The AFL Wide Bay is an amateur Australian rules football competition that was formerly known as the "Bundaberg-Wide Bay Australian Football League", which was formed in 1987 through the merger of the "Bundaberg Australian Football League" and "Wide Bay Australian Football League". The competition currently featured teams from the cities of Bundaberg, Maryborough and Hervey Bay.

AFL Wide Bay
Most recent season or competition:
2020
FormerlyBundaberg Wide Bay AFL
SportAustralian rules football
Founded1987
No. of teams4
CountryAustralia
Most recent
champion(s)
Across The Waves Bundaberg Eagles
(2020)
Most titlesHervey Bay Bombers (15)
Official websiteAFL Wide Bay

Teams from Gympie and Pomona played in this competition up until 2006, before changing leagues. The representative team was known as the "Tigers", wearing guernseys similar to those of the Richmond Tigers.

The competition was merged into the South East Queensland structure for the 2017 season.It resumed under the banner of AFL Wide Bay once again in 2018. In 2021 it was managed by AFL Queensland.

AFL Wide Bay origins: the merger edit

In 1985, the WBAFL played a five team competition which included teams from Hervey Bay (2), Cooloola Coast and Gympie (2), with Maryborough fielding junior grades. The BAFL played a four team competition which included the three main clubs, Wests, Norths, and Souths (2) with Burnett Heads fielding Reserves and juniors only.

In 1986, the WBAFL played a four team competition, but finished the season with just two clubs, Hervey Bay and Gympie, who fielded just one senior club each that year. Maryborough and Cooloola Coast folded. The BAFL had only three senior teams, Wests, Norths and Souths (with Souths fielding just one A Grade team that year only), and so with backing of the Queensland Australian Football League, the two Leagues merged.

In 1987, the Bundaberg Wide Bay Australian Football League was formed with the five remaining senior clubs, Hervey Bay, Gympie, Norths, Wests and Souths, and the addition of Burnett Heads for a few senior games, before being relegated to the Reserves after five rounds.

In 1988, Maryborough joined the competition to resume a six team competition.

A Grade Senior Premiers edit

[1]

Years in recess: 2003 and 2017 summary edit

In 2003, four out of the eight clubs that played in a Brisbane League Division Three, were from AFL Bundaberg Wide Bay. They were Hervey Bay Bombers, Maryborough Bears, Across The Waves Bundaberg, and Brothers Bulldogs from Bundaberg. Gympie Cats and Pomona Demons had also previously played in the Wide Bay League. It was a competition which lasted only one season before the above mentioned six clubs, with the addition of new club, Bay Power, resulted in a revamped seven club League reforming the AFL Bundaberg Wide Bay competition the following year.

Hervey Bay Bombers won the Division Three Flag in 2003 beating ATW Bundaberg Eagles, with Maryborough Bears finishing third. The other two clubs in the competition were Bribie Island Bulldogs and Glasshouse Lions.

In 2017, a very similar set up to the 2003 Season took place. Hervey Bay Bombers, Across The Waves Bundaberg, Brothers Bulldogs and Bay Power, joined Sunshine Coast clubs, Maroochydore Roos, Gympie Cats and Pomona Demons, to form QFA Wide Bay-Sunshine Coast for just one season. Maroochydore Roos defeated Brothers Bulldogs in the Grand Final, played at Gympie. The AFL Wide Bay Reserves and Youth/Junior Grades continued under the banner of AFL Wide Bay. Gympie returned to play in the AFL Wide Bay competition in 2018, before leaving the competition once again.

