Benalla Football Club

The Benalla Football Netball Club, nicknamed the Saints, is an Australian rules football and netball club based in Benalla, Victoria. Its football and netball teams currently compete in the Goulburn Valley Football League.

History

 * Benalla Football Club

The first published evidence of a club meeting was in 1871, to arrange a local football match on the Queen's Birthday holiday.

Football in Benalla appeared to of lapsed between 1872 and 1877, then the football club was re-formed in April 1878, with a meeting at Hamilton's Hotel when Mr. D.G. McC. O'Leary was elected as president. "The first and inaugurating match of Benalla FC" was played on the Benalla Recreation Reserve on Saturday, 27 April 1878.

In May, 1878, Carlton Football Club played a match against a North Eastern Victorian team at Benalla.

In May 1882, Benalla hosted a match between the Melbourne Football Club and a North Eastern representative team, with Melbourne winning a tight contest.

In 1883, Benalla FC played their home games on the oval adjoining the Benalla East State School and "have given amusement to the public during many a dreary Saturday".

In 1884 and 1885 the club's colours were a "blue guernsey and red and blue hose and cap".

In 1886, Essendon Football Club played a representative team from the North East of Victoria at the Benalla Recreation Reserve, which resulted in a win to Essendon.

Benalla initially played in the North Eastern Football Association in 1892 and won their first premiership in 1895 (unbeaten premiers), the first of three consecutive premierships.

In 1896, club patron's included John Alston Wallace (MLC) and Thomas Kennedy (MLA).

In 1897, Benalla's colours were blue, white and black.

Benalla FC went into recess from 1900 to 1902, with the Benalla Half Holiday FC and the Benalla Federals FC both playing competition football in these years.

In September 1908, Benalla's 28 year old captain and local Police Constable, James Cummins, along with Mounted Constable Daly, both drowned at the Benalla Waterworks Trust Weir.

In 1911, Benalla FC were not admitted into the Yarrawonga & District Football Association & went into recess, so as a result a new club was formed in Benalla, known as Benalla & Railway United FC referred to as "Benalla United" in local newspapers. This new club entered the Benalla Wednesday FA in 1911.

From 1919 to 1923, Benalla's colours were green and gold.

Benalla first entered the Ovens & Murray Football League in 1922 with their association continuing until 1928.

The O&MFL played Carlton in Wangaratta in 1922, resulting in a close win to Carlton, with three Benalla players representing the O&MFL.

In June, 1925, Benalla FC offered Cyril Gambetta their coaching job, but St.Kilda refused to clear him

In 1927, the club's colours were altered to red and white and Mr. J Skelton was elected a life patron. Fitzroy 18.7 - 105 defeated Benalla 9.9 - 65 in Benalla in late September, in what was a highlight for the local football supporters.

Mr. Les Hill was given a testimonial by the Benalla FC in 1927, after 17 years of service as a player.

At the club's 1929 AGM, Benalla Rovers FC took over the running of football in Benalla and their senior team was named the Benalla Rovers in 1929 and they wore a vertical black and gold striped jumper, known as the Tigers in the O & M in 1929 and 1930.

Between 1931 and 1941, Benalla's senior team played off in ten senior football grand finals, winning seven premierships. The only season Benalla missed playing in a grand final was in 1934 when they lost the first semi final to Wilby by one point in the Benalla Mulwala Football Association, in a real golden era for the club.

In 1931, Bernie Squires won the senior grade best and fairest award, while Dave Smith won the reserves grade best and fairest award.

In 1933, Benalla was known as the "Tigers" and lost a close match against Collingwood in October, 1933.

In 1940, Benalla 16.16 - 106 defeated Rushworth 11.16 – 82 to win their first senior Goulburn Valley Football League premiership in their first year in the GVFL.

Former 1930 and 1931 Benalla Junior premiership player, Jim Howell died in a Japanese Prison Camp in 1945.

From 1948 to 1997, Benalla were known as the Demons after they changed their jumper to a red jumper with a white V.

In late 1952, arrangements were made to set up a Benalla Junior Football League (BJFL) to start in 1953, with former Benalla FC coach, Ken Walker elected as the first President of the BJFL. This decision led to Benalla FC not fielding a Thirds team in the Benalla & District Football League.

