Panton Hill Football League
| Most recent season or competition: 1987 | |
| Sport | Australian rules football |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1931 |
| First season | 1931 |
| Ceased | 1987 |
| No. of teams | 6 (1987), 20 (historical) |
| Country | Australia |
| Last champion | Keon Park (1987) |
| Most titles | Plenty Rovers/Mernda (11) |
| Related competitions | Northern Football Netball League |
The Panton Hill Football League was an Australian Rules football competition that ran from 1931 to 1987. The league originally consisted of clubs from rural areas north of Melbourne in the Shires of Eltham and Whittlesea, but later expanded to include clubs from Melbourne's northern suburbs.
History
The PHFL was established in 1931 with four clubs (Panton Hill, Queenstown, Kinglake and Yarra Glen), before merging with the Bourke-Evelyn Football League a year later to bring in 3 more clubs.[1][2] Due to the loss of numerous clubs to the Diamond Valley FL, the PHFL entered recess in 1937.[3][4] It re-formed in 1939[5] and expanded to 5 teams before going into recess in 1941 due to World War II.[6]
Following the war, the PHFL consistently had 9 to 10 participating clubs for the next 3 decades. Whittlesea won 4 premierships in a row between 1957 and 1960.[6] The league began to expand into suburban Melbourne with the admissions of Lalor in 1964 and La Trobe University and Watsonia in 1967.
The loss of 4 clubs following the 1980 season marked the beginning of the PHFL's decline. Many clubs, particularly the strong Melbourne-based clubs, were increasingly drawn to the higher-standard Diamond Valley Football League. A plan to turn the PHFL into a third division of the DVFL following the 1987 season fell through and the league subsequently folded, with Hurstbridge, Panton Hill and Reservoir Rovers joining the DVFL, Keon Park and Heidelberg Colts joining the Melbourne North FL and Coolaroo Rovers folding.[6]
Final clubs
| Club | Jumper | Nickname | Home Ground | Former League | Est. | Years in PHFL | PHFL Senior Premierships | Fate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | Years | ||||||||
| Coolaroo Rovers | (1982-?)(?-1987) | Rovers | Progress Reserve, Coolaroo | VAFA | 1970s | 1982, 1984–1987 | 0 | - | Recess in 1983. Seniors folded after 1987 season, juniors continued. |
| Heidelberg Colts | Colts | Olympic Park, Heidelberg West | PDJFA | 1967 | 1984-1987 | 0 | - | Entered recess in 1988, re-formed in Melbourne North FL in 1989 | |
| Hurstbridge | Bridges, Blues | Ben Frilay Memorial Oval, Hurstbridge | DVFL | 1914 | 1932-1935, 1939–1987 | 5 | 1935, 1948, 1952, 1965, 1968, 1970 | Played in Diamond Valley FL in 1936, recess in 1937–38. Moved to Diamond Valley FL in 1988 | |
| Keon Park | Stars | J C Donath Reserve, Reservoir | YCWFA | 1961 | 1982-1987 | 1 | 1987 | Entered recess in 1988, re-formed in Melbourne North FL in 1989 | |
| Panton Hill | Redbacks | Cracknell Reserve, Panton Hill | DVFL | 1926 | 1931-1987 | 2 | 1934, 1955 | Moved to Yarra Valley Mountain District FL in 1988 | |
| Reservoir Rovers | Rovers | C T Barling Reserve, Reservoir | YCWFA | 1987 | 0 | - | Merged with Thornbury to form Thornbury Rovers in Diamond Valley FL after 1987 season | ||
Former clubs
| Club | Jumper | Nickname | Home Ground | Former League | Est. | Years in PHFL | PHFL Senior Premierships | Fate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | Most recent | ||||||||
