North East Australian Football League

The North East Australian Football League (NEAFL) was an Australian rules football league in New South Wales, Queensland, the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory. The league was formed in November 2010, and its inaugural competition was in 2011.[1] It was a second division league, sitting below the national Australian Football League (AFL) and featured the reserves teams of the region's four AFL clubs playing alongside six non-AFL affiliated NEAFL senior teams. Nine NEAFL seasons were contested between 2011 and 2019, before the 2020 season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the league was amalgamated into the Victorian Football League from 2021.

North East Australian
Football League
SportAustralian rules football
Founded2010 (2010)
Inaugural season2011
Ceased2020
No. of teams10
Country Australia
ConfederationAFL NSW/ACT
AFL Queensland
AFL Northern Territory
Last
champion(s)
Brisbane Lions
(2019)
Most titlesBrisbane Lions
(4)
TV partner(s)Seven Network
Level on pyramid2
Promotion to(none)
Relegation to(none)
Official websiteneafl.com.au

History

The NEAFL was formed at the end of 2010 primarily as an amalgamation of the two major football leagues in Australia's north-east - the Queensland Australian Football League, based in South-East Queensland and including one team from the Northern Territory, and AFL Canberra, based around ACT, and including one team from Sydney (the reserves team of the AFL's Sydney Swans). The two leagues were converted to NEAFL conferences: the Northern Conference, serving Queensland and the Northern Territory, and the Eastern Conference, serving New South Wales and the ACT. Teams from the two conferences played matches against each other throughout the home-and-away season, before each conference staged a separate finals competition to determine both a northern premier and an eastern premier. The two premiers then played each other in the NEAFL Grand Final.

Two new teams also joined the competition for its inaugural season in 2011: the reserves team of Gold Coast Football Club (whose senior team joined the AFL in the same season); and the senior team of the Greater Western Sydney Giants, which was preparing to join the AFL in 2012. These two clubs would have joined the QAFL and AFL Canberra respectively, had the NEAFL not been formed.

In 2012, two more clubs joined the Eastern Conference from the AFL Sydney competition: Sydney Hills and Sydney University. With Greater Western Sydney's senior team joining the AFL, its NEAFL side became a reserves team in partnership with, and under the name of the University of Western Sydney.

On 11 May 2013, the NEAFL Northern Conference played an interstate game against South Australia who represent the South Australian National Football League (SANFL). The game, played at the City Mazda Stadium in Adelaide resulted in a 21.14 (140) to 9.4 (58) win over the NEAFL North, with SA's higher fitness level the main difference between the two sides.

On 8 June 2013, the NEAFL Eastern Conference played an interstate game against Tasmania who represent the TSL (Tasmanian State League). Tasmania won 15.11 (101) - 8.13 (61).

A major restructure of the league was announced for the 2014 season. Five clubs left the competition and the conference system was abolished. Broadbeach, Labrador, Morningside and Mt. Gravatt joined a re-constructed Queensland Australian Football League, while Tuggeranong went back to the AFL Canberra Division One competition.[2] The possibility of a North Queensland side entering the competition for 2014 was considered but ruled out.[3]

Due to the financial challenges of participating in the competition and a proposal from the AFL for the existing Canberra clubs to contribute to a single Canberra team, Belconnen, Queanbeyan and the Sydney Hills Eagles chose to leave the NEAFL at the end of the 2014 season.[4][5] The ongoing desire by the AFL for a single Canberra team led Ainslie to withdraw at the end of the 2015 season. Both Canberra clubs - Ainslie and Eastlake - had a NEAFL licence until the end of 2016, but Ainslie withdrew from the competition after the AFL rejected their proposal to be Canberra's sole team from 2017. The AFL wanted Canberra's team to be either a combined Ainslie-Eastlake side or a representative team funded largely by all the local clubs in the Canberra area.[6]