Clubs edit

ColoursClubMonikerHome groundYears in competitionNo. of PremiershipsPremiership yearsNotes
Bay PowerPowerKeith Dunne Oval.
Walker Road, Urangan
2004–12019
BrothersBulldogsBrothers Sporting Complex. Faircloth Crescent, Kensington1987–*31987, 1995, 2010Known as West Bundaberg Bulldogs from 1987 until 1996
Hervey BayBombersN. E. Mclean Oval. Raward Rd, Wondunna1987–181988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1996, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2012, 2013, 2021, 2022, 2023
The WavesEaglesFrank Coulthard Oval. Clayton Rd, Norville1997–*111997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2006, 2008, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2020Also known as Across the Waves Bundaberg Eagles
Reserve Grade Only
MaryboroughBearsAFL Federation Reserve, Cardigan Street, Maryborough1988, 1990–1991, 1993–1999, 2001–2012, 2018
2015-2017, 2019-2021 reserve grade only
Moniker was Tigers 1988–1994
PomonaDemonsPomona Oval, Pomona Connection Road, Pomona1993-1996, 2004-2006, 2024-
  • Formed from the merger of North Bundaberg Kangaroos and South Bundaberg/ATW Magpies

Former Senior Teams edit

ClubMonikerYears in competitionNo. of PremiershipsPremiership yearsNotes
Fraser CoastLions1992-2000
(known as Fraser Coast Magpies 1997-2000)
11993
GympieCats1987-1989, 1993-1999, 2004–2006, 201812018
North BundabergKangaroos1987-1996-Merged with South Bundaberg to become Across The Waves (ATW) Eagles
South BundabergMagpies1987-1996Merged with North Bundaberg to become Across The Waves (ATW) Eagles

2009 AFL Wide Bay Ladder and Finals Results edit

AFL Wide BayWinsByesLossesDrawsForAgainst%PtsFinalTeamGBPtsTeamGBPts
Brothers Bulldogs154101611803200.62%761st SemiAcross The Waves13886Bay Power9963
Hervey Bay Bombers947015381140134.91%522nd SemiBrothers Bulldogs14791Hervey Bay Bombers121890
Across The Waves847115761038151.83%50PreliminaryHervey Bay Bombers2016136Across The Waves6642
Bay Power748114201308108.56%46GrandHervey Bay Bombers1512102Brothers Bulldogs10767
Maryborough04160390224617.36%16

2010 AFL Wide Bay Ladder and Finals Results edit

AFL Wide BayWinsByesLossesDrawsForAgainst%PtsFinalTeamGBPtsTeamGBPts
Across The Waves150101809722250.55%601st SemiBrothers Bulldogs3019199Bay Power2214
Hervey Bay Bombers120401750754232.10%482nd SemiAcross The Waves15797Hervey Bay Bombers111076
Brothers Bulldogs907017461133154.10%36PreliminaryBrothers Bulldogs1711113Hervey Bay Bombers121385
Bay Power20140840180146.64%8GrandBrothers Bulldogs10868Across The Waves71658
Maryborough20140546228123.94%8

2011 AFL Wide Bay Ladder and Finals Results edit

AFL Wide BayWinsByesLossesDrawsForAgainst%PtsFinalTeamGBPtsTeamGBPts
Across The Waves154012095509411.59%781st SemiHervey Bay Bombers121082Bay Power81664
Brothers Bulldogs847112051168103.17%502nd SemiAcross The Waves14993Brothers Bulldogs9559
Bay Power64911109129185.90%42PreliminaryHervey Bay Bombers141195Brothers Bulldogs7951
Hervey Bay Bombers6491969132073.41%42GrandAcross The Waves208128Hervey Bay Bombers9761
Maryborough34130875196544.53%28

2012 AFL Wide Bay Ladder and Finals Results edit

AFL Wide BayWinsByesLossesDrawsForAgainst%PtsFinalTeamGBPtsTeamGBPts
Hervey Bay Bombers154012000383522.19621st SemiAcross The Waves2312150Maryborough61046
Brothers Bulldogs1145012631178107.22442nd SemiHervey Bay Bombers1618114Brothers Bulldogs6844
Across The Waves847113941080129.0734PreliminaryAcross The Waves13886Brothers Bulldogs6743
Maryborough34121768193739.6514GrandHervey Bay Bombers111480Across The Waves101070
Bay Power14141773162047.726

