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HEALESVILLECurrent Affiliation: Yarra Valley Mountain District Football League (YVMDFL) since 1966 Club Address: P.O. Box 119, Healesville, Victoria 3777 Home Ground: Don Road Sporting Complex, Melways Formed: 1888 Colours: Red and white Emblem: Bloods Senior Premierships: Yarra Valley Football Association (YVFA) - 1945, 1951, 1954, 1962, 1964-5 (6 total); YVMDFL - 1968-9, 1972, 1977, 1985, 1988 (6 total) Ramage Medallists: R.Larkins 1977; T.Lalor 1979; C.Richards 1984 & 1987; D.Collins 2001; S.Newsome 2004; M.Stolarczyk 2006 (6 Medallists/7 Medals)
Football has been an important part of community life in Healesville for more than a century. As far as on-field achievements go, the town's football club has been especially successful since World War Two, winning a total of a dozen senior premierships, plus numerous others at reserves and under eighteens levels. In 1966, Healesville was among twelve founder members of the Yarra Valley Mountain District Football League, which was established by means of a merger between the Yarra Valley Football Association and the Mountain District Football League. Having just won back to back YVFA premierships the Bloods were, not surprisingly, among the pace setters in the new competition's inaugural season. Indeed, they ultimately claimed the minor premiership, but could not overcome former MDFL side Upwey-Tecoma in either the 2nd semi final or the grand final, and had to be satisfied with 2nd place. After failing to qualify for the finals in 1967 the Bloods recovered well the following year to top the ladder once more heading into the finals before downing Upwey-Tecoma in the 2nd semi final and Woori Yallock in the grand final to clinch their first YVMDFL flag. In 1969 they repeated their success in emphatic style thanks to straight sets finals thrashings of Upwey-Tecoma. Healesville maintained its position as one of the competition's leading clubs for most of the next two decades, which were highlighted by triumphant grand final appearances in 1972, 1977, 1985 and 1988. The Bloods have so far failed to add to their half a dozen senior flags, although they have gone close a number of times. In 2006 they got as far as the preliminary final before losing to eventual premiers Monbulk by 44 points. Two years later they did so again, with Upwey-Tecoma applying the coup de grace on that occasion. Before commencing life in the YVMDFL Healesville was a prominent member of the YVFA for many years, enjoying premiership success on half a dozen occasions between 1945 and 1965. Where now? or
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