# Warragul Football Club

The Warragul Football and Netball Club, nicknamed the Gulls, is an Australian rules football and netball club based in the city of the same name in the state of Victoria.
The club teams currently compete in the Gippsland League, fielding Senior, Reserve, Under 18 and Under 16 football teams, as well as A, B, C Grade and Under 17, Under 15 and Under 13 netball teams.

## History

The club was formed in 1879 by William Paul and its first games were played against other local football clubs including Drouin, Buln Buln, Morwell, Traralgon and Berwick.
Warragul had a great run of success at the commencement of official football competitions in Gippsland, winning six Challenge Cups (premierships) between 1889 and 1897!
In 1894, Warragul footballer, Andrew Watson, died of internal injuries after a match in Bunyip on Saturday, 2 June 1894.
The Warragul Half Holiday Football Club was formed in 1894, wearing the colours - all blue guernsey, with blue and white stockings.
In 1922 Warragul, Central Gippsland FA Premiers defeated Rosedale, North Gippsland FA Premiers in a challenge match in October to win the unofficial title of "Gippsland Premiers"!
Warragul's guernsey was originally black with a red Yoke, until 2000 when the guernsey was changed to the current colours of teal, white, red and black. The 'Gulls' have had a proud history especially through the successful years of the early 1920s, 1970s and 1980s.
Lean seasons in 1998 and 1999 in the Gippsland/Latrobe FL, saw the club transfer to the West Gippsland FL, with the thought of providing a better chance of retaining players. The Victorian Country Football League provided this clearance for the Gulls to the WGFL, where they played from 2000 to 2004. However, the merging of the GLFL and WGFL saw Warragul resume its battles with former foes from 2005.
Since 2005, the club has been a part of the Gippsland FL, competing against clubs such as Bairnsdale, Drouin, Garfield (until their transfer to the EDFL), Moe, Morwell, Traralgon, Maffra, Sale, Wonthaggi and Leongatha.
In 2010 and 2011, Warragul finished bottom of the ladder, winning only one game in each respective season. The club is currently building a young base of players to build on into the future, many of whom had success with the club in both the Under 16 and 18's previously.

## Football Leagues Timeline

* 1889: South Gippsland Challenge Cup
* 1890: Robinson's Challenge Cup
* 1891: Kennedy's Challenge Cup
* 1892: Gippsland & Feilchenfeld Cup
* 1893: Thomas Challenge Cup
* 1894: Ross Challenge Cup
* 1895: Storie Challenge Cup
* 1896: ?
* 1897: Harlem Hotel Cup
* 1898-1908: West Gippsland FA
* 1909-1915: Central Gippsland FL
* 1916-1918: No Football Played. World War I
* 1919-1921: Central & West Gippsland FA
* 1922-1940: Central Gippsland FL
* 1941-1945: Club in recess. World War II
* 1946-1953: Central Gippsland FL
* 1954-1994: La Trobe Valley FL
* 1995-1999: Gippsland-La Trobe FL
* 2000-2004: West Gippsland Latrobe FL (Western Division)
* 2005-2009: West Gippsland Latrobe Football League (Premier Division)
* 2010–2019: Gippsland Football League
* 2020: Club in recess: COVID-19
* 2021-present: Gippsland Football League

## Gulls Football Premierships

SENIORS:
* South Gippsland Challenge Cup
** 1889 (undefeated)
* Kennedy's Challenge Cup
** 1890 (undefeated)
* Robinson's Challenge Cup
** 1891
* Thomas Challenge Cup
** 1893
* Ross Challenge Cup
** 1894
* Harlem Challenge Cup
** 1897
* West Gippsland Football Association
** 1900
** 1907
* Central Gippsland Football Association
** 1922
** 1927
** 1932
** 1938
* LaTrobe Valley Football League
** 1974, 1976, 1984
* West Gippsland Latrobe FL (Western Division)
** 2003
RESERVES:
* Central Gippsland Football League
** 1946, 1947, 1951, 1953
* La Trobe Valley Football League
** 1974, 1984, 1996
THIRDS:
* 1979, 1981, 1982, 1985, 2004
FOURTHS:
* 2003, 2004, 2006
JUNIORS:
* Drouin Junior Football Association
** 1910
* Central Gippsland Football Association
** 1922

## Gulls Leading Goalkickers

LVFL / GLFL / WGLFL / GFL Leading Goalkickers :
| Year | Seniors | Reserves | Thirds (U/18) |
| 1951 | Charles Vanderbist (67) | | |
| 1955 | K.Caudwell (63) | | |
| 1959 | Jim McGrath (55) | | |
| 1960 | Jim McGrath (59) | | |
| 1964 | Alan Noonan (54) | | |
| 1968 | | M.Vagg (45) | |
| 1972 | | W.Best (42) | |
| 1976 | A.Singline (64) | | |
| 1982 | | | B.Nott (47) |
| 1988 | | | Paul Hughes (52) |
| 1989 | Simon Byrne (70) | | |
| 2004 | | | Matt Gooden (71) |
| 2014 | | | Harry McKay (47) |

