AFL Darling Downs (also known as AFLDD) coordinates Australian rules football competitions in the Darling Downs and South Burnett regions of Queensland including its major city of Toowoomba where there are four of the senior clubs are based. The competition was formed as the Darling Downs Australian Football League in 1971. AFL Darling Downs has senior men's, women's as well as multiple grades of junior competition.

AFL Darling Downs
Current season, competition or edition:
Current sports event 2024
FormerlyDarling Downs Australian Football League
SportAustralian rules football
Founded1971; 53 years ago (1971)
No. of teams7
Most recent
champion(s)
Coolaroo
(2024)
Most titlesUniversity Cougars (13)
Promotion to(none)
Relegation to(none)
Official websiteaflq.com.au/darlingdowns

The senior representative team is known as the Demons and wear guernseys modelled on the Melbourne Demons guernseys.

History of Australian Football in the Darling Downs, Queensland

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The Warwick Football Club was formed in 1873 in Warwick to play under Australian rules, however lacking any nearby competitors for 3 years it played mostly intra-club scratch matches until Brisbane club Civil Service travelled to Toowoomba to play against a newly formed Toowoomba Football Club in 1876.[1] AFL Queensland cites the Toowoomba Football Club as forming in 1873, however few sources back this up. As the game spread further west of the Great Divide[2] clubs were split on whether to adopt rugby or Australian rules. Nevertheless, it is noted that clubs from the region in this era were able to hold their own against those from Brisbane.[3]

A Toowoomba Football Association formed in 1876[citation needed] teams were 16-a-side however the rules used were not fully documented and some suggest it could have been an early rugby association which would be contemporary with the code being introduced to Brisbane. The Light Infantry Corps formed to play against the Light Infantry Football Club. The Association disappeared a couple of years later. As Downs clubs lacked nearby opponents rugby was more suited to facilitating matches against New South Wales clubs, as a result local competition went into recess. An exception was an 1878 match between Old-Victorians and All Comers played in front of a large crowd.[4] The Queensland Football Association formed in 1880 and affiliated with the Victorian Football Association, however clubs outside of Brisbane were becoming increasingly frustrated by the lack of representation for the whole colony. In 1881 matches were once again played in Toowoomba when the Toowoomba Grammar took up the sport.[5] By 1882, a Toowoomba Association (affiliated with the QFA) had re-formed including both clubs and schools in the region.[6] In 1883, a team of 12 travelled from Excelsior FC (Brisbane), noting a revival of the code in the region.[7] The inclusion of the Allora Football Club at Allora in 1883 provided more regular interaction between the clubs.[8] However the code suffered a major blow when, after the Brisbane private school association in 1887 voted to switch to rugby including Toowoomba Grammar. A senior Toowoomba Rugby Football Club formed in 1887and this was the last mention of the Toowoomba Football Club or any other Downs clubs playing Australian rules. After the collapse of the QFA in 1890 the Toowoomba Rugby Association and Toowoomba British Football Association were able to grow unopposed.

Modern Competition

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The Darling Downs Australian Football League was first played as an official organised competition in 1971. Signals, Coolaroo and Aviation were the three foundation clubs and were joined by a fourth club, South Toowoomba in 1972.

The League has had many changes to the number of clubs participating since then, with eight A Grade Senior Clubs currently competing, and now known as AFL Darling Downs. It is a regional league in Queensland. There are four Senior clubs based in Toowoomba, and the other senior clubs come from Dalby, Goondiwindi, and Warwick. New teams from Kingaroy, and Chinchilla participated in the 2013 revamped competition. Chinchilla folded in 2018.

University Cougars AFC is the most successful club with 13 premierships, 4 under the banner of "Institute Eagles" and 5 under the moniker of "University Eagles". Coolaroo Roos has 9 premierships and Goondiwindi Hawks has 8. South Toowoomba Bombers (formerly Longhorns) and Toowoomba Tigers (formerly Pinkies) have 6 premiership flags each.[9]

Clubs

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There have been many different towns in the Darling Downs of Queensland fielding Australian Rules Football teams over the forty plus years of Senior Competition. Coolaroo Roos have played every season from the inaugural year, and Toowoomba Tigers have played the second most seasons. Below is a full list of Current and Former Clubs in the region.

