AFL Darling Downs

AFL Darling Downs is an Australian rules football competition based in the area around the city of Toowoomba west of Brisbane, Queensland. The competition was formed as the Darling Downs Australian Football League in 1971. The senior representative team is known as the Demons and wear guernseys modelled on the Melbourne Demons guernseys.

AFL Darling Downs
Current season, competition or edition:
2021
FormerlyDarling Downs Australian Football League
SportAustralian rules football
Founded1971 (1971)
No. of teams11
Most recent
champion(s)		South Toowoomba Bombers Australian Football Club
(2020)
Most titlesUniversity Cougars (11)
Promotion to(none)
Relegation to(none)
Official websiteaflq.com.au/darlingdowns

History of Australian Football in the Darling Downs, Queensland

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 ten A Grade Senior Clubs currently competing, and now known as AFL Darling Downs. It is the largest regional League in Queensland. There are four Senior clubs based in Toowoomba, and the other senior clubs come from Dalby, Goondiwindi, Highfields, and Warwick. New teams from Kingaroy, and Chinchilla are participating in the 2013 revamped competition.

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.[1]

AFL Darling Downs Senior Clubs

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
Club Colors Debut Premiers Ground
Chinchilla Suns  20130Chinchilla Showgrounds
Coolaroo  19719Rockville Park
Dalby Swans  19800Dalby AFL Oval
Goondiwindi Hawks  19808Riddles Oval
Highfields Lions   20100Kratzke Oval
Lockyer Valley Demons [note 1]   19812Cahill Park
South Burnett Saints [note 2]   19820Lyle Vidler Oval
South Toowoomba [note 3]  19727Heritage Oval
Toowoomba Tigers [note 4]  19746Rockville Oval
University Cougars [note 5]   197613USQ AFL Oval
Warwick Redbacks  19991Roddies Oval
Notes
  1. Moniker was Magpies (1981–2000)
  2. Formerly, "Kingaroy Bulldogs"
  3. Known as "Central Bombers" (2005–06); moniker was Longhorns (1972–97)
  4. Moniker was Pinkies (1974–80)
  5. Known as "Institute" (1976–89); moniker was Eagles (1976–98)

Former Senior Clubs
Club Years in Competition Flags
Signals1971-19721
Aviation1971-19772
Combined Services19730
QAC Gatton1974, 19770
Lockyer-Warwick19800
Moonie1985-19860
Goondiwindi-Moonie19870
Goondiwindi 220000
Coolaroo Roos 220020

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

[2]

