# Hills Football League

The Hills Football League (HFL) is an Australian rules football league, situated in the Adelaide Hills region of South Australia, to the south east of the state capital Adelaide.
The League has over 3000 players belonging to 20 member Clubs. The League's Clubs are divided into two playing Divisions:
* Division 1 (Formerly Central Division – mostly the larger towns in the Hills region);
* Division 2 (Formerly Country Division – the remaining clubs in the region).
Both divisions have their own programs for the season. There is a promotion and relegation system that received criticism in 2014 following the ultimately unsuccessful decision to relegate Echunga in the same season that they won the Central Division premiership. It is the second biggest league in South Australia after the South Australian Amateur Football League.
In 2009 the Uraidla Districts Football Club became the first team in HFL history to secure all senior premierships (A, B & C) in a single season a feat that was followed by Hahndorf in 2016.

## History

The Hills FL was formed in 1967 as a result of the merger of the original Hills Central FL and the Torrens Valley FL. For a number of years, the competition consisted of three divisions, firstly known as the Central Zone, the Northern Zone and the Southern Zone. This later changed to Zone 1, 2 and 3 with two years also providing a Zone 4. Eventually in 1979 the two divisions that exist today was established. The one year that was an exception was 1983 when competition was played in one division.
Heathfield-Aldgate United hold the record for the most premierships won in succession from 1971 to 1977.

## Grades

The HFL consists of:
* Junior Grades
** Under 14's (mini colts)
** Under 16's (junior colts)
** Under 18's (senior colts)
* Senior Grades
** A Grade (A1)
** B Grade (A2)
** C Grade (A3)

## Division 1

| Club | Jumper | Nickname | Home Ground | Former League | Est | Years in HFL | HFL Senior Premierships | HFL Senior Premierships |
| Club | Jumper | Nickname | Home Ground | Former League | Est | Years in HFL | Total | Years |
| Blackwood | | Woods | Blackwood Hill Reserve, Blackwood | SMFL | 1912 | 1987– | 3 | Div 1: 1988, 1991, 2017 |
| Hahndorf | | Magpies | Hahndorf Oval, Hahndorf | HCFL | 1887 | 1967– | 13 | Div 1: 1984, 1985, 1992, 1993, 1995, 1997, 2001, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2024 |
| Lobethal | | Tigers | Lobethal Recreation Ground, Lobethal | TVFA | 1901 | 1967– | 5 | Div 1: 1981, 1998, 1999, 2002, 2022 |
| Mount Barker | | Barkeroos | Hanson Oval, Mount Barker | HCFL | 1881 | 1967– | 8 | Div 1: 1969, 1970, 1982, 1983, 2000, 2003, 2004, 2012 |
| Mount Lofty District | | Mountain Devils | Heathfield Oval, Heathfield | SAFA | 1978 | 1986– | 5 | Div 1: 1986, 1990, 2006, 2007, 2008 Div 2: 2014 |
| Nairne Bremer United | | Rams | Nairne Oval, Nairne | – | 1978 | 1978–1991, 1998– | 1 | Div 1: 2023 Div 2: 1985, 1989, 2017 |
| Onkaparinga Valley | | Bulldogs | Johnston Memorial Park, Balhannah | – | 1967 | 1967– | 2 | Div 1: 1978, 1994 |
| Uraidla Districts | | Demons | Uraidla Showgrounds, Uraidla | – | 1997 | 1997– | 5 | Div 1: 2005, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013 |

