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MILDURACurrent Affiliation: Sunraysia Football League (SFL) since 1945 Colours: Blue and red (formerly black and red) Emblem: Demons Senior Premierships: Mildura (District) Football League (MFL/MDFL) - 1908, 1921-2, 1924-5 (5 total); SFL - 1946, 1951-2, 1955, 1958, 1960, 1982, 2007 (8 total) McLeod Medallists: Bill Lanyon 1960; Kevin Stephens 1964; Michael Butcher 1966; Geoff Lucas 1979; Terry Fitzgerald 1981; Jeff Scott 1989; Tim Leng 2000; Craig Deckert 2001; Ryan O'Callaghan 2003 (9 total) In 1945, Mildura was one of eight founder members of the Sunraysia Football League, which technically was a continuation of the Mildura District Football League. The side reached the grand final on debut, losing by 40 points to an RAAF team that would disband at the end of the season. The Demons claimed their first SFL premiership the following year when they accounted for Merbein in the grand final by 55 points, 15.10 (100) to 5.15 (45). The 1950s proved to be the Demons' halcyon decade as they contested eight out of ten grand finals for four wins. They then commenced the 1960s in exemplary fashion by securing their sixth SFL flag, but then had to wait until 1982 before adding another. That 1982 success was achieved by the narrowest of margins against a Red Cliffs side who had won the previous two grand finals at Mildura's expense. Organised football originally came to Mildura in 1903 with the formation of the Mildura Football League. Mildura was a foundation member of this competition, and won its first flag in 1908. The club was especially strong during the 1920s, regularly contesting the finals, and claiming four premierships. After that, the 1930s were somewhat disappointing, with a losing grand final appearance against South Merbein in 1933 the closest the side came to a flag. After going almost a quarter of a century without tasting premiership glory the Demons began to give signs in 2006 that their long wait might soon be over. They eventually got as far as the preliminary final before losing to eventual premiers Irymple by 46 points. In 2007, the Demons comfortably made the finals in 2nd place, behind Imperials only on percentage. They then twice overcame the Imps, by 75 points in the 2nd semi final and 12 points a fortnight later in the grand final, to earn that long overdue 8th SFL flag. The 2008 season brought a slump in fortune as the Imps bowed out of premiership contention at the first semi final stage, losing by 48 points to Wentworth. Where now? or |