Southern Metropolitan Football League

The Southern Metropolitan Football League (SMFL) was an Australian rules football competition based in the southern suburbs of Adelaide, South Australia until it folded at the end of the 1986 season. It first formed in 1912 as the Sturt Football Association, and during its history was also known as the Mid-Southern Football Association (1920-1930), Glenelg District Football Association (1931–1949), Glenelg-South-West District Football Association (1950–1966) and Glenelg-South Adelaide Football Association (1967–1983), before finally being named Southern Metropolitan Football League (1984–1986).

The association first affiliated with the South Australian Football League in 1921. In 1927, the association made a special request to the SAFL for financial assistance.

Final Clubs

Club Colours Nickname Home Ground Former league Est. Years in SMFL SMFL Senior Premierships Fate
Total Most recent
Blackwood
Woods Blackwood Hill Reserve, Blackwood AMFL 1912 1912-1915, 1919-1941, 1944-1948, 1953-1986

7

 1980 Played in Adelaide Metropolitan FL between 1949-52. Joined Hills FL in 1987
Brighton (Brighton and Seacliff 1938-56)
(1912-57)
(1969-70)
(1971-90)		 Tigers Brighton Oval, Brighton SAAFL 1885 1912-1913, 1919-1941, 1946-1957, 1969-1986

13

 1986 Played in SAAFL between 1958-68. Joined South Australian FA in 1987
Camden (Novar Gardens 1929-31)
(1929-48)
(1949)
(1950-69)
(1970-86)		 Camden Oval, Novar Gardens – 1929 1929-1986

6

 1976 Merged with Greek to form Greek Camden in South Australian Amateur FL in 1987
Marion (Sturt 1920-56)
Rams Marion Oval, Marion – 1891 1912-1915, 1920-1941, 1946-1986

7

 1967 Joined Southern FL in 1987
Mitchell Park
Lions Mitchell Park Oval, Mitchell Park – 1969 1969-1985

3

 1984 Joined South Australian FA in 1987
Morphettville Park
Roos Kellett Reserve Oval, Morphettville – 1958 1959-1986

1

 1963 Joined Southern FL in 1987
Ovingham
Cats Cane Reserve, Prospect SAAFL 1906 1986

0

 - Joined Central District FA in 1987
Plympton
Bulldogs Plympton Oval, Plympton Park – 1937 1937-1986

7

 1985 Joined Southern FL in 1987

Former Clubs

Club Colours Nickname Home Ground Former league Est. Years in SMFL SMFL Senior Premierships Fate
Total Most recent
Adelaide Lutheran
(1980-82)
(1983-84)		 Bulldogs Daws Road High School, Pasadena ASFL 1969 1980-1984

0

 - Moved to South Australian Amateur FL in 1985
Albert Sports
Druids Challa Gardens Primary School, Kilkenny ASFL 1930s 1979-1981

0

 - Moved to South Australian Amateur FL in 1982
ANZ Bank
Roos Park 21 (Mirnu Wirra), Adelaide NADFA 1958 1960-1980

2

 1971 Moved to South Australian Amateur FL in 1981
Bank of Adelaide
Bankers Mortlock Park, Colonel Light Gardens SAAFL 1970 1971-1976

0

 - Folded in 1977
Black Forest
Foresters Weigall Oval, North Plympton – 1910s 1919-1927, 1931-1933

1

 1933 Moved to South Australian Amateur FL in 1934
Bridgewater    Bridgewater Oval, Bridgewater 1915

0

 - Moved to Hills FA in 1916
Brompton
Sam Johnson Sportsground, Renown Park SAAFL 1945 1981-1982

0

 - Merged with Albert Sports to form Renown Park in South Australian Amateur FL in 1983
Brunswick
Park 21 (Mirnu Wirra), Adelaide NADFA 1952-1953

0

 - Folded
Clarendon    Clarendon Oval, Clarendon AFA 1905 1925, 1929

0

 - 1930-33 unknown. Joined Southern FA in 1935
College Park 1950-1951

1

 1951 Folded
Colonel Light Gardens
(1944-45)
(1976-81)
(1982-85)		 Lions Mortlock Park, Colonel Light Gardens SAAFL 1931 1944-1945, 1976-1985

1

 1983 Played in SAAFL between 1946-75. Merged with Kenilworth to form Kenilworth Colonel Light in South Australian Amateur FL in 1986
Edwardstown
Towns Edwardstown Oval, South Plympton ASFL 1919 1920, 1925-1933, 1936-1977

15

 1977 1920-25 unknown. Played in Adelaide Suburban FA in 1934-45. Formed South Australian FA in 1978
Flagstaff Hill (Brighton Tigers 1978)
(1978)
(1979-84)		 Bushpigs Flagstaff Oval, Flagstaff Hill UCFA 1963 1978-1984

0

 - Moved to Southern FL in 1985
Glandore
Eagles Glandore Oval, Glandore – 1958 1958-1984

