Who claimed all the flags? These are the 10 most successful country clubs across South Australia
From the Mallee Football League to Whyalla, there have been plenty of flags up for grabs. But who was the most successful?
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The 2010s have come to an end and it has been a decade of dominance for some of South Australia’s country clubs.
Some teams have played in every grand final, while others claimed nearly half the premierships on offer.
Here are the 10 most successful clubs from the decade.
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BORDER DOWNS TINTINARA
League: Mallee Football League
Honour Roll: 8 Premierships (2010-14, 2016, 2018-19); 1 Runner-Up (2015)
The Crows have missed just one grand final this decade and have dominated the Mallee Football League.
Their most recent success was this year, as they overcame a 21-point halftime deficit to defeat minor premier Pinnaroo by nine points in the grand final.
KIMBA DISTRICTS
League: Eastern Eyre Football League
Honour Roll: 6 Premierships (2010-11, 2014, 2016, 2018-19); 4 Runner-Up (2012-13, 2015, 2017)
While the Tigers only have to compete against three other clubs in the EEFL, it’s still a remarkable achievement to have played in every grand final this decade.
This year’s success was dominant, thrashing Eastern Ranges in the grand final by 51 points, and star goal-kicker Joel Fitzgerald snagging 97 goals in just 10 games.
WEST WHYALLA
League: Whyalla Football League
Honour Roll: 6 Premierships (2012-13, 2016-19); 3 Runner-Up (2011, 2014-15)
The Dragons have been involved in every grand final since 2011, and celebrated a four-peat this year.
The last time they achieved that was in the early 1970s, when they won five flags in a row.
This year’s flag win was comfortable, as it defeated Central Whyalla by 49 points in the grand final.
ROXBY DISTRICTS
League: Far North Football League
Honour Roll: 6 Premierships (2010, 2013-17); 2 Runner-Up (2012, 2018)
The Miners were the dominant force in the FNFL during the mid-2010s, yet haven’t won a flag since 2017.
They obliterated Hornridge in that grand final by 83 points, but fell short in 2018 and lost in the preliminary final this year.
UNITED YEELANNA
League: Great Flinders Football League
Honour Roll: 6 Premierships (2012, 2014-16, 2018-19); 1 Runner-Up (2017)
Since its defeat in the 2017 GFFL grand final, United Yeelanna hasn’t lost a game, winning 30 games in a row.
Its premiership win was easy, as it thrashed Ramblers by 62 points.
WEST COAST HAWKS
League: Mid West Football League
Honour Roll: 5 Premierships (2010-11, 2013-14, 2019); 5 Runner-Up (2012, 2015-18)
After early dominance, the Hawks eventually became the bridesmaids during the late 2010s before getting the monkey off the back this year.
10 grand finals for the decade is an impressive result, but the 50 per cent hit rate sure does hurt.
Yet, this year was scary, as the Hawks won the A-grade, B-grade and the colts premierships.
This year’s grand final was remarkable, as they thrashed Wudinna United by 103 points.
NORTH GAMBIER
League: Western Border Football League
Honour Roll: 5 Premierships (2012-14, 2016, 2019); 3 Runner-Up (2011, 2015, 2017)
The Tigers have participated in eight grand finals this decade, and have won more than half of them in a terrific outing.
The most recent coming against West Gambier, which they defeated by 39 points in the grand final.
CRYSTAL BROOK
League: Northern Areas Football Association
Honour Roll: 5 Premierships (2011-12, 2015, 2017-18); 3 Runner-Up (2014, 2016, 2019)
The Roosters have missed just one grand final since 2011 and have been the force in the NAFA.
It could be argued they’re unlucky to not have more, considering the talent they’ve had at their disposal.
Campbell and Will Combe have been incredible for them, and were especially in their last flag win, a 33-point win over Orroroo.
KOONIBBA
League: Far West Football League
Honour Roll: 5 Premierships (2010-12, 2014, 2017); 3 Runner-Up (2013, 2015, 2018)
Every club in the FWFL won a flag this decade, but Koonibba won five of them.
The Roosters’ last flag came in 2017, when they defeated Western United by 21 points.