Two teams changed their names prior to the 2016 season. Eastlake's NEAFL side started to play as the Canberra Demons in an attempt to be seen as Canberra's representative team in the NEAFL competition. The club wishes to provide a clear AFL pathway for local talent and to get rid of the baggage between other clubs in the ACT. As part of this decision the team also adopted a blue and gold guernsey for home games, reflecting the territory's traditional colours. The team still wears Eastlake's red and black colours in away matches.[7] The Greater Western Sydney reserves team became known as the Western Sydney University Giants to reflect the re-branding of the University of Western Sydney.[8]

At the end of the 2019 season, AFL Northern Territory announced the disbanding of the NT Thunder, citing financial and logistical difficulties. The competition scope therefore decreased to capture Queensland, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory.[9] The 2020 season was then cancelled altogether, owing to the infeasibility of interstate travel during the COVID-19 pandemic.[10]

In August 2020, the AFL announced that the NEAFL would be amalgamated into the Victorian Football League in 2021, bringing an end to the competition's nine-season history. The NEAFL's clubs will all have the opportunity to join the Victorian Football League, though given the finances associated with travel the independent non-AFL clubs are considered unlikely to join the league.[11]

Clubs

Clubs in 2020

Club[12] Nickname City/Town State/Territory Home ground Founded First
season
Premiers Premiers years
AspleyHornetsBrisbaneQueenslandGraham Road1964201112014
Brisbane Lions [note 1]LionsBrisbaneQueenslandSouth Pine SC1997201142012, 2013, 2017, 2019
CanberraDemonsCanberraAustralian CTManuka Oval192620110
Gold Coast [note 1]SunsGold CoastQueenslandMetricon Stadium201020110
Great. West. Sydney [note 1]GiantsSydneyNew South WalesSpotless Stadium2011201112016
RedlandBombersBrisbaneQueenslandTidbold Park196620110
Southport SharksSharksGold CoastQueenslandFankhauser Reserve1961201112018
Sydney [note 1]SwansSydneyNew South WalesSydney Cricket Ground198220110
Sydney UniversityStudentsSydneyNew South WalesHenson Park186320120
Notes
  1. Competes with reserve teams with the senior squad competing in the AFL

Former clubs

Club[12] Nickname City/Town State/Territory Home ground First season Last season Current League
Ainslie
Tricolours
Canberra Australian Capital Territory
Alan Ray Oval
2011
2015
AFL Canberra
Broadbeach
Cats
Gold Coast Queensland
H & A Oval
2011
2013
Queensland Australian Football League
Belconnen
Magpies
Canberra Australian Capital Territory
Kippax Oval
2011
2014
AFL Canberra
Labrador
Tigers
Gold Coast Queensland
Cooke-Murphy Oval
2011
2013
Queensland Australian Football League
NT Thunder
Thunder
Darwin Northern Territory
TIO Stadium
2011
2019
N/A - folded
Morningside
Panthers
Brisbane Queensland
Esplen Oval
2011
2013
Queensland Australian Football League
Mount Gravatt
Vultures
Brisbane Queensland
Dittmer Park
2011
2013
Queensland Australian Football League
Queanbeyan
Tigers
Queanbeyan New South Wales
Dairy Farmers Park
2011
2014
AFL Canberra
Sydney Hills
Eagles
Sydney New South Wales
Bruce Purser Reserve
2012
2014
AFL Sydney
Tuggeranong
Hawks
Canberra Australian Capital Territory
Greenway Oval
2011
2013
AFL Canberra

League awards

Current league awards have been instituted since 2014.[13]

