| River Murray Football League | |
| Sport: | Australian rules football |
| Teams: | 9 |
| Country: | Australia |
| Champion: | Coorong Cats |
| Most Champs: | Imperial Football Club (22 premierships) |
| Related Comps: | SANFL |
The River Murray Football League is an Australian rules football competition based in the Murray Bridge region of South Australia, Australia. It is an affiliated member of the South Australian National Football League.
The competition was founded in 1931 with the foundation clubs Imperials, Ramblers and Mypolonga.[1]
Traditionally the 2 Murray Bridge clubs, Imperials and Ramblers, have had a fierce rivalry, and both have had their fair share of success over the years. Tailem Bend and Jervois, who are both based in smaller townships, are proud clubs with fine traditions and premiership success to go with it. Mannum and Mypolonga both broke premiership droughts in recent decades, however both clubs have struggled in the last 15 years to convert multiple grand final appearances into premierships. Meningie broke through for their first premiership in the RMFL in 2001, however their form since has fluctuated dependent on their ability to recruit players from the Adelaide region.
In 2007 the Jervois Football Club won their fourth consecutive League Premiership when they defeated the Imperial Football Club for the second consecutive year. 2004 to 2007 was a golden era for the Jervois Football Club, but they were unable to win 5 in a row in 2008, with the Rambler Football Club winning their first premiership since 1987 after defeating Mypolonga.
Ramblers won their 2nd premiership in 3 years in 2010 with victory over Mannum.
In the clash of the Murray Bridge clubs in 2011, Imperials defeated reigning premiers Ramblers in the Grand Final at Meningie Oval. Mail Medalist Tyson Wait led the Blues to victory with a dominant performance in defence.
Very little separated the top 5 clubs in season 2012. In the Grand Final at Johnston Park, the fast finishing Ramblers side defied the odds to claim a 5-point victory in a high-scoring game against Minor premiers Mypolonga.
The Mannum Football Club broke the recent stranglehold of the 2 Murray Bridge clubs, in 2013, with victory over Imperials in the Grand Final. With retired SANFL stars Jeremy Clayton and Jade Sheedy featuring prominently, the Roos stormed home in the last quarter to collect their first flag since 2003.
A merger was announced between Meningie and Border Downs-Tintinara of the Mallee Football League at the end of the 2022 season, with the two clubs forming the Coorong Cats.[2] Two other merged entities, Mallee Districts and the Southern Mallee Suns would also join the league following the demise of the Mallee Football League.[3]
| Club | Jumper | Nickname | Home Ground | Former League | Est. | Years in RMFL | RMFL Senior Premierships | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | Years | ||||||||
| Coorong | Cats | Meningie Oval, Meningie; Coonalpyn Oval, Coonalpyn and Tintinara Oval, Tintinara | – | 2022 | 2023– | 1 | 2024 | ||
| Imperial | Blues | Johnstone Park, Murray Bridge | – | 1931 | 1931– | 22 | 1931, 1946, 1948, 1952, 1953, 1957, 1958, 1967, 1969, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1983, 1988, 1993, 1998, 1999, 2002, 2009, 2011, 2018, 2022 | ||
| Jervois | Bluds | Jervois Oval, Jervois | 1926 | 1931– | 20 | 1932, 1934, 1935, 1936, 1937, 1959, 1961, 1963, 1964, 1966, 1968, 1984, 1986, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2020, 2021, 2023 | |||
| Mallee Districts | Storm | Peake Oval, Peake and Karoonda Oval, Karoonda | – | 2022 | 2023– | 0 | - | ||
| Mannum | Roos | Mannum Oval, Mannum | , | 1927 | 1933–36, 1939–57, 1964– | 7 | 1944, 1949, 1955, 1956, 2003, 2013, 2015 | ||
| Mypolonga | Tigers | Mypolonga Memorial Oval, Mypolonga | 1928 | 1931– | 8 | 1938, 1939, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1994, 2017, 2019 | |||
| Ramblers | Roosters | LeMessurier Oval, Murray Bridge | – | 1931 | 1931– | 15 | 1933, 1950, 1951, 1971, 1975, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1985, 1987, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2016 | ||
| Southern Mallee | Suns | Lameroo Sport Grounds, Lameroo and Pinnaroo Oval, Pinnaroo | – | 2022 | 2023– | 0 | - | ||
| Tailem Bend | Eagles | Tailem Bend Football Club Oval, Tailem Bend | – | 1946 | 1946– | 14 | 1947, 1954, 1960, 1962, 1965, 1970, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1992, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2000 | ||
