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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]
| Jumper | Club | Nickname | Years in comp | RMFL Premierships | Premiership Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Coorong | Cats | 2023– | 0 | - |
 | Imperial | Blues | 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 | 1932– | 20 | 1932, 1934, 1935, 1936, 1937, 1959, 1961, 1963, 1964, 1966, 1968, 1984, 1986, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2020, 2021, 2023 |
 | Mallee Districts | Storm | 2023– | 0 | - |
| Mannum | Roos | 1933–36, 1939–57, 1964– | 7 | 1944, 1949, 1955, 1956, 2003, 2013, 2015 | |
 | Mypolonga | Tigers | 1931– | 8 | 1938, 1939, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1994, 2017, 2019 |
 | Ramblers | Roosters | 1931– | 15 | 1933, 1950, 1951, 1971, 1975, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1985, 1987, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2016 |
 | Southern Mallee | Suns | 2023– | 0 | - |
 | Tailem Bend | Eagles | 1946– | 14 | 1947, 1954, 1960, 1962, 1965, 1970, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1992, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2000 |
| Jumper | Club | Nickname | Years in comp | RMFL Premierships | Premiership Years | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Border Downs | Magpies | 1955–1991 | - | - | Merged with Tintinara in 1992 to form Border Downs-Tintinara |
 | Murray Bridge Redlegs | Redlegs | 1983–2005 | - | - | Folded in 2006 |
 | Border Downs-Tintinara | Crows | 1992–2001 | - | - | Moved to Mallee Football League in 2002 |
 | Nairne Bremer | Rams | 1992–1997 | - | - | Moved back to Hills Football League in 1998 |
| Monteith | 1946–1951 | - | - | |||
 | Meningie | Bears | 1955–2022 | 2 | 2001, 2014 | Merged with Border Downs-Tintinara in 2023 to form Coorong Cats |
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 | ||||||||||
Tailem Bend is a rural town in South Australia, 85 kilometres south-east of the state capital of Adelaide. It is located on the lower reaches of the River Murray, near where the river flows into Lake Alexandrina. It is linear in layout since it is constrained by river cliffs on its western side and the Adelaide–Melbourne railway line is dominant on its eastern side. The town grew and consolidated through being a large railway centre between the 1890s and 1990s; now it continues to service regional rural communities. In the 2021 census, Tailem Bend and the surrounding area had a population of 1,705.
Mallee Highway is a highway in south-eastern South Australia and north-western Victoria, running mostly across the Mallee plains. It forms part of the shortest route between Adelaide and Sydney.
Murray Bridge is a city in the Australian state of South Australia, located 78 kilometres (48 mi) east-southeast of the state's capital city, Adelaide, and 77 kilometres (48 mi) north of the town of Meningie.
The Mid Murray Council is a local government area in South Australia in the Murray and Mallee region of South Australia. The council spans the area from the Riverland through the Murraylands to the eastern slopes of the Mount Lofty Ranges. It includes 220 km of the Murray River. The council seat is at Mannum; it also maintains secondary offices at Cambrai and Morgan.
The Rural City of Murray Bridge is a local government area of South Australia, centred on the regional city of Murray Bridge and stretching south to Lake Alexandrina.
Coonalpyn is a town and a locality in the Australian state of South Australia located about 143 kilometres (89 mi) south-east of the state capital of Adelaide and about 61 kilometres (38 mi) south-east of the municipal seat in Tailem Bend. It is situated in the local government area of the Coorong District Council and is in the State electoratal district of MacKillop and the Federal division of Barker.
Meningie is a town on the south-east side of Lake Albert in South Australia. It is on the Princes Highway near The Coorong and was surveyed in 1866. At the 2016 census, the locality of Meningie had a population of 1118 with a median age of 51 while its town centre had a population of 852.
The Mallee Football League (MFL) was an Australian rules football competition in South Australia. The league comprised teams located in south eastern South Australia and one team (Murrayville) located in western Victoria.
Coorong District Council is a local government area in South Australia located between the River Murray and the Limestone Coast region. The district covers mostly rural areas with small townships, as well as part of the Coorong National Park.
The Murraylands is a geographical region of the Australian state of South Australia (SA); its name reflects that of the river running through it. Lying due east of South Australia's capital city, Adelaide, it extends from the eastern slopes of the Mount Lofty Ranges to the border with the state of Victoria, a distance of about 180 kilometres. The north-to-south distance is about 130 kilometres. The region's economy is centred on agriculture, and tourism, especially along its 200-kilometre (120-mile) frontage of the River Murray.
Allan McFarlane was a Scottish pastoralist and parliamentarian in The Murray and then Mount Barker districts of the Colony of South Australia.
Albert was an electoral district of the House of Assembly in South Australia, spanning its time as both a colony and a state. It was created in 1875, taking much territory from adjacent Victoria, merged with Victoria in 1902 as Victoria and Albert, separated again in 1915, and abolished in 1970.
The Pinnaroo railway line ran east from the Adelaide to Melbourne line at Tailem Bend to Pinnaroo near the South Australia / Victoria state border. The route continues into Victoria via the Victorian Railways line to Ouyen where it joined the Mildura line.
The Loxton railway line is a closed railway line in the northern Murray Mallee region of South Australia. It ran north-east from Tailem Bend to grain silos near Loxton.
The Bend Motorsport Park, currently known as Shell V-Power Motorsport Park for naming rights reasons, is a 7.770 km (4.828 mi) bitumen motor racing circuit at Tailem Bend, South Australia, Australia, about 100 km (62 mi) south-east of the state capital, Adelaide.
The County of Russell is one of the 49 cadastral counties in South Australia. It was proclaimed in 1842 by Governor George Grey and named for Lord John Russell, who was involved in the early development of the (British) South Australian colony when he was Secretary of State for War and the Colonies. It covers a portion of the state bounded to the west by the eastern half of Lake Alexandrina and the section of the Murray River extending to Bowhill in the north and bounded to the south by the coastline adjoining the Coorong coastal lagoon and fully surrounds Lake Albert which is excluded from its extent. This includes the north western quarter of the contemporary local government area of Coorong District Council.
The Rambler Football Club, nicknamed the Roosters, is an Australian rules football club that plays in the River Murray Football League and is one of two teams based in Murray Bridge, South Australia, the other being the Imperial Football Club.