanghorne Creek
1974Heathfield-AldgateKersbrookKangarilla
1973Heathfield-AldgateBirdwoodKangarillaMacclesfield
1972Heathfield-AldgateKersbrookEchungaMacclesfield
1971Heathfield-AldgatePleasant ValleyEchunga
1970Mount BarkerGumerachaKangarilla
1969Mount BarkerPleasant ValleyMacclesfield
1968Heathfield-AldgatePleasant ValleyLittlehampton
1967Heathfield-AldgatePleasant ValleyMeadows

AFL Players

The following were drafted to AFL club lists having previously participated in the Hills Football League.

NameHFL ClubYear DraftedSANFL Club (or equiv.)AFL Club(s)
Brenton SandersonBlackwood1992SturtAdelaide, Collingwood, Geelong
Scott BurnsBirdwood1992NorwoodCollingwood
Brett JamesKersbrook1992NorwoodCollingwood, Adelaide
Steven SzillerLobethal1994Woodville-West TorrensSt Kilda, Richmond
Roger JamesKersbrook1996NorwoodPort Adelaide
Ben NelsonBridgewater1996SturtCarlton, Adelaide
Barnaby FrenchIronbank-Cherry Gardens1997SturtPort Adelaide, Carlton
Sudjai CookKersbrook1998NorwoodAdelaide
Courtney JohnsOnkaparinga Valley2002East FremantleEssendon
Darren PfeifferBirdwood2005NorwoodAdelaide, Carlton, Port Adelaide
Cleve HughesLobethal2005NorwoodRichmond
Benet CoppingMt Barker2006SturtFremantle
Paul CahillBlackwood2008SturtSt Kilda
Matthew JaenschHahndorf2009SturtAdelaide
Sam ColquhounBirdwood2013Central DistrictsPort Adelaide
Alex GeorgiouLobethal2013NorwoodMelbourne
Matthew FullerLobethal2013NorwoodWestern Bulldogs
Dean GoreHahndorf2014SturtGeelong, Adelaide
Mitch CrowdenMeadows2017SturtFremantle
Callum Coleman-JonesBlackwood2017SturtRichmond
Tom SparrowBridgewater2018South AdelaideMelbourne
Jacob MolierOnkaparinga Valley2024SturtGeelong

References

Books

  • Encyclopedia of South Australian country football clubs / compiled by Peter Lines.
  • South Australian country football digest / by Peter Lines

References

  1. http://www.sportingpulse.com/assoc_page.cgi?assoc=6621&pID=1 About the League
  2. (26 September 2014). "Echunga Football Club exploring ways to avoid relegation despite winning Hills Football League flag". News Limited.
  3. http://footypedia.isgreat.org/00002257.htm Footypedia
  4. "Blackwood Football Club".
  5. "Hahndorf Football Club".
  6. "Lobethal Football Club".
  7. "Mt Barker Football Club".
  8. "Mt Lofty Football Club".
  9. "Onkaparinga Valley Football Club".
  10. "Callington United Eagles Football Club".
  11. (5 February 2016). "Sedan-Cambrai makes eight for Independents".
  12. "Past Premiers". Hills Football League.
  13. "AFL Drafted Players".
  14. Rielly, Stephen. (9 August 2003). "Scott Burns: Humble Pie". The Age.
  15. Devaney, John. "SA Football Companion - Brett James". Full Points Footy.
  16. Connolly, Rohan. (23 November 2003). "French Plans to Stand Tall". The Age.
  17. Fjeldstad, Jesper. (2 November 2013). "Darren Pfeiffer: It's lonely on the fringe of the AFL". Sunday Mail (SA).
  18. Porter, Ashley. (21 June 2008). "Cubs on song as Tigers stun Port". Illawarra Mercury.
  19. Lines, Peter. (2012). "South Australian Country Football Digest". Peter Lines.
Wikipedia Source

This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page.

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