| Club | Jumper | Nickname | Home Ground | Former League | Est. | Years in RMFL | RMFL Senior Premierships | Fate | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | Years | |||||||||
| Border Downs | Magpies | Coonalpyn Oval, Coonalpyn and Yumali Oval, Yumali | – | 1955 | 1955–1991 | 0 | - | Merged with Tintinara in 1992 to form Border Downs-Tintinara | ||
| Border Downs-Tintinara | Crows | Coonalpyn Oval, Coonalpyn and Tintinara Oval, Tintinara | – | 1992 | 1993–2001 | 0 | - | Moved to Mallee FL in 2002 | ||
| Bremer | Navy blue and yellow | 1931 | 1940–1957 | 0 | - | Moved to Hills Central FA in 1958 | ||||
| Callington | Navy blue and white | Callington Oval, Callington | 1904 | 1937–1940 | 0 | - | Folded | |||
| Murray Bridge | – | 1944 | 1944-1945 | 0 | - | Split back into Imperials and Rambler after WWII | ||||
| Murray Bridge Redlegs | Redlegs | Murray Bridge Showgrounds, Murray Bridge | – | 1983 | 1983–2005 | 0 | - | Folded in 2006 | ||
| Nairne Bremer | Rams | Nairne Oval, Nairne | HFL | 1978 | 1992–1997 | 0 | - | Returned to Hills FL in 1998 | ||
| Monteith | Navy blue and red | 1914 | 1938–1947 | 0 | - | Folded | ||||
| Meningie | Bears | Meningie Oval, Meningie | 1898 | 1955–2022 | 2 | 2001, 2014 | Merged with Border Downs-Tintinara in 2023 to form Coorong Cats | |||
| Palmer | Collier Park, Palmer | 1891 | 1940–1953 | 0 | - | Left league | ||||
| Tailem Bend Warriors | Gold and black | 1934 | 1941–1945 | 0 | - | Folded in 1946 | ||||
From 1958 to 1969 and from 1972 to 1999, the River Murray FL participated in the Lovelock Shield against the Great Southern Football League, Southern Football League and Hills Football League.[4]
The Mail Medal was awarded to the best and fairest player of the year. Awarded from 1938-1940, and then 1949-2012. In 2013 the RMFL changed the name to the Murray Valley Standard Medal.
Awarded to the best on ground during the League Grand Final.
Imperials Martin Mattner, Chad Wingard, Jarrod Lienert, Brandon Zerk-Thatcher
Ramblers Brad Hartman
Meningie Brodie Martin
Border Downs Matthew Dent
| River Murray | Wins | Byes | Losses | Draws | For | Against | % | Pts | Final | Team | G | B | Pts | Team | G | B | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mannum | 13 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2129 | 903 | 70.22% | 26 | Elimination | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Ramblers | 13 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2384 | 1022 | 69.99% | 26 | Qualifying | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Imperials | 12 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 2282 | 1189 | 65.74% | 24 | 1st Semi | Imperials | 14 | 15 | 99 | Meningie | 8 | 11 | 59 | |
| Meningie | 9 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 1755 | 1290 | 57.64% | 18 | 2nd Semi | Ramblers | 13 | 12 | 90 | Mannum | 5 | 16 | 46 | |
| Mypolonga | 6 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 1458 | 2396 | 37.83% | 12 | Preliminary | Mannum | 15 | 11 | 101 | Imperials | 13 | 12 | 90 | |
| Jervois | 3 | 0 | 13 | 0 | 868 | 2162 | 28.65% | 6 | Grand | Ramblers | 13 | 10 | 88 | Mannum | 9 | 16 | 70 | |
| Tailem Bend | 0 | 0 | 16 | 0 | 791 | 2705 | 22.63% | 0 | ||||||||||
| River Murray | Wins | Byes | Losses | Draws | For | Against | % | Pts | Final | Team | G | B | Pts | Team | G | B | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ramblers | 14 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2107 | 1386 | 60.32% | 28 | Elimination | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Imperials | 10 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 1839 | 1378 | 57.17% | 21 | Qualifying | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Mannum | 9 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 1614 | 1456 | 52.57% | 19 | 1st Semi | Jervois | 16 | 11 | 107 | Mannum | 15 | 12 | 102 | |
| Jervois | 7 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 1567 | 1697 | 48.01% | 14 | 2nd Semi | Imperials | 15 | 16 | 106 | Ramblers | 14 | 8 | 92 | |
| Tailem Bend | 6 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 1835 | 1978 | 48.12% | 12 | Preliminary | Ramblers | 21 | 16 | 142 | Jervois | 10 | 9 | 69 | |
| Mypolonga | 6 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 1524 | 1935 | 44.06% | 12 | Grand | Imperials | 16 | 15 | 111 | Ramblers | 9 | 9 | 63 | |
| Meningie | 3 | 0 | 13 | 0 | 1351 | 2007 | 40.23% | 6 | ||||||||||
| River Murray | Wins | Byes | Losses | Draws | For | Against | % | Pts | Final | Team | G | B | Pts | Team | G | B | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mypolonga | 13 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1998 | 1275 | 61.04% | 26 | Elimination | Meningie | 16 | 18 | 114 | Mannum | 13 | 11 | 89 | |
