Eltham Football Club
Encyclopedia
Eltham Football Club is an Australian rules football
club in Eltham, Victoria
, currently competing in the Northern Football League.
began playing social matches at nearby Kangaroo Ground
from 1900.
In 1907, Police Constable "Ike" Stephens convened a meeting with the idea of providing entertainment for the lads and an outlet for their surplus energy. Phil McGavin was the first Secretary.
In 1909, the newly founded Eltham Football Club joined the Heidelberg District Football League. The team travelled by train to Ivanhoe
to play their first game. Home games were played at Lower Eltham Park.
In 1922, Eltham joined other nearby clubs Greensborough
, Diamond Creek
, Templestowe
, Warrandyte, and Kangaroo Ground in establishing the Diamond Valley Football League.
Eltham made their first finals appearance in 1928 and won their first premiership in 1930 by defeating Heidelberg
.
In 1935, Eltham defeated Epping
in the Grand Final
, but Epping lodged a protest over the eligibility of an Eltham player. A tribunal in Melbourne upheld the protest and ordered a replay. Eltham forfeited the replay and Epping was awarded the premiership.
Eltham left the DVFL to play in VFL Sub Districts League for seasons 1936 & 1937 before returning in 1938.
After five consecutive wooden spoons
during the early 1960s, the club went through a golden period of four premierships in six seasons between 1969 and 1974.
Eltham Football Club was relegated to the new DVFL Second Division for Season 1981, but quickly responded with the 1982 premiership and subsequent return to the First Division. This began a trend with Eltham "yo-yoing" between the two divisions ever since – six Second Division premierships and five First Division wooden spoons.
The 2002 Second Division premiership was the Panthers last success,gaining promotion to Division 1. Has competed in the top Division since 2003. Competing in their first finals series in the top division since 1977 in 2010.
The club boasts a thriving junior organisation with several under-age teams in the NFL. Several junior premierships have been won.
Other highlights:
(Division Two)
(Division Two)
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
club in Eltham, Victoria
Eltham, Victoria
Eltham is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 20 km north-east from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the Shire of Nillumbik. At the 2006 Census, Eltham had a population of 17,581....
, currently competing in the Northern Football League.
History
A football team from ElthamEltham, Victoria
Eltham is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 20 km north-east from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the Shire of Nillumbik. At the 2006 Census, Eltham had a population of 17,581....
began playing social matches at nearby Kangaroo Ground
Kangaroo Ground, Victoria
Kangaroo Ground is a town in Victoria, Australia, 26 km north-east from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the Shire of Nillumbik...
from 1900.
In 1907, Police Constable "Ike" Stephens convened a meeting with the idea of providing entertainment for the lads and an outlet for their surplus energy. Phil McGavin was the first Secretary.
In 1909, the newly founded Eltham Football Club joined the Heidelberg District Football League. The team travelled by train to Ivanhoe
Ivanhoe, Victoria
Ivanhoe is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 10 km north-east from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Banyule. At the 2006 Census, Ivanhoe had a population of 10,600.-History:...
to play their first game. Home games were played at Lower Eltham Park.
In 1922, Eltham joined other nearby clubs Greensborough
Greensborough Football Club
Greensborough Football Club is an Australian rules football club in Greensborough, Victoria, currently competing in the Northern Football League.-History:...
, Diamond Creek
Diamond Creek Football Club
The Diamond Creek Football Club is an Australian rules football club located in Diamond Creek – an outer north-eastern suburb of Melbourne.-History:Formed in 1904, the club was a founding member of the Whittlesea District Football Association...
, Templestowe
Templestowe Football Club
Templestowe Football Club is an Australian rules football club located in the outer north eastern suburbs of Melbourne, Victoria. Currently affiliated with the Eastern Football League, Templestowe Football Club boasts a long and rich history.-History:...
, Warrandyte, and Kangaroo Ground in establishing the Diamond Valley Football League.
Eltham made their first finals appearance in 1928 and won their first premiership in 1930 by defeating Heidelberg
Heidelberg Football Club
Heidelberg Football Club is an Australian rules football club in Heidelberg, Victoria, currently competing in the Northern Football League.-History:...
.
In 1935, Eltham defeated Epping
Epping Football Club
Epping Football Club is an Australian rules football club located in the suburb of Epping in the outer northern suburbs of Melbourne. It plays in the Northern Football League ....
in the Grand Final
Grand Final
Grand Final is a predominantly Australian sport term used to describe a match that decides a league champion.It originated in Victoria and South Australia and has become specifically significant Australian culture...
, but Epping lodged a protest over the eligibility of an Eltham player. A tribunal in Melbourne upheld the protest and ordered a replay. Eltham forfeited the replay and Epping was awarded the premiership.
Eltham left the DVFL to play in VFL Sub Districts League for seasons 1936 & 1937 before returning in 1938.