Current Senior Clubs

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45km
30miles
 
 
Warwick Redbacks
 
University Cougars
 
Toowoomba
 
South Toowoomba
 
South Burnett Saints
 
Goondiwindi
 
Dalby Swans
 
Coolaroo
Locations of the teams home grounds
Club Colours Nickname Home Ground Founded Years in League Senior Premierships
Total Years
Coolaroo
 
Roos Rockville Park, Wilsonton Heights 1971 1971- 12 1975, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2009, 2013, 2015, 2022, 2023, 2024
Goondiwindi
 
Hawks Riddles Oval, Goondiwindi 1978 1980- 8 1980, 1983, 1991, 1995, 1996, 1999, 2000, 2019
South Burnett
 
Saints Lyle Vidler Oval, Kingaroy 2013 2013- 0 -
South Toowoomba [note 1]
 
Bombers [note 2] Heritage Oval, Southern Cross Reserve, Harlaxton 1971 1972- 8 1972, 1976, 1981, 1982, 1984, 2008, 2020, 2021
Toowoomba
 
Tigers [note 3] Rockville Park, Wilsonton Heights 1973 1974 6 1977, 1979, 1988, 2010, 2011, 2012
University [note 4]
 
Cougars [note 5] Baker St Oval, Darling Heights 1976 1976- 13 1978, 1986, 1987, 1990, 1992, 1994, 1997, 1998, 2006, 2007, 2016, 2017, 2018
Warwick
 
Redbacks Roddies Oval, Warwick 1996 1999- 1 2014
Notes
  1. ^ Known as "Central Bombers" (2005–06)
  2. ^ Moniker was Longhorns (1972–97)
  3. ^ Moniker was Pinkies (1974–80)
  4. ^ Known as "Institute" (1976–89)
  5. ^ Moniker was Eagles (1976–98)

Junior-only Clubs

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Club Colours Nickname Home Ground Founded Years in League
Downlands College
 
Gryphons Downlands College 2018 2018-

Former Senior Clubs

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Club Colours Nickname Home Ground Est. Years in League Premierships Fate
Total Years
Aviation 1971-1977 2 1973, 1974 Folded
Chinchilla
 
Suns Chinchilla Recreation Grounds, Chinchilla 2013 2013-2019 0 - Folded
Combined Services 1973 0 - Folded
Coolaroo Roos 2
 
Roos Rockville Park, Wilsonton Heights 1971 2002 0 - Folded
Dalby
 
Swans Dalby AFL Oval, Dalby 1980 1980-2022 0 - In recess
Goondiwindi-Moonie
 
Hawks Riddles Oval, Goondiwindi 1987 1987 0 - Became Goondiwindi
Goondiwindi 2
 
Hawks Riddles Oval, Goondiwindi 1978 2000 0 - Folded
Highfields
 
Lions Kratzke Road Recreation Reserve, Highfields 2003 2010-2019 0 - In recess
Lockyer-Warwick    1980 0 - Became Lockyer Valley
Lockyer Valley Demons
 
Demons (formerly Magies) Cahill Park, Gatton 1981 1981-2017 2 1985, 1993 Folded
Moonie 1985-1986 0 - Merged with Goondiwindi
QAC Gatton 1974, 1977 0 - Folded
Signals 1971-1972 1 1971 Folded

NOTE: Some clubs listed above played in Reserve Grade (Division 2) only for many seasons, but were not part of the A Grade competition and those years are not included in the above table.

AFL Darling Downs A Grade Premiers List

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[10]