| Imperials | 12 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1743 | 1174 | 59.75% | 24 | Qualifying | Imperials | 11 | 10 | 76 | Ramblers | 10 | 8 | 68 | |
| Ramblers | 11 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 1753 | 1426 | 55.14% | 23 | 1st Semi | Ramblers | 20 | 18 | 138 | Meningie | 17 | 7 | 109 | |
| Meningie | 9 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 1730 | 1667 | 50.93% | 18 | 2nd Semi | Mypolonga | 22 | 12 | 144 | Imperials | 15 | 11 | 101 | |
| Mannum | 7 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 1416 | 1379 | 50.66% | 14 | Preliminary | Ramblers | 15 | 9 | 99 | Imperials | 8 | 8 | 56 | |
| Jervois | 2 | 0 | 13 | 1 | 1332 | 2334 | 36.33% | 5 | Grand | Ramblers | 21 | 15 | 141 | Mypolonga | 21 | 10 | 136 | |
| Tailem Bend | 1 | 0 | 15 | 0 | 1209 | 1926 | 38.56% | 2 | ||||||||||
| River Murray | Wins | Byes | Losses | Draws | For | Against | % | Pts | Final | Team | G | B | Pts | Team | G | B | Pts | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Imperials | 13 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1910 | 1154 | 62.34% | 26 | Elimination | Meningie | 31 | 20 | 206 | Jervois | 11 | 9 | 75 | ||
| Ramblers | 11 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 1591 | 1101 | 59.10% | 22 | Qualifying | Mannum | 17 | 9 | 111 | Ramblers | 10 | 11 | 71 | ||
| Mannum | 10 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 1510 | 1249 | 54.73% | 20 | 1st Semi | Ramblers | 14 | 13 | 97 | Mypolonga | 12 | 17 | 89 | ||
| Mypolonga | 9 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 1680 | 1401 | 54.53% | 18 | 2nd Semi | Mannum | 16 | 12 | 108 | Imperials | 10 | 12 | 72 | ||
| Jervois | 8 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 1314 | 1613 | 44.89% | 16 | Preliminary | Imperials | 20 | 20 | 140 | Ramblers | 7 | 4 | 46 | ||
| Meningie | 3 | 0 | 13 | 0 | 1254 | 1705 | 42.38% | 6 | Grand | Mannum | 13 | 15 | 93 | Imperials | 10 | 10 | 70 | ||
| Tailem Bend | 2 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 1056 | 2092 | 33.55% | 4 | |||||||||||
| River Murray | Wins | Byes | Losses | Draws | For | Against | % | Pts | Final | Team | G | B | Pts | Team | G | B | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ramblers | 12 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1778 | 1051 | 62.85% | 24 | Elimination | Meningie | 12 | 14 | 86 | Imperials | 11 | 6 | 72 | |
| Meningie | 10 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 1765 | 1242 | 58.70% | 21 | Qualifying | Meningie | 12 | 12 | 84 | Mypolonga | 10 | 14 | 74 | |
| Mypolonga | 10 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 1686 | 1301 | 56.44% | 21 | 1st Semi | Mannum | 18 | 11 | 119 | Mypolonga | 14 | 8 | 92 | |
| Mannum | 10 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 1464 | 1218 | 54.59% | 20 | 2nd Semi | Meningie | 11 | 12 | 78 | Ramblers | 8 | 11 | 59 | |
| Imperials | 7 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 1525 | 1358 | 52.90% | 14 | Preliminary | Ramblers | 14 | 13 | 97 | Mannum | 12 | 12 | 84 | |
| Jervois | 3 | 0 | 13 | 0 | 1230 | 1888 | 39.45% | 6 | Grand | Meningie | 15 | 17 | 107 | Ramblers | 7 | 7 | 49 | |
| Tailem Bend | 3 | 0 | 13 | 0 | 1052 | 2442 | 30.11% | 6 | ||||||||||
| River Murray | Wins | Byes | Losses | Draws | For | Against | % | Pts | Final | Team | G | B | Pts | Team | G | B | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mannum | 14 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1721 | 875 | 66.29% | 28 | Elimination | Ramblers | 7 | 6 | 48 | Meningie | 4 | 9 | 33 | |
| Imperials | 13 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1482 | 1167 | 55.95% | 26 | Qualifying | Imperials | 13 | 6 | 84 | Mypolonga | 9 | 6 | 60 | |
| Mypolonga | 11 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 1432 | 1154 | 55.38% | 22 | 1st Semi | Mypolonga | 12 | 3 | 75 | Ramblers | 6 | 8 | 44 | |
| Meningie | 9 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 1524 | 1225 | 55.44% | 18 | 2nd Semi | Mannum | 15 | 13 | 103 | Imperials | 9 | 18 | 72 | |
| Ramblers | 6 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 1313 | 1396 | 48.47% | 12 | Preliminary | Imperials | 8 | 2 | 50 | Mypolonga | 5 | 7 | 37 | |
| Jervois | 2 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 1084 | 1773 | 37.94% | 4 | Grand | Mannum | 19 | 5 | 119 | Imperials | 11 | 5 | 71 | |
| Tailem Bend | 1 | 0 | 15 | 0 | 1063 | 2029 | 34.38% | 2 | ||||||||||