North Adelaide District Football Association

The North Adelaide District Football Association (NADFA) was an Australian rules football competition based in the northern and north-eastern suburbs of Adelaide, South Australia until it merged with the East Torrens Football Association to form the Norwood-North Football Association at the end of the 1968 season.[1] It was formed in 1921 under the patronage of the North Adelaide Football Club with complete control over its own affairs.[2]

History

1921 - Inaugural six Clubs - Abattoirs (based at Gepps Cross), Gaza (Founded in 1903 and based at Klemzig), Islington United, Mitcham (Founded in 1907 and based at Hawthorn Oval), North Adelaide Ramblers, Walkerville (Founded in 1901).[3] Mitcham defeated North Adelaide Ramblers for the premiership at Prospect Oval.[4][5]

1926 - The following ten teams competed: Prospect, Gaza, North Adelaide Ramblers, Walkerville, Chicago, Hope Valley, Athelstone, North Adelaide Juniors, Northfield, and Salisbury. The last three named are new teams to the association.[6]

The association came into controversy in 1927 when a player, J. Warming, was not permitted to play for league club West Adelaide due to a 12-month suspension received for striking an umpire whilst playing within the North Adelaide District Association.[7]

1929 - The eight teams that competed: Prospect, Gaza, North Adelaide Ramblers, Walkerville, Chicago, Hope Valley, North Adelaide Centrals and Broadview.[8] After three seasons Salisbury, twice as runner up, rejoined the Gawler Football Association.

1930 - Annual Report it was reported the registered number of players was 294 for eight clubs in 1929 against 357 in the previous season for 10 teams.

1938 - Finals Series - Excelsior (Minor Premiers) [9] defeated Broadview in the second semi-final and won the right to play in the grand final. But Excelsior had played a man who had been named as reserve in the West Torrens B team. Contending that the Excelsior man was ineligible, Broadview lodged a protest with the North Adelaide Association. It was dismissed.
They appealed to the South Australian Junior Football Union. The appeal was upheld. The North Adelaide Association then appealed to the South Australian Football League against the Union decision, but their appeal against the appeal decision was dismissed. Prepared to see the thing out to the bitter end, North Adelaide Association officials decided to meet the afternoon before the match. Either the second semi-final would have to be replayed, or the losers would be declared the winners. Broadview, however, having constitutionally established its point, let officials know before the meeting that the result of the match with Excelsior should stand.[10][11][12] Kilburn then defeated Broadview in the Preliminary Final on 17 September.[13]

1940 - Teams from the RAAF at Parafield and Adelaide entered the competition joining Kilburn, Broadview, North Adelaide Ramblers, North Adelaide Centrals, Prospect, Gaza, Broadview Colts. The Abattoirs Club had disbanded.[14] The RAAF Parafield Team qualified for the Semi-Finals. The Premiership table as at the end of the minor round was: Broadview 30 pts, Kilburn 28, North Adelaide Centrals 24, R.A.A.F. (Parafield) 22, North Adelaide Ramblers 16, R.A.A.F (Adelaide) 12, Gaza 8 , Prospect 8, Broadview Colts Nil.[15]

1942 - Competition went into recess during the remainder of World War II and resumed following the end.

1947 - Eight teams competed - Thompson Memorial, Walkerville B, Broadview; Kilburn, Modbury, Gaza, Prospect, Abattoirs.[16]

In March 1960 an application was received from Central Districts Club for affiliation with the NA Association. Their delegate stated they were seeking league status, and to do this, they had to field two teams as well as Colts. Fifteen of their Senior Colts would be lost to them this year, because they were too old. The club had adequate dressing sheds and toilet facilities, and one of the best turfed ovals in Australia.[17]

1961 - Grade "A1" Clubs - Broadview, Gaza, Gepps Cross, Happy Valley, NYCW, North Adelaide Centrals, Prospect and Thompson Clubs. (8 teams) The Grade "A2" clubs - Broadview, Gaza, Gepps Cross, Happy Valley. NYCW, Walkerville, Super Elliott and Wingfield. (8 teams) [18]