AFL Darling Downs A Grade Grand Final Results

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Year Premiers Score Runners Up Score Best On Ground
1971 Signals 5.11 (41) Coolaroo 4.14 (38)
1972 South Toowoomba 14.16 (100) Aviation 6.11 (47)
1973 Aviation South Toowoomba
1974 Aviation 18.15 (123) Toowoomba 11.11 (77)
1975 Coolaroo 9.14 (68) South Toowoomba 7.14 (56) Glen Adamson (South Toowoomba)
1976 South Toowoomba 9.13 (67) Toowoomba 5.16 (46) Steve Bensen (Toowoomba)
1977 Toowoomba 12.12 (84) Coolaroo 2.12 (24) Trevor Curtis (Toowoomba)
1978 Institute 18.9 (117) Toowoomba 14.14 (98)
1979 Toowoomba Institute
1980 Goondiwindi 26.18 (174) Toowoomba 15.15 (105) Mark Holman (Goondiwindi)
1981 South Toowoomba 26.26 (182) Goondiwindi 19.16 (130)
1982 South Toowoomba Goondiwindi
1983 Goondiwindi 19.15 (129) South Toowoomba 9.11 (65) Peter Holman (Goondiwindi)
1984 South Toowoomba 17.10 (112) Coolaroo 13.14 (92) Mick Barnes (South Toowoomba)
1985 Lockyer Valley 14.13 (97) South Toowoomba 10.11 (71)
1986 Institute 25.14 (164) Lockyer Valley 11.6 (72) Russell Mann (Institute)
1987 Institute 22.11 (143) Goondiwindi/Moonie 16.8 (104) Martin Webber (Institute)
1988 Toowoomba 15.15 (105) Dalby 12.9 (81)
1989 Institute 20.20 (140) Goondiwindi 7.7 (49) Gary Brooks (Institute)
1990 University 18.13 (121) Goondiwindi 11.13 (79)
1991 Goondiwindi 15.15 (105) University 9.9 (63) Tony Doherty (Goondiwindi)
1992 University 18.13 (121) Goondiwindi 7.3 (45) Chris Dwyer (University)
1993 Lockyer Valley 24.12 (156) University 15.14 (104) Troy McElhinney (Lockyer Valley)
1994 University 14.3 (87) Goondiwindi 11.13 (79) Sam Pellegrino (University)
1995 Goondiwindi 11.8 (74) University 10.8 (68)
1996 Goondiwindi 12.20 (92) University 12.9 (81)
1997 University 11.3 (69) Goondiwindi 8.13 (61)
1998 University 22.8 (140) Goondiwindi 9.4 (58) Manu Roberts (University)
1999 Goondiwindi 16.18 (114) Toowoomba 4.6 (30)
2000 Goondiwindi 16 10 (106) Coolaroo 13.12 (90)
2001 Coolaroo 14.17 (101) Warwick 2.6 (18)
2002 Coolaroo 21.7 (133) Warwick 8.9 (57)
2003 Coolaroo 23.13 (151) Goondiwindi 8.7 (55) Clinton Wright (Coolaroo)
2004[11] Coolaroo 10.8 (68) Toowoomba 6.9 (45) Damian Cooper (Coolaroo)
2005 Coolaroo 16.11 (107) Central Bombers 5.8 (38) Phil Dreise (Coolaroo)
2006 University 16.12 (108) Toowoomba 6.7 (43) Glenn Treacy (University)
2007 University 14.9 (93) Coolaroo Roos 13.6 (84) Des Anthony (University)
2008 South Toowoomba 11.14 (80) Coolaroo Roos 11.7 (73)
2009 Coolaroo 10.13 (73) South Toowoomba 5.9 (39) Jeremy Wilson (Coolaroo)
2010 Toowoomba 10.17 (77) South Toowoomba 10.14 (74) Nicholas Upton (Toowoomba)
2011 Toowoomba 10.10 (70) Warwick 7.7 (49)
2012 Toowoomba 11.15 (81) South Toowoomba 7.10 (52) Hugh Priest (Toowoomba)
2013 Coolaroo 14.8 (92) University 13.11 (89) Thomas Rudolph (Coolaroo)
2014 Warwick 10.18 (78) University 9.7 (61) Adam Stevenson (Warwick)
2015 Coolaroo 15.15 (105) Goondiwindi 8.12 (60) Michael Langton (Coolaroo)
2016 University 11.10 (76) South Toowoomba 6.11 (47) Benjamin Holmes (University)
2017 University 12.11 (83) Goondiwindi 6.3 (39) Rick Mackay (University)
2018 University 11.9 (75) Goondiwindi 7.9 (51) Joshua White (University)
2019 Goondiwindi 7.9 (51) Coolaroo 5.17 (47) Jermery Leahy (Goondiwindi)
2020 South Toowoomba 11.9 (75) Goondiwindi 9.2 (56) Darby Edgeworth (Souths)
2021 South Toowoomba 10.5 (65) University 7.5 (47) Johnathan Leidig (Souths)
2022 Coolaroo 10.11 (71) South Toowoomba 9.7 (61)
2023 Coolaroo 13.15 (93) Goondiwindi 7.5 (47)
2024 Coolaroo 17.9 (111) Goondiwindi 3.6 (24)