Premiers

Season[12]PremierRunner-upScoreMarginVenueCity/TownState/Territory
2011NT ThunderAinslie16.18 (114) – 13.14 (92)22 pointsTraeger ParkAlice SpringsNorthern Territory
2012Brisbane LionsQueanbeyan11.9 (75) – 22.12 (144)69 pointsManuka OvalCanberraAustralian Capital Territory
2013Brisbane LionsSydney Swans12.9 (81) – 10.13 (73)8 pointsGraham Road OvalBrisbaneQueensland
2014AspleySydney Swans15.12 (102) – 15.10 (100)2 pointsGraham Road OvalBrisbaneQueensland
2015NT ThunderAspley11.15 (81) – 11.14 (80)1 pointMarrara OvalDarwinNorthern Territory
2016WSU GiantsSydney Swans11.16 (82) – 11.12 (78)4 pointsBlacktown International SportsparkSydneyNew South Wales
2017Brisbane LionsSydney Swans12.13 (85) – 10.22 (82)[14]3 pointsSydney Cricket GroundSydneyNew South Wales
2018SouthportSydney Swans14.6 (90) – 5.5 (35)55 pointsFankhauser ReserveGold CoastQueensland
2019Brisbane LionsSouthport20.15 (135) – 8.11 (59)76 pointsFankhauser ReserveGold CoastQueensland

NEAFL MVP award

SeasonPlayerClubVotes
2014Matthew PayneAspley102
2015Tom YoungSydney University86
2016Matthew PayneAspley87
2017Jordan KerasSouthport78
2018Matthew PayneAspley95

NEAFL Rising Star

SeasonPlayerClub
2014Paul HunterRedland
2015Matt UebergangRedland
2016Hayden Bertoli-SimmondsRedland
2017Adam SambonoNT Thunder

NEAFL leading goal kicker

SeasonPlayerClubGoals
2014Cleve HughesRedland79
2015Darren EwingNT Thunder87
2016Darren EwingNT Thunder63
2017Darren EwingNT Thunder61
2018Matt HammelmannRedland60


NEAFL coach of the year

SeasonPlayerClub
2014Xavier ClarkeNT Thunder
2015Brett HandGWS Giants
2016Rhyce ShawSydney Swans
2017Tom MorrisonSydney University

Former league awards

Grogan Medal (2011–2013)

Awarded to the best and fairest players in the Northern Conference.

SeasonWinnerClubVotes
2011Matthew Payne
Cameron Ilett
Southport
NT Thunder
23
2012Ryan Davey
Fraser Pope
Tom Salter
Labrador
Southport
Redland
14
2013Haydn Kiel[15]Southport21

Mulrooney Medal (2011–2013)

For the best and fairest players in the Eastern Conference.

SeasonWinnerClubVotes
2011Daniel Currie
Jarred Moore
Sydney Swans
Sydney Swans
16
2012Shane HarrisBelconnen16
2013James Bennett[16]Belconnen21

NEAFL (Northern) Rising Star award (2011–2013)

Awarded to an outstanding young player in the Northern Conference.

SeasonWinnerClub
2011Ross TungatalumNT Thunder
2012Andrew Boston[17]Broadbeach
2013Josh Smith[15]Morningside

NEAFL (Eastern) Rising Star award (2011–2013)

Awarded to an outstanding young player in the Eastern Conference

SeasonWinnerClub
2011Hayden ArmstrongEastlake
2012Liam Flaherty[18]Eastlake
2013Brent Macleod[19]Tuggeranong

Ray Hughson Medal (2011–2013)

Highest goalkicker award for player in Northern Conference

SeasonWinnerClubGoals
2011Darren EwingNT Thunder115
2012Tom KavanaghQueanbeyan92
2013Darren Ewing[15]NT Thunder94

Most successful clubs

Club Year established Leagues Premiership years Premierships (total)
Southport Football Club 1961 GCAFL 1961–1982

QAFL 1983–2010
NEAFL 2011–

Gold Coast Australian Football League: 1961, 1962, 1966, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1979, 1980

Queensland Australian Football League: 1983, 1985, 1987, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2005, 2006, 2008
North East Australian Football League: 2018

22
Canberra Football Club 1926 CANFL 1926–1974

ACTFL 1975–1999
AFLC 2000–2010
NEAFL 2011–

Canberra Australian National Football League: 1928, 1930, 1933, 1934, 1937, 1942, 1945, 1948, 1957, 1960, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1972