| Bundoora | Bunnies, Bulls | Yulong Reserve, Bundoora | – | 1974 | 1975-1980 | 1 | 1980 | Moved to Diamond Valley FL following 1980 season | |
| Donnybrook | Brookers | John Laffan Reserve, Donnybrook | HHFL | 1910 | 1948-1980 | 5 | 1953, 1956, 1961, 1962, 1963 | Folded after 1980 season | |
| Flowerdale | Spring Valley Recreation Reserve, Flowerdale | YJFA | 1890s | 1949-1955 | 0 | - | Folded after 1955 season | ||
| Kilmore | Blues | JJ Clancy Reserve, Kilmore | RDFL | 1887 | 1985-1986 | 0 | - | Returned to Riddell District FL following 1986 season | |
| Kinglake | Lakers | Kinglake Memorial Reserve, Kinglake | BEFL | 1925 | 1931-1936, 1939–1980 | 2 | 1939, 1940 | Was in recess in 1937–38. Folded after 1980 season, re-formed in Yarra Valley Mountain District FL in 1990 | |
| La Trobe University | (Reds)(Blacks) | Trobers (1967)
Reds and Blacks (1968–69) |
Tony Sheehan Oval, Bundoora | – | 1967 | 1967-1969 | 1 | 1969 (won by Blacks) | Moved to VAFA following 1969 season |
| Lalor | Bloods | Lalor Reserve, Lalor | – | 1955 | 1964-1967 | 2 | 1966, 1967 | Moved to Diamond Valley FL following 1967 season | |
| Lower Plenty | Hawks | Montmorency Park, South Oval, Montmorency | ESCFA | 1961 | 1983-1985 | 0 | - | Returned to Eastern Suburban Churches FA in 1986 | |
| Mernda (Plenty Rovers 1932-64) | (1932-74)(1975–86) | Demons | Waterview Recreation Reserve, Mernda | BEFL | 1891 | 1932-1936, 1940–1986 | 11 | 1936, 1947, 1949, 1950, 1951, 1964, 1971, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1986 | Moved to Diamond Valley FL following 1986 season |
| Northcote Park | Cougars | Bill Lawry Oval, Northcote | MFL | 1952 | 1973-1980 | 3 | 1977, 1978, 1979 | Moved to Diamond Valley FL following 1980 season | |
| Research | Bulldogs | Eltham Lower Park, Eltham | – | 1958 | 1958-1985 | 2 | 1984, 1985 | Moved to Diamond Valley FL following 1985 season | |
| Reservoir | Mustangs | Crispe Park, Reservoir | MFL | 1923 | 1971-1980 | 3 | 1972, 1975, 1976 | Moved to Diamond Valley FL following 1980 season | |
| St Andrews (Queenstown 1931-34) | (1931–34)(1947–84) | Tigers | St Andrews Recreation Reserve, St Andrews | – | 1931-1934, 1947-1948, 1959-1964, 1967-1972, 1977-1984 | 0 | - | In recess between 1935 and 1946, 1949–58, 1965–66 and 1973–76. Folded after 1984 season | |
| St Georges Reservoir | ESCFA | 1981-1982 | 0 | - | Folded after 1982 season | ||||
| Thomastown | Bears | Main Street Reserve, Thomastown | – | 1976 | 1976-1979 | 0 | - | Moved to VAFA following 1979 season | |
| Wallan (Wallan United 1949-63) | Magpies | Wallan Recreation Reserve, Wallan | 1904 | 1954-1964 | 0 | - | Returned to Riddell District FL following 1964 season | ||
| Wallan East | Magpies | HHFL | 1947-1949 | 0 | - | Merged with Wallan to form Wallan United following 1948 season | |||
| Watsonia | Saints | A K Lines Reserve, Watsonia | – | 1967 | 1967-1968 | 0 | - | Moved to Diamond Valley FL following 1968 season | |
| Whittlesea | Eagles | Whittlesea Showgrounds, Whittlesea | BEFL | 1896 | 1932-1933, 1940, 1947–1986 | 8 | 1932, 1954, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1973, 1974 | Moved to Diamond Valley FL in 1934 and 1946. Moved to Riddell District FL as Northern Eagles in 1987 | |