Women

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Year Premiers Score Runners Up Score
2013 South Toowoomba 8.15 (63) Lockyer Valley 1.0 (6)
2014 Dalby 7.2 (44) South Toowoomba 4.12 (36)
2015 Toowoomba 6.9 (45) Dalby 3.5 (23)
2016 Toowoomba 9.16 (70) Goondiwindi 1.0 (6)
2017 Toowoomba 7.5 (45) Dalby 1.2 (8)
2018 Toowoomba 7.3 (45) University 0.5 (5)
2019 Toowoomba 9.7 (61) University 3.7 (25)
2020 Toowoomba 6.8 (44) South Toowoomba 1.4 (910)
2021 Toowoomba 5.4 (34) Goondiwindi 0.3 (3)
2022 Goondiwindi 3.3 (21) Toowoomba 2.2 (14)
2023 Toowoomba 3.5 (23) University 2.2 (14)
2024 Toowoomba 9.6 (60) University 0.4 (4)

Inaugural Darling Downs AFL Grand Final Results

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Year Premiers Score Runners Up Score
1971 Signals 5.11 (41) Coolaroo Roos 4.14 (38)

GOALS:
Signals – B.Fletcher 2, W. Sampson, T. Osborne, M. Darby.
Coolaroo Roos – A. Jericho 2, I. Shaw, J. Oska.
BEST:
Signals – T. Osborne, D. Akesson, J. Davis, J. Walsh, K. Zeller.
Coolaroo Roos – R. Smith, J. Hagerstrom, J. Smith, A. Jericho, C. Wells.[12]

AFL Darling Downs Premiership Tables and Finals Results

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Below is a summary of AFL Darling Downs A Grade Ladders at the end of the home and away fixtures, and the Finals Results for the major rounds:

2006 Ladder

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AFL Darling Downs Wins Byes Losses Draws For Against % Pts Final Team G B Pts Team G B Pts
University 12 0 2 0 1419 697 203.59% 48 1st Semi Toowoomba 15 18 108 Centrals 8 7 55
Coolaroo 11 0 3 0 1748 712 245.51% 44 2nd Semi University 16 12 108 Coolaroo 6 9 45
Toowoomba 9 0 5 0 1360 937 145.14% 36 Preliminary Toowoomba 14 6 90 Coolaroo 11 13 79
Centrals 7 0 6 0 1259 997 126.28% 28 Grand University 16 12 108 Toowoomba 6 7 43
Goondiwindi 7 0 7 0 1134 1233 91.97% 28
Warwick 4 0 9 0 1057 1211 87.28% 16
Dalby 2 0 11 0 646 1577 40.96% 8
Kingaroy 2 0 11 0 626 1885 33.21% 8

2007 Ladder

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AFL Darling Downs Wins Byes Losses Draws For Against % Pts Final Team G B Pts Team G B Pts
Coolaroo 14 3 0 0 1261 698 180.66% 56 1st Semi Toowoomba 15 14 104 South Toowoomba 15 10 100
University 10 3 4 0 1445 757 190.89% 40 2nd Semi University 16 16 112 Coolaroo 11 4 70
South Toowoomba 9 3 5 0 1393 1054 132.16% 36 Preliminary Coolaroo 13 19 97 Toowoomba 11 9 75
Toowoomba 7 3 7 0 1165 1151 101.22% 28 Grand University 14 9 93 Toowoomba 13 6 84
Warwick 5 3 9 0 997 1254 79.51% 20
Goondiwindi 2 5 10 0 828 1200 69.00% 8
Dalby 1 3 13 0 683 1658 41.19% 4

2008 Ladder

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AFL Darling Downs Wins Byes Losses Draws For Against % Pts Final Team G B Pts Team G B Pts
South Toowoomba 15 0 2 0 1917 1069 179.33% 60 1st Semi Coolaroo 14 13 97 University 9 19 73
Warwick 13 0 5 0 1553 1436 108.15% 52 2nd Semi South Toowoomba 18 19 127 Warwick 7 6 48
Coolaroo 10 0 7 1 1663 1191 139.63% 42 Preliminary Coolaroo 14 10 94 Warwick 5 7 37
University 10 0 7 0 1717 1069 160.62% 40 Grand South Toowoomba 11 14 80 Coolaroo 11 7 73
Toowoomba 5 0 12 1 1320 1518 86.96% 22
Goondiwindi 0 0 18 0 713 2504 28.47% 0
Dalby 0 0 2 0 48 144 33.33% 0