## Division 2

| Club | Jumper | Nickname | Home Ground | Former League | Est | Years in HFL | HFL Senior Premierships | HFL Senior Premierships |
| Club | Jumper | Nickname | Home Ground | Former League | Est | Years in HFL | Total | Years |
| Birdwood | | Roosters | Birdwood Oval, Birdwood | TVFA | 1880s | 1967– | 6 | Div 2: 1973, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1992, 1994 |
| Echunga | | Demons | Echunga Recreation Ground, Echunga | HCFL | 1903 | 1967– | 7 | Div 1: 2014 Div 2: 1995, 1996, 2000, 2011, 2013 Div 3: 1972 |
| Gumeracha | | Magpies | Gumeracha Oval, Gumeracha | TVFA | 1887 | 1967– | 7 | Div 2: 1970, 1982, 1984, 2019, 2022, 2023, 2024 |
| Kangarilla | | Double Blues | Kangarilla Recreation Ground, Kangarilla | HCFL, SFL | 1901 | 1967–1978, 2006– | 5 | Div 2: 2006 Div 3: 1970, 1973, 1974, 1978 |
| Kersbrook | | Blues/Brookers | Kersbrook Soldiers Memorial Park, Kersbrook | ETFA | 1912 | 1971– | 10 | Div 2: 1972, 1974, 1986, 1993, 1997, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2015, 2021 |
| Macclesfield | | Blood and Tars | Macclesfield Oval, Macclesfield | HCFL, SFL | 1880 | 1967–1983, 1987– | 4 | Div 2: 1980 Div 3: 1969 Div 4: 1972, 1973 |
| Meadows | | Bulldogs | Stringybark Park, Meadows | HCFL, SFL | 1903 | 1967–1982, 2001– | 5 | Div 2: 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 Div 3: 1967 |
| Torrens Valley | | Mountain Lions | Centenary Park, Mount Torrens | – | 1997 | 1997– | 3 | Div 2: 2005, 2007, 2010 |

## C-Grade Only

| Club | Jumper | Nickname | Home Ground | Former League | Est | Years in HFL | HFL Senior Premierships | HFL Senior Premierships |
| Club | Jumper | Nickname | Home Ground | Former League | Est | Years in HFL | Total | Years |
| Bridgewater-Callington | | Raiders | Bridgewater Oval, Bridgewater | – | 2012 | 2013–2022, 2024– | 2 | Div 2: 1981, 2016 |
| Milang | | Panthers | Milang Oval, Milang | GSFL | 1881 | 1986–2005, 2010–2017, 2021– | 0 | - |