After five consecutive wooden spoons
Wooden spoon (award)
A wooden spoon is a mock or real award, usually given to an individual or team which has come last in a competition, but sometimes also to runners-up. Examples range from the academic to sporting and more frivolous events...
during the early 1960s, the club went through a golden period of four premierships in six seasons between 1969 and 1974.
Eltham Football Club was relegated to the new DVFL Second Division for Season 1981, but quickly responded with the 1982 premiership and subsequent return to the First Division. This began a trend with Eltham "yo-yoing" between the two divisions ever since – six Second Division premierships and five First Division wooden spoons.
The 2002 Second Division premiership was the Panthers last success,gaining promotion to Division 1. Has competed in the top Division since 2003. Competing in their first finals series in the top division since 1977 in 2010.
The club boasts a thriving junior organisation with several under-age teams in the NFL. Several junior premierships have been won.
Other highlights:
- Most no. 'A' Grade games at Eltham Football Club Harry Barrett (dec.) (263)
- Most no. Open Age games at Eltham Football Club David Brown 308
- Most no. 'A' Grade games as a player/umpire Eddie Mapperson (843).
- Winner of VFL / AFL Brownlow MedalBrownlow MedalThe Chas Brownlow Trophy, better known as the Brownlow Medal , is awarded to the "fairest and best" player in the Australian Football League during the regular season as determined by votes cast by the officiating field umpires after each game...
Peter Moore 1979, 1984
Seniors
(Division One)- 1930 Eltham 7.15.57 defeated Heidelberg 7.8.50 @ Memorial Park, Greensborough
- 1932 Eltham 13.19.97 defeated Heidelberg 8.10.58 @ Warringal Park, Heidelberg
- 1949 Eltham 8.8.56 defeated Greensborough 7.6.48 @ Warringal Park, Heidelberg
- 1953 Eltham 9.16.70 defeated Lakeside Rovers 9.7.61 @ Warringal Park, Heidelberg
- 1969 Eltham 16.11.107 defeated Diamond Creek 10.12.72 @ Warringal Park, Heidelberg
- 1970 Eltham 14.13.97 defeated Diamond Creek 12.11.83 @ EppingEpping Football ClubEpping Football Club is an Australian rules football club located in the suburb of Epping in the outer northern suburbs of Melbourne. It plays in the Northern Football League ....
- 1972 Eltham 15.19.109 defeated Reservoir Lakeside 11.11.77 @ Warringal Park, Heidelberg
- 1974 Eltham 10.9.69 defeated Heidelberg 9.8.62 @ Warringal Park, Heidelberg
(Division Two)
- 1982 Eltham 15.13.103 defeated Macleod RosannaMacleod Football ClubMacleod Football Club is an Australian rules football club in Rosanna, Victoria, currently competing in Division 1 of the Northern Football League.- History :...
14.8.92 @ Nillimbik Park, Diamond Creek - 1989 Eltham 18.11.119 defeated Epping 17.8.110 @ Warringal Park, Heidelberg
- 1995 Eltham 10.14.74 defeated West Preston 10.10.70 @ Warringal Park, Heidelberg
- 1997 Eltham 13.9.87 defeated Mernda 7.13.55 @ Warringal Park, Heidelberg
- 2000 Eltham 12.8.80 defeated Watsonia 8.6.54 @ Shelly St, North HeidelbergNorth Heidelberg Football ClubNorth Heidelberg Football Club is an Australian rules football club in Heidelberg West, Victoria, currently competing in Division 1 of the Northern Football League.-Notable players:*Ross 'Twiggy' Dunne*Jason Heatley*Jake King*Shane Harvey*Jamie Shaw...
- 2002 Eltham 12.9.81 defeated Mernda 7.17.59 @ Whittlesea Showgrounds, WhittleseaWhittlesea, VictoriaWhittlesea is a town in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, north-east from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Whittlesea. At the 2006 Census, Whittlesea had a population of 4,563.-History:...
Reserves
(Division One)- 1947 Eltham 3.6.24 defeated Diamond CreekDiamond Creek Football ClubThe Diamond Creek Football Club is an Australian rules football club located in Diamond Creek – an outer north-eastern suburb of Melbourne.-History:Formed in 1904, the club was a founding member of the Whittlesea District Football Association...
3.5.23 @ Warringal Park, Heidelberg - 1971 Eltham 11.11.77 defeated GreensboroughGreensborough Football ClubGreensborough Football Club is an Australian rules football club in Greensborough, Victoria, currently competing in the Northern Football League.-History:...
10.8.68 @ Warringal Park, Heidelberg - 1974 Eltham 10.13.73 defeated TemplestoweTemplestowe Football ClubTemplestowe Football Club is an Australian rules football club located in the outer north eastern suburbs of Melbourne, Victoria. Currently affiliated with the Eastern Football League, Templestowe Football Club boasts a long and rich history.-History:...