| Yarra Glen | River Pigs | Yarra Glen Recreation Reserve, Yarra Glen | YVFA | 1888 | 1931-1934 | 2 | 1931, 1933 | Returned to Yarra Valley FA in 1935 | |
Grand Finals
| Year | Premiers | Score | Runners-up | Location | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1931 | Yarra Glen | Kinglake | Kinglake | [7][8][9] | |
| 1932 | Whittlesea | 10.12 (72) - 9.7 (61) | Yarra Glen | Hurstbridge | [10] |
| 1933 | Yarra Glen | 10.9 (79) - 4.11 (41) | Kinglake | Whittlesea | [11] |
| 1934 | Panton Hill | 11.11 (77) - 9.19 (73) | Yarra Glen | Hurstbridge | [12] |
| 1935 | Hurstbridge | 15.15 (105) - 7.8 (50) | Kinglake | Doreen | [13] |
| 1936 | Plenty Rovers | 11.9 (75) - 1.8 (14) | Kinglake | Whittlesea | [14] |
| 1937-38 - PHFL in recess | |||||
| 1939 | Kinglake | 11.12 (78) - 10.14 (74) | Hurstbridge | Hurstbridge | [15] |
| 1940 | Kinglake | 7.15 (57) - 7.12 (54) | Plenty Rovers | Whittlesea | [16] |
| 1941-46 - PHFL in recess due to WWII | |||||
| 1947 | Plenty Rovers | Whittlesea | [17] | ||
| 1948 | Hurstbridge | Score unknown - 9 point margin | Plenty Rovers | Whittlesea | [18] |
| 1949 | Plenty Rovers | Whittlesea | [17] | ||
| 1950 | Plenty Rovers | Whittlesea | [17] | ||
| 1951 | Plenty Rovers | Whittlesea | [17] | ||
| 1952 | Hurstbridge | Whittlesea | [6] | ||
| 1953 | Donnybrook | Whittlesea | [6] | ||
| 1954 | Whittlesea | Whittlesea | [19] | ||
| 1955 | Panton Hill | 7.11 (53) - 7.7 (49) | Donnybrook | Whittlesea | [6] |
| 1956 | Donnybrook | Whittlesea | [6] | ||
| 1957 | Whittlesea | Whittlesea | [19] | ||
| 1958 | Whittlesea | Donnybrook | Whittlesea | [19] | |
| 1959 | Whittlesea | Whittlesea | [19] | ||
| 1960 | Whittlesea | Donnybrook | Whittlesea | [19] | |
| 1961 | Donnybrook | Wallan United | Whittlesea | [6] | |
| 1962 | Donnybrook | Plenty Rovers | Whittlesea | [18] | |
| 1963 | Donnybrook | Plenty Rovers | Whittlesea | [18] | |
| 1964 | Plenty Rovers | Whittlesea | Whittlesea | [18] | |
| 1965 | Hurstbridge | Whittlesea | [6] | ||
| 1966 | Lalor | 14.8 (92) - 8.11 (59) | Hurstbridge | Whittlesea | [6] |
| 1967 | Drawn match - Lalor 15.11 (101) drew Hurstbridge 15.11 (101) | Whittlesea | [6] | ||
| Lalor | 14.11 (95) - 8.10 (58) | Hurstbridge | Whittlesea | [6] | |
| 1968 | Hurstbridge | Whittlesea | [6] | ||
| 1969 | La Trobe University Blacks | Score unknown - 60 point margin | Mernda | Whittlesea | [20] |
| 1970 | Hurstbridge | 15.5 (95) - 10.15 (75) | Panton Hill | Whittlesea | [6] |
| 1971 | Mernda | Reservoir | Whittlesea | [17] | |
| 1972 | Reservoir | 11.19 (85) - 10.13 (73) | Donnybrook | Whittlesea | [21] |
| 1973 | Whittlesea | Whittlesea | [19] | ||
| 1974 | Whittlesea | Whittlesea | [19] | ||
| 1975 | Reservoir | 13.11 (96) - 9.6 (60) | Donnybrook | Whittlesea | [21] |
| 1976 | Reservoir | 19.13 (127) - 16.10 (106) | Donnybrook | Whittlesea | [21] |
| 1977 | Northcote Park | Whittlesea | [6] | ||
| 1978 | Northcote Park | Bundoora | Whittlesea | [6] | |
| 1979 | Northcote Park | Whittlesea | [6] | ||
| 1980 | Bundoora | Whittlesea | [22] | ||
| 1981 | Mernda | Whittlesea | [23] | ||
| 1982 | Mernda | Whittlesea | [23] | ||
| 1983 | Mernda | Whittlesea | [23] | ||
| 1984 | Research | Whittlesea | [6] | ||
| 1985 | Research | Whittlesea | [6] | ||
| 1986 | Mernda | Whittlesea | [23] | ||
| 1987 | Keon Park | Coolaroo Rovers | Hurstbridge | [6] | |
References
- ^ "FOOTBALL". Advertiser. 18 March 1932. p. 6. Retrieved 12 November 2025.
