GFC HISTORY
Actis non Verbis
THE BEGINNING
Established in 1893, the Greensborough Football Club is among the oldest Australian Rules Football clubs in the nation’s history. Throughout the 1890s, the club competed in a variety of matches against familiar local rivals like Diamond Creek and Heidelberg, though it did not participate in an organised competition during this period.
THE 1910s - FORGING A COMPETITIVE SPIRIT
In 1911, Greensborough played a key role in the formation of the Heidelberg District Football Association, joining three other teams from the Greater Northern Area. The league grew rapidly, expanding to eight teams by 1913. However, the impact of World War I took its toll, with Greensborough struggling to consistently field a team for the remainder of the decade.
THE 1920s - BREAKING THROUGH IN THE DVFA
A turning point came in 1922 when Greensborough transitioned to the Diamond Valley Football Association. The reduced travel demands, coupled with a national recovery post-war, led to a resurgence in player participation and on-field success. Throughout the 1920s, Greensborough reached six Grand Finals and claimed three premiership victories, marking their first taste of glory in the DVFA.
THE 1930s - SETTING THE STANDARD
In 1931, the DVFA expanded to eight clubs, and Greensborough once again claimed the league premiership. This victory secured them permanent ownership of the J.J. Drohan Cup, awarded to the first club to win three DVFA premierships. The club’s success continued with another premiership in 1934. However, the following years saw a dip in form, with Greensborough missing the finals in 1935, 1936, and 1937. Despite this setback, the team rallied to end the pre-World War Two era strongly, reaching the Grand Final in each of the last three seasons before the competition’s hiatus.
Over the first twenty seasons of the DVFA, Greensborough’s record was one of consistent excellence with:
- 17 Finals Series appearances
- 8 Grand Final appearances
- 5 Premiership victories
THE 1940s - REBUILDING AND RISING AGAIN
When the DVFA re-formed as the DVFL in 1946, Greensborough quickly regained its competitive edge by reaching the Grand Final. However, the season ended in disappointment with a fourth consecutive Grand Final loss. The following season, 1947 saw Greensborough miss the finals entirely, struggling to recapture their earlier form. In 1949, the team fought their way back to the Grand Final in a closely contested match but narrowly missed victory, falling short by just 8 points. This defeat marked the club’s fifth Grand Final loss since their Centenary Premiership triumph in 1934, highlighting a challenging period of near-misses and unfulfilled potential.
THE 1950s - A NEW ERA OF SUCCESS
The early 1950s were challenging for Greensborough, with the club missing the finals in 1950 and 1951. However, 1952 marked a turning point, breaking an 18-year premiership drought and reigniting the club’s competitive edge. This victory sparked a remarkable era, beginning a run of consecutive finals appearances that would define the decade.
From 1955 to the end of the 1960s, Greensborough then played in five consecutive Grand Finals, securing two premierships along the way. While there were some near-misses, the club’s consistent presence in finals football reinforced its standing as a powerhouse. By the close of the decade, Greensborough had made eight consecutive finals appearances, setting the tone for continued success into the next era.
THE 1960s - SUSTAINED EXCELLENCE
The 1960s were a defining decade for the Boro, solidifying the club’s status as one of the most dominant teams in the DVFL. Building on the momentum from the 1950s, Greensborough extended its impressive finals streak to an incredible 16 consecutive seasons, from 1952 to 1967. The decade was characterized by sustained success and a remarkable level of competitiveness, with the team making its mark as a consistent contender year after year. Greensborough’s resilience and skill saw them reach the Grand Final on six occasions during this period.
The club’s dominance was highlighted by four premiership victories, including back-to-back triumphs in 1960/61 and 1966/67. These victories showcased their ability to perform under pressure and solidified their reputation as a powerhouse within the league. Greensborough’s continued excellence throughout the decade not only added to their impressive trophy cabinet but also played a key role in shaping the club’s enduring legacy, with the 1960s marking a golden era in the club’s history.
THE 1970s - RELENTLESS COMPETITORS
The 1970s proved to be a decade of consistent near-misses for Greensborough. While the club showed its competitive spirit and managed to qualify for the finals on multiple occasions, it was unable to make the final leap to the Grand Final. In both 1972 and 1973, the team reached the Preliminary Final but was narrowly defeated each time, falling just short of the ultimate goal.