## Gulls Football League Best and Fairest Winners

LVFL / GLFL / WGLFL / GFL Best and Fairest Winners :
| Years | Seniors | Reserves | Thirds (U/18) | Fourths (U/16) |
| 1932 | Harry Andrews | | | |
| 1935 | Arthur “Arty” Duncan | | | |
| 1955 | | Ron Hayes | | |
| 1963 | | Ron Serong | | |
| 1967 | | | Robert Baldry | |
| 1975 | John Gallus | | | |
| 1979 | | Allan Light | A.Morrison | |
| 1984 | | | Graeme Rankin | |
| 1994 | Andrew Pratt | | | |
| 1996 | David Mills | | Scott Jinks | |
| 2000 | | | | Nick Humphrey |
| 2001 | | Darren McDonald | | |
| 2006 | Desi Barr | | | |
| 2012 | | | Chris Carey | |
| 2016 | Brad Scalzo | | | |

## Club Life Members

Life Members who have contributed greatly to support the success of the Warragul Football/Netball Club
Maurice Reeves, Robert Ballingall, Alan Walkinshaw, Bruce Nicholl, Robert Vaughan, Anthony Nott, Hugh Bingham, Claire Henshall, William Best, Tom Malady, Kevin Mills, John Heenan, Neville McDonough, Colin McKenzie, Dorothy Carland, Michael Waters, Audrey Ray, Michael Vick, Alan Glen, Bryan Fitzpatrick, Ray Waters, Ray Cropley, Ray Costelloe, Gary Olsson, Graeme Gahan, Rod Pollock, Betty Nott, Julie Pollock, Jim Johnson, Neil Stapleton, Kevin Collis, John Shiels, Noel Gleeson, Ann Nott, Tony Flack, Arlene Bible.

## VFL/AFL Players

The following list notes current and former VFL/AFL players that have played with the Warragul Football Club prior to making their VFL / AFL debut.
* 1978 - Gary Ayres (Hawthorn)
* 1933 - George Batson (St. Kilda)
* 1911 - Norm Brooker (Richmond)
* 1898 - Johnny Coghlan (Melbourne)
* 1971 - Graeme G. Cook (Footscray)
* 1966 - Graham Croft (St. Kilda)
* 1953 - Jim Cusack (Fitzroy)
* 1969 - Bruce Davidson (Footscray)
* 1908 - Alex Dunstan (Collingwood)
* 1907 - Horrie Farmer (St Kilda)
* 1939 - Alan Fields (Fitzroy)
* 1992 - Ashley Green (Essendon, Brisbane)
* 1961 - Robert Hickman (Richmond)
* 1942 - George Hoskins (Fitzroy)
* 1994 - Trent Hotton (Collingwood & Carlton)
* 1974 - Gerry Lynn - (Hawthorn)
* 2000 - Robert Murphy (Western Bulldogs)
* 1963 - John Murton (Collingwood)
* 1953 - Wally Nash (Hawthorn)
* 1966 - Alan Noonan (Essendon)
* 1939 - Noel Price (Fitzroy)
* 2011 - Michael Ross (Essendon)
* 1968 - Barry Round (Footscray, Sydney)
* 2020 - Caleb Serong (Fremantle)
* 2022 - Jai Serong (Hawthorn)
* 1919 - Bert Taylor (Fitzroy)
* 1947 - Pat Twomey (Collingwood)
* 1921 - Les Wallace (Melbourne)
* 1921 - Harry Watson (Fitzroy)
* 1997 - Matthew Watson (Essendon)
* 1926 - Harry Weidner (Richmond)
* 1952 - Geoff Williams (Geelong)

## Senior Football Results

| Year | Wins | Losses | % | Points | Position | Coach | B&F | Notes |
| 2021 | | | | | | | | |
| 2020 | | | | | | | | GFNL in recess. COVID-19 |
| 2019 | 5 | 13 | 66.93% | 20 | 10th | | | |
| 2018 | 9 | 9 | 93.17% | 36 | 6th | | | |
| 2017 | 7 | 11 | 82.11% | 28 | 7th | | | |
| 2016 | 9 | 9 | 89.49% | 36 | 4th | | | |
| 2015 | 2 | 16 | 40.59% | 8 | 10th | | | |
| 2014 | 2 | 16 | 23.92% | 8 | 9th | | | |
| 2013 | 6 | 12 | 77.53% | 24 | 8th | Ash Green | | New coach, Ash Green |
| 2012 | 5 | 13 | 64.19% | 12 | 10th | George Morgan/ Justin Cant | Mark Bradley | 5 wins, with 3 in last 6 games |
| 2011 | 1 | 17 | 53.19% | 4 | 10th | George Morgan | Mark Bradley | Win against Leongatha |
| 2010 | 1 | 15 | 38.04% | 4 | 9th | Peter Fusinato | Joel Morgan | Win against Wonthaggi. Last game by 1 point |
| 2009 | 4 | 12 | 75.06% | 16 | 7th | Peter Fusinato | Ryan Davey | |
| 2008 | 11 | 5 | -- | 44 | 3rd | Steve Carey | Ryan Davey/Mat Gray | Minor Premier. Defeated by Morwell in Premilinary |