3

 1965 Moved to South Australian Amateur FL in 1985
Glenelg Imperial 1912-1915, 1923-1930, 1942-1946

0

 - Folded
Glenelg Junior 1933-1934, 1936

1

 1930 Folded
Glenelg Rovers 1931-1932

0

 - Folded
Glenelg Sailing Club (B-Grade only) 1928-1929

0

 - Folded
Glenelg United 1929

0

 - Folded
Glenelg YMCA 1946

0

 - Folded
Goodwood
(1925-30)
(1979-84)		 Tigers Goodwood Oval, Millswood SAAFL 1920s 1925-1930, 1979-1984

2

 1930 Moved to SAAFL in 1931. Merged with St Raphael's to form Goodwood Saints in South Australian Amateur FL in 1985
Happy Valley
Vikings Happy Valley Oval, Aberfoyle Park HCFA 1952 1964-1979

2

 1974 Moved to Southern FL in 1980
Happy Valley (1) 1924 0 - ?
Immanuel OS
Double Blues Immanuel College, Novar Gardens UCFA 1977 1978-1979

0

 - Moved to South Australian Amateur FL in 1980
Kelvinator
Weigall Oval, North Plympton SAAFL 1943 1950, 1953-1961

1

 1950 Played in Adelaide Metropolitan FL in 1951-52, returned there in 1962
Lockleys
Demons Lockleys Oval, Lockleys WTDFA 1951 1960-1985

3

 1982 Moved to South Australian Amateur FL in 1986
Mitcham
(1912-13)
(1914-24)
(1976-84)		 Hawks Price Memorial Oval, Hawthorn NADFA, SAAFL 1908 1912-1915, 1922-1924, 1976-1984

5

 1984 Moved to Patriotic FL in 1918. Entered recess in 1925, re-formed in Sturt District FA in 1947. Returned to South Australian Amateur FL in 1985
Mitcham Park 1915

0

 - Folded
Mortlock Park Mortlock Park, Colonel Light Gardens – 1927 1927-1930

2

 1929 Merged with Colonel Light Western to form Colonel Light Gardens in 1931
North Brighton-Somerton
Brighton Secondary College, North Brighton – 1950 1950-1951

0

 - Moved to South Australian Amateur FL in 1952
Norwood Union
Brookway Park, Campbelltown SAFA 1902 1979-1982

0

 - Moved to South Australian Amateur FL in 1983
Plympton (1) – 1921 1921-1927 0 - Folded after 1927 season
Port Noarlunga    Port Noarlunga Community Sports Complex, Port Noarlunga South – 1935 1935-1937

0

 - In recess between 1938-46. Re-formed in Southern FA in 1947
Public Service 1948

0

 - Folded
Reynella
Wineflies Reynella Oval, Old Reynella – 1919 1920-1927, 1930-1947

0

 - Returned to Southern FL in 1948
Richmond and Keswick United
Corner Bickford Street & Marion Road, Richmond 1928-1930

1

 1928 Folded
Salesian
Violet Crumbles Salesian College, Brooklyn Park SAAFL 1969 1980-1984

0

 - Returned to South Australian Amateur FL in 1985
Seacliff
John Mathwin Reserve, Seacliff – 1931 1931-1935

0

 - In recess 1936-37. Merged with Brighton to form Brighton and Seacliff in 1938
Semaphore Seasiders Seasiders 1915

0

 - Folded
South Adelaide Ramblers (South Adelaide C 1953-55)
Ramblers, Panthers Blue Gum Park, Adelaide SDFA 1910s 1950-1957, 1968

0

 - Returned to Sturt District FA in 1958. Moved to Norwood-North FA in 1969
St Leonards
Wigley Reserve, Glenelg North 1930-1963

2

 1935 Folded
St Leonards Colts 1935-1938

1

 1935 Folded
St Peters 1929

0

 - Folded
South Road Estate (B-Grade only) St Marys Park, St Marys 1929

0

 - Folded
Sturt-Brighton Sturt Oval, Marion, Brighton Oval, Brighton 1942-1945

2

 1945 De-merged back into Sturt and Brighton in 1946
Sturt Centrals 1916

1

 1916 Folded
Sturt CAE
Teachers Sturt College of Advanced Education, Bedford Park SAAFL 1972 1981

0

 - Absorbed by Flinders University in 1982
Sturt Imperial 1915

0

 - Folded
Sturt Ramblers 1912-1915

2

 1915 Folded
Torrens CAE
Gladys Elphick Park (Park 25), Adelaide SAAFL 1962 1975-1978

0

 - Folded in 1979
Torrensville United 1962-1978

0

 - Absorbed by Lockleys in 1979
Underdale United    West Park, Adelaide WTDFA 1919 1927

0

 - Moved to South Australian Amateur FL in 1928
West Suburban 1930

0

 - Folded
Wingfield Royals
Royals, Wolves, Wingies Eastern Parade Reserve, Ottoway ASFL 1954 1979-1981