As the decade progressed, Greensborough continued to remain a strong contender, reaching the Preliminary Final again in 1978, 1979, and 1980. Despite their admirable efforts, the team faced disappointment, failing to progress to the Grand Final on each of these occasions. However, their consistency and resilience in the finals over these years was remarkable and cemented the foundation for future success.
THE 1980s - A DECADE OF DOMINANCE
The 1980s ushered in a new era of success for Greensborough, with the club’s fortunes taking a significant turn. After a difficult 1970s, the team entered the new decade with renewed focus and determination. In 1981, despite not making the finals, Greensborough was approached with an opportunity to join the VFA Division 2, though the club chose to remain and maintain its presence in the Diamond Valley Football League.
With the league restructuring in 1981, Greensborough was placed in the newly-formed Division 1, and the club quickly adapted to its new competitive environment. Although the team faced a narrow loss in the First Semi Final in 1982, the following year, 1983, marked a major breakthrough as the club secured its first premiership in years, ending a long wait for a championship.
The club’s momentum continued in 1984 with another premiership, followed by a strong showing in 1985, finishing as runners-up. However, the 1980s were truly defined by back-to-back premiership victories in 1988 and 1989, marking a golden period for the club. Strong leadership and team unity were key to these successes, as Greensborough solidified its position as one of the top teams in the competition.
THE 1990s - CHALLENGES AND CHANGE
The 1990s marked a difficult period for Greensborough following their back-to-back premierships in 1988 and 1989. The team struggled to maintain their previous level of success, with disappointing Preliminary Final appearances in 1990 and 1991. These losses signaled the end of their golden era.
From 1992 to 1999, Greensborough faced challenges in reaching the finals, with their only finals appearance occurring in 1994, where they were eliminated early. The team’s struggles continued, and by 1997, they finished in 9th place, narrowly avoiding relegation. The club managed to stay in Division One after changes in the competition structure, but the decade marked a period of rebuilding for the Boro.
THE 2000s - RESILIENCE AND REVIVAL
After nine challenging years in Division One, Greensborough’s struggles culminated in 2003 with a last-place finish and subsequent relegation to Division Two. The loss of key senior players and a commitment to financial sustainability, despite recruitment pressures, contributed to this tough period. Yet, the setback ignited a determination to rebuild and return to the top tier where the club belonged.
In 2004, hopes of an immediate return to Division One were high, but a crucial late-season draw denied Greensborough the double chance. The season ended with an early finals exit. The challenge continued into 2005, with the team reaching the Division Two Grand Final but falling just short of promotion.
Persistence paid off in 2006. Greensborough dominated the season, sealing a convincing Grand Final victory and earning promotion back to Division One. The triumph was made even sweeter with all three senior grades claiming premierships on the same day. a historic milestone for the club.
This success coincided with a new era as the Diamond Valley Football League transitioned to the Northern Football League in 2007. The Boro, a constant presence since 1922, embraced the change and began the next chapter in its storied history.
THE 2010s - A RESURGENT FORCE
Greensborough entered the decade with renewed hope, finishing third in 2011 before falling short in the finals. The following two seasons were rebuilding years, but in 2014, the club returned to prominence, finishing second and securing a vital double chance. A determined finals campaign led to a dominant 41-point Grand Final victory, securing the club’s first Division One premiership since 1989.
The momentum continued into 2015, with the team winning 15 home-and-away games and reaching another Grand Final. Despite a strong showing, they fell short by 21 points. From 2016 onward, Greensborough remained a consistent finals contender, reinforcing its status as a top-tier club. The 2019 season was particularly dominant, with the club losing just one game throughout the home-and-away season. However, despite their incredible form, they suffered a heartbreaking Grand Final loss.Despite these setbacks, the decade reinforced Greensborough’s reputation as a Division One powerhouse, setting the stage for continued success into the next era.
THE 2020s - A NEW CHAPTER BEGINS
The decade of the 2020’s began with disruption, as the 2020 season was canceled due to COVID restrictions, and the 2021 season ended without a finals series despite a strong 9-3 record. In 2022, Greensborough missed the finals for the first time in years, signaling the start of a transitional phase. Post-COVID, the club experienced an almost complete changing of the guard, with a focus on rebuilding through young talent.
This shift brought fresh energy and a renewed sense of purpose as Greensborough aimed to maintain its standing among the competition’s best. By 2024, the club had reasserted itself as a serious contender, making a strong finals push before narrowly falling short in a two-point Preliminary Final loss. With a promising young core now in place, Greensborough looks poised for continued success in the years ahead.