2009 Ladder

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AFL Darling Downs Wins Byes Losses Draws For Against % Pts Final Team G B Pts Team G B Pts
Coolaroo 16 0 2 0 1860 1087 171.11% 64 1st Semi Toowoomba 19 10 124 Warwick 8 9 57
South Toowoomba 15 0 3 0 1874 1132 165.55% 60 2nd Semi South Toowoomba 13 12 90 Coolaroo 11 9 75
Warwick 7 0 11 0 1468 1535 95.64% 28 Preliminary Coolaroo 17 9 111 Toowoomba 11 9 75
Toowoomba 7 0 11 0 1361 1641 82.94% 28 Grand Coolaroo 10 13 73 South Toowoomba 5 9 39
University 6 0 12 0 1291 1609 80.24% 24
Goondiwindi 3 0 15 0 1255 2105 59.62% 12

2010 Ladder

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AFL Darling Downs Wins Byes Losses Draws For Against % Pts Final Team G B Pts Team G B Pts
Toowoomba 13 0 3 0 1980 948 208.86% 52 1st Semi South Toowoomba 17 14 116 Coolaroo 7 7 49
University 13 0 3 0 1917 1052 182.22% 52 2nd Semi Toowoomba 14 13 97 University 9 15 69
Coolaroo 11 0 5 0 1955 959 203.86% 44 Preliminary South Toowoomba 13 18 96 University 12 17 89
South Toowoomba 11 0 5 0 1901 1029 184.74% 44 Grand Toowoomba 10 17 77 South Toowoomba 10 14 74
Warwick 11 0 5 0 1925 1088 176.93% 44
Goondiwindi 6 0 10 0 1576 1575 100.06% 24
Highfields 5 0 11 0 1166 1832 63.65% 20
Dalby 2 0 14 0 1034 2065 50.07% 8
Lockyer Valley 0 0 16 0 368 3274 11.24% 0

2011 Ladder

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AFL Darling Downs Wins Byes Losses Draws For Against % Pts Final Team G B Pts Team G B Pts
Toowoomba 13 0 3 1 1698 877 193.61% 54 1st Semi University 19 9 123 South Toowoomba 14 9 93
Warwick 12 0 4 1 1876 867 216.38% 50 2nd Semi Warwick 10 10 70 Toowoomba 5 3 33
South Toowoomba 12 0 4 1 1853 968 191.43% 50 Preliminary Toowoomba 9 16 70 University 10 7 67
University 11 0 5 1 1560 941 165.78% 46 Grand Toowoomba 10 10 70 Warwick 7 7 49
Coolaroo 10 0 6 0 1642 1128 145.57% 40
Highfields 8 0 8 0 1262 1247 101.20% 32
Dalby 4 0 12 0 1033 1778 58.10% 16
Goondiwindi 2 0 14 0 1078 1735 62.13% 8
Lockyer Valley 0 0 16 0 323 2784 11.60% 0

2012 Ladder

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AFL Darling Downs Wins Byes Losses Draws For Against % Pts Final Team G B Pts Team G B Pts
South Toowoomba 14 0 1 1 2036 731 278.52% 58 1st Semi Toowoomba 11 13 79 University 9 9 63
Coolaroo 13 0 3 0 1856 954 194.55% 52 2nd Semi South Toowoomba 18 9 117 Coolaroo 13 9 87
Toowoomba 12 0 3 1 1861 819 227.23% 50 Preliminary Toowoomba 14 12 96 Coolaroo 12 13 85
University 10 0 6 0 1840 864 212.96% 40 Grand Toowoomba 11 15 81 South Toowoomba 7 10 52
Warwick 7 0 8 1 1268 1110 114.23% 30
Highfields 6 0 9 1 1127 1162 96.99% 26
Dalby 4 0 12 0 1056 2046 51.61% 16
Lockyer Valley 2 0 14 0 473 2361 20.03% 8
Goondiwindi 1 0 15 0 786 2256 34.84% 4

