The Benalla Football Netball Club, nicknamed the ''Saints'', is an

Australian rules football Australian football, also called Australian rules football or Aussie rules, or more simply football or footy, is a contact sport played between two teams of 18 players on an oval field, often a modified cricket ground. Points are scored by k ...

and

netball Netball is a ball sport played on a court by two teams of seven players. It is among a rare number of sports which have been created exclusively for female competitors. The sport is played on indoor and outdoor netball courts and is specifical ...

club based in

Benalla, Victoria Benalla is a small city located on the Broken River gateway to the High Country north-eastern region of Victoria, Australia, about north east of the state capital Melbourne. At the the population was 10,822. It is the administrative centr ...

. Its football and netball teams currently compete in the

Goulburn Valley Football League The Goulburn Valley Football Netball League is an Australian rules football and netball competition based in the Goulburn Valley region of Victoria, Australia. It is a member of the Victorian Country Football League and has won the Victorian Co ...

History

;Benalla Football Club The first published evidence of a club meeting was in 1871, to arrange a local football match on the Queen's Birthday holiday. Football in Benalla appeared to of lapsed between 1872 and 1877, then the football club was re-formed in April 1878, with a meeting at Hamilton's Hotel when Mr. D.G. McC. O'Leary was elected as president. "The first and inaugurating match of Benalla FC" was played on the Benalla Recreation Reserve on Saturday, 27 April 1878. In May, 1878, Carlton Football Club played a match against a North Eastern Victorian team at Benalla. In May 1882, Benalla hosted a match between the

Melbourne Football Club The Melbourne Football Club, nicknamed the Demons, is a professional Australian rules football club that competes in the Australian Football League (AFL), the sport's elite competition. It is based in Melbourne, Victoria (Australia), Victoria, ...

and a North Eastern representative team, with Melbourne winning a tight contest. In 1883, Benalla FC played their home games on the oval adjoining the Benalla East State School and "have given amusement to the public during many a dreary Saturday". In 1884 and 1885 the club's colours were a "blue guernsey and red and blue hose and cap". In 1886,

Essendon Football Club The Essendon Football Club, nicknamed the Bombers, is a professional Australian rules football club. The club plays in the Australian Football League (AFL), the game's premier competition. The club was formed by the McCracken family in their A ...

played a representative team from the North East of Victoria at the Benalla Recreation Reserve, which resulted in a win to Essendon. Benalla initially played in the North Eastern Football Association in 1892 and won their first premiership in 1895 (unbeaten premiers), the first of three consecutive premierships. In 1896, club patron's included John Alston Wallace (MLC) and Thomas Kennedy (MLA). In 1897, Benalla's colours were blue, white and black. Benalla FC went into recess from 1900 to 1902, with the Benalla Half Holiday FC and the Benalla Federals FC both playing competition football in these years. In September 1908, Benalla's 28 year old captain and local Police Constable, James Cummins, along with Mounted Constable Daly, both drowned at the Benalla Waterworks Trust Weir. In 1911, Benalla FC were not admitted into the Yarrawonga & District Football Association & went into recess, so as a result a new club was formed in Benalla, known as Benalla & Railway United FC referred to as "Benalla United" in local newspapers. This new club entered the Benalla Wednesday FA in 1911. From 1919 to 1923, Benalla's colours were green and gold. Benalla first entered the

Ovens & Murray Football League The Ovens and Murray Football Netball League (O&MFNL) is an Australian rules football and netball competition containing ten clubs based in north-eastern Victoria, the southern Riverina region of New South Wales and the Ovens and Murray are ...

in 1922 with their association continuing until 1928. The O&MFL played

Carlton Carlton may refer to: People * Carlton (name), a list of those with the given name or surname * Carlton (singer), English soul singer Carlton McCarthy * Carlton, a pen name used by Joseph Caldwell (1773–1835), American educator, Presbyterian ...

in Wangaratta in 1922, resulting in a close win to Carlton, with three Benalla players representing the O&MFL. In June, 1925, Benalla FC offered

Cyril Gambetta Cyril Leonard Gambetta (1 August 1899 – 20 August 1974) was an Italian-Australian rules footballer who played with St Kilda in the Victorian Football League (VFL). Due to having suffered from polio as a child he had badly bowed legs which gave ...

