Australian Football

Warrnambool Institute of Advanced Education (WIAE) first fielded a team in the Warrnambool and District Football League in 1977. In 1991, the Institute was renamed Deakin University, with the football club also adopting the new name. The Sharks never claimed a senior grade flag, although they got as far as the grand final on three occasions, losing to Russell’s Creek by 8 points in 1990 and by 7 points in 2000, and to Panmure in 2001 by 22 points. The club’s reserves side qualified for three consecutive grand finals between 1999 and 2001, losing the first two, and winning the last.

The Sharks’ form in its final years in both grades was poor. The seniors finished in the bottom half of the premiership ladder every season every year of their final decade, finally drawing the curtain on their playing career following the 2016 season.