In 1953, the O&MFL introduced a second eighteen (Reserves) competition for the first time, which meant that Benalla Reserves had to pull out of the Benalla Tungamah Football League.

In 1961, Benalla Football Club's Chiswell Pavilion was built and served the club well over the next 50 odd years, when it was replaced with the Lakeside Community Centre and changerooms in 2011. Charlie Chiswell was a former club President in the early 1960s and was instrumental in funding the building through a debenture scheme. The old Chiswell Pavilion was demolished in 2021, with only the front verandah remaining as a shelter.

When Benalla FC moved from the Ovens and Murray Football League to the Goulburn Valley Football League in 1998, they had to change their club colours and guernsey, which was to mirror the colours of the St Kilda Football Club.

When Australian Rules Football really took in the North East of Victoria in the late 1880's and early 1890's, a number of local football clubs were formed. Some of these local clubs, listed below played in local competitions and either merged with the Benalla Football Club or later folded. These clubs formed a valuable part of the local grassroots football history of the Benalla region.

The Benalla Half Holiday FC was formed as a junior club in May, 1899, wearing a blue jumper with a yellow sash. The club's jumper colors were changed to red, white and blue at a meeting in April, 1900. The club played in the Benalla Wednesday (Half Holiday) FA and wore maroon jumpers with white knicks in 1908.
 * Benalla Half Holiday Football Club (1899 to 1902 & 1908 & 1909)

The Benalla Federals FC amalgamated with the Railways FC in 1902 and played a pivotal role as Benalla's main Saturday competition football club in 1902 and 1903, when they played in the Moira Football Association.
 * Benalla Federals Football Club (1902 & 1903)

Formed in 1907, they went onto win three premierships in the Benalla Wednesday (Half Holiday) Football Association in 1908, 1910 and 1912. They then merged with Benalla & Railway United Football Club in 1913 to re-form Benalla Football Club.
 * Benalla Gymnasium Football Club (1907 - 1912)

On Saturday, 15 June 1907, at the Five Alls Hotel, Benalla, the Benalla East Stars Football Club was formed and played in the Glenrowan Football Association for one season only, with Five Alls Hotel owner, Mr. Jack Bowden elected as President. The club played their home games behind the Benalla Five Alls Hotel.
 * Benalla East Stars Football Club (1907)

The Benalla & Railway United FC "Benalla United" was formed in 1911, decided on black and white hoops as their club jumper and would enter a team the Benalla Wednesday Football Association. Euroa Football Club won the 1911 Wednesday Football Association premiership and the Benalla Gymnasium FC defeated Benalla United in the 1912 grand final.
 * Benalla & Railway United Football Club (1911 & 1912)

In 1913, local footballers wanted to play in a local Saturday competition, so Benalla United and Benalla Gymnasium merged and was reformed as Benalla Football Club, was admitted into the Yarrawonga District Football Association and played in the green and gold colours.


 * Benalla Rovers Football Club (1920 to 1930) & (1976 to 1989)

The Benalla Rovers were formed in 1920, when the Benalla Junior FC (formed in 1919 ) changed their name to Benalla Rovers FC at the AGM. Benalla Rovers FC won the 1920 and 1921 premiership in the North East Line Football Association. Benalla Rovers lost the 1922 Yarrawonga Line Football Association grand final to Devenish. In 1923, Benalla Rovers decided to change their colours to yellow and black, with black knickers. Remarkably, Benalla Rovers went through the 1923 season without a defeat to claim the Yarrawonga Line Football Association premiership.

Benalla Rovers were runners up to Yarrawonga in 1927, then won the 1928 Yarrawonga Line Football Association premiership.

In 1929, the Benalla Rovers FC took full control of the Benalla FC, including a debt of £60. The club entered Rovers A into the Ovens and Murray Football League, Rovers B played in the Yarrawonga Line Football Association and the Benalla Juniors played in the new Benalla District Football League.

In 1930, Benalla Rovers A played in the Ovens and Murray Football League, while Rovers B lost the Yarrawonga Line Football Association grand final to St. James, while the Benalla Juniors won the 1930 Benalla District Football League premiership, defeating Swanpool.

At the club's 1931 AGM, the club's secretary would not present the balance sheet due the auditor refusing to sign it, who later resigned. The club's name was then changed back to the “Benalla Football Club”.