5.5.35 @ Warringal Park, Heidelberg
(Division Two)
- 2000 Eltham 13.16.94 defeated MacleodMacleod Football ClubMacleod Football Club is an Australian rules football club in Rosanna, Victoria, currently competing in Division 1 of the Northern Football League.- History :...
7.12.54 @ Shelley Street Reserve, North Heidelberg
Under 19
(Division One)- 2007 Eltham 16.13.109 defeated Northcote ParkNorthcote Park Football ClubThe Northcote Park Football Club, nicknamed the Cougars, is an Australian rules football club, located 6 km north of Melbourne, in the suburb of Northcote, currently playing in the Northern Football League....
10.7.67 @ Preston City Oval
Honourboard
| Year | President | Coach | Captain | B & F | Goalkicker |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Steven McAllister | Brett Weatherald | |||
| 2011 | Steven Merkel | Craig Hayes | Paul Currie | Gavan Connelly | Chris Burton |
| 2010 | Steven Merkel | Craig Hayes | Paul Currie | Gavan Connelly | Paul Currie |
| 2009 | Steven Merkel | Craig Hayes | Lachlan Richardson | Gavan Connelly | Paul Currie |
| 2008 | Steven Williamson | Phil Maylin Phil Maylin Phil Maylin is a former Australian rules footballer who played with Carlton and Footscray in the VFL during the 1980s.Maylin debuted for Carlton in 1980 after being recruited from Woodville. A utility, he finished second in Carlton's 1982 Best and Fairest award and played mainly as a ruck-rover... |
Lachlan Richardson | Chris Varsamakis | Nick Sandy |
| 2007 | Steven Williamson | Phil Maylin | Lachlan Richardson | Jai Audley | Mark Minney |
| 2006 | Dean Philpots | Phil Maylin | Lachlan Richardson | Mark Minney | Ryan Bongetti |
| 2005 | Dean Philpots | Phil Maylin | Lachlan Richardson | Adam Contessa Adam Contessa Adam Contessa is a former Australian rules footballer who played with the Western Bulldogs in the Australian Football League .... |
Ashley Dickson |
| 2004 | Dean Philpots | Phil Maylin | Lachlan Richardson | Adam Contessa | Marcus Pappa |
| 2003 | Dean Philpots | Phil Maylin | Lachlan Richardson | Mark Minney | Gavan Neville Chris Moyle |
| 2002 | Dean Philpots | Wayne Freeman | Lachlan Richardson Craig McKay |
Lachlan Richardson | Luke Kennell |
| 2001 | Geoff Waddell | Grant Turnbull | Dean Philpots | Mark Minney | Jimmy Stirton |
| 2000 | Geoff Waddell | Garry Jessop | Lucas Paul Mark Minney |
Lachlan Richardson | Lucas Paul |
| 1999 | Neil Halfpenny | Garry Jessop | David Brown | Mark Minney | Mark Minney John Garrard |
| 1998 | Colin Wilson | Michael Jones Ray Spratt |
David Brown | Lucas Paul | Mark Minney |
| 1997 | Colin Wilson | Ray Spratt | Paul Smith | Garry Ramsay | Greg Wilson |
AFL / VFL footballers from Eltham FC
- Josh Caddy – Current Gold Coast Suns Footballer
- David Zaharakis – Current Essendon Footballer
- Daniel Currie – Current Sydney Swans Footballer
- Peter Moore – CollingwoodCollingwood Football ClubThe Collingwood Football Club, nicknamed The Magpies, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League...
& MelbourneMelbourne Football ClubThe Melbourne Football Club, nicknamed The Demons, is an Australian rules football club playing in the Australian Football League , based in Melbourne, Victoria....
& dual Brownlow MedalBrownlow MedalThe Chas Brownlow Trophy, better known as the Brownlow Medal , is awarded to the "fairest and best" player in the Australian Football League during the regular season as determined by votes cast by the officiating field umpires after each game...
list - Adam SimpsonAdam SimpsonAdam Simpson is a retired Australian rules footballer who is a former captain of North Melbourne.-Early life:Simpson grew up in the northern suburbs of Melbourne, where he played junior football with the Eltham Football Club and the Northern Knights-Early career:Debuting in 1995, he has won two...
– Recent captain of KangaroosNorth Melbourne Football ClubThe North Melbourne Football Club, nicknamed The Kangaroos, is the fourth oldest Australian rules football club in the Australian Football League and is one of the oldest sporting clubs in Australia and the world... - Andrew Dale – Melbourne in 1980s
- Stephen Easton – North Melbourne & CarltonCarlton Football ClubThe Carlton Football Club is a professional Australian rules football club based in Melbourne, Victoria. The club competes in the Australian Football League, and was one of the eight founding members of that competition in 1897...
in late 1970s, early 1980s - Darren McLaine – Collingwood in 1980s
- Alexander "Sandy" Hyslop – Collingwood in 1980s