their coaching job, but St.Kilda refused to clear him In 1927, the club's colours were altered to red and white and Mr. J Skelton was elected a life patron. Fitzroy 18.7 - 105 defeated Benalla 9.9 - 65 in Benalla in late September, in what was a highlight for the local football supporters. Mr. Les Hill was given a testimonial by the Benalla FC in 1927, after 17 years of service as a player. At the club's 1929 AGM, Benalla Rovers FC took over the running of football in Benalla and their senior team was named the Benalla Rovers in 1929 and they wore a vertical black and gold striped jumper, known as the Tigers in the O & M in 1929 and 1930. Between 1931 and 1941, Benalla's senior team played off in ten senior football grand finals, winning seven premierships. The only season Benalla missed playing in a grand final was in 1934 when they lost the first semi final to Wilby by one point in the Benalla Mulwala Football Association, in a real golden era for the club. In 1931, Bernie Squires won the senior grade best and fairest award, while Dave Smith won the reserves grade best and fairest award. In 1933, Benalla was known as the "Tigers" and lost a close match against Collingwood in October, 1933. In 1940, Benalla 16.16 - 106 defeated Rushworth 11.16 – 82 to win their first senior

premiership in their first year in the GVFL. Former 1930 and 1931 Benalla Junior premiership player, Jim Howell died in a Japanese Prison Camp in 1945. From 1948 to 1997, Benalla were known as the ''Demons'' after they changed their jumper to a red jumper with a white V. In late 1952, arrangements were made to set up a Benalla Junior Football League (BJFL) to start in 1953, with former Benalla FC coach, Ken Walker elected as the first President of the BJFL. This decision led to Benalla FC not fielding a Thirds team in the

Benalla & District Football League The original Benalla District Football League was formed in 1929 from the following clubs - Baddaginnie, Benalla - "B", Swanpool, Tatong, Thoona and Winton. The Benalla & District Football League (B&DFL) was formed immediately after World War T ...

. In 1953, the O&MFL introduced a second eighteen (Reserves) competition for the first time, which meant that Benalla Reserves had to pull out of the

Benalla Tungamah Football League The Benalla Tungamah Football League (TBFL) was established in May, 1938, from the following North Eastern Victoria, Australian rules football clubs – Benalla, Devenish, Katamatite, St. James, Tungamah and Yabba – Dookie. History The Benal ...

. In 1961, Benalla Football Club's Chiswell Pavilion was built and served the club well over the next 50 odd years, when it was replaced with the Lakeside Community Centre and changerooms in 2011. Charlie Chiswell was a former club President in the early 1960s and was instrumental in funding the building through a debenture scheme. The old Chiswell Pavilion was demolished in 2021, with only the front verandah remaining as a shelter. When Benalla FC moved from the

Ovens and Murray Football League The Ovens and Murray Football Netball League (O&MFNL) is an Australian rules football and netball competition containing ten clubs based in north-eastern Victoria, Australia, Victoria, the southern Riverina region of New South Wales, Austral ...

to the

in 1998, they had to change their club colours and guernsey, which was to mirror the colours of the

St Kilda Football Club The St Kilda Football Club, nicknamed the Saints, is a professional Australian rules football club based in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, Victoria. The club plays in the Australian Football League (AFL), the sport's premier league. The club ...

. ;Benalla Half Holiday Football Club (1899 to 1902 & 1908 & 1909) The Benalla Half Holiday FC was formed as a junior club in May, 1899, wearing a blue jumper with a yellow sash. The club's jumper colors were changed to red, white and blue at a meeting in April, 1900. The club played in the Benalla Wednesday (Half Holiday) FA and wore maroon jumpers with white knicks in 1908. ;Benalla Federals Football Club (1902 & 1903) The Benalla Federals FC amalgamated with the Railways FC in 1902 and played a pivotal role as Benalla's main Saturday competition football club in 1902 and 1903, when they played in the Moira Football Association. ;Benalla Gymnasium Football Club (1907 - 1912) Formed in 1907, they went onto win three premierships in the Benalla Wednesday (Half Holiday) Football Association in 1908, 1910 and 1912. They then merged with Benalla & Railway United Football Club in 1913 to re-form Benalla Football Club. ;Benalla & Railway United Football Club (1911 & 1912) The Benalla & Railway United FC "Benalla United" was formed in 1911, decided on black and white hoops as their club jumper and would enter a team the Benalla Wednesday Football Association.