 * Benalla Juniors Football Club (1929 to 1931)

The Benalla Juniors played in the Benalla District Football League from 1929 to 1931, playing in three consecutive grand finals, winning premierships in 1930 and 1931, wearing the purple and gold colours.

They changed their name to the Benalla Imperials FC in 1932 and joined the Euroa Line Football Association.

Benalla Imperials were beaten by Benalla Football Club in the 1933 Euroa Line Football Association grand final.
 * Benalla Imperials Football Club (1932 & 1933)

Benalla Imperials merged with the Benalla Football Club in 1934 and Benalla Seniors played in the Benalla Mulwala FA, while the Benalla Reserves played in the Benalla Yarrawonga Lines FA in 1934.











Competitions timeline

 * Benalla Football Club
 * Seniors
 * 1871 - Club was formed
 * 1872 - 1877 - No published newspapers reports during this period.
 * 1878 - 1885 - Club reformed and played friendly matches against other local towns and clubs.
 * 1886 - William Collins Cup
 * 1887 - 1891: ?
 * 1892 - 1898: North Eastern Football Association
 * 1899 - Devenish Football Association
 * 1900 - 1902: Benalla FC in recess
 * 1900 & 1901 - Thoona District Football Association (Benalla Half Holiday FC)
 * 1902 & 1903 - Moira Football Association (Benalla Federals FC)
 * 1904 - Brigg's Challenge Cup (Benalla "A" team: Benalla Wednesday Football Association)
 * 1904 & 1905 - Moira Football Association (Benalla FC)
 * 1906 - 1909 - Benalla Yarrawonga Football Association
 * 1910 - North Eastern Football Association
 * 1911 & 1912 - Benalla FC in recess. Benalla decided not to enter the North Eastern FA, but then were not admitted into the Yarrawonga & District FA, which left Benalla FC without a competition to play in.
 * 1913 & 1914 - Yarrawonga & District Football Association
 * 1915 - The Line Football Association
 * 1916 - 1918 - Club in recess due to World War 1
 * 1919 - Dookie & Line Football Association
 * 1920 & 1921 - Benalla Yarrawonga Line Football Association
 * 1922 - 1928 - Ovens & Murray Football League
 * 1929 & 1930 - Ovens & Murray Football League (Benalla Rovers FC)
 * 1931 - 1933 - Euroa District Football Association
 * 1934 - 1937 - Benalla Mulwala Football Association
 * 1938 & 1939 - Benalla Tungamah Football League
 * 1940 - Goulburn Valley Football Association
 * 1941 - Benalla Patriotic Football League
 * 1942 - 1944 - Club in recess due to World War Two
 * 1945 - Benalla Patriotic Football League
 * 1946 - 1997 - Ovens & Murray Football League
 * 1998 - 2019 - Goulburn Valley Football League
 * 2020 - Benalla FC in recess due to the COVID-19 pandemic
 * 2021 - 2023: Goulburn Valley Football League


 * Reserves
 * 1904 - Brigg's Challenge Cup / Benalla Wednesday FA (Benalla "B" team)
 * 1909 - Benalla Wednesday Football Association (Benalla "B")
 * 1929 & 1930: Yarrawonga Line Football Association
 * 1931 - 1934: Benalla Mulwala Line Football Association
 * 1946 - Benalla & District Football League
 * 1947 - Murray Valley North East Football League
 * 1948 - 1952: Benalla Tungamah Football League
 * 1953 - 1997: Ovens & Murray Football League
 * 1998 - 2019: Goulburn Valley Football League
 * 2020 - Benalla FC in recess due to the COVID-19 pandemic
 * 2021 - 2023: Goulburn Valley Football League


 * Thirds
 * 1947 - 1952: Benalla & District Football League
 * 1973 - 1997: Ovens & Murray Football League
 * 1998 - 2019: Goulburn Valley Football League
 * 2020 - Benalla FC in recess due to the COVID-19 pandemic
 * 2021 - 2023: Goulburn Valley Football League


 * Benalla Half Holiday Football Club
 * 1900 & 1901 - Thoona District Football Association (Benalla Half Holiday FC)
 * 1903 - 1907: Club was most likely in recess
 * 1908 & 1909: Benalla Wednesday Football Association


 * Benalla Federals Football Club
 * 1902 & 1903: Moira Football Association


 * Benalla East Stars Football Club (1907)
 * 1907 - Glenrowan Football Association


