The North Albury Football Netball Club, nicknamed the Hoppers, is an Australian rules football and netball club playing in the Ovens & Murray Football League (O&MFL). They are incorporated as part of the North Albury Sports Club licensed club at Bunton Park in North Albury, Albury, where they play their home matches. The club has won six O&MFL premierships. The Hoppers currently play in forest green guernseys with a gold vee and the "Hopper" logo on the right side. Previous guernsey designs included a dark green and gold design similar to the West Coast Eagles' classic wingtip design (up to 2008) and a gold design with two dark green vees over the yoke. The club song is a version of "Join in the Chorus" with some words altered from the AFL Kangaroos version.

History

Ralph Marks Gates, Bunton Park
Bunton Park Entrance, North Albury
Bunton Park Oval, North_Albury
Bunton Park Scoreboard, North_Albury

The club was formed in 1937 as the North Albury Junior Football Club and played in the newly formed Albury and Border Junior Football League as an Under 21 side[1] between 1937 and 1941 before a recess in local football between 1942 and 1944 due to World War Two.

In 1945, the North Albury senior team was first established and competed in the Albury & Border Football Association[2] and lost their semi-final match to South Albury.[3]

Hawthorn played a combined Albury & Border Football Association representative team[4] on the Albury Sports Ground in September 1945, with Hawthorn winning in a high scoring match with a number of North Albury players participating.[5]

Then in 1946, the club entered a senior team in the Chiltern & District Football Association (North Albury Premiers) and a Under 21 team in the Albury and Border Junior Football League.[6]

In 1947, North Albury seniors moved into the Ovens & Murray Football League competition. Premiers in 1948, North Albury also defeated 1948 Wimmera Football League premiers, Stawell in late September 1948 at the Albury Sports Ground.[7]

In 1951 and 1952 North Albury Reserves team played in the Hume Football League senior competition, prior to joining the O&MFL Reserves competition in 1953.

Bunton Park was established during the post-World War II period in an area that was quickly becoming established with housing and North Albury FC moved in as a tenant in 1960, after sharing the Albury Sports Ground with Albury FC between 1937 and 1959. Bunton Park is named after Cleaver Bunton, long-time mayor of Albury, rather than his famous footballing brother Haydn Bunton, although neither played for North Albury.

In the early 1980s the club was beset by financial difficulties causing it to fall in arrears in paying match payments to its players. In the meantime the club committee was endeavouring to establish a licensed club at its ground, which would allow it to serve alcohol outside of match times and house poker machines. With the establishment of the licensed club in 1984, the club's future in the O&MFL was secured.

A large number of North Albury players have gone on to play in the VFL/AFL, such as 1984 Morris Medallist Rudy Yonson, who played a number of games with the Sydney Swans, and most famously Brett Kirk, who played with North Albury up to the 1998 season and then joined the rookie list of the Sydney Swans on trial the following year, later being elevated to the main list and being an integral part of the Swans' 2005 premiership-winning side.

As many as 20 odd players have been recruited from North Albury to the VFL/AFL including Peter Curtis (North), Ross Henshaw (North), Don Ross (Footscray) and Brian Leahy (Melbourne) amongst others.[8] Anthony Miles, the 2014 star recruit for Richmond from GWS, also played his junior football at North Albury and Howlong.[9]

Other ex-VFL/AFL players to have coached the club to an O&MFL premiership include Keith Shea, Tim Robb and Martin Cross Snr.[10]

The three-time AFL premiership player Jason Akermanis coached the club in 2013 to 2016.[11]

North Albury traditionally play an Anzac Day fixture against cross-town rivals, the Albury Tigers, with the venue alternating between the two clubs every year.