Euroa Football Club The Euroa Football Netball Club, nicknamed the ''Magpies'', is an Australian rules football and netball club sited in the town of Euroa, in the north-east of Victoria. The club teams has competed in the Goulburn Valley Football League since 19 ...

won the 1911 Wednesday Football Association premiership and the Benalla Gymnasium FC defeated Benalla United in the 1912 grand final. In 1913, local footballers wanted to play in a local Saturday competition, so Benalla United and Benalla Gymnasium merged and was reformed as Benalla Football Club, was admitted into the Yarrawonga District Football Association and played in the green and gold colours. ;Benalla Rovers Football Club (1920 to 1930) & (1976 to 1989) The Benalla Rovers were formed in 1920, when the Benalla Junior FC (formed in 1919) changed their name to Benalla Rovers FC at the AGM. Benalla Rovers FC won the 1920 and 1921 premiership in the North East Line Football Association. Benalla Rovers lost the 1922 Yarrawonga Line Football Association grand final to Devenish. In 1923, Benalla Rovers decided to change their colours to yellow and black, with black knickers. Remarkably, Benalla Rovers went through the 1923 season without a defeat to claim the Yarrawonga Line Football Association premiership. Benalla Rovers were runners up to Yarrawonga in 1927, then won the 1928 Yarrawonga Line Football Association premiership. In 1929, the Benalla Rovers FC took full control of the Benalla FC, including a debt of £60. The club entered Rovers A into the

, Rovers B played in the Yarrawonga Line Football Association and the Benalla Juniors played in the new Benalla District Football League. In 1930, Benalla Rovers A played in the

, while Rovers B lost the Yarrawonga Line Football Association grand final to St. James, while the Benalla Juniors won the 1930 Benalla District Football League premiership, defeating Swanpool. At the club's 1931 AGM, the club's secretary would not present the balance sheet due the auditor refusing to sign it, who later resigned. The club's name was then changed back to the “Benalla Football Club”. ;Benalla Juniors Football Club (1929 to 1931) The Benalla Juniors played in the Benalla District Football League from 1929 to 1931, playing in three consecutive grand finals, winning premierships in 1930 and 1931, wearing the purple and gold colours. They changed their name to the Benalla Imperials FC in 1932 and joined the Euroa Line Football Association. ;Benalla Imperials Football Club (1932 & 1933) Benalla Imperials were beaten by Benalla Football Club in the 1933 Euroa Line Football Association grand final. Benalla Imperials merged with the Benalla Football Club in 1934 and Benalla Seniors played in the Benalla Mulwala FA, while the Benalla Reserves played in the Benalla Yarrawonga Lines FA in 1934. Violet Town Football Club (1908)

Competitions timeline

;Benalla Football Club ;Seniors * 1871 - Club was formed * 1872 - 1877 - No published newspapers reports during this period. * 1878 - 1885 - Club reformed and played friendly matches against other local towns and clubs. * 1886 - William Collins Cup * 1887 - 1891: ? * 1892 - 1898: North Eastern Football Association * 1899 - Devenish Football Association * 1900 - 1902: Benalla FC in recess * 1900 & 1901 - Thoona District Football Association (Benalla Half Holiday FC) * 1902 & 1903 - Moira Football Association (Benalla Federals FC) * 1904 - Brigg's Challenge Cup (Benalla "A" team: Benalla Wednesday Football Association) * 1904 & 1905 - Moira Football Association (Benalla FC) * 1906 - 1909 - Benalla Yarrawonga Football Association * 1910 - North Eastern Football Association * 1911 & 1912 - Benalla FC in recess. Benalla decided not to enter the North Eastern FA, but then were not admitted into the Yarrawonga & District FA, which left Benalla FC without a competition to play in. * 1913 & 1914 - Yarrawonga & District Football Association * 1915 - The Line Football Association * 1916 - 1918 - Club in recess due to

World War 1 World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...

