Good afternoon, my name is Leith Dawes and I would like to extend a warm welcome to everybody here today for the last round of the HFL season at the Heathfield Oval.
We would especially like to welcome Lofty Legend Roger Brooks who is doing us the honour of tossing the commemorative Life Member coin for today’s match against Lobethal. Today he is joined by his wife Hella.
Roger, or “Chook”, grew up in Longwood where his parents who were dedicated Hills people with his dad working for the Council and helping many others to clear this land we play on for the Heathfield Oval. He married his wife Hella and they moved to Coromandel Valley. Their married life took quite the journey up through the riverland and ended in Kynton Victoria close to his daughter and her family farm.
Attending Scotts Creek and Heathfield Primary Schools and then Oakabank High School, upon leaving education he furthered himself with a course in motor mechanics and worked at United Holden in Pirie Street.
Rogers football prowess is long and has a lot of depth and history that we are very proud to honour at Mt Lofty Football Club.
Beginning at Aldgate Football Club he quickly saw the light and moved to Heathfield and later Heathfield/Aldgate United where he became instant great mates with Johnny Coventry and many others. He was a 1961 and 1962 premiership player and between 1962 and 1964 he represented the Sturt District Rep Team. Roger captained this team in 1964 and won Association Goal Kicking as well as Best and Fairest.
In 1965, played for Heathfield in metro league and in 1966 for U17s with East Torrens Association team. He also captained the association team in a curtain raiser for Sturt vs Collingwood at Adelaide oval.
1967 to 1977 saw the incredible achievements of our Heritage Club era which we refer to as “The Golden Years”. Heathfield Aldgate United set an Australian football record back then of playing 87 unbeaten matches. This equates to a massive 9 premierships and Chook alongside Johnny Coventry and the late Herman de Roos. Within that period, he won Best and Fairest and leading goal kicker.
Football skills staying in the Brooks genes, Rogers granddaughter now plays AFL for Hawthorn. Before hanging up the boots in 1992, Roger played a few seasons for Kenilworth with his late son Jason.
Roger, on behalf of everybody at Mt Lofty, we sincerely thank you for your history which is forever woven into the heritage fabric of our club that makes it what it is today.
1967 A Grade Premiers
1977 HAU A Grade
1977 HAU A Grade Premiers
HAU – Mark Radbone, Roger Brooks, Geoff Hampton, Warren Foster (Coach)
– Over the last few days on our Socials we have been ‘Stepping Back In Time’ reminiscing of past years. Here are some of the articles that were posted. –
Don’t forget the Reunion this weekend. Get in early as it is looking like standing room only.
1950 Womens unofficial team Who do you know! Our Lofty Legends team has found all the names bar one! Third from left, back row! If you know who this is, please email legends@mtloftydevils.com.au to help keep our historical records up to date!
Back row, L to R: John Hampton, Joyce Hampton, (name unknown), Mrs Sillett, Silvia Chaplin, Mrs Cocker, Mrs Meyer, Klari Chillingsworth, Pat Williams, Maxine Chillingsworth and Barb Coventry
Young girl in front of Klari Chillingsworth is Wendy Roberts
Front row L to R: Dora Fuller, Nell Blackmore, Thelma Coventry, Cliff Chaplin, Ray Williams, Bob Longmire and Janet White
1966 Opening of Heathfield Oval
What an event for the community! A lot of red tape and dedication by many community members, eventually the Heathfield Oval was opened!
Fun Fact – Heathfield High School was originally a speedway before it was a school, then an oval. And in 1962 locals gained approval from the government to clear the site of the Heathfield oval and locals literally calved out the Heathfield Oval by hand! 1966 our oval was officially opened and the first footy match played on it’s turf! So while you’re playing, remember the hard work that went into you even having an oval to begin with!
Pics in order: Chairman of Heathfield Community Club Stan Evans (in HAU guernsey) with SANFL Chairman Mr A Kenny officially opening the oval, Foundation Stone 1966 | trial match view from current clubrooms balcony | trial match view from top end goals
1986 A and B Grade Premierships
What a day for Mt Lofty! Nothing could be darker that day for Mt Barker!