2013 Ladder edit

AFL Wide BayWinsByesLossesDrawsForAgainst%PtsFinalTeamGBPtsTeamGBPts
Across The Waves1203014541127129.02%48SemiHervey Bay Bombers2317155Brothers Bulldogs6743
Hervey Bay Bombers110401561988158.00%44GrandHervey Bay Bombers2211143Across The Waves91064
Brothers Bulldogs401101019143970.81%16
Bay Power301201038151868.38%12

2014 Ladder edit

AFL Wide BayWinsByesLossesDrawsForAgainst%PtsFinalTeamGBPtsTeamGBPts
Hervey Bay Bombers140202001679294.70%56SemiAcross The Waves1511101Brothers Bulldogs7749
Across The Waves1204014731115132.11%48GrandAcross The Waves1416100Hervey Bay Bombers10666
Brothers Bulldogs50110853164052.01%20
Bay Power30130941172054.71%12
Maroochydore Roos1010192128150.00%4
Gympie0010718979.78%0
Pomona00206811957.14%0
Glasshouse Hinterland00102313217.42%0

2015 Ladder edit

AFL Wide BayWinsByesLossesDrawsForAgainst%PtsFinalTeamGBPtsTeamGBPts
Across The Waves120201806751240.48%48PreliminaryBrothers Bulldogs1920134Hervey Bay Bombers91367
Hervey Bay Bombers70701118122891.04%28GrandAcross The Waves179111Brothers Bulldogs141397
Brothers Bulldogs70701173123295.21%28
Bay Power40100799142656.03%16

2016 Ladder edit

AFL Wide BayWinsByesLossesDrawsForAgainst%PtsFinalTeamGBPtsTeamGBPts
Across The Waves120401794997179.94%48PreliminaryBay Power131492Hervey Bay Bombers91165
Hervey Bay Bombers1105014371190120.76%44GrandAcross The Waves131593Bay Power11773
Bay Power80801302144889.92%32
Brothers Bulldogs401201083151571.49%16