Football Timeline

Football Premierships

Seniors
Reserves
Thirds
Juniors
  • Albury & Border Junior Football League
Runner up
  • Seniors
    • 1950,[22] 1956, 1973, 1975, 1986, 2000, 2004, 2007
  • Reserves
    • 1955, 1981, 1985, 1987, 2003
  • Thirds
    • 1993

Football Coaches

Seniors

North Albury - Hall of Fame Inductees

Ovens & Murray FNL - Hall of Fame Inductees
  • 2006 - Stan Sargeant, John Smith
  • 2015 - Don Ross
  • 2017 - Paula Cary, Stan Sargeant (Legend)
  • 2018 - Travis Hodgson
  • 2019 - Peter Westland
  • 2023 - Dan Leslie, John Smith (legend)[40]
  • 2025 - Fiona Boyer

Football Best & Fairest Awards

Leading Football Goalkicking

This list of senior football goal kickers below was compiled by O&MFNL Historian, Neil Barter.

O&MFNL Best & Fairest Winners

Seniors - Morris Medal
Reserves
  • 1972 - Gerry Stakelum
  • 1985 - Bill Mulraney
  • 1991 - Mick Thorneycroft
  • 1994 - Bill Mulraney
  • 1999 - Ben Kerr
  • 2000 - Shane Wardrop
  • 2013 - Ashleigh Sibraa
  • 2016 & 2017 - Clint Gilson
Thirds / Under 18's
  • 1977 - Anthony McIntosh
  • 1980 - Anthony McTavish
  • 1993 - Phil Jones
  • 1994 - Dean Taylor
  • 2004 - James Weavers
  • 2005 - Todd Birch

VFL / AFL Players

The following footballers played with North Albury FNC prior to playing VFL / AFL senior football and / or were drafted. The year indicates their VFL / AFL debut.

Brett Kirk

The following footballers played senior VFL / AFL football prior to playing and / or coaching with North Albury with the year indicating their first season at NAFNC.

Tim Broomhead, 2017

Netball

The NAFC was established in 1993 and have been very successful both on and off the court, winning a number of premierships across all grades of netball.

O&MFNL - Netball Premierships
  • A. Grade
    • 1996, 1999, 2007, 2008
  • B. Grade
    • 1994, 1996, 1998, 2006, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017
  • C. Grade
    • 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2016, 2018.
  • D. Grade / Under 17's
    • 2012, 2014, 2015, 2018.

Team song

North Albury's theme song is based on a 1920's song - Wee Deoch an Doris, by Scottish singer, Harry Lauder.[73] Their team song is:

Out we come, out we come, out we come to play hey.

Just for recreation's sake to pass the time away, oh Lots of fun, heaps of fun, enjoy yourself today, North Albury boys are hard to beat, when they come out to play.

Sooooo join in the chorus and sing it one and all, Join in the chorus, North Albury's on the ball.

Good old North Albury, they're champions you'll agree, North Albury is the team to play to win for you and me HEY

See also

Bibliography

  • Johnston, David (20 May 2004). "Green and Gold didn't fold in '84" Border Mail
  • Halloran, Jessica (10 September 2004) Never-give-up Kirk arrives The Melbourne Age

