Sandgate

Sandgate participated in the QA(N)FL in 1933 and then from 1944 to 1990, and for most of its involvement in the competition was a significant force. Indeed, in terms of overall finals participation, during the forty-one year period between 1950 and 1990 its record was second only to that of Mayne.

Sandgate’s first grand final appearance came in 1954, but the club lost to Western Districts. Two years later it broke through for its inaugural premiership with a 12.15 (87) to 11.11 (77) grand final victory over Windsor, and in 1957 it made it two in a row after overcoming Coorparoo in a thriller by 2 points, 12.16 (88) to 13.8 (86).

The 1970s proved to be Sandgate’s most successful decade as the club contested the finals every season, winning four flags from seven grand finals. It was also awarded the QAFL Club Championship trophy for the best overall performance in all grades on no fewer than five occasions. The prime catalyst of the club’s emergence as a power during this period was Terry Moule, who coached the 1970 and 1971 premiership sides, in the process revolutionising the way the game was played in Queensland. Prior to Moule’s arrival, QAFL teams were still in thrall to a pre-war, mark and kick style of football. Moule insisted that his charges keep the ball moving quickly, playing on whenever possible, and the result was that the Sea Hawks had a pair of premierships on the board before the rest of the league had fully realised what was happening. Sandgate in fact contested the first five grand finals of the 1970s and won three of them. The Sea Hawks returned to prominence at the end of the decade, but the 1979 grand final in which they overcame Western Districts by 28 points proved to be their last. At the end of the 1990 season Sandgate and Windsor-Zillmere merged, forming a new club, North Brisbane, which won a premiership in 1995. As a standalone entity though Sandgate made a considerable contribution to football in the Sunshine State and current AFL Queensland heavyweights like Mt Gravatt and Southport - indeed, even the Brisbane Lions - owe them a debt of gratitude.

Among the many excellent players to turn out for the Sea Hawks during their history were John Ellis, Dick Verdon, John Quarrell, Edgar Stevens, and dual Grogan Medallist Don Smith.

A revamped Sandgate Football Club currently competes in the second tier of AFL Queensland’s state league competition.