Recent AFL Darling Downs A Grade Grand Final Results
Year Premiers Score Runners Up Score Best On Ground
1971Signals5.11 (41)Coolaroo4.14 (38)
1972South Toowoomba14.16 (100)Aviation6.11 (47)
1973AviationSouth Toowoomba
1974Aviation18.15 (123)Toowoomba11.11 (77)
1975Coolaroo9.14 (68)South Toowoomba7.14 (56)Glen Adamson (South Toowoomba)
1976South Toowoomba9.13 (67)Toowoomba5.16 (46)
1977Toowoomba12.12 (84)Coolaroo2.12 (24)
1978Institute18.9 (117)Toowoomba14.14 (98)
1979ToowoombaInstitute
1980Goondiwindi26.18 (174)Toowoomba15.15 (105)Mark Holman (Goondiwindi)
1981South Toowoomba26.26 (182)Goondiwindi19.16 (130)
1982South ToowoombaGoondiwindi
1983Goondiwindi19.15 (129)South Toowoomba9.11 (65)Peter Holman (Goondiwindi)
1984South Toowoomba17.10 (112)Coolaroo13.14 (92)Mick Barnes (South Toowoomba)
1985Lockyer Valley14.13 (97)South Toowoomba10.11 (71)
1986Institute25.14 (164)Lockyer Valley11.6 (72)Russell Mann (Institute)
1987Institute22.11 (143)Goondiwindi/Moonie16.8 (104)Martin Webber (Institute)
1988Toowoomba15.15 (105)Dalby12.9 (81)
1989Institute20.20 (140)Goondiwindi7.7 (49)Gary Brooks (Institute)
1990University18.13 (121)Goondiwindi11.13 (79)
1991Goondiwindi15.15 (105)University9.9 (63)Tony Doherty (Goondiwindi)
1992University18.13 (121)Goondiwindi7.3 (45)Chris Dwyer (University)
1993Lockyer Valley Magpies24.12 (156)University Eagles15.14 (104)Troy McElhinney (Lockyer Valley)
1994University Eagles14.3 (87)Goondiwindi Hawks11.13 (79)Sam Pellegrino (University)
1995Goondiwindi Hawks11.8 (74)University Eagles10.8 (68)
1996Goondiwindi Hawks12.20 (92)University Eagles12.9 (81)
1997University Eagles11.3 (69)Goondiwindi Hawks8.13 (61)
1998University Eagles22.8 (140)Goondiwindi Hawks9.4 (58)Manu Roberts (University)
1999Goondiwindi Hawks16.18 (114)Toowoomba Tigers4.6 (30)
2000Goondiwindi Hawks16 10 (106)Coolaroo Roos13.12 (90)
2001Coolaroo Roos14.17 (101)Warwick Redbacks2.6 (18)
2002Coolaroo Roos21.7 (133)Warwick Redbacks8.9 (57)
2003Coolaroo Roos23.13 (151)Goondiwindi Hawks8.7 (55)Clinton Wright (Coolaroo)
2004[3]Coolaroo Roos10.8 (68)Toowoomba Tigers6.9 (45)Damian Cooper (Coolaroo)
2005Coolaroo Roos16.11 (107)Central Bombers5.8 (38)Phil Dreise (Coolaroo)
2006University Cougars16.12 (108)Toowoomba Tigers6.7 (43)Glenn Treacy (University)
2007University Cougars14.9 (93)Coolaroo Roos13.6 (84)Des Anthony (University)
2008South Toowoomba Bombers11.14 (80)Coolaroo Roos11.7 (73)
2009Coolaroo Roos10.13 (73)South Toowoomba Bombers5.9 (39)Jeremy Wilson (Coolaroo)
2010Toowoomba Tigers10.17 (77)South Toowoomba Bombers10.14 (74)Nicholas Upton (Toowoomba)
2011Toowoomba Tigers10.10 (70)Warwick Redbacks7.7 (49)
2012Toowoomba Tigers11.15 (81)South Toowoomba Bombers7.10 (52)Hugh Priest (Toowoomba)
2013Coolaroo Roos14.8 (92)University Cougars13.11 (89)Thomas Rudolph (Coolaroo)
2014Warwick Redbacks10.18 (78)University Cougars9.7 (61)Adam Stevenson (Warwick)
2015Coolaroo Roos15.15 (105)Goondiwindi Hawks8.12 (60)Michael Langton (Coolaroo)
2016University Cougars11.10 (76)South Toowoomba Bombers6.11 (47)Benjamin Holmes (University)
2017University Cougars12.11 (83)Goondiwindi6.3 (39)Rick Mackay (University)
2018University Cougars11.9 (75)Goondiwindi7.9 (51)Joshua White (University)
2019Goondiwindi Hawks7.9 (51)Coolaroo5.17 (47)Jermery Leahy (Goondiwindi)

Inaugural Darling Downs AFL Grand Final Results
Year Premiers Score Runners Up Score
1971Signals5.11 (41)Coolaroo Roos4.14 (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.[4]

AFL Darling Downs Premiership Tables and Finals Results

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
AFL Darling Downs Wins Byes Losses Draws For Against % Pts Final Team G B Pts Team G B Pts
University 120201419697203.59%481st SemiToowoomba1518108Centrals8755
Coolaroo 110301748712245.51%442nd SemiUniversity1612108Coolaroo6945
Toowoomba 90501360937145.14%36PreliminaryToowoomba14690Coolaroo111379
Centrals 70601259997126.28%28GrandUniversity1612108Toowoomba6743
Goondiwindi70701134123391.97%28
Warwick40901057121187.28%16
Dalby20110646157740.96%8
Kingaroy20110626188533.21%8

