The Mortlock Football League is an Australian rules football competition based around 8 clubs in the south-west region of Western Australia. It is one of a number of football leagues in the wheat-belt region of WA. The eight teams represent the towns of Calingiri, Dalwallinu, Dowerin, Gingin, Goomalling, Toodyay, Wongan-Ballidu. Wyalkatchem played until the end of 2010.
Mortlock League also includes a hockey competition which involves all clubs mentioned above. Teams compete in a home and away season of 14 rounds with a number of byes and one week during the season dedicated to playing country week football against other south-western country leagues. The season ends with a finals campaign including the top 4 teams from the home and away rounds. Notable players that have been recruited from their respected towns to AFL teams include; Josh and Matthew Carr (Goomalling), Lance Franklin (Dowerin), Willie Dick (Goomalling, Ballidu), Brendan Fewster (Gingin), Mal Brown (Dowerin). Retired AFL players to have previously/currently played in the Mortlock Football League are; Michael Pettigrew, Ashley Sampi, Antoni Grover, Kepler Bradley, Greg Broughton.
History
The Mortlock Football League's origins date back to the formation of the Goomalling-Dowerin Association in 1923, although organised football had been played in the district since 1904.
The Goomalling Football Association was formed at a meeting held in the Goomalling Agricultural Hall on 28 May 1904. Representatives from Dowerin, Goomalling and Mumberkine were present and the district was divided into three wards from which the teams would select their players. E. F. Edwardes was elected as President and H. Slater took on the role of Secretary. Mumberkine were premiers in the Association’s inaugural season. The Oak Park club was formed in 1905, but their lifespan proved to be a short one.
Goomalling were premiers in 1905 and 1906, before hotel proprietor T. F. Elliott provided a cup for the premier side in the Association. The 1907 season saw Dowerin, Goomalling and new side Rovers (Goomalling) compete for the Elliott Cup. Rovers, donning the colours of yellow and black, drew their players from the north side of the Goomalling-Dowerin Railway line and played at the Oak Park ground.
The known results for the 1907 season saw Goomalling defeat Rovers before Rovers later exacted revenge with a 34-point win, Goomalling overcame Dowerin, 6.9 to 3.6, Rovers outclassed Dowerin, 6.13 to 1.3, Dowerin beat Goomalling by 6.7 to 5.8 and Goomalling edged out Rovers, 5.8 to 4.6.
At the end of the season, Goomalling and Rovers were equal on points, so a play-off was scheduled, with Rovers triumphant by 13 points, 4.10 to 3.3. Captain Herb Slater and Black Tommy, both outstanding players and goal scorers, played key roles in Rovers taking out the premiership.
In 1908, Rovers were premiers once again when they defeated Goomalling by five points to retain the Elliott Cup. A derby match in July saw some 500 people in attendance as Rovers defeated Goomalling by 11 points.
In 1909, W.A.F.L. club East Perth were the guests of the Goomalling Association for a match in the region on August 21, with the visitors running out narrow 4.10 to 3.15 winners. The local competition saw Rovers achieve a hat-trick of premierships after a solid 9.10 to 4.9 win over Goomalling in the decider.
Despite good coverage of football throughout the state, the West Australian provided virtually no coverage of the 1910 Goomalling Association season. It is known, however, that Rovers won their fourth consecutive flag.
The Goomalling Association made the journey to Perth for a return fixture with East Perth in 1910. In a one-sided contest played at Loton Park, East Perth were comfortable 44 point winners, 12.12 to 5.10. Later in the season, the Goomalling Association met the Eastern Districts Association at Northam and, in wet conditions, the home side prevailed 5.8 to 1.3.
The 1911 season was rocked by the disqualification of the Rovers club on 20 July, following the off-field actions of some members of the club, including a clique supposedly led by Herbert Slater and ‘Gunner’ Hills, who ‘attempted to run the Goomalling Football Association and endeavoured to bully members of the committee into letting them have their sweet way.’ The season continued with just two clubs, with Goomalling proving far too strong for Dowerin and were crowned premiers.