AFL Sydney
Current season, competition or edition: 2023 | |
Sport | Australian rules football |
---|---|
Founded | 1903 |
No. of teams | 22 |
Most recent champion(s) | Men's Premier Division: UNSW-ES Bulldogs Women's Premier Division: East Coast Eagles |
Official website | sydneyafl.com.au |
AFL Sydney is an Australian rules football League, based in metropolitan Sydney, Australia which has been run since 1903. The AFL Sydney competition comprises 118 teams from 22 clubs which play across seven senior men's divisions, five women's divisions, a Master's Division and two under 19 men's competitions in season 2023.
The competition is technically Sydney's division of the New South Wales Australian Football League.
History
The Sydney AFL began as the NSW Australian Football Association in 1903. In 1980 it became known as the "Sydney Football League". It was renamed the "Sydney AFL" in 1998 before a new name change for season 2009, "AFL Sydney".
11 clubs contested the opening season in 1903 (including: East Sydney FC, Ashfield Electorate FC, North Shore FC, North Sydney FC, South Sydney FC, YMCA FC, Paddington FC, Redfern FC, West Sydney FC, Newtown FC, Sydney FC and Balmain FC),
Over the years many clubs have come and gone, with the turnover of teams continuing to the present day. By 1998 the league consisted of 7 teams –
Australian Rules football has been played in Sydney since 1881. Following a brief hiatus between the years of 1894 and 1902, a competition named the ‘NSW Australian Football Association’ was formed in 1903. In 1980 the ‘NSW Australian Football Association’ became known as the ‘Sydney Football League’, and was then renamed the ‘Sydney AFL’ in 1998. In 2009, the league became known as ‘AFL Sydney’, as it is known today. In 2019 the AFL Sydney competition consisted of two senior men’s competitions with the Premier Division and Platinum Division each having seniors and reserves divisions. AFL Sydney has three divisionalised men’s competitions, two U19’s divisions and four women’s divisions. The AFL Sydney competition hosts 26 clubs represented by over 100 registered teams. In 2018 AFL Sydney celebrated 115 years of senior football in Sydney, since the ‘NSW Australian Football Association’ was formed in 1903.
1999
In 1999,
2000
In 2000, after the AFL's reserve grade competition was abolished, the Swans fielded a team in the Sydney AFL, known as the Redbacks. This move didn't turn out to be successful, with the existing clubs unable to compete against full-time professional footballers who had far superior training resources. The games were generally one-sided, to the point where the rules were changed halfway through the season to allow other clubs to field an extra player against the Redbacks. The Redbacks finished top of the ladder, but elected not to compete in the finals; and in their absence Pennant Hills took out their first premiership with a 15.12 (102) to 12.7 (79) win over North Shore in the grand final. During the 2000 season, several Sydney AFL clubs had formed strategic alliances with clubs in the AFL. As part of this, some Sydney AFL clubs were to change their identity over the next few years. North Shore had always been black and red but took on the Bombers nickname of Essendon. St George renamed themselves the St George Crows and began wearing the navy, gold and blue strip of Adelaide. But the biggest change in identity was Baulkham Hills, who changed their colours to blue and gold and took on the new name of the East Coast Eagles. Other clubs were to follow suit. Another change in 2000 was the merger of traditional powerhouse East Sydney with the University of NSW club to form the UNSW-Eastern Suburbs Bulldogs.
2001
In 2001, with the Redbacks concept having not been considered a success, the Swans entered an alliance with Port Melbourne in the VFL and fielded their reserves with Port Melbourne. They continued to field a Redbacks team for the next 2 years, mainly as a junior development and talent-spotting team; but the Redbacks were never to make the top 4 again. Instead it was North Shore who led from start to finish in 2001, and although the grand final was tight the Bombers got critical goals when it mattered to record a 12.12 (84) to 10.9 (69) victory over Campbelltown.
2002
2002 saw a resurgent Uni NSW-Eastern Suburbs team return to the top, and despite a strong challenge from North Shore the Bulldogs finished the season as minor premiers. But the Bulldogs would have to go the long way into the grand final after North Shore came from behind to beat them by 3 points in the major semi-final. But UNSW-ES bounced back to win the preliminary final and earn a grand final berth, something that no major-final loser has managed to do in the 4 years since. On grand final day, despite the bright sunshine and perfect conditions, no side was able to score for the first 17 minutes as the defences of both teams held tight. But eventually it was to be North Shore that cracked, and although they fought back in the third term to come into the last break only a few points behind, they never led. Instead, it was UNSW-ES who ran away with the game in the last quarter to record a 16.10 (106) to 11.6 (72) win and their first premiership since the merger. This was the last grand final to be played at Macquarie University.
2003
The Redbacks finally withdrew from the Sydney AFL in 2003 and the competition was reduced to 8 teams. North Shore got the season off to a flying start and were undefeated for the first 14 rounds, the Bombers losing only 2 home & away games all season. Campbelltown returned to form early in the season, but after being badly beaten by North Shore at Gore Hill in round 7 they fell away and only just scraped into the finals and have yet to make the finals since. Instead it was St George that came in 2nd, with reigning premiers UNSW-ES coming third. North Shore qualified first for the grand final, while UNSW-ES eliminated Campbelltown. In the prelim final, St George were held goal-less in the second half and for the 4th year in a row had been defeated in the prelim final. And so the grand final in the league's centenary year, which was played at Monarch Oval in Campbelltown, would involve the same teams that played in the first grand final. And the result was to repeat. North Shore went in as the hottest of favourites, but poor kicking and excellent pressure from the Bulldogs saw them pull off a stunning upset. UNSW-ES 12.10 (82) defeated North Shore 10.16 (76), an exact repeat of the very first Sydney AFL grand final.