- ^ "FOOTBALL". Advertiser. 15 April 1932. p. 2. Retrieved 12 November 2025.
- ^ "FOOTBALL". Advertiser. 9 April 1937. p. 4. Retrieved 12 November 2025.
- ^ "KINGLAKE DISAPPOINTED". Advertiser. 30 April 1937. p. 4. Retrieved 12 November 2025.
- ^ "FOOTBALL". Advertiser. 21 April 1939. p. 2. Retrieved 12 November 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t "Panton Hill And Districts Football Association / Panton Hill And Districts Football League / Panton Hill Football League (Vic)". www.footypedia.info. Archived from the original on 26 November 2024. Retrieved 12 November 2025.
- ^ "It all started in 1888 - Yarra Glen Football Netball Club". GameDay. Retrieved 12 November 2025.
- ^ "CHRONICLES OF WILLIE WINNER". Advertiser. 11 September 1931. p. 6. Retrieved 12 November 2025.
- ^ "LEAGUE UMPIRES CHOSEN". Sun News-Pictorial. 10 September 1931. p. 19. Retrieved 12 November 2025.
- ^ "FOOTBALL FINALS". Advertiser. 16 September 1932. p. 2. Retrieved 12 November 2025.
- ^ "FOOTBALL". Advertiser. 13 October 1933. p. 4. Retrieved 12 November 2025.
- ^ "Panton Hill Association". Advertiser. 14 September 1934. p. 4. Retrieved 12 November 2025.
- ^ "Panton Hill Final to Kinglake". Advertiser. 23 August 1935. p. 6. Retrieved 12 November 2025.
- ^ "Football DISTRICT FINAL—PLENTY ROVERS PREMIERS". Advertiser. 31 July 1936. p. 2. Retrieved 12 November 2025.
- ^ "Panton Hill Association". Advertiser. 4 August 1939. p. 1. Retrieved 12 November 2025.
- ^ "PANTON HILL FOOTBALL PREMIERSHIP". Eltham and Whittlesea Shires Advertiser. 20 September 1940. p. 2. Retrieved 12 November 2025.
- ^ a b c d e "PREMIERSHIPS". senior.merndafc.com.au. Retrieved 12 November 2025.
- ^ a b c d "HISTORY - 1891-1970". senior.merndafc.com.au. Retrieved 12 November 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Football Club » Whittlesea Football Netball Club". www.whittleseafc.com.au. Retrieved 12 November 2025.
- ^ "Premierships". LTUFC. Retrieved 12 November 2025.
- ^ a b c "Reservoir Premierships". Reservoir Sporting Club. Retrieved 12 November 2025.
- ^ "Premierships". Bundoora FNC. Retrieved 12 November 2025.
- ^ a b c d "HISTORY - 1970-2020". senior.merndafc.com.au. Retrieved 12 November 2025.