References

  1. ↑ "1937 - ALBURY JUNIOR LEAGUE". The Albury Banner and Wodonga Express (NSW). 9 April 1937. p. 16. Retrieved 26 June 2026.
  2. ↑ "1945 - Albury and Border Competition Opens Today". Border Morning Mail (Albury, NSW : 1934 - 1935; 1938 - 1954). 26 May 1945. p. 5. Retrieved 1 July 2026.
  3. ↑ "1945 - BORDER ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL". Border Mail newspaper. 27 August 1945. p. 5. Retrieved 27 June 2026.
  4. ↑ "1945 - FOOTBALL: HAWTHORN TOPLAY HERE". Border Morning Mail (Albury, NSW : 1934 - 1935; 1938 - 1954). 11 September 1945. p. 5. Retrieved 2 July 2026.
  5. ↑ "1945 - AUSTRALIAN RULES FOOTBALL. Hawthorn's Glorious Display Jim Bohun's 20 Goals". Border Morning Mail (Albury, NSW : 1934 - 1935; 1938 - 1954). 17 September 1945. p. 5. Retrieved 2 July 2026.
  6. ↑ "1946 - North Albury Teams Senior and Junior Entered". Border Morning Mail (Albury, NSW : 1934 - 1935; 1938 - 1954). 1 April 1946. p. 5. Retrieved 29 June 2026.
  7. ↑ "1948 - NORTH ALBURY BEATS STAWELL BY 42 POINTS". Border Morning Mail (Albury, NSW : 1934 - 1935; 1938 - 1954). 27 September 1948. p. 6. Retrieved 2 July 2026.
  8. ↑ Wilks, M. (2011) Australian football clubs in NSWBas Publishing. p. 36.
  9. ↑ "Best and Fairest - Albury Wodonga Junior Football League - GameDay".
  10. ↑ Wilks, M. (2011) Australian football clubs in NSWBas Publishing. p. 31
  11. ↑ "North Albury Hoppers focus on bouncing back from debt and defections".
  12. ↑ "1946 - North Albury Win Premiership". Border Morning Mail (Albury, NSW). 23 September 1946. p. 6. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
  13. ↑ "1948 - North's One Goal Premiership Victory". Border Morning Mail (Albury, NSW). 6 September 1948. p. 11. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
  14. ↑ "1948 - O&MFL Grand Final Scores". O&MFL. Archived from the original on 7 February 2022. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
  15. ↑ "1955 - North Outplay Wangaratta to take Pennant". Rutherglen Sun and Chiltern Valley Advertiser (Vic. : 1886 - 1957). 4 October 1955. p. 1. Retrieved 29 June 2026.
  16. ↑ "1954 - O. & M. Seconds Final To North Albury". The Corowa Free Press (NSW). 21 September 1954. p. 4. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
  17. ↑ "1954 - Seconds Grand Final a Draw". Benalla Ensign. 30 September 1954. p. 11. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
  18. ↑ "1954 - Football Flashes: Replay on 10th October". Benalla Ensign. 30 September 1954. p. 12. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
  19. ↑ "1940 - PREMIERSHIP TO NORTH ALBURY". Border Morning Mail (Albury, NSW : 1934 - 1935; 1938 - 1954). 19 August 1940. p. 4. Retrieved 26 June 2026.
  20. ↑ "1941 - North Albury Premiers For 1941". Border Morning Mail (Albury, NSW). 22 September 1941. p. 3. Retrieved 26 June 2026.
  21. ↑ "1950 - NORTH'S SECOND SUCCESSIVE PREMIERSHIP". Border Morning Mail (Albury, NSW : 1934 - 1935; 1938 - 1954). 11 September 1950. p. 7. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
  22. ↑ "1950 - Wangaratta Wins O. & M. Premiership". Myrtleford Times and Ovens Valley Advertiser (Vic. : 1930 - 1955). 27 September 1950. p. 3. Retrieved 2 July 2026.
  23. ↑ "1939 - Albury Junior league". Border Morning Mail (Albury, NSW : 1934 - 1935; 1938 - 1954). 18 September 1939. p. 2. Retrieved 26 June 2026.
  24. ↑ "1945 - NORTH ALBURY SPORTS CLUB". Border Morning Mail (Albury, NSW : 1934 - 1935; 1938 - 1954). 28 September 1945. p. 5. Retrieved 28 June 2026.
