WARATAH

Affiliated: NTFL 1917-present

Club Address: P.O. Box 2536, Darwin 0801

Home Ground: Gardens Oval, Darwin

Formed: 1917

Colours: White and red

Emblem: Warriors

Premierships: 1920/21, 1928/29, 1929/30, 1930/31, 1932/33, 1937/38, 1940/41, 1946/47, 1947/48, 1952/53, 1953/54, 1973/74, 1976/77, 1998/99, 1999/2000 (15 total)

NTFL President's Medallists: Jim Main 1929/30 (1 Medallist/1 Medal)

Nichols Medallists: Dennis Ganley 1951/52; 'Bluey' McKee 1952/53; Bill James 1953/54; Jim Wilson 1960/61; Bertram [see footnote 1] 1962/63; Keith Nickels 1971/72; Hank McPhee 1979/80; Peter Ivanoff 1981/82 & 1986/87 (8 Medallists/9 Medals)

Waratahs were formed in 1917 and, together with Wanderers and Warriors [see footnote 2] , were founder members of the NTFL. The club's first premiership came in 1920/21 but it was not until later that decade that the side really came into its own, winning three successive flags between 1928/29 and 1930/31, plus three more before World War Two brought the competition to a halt after the 1940/41 season.

Post War success has been sporadic (six flags) but the club has produced a succession of champion players, most prominent of whom was probably Mike Poulter, who played 175 games with Norwood in the SANFL between 1968 and 1977.

Prior to 1996/97, when they lost by 61 points to St Marys, Waratahs had not contested a grand final since 1976/77 when they defeated the same opponents by 13 points, 10.15 (75) to 8.14 (62). In between, their best concerted spell was their 4 consecutive seasons in the finals from 1989/90 to 1992/93, but at no stage during that period did they appear seriously capable of challenging for a premiership.

All this changed in 1998/99, however, as the club secured its 14th flag. It was more of the same a year later, with the 'Tahs recovering from a shock 6 goal loss to Palmerston Magpies in the 2nd semi to win comfortably a fortnight later, 14.12 (96) to 8.8 (56).

After a disconcertingly long period in the 'wilderness' Waratahs appeared to have returned to what all at the club would regard as their rightful position: at the forefront of NTFL football, but the next few seasons proved predominantly lean.  The 'Tahs recovered in 2006/7 to reach the grand final, but went down to Southern Districts, a team that they had comprehensively thrashed a fortnight earlier in the 2nd semi final.  Another grand final capitulation followed in 2007/8, this time at the hands of St Marys.

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Footnotes

1.  Bertram was the player's only given name.  Return to Main Text

2.  Warriors was the original name of the Darwin Football Club.  Return to Main Text