## Former clubs

| Club | Jumper | Nickname | Home Ground | Former League | Est | Years in HFL | HFL Senior Premierships | HFL Senior Premierships | Fate |
| Club | Jumper | Nickname | Home Ground | Former League | Est | Years in HFL | Total | Years | Fate |
| Ashton | | | Ashton Oval, Ashton | NNFA | 1920s | 1972–1982 | 0 | - | Merged with Lenswood Rangers to form Eastern Rangers in 1983 |
| Barossa District | | Bulldogs | Williamstown Oval, Williamstown | GDFL | 1979 | 1987–1990 | 3 | Div 2: 1987, 1988, 1990 | Moved to Barossa, Light & Gawler FA in 1991 |
| Bremer | | | | RMFL | 1931 | 1967–1978 | 0 | - | Merged with Nairne to form Nairne Bremer United in 1978 |
| Bridgewater | | Raiders | Bridgewater Oval, Bridgewater | TVFA | 1956 | 1967–2012 | 1 | Div 2: 1981 | Merged with Callington United Eagles to form Bridgewater Callington in 2012 |
| Callington United Eagles | | Eagles | Callington Oval, Callington | – | 1995 | 1995–2012 | 0 | - | Merged with Bridgewater to form Bridgewater Callington in 2012 |
| Eastern Rangers | | Saints | Ashton Oval, Ashton | – | 1983 | 1983–1996 | 1 | Div 1: 1987 | Merged with Uraidla to form Uraidla Districts in 1997 |
| Heathfield Aldgate United | | | Heathfield Oval, Heathfield | – | 1967 | 1967–1978 | 9 | Div 1: 1967, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977 | Merged with Stirling to form Mount Lofty District in 1978 |
| Ironbank-Cherry Gardens | | Thunderers | Cherry Gardens Ironbank Recreation Ground, Cherry Gardens | – | 1986 | 1986–2022 | 4 | Div 2: 1998, 1999, 2018, 2020 | Merged with Bridgewater-Callington in 2023, moved to Southern FL in 2024 |
| Ironbank-Cherry Gardens- Bridgewater | | Ironraiders | Bridgewater Oval, Bridgewater and Cherry Gardens Ironbank Recreation Ground, Cherry Gardens | – | 2023 | 2023 | 0 | - | De-merged into Bridgewater-Callington and Ironbank-Cherry Gardens in 2024 |
| Langhorne Creek | | Tigers | Langhorne Creek Oval, Langhorne Creek | HCFA | 1906 | 1967–1977 | 3 | Div 3: 1975, 1976, 1977 | Moved to Great Southern FL in 1977 |
| Lenswood Rangers | | | Lenswood Memorial Park, Lenswood | – | 1967 | 1967–1982 | 2 | Div 2: 1978, 1979 | Merged with Ashton to form Eastern Rangers in 1983 |
| Littlehampton | | Sky Blues | | HCFL | 1959 | 1967–1972 | 1 | Southern: 1968 | Folded after 1972 season |
| Mount Torrens | | Bombers | Centenary Park, Mount Torrens | | 1930 | 1967–1975, 1986–1996 | 1 | Div 2: 1991 | Merged with Sedan Cambrai in 1976 to form Mount Torrens-Cambrai. Merged with Pleasant Valley in 1997 to form Torrens Valley |
| Mount Torrens-Cambrai | | | | HCFL | 1976 | 1976–1985 | 0 | - | De-merged into Mount Torrens and Sedan Cambrai in 1986 |
| Mylor | | | Mylor Oval, Mylor | | 1902 | 1967–1972 | 0 | - | Folded |
| Nairne | | Rams | Nairne Oval, Nairne | HCFL | 1903 | 1967–1978 | 0 | - | Merged with Bremer to form Nairne Bremer United in 1978 |
| Palmer | | | Collier Park, Palmer | TVFA | 1891 | 1967–1970, 1972–1973 | 1 | Div 4B: 1972 | |
| Pleasant Valley | | Roos | Talunga Park, Mount Pleasant | TVFA | 1960s | 1967–1996 | 4 | Northern: 1967, 1968, 1969, 1971 | Merged with Mount Torrens in 1997 to form Torrens Valley |
| Sedan Cambrai | | Magpies | Cambrai Sportsground, Cambrai | TVFA | 1922 | 1967–1975, 2010–2015 | 0 | - | Merged with Mount Torrens in 1976 to form Mount Torrens-Cambrai Moved to Mid Murray FA in 1987. Moved to Riverland Independent FL in 2016 |
| Stirling | | Eagles | Stirling Oval, Stirling | TVFA | 1800s | 1967–1978 | 0 | - | Merged with Heathfield-Aldgate United to form Mount Lofty District in 1978 |
| Uraidla | | Redlegs | Uraidla Showgrounds, Uraidla | TVFA | 1905 | 1967–1996 | 4 | Div 1: 1979, 1980, 1989, 1996 | Merged with Eastern Rangers to form Uraidla Districts in 1997 |
| Williamstown | | Rovers | Williamstown Oval, Williamstown | – | 1967 | 1967–1973 | 0 | - | Moved to Gawler and District FL in 1974 |
| Woodside Army | | | Woodside Oval, Woodside | TVFA | | 1967-1970 | 0 | - | Absorbed by Onkaparinga Valley following 1970 season |