2013 Ladder

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AFL Darling Downs Wins Byes Losses Draws For Against % Pts Final Team G B Pts Team G B Pts
University 15 0 1 0 2145 706 303.82% 60 Elimination Warwick 15 7 97 Goondiwindi 11 6 72
Coolaroo 15 0 1 0 2226 815 273.13% 60 Qualifying Toowoomba 10 15 75 Toowoomba 10 15 75
Toowoomba 12 0 4 0 1566 913 171.52% 48 1st Semi Toowoomba 20 10 130 Warwick 9 2 56
Warwick 9 0 7 0 1525 1150 132.61% 36 2nd Semi University 10 15 75 Coolaroo 10 9 69
Goondiwindi 9 0 7 0 1675 1293 129.54% 36 Preliminary Coolaroo 15 13 103 Toowoomba 5 6 36
South Toowoomba 8 0 8 0 1500 1177 127.44% 32 Grand Coolaroo 14 8 92 University 13 11 89
Dalby 8 0 8 0 1573 1298 121.19% 32
Highfields 5 0 11 0 1203 1786 67.36% 20
South Burnett 4 0 12 0 1140 2070 55.07% 16
Lockyer Valley 2 0 14 0 762 2294 33.22% 8
Chinchilla 1 0 15 0 687 2500 27.48% 4

AFL Darling Downs Best and Fairest Award (Holman Medalist)

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Season Holman Medalist Club
1971 Terry Osborne Signals
1972 Ray Smith Coolaroo Roos
1973 Terry Lee Aviation
1974 John Grinham Toowoomba Pinkies
1975 Harold Simpson Coolaroo Roos
1976 John Loxton Institute Eagles
1977 Phil Pohlner QAC Gatton
1978 Trevor Curtis Toowoomba Pinkies
1979 Phil Heron Institute Eagles
1980 Ian Janetzki Coolaroo Roos
1981 Mark Freidrichs South Toowoomba Longhorns
1982 Mark Holman Goondiwindi Hawks
1983 Peter Scott Lockyer Valley Magpies
1984 John Green Coolaroo Roos
1985 John Green Coolaroo Roos
1986 John Green Coolaroo Roos
1987 Peter Holman Goondiwindi-Moonie
1988 Peter Holman Goodiwindi Hawks
1989 Greg Peltz Dalby Swans
1990 Michael Millar South Toowoomba Longhorns
1991 Jason Dennis Coolaroo Roos
1992 Andrew Fellenberg South Toowoomba Longhorns
1993 Shane McGregor Goondiwindi Hawks
1994 Shane Taggart Toowoomba Tigers
1995 Mark Andrews Toowoomba Tigers
1996 Brendan Sergeant Coolaroo Roos
1997 Craig Jervies Lockyer Valley Magpies
1998 Craig Jervies Lockyer Valley Magpies
1999 Luke Bolden Coolaroo Roos
2000 Greg Peltz Dalby Swans
2001 Darren Hunter Coolaroo Roos
2002 Bernie Mullins (TIED) Coolaroo Roos
2002 Tony O'Connell (TIED) Kingaroy Bulldogs
2003 Geoffrey Smith Warwick Redbacks
2004 Matthew Samin Coolaroo Roos
2005 Keith Webb Central Bombers
2006 Steve Collet (TIED) Goondiwind Hawks
2006 Angus Hill (TIED) Coolaroo Roos
2007 Phillip Driese Coolaroo Roos
2008 Paul Kupke University Cougars
2009 Jeff Neumann (TIED) Coolaroo Roos
2009 Brendan Iles (TIED) Warwick Redbacks
2010 Brendan Iles Warwick Redbacks
2011 Brendan Iles Warwick Redbacks
2012 Trent Saxelby South Toowoomba Bombers
2013 Kurt Millard Warwick Redbacks
2014 Jeremy Leahy Goondiwindi Hawks
2015 Jeremy Leahy Goondiwindi Hawks
2016 Tyhe Clarkson Warwick Redbacks
2017 David O'Toole Goondiwindi Hawks
2018 Nathan Trace South Burnett Saints
2019 Michael Langton (TIED) Coolaroo Roos
2019 Charles Youngman (TIED) Goondiwindi Hawks
2020 Nathan Trace South Burnett Saints
2021 Jayden Smith Coolaroo Roos

Reserve Grade

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The Reserve Grade competition ran from 1975 to 1999, and 2001, before player numbers for some clubs became a problem and therefore the "Adrian Jericho Trophy" had not been contested for a full decade.

