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Official name
Korumburra Bena Football Club
Known as
Korumburra Bena
Nickname
Bulldogs (2001 to 2014)
Formed
2001, when the Korumburra and Bena Football Clubs merged
Colours
Blue, red and white
Emblem
Giants (from 2015)
Associated clubs
Korumburra
Affiliation (Current)
West Gippsland Football League (WGFL) 2017–2023
Affiliation (Historical)
Alberton Football Netball League (AFNL) 2001–2016
Senior Premierships
Nil
The amalgamation of Korumburra and Bena in 2001 brought together two clubs with long histories, stretching back in Korumburra’s case to before the first world war. Both clubs had entered the Alberton Football League in 1996, with Korumburra claiming a senior premiership at the second time of asking thanks to a grand final defeat of Inverloch Kongwak.
Following the merger the Bulldogs did well to reach the preliminary final on debut, but performances since have generally been more modest. In 2008 the seniors qualified for the finals in fifth place but bowed out of the premiership race at the first hurdle at the hands of Tarwin. Meanwhile the reserves reached the grand final only to lose to Wonthaggi Power. Further finals campaigns followed in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013, with the Bulldogs failing to distinguish themselves until the last of these seasons when they qualified for their first, and so far only, senior grade grand final. Opponents Kilcunda Bass proved too strong, however, and won by 6 goals. After again qualifying for the finals in 2014 Korumburra Bena sought a change of fortune by altering their nickname from Bulldogs to Giants. If you believe that such decisions influence results it proved to be an injudicious move as in both 2015 and 2016 the Giants endured the ignominy of wooden spoons, managing just 1 victory in the former season and none at all in the latter.
In 2017 Korumburra Bena lined up in the newly established West Gippsland Football League. They endured a dismal time on debut, winning just once in 18 starts to end up with the wooden spoon. A year later they performed better, winning 5 matches to rise to seventh place on the ten team premiership ladder.
John Devaney - Full Points Publications