SWINBURNE UNIVERSITY
Current Affiliation: Victorian Amateur Football Association (VAFA) since 1995
Home Ground: St. James Park, Hawthorn
Formed: 1995
Colours: Black, white and red
Emblem: Razorbacks
Senior VAFA Premierships: D3 Section - 2003 (1 total)
Senior Competition Best and Fairest Awards: Nil
| MINI-BIOGRAPHIES: | Keith McKenzie |
Swinburne University of Technology evolved from the Eastern Suburbs Technical College, which was established in 1908 by George Swinburne, with the first students being enrolled the following year. After decades of growth and development it was formally proclaimed a university by the Victorian Parliament in 1992.
Formed in 1995, Swinburne University Football Club fielded just one team that year in the VAFA's Club XVIII competition. With the addition of a reserves team in 1996 the club was eligible for inclusion in the VAFA competition proper, commencing in E Grade East. The senior side was coached in both 1995 and 1996 by former North Melbourne player Keith McKenzie.
The VAFA undertook a number of restructuring exercises during the second half of the 1990s, and by 2000 the Swinburne University senior side found itself competing in D4 Section, without ever having been either promoted or relegated. This all changed in 2001, however, for after qualifying for the D4 finals in 5th place, the team fought its way through to a grand final meeting with Syndal Tally Ho, and although this was lost there was the substantial consolation prize of elevation to D3 Grade.
The 2002 season brought a change of image with the adoption of the Razorbacks logo. This was followed in 2003 by the most successful season in the club's history to date, with the seniors losing only two matches all year en route to the D3 Section flag. Coached by Derek Thoene, the Razorbacks were conclusive winners in the grand final, overwhelming Monash Gryphons to the tune of 89 points, 16.19 (115) to 3.8 (26).
The side spent two seasons in D2 Grade but was then relegated back to D3. In 2006 it won 6 of its 18 matches to finish 6th. A year later, it managed 1 more win, but dropped a place on the ladder to 7th.
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