We have searched high and low but are unable to locate an official sitting of the B Grade! If you have one, please email legends@mtloftydevils.com.au
Email legends@mtloftydevils.com.au if you wish to contribute your own stories, photos and to stay connected with your clubs heritage
Warren Foster, A Grade coach of Heathfield Aldgate United for 5 years in the 1970’s, took the side to 5 Grand Final’s, winning 4 during the club’s amazing achievements over its 12-year history in the HFL. Between 1967 and 1978, 30 Premierships were won across all grades including 9 A Grade flags, missing the Grand Final in only one year and winning 87 matches without loss, an Australian record which stood for over 40 years.
Warren, or Sherg as he is affectionately known, instigated a reunion in 2024 and this year 39 former players, partners and officials gathered at the Balhannah Hotel which is managed by Greg Ryan whose children play for Mt Lofty. It was a wonderful day, made even more special by the attendance of 5 Onkaparinga Valley players who played in the legendary United v Onka’s matches which were the HFL equivalent of the AFL Showdowns back in the day.”
Mt Lofty District Football Club would like to thank Haydn Cutting who is did us the honour of tossing the commemorative Life Member coin this week’s HFL Round 7 match against The Hahndorf Football Club at Heathfield oval in front of the Arkaba Clubhouse on 30 May 2026.
He is joined by his wife Dee, eldest daughter Allison and Granddaughters Mia and Harriet and Sister-in-Law Jill Colotti and James Colotti. His other children Heath and Claire and families all live overseas and cannot be here today, along with sister Annette who lives interstate.
Haydn was made a Life Member of Mt Lofty in 2017 as a volunteer but had played for Heathfield as a junior and for Heathfield Aldgate in the 1968 B Grade Premiership and the 1971 A Grade Premiership.
When his son Heath commenced playing Junior Football for the Devils, Haydn coached those sides for several years and was subsequently a member of the Junior Committee. Later, he and Kevin Hampton worked together to commence the Lofty Legends Group and has since assisted the Football Club and the District Community and Sports Club, of which he is also a Life Member.
Haydn has admiration for the many people who have built Mt Lofty into one of the biggest clubs in South Australia with 20 teams catering for men, women, boys and girls.
He has very fond memories of the people and achievements of the United days, but very special memories are of playing football with his late brother Neil and then, in later years, watching Heath as Captain of the Devil’s A Grade Premierships in 2006, 2007 and 2008. Very proud family moments took place when Heath got to raise the Neil Cutting Memorial Challenge Cup for competition between Mt Lofty and Bridgewater A Grade. Neil had played and volunteered for both clubs, including the Presidency at Bridgewater before his passing at just 44 in 1998.
As a result of being so involved either playing or supporting, he was the co instigator of the Lofty Legends Group in the role of convenor. Bringing together the heritage of the Club so effortlessly with his connection to the current and future of the club. In the role of Convenor he spent countless hours ensuring the history is always respected for reunion day every year and creating the space for many legendary tales to be told well into the evening. Even though he has handed over this role, he is still a part of what makes our club history flow and assists around the club along with fellow lofty legends.
Haydn is extremely honoured to have been made a Life Member of the Devils and is very grateful for the opportunities which so many wonderful Devils people have given him.
On behalf of everybody at Mt Lofty, we thank you sincerely for all you have done for the Mt Lofty District Football Club.
2018 Lofty Legends Reunion of 1968 B Grade Premiership side – LtoR Peter Hunt, Lew Malzard, Richard Symons, Haydn Cutting, Ian O’Riley, Kym Radbone and David Fuller.
Very Proud Moment – 2006 Mt Lofty A Grade side with Captain Heath Cutting and Coach Nathan Grainger holding the Neil Cutting Memorial Challenge Cup won by the A Grade.
Source of Pride and wonderful memories playing together – The Neil Cutting Memorial Challenge Cup so named after Neil playing and volunteering for both Mt Lofty and Bridgewater – Neil is pictured far left with the team drink container used in those days and celebrating the A Grade winning the Courier Cup in 1987.
Mt Lofty District Football Club would like to thank Ian Deans and welcome Ian Deans, who is a Life Member of the Mt Lofty District Football Club and did us the honour of tossing the commemorative Life Member Coin for the 2026 HFL Round 3 match against Uraidla. A round particularly specially being falling on ANZAC Day. Ian was joined by his wife Mary, his two brothers Bruce and Harry Deans with their wives Dianne and Lynda.