Clubs

Final

Club Colours Nickname Home Ground Former League Est. Known years in NADFA Known NADFA Senior Premierships Fate
Total Years
Albert Sports
Druids Mary Lee Park, North Adelaide AMFL 1930s 1968 0 - Formed Norwood-North FA in 1969
Gepps Cross
Magpies Duncan Fraser Reserve, Northfield – 1952 1952-1968 1 1965 Formed Norwood-North FA in 1969
Greenacres
Dragons LJ Lewis Reserve, Northfield – 1965 1965-1968[19] 0 - Formed Norwood-North FA in 1969
Hope Valley (Hope Valley United 1949)
(1922-29)
(1949-74)		 Demons Hope Valley Sporting Club, Hope Valley NEHFA, ETFA 1906 1922-1929,[20] 1949-1968 1 1954 Returned to North Eastern Hills FA in 1930. Formed Norwood-North FA in 1969
Modbury
Double Blues Modbury Oval, Ridgehaven ETFA 1862 1947-1950,[21] 1954-1958, 1963-1968 3 1967, 1968 Ftmoormed Norwood-North FA in 1969
Pooraka (Abbatoirs 1921-67)
Bulls Lindblom Park, Pooraka – 1920 1921-1968 0 - Formed Norwood-North FA in 1969
St Raphaels
Saints Morgan Oval, Adelaide AMFL 1947 1968 0 - Formed Norwood-North FA in 1969
West Croydon
Fawk Reserve, Athol Park – 1961 1965-1968 0 - Formed Norwood-North FA in 1969
Wingfield
Wolves, Wingies Eastern Parade Reserve, Ottoway – 1954 1954-1968 2 1957, 1958 Formed Norwood-North FA in 1969

Former

Club Colours Nickname Home Ground Former League Est. Known years in NADFA Known NADFA Senior Premierships Fate
Total Years
Athelstone
Raggies Foxfield Oval, Athelstone ETFA 1904 1926-1928? 0 - 1929-35 unknown. Re-formed in East Torrens FA in 1936.
ANZ Bank
LeFevre Park, North Adelaide[22] – 1958 1958-1959[23] 0 - Moved to Glenelg-South West District FA in 1960
British Tube Mills – 1941 1941 0 - Folded after 1941 season
Broadview
Tigers Broadview Oval, Broadview – 1928 1928-1963[23][24] 4 1930, 1948, 1954, 1963 Moved to SAAFL in 1964
Broadview Colts
Tigers Broadview Oval, Broadview – 1928 1940 0 - ?
Brunswick
Park 21 (Mirnu Wirra), Adelaide – ?-1951 1 1949 Moved to Glenelg-South West District FA in 1960
Central District
Bulldogs Elizabeth Oval, Elizabeth – 1960 1960 0 - Formed Central District FA in 1961[25]
College Park 1949 1 1949 Folded
Enfield 1952-1953 1 1953 Folded
Excelsior[26] 1937-1938 0 - Folded
Ferryden Park Red and black Rovers Ferryden Park Reserve, Ferryden Park – 1964 1965-1967[27] 1 1965 Moved to SAAFL in 1968
Gaza
Eagles Klemzig Oval, Klemzig – 1921 1921-1961[28][29] 2 1926, 1960 Moved to SAAFL in 1962
Harris Scarfe 1930 - ? 0 - Folded
Islington United 1921-1924[30] 1 1922 Folded
Kangaroos 1922 0 - Folded
Kilburn (Chicago 1925-32)
Chics Oval on site of Islington Rail Workshops, Kilburn – 1923 1925-1957[31][32] 12 1928, 1933, 1934, 1935, 1937, 1938, 1939, 1940, 1946, 1947, 1956, 1957 Moved to SAAFL in 1958
Mitcham
Price Memorial Oval, Hawthorn USFA 1908 1921[33][30] 1 1921 Moved to Mid-Southern FA in 1922
North Adelaide Central 1935-? 4 1941, 1950, 1953, 1956 Folded
North Adelaide Colts 1938 0 - Folded
North Adelaide Juniors 1926-? 0 - Folded
North Adelaide Ramblers 1921-1941[34] 1 1929 Folded
Northfield 1926-? 0 - Folded
Prospect Dark with light band YMCAFA 1923-1964[35][36] 6 1923, 1924, 1925, 1927, 1936, 1946 Folded after 1964 season
RAAF – 1941 1941 0 - Folded
RAAF Adelaide – 1940 1940 0 - Folded
RAAF Parafield – 1940 1940 0 - Folded
Royal Park
Roosters Carnegie South Reserve, Royal Park – 1960s 1966 0 - Moved to Adelaide Metropolitan FL in 1967
SA Central 1936-1950 0 - Folded
Salisbury
Magpies Salisbury Oval, Salisbury GDFA 1883 1926-1928[37][38] 0 - Returned to Gawler & District FA in 1929[39]
St Dominics (North Adelaide YCW 1954-61)[40] Red and black St Dominic's Oval, North Adelaide 1940s 1954-1962[41][42] 0 - Moved to SAAFL in 1963
Super Elliott 1948-1954?[43] 0 - Folded
Tea Tree Gully
Gullies, Wolves Pertaringa Oval, Banksia Park ETFA 1862 1955-1956 0 - Returned to East Torrens FA in 1957
Thompson Memorial 1947-? 7 1950, 1951, 1952, 1955, 1958, 1964, 1966 Folded
Walkerville
(1921-52)
(1953-54)
(1961)		 Walkerville Oval, Walkerville SAAFL 1901 1921-1935,[44][45] 1947-1954, 1961 3 1931, 1932, 1963 Moved to SAAFL in 1936. Fielded B-grade team in NADFA from 1947-54 and in 1961.
Woodville North ?-1959-? 1 1959 Folded
Woodville Gardens 1963 0 - Folded

