Australian Football

Swinburne University

Swinburne University of Technology evolved from the Eastern Suburbs Technical College, which was established in 1908 by George Swinburne, with the first students being enrolled the following year. After decades of growth and development it was formally proclaimed a university by the Victorian Parliament in 1992.

Formed in 1995, Swinburne University Football Club fielded just one team that year in the VAFA’s Club XVIII competition. With the addition of a reserves team in 1996 the club was eligible for inclusion in the VAFA competition proper, commencing in E Grade East. The senior grade side was coached in both 1995 and 1996 by former North Melbourne player Keith McKenzie.

The VAFA undertook a number of restructuring exercises during the second half of the 1990s, and by 2000 the Swinburne University senior side found itself competing in D4 Section, without ever having been either promoted or relegated. This all changed in 2001, however, for after qualifying for the D4 finals in fifth place, the team fought its way through to a grand final meeting with Syndal Tally Ho, and although this was lost there was the substantial consolation prize of elevation to D3 Grade.

The 2002 season brought a change of image with the adoption of the Razorbacks logo. This was followed in 2003 by the most successful season in the club’s history to date, with the seniors losing only two matches all year en route to the D3 Section flag. Coached by Derek Thoene, the Razorbacks were conclusive winners in the grand final, overwhelming Monash Gryphons to the tune of 89 points, 16.19 (115) to 3.8 (26).

The side spent two seasons in D2 Grade but they were then relegated back to D3 and later to the level by then known as Division Four (previously D4 Section). In 2012 they obtained promotion from Division Four when they finished as runners-up to South Mornington. The Razorbacks were the better team for the first three quarters oif the grand final, at the end of which they led 10.8 to 7.15. During the final term, however, South Mornington gained the initiative and, after adding 7 goals to 3, they edged home by 15 points. 

Between 2013 and 2018 Swinburne University have competed in Division Three although they have not always found the going easy. In 2016, for example, they won just 5 games for the year to finish in ninth place out of twelve clubs. A year later, however, they improved beyond recognition, comfortably reaching the finals, albeit that they then disappointed with a 1 goal first semi final loss to Westbourne Grammarians. They came within an ace of reaching the finals again in 2018 when they won 10 matches, the same as fourth placed Aquinas and fifth placed Manningham Cobras, but their percentage was inferior.