The Deans Family were extremely proud to be asked to toss the coin for this ANZAC Day match. This is especially significant, as their parents Frank and Joan, were involved in World War 2. Frank was a Northern Territory Policeman who joined up and saw action in the Malayan Peninsula and the Battle of Singapore. He was captured and imprisoned in Changi for 3 years. Their mother, Joan, was an English woman serving as a Nursing sister on the English Hospital ships throughout the war. Frank and Joan met after the war and married, however due to the terrible deprivation Frank suffered in Changi prison, he endured ill health and died suddenly, leaving Joan with 6 children. The Deans became a Legacy Family, and to this day, are grateful for the support Legacy gave to our mother and our family.
The five boys of the Deans family, Bruce, Harry, Jim, Ian and Tom, have all been involved with, and played in, Aldgate & Heathfield United Football club. This ultimately became the Mt Lofty & District Football Club that we know today. During this time with the Club the Deans brothers have played in a total of 17 Premierships. One in particular stands out, when Harry Deans kicked the winning goal after the final siren to win the 1986 A Grade Grand final. Harry was subsequently presented with the “Golden Boot” which the club still has, and is displayed in the clubrooms. Tom Deans, was the Mt Lofty & District Football Club A Grade Best & Fairest on two occasions.
On behalf of everybody at Mt Lofty, we thank you sincerely for all you have done for the club.
PHOTO ON DAY Back row: Greg Bond, Mt Lofty President, Renae Deans, Mt Lofty Life Member Ian Deans, Daniel Deans, Paul Deans, Seb Deans, Bruce Deans, Diane Deans, Steve Dunning, Haydn O’Shaghnessy, Trevor Ranford. Front row with Harry Deans: Lynda Deans, Laura Deans and Mary DeansPHOTO ON DAY United Premiership Players from the late 1960’s and 1970’s. Don Lobban (official), David Evans, Trevor Ranford, Ian Deans, Haydn O’Shaughnessy, Bruce Deans, Steven Dunning and Harry Deans.PHOTO ON DAY L to R Diane Deans, Laura Deans and Lynda Deans2019 – The Deans Family – Harry, Lynda, Bruce, Diane, Ian and Mary2015 Harry & Ian Deans2015 Ian Deans and Jill Dawes
We would like to thank Lew Malzard who did us the honour of tossing the commemorative Life Member coin for the match against Lobethal on Saturday 11 April 2026. Lew was joined by his son Jonathan and grandson Lucas.
Lew was a passionate player, member and supporter playing in many premierships over a long period of time. He spent some time at Sturt Football Club but his first love was always Heathfield FC.
Living in Eden hills he commuted to Heathfield by train each week to train and play on the rough oval in the middle of the skyline raceway where Heathfield High School stands today. Lew regularly stayed overnight with the Strazdins family and very close friendships were formed, spending hours on Sunday mornings clearing rocks and debris to create the oval we play on today.
The formation of the Heathfield Aldgate United Football Club saw the team enter the Hills Central Zone in 1967. Unfortunately, Lew missed this premiership as he was in hospital recovering from a car accident. But before long, the hospital room door burst open, with teammates raising the Premiership cup high with many cheers!
Lew played in the 1961 Under 16 premiership for Heathfield, followed by the 1962 first senior premiership in the Sturt District Football League. In 1971, with Coach Warren “Sherg” Foster at the helm, then began the dynasty of a long period of success with 88 games without a loss. Lew also played in the last B grade Premiership with Heathfield Aldgate United in 1978 before the club amalgamated with Stirling in 1979 to become the Mt Lofty District Football Club. He was a staunch club committee member and along with his wife Elizabeth, a foundation member of the sports club.
Lew was proudly awarded Life Membership prior to Mt Lofty entering SAFA, and eventually retired and took up umpiring. Unfortunately, an achilles injury ended his field umpiring career, however after moving to the Fleurieu Peninsula, Lew took up Goal Umpiring at A grade level in the Great Southern Football League with his now local Club Encounter Bay.
Lew is proud of his association with this club and it has been a pleasure to connect with so many over a lifetime. He wishes everyone associated with Hills Football an enjoyable 2026 and his hope to see Mt Lofty get the win on the day came to fruition against the 2025 runner up!
On behalf of everybody at Mt MLDFC, we thank you sincerely for all you have done for the club.
Lew doing us the honour of performing the Life Member Coin Toss. Mt Lofty won the Toss, Mt Lofty Captain Tyson Hone elected to kick uphill first and we won the match.L-R Son Jonathan, Lew Malzard, Grandson LucasL-R President Greg Bond, Lew Malzard, A Grade Coach Michael Bawden, Lofty Legends Convenor and Head Trainer Nikki Moore