Premierships

YearA1A2
1921Mitcham[4]
1922Islington United [46]
1923Prospect[47][48]
1924Prospect[48][49]
1925Prospect[48]
1926Gaza[50]
1927Prospect[51]
1928Chicago[52][53]
1929North Adelaide Ramblers [54]
1930Broadview [55]
1931Walkerville[56]
1932Walkerville[57]
1933Kilburn[53][58]
1934Kilburn[53][59]
1935Kilburn[53][60]
1936Prospect[61]
1937Kilburn[53][62]
1938Kilburn[53][63]
1939Kilburn[53][64]
1940Kilburn[53][65]
1941North Adelaide Central[66]
1942-45In Recess
1946Kilburn[53]
1947Kilburn[53]
1948Broadview[1][67]
1949Brunswick[68]College Park[69]
1950Thompson Memorial[70]North Adelaide Central[71]
1951Thompson Memorial[72]Gaza[72]
1952Thompson Memorial[73]Super Elliott[73]
1953Enfield[74]North Adelaide Central (undefeated)[74][75]
1954Broadview[76]Hope Valley[76]
1955Thompson Memorial
1956KilburnNorth Adelaide Central (undefeated) [77]
1957KilburnWingfield
1958Thompson MemorialWingfield
1959North Adelaide Y.C.W.Woodville North [78]
1960North Adelaide Y.C.W.Gaza [79]
1961ProspectWalkerville
1962
1963BroadviewModbury [80]
1964Thompson Memorial
1965Gepps Cross[81]Ferryden Park
1966Thompson Memorial
1967Modbury[1]
1968Modbury[1]

Northern Adelaide District Football A1 Grade premierships by club

Club Premierships Premiership Season
Broadview 4 1930,1948,1954,1963
Brunswick 1 1949
Chicago (Kilburn) 1 1928
Enfield 1 1953
Gaza 1 1926
Gepps Cross 1 1965
Islington United 1 1922
Kilburn 11 1933,1934,1935,1937,1938,1939,1940,1946,1947,1956,1957
Mitcham 1 1921
Modbury 2 1967,1968
North Adelaide Central 1 1941
North Adelaide Ramblers 1 1929
North Adelaide Y.C.W. 2 1959,1960
Prospect 6 1923,1924,1925,1927,1936,1961
Thompson Memorial 7 1950,1951,1952,1955,1958,1964,1966
Walkerville 2 1931,1932

Notes:
1962 Premiers - Unknown


Leader Medallists

The Leader Medal was awarded for the fairest and most brilliant footballer in the North Adelaide DFA each season.[82]