0

 - Moved to South Australian Amateur FL in 1982
Woodville South (Kilkenny United 1962-70)
(1962-64)
(1965-78)		 Cats Ledger Reserve, Woodville South WDFA 1890 1962-1978

2

 1976 Moved to South Australian Amateur FL in 1979

Premierships

Sturt Football Association

YearA-Grade
1912Mitcham Undefeated
1913Sturt Ramblers
1914Mitcham
1915Sturt Ramblers
1916Sturt Centrals
1917In recess (World War I)
1918In recess (World War I)
1919Brighton

Mid-Southern Football Association

YearA-GradeB-Grade
1920Brighton
1921Sturt
1922Mitcham
1923Brighton
1924BrightonBrighton B
1925BrightonGoodwood B
1926SturtGoodwood B
1927Mortlock ParkMortlock Park B
1928GoodwoodRichmond and Keswick United
1929Mortlock Park
1930GoodwoodGlenelg Juniors

Glenelg District Football Association

YearA-GradeB-Grade
1931Sturt
1932EdwardstownEdwardstown B
1933Black ForestSt Leonards B
1934St Leonards Undefeated
1935St LeonardsSt Leonards Colts
1936BrightonReynella
1937Camden
1938Blackwood
1939Edwardstown
1940Edwardstown
1941Edwardstown
1942Edwardstown
1943Edwardstown
1944Sturt-Brighton
1945Sturt-Brighton
1946Edwardstown
1947Brighton and Seacliff
1948Edwardstown
1949EdwardstownPlympton B

Glenelg-South-West District Football Association

YearA1A2A3
1950PlymptonKelvinator
1951SturtCollege Park
1952EdwardstownEdwardstown
1953Blackwood
1954Blackwood
1955Blackwood
1956Plympton
1957BrightonMarion
1958Marion
1959Camden
1960Edwardstown
1961Glandore
1962Edwardstown
1963GlandoreMorphettville Park
1964Plympton
1965GlandoreLockleys
1966EdwardstownKilkenny UnitedMorphettville Park

Glenelg-South Adelaide Football Association

YearA1A2A3A4A5
1967PlymptonMarion Undefeated
1968Glenelg TigersTorrensville United
1969BlackwoodMorphettville ParkEdwardstown
1970BrightonMitchell ParkHappy ValleyEdwardstown
1971ANZ BankANZ BankPlympton Edwardstown
1972CamdenCamdenMorphettville ParkEdwardstown
1973EdwardstownANZ BankBank of NSWBrighton Morphettville Park
1974CamdenLockleysHappy ValleyCamdenEdwardstown
1975CamdenEdwardstownEdwardstown
1976CamdenBlackwoodWoodville South UndefeatedMorphettville Park
1977EdwardstownMitchamMorphettville Park
1978BrightonGoodwoodLockleys
1979Plympton
1980BlackwoodMitchell Park Undefeated Morphettville Park
1981PlymptonMorphettville Park
1982BrightonLockleys
1983BrightonColonel Light GardensMarion Undefeated

Southern Metropolitan Football League

YearA1A2A3
1984Mitchell ParkMitchamMitchell Park
1985PlymptonMitchell ParkMitchell Park
1986BrightonColonel Light Gardens

H.S. Rugless Medallists

The H.S. Rugless Medal was awarded to the player adjudged the Fairest and Most Brilliant in the competition. During the Sturt Football Association years (1912–19) it was known as the Thomas Medal.

Thomas Medal

H.S. Rugless Medal (A1)

J.C. Morrow Medal (A2)

In 1936 the Morrow Medal was established for the fairest and most brilliant player in the then B-Grade competition.

Division 2 A-Grade Medal

Division 2 B-Grade Medal

References

  1. ↑ "SA Memory - Glenelg District Football Association". State Library of South Australia. Retrieved 3 October 2013.
  2. ↑ "Sturt Association". The Register (Adelaide). 30 March 1912. Retrieved 5 October 2013.
  3. 1 2 "Mid-Southern Football Association (SA)". Footypedia. Archived from the original on 10 September 2003. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
  4. ↑ "Glenelg District Football League / Glenelg District Football Association (SA)". Footypedia. Archived from the original on 20 November 2008. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
  5. 1 2 "Glenelg South West Football League (SA)". Footypedia. Archived from the original on 20 November 2008. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
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  10. ↑ Bloch, Fred. "SAAFL History – 1958". South Australian Amateur Football League. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
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  12. ↑ Bloch, Fred. "SAAFL History – 1987". South Australian Amateur Football League. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
  13. 1 2 3 4 5 Bloch, Fred. "SAAFL History – 1985". South Australian Amateur Football League. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
  14. 1 2 Bloch, Fred. "SAAFL History – 1982". South Australian Amateur Football League. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
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