2004
In 2004, the Sydney AFL adopted
2005
In 2005, the
2006
Before the 2006 season, East Coast Eagles recruited heavily in a bid to get to the top. The Eagles had been close to the finals for years without making it into the top 4, but this was to change in 2006 and the Eagles took all before them in an undefeated home & away season. Sydney's drought had a major bearing on this season, with several grounds being hardened dustbowls and the turf on many grounds going out of shape; so that even small amounts of rain caused puddles to form and the grounds to be closed. All clubs faced rising injury tolls due to the ground conditions. After an undefeated home & away season and an easy win in the major semi-final, East Coast Eagles went into the grand final at Henson Park against Pennant Hills as the hottest of favourites. But this was the day the drought was to break, with conditions more resembling water polo than football. The Eagles' running game was negated by the conditions and by Pennant Hills' pressure tactics, while the Demons' tactic of peppering the goals from a distance and keeping the scoreboard paid dividends. Although the Eagles scored 2 more goals, the constant scoring got Pennant Hills over the line, 5.20 (50) to 7.6 (48). There have been many upsets in recent years in Sydney AFL grand finals, but this one more so than any of the others. Premier Reserves: East Coast Eagles def Pennant Hills 1st Division Seniors: UTS Bats def Sydney Uni Students 1st Division Reserves: UTS Bats def Sydney Uni Students 2nd Division: Nor-West Jets 8.9.(57) def UNSW/ES Bulldogs 6.5 (41)
2007
In 2007,
2008
2008 commenced with a marathon day at Henson Park, in which all five Premier Division Seniors matches for round 1 were played back to back. Bad weather and construction delays meant that East Coast Eagles were unable to move into their new home ground at Bruce Purser Reserve in 2008, but the Eagles put those frustrations behind them to qualify for the finals. Also returning to finals action in 2008 after missing out in 2007 was UNSW-ES, who finished top of the ladder after the home & away season. A five-team finals series was re-introduced for 2008; and reigning premiers North Shore bounced back from a slow start to the season to qualify for the finals. But the Bombers were to go no further than the first week of the finals. Also qualifying for the playoffs were Pennant Hills and St George. East Coast finished 4th after the home & away series, but won three finals matches to qualify for the grand final. Their opponent in the grand final was Pennant Hills. All finals matches were again played at Henson Park except for the second semi-final which was played in wet conditions at North Dalton Park. The grand final was played in 33-degree heat, the hottest grand final day in the history of the Sydney AFL competition. After a tight and low-scoring first half, Pennant Hills took complete control after half-time to cruise to a comprehensive 105-point victory. Pennant Hills' Scott Reed was awarded the Podbury Medal as best on ground, and will join Collingwood's rookie list for 2009.
Premier Division Seniors Pennant Hills 20.13 (133) def East Coast Eagles 3.10 (28) Premier Division Reserves East Coast Eagles 12.15 (87) def Sydney University 2.5 (17) U18s Premier Cup North Shore Bombers 15.11 (101) def East Coast Eagles 8.11 (59) 1st Division Seniors UTS Bats 13.16 (94) def. Manly-Warringah Wolves 11.12 (78) 1st Division Reserves UTS Bats 17.12 (114) def. Manly-Warringah Wolves 10.2 (62) U18s Challenge Cup UNSW/Eastern Suburbs Bulldogs 23.18 (156) def. Southern Sharks 4.5 (29) 2nd Division Pennant Hills Demons 18.10 (118) def. Sydney Uni Blue Students 13.5 (83)
2009
2009 saw the introduction of a Divisional structure, with promotion and relegation through the lower divisions (see the Divisional Structure section further down this page). 2009 was also notable for the opening of two new football venues in Sydney. Bruce Purser Reserve was opened in February when it hosted an AFL trial match between the Sydney Swans and the Western Bulldogs, and through the course of the year served as the home ground for East Coast Eagles; as well as a backup venue for wet weather, with Pennant Hills, Western Suburbs and North Shore also playing home games at the venue. The Second Semi-Final was also played there. And later in the season,
Premier Division – East Coast Eagles 22.12 (144) d UNSW-ES 13.12 (90) First Division – UTS 21.10 (136) d East Coast Eagles 5.7 (37) Second Division – Macquarie Uni 11.15 (81) d UTS 8.5 (53) Third Division – UNSW-ES 9.4 (58) d UTS 6.12 (48) Fourth Division – Sydney Uni 16.6 (102) d UNSW-ES 8.8 (56) Under 18s Premier – North Shore 8.9 (57) d St George 6.9 (45) Under 18s Challenge – Sydney Uni 16.14 (110) d Southern Power 2.5 (17)
2010
Sydney Uni, on the back of a 14-game winning streak, were minor premiers. Also finishing in the final five were Wests, East Coast, North Shore and Pennant Hills.
East Coast Eagles win back to back premierships, defeating Sydney University in the Grand Final (13.9 – 87) (10.10 – 70).
UTSAFC are admitted to Premier Division.
2011
UTSAFC finished 10th in their first year in the Premier Division winning 3 games. Campbelltown finished last, failing to win a game.
The East Coast Eagles won the minor premiership, joining them in the finals were Balmain, Sydney University, North Shore and Pennant Hills.
