Australian Football

Nilma Darnum

Originally known as Nilma Lillico, the Bombers entered the Ellinbank and District Football League in 1947 and, after taking a couple of seasons to establish themselves, broke through for the first of three successive grand final appearances in 1949. Opposed by Hallora, Nilma Lillico edged home by 2 points, 12.13 (85) to 12.11 (83). When the two teams met again in the last match of the season a year later, however, Hallora turned the tables after another thriller, winning by 6 points 10.14 (74) to 10.8 (68). The Bombers’ second senior grade flag was claimed in 1951 thanks to an 11.12 (78) to 6.15 (51) grand final defeat of Ellinbank.

In 1977 the club altered its name to Nilma Darnum. It contested the grand final in its second season under the new name, but lost to Neerim Neerim South by 14 points. This remained the Bombers’ last senior grand final appearance for more than thirty years. The early years of the twenty-first century proved particularly taxing, with the nadir of winless wooden spoons in both 2004 and 2006. However, in 2009 the Bombers finally captured that elusive third senior grade flag, downing Cora Lynn in the grand final by 35 points, 17.7 (109) to 10.14 (74). The triumph capped a marvellous season during which the side had succumbed to defeat only once in 22 matches.

More recently, fortunes have been mixed, with the high of a finals appearance in 2016 contrasting with the low point of a wooden spoon in 2011. The last couple of seasons have brought seventh (2017) and eighth (2018) place finishes.