Australian Football

Boolarra’s premiership record is not outstanding but the club has been a mainstay of the Mid Gippsland Football League since the competition’s inception in 1935. Prior to that, Boolarra had competed in various competitions, commencing with the Mirboo Football Association of which it was a founder member in 1905.

In 1921 Boolarra claimed a premiership in the Mirboo Morwell Football Association thanks to a 5.7 (37) to 4.7 (31) challenge final defeat of Yinnar. The club won its first MGFL premiership in 1955, and followed this up with another success three seasons later. There then followed a nightmare phase lasting 36 seasons when not only were there no further flags, but the side failed even to contest the finals. The Demons’ third MGFL premiership finally arrived in 1997.

During the first decade of the 21st century Boolarra tended to struggle, for example finishing second from last in 2005 and 2006, and third from last in 2007 and 2008. The 2011 season brought a dramatic upturn in fortunes as the Demons qualified for the finals in third place and went on to claim the premiership. They did it the hard way too, losing their second semi final clash with Trafalgar by 21 points before gaining revenge a fortnight later with a 13.4 (82) to 8.5 (53) grand final triumph. In between these two matches they were involved in a thrilling preliminary final clash with Mirboo North which saw them just edge over the line by 8 points, 12.13 (85) to 12.5 (77).

Over the last few seasons Boolarra have experienced mixed fortunes, missing the finals altogether in 2012, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 whilst finishing fifth in 2013 and third in 2014. The 2017 and 2018 seasons were particularly dismal as the side lost every single match contested on both occasions which inevitably consigned it to back to back wooden spoons. In 2019 there was a modicum of improvement with the Demons climbing one place on the premiership ladder after winning three of 16 matches.