* 1919 - Dookie & Line Football Association * 1920 & 1921 - Benalla Yarrawonga Line Football Association * 1922 - 1928 -

* 1929 & 1930 -

(Benalla Rovers FC) * 1931 & 1932 Euroa District Football Association * 1933 - Euroa Line District Football Association * 1934 - 1937 - Benalla Mulwala Football Association * 1938 & 1939 -

* 1940 -

Goulburn Valley Football Association The Goulburn Valley Football Association (GVFA) is an Australian rules football competition that was first established in 1888 in the Goulburn Valley of Victoria, Australia, with the foundation clubs being Cobram, Muckatah, Nathalia, Numurkah, ...

* 1941 - Benalla Patriotic Football League * 1942 - 1944 - Club in recess due to

World War Two World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposing ...

* 1945 - Benalla Patriotic Football League * 1946 - 1997 -

* 1998 - 2019 -

* 2020 - Benalla FC in recess due to the

COVID-19 pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic, also known as the coronavirus pandemic, is an ongoing global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The novel virus was first identif ...

* 2021 - 2022:

;Reserves *1904 - Brigg's Challenge Cup / Benalla Wednesday FA (Benalla "B" team) *1909 - Benalla Wednesday Football Association (Benalla "B") *1929 & 1930: Yarrawonga Line Football Association *1931 - 1934: Benalla Mulwala Line Football Association *1946 -

*1947 - Murray Valley North East Football League *1948 - 1952:

*1953 - 1997:

*1998 - 2019:

*2020 - Benalla FC in recess due to the

*2021 - 2022:

;Thirds * 1947 - 1952:

* 1973 - 1997:

* 1998 - 2019:

* 2020 - Benalla FC in recess due to the

* 2021 - 2022:

;Benalla Half Holiday Football Club * 1900 & 1901 - Thoona District Football Association (Benalla Half Holiday FC) *1903 - 1907: Club was most likely in recess *1908 & 1909: Benalla Wednesday Football Association ;Benalla Federals Football Club * 1902 & 1903: Moira Football Association ;Benalla Gymnasium Football Club * 1907 - 1912: Benalla Wednesday (Half Holiday) Football Association * 1913 - Merged with Benalla & Railway United FC & reformed as Benalla Football Club ;Benalla & Railway United Football Club (1911 & 1912) * 1911 & 1912: Benalla Wednesday (Half Holiday) Football Association * 1913 - Merged with Benalla Gymnasium FC & reformed as Benalla Football Club ;Benalla Rovers Football Club * 1920 - 1923: North East Line Football Association * 1922 - 1928: Yarrawonga Line Football Association * 1929 & 1930:

* 1931 - Changed its name to Benalla Football Club * 1976 - 1989:

;Benalla Juniors Football Club * 1929 - 1931:

* 1932 - Changed their name to the Benalla Imperials FC and joined the Euroa Line Football Association. ; Benalla Imperials Football Club * 1932 & 1933: Euroa Line Football Association * 1934 - Benalla Imperials merged with the Benalla Football Club.

Football premierships

;Benalla Football Club ;Seniors This is a complete list of premierships won by the club in the different leagues where it played: * 1939 - Benalla were undefeated premiers. ;Reserves ;Thirds ;Benalla Gymnasium Football Club ;Benalla Rovers Football Club ;Seniors ;Benalla Junior Football Club

Netball premierships

Ovens and Murray Football / Netball League: 1993 to 1997 * No premierships

Goulburn Valley Football Netball League The Goulburn Valley Football Netball League is an Australian rules football and netball competition based in the Goulburn Valley region of Victoria, Australia. It is a member of the Victorian Country Football League and has won the Victorian Co ...

: 1998 to present day ;A. Grade * 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2007 ;B. Reserve * 2001 ;17 and Under * 2008

Ovens and Murray Football League: Best & Fairest winners

The list includes the following players: ; Seniors – Morris Medal *1954 – Kevin Hurley *1968 – John Waddington *1990 – Jamie Ronke. Father of

Ben Ronke Benjamin Ronke (born 18 December 1997) is a former professional Australian rules footballer who played for the Sydney Swans in the Australian Football League (AFL). He was drafted by Sydney with their first selection and seventeenth overall ...