## Reserves & Under 18

| Reserves | W | L | % | Pts | Pos. | Under 18 | W | L | % | Pts | Pos. |
| 2012 | 2 | 14 | 42.79% | 8 | 8th | 2012 | 15 | 3 | 217.60% | 60 | Runners Up |
| 2011 | 0 | 18 | 33.03% | 0 | 10th | 2011 | 7 | 9 | 73.54% | 28 | 4th |
| 2010 | 0 | 16 | 16.38% | 0 | 9th | 2010 | 8 (1 Draw) | 7 | 109.93% | 34 | 3rd |
| 2009 | 8 (1 Draw) | 7 | 162.56% | 34 | 6th | 2009 | 9 | 5 | 163.56% | 32 | Runners Up |
| 2008 | 9 | 7 | -- | 36 | 5th | 2008 | 14 | 2 | -- | 56 | Runners Up |

## Under 16's

| Under 16 | W | L | % | Pts | Pos. |
| 2012 | 5 | 13 | 45.94% | 20 | 7th |
| 2011 | 4 | 13 | 31.41% | 16 | 8th |
| 2010 | 8 | 8 | 125.37% | 32 | 3rd |
| 2009 | 5 | 11 | 70.14% | 20 | 7th |
| 2008 | 7 | 9 | -- | 28 | 6th |
Grand Final Appearances
* 2012 Under 18 Grand Final
    Grand Final | at Morwell
    WARRAGUL 8.6.54 def by
    BAIRNSDALE 8.12.60
* 2009 Under 18 Grand Final
    Grand Final | at Morwell
    WARRAGUL 8.11.59 def by
    MAFFRA 12.6.78
* 2008 Under 18 Grand Final
    Grand Final | at Traralgon
    WARRAGUL 4.4 28 def by
    TRARALGON 7.7 49
* 2006 Under 16 Grand Final
    Grand Final | at Traralgon
    WARRAGUL 9.13 67 def
    TRARALGON 5.12 42

## Netball: 2007 to 2012

| 2012 | W | L | % | | 2011 | W | L | % | | 2010 | W | L | % | |
| A Grade | 0 (1 Draw) | 15 | 59.43 | 10th | A Grade | 1 | 17 | 44.03 | 10th | A Grade | 6 | 8 | 75.06 | 5th |
| B Grade | 0 | 18 | 55.49 | 10th | B Grade | 1 | 17 | 38.99 | 9th | B Grade | 1 | 15 | 49.33 | 8th |
| C Grade | 4 | 14 | 49.42 | 8th | C Grade | 3 | 15 | 58.49 | 9th | C Grade | 1 (1 Draw) | 14 | 35.84 | 8th |
| Under 17 | 1 | 17 | 29.59 | 10th | Under 17 | 1 | 17 | 24.65 | 9th | Under 17 | 6 | 10 | 82.46 | 6th |
| Under 15 | 2 (2 Draws) | 13 | 56.55 | 8th | Under 15 | 2 | 16 | 27.49 | 9th | Under 15 | 2 (2 Draws) | 12 | 50.55 | 12th |
| Under 13 | 8 | 10 | 90.82 | 7th | Under 13 | 3 | 15 | 40.53 | 9th | Under 13 | 1 | 14 | 40.75 | 9th |
| 2009 | W | L | % | | 2008 | W | L | | 2007 | W | L | % | |
| A Grade | 6 | 8 | 119.24 | 5th | A Grade | 6 | 10 | 6th | A Grade | 12 | 4 | 125.26 | 2nd |
| B Grade | 2 | 17 | 56.95 | 9th | B Grade | 7 | 9 | 6th | B Grade | 10 | 6 | 118.54 | 3rd |
| C Grade | 9 | 7 | 124.48 | 5th | C Grade | 5 | 10 | 6th | C Grade | 12 (1 Draw) | 3 | 138.60 | 3rd |
| Under 17 | 10 | 6 | 96.72 | 3rd | Under 17 | 6 (2 Draws) | 8 | 5th | Under 17 | 10 (1 Draw) | 5 | 135.85 | 3rd |
| Under 15 | 8 | 8 | 93.28 | 5th | Under 15 | 10 (2 Draws) | 4 | 2nd | Under 15 | 12 | 4 | 198.36 | 2nd |
| Under 13 | 6 | 10 | 50.66 | 5th | Under 13 | 7 (1 Draw) | 8 | 5th | Under 13 | 4 (1 Draw) | 11 | 95.72 | 6th |