Results in the 2011 Finals Series: Qualifying Final: Balmain 14.8 (92) defeated Sydney University 10.12 (72) Elimination Final: North Shore 17.10 (112) defeated Pennant Hills 8.8 (56) Major Semi Final: East Coast 11.12 (78) defeated Balmain 7.18 (60) Minor Semi Final: Sydney University 24.11 (155) defeated North Shore 10.4 (64) Preliminary Final: Balmain 13.7 (85) defeated Sydney University 12.10 (82)
Grand Final: East Coast 17.12 (114) defeated Balmain 10.11 (71)
2012
The same eleven teams competed in Premier Division in 2012, but with East Coast Eagles (now renamed Sydney Hills Eagles) and Sydney Uni joining the NEAFL, the Premier Division teams for those two clubs were their reserves teams. Neither made the finals, and the Eagles' run of premierships ended after their three-peat from 2009 to 2011. UNSW-ES were the form team of the 2012 season, spearheaded by a Phelan Medal performance from Dane Rampe that would result in him being drafted by the Swans. UNSW-ES finished top of the ladder, and would meet Balmain in the Grand Final. Pennant Hills, North Shore and St George completed the top five. The grand final was played as a twilight match at Blacktown International Sportspark. The lead see-sawed for three-quarters, with the Bulldogs leading by four points at the last change. But a run of seven goals to one in the final term saw the Bulldogs run our comfortable 42-point winners; their first premiership since 2003 and condemning Balmain to their second straight grand final defeat.
Premier Division: UNSW-ES 13.11 (89) d Balmain 7.5 (47) Division One – Manly 11.15 (81) d Southern Power 9.2 (56) Division Two – St George 7.8 (50) d UNSW-ES 6.10 (46) Division Three – UTS 15.4 (94) d Blacktown 8.5 (53) Division Four – Penrith 9.16 (70) d Gosford 8.6 (54) Division Five – Sydney Uni 10.6 (66) d UTS 9.7 (61) Under 18s One – Sydney Hills Eagles 14.14 (98) d Illawarra 11.10 (76) Under 18s Two – Southern Power 9.11 (65) d Manly 3.4 (22) Women – Balmain 7.9 (51) d Sydney Uni 2.1 (13)
2013
The 2013 season saw
Grand Final winners 2013: Premier Division – Manly 11.14 (80) def Pennant Hills 11.6 (72) Division One – Southern Power 16.9 (105) def UNSW-ES 3.2 (20) Division Two – Sydney Uni 8.14 (62) def Manly 7.6 (48) Division Three – Blacktown 11.11 (77) def Randwick City 10.6 (66) Division Four – Pennant Hills 14.11 (95) def Sydney Uni 4.4 (28) Division Five – Randwick City 13.8 (86) def UTS 6.7 (43) Under 19s Division One – Pennant Hills 10.10 (70) def UNSW-ES 10.7 (67) Under 19s Division Two – Manly 20.24 (144) def Holroyd-Parramatta 3.5 (23) Women's Division One – Sydney Uni 7.9 (51) def Balmain 3.7 (25) Women's Division Two – Macquarie Uni 7.11 (53) def Southern Power 4.1 (25)
2018
In season 2018 the Camden Cats were promoted to the Men's Premier Division to again bring the number of clubs in Sydney's top flight back to 10 after Campbelltown Blues withdrew at the conclusion of the 2014 season. AFL Sydney continues to grow with thirteen Divisions across men's, women's, U19s and Masters Football.
Premier | Premier's Score
G.B (T) |
Runners-up | Runners-up Score
G.B (T) | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Premier Division | UNSW-Eastern Suburbs Bulldogs | 8.10 (58) | Sydney University Students | 7.13 (55) |
Premier Division Reserves | Pennant Hills Demons | 7.18 (60) | Sydney University Students | 6.9 (45) |
Women's Premier Division | UNSW-Eastern Suburbs Bulldogs | 7.3 (45) | Macquarie University | 3.4 (22) |
Platinum Division | Penrith Rams | 8.10 (58) | Western Magic | 6.5 (41) |
Platinum Division Reserves | Southern Power
|
9.5 (59) | Macquarie University | 7.8 (50) |
Men's Division 1 | Pennant Hills Demons | 8.6 (54) | Sydney University Students | 6.10 (46) |
Men's Division 2 | UNSW-Eastern Suburbs Bulldogs | 6.9 (45) | Sydney University Students | 4.3 (27) |
Men's Division 3 | Sydney University Students | 7.12 (54) | Camden Cats | 1.2 (8) |
Under 19s Division 1 | UNSW-Eastern Suburbs Bulldogs | 14.11 (95) | North Shore Bombers | 5.8 (38) |
Under 19s Division 2 | Southern Power
|
7.10 (52) | UNSW-Eastern Suburbs Bulldogs | 6.3 (39) |
Women's Division 1 | Western Magic | 6.4 (40) | Wollongong Saints | 0.4 (4) |
Women's Division 2 | Holroyd-Parramatta Goannas | 7.8 (50) | Camden Cats | 1.5 (11) |
Masters | St George Dragons | 12.7 (79) | North West Sydney Redbacks | 4.6 (30) |
2019
The 2019 season saw an extra Women's division created to accommodate the rapid grown of Women's football in Sydney. In this division, the
Premier | Premier's Score
G.B (T) |
Runners-up | Runners-up Score
G.B (T) | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Premier Division | UNSW-Eastern Suburbs Bulldogs | 10.9 (69) | Sydney University Students | 6.15 (51) |
Premier Division Reserves | St George Dragons | 10.7 (67) | Pennant Hills Demons | 5.9 (39) |
Women's Premier Division | Macquarie University | 5.5 (35) | East Coast Eagles | 4.5 (29) |
Platinum Division | Southern Power
|
10.10 (70) | Macquarie University | 5.8 (38) |
Platinum Division Reserves | Southern Power
|
4.4 (28) | Western Magic | 3.8 (26) |
Men's Division 1 | Sydney University Students | 7.3 (45) | Pennant Hills Demons | 2.8 (20) |
Men's Division 2 | UNSW-Eastern Suburbs Bulldogs | 8.12 (60) | St George Dragons | 8.4 (52) |
Men's Division 3 | North Shore Bombers | 3.10 (28) | UNSW-Eastern Suburbs Bulldogs | 3.6 (24) |
Under 19s Division 1 | UNSW-Eastern Suburbs Bulldogs | 10.6 (66) | Sydney University Students | 4.8 (32) |
Under 19s Division 2 | Wests Goannas | 6.12 (48) | North Shore Bombers | 1.4 (10) |
Women's Division 1 | Wollongong Saints | 7.6 (48) | Manly-Warringah Wolves
|
6.5 (41) |
Women's Division 2 | East Coast Eagles | 9.5 (59) | Macquarie University | 2.1 (13) |
Women's Division 3 | St George Dragons | 10.6 (66) | Holroyd-Parramatta Goannas | 7.12 (54) |