  25. ↑ "1946 - NORTH ALBURY FOOTBALL CLUB: Premiership Ball". Border Morning Mail (Albury, NSW : 1934 - 1935; 1938 - 1954). 11 November 1946. p. 7. Retrieved 2 July 2026.
  26. ↑ "1947 - NORTH'S PREPARATIONS: A Coach Selected". Border Morning Mail (Albury, NSW : 1934 - 1935; 1938 - 1954). 31 March 1947. p. 5. Retrieved 2 July 2026.
  27. ↑ "1947 - BIG TRAINING LISTS FOOTBALL TRACKS". Border Morning Mail (Albury, NSW : 1934 - 1935; 1938 - 1954). 24 April 1947. p. 6. Retrieved 5 July 2026.
  28. ↑ "1947 - K. Shea To Coach North Albury". Border Morning Mail (Albury, NSW : 1934 - 1935; 1938 - 1954). 19 December 1947. p. 3. Retrieved 2 July 2026.
  29. ↑ "1950 - WILKS TO COACH NORTH ALBURY". Border Morning Mail (Albury, NSW : 1934 - 1935; 1938 - 1954). 8 March 1950. p. 15. Retrieved 2 July 2026.
  30. ↑ "1951 - KING TO COACH NORTH ALBURY". Border Morning Mail (Albury, NSW : 1934 - 1935; 1938 - 1954). 3 March 1951. p. 1. Retrieved 2 July 2026.
  31. ↑ "1953 - Tim Robb to coach North Albury". Border Morning Mail (Albury, NSW : 1934 - 1935; 1938 - 1954). 29 September 1953. p. 15. Retrieved 26 June 2026.
  32. ↑ Kevin B. Hill (8 April 2021). "'A DAY AT THE FOOTY WITH DONNY……'". On Reflection. Retrieved 29 June 2026.
  33. ↑ "2010 - O & M: Hollands to Wodonga, Craig to North Albury". Border Mail newspaper. 1 September 2010. Retrieved 2 July 2026.
  34. ↑ "2017 - Jason Akermanis stands down as North Albury coach". Border Mail newspaper. 14 January 2017. Retrieved 28 June 2026.
  35. ↑ Brett Kohlhagen (15 November 2017). "2017 - Chris Schmidt looking forward to North Albury co-coaching role". Border Mail. Retrieved 29 June 2026.
  36. ↑ Brett Kohlhagen (12 July 2020). "2020 - North Albury coach Isaac Muller drops bombshell by standing down". Border Mail newspaper. Retrieved 28 June 2026.
  37. ↑ Brent Godde (9 May 2022). "2022 - North Albury coach Luke Norman announces his resignation at Bunton Park". Border Mail. Retrieved 26 June 2026.
  38. ↑ Brent Godde (4 October 2021). "2021 - North Albury signs Tim Broomhead on two-year deal". Border Mail. Retrieved 1 July 2026.
  39. ↑ ""SUPERSTAR STAN – A BORDER SPORTING LEGEND……."". KB - On Reflection. 24 November 2022. Retrieved 27 June 2026.
  40. ↑ John Conroy (20 July 2023). "'Humbling': Morris Medallist John Smith becomes seventh Ovens and Murray 'legend'". Border Mail. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
  41. ↑ "1938 - North Albury Juniors v East Albury". Border Morning Mail (Albury, NSW : 1934 - 1935; 1938 - 1954). 9 September 1938. p. 5. Retrieved 29 June 2026.
  42. ↑ "1940 - North Albury Celebrate". Border Morning Mail (Albury, NSW : 1934 - 1935; 1938 - 1954). 5 September 1940. p. 5. Retrieved 26 June 2026.
  43. ↑ "1947 - North Albury Gossip". Border Morning Mail (Albury, NSW : 1934 - 1935; 1938 - 1954). 28 May 1947. p. 8. Retrieved 29 June 2026.
  44. ↑ "1947 - NORTH ALBURY PRESENTATIONS". Border Morning Mail (Albury, NSW : 1934 - 1935; 1938 - 1954). 17 September 1947. p. 8. Retrieved 26 June 2026.
  45. ↑ "1947 - North Albury Juniors". Border Morning Mail (Albury, NSW : 1934 - 1935; 1938 - 1954). 26 September 1926. p. 7. Retrieved 26 June 2026.
  46. ↑ "1948 - NORTH ALBURY CELEBRATES WITH BANQUET". Border Morning Mail (Albury, NSW : 1934 - 1935; 1938 - 1954). 13 September 1948. p. 7. Retrieved 26 June 2026.
  47. ↑ "1949 - NORTH JUNIORS' PREMIER- SHIP BANQUET". Border Morning Mail (Albury, NSW : 1934 - 1935; 1938 - 1954). 11 October 1949. p. 20. Retrieved 26 June 2026.