– Sydney Swans. ;Reserves – Ralph Marks Medal *1960 – Roy Symes *1968 – Norm Hogan *1973 – Graham Sherwill ;Thirds - 3NE Award *1973 – Peter Nolan *1976 – John Martiniello. (Martiniello also won the 1993

Tungamah Football League The Benalla Tungamah Football League (TBFL) was established in May, 1938, from the following North Eastern Victoria, Australian rules football clubs – Benalla, Devenish, Katamatite, St. James, Tungamah and Yabba – Dookie. History The Benal ...

senior football, Lawless Medal, with the

Benalla All Blacks Football Club Benalla is a small city located on the Broken River gateway to the High Country north-eastern region of Victoria, Australia, about north east of the state capital Melbourne. At the the population was 10,822. It is the administrative centr ...

.) *1983 – Rod Brewster

Goulburn Valley Football League – Best & Fairest winners

The list includes the following players: ;Seniors – Morrison Medal *1999 – Anthony Pasquali. Father of Seb Pasquali –

Western United Western United Football Club is an Australian professional football club. The club is based in the western Melbourne suburb of Truganina, the club aims to represent western Victoria, incorporating the western suburbs of Melbourne; the region ...

*2008 – Rowan Priest *2013 – Luke Morgan *2014 – William Martiniello *2018 - Sam Martyn ;Reserves – Abikhair Medal *1998 – P Warnock *2007 – Chris Dube *2011 – Chris Dube. (Chris Dube also won the 2018

Ovens & King Football League The Ovens & King Football Netball League is a minor country Australian rules football league based in North-Eastern Victoria in the vicinity of Wangaratta and more recently Benalla. History The ''Ovens & King Football League'' was formed on ...

senior football Baker Medal with Greta Football Club.) ;Thirds – Pattison Medal *2002 – R Joyce

Hall of Fame inductees

* 2008 - Neil Hanlon * 2010 - Emmy DeFazio * 2012 - John Brunner * 2013 - John Martiniello

Senior football stats

*Most games ** 316 - John Martiniello ** 251 - Emmy DeFazio ** 247 - Robbie Allan ** 247 - Bernie Squires ** 225 - Terry Greaves ** 209 - Neil Hanlon ** 196 - Bill Sammon ** 100 + - Edward "Ted" Briggs ** 100 + - Roy Symes *Most goals in a match **16 - Ricky Symes - 2005 - GVFL Rd.12: Benalla v Tatura **13 - Vern Drake - 1972. O&MFL **12 - Fred Beeson - 1923. O&MFL Rd.2 - Benalla v Lake Rovers **12 - Reg Roscoe - 1953. O&MFL Rd.17 - Benalla v Yarrawonga **12 - Norm Minns - 1954. O&MFL Rd.14: Benalla v Corowa. **11 - Wheeler. 9 July 1928. O&MFL: Benalla v Beechworth. **11 -

Bob Chitty Robert Main-Warring Chitty (4 July 1916 – 4 April 1985) was an Australian rules footballer in the Australian Football League, Victorian Football League (VFL). Family The son of Alan Peter Chitty (1884-1981), and Hannah Evelyne Chitty (1887-1 ...

- 1947 - O&MFL Rd.13: Benalla v Rutherglen. **11 - Josh Mellington. 5 September 2015 - GVFNL: Benalla v Euroa.

VFL / AFL players

The following 38 players played with Benalla, prior to playing senior football in the VFL/AFL, and / or drafted, with the year indicating their VFL/AFL debut. * 1897 – Jim Flynn – Geelong & Carlton * 1905 –

Dave McNamara David John McNamara or M'Namara (22 January 1887 – 15 August 1967) was an Australian rules footballer in the Victorian Football League (VFL). Family The son of Michael McNamara (1844–1904), and Mary Margaret Mcnamara (1851–1929), née Qu ...

– St. Kilda * 1906 – Cec Garton – Essendon * 1906 –

Andy Kennedy Andy Kennedy (born March 13, 1968) is an American college basketball coach who is the head coach of the UAB Blazers men's basketball team. He was head men's basketball coach at the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) from 2006 to 2018. Kennedy ...