## Premierships

| Year | Division 1 | Country Division/Division 2 | Division 3 | Division 4 |
| 2024 | Hahndorf | Gumeracha | 2 divisions (1984-) | 2 divisions (1984-) |
| 2023 | Nairne Bremer | Gumeracha | 2 divisions (1984-) | 2 divisions (1984-) |
| 2022 | Lobethal | Gumeracha | 2 divisions (1984-) | 2 divisions (1984-) |
| 2021 | Hahndorf | Kersbrook | 2 divisions (1984-) | 2 divisions (1984-) |
| 2020 | Hahndorf | Ironbank-Cherry Gardens | 2 divisions (1984-) | 2 divisions (1984-) |
| 2019 | Hahndorf | Gumeracha | 2 divisions (1984-) | 2 divisions (1984-) |
| 2018 | Hahndorf | Ironbank-Cherry Gardens | 2 divisions (1984-) | 2 divisions (1984-) |
| 2017 | Blackwood | Nairne Bremer | 2 divisions (1984-) | 2 divisions (1984-) |
| 2016 | Hahndorf | Bridgewater-Callington | 2 divisions (1984-) | 2 divisions (1984-) |
| 2015 | Hahndorf | Kersbrook | 2 divisions (1984-) | 2 divisions (1984-) |
| 2014 | Echunga | Mount Lofty | 2 divisions (1984-) | 2 divisions (1984-) |
| 2013 | Uraidla Districts | Echunga | 2 divisions (1984-) | 2 divisions (1984-) |
| 2012 | Mount Barker | Kersbrook | 2 divisions (1984-) | 2 divisions (1984-) |
| 2011 | Uraidla Districts | Echunga | 2 divisions (1984-) | 2 divisions (1984-) |
| 2010 | Uraidla Districts | Torrens Valley | 2 divisions (1984-) | 2 divisions (1984-) |
| 2009 | Uraidla Districts | Kersbrook | 2 divisions (1984-) | 2 divisions (1984-) |
| 2008 | Mount Lofty | Kersbrook | 2 divisions (1984-) | 2 divisions (1984-) |
| 2007 | Mount Lofty | Torrens Valley | 2 divisions (1984-) | 2 divisions (1984-) |
| 2006 | Mount Lofty | Kangarilla | 2 divisions (1984-) | 2 divisions (1984-) |
| 2005 | Uraidla Districts | Torrens Valley | 2 divisions (1984-) | 2 divisions (1984-) |
| 2004 | Mount Barker | Meadows | 2 divisions (1984-) | 2 divisions (1984-) |
| 2003 | Mount Barker | Meadows | 2 divisions (1984-) | 2 divisions (1984-) |
| 2002 | Lobethal | Meadows | 2 divisions (1984-) | 2 divisions (1984-) |
| 2001 | Hahndorf | Meadows | 2 divisions (1984-) | 2 divisions (1984-) |
| 2000 | Mount Barker | Echunga | 2 divisions (1984-) | 2 divisions (1984-) |
| 1999 | Lobethal | Ironbank | 2 divisions (1984-) | 2 divisions (1984-) |
| 1998 | Lobethal | Ironbank | 2 divisions (1984-) | 2 divisions (1984-) |
| 1997 | Hahndorf | Kersbrook | 2 divisions (1984-) | 2 divisions (1984-) |
| 1996 | Uraidla | Echunga | 2 divisions (1984-) | 2 divisions (1984-) |
| 1995 | Hahndorf | Echunga | 2 divisions (1984-) | 2 divisions (1984-) |
| 1994 | Onkaparinga Valley | Birdwood | 2 divisions (1984-) | 2 divisions (1984-) |
| 1993 | Hahndorf | Kersbrook | 2 divisions (1984-) | 2 divisions (1984-) |
| 1992 | Hahndorf | Birdwood | 2 divisions (1984-) | 2 divisions (1984-) |
| 1991 | Blackwood | Mount Torrens | 2 divisions (1984-) | 2 divisions (1984-) |
| 1990 | Mount Lofty | Barossa District | 2 divisions (1984-) | 2 divisions (1984-) |
| 1989 | Uraidla | Nairne Bremer | 2 divisions (1984-) | 2 divisions (1984-) |
| 1988 | Blackwood | Barossa District | 2 divisions (1984-) | 2 divisions (1984-) |
| 1987 | Eastern Rangers | Barossa District | 2 divisions (1984-) | 2 divisions (1984-) |
| 1986 | Mount Lofty | Kersbrook | 2 divisions (1984-) | 2 divisions (1984-) |
| 1985 | Hahndorf | Nairne Bremer | 2 divisions (1984-) | 2 divisions (1984-) |
| 1984 | Hahndorf | Gumeracha | 2 divisions (1984-) | 2 divisions (1984-) |
| 1983 | Mount Barker | 1 division (1983) | 1 division (1983) | 1 division (1983) |
| 1982 | Mount Barker | Gumeracha | 2 divisions (1978-1982) | 2 divisions (1978-1982) |
| 1981 | Lobethal | Bridgewater | 2 divisions (1978-1982) | 2 divisions (1978-1982) |
| 1980 | Uraidla | Macclesfield | 2 divisions (1978-1982) | 2 divisions (1978-1982) |
| 1979 | Uraidla | Lenswood Rangers | 2 divisions (1978-1982) | 2 divisions (1978-1982) |
| 1978 | Onkaparinga Valley | Lenswood Rangers | Kangarilla | 3 divisions (1974-1977) |
| 1977 | Heathfield-Aldgate | Birdwood | Langhorne Creek | 3 divisions (1974-1977) |
| 1976 | Heathfield-Aldgate | Birdwood | Langhorne Creek | 3 divisions (1974-1977) |
| 1975 | Heathfield-Aldgate | Birdwood | Langhorne Creek | 3 divisions (1974-1977) |
| 1974 | Heathfield-Aldgate | Kersbrook | Kangarilla | 3 divisions (1974-1977) |
| 1973 | Heathfield-Aldgate | Birdwood | Kangarilla | Macclesfield |
| 1972 | Heathfield-Aldgate | Kersbrook | Echunga | Macclesfield |
| | Central Zone | Northern Zone | Southern Zone | 3 divisions (1967-1971) |
| 1971 | Heathfield-Aldgate | Pleasant Valley | Echunga | 3 divisions (1967-1971) |
| 1970 | Mount Barker | Gumeracha | Kangarilla | 3 divisions (1967-1971) |
| 1969 | Mount Barker | Pleasant Valley | Macclesfield | 3 divisions (1967-1971) |
| 1968 | Heathfield-Aldgate | Pleasant Valley | Littlehampton | 3 divisions (1967-1971) |
| 1967 | Heathfield-Aldgate | Pleasant Valley | Meadows | 3 divisions (1967-1971) |