  48. ↑ "1950 - North fo Field Four Teams Next Year". Border Morning Mail (Albury, NSW : 1934 - 1935; 1938 - 1954). 9 October 1950. p. 14. Retrieved 26 June 2026.
  49. ↑ "1951 - Keith Shea's Sudden Death". The Age. 28 February 1951. p. 24. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
  50. ↑ "1951 - Don Ross fairest, best". Border Morning Mail (Albury, NSW : 1934 - 1935; 1938 - 1954). 21 September 1951. p. 16. Retrieved 26 June 2026.
  51. ↑ "1952 - Wally Geier's death shock to football followers". Border Morning Mail (Albury, NSW : 1934 - 1935; 1938 - 1954). 17 April 1952. p. 5. Retrieved 26 June 2026.
  52. ↑ "1952 - NORTH ALBURY'S BANQUET". Border Morning Mail (Albury, NSW : 1934 - 1935; 1938 - 1954). 20 September 1952. p. 4. Retrieved 26 June 2026.
  53. ↑ "1953 - North Albury's banquet". Border Morning Mail (Albury, NSW : 1934 - 1935; 1938 - 1954). 30 September 1953. p. 3. Retrieved 26 June 2026.
  54. ↑ "1954 - Ivan Smith North best and fairest". Border Morning Mail (Albury, NSW : 1934 - 1935; 1938 - 1954). 17 September 1954. p. 18. Retrieved 26 June 2026.
  55. ↑ "1954 - Braunack goes for punch-out". Border Morning Mail (Albury, NSW : 1934 - 1935; 1938 - 1954). 31 May 1954. p. 3. Retrieved 28 June 2026.
  56. ↑ "1949 - Club Notes". Border Morning Mail (Albury, NSW : 1934 - 1935; 1938 - 1954). 12 August 1949. p. 15. Retrieved 2 July 2026.
  57. ↑ "1949 - Footscray Sign NSW Players". The Herald (Melbourne, Vic. : 1861 - 1954). 17 August 1949. p. 19. Retrieved 3 July 2026.
  58. ↑ "1953 - MISJUDGED THIS ONE". Border Morning Mail (Albury, NSW : 1934 - 1935; 1938 - 1954). 20 April 1953. p. 8. Retrieved 7 July 2026.
  59. ↑ "1954 – Aked on top". Benalla Ensign. 9 September 1954. p. 12. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  60. ↑ "1956 – Goalkickers". Rutherglen Sun and Chiltern Valley Advertiser (Vic. : 1886 – 1957). 28 August 1956. p. 4. Retrieved 4 June 2026.
  61. ↑ "1966 – Scott just failed". Wangaratta Chronicle. 7 September 1966. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
  62. ↑ "1967 – Scott Wins". Wangaratta Chronicle. 4 September 1967. Retrieved 20 August 2021 – via Flickr.
  63. ↑ "1968 – O&MFL Goalkickers list". Wangaratta Chronicle. 9 September 1968. Retrieved 19 August 2021 – via Flickr.
  64. ↑ "1969 – Smith top goalkicker". Wangaratta Chronicle newspaper. 6 September 1969. Retrieved 12 June 2026 – via Flickr.
  65. ↑ "1971 – Sargent has won a trip". Wangaratta Chronicle newspaper. 25 August 1971. Retrieved 11 June 2026 – via Flickr.
  66. ↑ "1972 – Drake kicks 111 goals". Wangaratta Chronicle Trophy. 6 September 1972. Retrieved 11 June 2026 – via Flickr.
  67. ↑ "1973 – Goalkicking award to be close". Wangaratta Chronicle newspaper. 20 August 1973. Retrieved 11 June 2026 – via Flickr.
  68. ↑ "2009 - O&MFNL Thirds Goalkicking". Gameday. OVens & Murray FL. Retrieved 30 June 2026.
  69. ↑ Bon Phefley (27 August 1973). "1973 – A Runaway: Smith by 5 votes". Border Mail. Retrieved 6 June 2026.
  70. ↑ "1973 – Morris Medal Voting". Border Mail. 27 August 1973. Retrieved 6 June 2026.
  71. ↑ "1974 - Smith out in upset". Flickr. Border Mail newspaper. 27 August 1974. p. 28. Retrieved 8 July 2026.
  72. ↑ "1974 - Morris Medal voting". Flickr. Border Mail newspaper. 27 August 1974. Retrieved 8 July 2026.
  73. ↑ "The 18 theme songs and their origins". The Hickey Stand. 17 March 2017. Retrieved 14 July 2023.
source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Albury_Football_Club