Australian Football

After commencing in the Picola and District Football League in 1950 Katunga struggled for many years before breaking through for a first senior grade premiership in 1968. At three quarter time of their grand final clash with Yarroweyah the Swans trailed by 15 points but the last term saw them rattle on 8 goals to 3 to win with deceptive comfort, 12.10 (82) to 9.14 (68). This triumph was not a prelude to a prolonged era of success, however, as although the side again qualified for the finals the following year, ultimately finishing third, in 1970 it finished dead set last without a win. The following few seasons were disappointing.

The Swans next emerged as a force in the mid-1970s. In 1976 the seniors, reserves and thirds all reached their respective grand finals, in which the collective winning margin was a mere 9 points. Katunga won the thirds grand final by a goal, but lost the other two by 2 point (seniors) and 1 point margins. The following year all three grades were not only again present on grand final day, they all triumphed. The seniors overcame Waaia by 55 points, 21.12 (138) to 13.7 (85) while the reserves defeated Yarroweyah by a goal and the thirds accounted for Picola by 45 points.

Katunga fielded what were arguably the strongest teams in the club’s history during the early 1980s. The seniors reached the grand final in 1981, only to lose heavily to Barooga, a result that was replicated the following year. In both 1983 and 1984, however, the Swans enjoyed senior grade premiership success after downing Picola in the former year’s grand final by 39 points, and Deniliquin Rovers by 14 points in a low scoring affair the next season. In 1983 the Swans’ reserves and thirds also claimed flags. All three grades also qualified for their respective grand finals in 1985, but only the thirds triumphed.

Over the past three decades or so Katunga's senior team has only contested two more grand finals, losing to Yarroweyah by 94 points in 1988, and to Waaia by 13 goals in 1992. In 2008 the Swans’ seniors qualified for the finals for the first time for six years. They thrashed Shepparton East by 8 goals in an elimination final, but bowed out of the premiership race in the following week’s semi final when they went down to Dookie United by 3 points. The Swans did not qualify for another finals series until 2016, by which time the PDFL had been split into two divisions. Competing in the South East Division Katanga qualified for the finals in fourth spot before beating Katandra 16.9 (105) to 11.5 (71) in the elimination final. A 26 point first semi final defeat of Waaia followed, but preliminary final opponents Tungamah proved too strong and won by 19 points, consigning the Swans to third place. The following year again brought finals qualification but the Swans' involvement was fleeting as they crashed out at the first hurdle against Waaia.

In 2018 the PDFL reverted to the single division format last used in 2008. Katunga qualified for the finals but their involvement was brief as they lost their elimination final clash with Strathmerton by 71 points.