Murchison-Toolamba Football Netball Club, nicknamed the Grasshoppers, is an Australian Rules Football and Netball club that plays its home games in the small north eastern Victoria town of Murchison. Its name also recognises the initial 1952 merger with nearby town of Toolamba.
It now competes in the Kyabram District Football League, where they field four grades of football (Seniors, Reserves, Under 18's & Under 15's) and Goulburn Murray Junior League, where they field two grades of football (Under 12s & Under 9s), and 8 grades of Netball (KDNL; A-Grade, B-Grade, C-Grade, C Reserve, Under 17's, Under 15's, Under 13's and Under 11's).
History The Murchison Football Club was established in 1881 and first competed in the Goulburn Valley Football League, the club transferred to the Upper Goulburn Football Association in 1897.
Throughout the early 20th century, Murchison competed in a range of regional competitions including the Waranga North East Football Association and later returned to the Goulburn Valley Football League following World War II. During its time in the GVFL, the club regularly played against strong regional sides such as Shepparton, Tatura, Rushworth, and Kyabram. Murchison moved to the Kyabram District Football League in 1964, where it continues to compete.
The nearby township of Toolamba also had its own football club during the first half of the 20th century, competing in various district leagues. The two clubs eventually merged in 1952 to form the Murchison-Toolamba Football Club, participating in the GVL. Upon joining the KDFL in 1964, the Toolamba name was dropped, and for the next five decades it was known simply as Murchison. Following a member vote on 14 April 2016, the Murchison-Toolamba name was officially reinstated.
The club’s colours have been bottle green with a gold sash since 1910, with minor design variations introduced over time. Earlier colours included: Navy jumper with navy knickerbockers, red hose and cap (1881–1894) Green and gold stripes with a red sash (1895–1907) Black and white stripes with a green sash (1908–1909)
White trim was added to the jumper in 2012 to reduce colour clashes with neighbouring clubs Rushworth and Lancaster. The club also wears a gold clash jumper with vertical green stripes.
Murchison-Toolamba has recently been one of the leading clubs in the Kyabram District Football Netball League, winning the past two Senior Premierships in 2024 and 2025.
Football 1st XVIII Premierships 1st XVIII Upper Goulburn Football Association 1897 - Murchison: 5.8 - 38 d Nagambie: 5.7 - 37 Waranga Football Association 1904 - Murchison: 1.3 - 9 d Rushworth: 1.1 - 7 Goulburn Valley Football League 1910 - Murchison: 13.9 - 87 d Echuca: 3.7 - 25 Waranga North East Football Association 1914 - Murchison: 7.5 - 47 defeated Nagambie: 4.8 - 32 Euroa District Football Association 1945 - Murchison: 26.17 - 173 d Euroa: 9.9 - 63 Kyabram & District Football League 1964 - Murchison: 14.14 - 98 d Merrigum: 3.7 - 25 1966 - Murchison: 10.15 - 75 d Nagambie: 8.15 - 63 1982 - Murchison: 14.9 - 93 d Avenel 10.14 - 74 2013 - Murchison: 16.19 - 115 d Stanhope: 12.12 - 84 2024 - Murchison-Toolamba 13.13 - 91 d Shepparton East 6.8 - 44 2025 - Murchison-Toolamba 13.9 - 87 d Lancaster 12.13 - 85
Premierships 2nd XVIII Kyabram & District Football League 1967, 1972, 1982, 2001, 2024 2024 - Murchison-Toolamba 9.9 - 63 def Stanhope 3.3 - 21
Premierships 3rd XVIII 1970, 1980, 2010
Premierships 4th XVIII Nil
Netball Premierships A Grade Nil B Grade Nil C Grade 2012, 2013, 2014 C Reserve Nil 17 & Under Nil 15 & Under 2024 13 & Under Nil 11 & Under Nil
KDL 1st XVIII Football Best & Fairest - McNamara Medal Winners 1964 G.Cross 1976 K.Atkinson 1987 Mark Rijs 2024 James Milne
KDL 2nd XVIII Football Best & Fairest - Wade Medal Winners 2013 David Murray
KDL 3rd XVIII Football Best & Fairest - Inch Medal Winners 2010 James Milne 2019 Aaron Miller 2025 Max Elder
KDL 4th XVIII Football Best & Fairest - Medal Winners Nil
KDL A Grade Netball Best & Fairest Winners 2012 Jess Thompson
KDL B Grade Netball Best & Fairest Winners TBC
KDL C Grade Netball Best & Fairest Winners TBC
KDL C Reserve Netball Best & Fairest Winners TBC
KDL 17 & Under Netball Best & Fairest Winners TBC
KDL 15 & Under Netball Best & Fairest Winners TBC
KDL 13 & Under Netball Best & Fairest Winners TBC
References
Sources Grass Boots: It started as a hoot, but neglected Toolamba reclaims its history
External links
Official Kyabram and District Football League Website