Masters | St George Dragons | 6.13 (49) | Inner West Magpies
|
2.2 (14) |
2020
The 2020 season was severely disrupted by the
Premier | Premier's Score
G.B (T) |
Runners-up | Runners-up Score
G.B (T) | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Premier Division | Sydney University Students | 8.6 (54) | UNSW-Eastern Suburbs Bulldogs | 6.9 (45) |
Premier Division Reserves | UNSW-Eastern Suburbs Bulldogs | 5.11 (41) | North Shore Bombers | 4.4 (28) |
Women's Premier Division | Manly-Warringah Wolves
|
6.10 (46) | Inner West Magpies
|
4.1 (25) |
Platinum Division | Penrith Rams | 14.7 (91) | Southern Power
|
5.7 (37) |
Platinum Division Reserves | Macquarie University | 7.9 (51) | Southern Power
|
7.7 (49) |
Men's Division 1 | Sydney University Students | 11.11 (77) | North Shore Bombers | 11.1 (67) |
Men's Division 2 | Sydney University Students | 11.6 (72) | North Shore Bombers | 4.4. (28) |
Men's Division 3 | Newtown Breakaways | 7.12 (54) | North Shore Bombers | 0.3 (3) |
Under 19s Division 1 | North Shore Bombers | 14.13 (97) | UNSW-Eastern Suburbs Bulldogs | 7.7 (49) |
Under 19s Division 2 | Southern Power
|
6.8 (44) | Sydney University Students | 3.1 (19) |
Women's Division 1 | Parramatta Goannas | 4.10 (34) | Camden Cats | 0.1 (1) |
Women's Division 2 | Western Magic | 12.7 (79) | St George Dragons | 3.2 (20) |
Women's Division 3 | Campbelltown Blues | 9.4 (58) | Wollondilly Knights | 4.3 (27) |
2021
The 2021 season saw the introduction of a 5th Division of Women's Football known as "Women's Division 4". 7 teams took part in this new division. There was also an additional 12 teams across all Men's and Women's divisions. On the 24th of June, the season was put on hold due to the outbreak COVID-19 Delta variant throughout Greater Sydney. The 2021 season was eventually cancelled on the 16th of August. Accordingly, no premierships, medals or awards were given for 2021 cancelled competitions.
2022
The 2022 season saw a slight reduction in overall teams from 135 to 126. This season also saw the merger of South West Sydney Magpies and Campbelltown Blues to form the South Western Sydney Blues. This proved to be a successful season for the merged entity as they went on to win the Platinum Division Premiership and finish Runners-Up in the Platinum Division Reserves Competition. This wasn't the first time that the clubs had aligned, with the two clubs previously entering a combined U19s side in the Division 2 competition. Other club changes were Nor-West Jets being renamed to Hawkesbury Jets and the North West Sydney Redbacks no longer entering a team in the Masters competition.
Premier | Premier's Score
G.B (T) |
Runners-up | Runners-up Score
G.B (T) | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Premier Division | UNSW-Eastern Suburbs Bulldogs | 7.10 (52) | North Shore Bombers
|
2.10 (22) |
Premier Division Reserves | St George Dragons | 9.7 (61) | Sydney University Students | 7.11 (53) |
Women's Premier Division | East Coast Eagles | 6.5 (41) | Manly-Warringah Wolves
|
2.11 (23) |
Platinum Division | South West Sydney Blues | 6.9 (45) | Camden Cats | 3.4 (22) |
Platinum Division Reserves | Southern Power | 11.6 (72) | South West Sydney Blues | 3.6 (24) |
Men's Division 1 | North Shore Bombers
|
8.10 (58) | Sydney University Students | 3.9 (27) |
Men's Division 2 | UNSW-Eastern Suburbs Bulldogs | 7.9 (51) | East Coast Eagles | 4.3 (27) |
Men's Division 3 | Manly-Warringah Wolves
|
9.9 (63) | Wollondilly Knights | 2.6 (18) |
Under 19s Division 1 | Sydney University Students | 9.6 (60) | UNSW-Eastern Suburbs Bulldogs | 7.8 (50) |
Under 19s Division 2 | North Shore Bombers
|
9.6 (60) | Manly-Warringah Wolves
|
6.5 (41) |
Women's Division 1 | Parramatta Goannas | 3.5 (23) | East Coast Eagles | 2.3 (15) |
Women's Division 2 | Pennant Hills Demons
|
3.3 (21) | Penrith Rams | 3.1 (19) |
Women's Division 3 | North Shore Bombers
|
4.11 (35) | Parramatta Goannas | 1.2 (8) |
Women's Division 4 | South West Sydney Blues | 1.9 (15) | East Coast Eagles | 1.1 (7) |
Masters | St George Dragons | 7.4 (46) | Southern Dingoes | 6.3 (39) |
2023
The 2023 season saw another reduction in overall teams from 126 to 120. This season also saw the women's programs of the
Premier | Premier's Score
G.B (T) |
Runners-up | Runners-up Score
G.B (T) | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Premier Division | UNSW-Eastern Suburbs Bulldogs | 10.6 (66) | North Shore Bombers
|
6.10 (46) |
Premier Division Reserves | North Shore Bombers
|
6.7 (43) | Sydney University Students | 5.10 (40) |
Women's Premier Division | East Coast Eagles | 8.8 (56) | UTS Bats
|
1.6 (12) |
Platinum Division | South West Sydney Blues | 10.8 (68) | Camden Cats | 4.12 (36) |
Platinum Division Reserves | North Shore Bombers
|
7.5 (47) | Camden Cats | 4.5 (29) |
Men's Division 1 | Randwick City Saints | 8.8 (56) | UTS Bats
|
4.12 (36) |
Men's Division 2 | North Shore Bombers
|
7.4 (46) | Manly-Warringah Wolves
|
5.9 (39) |
Men's Division 3 | UTS Bats
|
10.8 (68) | Camden Cats | 2.2 (14) |
Under 19s Division 1 | Sydney University Students | 9.8 (62) | UNSW-Eastern Suburbs Bulldogs | 9.7 (61) |
Under 19s Division 2 | Manly-Warringah Wolves
|
6.6 (42) | Sydney University Students | 2.6 (18) |
Women's Division 1 | St George Dragons | 2.2 (14) | UTS Bats
|
1.2 (8) |
Women's Division 2 | Randwick City Saints | 11.12 (78) | Newtown Breakaways | 7.4 (46) |
Women's Division 3 | Camden Cats | 6.5 (41) | Macquarie University Goannas | 6.0 (36) |
Women's Division 4 | Randwick City Saints | 5.7 (37) | Newtown Breakaways | 2.0 (12) |
Masters | UTS Bats
|
4.7 (31) | Pennant Hills Demons
|
3.5 (23) |
Audience
Attendances for the Sydney AFL are very small in comparison to state level leagues elsewhere in Australia, however Grand Final crowds sometimes reach as high as 3,000 though historically they were much higher towards 15,000 .