## AFL Players

The following were drafted to AFL club lists having previously participated in the Hills Football League.
| Name | HFL Club | Year Drafted | SANFL Club (or equiv.) | AFL Club(s) |
| Brenton Sanderson | Blackwood | 1992 | Sturt | Adelaide, Collingwood, Geelong |
| Scott Burns | Birdwood | 1992 | Norwood | Collingwood |
| Brett James | Kersbrook | 1992 | Norwood | Collingwood, Adelaide |
| Steven Sziller | Lobethal | 1994 | Woodville-West Torrens | St Kilda, Richmond |
| Roger James | Kersbrook | 1996 | Norwood | Port Adelaide |
| Ben Nelson | Bridgewater | 1996 | Sturt | Carlton, Adelaide |
| Barnaby French | Ironbank-Cherry Gardens | 1997 | Sturt | Port Adelaide, Carlton |
| Sudjai Cook | Kersbrook | 1998 | Norwood | Adelaide |
| Courtney Johns | Onkaparinga Valley | 2002 | East Fremantle | Essendon |
| Darren Pfeiffer | Birdwood | 2005 | Norwood | Adelaide, Carlton, Port Adelaide |
| Cleve Hughes | Lobethal | 2005 | Norwood | Richmond |
| Benet Copping | Mt Barker | 2006 | Sturt | Fremantle |
| Paul Cahill | Blackwood | 2008 | Sturt | St Kilda |
| Matthew Jaensch | Hahndorf | 2009 | Sturt | Adelaide |
| Sam Colquhoun | Birdwood | 2013 | Central Districts | Port Adelaide |
| Alex Georgiou | Lobethal | 2013 | Norwood | Melbourne |
| Matthew Fuller | Lobethal | 2013 | Norwood | Western Bulldogs |
| Dean Gore | Hahndorf | 2014 | Sturt | Geelong, Adelaide |
| Mitch Crowden | Meadows | 2017 | Sturt | Fremantle |
| Callum Coleman-Jones | Blackwood | 2017 | Sturt | Richmond |
| Tom Sparrow | Bridgewater | 2018 | South Adelaide | Melbourne |