  • 1968 - Dave (Doc) Woollard (Thompson) [82]

Other Grades

A1

  • 1968 - K. Hopkins (Wingfield) [82]

A2

  • 1968 - A. Underwood (Pooraka) [82]

B-Grade

  • 1968 - R. Furler (Adult Deaf) [82]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "North Adelaide District Football Association (SA)". Footypedia. Archived from the original on 20 November 2008. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
  2. ↑ "Football - North Adelaide District Association". The Register (Adelaide). 25 March 1921. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
  3. ↑ "Football - North Adelaide District Association". The Herald (Adelaide). 25 March 1921. Retrieved 1 October 2025.
  4. 1 2 "N.A. Ramblers". The Register (Adelaide). 5 September 1921. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
  5. ↑ https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/49087604
  6. ↑ https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/264036990
  7. ↑ "Football - A Disqualified Player". The Advertiser (Adelaide). 17 May 1927. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
  8. ↑ https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/129118243
  9. ↑ https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/35610653
  10. ↑ https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/131538382
  11. ↑ https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/131536762
  12. ↑ https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/35616647
  13. ↑ https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/55940562
  14. ↑ https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/48854165
  15. ↑ https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/74450951
  16. ↑ https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/55893352
  17. ↑ https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/253414424
  18. ↑ https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/253419668
  19. ↑ Bloch, Fred. "Greenacres". Channel 9 Adelaide Football League. Retrieved 29 July 2016.
  20. ↑ "North Adelaide District Football Association (SA)". Footypedia. Archived from the original on 20 November 2008. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
  21. ↑ "North Adelaide District Football Association (SA)". Footypedia. Archived from the original on 20 November 2008. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
  22. ↑ https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/253405941
  23. 1 2 "North Adelaide District Football Association (SA)". Footypedia. Archived from the original on 20 November 2008. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
  24. ↑ Bloch, Fred. "SAAFL History - 1964". South Australian Amateur Football League. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
  25. ↑ https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/253419413
  26. ↑ https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/96287677
  27. ↑ Bloch, Fred. "SAAFL History - 1968". South Australian Amateur Football League. Archived from the original on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
  28. ↑ "Among the Juniors - North Adelaide District Association". Daily Herald (Adelaide). 10 June 1921. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
  29. ↑ Bloch, Fred. "SAAFL History - 1962". South Australian Amateur Football League. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
  30. 1 2 "Among the Juniors - North Adelaide District Association". Daily Herald (Adelaide). 10 June 1921. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
  31. ↑ https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/129831844
  32. ↑ Bloch, Fred. "SAAFL History - 1958". South Australian Amateur Football League. Archived from the original on 25 April 2013. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
  33. ↑ "North Adelaide District Football Association (SA)". Footypedia. Archived from the original on 20 November 2008. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
  34. ↑ "Among the Juniors - North Adelaide District Association". Daily Herald (Adelaide). 10 June 1921. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
  35. ↑ "North Adelaide District Football Association (SA)". Footypedia. Archived from the original on 20 November 2008. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
  36. ↑ Bloch, Fred. "SAAFL History - 1922". South Australian Amateur Football League. Archived from the original on 25 April 2013. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
  37. ↑ https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/129170239
  38. ↑ https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/129339602
  39. ↑ https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/129261023
  40. ↑ "Footypedia - Northern YCW Football Club/Saint Dominics Football Club (SA)". Footypedia. Archived from the original on 20 November 2008. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
  41. ↑ "North Adelaide District Football Association (SA)". Footypedia. Archived from the original on 20 November 2008. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