In 2007, in a first for Australian rules football in Sydney, it was announced that Foxtel would be televising an edited match of the week and a magazine-style segment on the public Television Channel Aurora. The program contained footy news from around NSW/ACT as well as showing highlights from the "Match of the Week". In 2008 the magazine style was dropped in favour of a 1-hour dedicated highlights show of the Match of the Week. Digital Sports Productions[2] continued this format in 2009 and the show is aired on the Main Event Channel each Friday night in NSW and QLD before the AFL Friday night game.[3]
2021 also saw the introduction of a Men's and Women's Premier Division Women's "Match of the Round" being live-streamed on Kayo Sports which could be watched for free.
AFL Sydney Clubs
Current Clubs
Colors | Football Club Name | Nickname | Location(s) | Football Club's Home Ground(s) | Founded |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Balmain | Tigers | Marrickville | HJ Mahoney Park | 1903 | |
Camden | Cats | Harrington Park | Fairfax Reserve | 1982 | |
East Coast | Eagles | Kellyville | Kanebridge Oval | 1976 | |
Inner West | Magpies | Croydon Park | Picken Oval | 1926 | |
Manly-Warringah
|
Wolves | Curl Curl | Weldon Oval | 1969 | |
Macquarie University | Warriors | Macquarie Park | Macquarie University Oval | 1969 | |
Newtown | Breakaways | Marrickville | HJ Mahoney Park | 2002 | |
North Shore
|
Bombers | St Leonards | Gore Hill Oval | 1903 | |
Nor-West | Jets | Richmond Lowlands | Bensons Lane | 2001 | |
Parramatta | Goannas | Smithfield | Gipps Road Oval | 1979 | |
Pennant Hills
|
Demons | Cherrybrook | Mike Kenny Oval | 1971 | |
Penrith | Rams | Cranebrook | Greygums Oval | 1981 | |
Randwick City | Saints | Malabar | Pioneers Park | 2010 | |
South West Sydney | Blues | Macquarie Fields, Warwick Farm | Bob Prenter Oval, Rosedale Oval | 1975 | |
Southern Dingoes | Dingoes | Sutherland | Lincoln Oval (Waratah Park No 4) | 2018 | |
Southern Power | Power | Sutherland | Lincoln Oval (Waratah Park No 4) | 1972 | |
St George | Dragons | Penshurst | Olds Park | 1929 | |
Sydney University | Students | Camperdown | University Oval | 1887 | |
UNSW-ES | Bulldogs | Daceyville | Village Green | 1880,1999 | |
UTS | Bats | Paddington | Trumper Park Oval | 2000 | |
Western Magic | Magic | Rooty Hill | Blacktown International Sportspark | 2012 | |
Wollondilly | Knights | Wilton | Hannaford Oval | 1989 |
Former Clubs
Colours | Football Club Name | Nickname | Location(s) | Home Ground(s) | Founded | Fate |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Auburn | Tigers | Auburn | Mona Park | 2010 | Folded - 2018 | |
Campbelltown | Blues | Macquarie Fields | Rosedale Park | 1975 | Merged with South West Sydney Magpies to form South West Sydney Blues | |
Gosford | Tigers | West Gosford | Adcock Park | 1971 | Moved to AFL Hunter Central Coast | |
North West Sydney | Redbacks | Kellyville | Kanebridge Oval | ? | Folded - 2022 | |
Illawarra | Lions | Fairy Meadow | North Dalton Park | 1971 | Moved to AFL South Coast. Now known as Wollongong Lions | |
South West Sydney | Magpies | Warwick Farm | Bob Prenter Oval | 1947 | Merged with Campbelltown Blues to form South West Sydney Blues | |
Wollongong | Saints | Fairy Meadow | North Dalton Park | 2010 | Moved to AFL South Coast. Now known as Figtree Saints |
Location of Current Clubs
- Wollondilly Knights not pictured
2024 Men's Divisions
Club | Premier Division | Division 1 | Division 2 | Division 3 | Division 4 | Division 5 | U19s Division 1 | U19s Division 2 | Masters | Total Teams |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Balmain Tigers | 3 | |||||||||
Camden Cats | 4 | |||||||||
East Coast Eagles | 4 | |||||||||
Hawkesbury Jets | 2 | |||||||||
Inner West Magpies |
5 | |||||||||
Macquarie University Warriors | 2 | |||||||||
Manly-Warringah Wolves |
5 | |||||||||
Newtown Breakaways | 2 | |||||||||
North Shore Bombers |
8 | |||||||||
Parramatta Goannas | 2 | |||||||||
Pennant Hills Demons |
7 | |||||||||
Penrith Rams | 2 | |||||||||
