The post-war years saw the Glenrowan-Greta Football Association at its peak, as well as the formation of the Benalla Junior Footy league.
In its first year of competition, St James defeated Dookie by 23 points to become the premier, with teams from Badagginnie, Euroa, Strathbogie and Violet Town also competing.
In those days, the season would start in June, later than the present day, which is up and running by April.
The Benalla district was home to another competition, the Yarrawonga Line Association, in which the main Benalla team competed alongside the likes of Devenish, St James, Willby, Tungamah and Mulwala.
Benalla was crowned the inaugural premier with a nine-goal win against Mansfield.
The early 1920s saw the North-East Association formed, with competing teams extending from Glenrowan to Euroa.
In the junior competition, Benalla Juniors racked up 27 consecutive victories.
Seeking stronger competition, Benalla’s senior side entered the more powerful Ovens and Murray Association in 1922, where it acquitted itself well in a competition Wangaratta and St Patrick’s dominated.
Two forwards made their mark for Benalla in the 1920s, with Alan Beeson and Les Hill dominating the competition.
– Neil Barter
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