  42. ↑ Bloch, Fred. "SAAFL History - 1963". South Australian Amateur Football League. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
  43. ↑ "City Footballers Outclassed". Recorder (Port Pirie). 20 September 1948. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
  44. ↑ "Among the Juniors - North Adelaide District Association". Daily Herald (Adelaide). 10 June 1921. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
  45. ↑ Bloch, Fred. "SAAFL History - 1936". South Australian Amateur Football League. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
  46. ↑ "NORTH ADELAIDE DISTRICT ASSOCIATION". Sunday Mail (Adelaide). 16 September 1922. Retrieved 1 October 2025.
  47. ↑ "North Adelaide District Association - Prospect Beat Ramblers". The Advertiser (Adelaide). 28 September 1923. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
  48. 1 2 3 "North Adelaide Association - Final". No. Saturday 29 August 1925. The Mail (Adelaide). 29 August 1925. p. 4. Retrieved 16 July 2014.
  49. ↑ "Football - Junior Matches - North Adelaide Association". The Mail (Adelaide). 30 August 1924. Retrieved 7 October 2013.
  50. ↑ "History". Gaza Sports and Community Club. Retrieved 30 June 2014.
  51. ↑ "North Adelaide District Association". The Advertiser (Adelaide). 28 September 1927. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
  52. ↑ "Football - North Adelaide District Association". The Advertiser (Adelaide). 4 October 1928. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
  53. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "Round the Pickets". The Advertiser (Adelaide). 30 June 1950. Retrieved 2 August 2013.
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  55. ↑ "North District Association". The News (Adelaide). 13 February 1931. Retrieved 2 October 2025.
  56. ↑ "N.A. District Association - Challenge Final". The Mail (Adelaide). 29 August 1931. Retrieved 29 October 2013.
  57. ↑ "Junior Football - North Adelaide District Association". The Mail (Adelaide). 3 September 1932. Retrieved 7 October 2013.
  58. ↑ "North Adelaide (Final)". The Mail (Adelaide). 2 September 1933. Retrieved 29 October 2013.
  59. ↑ "North Adelaide Districts - Grand Final". The Mail (Adelaide). 8 September 1934. Retrieved 29 October 2013.
  60. ↑ "North Adelaide District - Grand Final". The Mail (Adelaide). 17 August 1935. Retrieved 29 October 2013.
  61. ↑ "Challenge Game Ends in a Draw". The Mail (Adelaide). 5 September 1936. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
  62. ↑ Handby, Jim (1 September 1937). "Port and Norwood to Meet - League Leaders Prepare for Strenuous Match - West Torrens Strong". The Advertiser (Adelaide). Retrieved 31 July 2013.
  63. ↑ https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/36583228
  64. ↑ "North Adelaide - Grand Final". The Mail (Adelaide). 2 September 1939. Retrieved 29 October 2013.
  65. ↑ "North Adelaide - Grand Final". The Mail (Adelaide). 28 September 1940. Retrieved 29 October 2013.
  66. ↑ "North Adelaide Association - Grand Final". The Mail (Adelaide). 20 September 1941. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
  67. ↑ "Junior Football - North Adelaide District". The Mail (Adelaide). 2 October 1948. Retrieved 9 November 2013.
  68. ↑ "Junior Games - North Adelaide Grand Final". The Mail (Adelaide). 24 September 1949. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
  69. ↑ "Junior Football". The Mail (Adelaide). 10 September 1949. Retrieved 4 November 2015.
  70. ↑ "Junior Football - North Adelaide AI Grade Grand Final". The Mail (Adelaide). 16 September 1950. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
  71. ↑ "Junior Football". The Mail (Adelaide). 16 September 1950. Retrieved 4 November 2015.
  72. 1 2 "Minor Football - North Adelaide". The Mail (Adelaide). 15 September 1951. Retrieved 14 November 2013.
  73. 1 2 "Minor Football". The Mail (Adelaide). 20 September 1952. Retrieved 2 December 2013.
  74. 1 2 "Minor Football". The Mail (Adelaide). 19 September 1953. Retrieved 2 December 2013.
  75. ↑ Boase, Frank. "North Adelaide Central Football Club [B 72600] • Photograph". SA Memory. State Library of South Australia. Retrieved 27 November 2015.
  76. 1 2 "Junior Football". The Mail (Adelaide). 18 September 1954. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  77. ↑ https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/253403278
  78. ↑ https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/253413263
  79. ↑ https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/253417423?
  80. ↑ https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/274969585
  81. ↑ "Brief History of the Gepps Cross Football Club". Northgate Community and Sports Club. Archived from the original on 26 January 2014. Retrieved 30 June 2014.
  82. 1 2 3 4 5 "Dave Woollard wins first Leader Medal". The Standard. 4 September 1968. Retrieved 22 June 2026.
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