Randwick City Saints | 2 | |||||||||
South West Sydney Blues | 5 | |||||||||
Southern Dingoes | 1 | |||||||||
Southern Power | 3 | |||||||||
St George Dragons | 5 | |||||||||
Sydney University Students | 8 | |||||||||
UNSW-Eastern Suburbs Bulldogs | 5 | |||||||||
UTS Bats | 7 | |||||||||
Western Magic |
1 | |||||||||
Wollondilly Knights | 1 | |||||||||
Totals | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 13 | 10 | 6 | 8 | 84 |
2024 Women's Divisions
Club | Premier Division | Division 1 | Division 2 | Division 3 | U20s | Total Teams |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Camden Cats | 2 | |||||
East Coast Eagles | 2 | |||||
Inner West Magpies |
1 | |||||
Macquarie University Warriors | 1 | |||||
Manly-Warringah Wolves |
4 | |||||
Newtown Breakaways | 2 | |||||
North Shore Bombers |
4 | |||||
Parramatta Goannas | 4 | |||||
Pennant Hills Demons |
2 | |||||
Penrith Rams | 1 | |||||
Randwick City Saints | 2 | |||||
South West Sydney Blues | 2 | |||||
Southern Power | 1 | |||||
St George Dragons | 3 | |||||
Sydney University Students | 4 | |||||
UNSW-Eastern Suburbs Bulldogs | 2 | |||||
UTS Bats | 4 | |||||
Western Magic
|
1 | |||||
Wollondilly Knights | 1 | |||||
Totals | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 6 | 44 |
First Grade (Men's) Premiers
List of First Grade Men's (currently Premier Division) premiers.[4]
List of premiers
Season | Premiers | Runners-up | Score |
---|---|---|---|
1903 | East Sydney (1) | North Shore | 6.4 (44) d. 4.2 (26) |
1904 | North Shore (1) | Balmain | 5.13 (43) d. 2.8 (20) |
1905 | Sydney (1) | YMCA | 7.9 (51) d. 7.8 (50) |
1906 | Newtown (1) | Redfern | 9.8 (62) d. 1.14 (20) |
1907 | Sydney (2) | Newtown | 9.6 (60) d. 1.4 (10) |
1908 | YMCA (1) | East Sydney | 15.6 (96) d. 5.8 (38) |
1909 | North Shore (2) | YMCA | 7.5 (47) d. 5.5 (35) |
1910 | YMCA (2) | East Sydney | 5.18 (48) d. 3.6 (24) |
1911 | East Sydney (2) | Sydney | 4.5 (29) d. 2.4 (16) |
1912 | Sydney (3) | Paddington | 5.13 (43) d. 2.3 (15) |
1913 | Sydney (4) | Paddington | 9.16 (70) d. 6.6 (42) |
1914 | South Sydney (1) | Sydney | 7.7 (49) d. 4.15 (39) |
1915 | Paddington (1) | Newtown | 9.5 (59) d. 5.11 (41) |
1916 | Paddington (2) | Balmain | 3.14 (32) d. 1.8 (14) |
1917 | Paddington (3) | East Sydney | 12.20 (92) d. 3.10 (28) |
1918 | East Sydney (3) | Newtown | 14.12 (96) d. 6.7 (43) |
1919 | Paddington (4) | East Sydney | 11.10 (76) d. 8.8 (56) |
1920 | Paddington (5) | Newtown | 15.5 (95) d. 9.15 (69) |
1921 | North Shore (3) | Newtown | 10.7 (67) d. 7.12 (54) |
1922 | Paddington (6) | Newtown | 8.6 (54) d. 5.14 (44) |
1923 | Sydney (5) | Newtown | 10.7 (67) d. 8.15 (63) |
1924 | Paddington (7) | Newtown | 11.8 (74) d. 9.14 (68) |
1925 | Sydney (6) | Paddington | 9.13 (67) d. 7.10 (52) |
1926 | Eastern Suburbs (4) | Western Suburbs | 6.10 (46) d. 4.7 (31) |
1927 | Eastern Suburbs (5) | Newtown | 9.16 (70) d. 6.13 (49) |
1928 | Newtown (2) | Eastern Suburbs | 10.16 (76) d. 4.5 (29) |
1929 | Newtown (3) | North Shore | 10.8 (68) d. 6.6 (42) |
1930 | Newtown (4) | South Sydney | 9.17 (71) d. 7.13 (55) |
1931 | Sydney (7) | Newtown | 6.7 (43) d. 4.14 (38) |
1932 | Newtown (5) | South Sydney | 7.12 (54) d. 5.5 (35) |
1933 | Newtown (6) | Sydney | 10.3 (63) d. 7.16 (58) |
1934 | South Sydney (2) | Newtown | 17.12 (114) d. 12.6 (78) |
1935 | South Sydney (3) | St George | 21.9 (135) d. 11.17 (83) |
1936 | Newtown (7) | South Sydney | 17.8 (110) d. 10.10 (70) |
1937 | St George (1) | South Sydney | 11.16 (82) d. 6.9 (45) |
1938 | St George (2) | Newtown | 6.20 (56) d. 1.9 (15) |
1939 | Newtown (8) | St George | 10.25 (85) d. 10.3 (63) |
1940 | Newtown (9) | Eastern Suburbs | 10.11 (71) d. 8.8 (56) |
1941 | Eastern Suburbs (6) | South Sydney | 7.10 (52) d. 8.3 (51) |
1942 | Newtown (10) | South Sydney | 14.14 (98) d. 9.10 (64) |
1943 | St George (3) | South Sydney | 12.19 (91) d. 9.10 (64) |
1944 | Sydney Naval (1) | R.A.A.F | 11.15 (81) d. 8.17 (63) |
1945 | Newtown (11) | R.A.A.F | 20.18 (138) d. 12.14 (86) |
1946 | Newtown (12) | St George | 16.13 (109) d. 10.6 (66) |
