Bundaberg’s AFL Evolution: From Origins to Glory

AFL Wide Bay is an amateur Australian rules football competition. It's for players who aren't professionals, but who love the game. 

The AFL Wide Bay was formed in 1987. Before that, there were two separate leagues: the Bundaberg Australian Football League and the Wide Bay Australian Football League. These two leagues decided to merge and become one big league, called the Bundaberg-Wide Bay Australian Football League.

Teams and Locations

The competition includes teams from different cities like Bundaberg, Maryborough, and Hervey Bay. Earlier, teams from Gympie and Pomona also played, but they left the league in 2006.

The teams play on various grounds:

• Bay Power plays at Keith Dunne Oval in Urangan.
• Brothers Bulldogs (previously known as West Bundaberg Bulldogs) plays at Brothers Sporting Complex in Kensington.
• Hervey Bay Bombers plays at N. E. Mclean Oval in Wondunna.
• The Waves (ATW Bundaberg Eagles) plays at Frank Coulthard Oval in Norville.

The Representative Team

The representative team of the league was known as the "Tigers." They wore guernseys (a type of jersey) similar to those of the Richmond Tigers.

Changes Over Time

In 2017, the AFL Wide Bay was merged into the South East Queensland structure but came back as AFL Wide Bay in 2018. AFL Queensland managed it in 2021.

Key Events and Teams

1985 and 1986: Before the merger, the Wide Bay Australian Football League had a few teams like Hervey Bay, Gympie, and Cooloola Coast. However, many teams folded due to lack of players.

1987: The new Bundaberg-Wide Bay Australian Football League started with teams like Hervey Bay, Gympie, Norths, Wests, and Souths.

1988: Maryborough joined, making it a six-team competition.

2003 and 2017: In these years, the league took a break (recess). The teams played in a Brisbane competition during these seasons.

Premierships and Winners

Here are some highlights of the teams that won over the years:

• Hervey Bay Bombers: They have been very successful, winning many times, including in 1988, 1989, 1990, and recently in 2021, 2022, and 2023.
• The Waves (ATW Bundaberg Eagles): They won several premierships, including in 1997, 1998, and from 2014 to 2016.
• Brothers Bulldogs: Also known as West Bundaberg Bulldogs, they won in 1987, 1995, and 2010.
• Bay Power: They won their first premiership in 2019.

Best and Fairest Players

The Stedman Medal is awarded to the best and fairest players each year. Here are some winners:

• 1987: Darren Hunter from Hervey Bay Bombers
• 1988: John Turnbull from Hervey Bay Bombers
• 1989: Paul Longley from West Bundaberg Bulldogs
• 1990: Gavin Rowe from West Bundaberg Bulldogs

Fun Facts

• The league had two breaks in 2003 and 2017 where they played in a different competition.
• Hervey Bay Bombers have been the most successful team with 18 premierships.
• The representative team, "Tigers," had uniforms like the famous Richmond Tigers.

AFL Wide Bay is a vibrant and exciting league with a rich history. It brings together communities from various cities, all sharing a passion for Australian rules football.