AFL Wide Bay A Grade Senior Mens Grand Finals edit

YearPremiersScoreRunners UpScoreVenue
1987West Bundaberg Bulldogs12.12 (84)Hervey Bay Bombers7.14 (56)Frank Coulthard Oval, Bundaberg
1988Hervey Bay Bombers17.17 (119)West Bundaberg Bulldogs9.15 (69)Faircloth Oval, Bundaberg
1989Hervey Bay Bombers10.19 (79)West Bundaberg Bulldogs10.12 (72)Dundowran Oval, Hervey Bay
1990Hervey Bay Bombers21.18 (144)West Bundaberg Bulldogs9.9 (63)Faircloth Oval, Bundaberg
1991Hervey Bay Bombers9.9 (63)West Bundaberg Bulldogs8.7 (55)N.E. Mclean Oval, Hervey Bay
1992Hervey Bay Bombers12.10 (82)South Bundaberg Magpies11.10 (76)Faircloth Oval, Bundaberg
1993Fraser Coast Lions14.10 (94)South Bundaberg Magpies10.14 (74)N.E. McLean Oval, Hervey Bay
1994Hervey Bay Bombers13.8 (86)South Bundaberg Magpies10.14 (74)N.E. McLean Oval, Hervey Bay
1995West Bundaberg Bulldogs10.6 (66)South Bundaberg Magpies8.8 (56)Faircloth Oval, Bundaberg
1996Hervey Bay Bombers12.5 (77)Maryborough Bears9.10 (64)Newtown Oval, Maryborough
1997ATW Bundaberg Eagles15.13 (103)Fraser Coast Magpies10.16 (76)N.E. McLean Oval, Hervey Bay
1998ATW Bundaberg Eagles12.8 (80)Gympie Cats7.6 (48)Faircloth Oval, Bundaberg
1999ATW Bundaberg Eagles10.14 (74)Hervey Bay Bombers3.8 (26)Frank Coulthard Oval, Bundaberg
2000Hervey Bay Bombers10.7 (67)ATW Bundaberg Eagles4.12 (36)N.E. McLean Oval, Hervey Bay
2001ATW Bundaberg Eagles17.12 (114)Hervey Bay Bombers7.11 (53)N.E. McLean Oval, Hervey Bay
2002Hervey Bay Bombers16.12 (108)ATW Bundaberg Eagles7.11 (53)Faircloth Oval, Bundaberg
*2003**HERVEY BAY BOMBERS8.8 (56)*ATW BUNDABERG EAGLES6.17 (53)N.E.McLEAN OVAL, HERVEY BAY
2004Hervey Bay Bombers17.12 (114)ATW Bundaberg Eagles8.7 (55)Frank Coulthard Oval, Bundaberg
2005Hervey Bay Bombers17.13 (115)ATW Bundaberg Eagles9.11 (65)Keith Dunne Oval, Hervey Bay
2006ATW Bundaberg Eagles19.14 (128)Hervey Bay Bombers14.15 (99)Ocean Reef Park, Maryborough
2007Hervey Bay Bombers17.15 (117)ATW Bundaberg Eagles8.5 (53)Faircloth Oval, Bundaberg
2008ATW Bundaberg Eagles15.15 (105)Hervey Bay Bombers15.13 (103)Frank Coulthard Oval, Bundaberg
2009Hervey Bay Bombers15.12 (102)Brothers Bulldogs10.7 (67)N.E. McLean Oval, Hervey Bay
2010Brothers Bulldogs10.8 (68)ATW Bundaberg Eagles7.16 (58)Keith Dunne Oval, Hervey Bay
2011ATW Bundaberg Eagles20.8 (128)Hervey Bay Bombers9.7 (61)Ocean Reef Park, Maryborough
2012Hervey Bay Bombers11.14 (80)ATW Bundaberg Eagles10.10 (70)Faircloth Oval, Bundaberg
2013Hervey Bay Bombers22.11 (143)ATW Bundaberg Eagles9.10 (64)Frank Coulthard Oval, Bundaberg
2014ATW Bundaberg Eagles14.16 (100)Hervey Bay Bombers10.6 (66)N.E. McLean Oval, Hervey Bay
2015ATW Bundaberg Eagles17.9 (111)Brothers Bulldogs14.13 (97)Keith Dunne Oval, Hervey Bay
2016ATW Bundaberg Eagles13.15 (93)Bay Power11.7 (73)Brothers AFL Reserve, Bundaberg
*2017*MAROOCHYDORE ROOS20.12 (132)BROTHERS BULLDOGS5.6 (36)RAY WARREN OVAL, GYMPIE
2018Gympie Cats14.11 (95)Hervey Bay Bombers10.4 (64)N.E. McLean Oval, Hervey Bay
2019Bay Power7.16 (58)Hervey Bay Bombers3.5 (23)Keith Dunne Oval, Hervey Bay
2020ATW Bundaberg Eagles10.7 (67)Bay Power10.4 (64)Frank Couthard Oval, Bundaberg
2021Hervey Bay Bombers9.10 (64)Bay Power2.2 (14)Port City Park, Maryborough
2022Hervey Bay Bombers13.6 (84)Brothers Bulldogs7.7 (49)Brothers Sports Ground, Bundaberg
2023Hervey Bay Bombers6.11 (47)Brothers Bulldogs5.3 (33)N.E. McLean Oval, Hervey Bay

NOTE: In both seasons of 2003 and 2017 all of the AFL Bundaberg Wide Bay Clubs participated in a Brisbane Competition before resuming the Regional League the following year.

Premiers edit

  • 1987: West Bundaberg
  • 1988: Hervey Bay Bombers
  • 1989: Hervey Bay Bombers
  • 1990: Hervey Bay Bombers
  • 1991: Hervey Bay Bombers
  • 1992: Hervey Bay Bombers
  • 1993: Fraser Coast
  • 1994: Hervey Bay Bombers
  • 1995: West Bundaberg
  • 1996: Hervey Bay Bombers
  • 1997: ATW Bundaberg
  • 1998: ATW Bundaberg
  • 1999: ATW Bundaberg
  • 2000: Hervey Bay Bombers
  • 2001: ATW Bundaberg
  • 2002: Hervey Bay Bombers
  • 2003: League in recess
  • 2004: Hervey Bay Bombers
  • 2005: Hervey Bay Bombers
  • 2006: ATW Bundaberg
  • 2007: Hervey Bay Bombers
  • 2008: ATW Bundaberg
  • 2009: Hervey Bay Bombers
  • 2010: Brothers Bulldogs
  • 2011: ATW Bundaberg
  • 2012: Hervey Bay Bombers
  • 2013: Hervey Bay Bombers
  • 2014: ATW Bundaberg
  • 2015: ATW Bundaberg
  • 2016: ATW Bundaberg

