GOORAMBAT
Current Affiliation: Benalla and District Football League (BDFL) since 1947
Home Ground: Goorambat Recreation Reserve
Formed: 1933
Colours: Green and gold
Emblem: Bats
Senior Premierships: Tatong and Thoona Football Association (TTFA) - 1935 (1 total); BDFL - 1947, 1949, 1959, 1963-4-5, 1974, 1978-9, 2001, 2006-7 (12 total)
Goorambat Football Club began life as a member of the Tatong and Thoona Football Association during the 1930s. Initially known as the Grasshoppers, or Hoppers, they played off against Tatong in consecutive grand finals in 1934-5, losing the first match, but winning the latter by 26 points, 9.6 (60) to 4.10 (24).
In 1947 Goorambat commenced in the Benalla and District Football League and enjoyed immediate success, overcoming Swanpool by a goal in that year's grand final. Further grand final appearances followed in 1948 (lost to Dookie Collegians), 1949 (downed Benalla Thirds) and 1950 (went under to Winton). The next few years were unproductive in flag terms, but the Bats, as they had by this time become known, rounded off the decade well by contesting the 1958 and 1959 grand finals, claiming their fourth senior premiership in the latter match thanks to a 16.10 (106) to 8.9 (57) defeat of Tatong.
The early to mid-1960s saw the Bats fielding probably their strongest ever teams, as evidenced by their feat in winning three successive premierships between 1963 and 1965. The 1970s produced another trio of flags, but after the last of these in 1979 the club endured the longest premiership drought in its history. After reaching rock bottom with a winless wooden spoon in 1995, however, there was steady improvement culminating in a long overdue grand final appearance four years later. Opponents Bonnie Doon emerged victorious on that occasion, but two years later Goorambat achieved revenge.
In recent years the Bats have performed consistently well, finishing 4th in 2004, runners-up in 2005, and adding another premiership to their already impressive haul in 2006. It was a thoroughly conclusive win, too, as they tasted defeat just once all year. Twelve months later they were almost as impressive in winning 15 out of 18 matches for the season, culminating in a 19.10 (124) to 13.11 (89) grand final defeat of Bonnie Doon.
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