1947 | Newtown (13) | Eastern Suburbs | 18.14 (122) d. 10.6 (66) |
1948 | Newtown (14) | Sydney Naval | 16.17 (113) d. 6.15 (51) |
1949 | Newtown (15) | Eastern Suburbs | 15.10 (100) d. 14.15 (99) |
1950 | Newtown (16) | Sydney Naval | 13.16 (94) d. 8.7 (55) |
1951 | Western Suburbs (1) | Eastern Suburbs | 11.15 (81) d. 10.9 (69) |
1952 | North Shore (4) | Western Suburbs | 11.7 (73) d. 9.12 (66) |
1953 | Eastern Suburbs (7) | Western Suburbs | 21.22 (148) d. 15.12 (102) |
1954 | Eastern Suburbs (8) | Newtown | 13.20 (98) d. 11.8 (74) |
1955 | Eastern Suburbs (9) | North Shore | 13.12 (90) d. 7.10 (52) |
1956 | Eastern Suburbs (10) | Western Suburbs | 10.12 (84) d. 9.17 (71) |
1957 | Eastern Suburbs (11) | Sydney Naval | 12.18 (90) d. 9.16 (70) |
1958 | Eastern Suburbs (12) | Western Suburbs | 15.11 (101) d. 8.11 (59) |
1959 | Eastern Suburbs (13) | Newtown | 14.11 (95) d. 7.11 (53) |
1960 | Sydney Naval (2) | Newtown | 9.12 (66) d. 9.9 (63) |
1961 | North Shore (5) | Sydney Naval | 11.15 (81) d. 4.11 (35) |
1962 | Sydney Naval (3) | Newtown | 18.20 (128) d. 14.13 (97) |
1963 | Western Suburbs (2) | Newtown | 14.14 (98) d. 12.16 (88) |
1964 | St George (4) | Western Suburbs | 14.18 (102) d. 4.18 (42) |
1965 | Western Suburbs (3) | St George | 17.15 (117) d. 12.9 (81) |
1966 | Western Suburbs (4) | St George | 15.22 (112) d. 10.10 (70) |
1967 | Newtown (17) | Western Suburbs | 9.16 (70) d. 8.12 (60) |
1968 | Newtown (18) | Western Suburbs | 22.11 (143) d. 10.18 (78) |
1969 | Western Suburbs (5) | Newtown | 13.17 (93) d. 12.16 (88) |
1970 | Newtown (19) | North Shore | 15.16 (106) d. 10.16 (76) |
1971 | East Sydney (14) | Western Suburbs | 19.15 (129) d. 15.22 (112) |
1972 | Western Suburbs (6) | East Sydney | 22.23 (149) d. 12.14 (86) |
1973 | East Sydney (15) | Western Suburbs | 22.18 (144) d. 18.9 (117) |
1974 | Western Suburbs (7) | East Sydney | 18.25 (133) d. 17.21 (123) |
1975 | Western Suburbs (8) | East Sydney | 18.18 (126) d. 12.16 (88) |
1976 | East Sydney (16) | North Shore | 23.12 (150) d. 10.13 (73) |
1977 | Western Suburbs (9) | North Shore | 18.25 (133) d. 14.9 (91) |
1978 | North Shore (6) | Western Suburbs | 17.17 (119) d. 13.12 (90) |
1979 | North Shore (7) | Western Suburbs | 13.17 (93) d. 9.22 (76) |
1980 | East Sydney (17) | North Shore | 30.24 (204) d. 12.11 (83) |
1981 | East Sydney (18) | Newtown | 19.16 (130) d. 3.23 (41) |
1982 | East Sydney (19) | Pennant Hills | 8.8 (56) d. 5.8 (38) |
1983 | East Sydney (20) | Balmain | 18.23 (131) d. 15.3 (93) |
1984 | East Sydney (21) | North Shore | 20.13 (133) d. 5.4 (34) |
1985 | North Shore (8) | Campbelltown | 18.19 (127) d. 14.12 (96) |
1986 | Campbelltown (1) | North Shore | 17.13 (115) d. 13.14 (92) |
1987 | Campbelltown (2) | St George | 25.16 (166) d. 12.7 (79) |
1988 | Campbelltown (3) | East Sydney | 13.10 (88) d. 8.9 (57) |
1989 | Campbelltown (4) | North Shore | 10.12 (72) d. 6.9 (45) |
1990 | Holroyd-Parramatta (1) | North Shore | 9.15 (69) d. 9.8 (62) |
1991 | North Shore (9) | Holroyd-Parramtta | 10.13 (73) d. 7.9 (51) |
1992 | Sydney University (1) | North Shore | 18.16 (124) d. 8.11 (59) |
1993 | St George (5) | North Shore | 17.13 (115) d. 9.26 (80) |
1994 | Campbelltown (5) | North Shore | 13.16 (94) d. 12.15 (87) |
1995 | Campbelltown (6) | Pennant Hills | 16.19 (115) d. 9.5 (59) |
1996 | Western Suburbs (10) | Pennant Hills | 12.16 (88) d. 11.10 (76) |
1997 | Balmain (1) | St George | 17.13 (115) d. 11.14 (80) |
1998 | Balmain (2) | Pennant Hills | 12.13 (85) d. 9.11 (65) |
1999 | Campbelltown (7) | Balmain | 18.5 (113) d. 13.13 (91) |
2000 | Pennant Hills (1) | North Shore | 15.12 (102) d. 10.7 (67) |
2001 | North Shore (10) | Campbelltown | 12.12 (84) d. 10.9 (69) |
2002 | UNSW/ES (22) | North Shore | 16.10 (106) d. 11.6 (72) |
2003 | UNSW/ES (23) | North Shore | 12.10 (82) d. 10.16 (76) |
2004 | North Shore (11) | St George | 10.11 (71) d. 7.4 (46) |
2005 | North Shore (12) | Western Suburbs | 13.9 (87) d. 6.10 (46) |
2006 | Pennant Hills (2) | East Coast | 5.20 (50) d. 7.6 (48) |
2007 | North Shore (13) | St George | 12.15 (87) d. 9.12 (66) |