AFL Wide Bay A Grade Senior Mens Grand Final Summary List 1987-2023 edit

ClubSeasonsGrand FinalsPremiersRunners Up
Hervey Bay Bombers3527189
Across The Waves Bundaberg Eagles2519118
Brothers Bulldogs (West Bundaberg)351138
Fraser Coast Lions/Magpies9211
South Bundaberg (ATW Magpies)10404
Maryborough Bears (Formerly Tigers)22101
Gympie Cats14211
North Bundaberg Kangaroos10000
Bay Power19413
Pomona Demons7000

AFL Wide Bay Best and Fairest Award (Stedman Medal) edit

YearStedman Medal WinnerClub
1987Darren HunterHervey Bay Bombers
1988John TurnbullHervey Bay Bombers
1989Paul LongleyWest Bundaberg Bulldogs
1990Gavin RoweWest Bundaberg Bulldogs
1991John TurnbullHervey Bay Bombers
1992Doug MaxwellFraser Coast Lions
1993Rory ChappleFraser Coast Lions
1994Shannon SchonnewilleMaryborough Tigers
1995David WardWest Bundaberg Bulldogs
1996Scott Banfield (TIED)Hervey Bay Bombers
1996Grant Staunton (TIED)Hervey Bay Bombers
1997Grant StauntonHervey Bay Bombers
1998Angus NevinGympie Cats
1999Anthony McDonaldFraser Coast Magpies
2000Josh CharlesHervey Bay Bombers
2001Josh CharlesHervey Bay Bombers
2002Jason HodgkinsonBrothers Bulldogs
*2003*Darrel LeechHervey Bay Bombers
2004Will ConnallyHervey Bay Bombers
2005Matty StevensAcross The Waves Bundaberg Eagles
2006Matty StevensAcross The Waves Bundaberg Eagles
2007Shannon BeavisMaryborough Bears
2008Hayden AndersonAcross The Waves Bundaberg Eagles
2009Justin SheehanBrothers Bulldogs
2010Brendan Murchie (TIED)Across The Waves Bundaberg Eagles
2010Shaun Stone (TIED)Across The Waves Bundaberg Eagles
2011Michael LivertonAcross The Waves Bundaberg Eagles
2012Brad RichardsHervey Bay Bombers
2013Dean BackwellBay Power
2014Brad RichardsHervey Bay Bombers
2015Michael BlairAcross The Waves Bundaberg Eagles
2016Klint WagstaffAcross The Waves Bundaberg Eagles
*2017*Josh WheelerBay Power
2018Scott Stiefler (TIED)Gympie Cats
2018Marcus Dyson (TIED)Bay Power
2019Marcus DysonBay Power
2020Damian McRaeAcross The Waves Bundaberg Eagles
2021Dylan RoweHervey Bay Bombers
2022Tristan TaylorBrothers Bulldogs
2023Klint WagstaffAcross The Waves Bundaberg Eagles

NOTE: The Stedman Medal was awarded in both seasons of 2003 and 2017, as all AFL Wide Bay clubs were playing each other, plus other teams from South East Queensland, but not under the banner of the AFL Wide Bay for those two seasons.