2007 Ladder
AFL Darling Downs Wins Byes Losses Draws For Against % Pts Final Team G B Pts Team G B Pts
Coolaroo 143001261698180.66%561st SemiToowoomba1514104South Toowoomba1510100
University 103401445757190.89%402nd SemiUniversity1616112Coolaroo11470
South Toowoomba 935013931054132.16%36PreliminaryCoolaroo131997Toowoomba11975
Toowoomba 737011651151101.22%28GrandUniversity14993Toowoomba13684
Warwick5390997125479.51%20
Goondiwindi25100828120069.00%8
Dalby13130683165841.19%4

2008 Ladder
AFL Darling Downs Wins Byes Losses Draws For Against % Pts Final Team G B Pts Team G B Pts
South Toowoomba 1502019171069179.33%601st SemiCoolaroo141397University91973
Warwick 1305015531436108.15%522nd SemiSouth Toowoomba1819127Warwick7648
Coolaroo 1007116631191139.63%42PreliminaryCoolaroo141094Warwick5737
University 1007017171069160.62%40GrandSouth Toowoomba111480Coolaroo11773
Toowoomba501211320151886.96%22
Goondiwindi00180713250428.47%0
Dalby00204814433.33%0

2009 Ladder
AFL Darling Downs Wins Byes Losses Draws For Against % Pts Final Team G B Pts Team G B Pts
Coolaroo 1602018601087171.11%641st SemiToowoomba1910124Warwick8957
South Toowoomba 1503018741132165.55%602nd SemiSouth Toowoomba131290Coolaroo11975
Warwick 701101468153595.64%28PreliminaryCoolaroo179111Toowoomba11975
Toowoomba 701101361164182.94%28GrandCoolaroo101373South Toowoomba5939
University601201291160980.24%24
Goondiwindi301501255210559.62%12

2010 Ladder
AFL Darling Downs Wins Byes Losses Draws For Against % Pts Final Team G B Pts Team G B Pts
Toowoomba 130301980948208.86%521st SemiSouth Toowoomba1714116Coolaroo7749
University 1303019171052182.22%522nd SemiToowoomba141397University91569
Coolaroo 110501955959203.86%44PreliminarySouth Toowoomba131896University121789
South Toowoomba 1105019011029184.74%44GrandToowoomba101777South Toowoomba101474
Warwick1105019251088176.93%44
Goondiwindi6010015761575100.06%24
Highfields501101166183263.65%20
Dalby201401034206550.07%8
Lockyer Valley00160368327411.24%0

2011 Ladder
AFL Darling Downs Wins Byes Losses Draws For Against % Pts Final Team G B Pts Team G B Pts
Toowoomba 130311698877193.61%541st SemiUniversity199123South Toowoomba14993
Warwick 120411876867216.38%502nd SemiWarwick101070Toowoomba5333
South Toowoomba 120411853968191.43%50PreliminaryToowoomba91670University10767
University 110511560941165.78%46GrandToowoomba101070Warwick7749
Coolaroo1006016421128145.57%40
Highfields808012621247101.20%32
Dalby401201033177858.10%16
Goondiwindi201401078173562.13%8
Lockyer Valley00160323278411.60%0

2012 Ladder
AFL Darling Downs Wins Byes Losses Draws For Against % Pts Final Team G B Pts Team G B Pts
South Toowoomba 140112036731278.52%581st SemiToowoomba111379University9963
Coolaroo 130301856954194.55%522nd SemiSouth Toowoomba189117Coolaroo13987
Toowoomba 120311861819227.23%50PreliminaryToowoomba141296Coolaroo121385
University 100601840864212.96%40GrandToowoomba111581South Toowoomba71052
Warwick708112681110114.23%30
Highfields60911127116296.99%26
Dalby401201056204651.61%16
Lockyer Valley20140473236120.03%8
Goondiwindi10150786225634.84%4