In 2012, the Reserves competition returned with a three team competition involving University, Coolaroo, and Souths. It was the first time the competition has been staged since Kingaroy defeated Coolaroo in the 2001 Grand Final.[13]

South Toowoomba Longhorns are the most successful team in Reserve Grade with 10 Premierships from 14 Grand Finals. University (Institute) are the next best with 8 flags from 11 Grand Finals.

Reserve Grade (Division 2) Grand Final Results

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Year Premiers Score Runners Up Score
1975 Coolaroo Roos 8.6 (54) Q.A.C. Gatton 7.4 (46)
1976 Coolaroo Roos 4.17 (41) South Toowoomba Longhorns 4.7 (31)
1977 Toowoomba Pinkies 4.6 (30) Coolaroo Roos 3.4 (22)
1978 South Toowoomba Longhorns 7.9 (51) Institute Eagles 3.2 (20)
1979 South Toowoomba Longhorns 6.11 (47) Toowoomba Pinkies 2.8 (20)
1980 South Toowoomba Longhorns 7.8 (50) Institute Eagles 6.8 (44)
1981 South Burnett 12.13 (85) Toowoomba Tigers 10.5 (65)
1982 South Toowoomba Longhorns 14.15 (99) Coolaroo Roos 3.7 (25)
1983 South Toowoomba Longhorns 16.16 (112) Warwick 8.6 (54)
1984 South Toowoomba Longhorns 16.10 (106) Moonie 9.9 (63)
1985 South Burnett 12.13 (85) Toowoomba Tigers 5.8 (38)
1986 Toowoomba Tigers 16.17 (113) South Toowoomba Longhorns 4.10 (34)
1987 South Toowoomba Longhorns 14.16 (100) Dalby Swans 12.10 (82)
1988 South Toowoomba Longhorns 12.12 (84) Goondiwindi-Moonie 5.13 (43)
1989 South Toowoomba Longhorns 8.7 (55) Coolaroo Roos 6.9 (45)
1990 South Toowoomba Longhorns 8.10 (58) Lockyer Valley Magpies 6.15 (51)
1991 University Eagles 7.11 (53) South Toowoomba Longhorns 5.14 (44)
1992 University Eagles 11.19 (85) Lockyer Valley Magpies 8.6 (54)
1993 University Eagles 8.6 (54) South Toowoomba Longhorns 6.15 (51)
1994 University Eagles 13.16 (94) Toowoomba Tigers 6.5 (41)
1995 Dalby Swans 12.11 (83) Goondiwindi Hawks 8.8 (56)
1996 University Eagles 8.15 (63) Dalby Swans 6.5 (41)
1997 University Eagles 6.4 (40) Kingaroy Bulldogs 5.4 (34)
1998 Warwick Redbacks 13.9 (87) Kingaroy Bulldogs 12.4 (76)
1999 Lockyer Valley Magpies 10.11 (71) Dalby Swans 9.12 (66)
2000 COMPETITION SUSPENDED
2001 Kingaroy Bulldogs 5.8 (38) Coolaroo Roos 5.1 (31)
2002-2011 COMPETITION SUSPENDED
2012 University Cougars 11.10 (76) Coolaroo Roos 5.4 (34)
2013 Coolaroo Roos 7.9 (51) University Cougars 6.8 (44)
2014 University Cougars 11.14 (80) South Burnett Saints 4.7 (31)
2015 South Burnett Saints 10.9 (69) Dalby Swans 6.11 (47)
2016 COMPETITION SUSPENDED
2017 Dalby Swans 8.12 (60) Warwick Redbacks 6.6 (42)
2018- COMPETITION SUSPENDED

Future of AFL Darling Downs

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The Reserve Grade or a Division 2 Competition will resume as soon as the competition can gain enough interest once again.

The League has the potential to expand to 12 Senior Clubs if these areas can field enough players, and with Junior competitions also expanding. In recent seasons, the League has fielded up to 11 sides in Division One already.