AFL Wide Bay Reserve Grade Mens Grand Finals edit

YearPremiersScoreRunners UpScore
1987North Bundaberg Kangaroos21.10 (136)Hervey Bay Bombers8.6 (54)
1988South Bundaberg Magpies17.8 (110)Hervey Bay Bombers7.13 (55)
1989Hervey Bay Bombers18.15 (123)North Bundaberg Kangaroos10.8 (68)
1990Hervey Bay Bombers24.28 (172)West Bundaberg Bulldogs4.4 (28)
1991Hervey Bay Bombers7.13 (55)South Bundaberg Magpies4.7 (31)
1992Fraser Coast Lions10.8 (68)Hervey Bay Bombers8.12 (60)
1993Fraser Coast Lions8.8 (56)Hervey Bay Bombers3.4 (22)
1994Fraser Coast Lions8.8 (56)Hervey Bay Bombers5.8 (38)
1995Hervey Bay Bombers10.10 (70)Fraser Coast Lions8.10 (58)
1996Hervey Bay Bombers9.8 (62)ATW - South Bundaberg6.6 (42)
1997Fraser Coast Magpies9.13 (67)Hervey Bay Bombers10.6 (66)
1998Hervey Bay Bombers10.6 (66)ATW Bundaberg Eagles8.6 (54)
1999ATW Bundaberg Eagles10.14 (74)Hervey Bay Bombers3.8 (26)
2000Maryborough Bears8.11 (59)Hervey Bay Bombers7.11 (53)
2001Hervey Bay Bombers21.9 (135)ATW Bundaberg Eagles2.1 (13)
2002NO RESERVES GRAND FINALSuspended after Round 8
2003NO RESERVES GRAND FINALCompetition Suspended
2004NO RESERVES GRAND FINALCompetition Suspended
2005Hervey Bay Bombers9.6 (60)Maryborough Bears3.6 (24)
2006Hervey Bay Bombers8.3 (51)ATW Bundaberg Eagles3.6 (24)
2007Hervey Bay Bombers13.6 (78)ATW Bundaberg Eagles6.5 (41)
2008Hervey Bay BombersScore N/AATW Bundaberg Eaglesby 1 point
2009Brothers Bulldogs6.13 (49)Hervey Bay Bombers5.1 (31)
2010Brothers Bulldogs14.1 (85)Bay Power11.10 (76)
2011Hervey Bay Bombers11.12 (78)Brothers Bulldogs5.7 (37)
2012Brothers Bulldogs7.8 (50)Hervey Bay Bombers7.4 (46)
2013Brothers Bulldogs7.4 (46)Hervey Bay Bombers5.6 (36)
2014Hervey Bay Bombers10.7 (67)ATW Bundaberg Eagles2.5 (17)
2015Brothers Bulldogs11.6 (72)Hervey Bay Bombers5.6 (36)
2016Hervey Bay Bombers12.8 (80)ATW Bundaberg Eagles3.3 (21)
2017Maryborough Bears17.16 (118)ATW Bundaberg Eagles14.6 (90)
2018ATW Bundaberg Eagles14.13 (97)Brothers Bulldogs0.4 (4)
2019Hervey Bay Bombers9.11 (65)Bay Power5.10 (40)
2020Hervey Bay Bombers7.8 (50)ATW Bundaberg Eagles6.5 (41)
2021Hervey Bay Bombers7.11 (53)Bay Power2.3 (15)
2022Hervey Bay Bombers13.6 (84)Bay Power0.1 (1)
2023Hervey Bay Bombers15.8 (98)Brothers Bulldogs2.1 (13)

AFL Wide Bay Reserves Mens Grand Final Summary List 1987-2023 edit

ClubFull SeasonsGrand FinalsPremiersRunners Up
Hervey Bay Bombers34311912
Fraser Coast Lions/Magpies7541
Brothers Bulldogs (West Bundaberg)34954
Across The Waves Bundaberg Eagles231129
South Bundaberg (ATW Magpies)10312
North Bundaberg Kangaroos9211
Maryborough Bears (Formerly Tigers)22321
Bay Power18404
Burnett Heads Saints1000
Pomona Demons5000
Gympie Cats10000

Note: The Reserve Grade Seniors Season was suspended after Round 8 in 2002, and was not contested from 2003-2004.

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "none". News Mail. Bundaberg, Queensland.

External links edit