 * Benalla Gymnasium Football Club
 * 1907 - 1912: Benalla Wednesday (Half Holiday) Football Association
 * 1913 - Merged with Benalla & Railway United FC & reformed as Benalla Football Club


 * Benalla & Railway United Football Club (1911 & 1912)
 * 1911 & 1912: Benalla Wednesday (Half Holiday) Football Association
 * 1913 - Merged with Benalla Gymnasium FC & reformed as Benalla Football Club
 * Benalla Rovers Football Club
 * 1920 - 1923: North East (Euroa) Football Association
 * 1922 - 1928: Yarrawonga Line Football Association
 * 1929 & 1930: Ovens & Murray Football League
 * 1931 - Changed its name to Benalla Football Club
 * 1976 - 1989: Benalla & District Football League


 * Benalla Juniors Football Club
 * 1929 - 1931: Benalla & District Football League
 * 1932 - Changed their name to the Benalla Imperials FC and joined the Euroa Line Football Association.


 * Benalla Imperials Football Club
 * 1932 & 1933: Euroa District Football Association
 * 1934 - Benalla Imperials merged with the Benalla Football Club.

Football premierships
This is a complete list of premierships won by the club in the different leagues where it played:
 * Benalla Football Club
 * Seniors


 * 1939 - Benalla were undefeated premiers.


 * Reserves


 * Thirds


 * Benalla Gymnasium Football Club


 * Benalla Rovers Football Club
 * Seniors


 * Benalla Junior Football Club

Netball premierships
Ovens and Murray Football / Netball League: 1993 to 1997
 * No premierships

Goulburn Valley Football Netball League: 1998 to present day
 * A. Grade
 * 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2007
 * B. Reserve
 * 2001
 * 17 and Under
 * 2008

Ovens and Murray Football League: Best & Fairest winners
The list includes the following players:


 * Seniors – Morris Medal
 * 1954 – Kevin Hurley
 * 1968 – John Waddington
 * 1990 – Jamie Ronke. Father of Ben Ronke – Sydney Swans.


 * Reserves – Ralph Marks Medal
 * 1960 – Roy Symes
 * 1968 – Norm Hogan
 * 1973 – Graham Sherwill


 * Thirds - 3NE Award
 * 1973 – Peter Nolan
 * 1976 – John Martiniello. (Martiniello also won the 1993 Tungamah Football League senior football, Lawless Medal, with the Benalla All Blacks Football Club.)
 * 1983 – Rod Brewster

Goulburn Valley Football League – Best & Fairest winners
The list includes the following players:
 * Seniors – Morrison Medal
 * 1999 – Anthony Pasquali. Father of Seb Pasquali – Western United
 * 2008 – Rowan Priest
 * 2013 – Luke Morgan
 * 2014 – William Martiniello
 * 2018 - Sam Martyn


 * Reserves – Abikhair Medal
 * 1998 – P Warnock
 * 2007 – Chris Dube
 * 2011 – Chris Dube. (Chris Dube also won the 2018 Ovens & King Football League senior football Baker Medal with Greta Football Club.)


 * Thirds – Pattison Medal
 * 2002 – R Joyce

Hall of Fame inductees
Ovens & Murray Football League
 * 2008 - Neil Hanlon
 * 2010 - Emmy DeFazio
 * 2012 - John Brunner
 * 2013 - John Martiniello

Senior football stats

 * Most games
 * 316 - John Martiniello
 * 251 - Emmy DeFazio
 * 247 - Robbie Allan
 * 247 - Bernie Squires
 * 225 - Terry Greaves
 * 209 - Neil Hanlon
 * 196 - Bill Sammon
 * 100 + - Edward "Ted" Briggs
 * 100 + - Roy Symes
 * Most goals in a match
 * 16 - Ricky Symes - 2005 - GVFL Rd.12: Benalla v Tatura
 * 13 - Vern Drake - 1972. O&MFL
 * 12 - Fred Beeson - 1923. O&MFL Rd.2 - Benalla v Lake Rovers
 * 12 - Reg Roscoe - 1953. O&MFL Rd.17 - Benalla v Yarrawonga
 * 12 - Norm Minns - 1954. O&MFL Rd.14: Benalla v Corowa.
 * 11 - Wheeler. 9 July 1928. O&MFL: Benalla v Beechworth.
 * 11 - Bob Chitty - 1947 - O&MFL Rd.13: Benalla v Rutherglen.
 * 11 - Josh Mellington. 5 September 2015 - GVFNL: Benalla v Euroa.