– Carlton & Melbourne * 1907 – John Gilding – St. Kilda * 1909 – Tom McEwan – Carlton * 1924 – Fred Beeson – Fitzroy * 1925 –

Clarrie Nolan Clarence Joseph Nolan (24 August 1904 – 18 January 1998) was an Australian rules footballer who played with North Melbourne in the Victorian Football League (VFL). Nolan, was a Benalla and Shepparton recruit, who joined North Melbourne in 192 ...

– North Melbourne * 1927 -

Dinny Kelleher Denis "Dinny" Kelleher (22 July 1902 – 30 May 1963) was an Australian rules footballer who played for Carlton and South Melbourne in the Victorian Football League (VFL). Early life Born in the small rural town of Baddaginnie in 1902. H ...

- Carlton & South Melbourne * 1928 - Doug Ringrose - Fitzroy * 1935 – Jack Bridgfoot – Footscray * 1936 – Arthur Hall – Fitzroy * 1944 – Bryan Crimmins – Melbourne * 1948 – Max Howell – Carlton * 1952 – Kevin Bond – Hawthorn * 1952 – John Brady – North Melbourne * 1953 – Kevin Gleeson – Richmond * 1954 -

Kevin Hogan Kevin Michael Hogan (born October 20, 1992) is an American football quarterback who is a free agent. He played college football for Stanford University and was their starting quarterback from 2012 to 2015. He was drafted by the Kansas City Chie ...

- South Melbourne * 1956 - Ray Lalor - Essendon * 1958 – Barry Connolly – Footscray * 1958 – John Stephenson – Carlton * 1958 –

Frank Hogan Frank Smithwick Hogan (January 17, 1902 – April 2, 1974) was an American lawyer and politician from New York. He served as New York County District Attorney for more than 30 years, during which he achieved a reputation for professionalism and ...

– South Melbourne * 1959 – John Thompson – Richmond * 1964 – Neil Busse – Richmond & South Melbourne * 1968 – Kevin Sykes – North Melbourne * 1971 –

Gary Cowton Gary Cowton (born 30 December 1952) is a former Australian rules footballer who played for North Melbourne in the Victorian Football League (VFL) as well as having stints with Footscray and South Melbourne South Melbourne is an inner su ...

– Nth Melbourne, Footscray & Sth Melbourne * 1972 – Brian Symes – North Melbourne * 1973 - Michael Stilo - North Melbourne * 1976 –

Chris Elliott Christopher Nash Elliott (born May 31, 1960) is an American actor, comedian and writer. He appeared in comedic sketches on '' Late Night with David Letterman'' (1982–1988), created and starred in the comedy series '' Get a Life'' (1990–1992) ...

– South Melbourne * 1985 – Steven Hickey – North Melbourne * 1990 - Andrew Harrison - Brisbane Lions. No AFL games. No 15 in 1990 AFL National Draft. * 1990 - Tim Symes - Sydney Swans. No AFL games. No 29 in 1990 Mid season AFL Draft * 1998 – Ricky Symes – Western Bulldogs. No AFL games. No.61 in 1998 AFL Draft. * 2001 –

Matthew Shir Matthew Shir (born 12 September 1981) is an Australian rules footballer who played with the Adelaide Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL). Shir, a defender, was drafted by Adelaide from the Murray Bushrangers of the TAC Cup, a ...

– Adelaide Crows * 2003 –

Jarrad Waite Jarrad Waite (born 4 February 1983) is a former professional Australian rules footballer who played for the Carlton Football Club and North Melbourne Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL). AFL career Carlton (2003–2014) Born ...

– Carlton & North Melbourne * 2009 –

Tom Rockliff Thomas Rockliff (born 22 February 1990) is a former professional Australian rules footballer who played for the Port Adelaide Football Club and previously played for the Brisbane Lions Football Club for 154 games between 2009 and 2017. In 2008 ...

– Brisbane, Port Adelaide * 2011 – Josh Mellington – Fremantle * 2015 -

Caleb Marchbank Caleb Marchbank (born 7 December 1996) is a professional Australian rules footballer playing for the Carlton Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL). He was recruited by Greater Western Sydney with their second selection and six ...

