Ballan

Founder members in 1979 of the Central Highlands Football League, the Blues imposed themselves on the new competition from the start, contesting the first three grand finals. In 1979 they lost a nail-biting tussle against Clunes by 3 points, before making amends a year later with a 16.11 (107) to 12.12 (84) defeat of Dunnstown. The 1981 grand final produced another victory, this time at the expense of Springbank, with Ballan 25 points ahead at the final siren, 20.24 (144) to the Tigers’ 18.11 (119).

Since 1981, the Blues have failed to add to their senior premiership haul. They finished seventh (out of fourteen clubs) in 2007, a drop of one position from the previous season, and then slumped to a dismal eleventh place in 2008.