VFL / AFL players
The following 38 players played with Benalla, prior to playing senior football in the VFL/AFL, and / or drafted, with the year indicating their VFL/AFL debut.


 * 1897 – Jim Flynn – Geelong & Carlton
 * 1905 – Dave McNamara – St. Kilda
 * 1906 – Cec Garton – Essendon
 * 1906 – Andy Kennedy – Carlton & Melbourne
 * 1907 – John Gilding – St. Kilda
 * 1909 – Tom McEwan – Carlton
 * 1924 – Fred Beeson – Fitzroy
 * 1925 – Clarrie Nolan – North Melbourne
 * 1927 - Dinny Kelleher - Carlton & South Melbourne
 * 1928 - Doug Ringrose - Fitzroy
 * 1935 – Jack Bridgfoot – Footscray
 * 1936 – Arthur Hall – Fitzroy
 * 1944 – Bryan Crimmins – Melbourne
 * 1948 – Max Howell – Carlton
 * 1952 – Kevin Bond – Hawthorn
 * 1952 – John Brady – North Melbourne
 * 1953 – Kevin Gleeson – Richmond
 * 1954 - Kevin Hogan - South Melbourne
 * 1956 - Ray Lalor - Essendon
 * 1958 – Barry Connolly – Footscray
 * 1958 – John Stephenson – Carlton
 * 1958 – Frank Hogan – South Melbourne
 * 1959 – John Thompson – Richmond
 * 1964 – Neil Busse – Richmond & South Melbourne
 * 1968 – Kevin Sykes – North Melbourne
 * 1971 – Gary Cowton – Nth Melbourne, Footscray & Sth Melbourne
 * 1972 – Brian Symes – North Melbourne
 * 1973 - Michael Stilo - North Melbourne
 * 1976 – Chris Elliott – South Melbourne
 * 1985 – Steven Hickey – North Melbourne
 * 1990 - Andrew Harrison - Brisbane Lions. No AFL games. No 15 in 1990 AFL National Draft.
 * 1990 - Tim Symes - Sydney Swans. No AFL games. No 29 in 1990 Mid season AFL Draft
 * 1998 – Ricky Symes – Western Bulldogs. No AFL games. No.61 in 1998 AFL Draft.
 * 2001 – Matthew Shir – Adelaide Crows
 * 2003 – Jarrad Waite – Carlton & North Melbourne
 * 2009 – Tom Rockliff – Brisbane, Port Adelaide
 * 2011 – Josh Mellington – Fremantle
 * 2015 - Caleb Marchbank - Greater Western Sydney
 * 2017 – Harry Morrison – Hawthorn

The following footballers played senior VFL / AFL football prior to making their debut with the Benalla FC. The year indicates their debut season at Benalla.


 * 1923 - Tom Drummond
 * 1925 - Les Bryant
 * 1925 - Bob Merrick
 * 1926 - Jim Morden
 * 1926 - Wal Matthews
 * 1927 - Bert Lenne
 * 1946 - Terry Boyle
 * 1947 - Bob Chitty
 * 1950 - Ken Walker
 * 1956 - Len Fitzgerald
 * 1958 - Bob Hempel
 * 1960 - Les Reed
 * 1964 - Graeme Jonson
 * 1966 - John Waddington
 * 1970 - Vern Drake
 * 1980? - Robin Close
 * 1982 - Len Halley
 * 1984 - Wayne Primmer
 * 1988 - Phil Carman
 * 1990 - Mark Perkins
 * 1993 - Andrew Dale
 * 2005 - Anthony Stevens
 * 2006 - Mark Porter
 * 2008 - Michael Stevens
 * 2011 - Richard Ambrose

Life members

 * 1927 - J Skelton (Life Patron)
 * 1933 - Thomas A Moore
 * 1948 - Jack Talochino
 * 1950 - Mrs. A W Roscoe
 * 1953 - Mr. A W Roscoe

All other club life members can be viewed via the club's official website.

Club honourboard

 * Senior Football
 * - * includes goals kicked in finals
 * - Ladder position is at the end of the home & away series of matches.