2013 Ladder
AFL Darling Downs Wins Byes Losses Draws For Against % Pts Final Team G B Pts Team G B Pts
University 150102145706303.82%60EliminationWarwick15797Goondiwindi11672
Coolaroo 150102226815273.13%60QualifyingToowoomba101575Toowoomba101575
Toowoomba 120401566913171.52%481st SemiToowoomba2010130Warwick9256
Warwick 907015251150132.61%362nd SemiUniversity101575Coolaroo10969
Goondiwindi907016751293129.54%36PreliminaryCoolaroo1513103Toowoomba5636
South Toowoomba808015001177127.44%32GrandCoolaroo14892University131189
Dalby808015731298121.19%32
Highfields501101203178667.36%20
South Burnett401201140207055.07%16
Lockyer Valley20140762229433.22%8
Chinchilla10150687250027.48%4

AFL Darling Downs Best and Fairest Award (Holman Medalist)
Season Holman Medalist Club
1971Terry OsborneSignals
1972Ray SmithCoolaroo Roos
1973Terry LeeAviation
1974John GrinhamToowoomba Pinkies
1975Harold SimpsonCoolaroo Roos
1976John LoxtonInstitute Eagles
1977Phil PohlnerQAC Gatton
1978Trevor CurtisToowoomba Pinkies
1979Phil HeronInstitute Eagles
1980Ian JanetzkiCoolaroo Roos
1981Mark FreidrichsSouth Toowoomba Longhorns
1982Mark HolmanGoondiwindi Hawks
1983Peter ScottLockyer Valley Magpies
1984John GreenCoolaroo Roos
1985John GreenCoolaroo Roos
1986John GreenCoolaroo Roos
1987Peter HolmanGoondiwindi-Moonie
1988Peter HolmanGoodiwindi Hawks
1989Greg PeltzDalby Swans
1990Michael MillarSouth Toowoomba Longhorns
1991Jason DennisCoolaroo Roos
1992Andrew FellenbergSouth Toowoomba Longhorns
1993Shane McGregorGoondiwindi Hawks
1994Shane TaggartToowoomba Tigers
1995Mark AndrewsToowoomba Tigers
1996Brendan SergeantCoolaroo Roos
1997Craig JerviesLockyer Valley Magpies
1998Craig JerviesLockyer Valley Magpies
1999Luke BoldenCoolaroo Roos
2000Greg PeltzDalby Swans
2001Darren HunterCoolaroo Roos
2002Bernie Mullins (TIED)Coolaroo Roos
2002Tony O'Connell (TIED)Kingaroy Bulldogs
2003Geoffrey SmithWarwick Redbacks
2004Matthew SaminCoolaroo Roos
2005Keith WebbCentral Bombers
2006Steve Collet (TIED)Goondiwind Hawks
2006Angus Hill (TIED)Coolaroo Roos
2007Phillip DrieseCoolaroo Roos
2008Paul KupkeUniversity Cougars
2009Jeff Neumann (TIED)Coolaroo Roos
2009Brendan Iles (TIED)Warwick Redbacks
2010Brendan IlesWarwick Redbacks
2011Brendan IlesWarwick Redbacks
2012Trent SaxelbySouth Toowoomba Bombers
2013Kurt MillardWarwick Redbacks
2014Jeremy LeahyGoondiwindi Hawks
2015 Jeremy Leahy Goondiwindi Hawks
2016 Tyhe Clarkson Warwick Redbacks
2017 David O'Toole Goondiwindi Hawks
2018Nathan TraceSouth Burnett Saints
2019Michael Langton (TIED)Coolaroo Roos
2019Charles Youngman (TIED)Goondiwindi Hawks
2020Nathan TraceSouth Burnett Saints

Reserve Grade

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.[5]

