So when the 2023 AFL Victoria country football season kicked off in earnest, for most clubs across Victoria the expectations were high as they set out to chase premiership glory. 

Theoretically, every club starts the year with an equal chance of the ultimate success however, some are more prone to achieving this than others.  So with that in mind and as we move into the latter part of the regular season for each league, we thought it was a good time to have a look at which clubs have waited the longest since being crowned champions on the last day in September and who have the chance to break long standing premiership droughts. 

With the changes in league structures over time and the movement of clubs across leagues, this list is made to be simple. It identifies the club with the longest standing senior football premiership drought for each current Victorian league.  In the case of newly merged clubs, many of these are yet to win a flag since their inception or move to a new league, so many of these clubs are listed in the no premiership list for their respective league.  

There are two anomalies to this no premiership list with both the Deniliquin Rovers FNC in the Picola & District FNL and Devon Meadows FNC in the Mornington Peninsula Nepean FNL. Both clubs were formed in 1977 as new clubs, but neither are yet to win a senior premiership in any of the leagues they have competed in since their inception.

When it comes to the longest drought on our list, heading it up is the Wodonga Saints in the Tallangatta & District FNL who last held the cup aloft way back in 1929. Interestingly enough, this was when they were known as the Bethanga Football Club and were participating in the Yackandandah Football Association, actually beating Yackandandah FC in the grand final by 14 points.  Their current incarnation as the Wodonga Saints came about in 2002 when they decided to relocate to Wodonga in a bid to ensure the club avoided folding, like they had previously between the 1960 and 1975 seasons. So at this point of the season with 7 rounds remaining and the Saints in 10th position, it’s highly likely that another year will be added to their premiership drought.

So who does look like ending their run without premiership success? Mindful that we don't want to jinx anyone and there is still between 5 and 8 rounds to be competed for most leagues, the 6 most likely at this stage are listed below.

Cudgewa FNC
Currently FNC sitting 4 games clear on top with 3 games to go in the Upper Murray FNL ladder, the holders of the shortest premiership drought on our list are also almost unbackable favorites to be crowned premiers this year.

Pyramid Hill FNC
While sitting second on the ladder sets up Pyramid Hill FNC for a great tilt at the premiership, sitting above them on the ladder is Marong FNC who currently hold the longest winning streak in Victoria with 24. If successful it will be some celebration to not only break a 72 year flag drought but to do so in a league with one of the more dominant current clubs going around.

Colac Imperials FNC
Like Cudgewa, the Colac Imperials are also sitting in first place on the ladder, being 1 game clear of rivals Alvie FNC in the Colac & District FNL. The Imperials are hoping to break a 27 year period with no flags while Alvie themselves are out to break a run of 22 years without premiership success.

Woodside FNC
A slightly contentious one here as Woodside were known as Woodside and District FNC in 2008 when they broke away from DWWW, Devon Wron Wron Woodside and moved the North GIppsland FNL in 2008.  Prior to their original merger with Wron Wron back in 1982.  So while they could ‘technically’ be called a new side, a stand alone Woodside team did last claim a premiership in 1974, 48 years ago in the Alberton FL  Sitting 2nd, a game behind Traralgon Tyers United FNC, does put them in a good spot as the season comes to an end.

Sebastopol FNC 
A game behind ladder leaders Melton FNC, the Burras look in a good position to claim their first premiership in 47 years, since their 1975 victory when they were part of the Bacchus Marsh FL.  Since rejoining the Ballarat FNL in 1978, there have been 4 premiership losses, most recently it was last year against Melton FNC.  They have a good chance to turn the tables in the last game of 2023.

West Gambier FNC
Sitting second on the Western Border FNL ladder by percentage only, the Kangaroos have put themselves right in the mix to claim the 2023 flag and break their 11 year run without premiership success.  The club are well set to improve on their 1st semi final loss in last year's final series. 

The full list of premiership droughts for each league as well as their current ladder position and how many rounds are left to be played can be found below.
* List compiled on 6/7/23