Australian Football

Bayswater

Prior to becoming a founder member of the Eastern Districts Football League in 1962 Bayswater had spent over a decade in the Croydon Ferntree Gully Football League, reaching successive Division Two grand finals in 1957-8, only to lose both. Prior to that they spent five seasons in the Croydon District Football League in which they claimed an A Section premiership in 1945.

The Waters commenced life in the EDFL in Division Two and were competitive from the start. They qualified for the grand final in only their second season, but opponents Scoresby proved too strong and claimed victory by 21 points. Further losing Division Two grand final appearances followed in 1971 and 1972 before the side enjoyed its first premiership triumph in 1973 with a 16.17 (113) to 15.14 (104) grand final defeat of Lilydale. The fact that this was probably the strongest team in Bayswater’s history was proved the following season after it claimed Division One premiership glory, downing East Burwood in the grand final by 28 points, 10.12 (72) to 6.8 (44).

The Waters’ 1974 Division One flag remains their proudest achievement. Most of their time since has been spent in Division Two in which they have secured another four premiership triumphs together with one in Division Three. Their most recent premiership victory came in 2016 in Division Two thanks to a resounding 21.16 (142) to 5.5 (35) grand final defeat of Wantirna South. As a result of this victory the Waters lined up in Division One in 2017 but found the going tough, winning just twice in 18 matches to finish in last place and incur relegation back to Division Two. The 2018 season brought consolidation at the lower level culminating in a 1 point first semi final loss to Lilydale. A competition restructuring led to the Waters competing in Division One in 2019 and they performed solidly to finish fifth.