Australian Capital Territory Football League: 1976, 1978
AFL Canberra: 2001

19
Aspley Football Club 1964 SQAFA 1964–1992

BAFL 1993–2008
QAFL 2009–2010
NEAFL: 2011–

South Queensland Australian Football Association: 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1992

Brisbane Australian Football League: 2002
North East Australian Football League: 2014

9
Sydney University Football Club 1948 NSWANFL 1948–1957, 1962–1968

SFA 1971–1987, 1995–2006
SFL 1988–1994
SAFL 2007–2011
NEAFL 2012–

Sydney Football Association: 1981, 1986, 1987, 1997, 2003, 2005

Sydney Football League: 1992

7
Brisbane Lions (reserves) 1998 QAFL 1998–2010

NEAFL 2011–

Queensland Australian Football League: 2001

North East Australian Football League: 2012, 2013, 2017, 2019

5
Redland Football Club 1966 SQAFA 1966–1992

BAFL 1993–1999
QAFL 2000–2010
NEAFL 2011–

South Queensland Australian Football Association: 1975, 1987

Brisbane Australian Football League 1998, 1999

4
Sydney Swans (reserves) 1874 VFL 1877–1990

VSFL1991–1999
SAFL 2000
AFLC 2003–2010
NEAFL 2011–

AFL Canberra: 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 4
Northern Territory Football Club 2008 QAFL 2009–2010

NEAFL 2011–

North East Australian Football League: 2011, 2015 2
Gold Coast Football Club (reserves) 2011 NEAFL 2011– nil 0
Greater Western Sydney Giants (reserves) 2011 NEAFL 2011– North East Australian Football League: 2016 1

See also

References

  1. Archived 14 November 2010 at the Wayback Machine
  2. "New look NEAFL announced". North East Australian Football League. 16 August 2013. Retrieved 17 August 2013.
  3. "No North Queensland team for NEAFL". North East Australian Football League. 30 September 2013. Retrieved 4 October 2013.
  4. "Three teams to leave the NEAFL". North East Australian Football League. 6 August 2014. Retrieved 7 September 2014.
  5. Gaskin, Lee (5 August 2014). "Canberra down to two teams in the NEAFL after Queanbeyan and Belconnen pull out". The Canberra Times.
  6. Polkinghorne, David (17 September 2015). "Ainslie withdraws from NEAFL". The Canberra Times.
  7. Polkinghorne, David (15 January 2016). "Eastlake back Canberra Demons as ACT's only NEAFL team". The Canberra Times.
  8. "Western Sydney University GIANTS". GWS Giants. Archived from the original on 29 January 2016. Retrieved 23 January 2016.
  9. "Thunder no more: AFLNT confirms no NEAFL and VFLW teams". AFL.com.au. 12 September 2019.
  10. "NEAFL Statement – 2020 Toyota NEAFL Season Update". NEAFL.com.au. 17 June 2020. Archived from the original on 24 August 2020.
  11. Max Laughton (24 August 2020). "VFL to merge with NEAFL, under-18 comps revamped in massive changes to AFL's second tier". Fox Sports. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
  12. "NEAFL Overview". Australian Football.
  13. "North East Australian Football League: NEAFL awards night wrap". Neafl.com.au. 25 August 2014. Retrieved 29 August 2015.
  14. "North East Australian Football League Match Centre - SportsTG". SportsTG. Retrieved 10 September 2017.
  15. "North East Australian Football League: Southport's Kiel wins Grogan". Neafl.com.au. Retrieved 29 August 2015.
  16. "Bennett wins Mulrooney Medal". Afl Nsw/Act. Retrieved 29 August 2015.
  17. "North East Australian Football League: Boston to make AFL debut". Hosting4.sportingpulse.com. Retrieved 29 August 2015.
  18. "North East Australian Football League: Shane Harris Caps of an Impressive first NEAFL Season". Neafl.com.au. Retrieved 29 August 2015.
  19. "North East Australian Football League: Hawk Brent Macleod wins NAB Rising Star Award". Neafl.com.au. 17 September 2013. Retrieved 29 August 2015.
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