2008 | Pennant Hills (3) | East Coast | 20.12 (132) d. 3.10 (28) |
2009 | East Coast (1) | UNSW/ES | 22.12 (144) d. 13.12 (90) |
2010 | East Coast (2) | Sydney University | 13.9 (87) d. 10.10 (70) |
2011 | East Coast (3) | Balmain | 17.12 (114) d. 10.11 (71) |
2012 | UNSW/ES (24) | Balmain | 13.11 (89) d. 7.5 (47) |
2013 | Manly-Warringah (1) | Pennant Hills | 11.14 (80) d. 11.6 (72) |
2014 | Manly-Warringah (2) | Pennant Hills | 8.20 (68) d. 2.10 (22) |
2015 | Pennant Hills (4) | East Coast | 14.5 (89) d. 7.12 (54) |
2016 | East Coast (4) | St George | 17.5 (107) d. 9.12 (66) |
2017 | Pennant Hills (5) | Sydney University | 10.6 (66) d. 7.18 (60) |
2018 | UNSW/ES (25) | Sydney University | 8.10 (58) d. 7.13 (55) |
2019 | UNSW/ES (26) | Sydney University | 10.9 (69) d. 6.15 (51) |
2020 | Sydney University (2) | UNSW/ES | 8.6 (54) d. 6.9 (45) |
2022 | UNSW/ES (27) | North Shore | 7.10 (52) d. 2.10 (22) |
2023 | UNSW/ES (28) | North Shore | 10.6 (66) d. 6.10 (46) |
Number of Premierships by Club
Number of Premierships | Club | Years | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
28 | East Sydney/Eastern Suburbs/UNSW-Eastern Suburbs | 1903 | 1911 | 1918 | 1926 | 1927 | 1941 | 1953 | 1954 | 1955 | 1956 |
1957 | 1958 | 1959 | 1971 | 1973 | 1976 | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | ||
1984 | 2002 | 2003 | 2012 | 2018 | 2019 | 2022 | 2023 | ||||
19 | Newtown | 1906 | 1928 | 1929 | 1930 | 1932 | 1933 | 1936 | 1939 | 1940 | 1942 |
1945 | 1946 | 1947 | 1948 | 1949 | 1950 | 1967 | 1968 | 1970 | |||
13 | North Shore
|
1904 | 1909 | 1921 | 1952 | 1961 | 1978 | 1979 | 1985 | 1991 | 2001 |
2004 | 2005 | 2007 | |||||||||
10 | Western Suburbs/Inner West
|
1951 | 1963 | 1965 | 1966 | 1969 | 1972 | 1974 | 1975 | 1977 | 1996 |
7 | Sydney | 1905 | 1907 | 1912 | 1913 | 1923 | 1925 | 1931 | |||
7 | Paddington | 1915 | 1916 | 1917 | 1919 | 1920 | 1922 | 1924 | |||
7 | Campbelltown | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1994 | 1995 | 1999 | |||
5 | St George | 1937 | 1938 | 1943 | 1964 | 1993 | |||||
5 | Pennant Hills
|
2000 | 2006 | 2008 | 2015 | 2017 | |||||
4 | East Coast | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2016 | ||||||
3 | South Sydney | 1914 | 1934 | 1935 | |||||||
3 | Sydney Naval | 1944 | 1960 | 1962 | |||||||
2 | YMCA | 1908 | 1910 | ||||||||
2 | Sydney University | 1992 | 2020 | ||||||||
2 | Balmain | 1997 | 1998 | ||||||||
2 | Manly-Warringah
|
2013 | 2014 | ||||||||
1 | Holroyd-Parramatta/Parramatta | 1990 |
First Grade (Women's) Premiers
List of First Grade Women's (currently Women's Premier Division) premiers.
|
|
Number of Premierships by Club
Number of Premierships | Club | Years | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
6 | Newtown Breakaways | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2009 | 2010 | 2015 |
4 | Sydney University Bombers/Gold/Sydney University | 2001 | 2007 | 2013 | 2014 | |||
3 | Western Wolves/Inner West Magpies
|
2000 | 2006 | 2008 | ||||
3 | UNSW-Eastern Suburbs | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | ||||
2 | Balmain Dockers/Balmain Tigers | 2011 | 2012 | |||||
2 | East Coast | 2022 | 2023 | |||||
1 | Macquarie University | 2019 | ||||||
1 | Manly-Warringah
|
2020 |
Best and fairest awards
The Phelan Medal is an annual award given in the Sydney AFL. It is awarded to best and fairest player of the premier division competition each year. It is seen to be the AFL Sydney equivalent to the Brownlow Medal. The Mostyn Medal is awarded to the best and fairest player in the premier division of the women's league.
References
- ^ "THE AUSTRALIAN GAME". The Sydney Morning Herald. No. 20, 327. New South Wales, Australia. 4 May 1903. p. 4. Retrieved 29 March 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Digital Sports Pty Ltd". Digital Sports. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
- ^ Lane, Daniel (18 March 2007). "Dockers drop anchor on Swans' turf". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
- ^ "First Grade Men's Premiers (Premier Division)". AFL Sydney. Retrieved 16 November 2021.