Divisional Football

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League president Andrew Foley said splitting the 11-team competition into two divisions for 2014, including the three current reserve grade sides, would help the newer clubs to be more competitive. The senior competition grew last season with the formation of Chinchilla and South Burnett but those clubs struggled on-field .[14] First division has Coolaroo, Goondiwidi, Highfields, Lockyer Valley, South Toowoomba, Toowoomba, university and Warwick. Second division has Chinchilla, Dalby, South Burnett as well as clubs seconds from Coolaroo, Highfields, South Toowoomba, university and Warwick.

2014 Ladder

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AFL Darling Downs Div 1 Wins Byes Losses Draws For Against % Pts Final Team G B Pts Team G B Pts
Warwick 14 0 3 0 1962 962 203.95% 56 1st Semi Coolaroo 17 11 113 Goondiwindi 12 5 77
University 13 0 3 1 1925 729 264.06% 54 2nd Semi Warwick 13 16 94 University 7 14 56
Coolaroo 13 0 3 1 2061 857 240.49% 54 Preliminary University 12 12 84 Coolaroo 10 11 71
Goondiwindi 10 0 7 0 1763 1324 133.16% 40 Grand Warwick 10 18 78 University 9 7 61
South Toowoomba 9 0 7 1 1559 1103 141.34% 38
Highfields 5 0 12 0 1330 1616 82.30% 20
Toowoomba 2 0 14 1 795 2025 39.26% 10
Lockyer Valley 0 0 17 0 317 3096 10.24% 0
AFL Darling Downs Div 2 Wins Byes Losses Draws For Against % Pts Final Team G B Pts Team G B Pts
South Burnett 12 0 2 1 1634 633 258.14% 50 1st Semi Dalby 12 12 84 Highfields 11 9 75
University 11 0 2 2 1118 385 290.39% 48 2nd Semi South Burnett 13 14 92 University 9 6 60
Dalby 9 0 6 0 1312 852 153.99% 36 Preliminary University 12 12 84 Highfields 3 1 19
Highfields 8 0 7 0 1194 785 152.10% 32 Grand University 11 14 80 South Burnett 4 7 31
Chinchilla 7 0 8 0 1135 1193 95.14% 28
South Toowoomba 5 0 9 1 763 1452 52.55% 22
Coolaroo 3 0 10 2 685 973 70.40% 16
Warwick 2 0 13 0 454 2022 22.45% 8

See also

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References

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  1. ^ The Darling Downs Gazette and General Advertiser Toowoomba, Qld. 5 Jul 1876 Page 3
  2. ^ FOOTBALL MATCH AT WARWICK Warwick Examiner and Times 5 Aug 1876 Page 2
  3. ^ "FIELD SPORTING". The Queenslander. Vol. XXIV, no. 409. Queensland, Australia. 28 July 1883. p. 15. Retrieved 6 October 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  4. ^ "Sydney". Toowoomba Chronicle and Darling Downs General Advertiser. No. 1383. Queensland, Australia. 27 August 1878. p. 4. Retrieved 6 October 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  5. ^ Toowoomba Chronicle and Darling Downs General Advertiser 21 May 1881 Page 2
  6. ^ "The Brisbane Courier". The Brisbane Courier. Vol. XXXVI, no. 7, 606. Queensland, Australia. 29 May 1882. p. 2. Retrieved 6 October 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  7. ^ "FIELD SPORTING". The Queenslander. Vol. XXIV, no. 409. Queensland, Australia. 28 July 1883. p. 15. Retrieved 6 October 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  8. ^ Queensland Figaro 26 May 1883 Page 10 Football.
  9. ^ "AFL Darling Downs Premiership Teams". AFL Darling Downs. Retrieved 26 November 2012.
  10. ^ "AFL Darling Downs".
  11. ^ "Finals Football". Goondiwindi Argus. Goondiwindi, Queensland. 1 September 2004. p. 27.
  12. ^ "Signals Win Rules Final". Toowoomba Chronicle. Toowoomba, Queensland. 13 September 1971. p. 18.
  13. ^ "Grand Final Wrap". Toowoomba Chronicle. Toowoomba, Queensland. 10 September 2001. p. 44.
  14. ^ "AFL Darling Downs considers divisional footy in 2014 - AFL Darling Downs".
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