Australian Football

Albert Park

The district football club known today as Albert Park spent the first eight decades of its existence representing, and called, ANZ Bank. During the 1930s, ‘40s and ‘50s in particular institutional clubs were very much in vogue, especially in amateur competitions. In the VAFA, for instance, State Savings Bank was a regular top four side and a three time grand finalist in A Section during the decade prior to world war two, while Commonwealth Bank had a strong team in the late 1940s and early ‘50s. By the time ANZ Bank entered the VAFA in 1954, however, the institutional clubs were beginning to find it harder to compete with the stronger district, university and collegians/old boys teams with their vast pools of available players. That said, there can be no doubt that clubs like ANZ Bank, by their very existence and ongoing involvement, played a significant role in helping weave and sustain the unique fabric of Victorian amateur football for decades.

Although the Falcons, as they are known today, have yet to win a senior VAFA premiership, they have achieved promotion as losing grand finalists on three occasions, in 1958 (E Section), 1991 and 1999 (both F Section). They have also won three reserve grade premierships.

In 2007, the club’s senior team, coached by former Port Melbourne, South Melbourne and Carlton champion Peter Bedford, finished in sixth place in the twelve team D4 Section. The following year, under Nathan Dallas, the Falcons did slightly better, winning 12 of their 18 matches to claim fifth spot on the ladder. 

In recent seasons Albert Park has mainly been a middle of the road side in the VAFA's Division Three competition (previously known as F Section). However, in both 2017 and 2018 they struggled, managing just 4 wins from 18 matches in the former year, followed by a 1-17 record in the latter, which meant relegation to Division Four.

The 2019 season Brough a revival of fortunes as the Falcons qualified for the Division Four finals in second place and ultimately reached the grand final. Although opponents St Francis Xavier OC proved too strong on the day Albert Park's primary objective of promotion back to Division Three had been achieved.

In 2020 the VAFA went into mothballs because of the coronavirus pandemic with competition set to resume in 2021.

Rapidly forging a conspicuous local identity in the inner bayside Melbourne suburb of Albert Park, the club also boasts more widespread support thanks to its ongoing affiliation with the ANZ Banking Group.