It could’ve been six had they not been bundled out by Blues in the preliminary final.
MOUNT BURR
League: Mid South East Football League
Honour Roll: 5 Premierships (2010-11, 2015-17); 2 Runner-Up (2012, 2018)
The Mozzies had two eras of dominance, the early and the late 2010s.
They appeared in seven grand finals across the decade, and their most recent was a shock, coming from third to defeat Hatherleigh.
After a grand final berth in 2018, the Mozzies fell down to fifth in 2019.
BEST OF THE REST - YOUR LEAGUE’S SUCCESS STORIES
Western Border Football League - North Gambier (see above), West Gambier (2010-11), South Gambier (2015), East Gambier (2017), Millicent (2015).
Mid South East Football League - Mount Burr (see above), Kalangadoo (2014, 2019), Port MacDonnell (2012), Hatherleigh (2013), Robe (2019).
Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara Football League - Mundulla (2018-19), Padthaway (2014-16), Penola (2013, 2016), Lucindale (2011, 2017), Naracoorte (2010), Bordertown (2012).
Mallee Football League - Border Downs Tintinara (see above), Lameroo (2015), Peake & Districts (2017).
Riverland Football League - Waikerie (2014, 2016-18), Loxton North (2011, 2013, 2015), Berri (2010), Barmera Monash (2012), Renmark (2019).
Barossa, Light & Gawler Football Association - Barossa District (2012-13, 2016-17), Tanunda (2010-11, 2019), Nuriootpa (2015, 2018), Gawler Central (2014).
Adelaide Plains Football League - Mallala (2010, 2013, 2016), Two Wells (2012, 2017-18), Balaklava (2011), Hamley Bridge (2014), Virginia (2015), Hummocks-Watchman (2019).
North Eastern Football League - RSMU (2014-16), Blyth-Snowtown (2010, 2013, 2019), BSR (2017-18), BBH (2011), Mintaro-Manoora (2012).
Northern Areas Football Association - Crystal Brook (see above), Southern Flinders (2010, 2013), Broughton Mundoora (2016, 2019), Jamestown-Peterborough (2014).
Spencer Gulf Football League - South Augusta (2012, 2016-19), Central Augusta (2010-11), West Augusta (2013), Solomontown (2014), Prop Risdon Lions (2015).
Whyalla Football League - West Whyalla (see above), North Whyalla (2011, 2014-15), Roopena (2010).
Eastern Eyre Football League - Kimba Districts (see above), Eastern Ranges (2012-13, 2015), Ports (2017).
Port Lincoln Football League - Tasman (2012-14, 2018-19), Mallee Park (2010-11, 2015-16), Wayback (2017).
Great Flinders Football League - United Yeelanna (see above), Ramblers (2010-11, 2013, 2017).
Mid West Football League - West Coast Hawks (see above), Central Eyre (2015-17), Elliston (2012, 2018).
Far West Football League - Koonibba (see above), Thevenard (2013, 2015), Western United (2018-19), Blues (2016).
Southern Football League - Flagstaff Hill (2016-19), Reynella (2010, 2013, 2015), Brighton Districts (2011), Happy Valley (2012), Noarlunga (2014).
Great Southern Football League - Langhorne Creek (2011-12, 2018-19), Strathalbyn (2010, 2014), Encounter Bay (2013, 2015), Mount Compass (2016-17).
Kangaroo Island Football League - Parndana (2010-13), Dudley United (2014-16), Western Districts (2017, 2019), Kingscote (2018).
River Murray Football League - Rambler (2010, 2012, 2016), Imperial (2011, 2018), Mannum (2013, 2015), Mypolonga (2017, 2019), Meningie (2014).
Hills Football League - Hahndorf (2015-16, 2018-19), Uraidla Districts (2010-11, 2013), Mount Barker (2012), Echunga (2014), Blackwood (2017).
Far North Football League - Roxby Districts (see above), Hornridge (2012, 2018-19), Olympic Dam (2011).
Yorke Peninsula Football League - Kadina (2010-11, 2017), CMS Crows (2012-13), Paskeville (2014-15), Moonta (2016, 2018), Southern Eagles (2019).