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
Year Premiers Score Runners Up Score
1975Coolaroo Roos8.6 (54)Q.A.C. Gatton7.4 (46)
1976Coolaroo Roos4.17 (41)South Toowoomba Longhorns4.7 (31)
1977Toowoomba Pinkies4.6 (30)Coolaroo Roos3.4 (22)
1978South Toowoomba Longhorns7.9 (51)Institute Eagles3.2 (20)
1979South Toowoomba Longhorns6.11 (47)Toowoomba Pinkies2.8 (20)
1980South Toowoomba Longhorns7.8 (50)Institute Eagles6.8 (44)
1981South Burnett12.13 (85)Toowoomba Tigers10.5 (65)
1982South Toowoomba Longhorns14.15 (99)Coolaroo Roos3.7 (25)
1983South Toowoomba Longhorns16.16 (112)Warwick8.6 (54)
1984South Toowoomba Longhorns16.10 (106)Moonie9.9 (63)
1985South Burnett12.13 (85)Toowoomba Tigers5.8 (38)
1986Toowoomba Tigers16.17 (113)South Toowoomba Longhorns4.10 (34)
1987South Toowoomba Longhorns14.16 (100)Dalby Swans12.10 (82)
1988South Toowoomba Longhorns12.12 (84)Goondiwindi-Moonie5.13 (43)
1989South Toowoomba Longhorns8.7 (55)Coolaroo Roos6.9 (45)
1990South Toowoomba Longhorns8.10 (58)Lockyer Valley Magpies6.15 (51)
1991University Eagles7.11 (53)South Toowoomba Longhorns5.14 (44)
1992University Eagles11.19 (85)Lockyer Valley Magpies8.6 (54)
1993University Eagles8.6 (54)South Toowoomba Longhorns6.15 (51)
1994University Eagles13.16 (94)Toowoomba Tigers6.5 (41)
1995Dalby Swans12.11 (83)Goondiwindi Hawks8.8 (56)
1996University Eagles8.15 (63)Dalby Swans6.5 (41)
1997University Eagles6.4 (40)Kingaroy Bulldogs5.4 (34)
1998Warwick Redbacks13.9 (87)Kingaroy Bulldogs12.4 (76)
1999Lockyer Valley Magpies10.11 (71)Dalby Swans9.12 (66)
2000 COMPETITION SUSPENDED
2001Kingaroy Bulldogs5.8 (38)Coolaroo Roos5.1 (31)
2002-2011 COMPETITION SUSPENDED
2012University Cougars11.10 (76)Coolaroo Roos5.4 (34)
2013Coolaroo Roos7.9 (51)University Cougars6.8 (44)
2014University Cougars11.14 (80)South Burnett Saints4.7 (31)
2015South Burnett Saints10.9 (69)Dalby Swans6.11 (47)
2016 COMPETITION SUSPENDED
2017Dalby Swans8.12 (60)Warwick Redbacks6.6 (42)
2018-2020 COMPETITION SUSPENDED

Future of AFL Darling Downs

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

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 .[6] 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
AFL Darling Downs Div 1 Wins Byes Losses Draws For Against % Pts Final Team G B Pts Team G B Pts
Warwick 140301962962203.95%561st SemiCoolaroo1711113Goondiwindi12577
University 130311925729264.06%542nd SemiWarwick131694University71456
Coolaroo 130312061857240.49%54PreliminaryUniversity121284Coolaroo101171
Goondiwindi 1007017631324133.16%40GrandWarwick101878University9761
South Toowoomba907115591103141.34%38
Highfields501201330161682.30%20
Toowoomba20141795202539.26%10
Lockyer Valley00170317309610.24%0
AFL Darling Downs Div 2 Wins Byes Losses Draws For Against % Pts Final Team G B Pts Team G B Pts
South Burnett 120211634633258.14%501st SemiDalby121284Highfields11975
University 110221118385290.39%482nd SemiSouth Burnett131492University9660
Dalby 90601312852153.99%36PreliminaryUniversity121284Highfields3119
Highfields 80701194785152.10%32GrandUniversity111480South Burnett4731
Chinchilla70801135119395.14%28
South Toowoomba5091763145252.55%22
Coolaroo3010268597370.40%16
Warwick20130454202222.45%8

See also

References
  1. "AFL Darling Downs Premiership Teams". AFL Darling Downs. Retrieved 26 November 2012.
  2. "AFL Darling Downs".
  3. "Finals Football". Goondiwindi Argus. Goondiwindi, Queensland. 1 September 2004. p. 27.
  4. "Signals Win Rules Final". Toowoomba Chronicle. Toowoomba, Queensland. 13 September 1971. p. 18.
  5. "Grand Final Wrap". Toowoomba Chronicle. Toowoomba, Queensland. 10 September 2001. p. 44.
  6. http://www.foxsportspulse.com/assoc_page.cgi?c=1-3485-0-298788-0&sID=56335&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=27070415
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