Australian Football

Anakie’s precise origins are unclear, although social matches were certainly being played there at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. After world war one Anakie entered a team in the Mathieson Cup competition in which it enjoyed modest success, losing a premiership decider to Bannockburn in 1926, and overcoming Meredith in the equivalent match the following year. The 1930s brought four grand final appearances but no victories.

After world war two the Kangaroos joined the Geelong and District Football League in which they have competed ever since. The club has endured its share of trying times, and almost went out of business during the early 1980s. However, it recovered to embark on the greatest period in its history, claiming a Division Two premiership in 1985 before contesting five Division One grand finals in nine seasons for wins in 1991 and 1994, both at the expense of North Geelong.

Recent seasons have seen the Kangaroos struggling although they have at least managed to avoid the indignity of last place. In 2017 they performed comparatively well, winning eight of their 18 home and away matches to finish in seventh place on the premiership ladder before dropping to 10th in 2018. The 2019 season saw them rise a single place on the ladder and, following a 2020 season spent in recess because of the coronavirus pandemic, they will be hopeful of pushing for finals qualification in 2021.