- Greater Western Sydney * 2017 –

Harry Morrison Harry Morrison (born 12 November 1998) is a professional Australian rules footballer playing for the Hawthorn Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL). Early career Playing for the Murray Bushrangers in the TAC Cup, Morrison su ...

– Hawthorn The following footballers played senior VFL / AFL football prior to making their debut with the Benalla FC. The year indicates their debut season at Benalla. * 1923 - Tom Drummond * 1925 - Les Bryant * 1925 - Bob Merrick * 1926 - Jim Morden * 1926 -

Wal Matthews Llewellyn Walter Matthews (12 May 1894 – 12 March 1973) was an Australian rules footballer who played with South Melbourne in the Victorian Football League (VFL). Matthews coached Nagambie in 1925, before being appointed as captain / coach ...

* 1927 - Bert Lenne * 1946 - Terry Boyle * 1947 -

* 1950 - Ken Walker * 1956 -

Len Fitzgerald Len Fitzgerald (7 May 1929 – 17 April 2007) was an Australian rules footballer of exceptional talent in the Victorian Football League (VFL) and South Australian National Football League (SANFL). At various time he played in the key positions ...

* 1958 - Bob Hempel * 1960 - Les Reed * 1964 - Graeme Jonson * 1966 - John Waddington * 1970 - Vern Drake * 1980? -

Robin Close Robin Close (born 3 November 1949) is a former Australian rules footballer who played for Essendon in the VFL during the late 1960s and 1970s. A forward, Close could play the key positions but was used mainly as a half forward flanker. He d ...

* 1982 -

Len Halley Harold Leonard "Len" Halley (born 7 March 1951) is a former Australian rules footballer who played with Essendon in the Victorian Football League (VFL). Career Essendon Recruited from Healesville in 1966, Halley began in the Essendon under-19s ...

* 1984 - Wayne Primmer * 1988 -

Phil Carman Phillip Carman (born 4 September 1950 in Edenhope, Victoria) is a former Australian rules footballer who represented Norwood in the SANFL and , , and in the Victorian Football League (VFL) during the 1970s and 1980s. A flamboyant player who ...

* 1990 - Mark Perkins * 1993 - Andrew Dale * 2005 -

Anthony Stevens Anthony Stevens (born 2 July 1971) is a former Australian rules footballer who played for the North Melbourne Kangaroos. He was named as ruck rover in the club's official 'Team of the Century'. Stevens was a member of North Melbourne premiershi ...

* 2006 - Mark Porter * 2008 - Michael Stevens * 2011 -

Richard Ambrose Richard Ambrose (born 10 June 1972) is a former Australian rules footballer who played with the Sydney Swans in the Australian Football League (AFL). He also played for Port Adelaide in the South Australian National Football League (SANFL) ...

Life members

* 1927 - J Skelton (Life Patron) * 1933 - Thomas A Moore * 1948 - Jack Talochino * 1950 - Mrs. A W Roscoe * 1953 - Mr. A W Roscoe All other club life members can be viewed via the club's official website.

Club honourboard

;Senior Football * - * includes goals kicked in finals * - Ladder position is at the end of the home & away series of matches.

References

External links

Benalla FNC Facebook page

Early 1900s picture of Benalla Showgrounds

1920 - Benalla Yarrawonga Line FA Premiers: Benalla FC team photo

1928 - Benalla FC & Hume Weir FC team photos

1929 - Benalla Rovers FC team photo

1930 - Benalla FC & Yarrawonga FC team photos

1931 - Benalla DFL Premiers: Benalla Juniors FC team photo

1946 - Central Riding / Benalla & District WW2 Honor Roll

1946 - Benalla FC team photo

1947 - O&MFL Runner Up: Benalla FC

1950 - Benalla FC team photo

1953 - O&MFL Premiers: Benalla FC

1963 O&MFL Premiers: Benalla FC team photo

2015 - GVFNL Grand Final Preview

2015 - GVFNL Grand Final photo gallery
{{Ovens & murray football league Ovens & Murray Football League clubs Sports clubs established in 1896 Australian rules football clubs established in 1896 1896 establishments in Australia Goulburn Valley Football League clubs Netball teams in Victoria (Australia)