History of Superules, Masterules and AFL Masters

A group led by John Hammer from Nhill organized the ongoing playing of AFL to enable men to keep fit. Superules, a football competition for 35's and over, held its inaugural meeting on March 1, 1981, at the Sheraton Hotel in Melbourne.

 

The meeting was attended by Pat Maguire from Canberra, and office bearers for the competition were elected, including directors for three zones outside Melbourne: Laurie Laffan for Canberra, Bill Powell for Albury/Wodonga, and Kevin Jacobs for Horsham (Wimmera).

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Pre-Competition Football

In 1981 the ACT Superules team played a number of games, North Canberra vs South Canberra.  Other games were against NSW, Albury and Combined Victorian Country teams.

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The first representative match of Superules between ACT and Victorian Football League (VFL) was play on ACTAFL Grand Final Day which resulted in a 1 point win to the VFL.

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The program for 1982 included games against Albury/Wodonga, Murray/Goulburn Valley​, Ovens & Murray and the Victorian Football League (VFL).

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Superules (1983 - 2000)

​The National Superules competition began in the 1983 with a National carnival in Melbourne.

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The ACT team for the carnival was under the guidance of captain-coach Bob McDonald, a former Sturt player in Adelaide. McDonald played 125 first-grade games for the club, represented South Australia for three years and in 1955 played for the State reserves.  The Australian Superules president, Bill Powell, of NSW, was in the ACT Riverina line-up.

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Two ACT team members were selected in the inaugural ALL Australian Team at the carnival​, Max Johnson and Bob McDonald.

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National Carnival Winners

• Drop Kick

         ACT player Trevor Zeltner wins the drop kick competition in 1987 with a distances of 57.5 metres.

• Best & Fairest

         ACT player Max Johnson wins the Best & Fairest in 1983 National Carnival. ACT Players continue to win the

         B&F in following years, 1985 - Trevor Zeltner, 1987 - Barry Fort, 1991 - Graeme Fort, 1997 - Mark Housley

         (Superules), Ian Jackson & G Allen (Masterules), 1999 - Mark Housley (Masterules) and 2000 - Mark Housley

         (Masterules)

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National President of Superules

The National President of Superules from 1996-2000 was Canberra's Brian Stirling (ACT Umpire).

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Inaugural National Carnival Canberra

The National Carnival was held in Canberra for the 1st time in 1989.

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National Carnival Canberra

The National Carnival was held in Canberra for the 2nd time in 1998.

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National Carnival Winners

ACT teams have won a number of divisional national competitions:

• 1998 Superules - Division 2 (35+)

• 1998 Masterules - Division 2 (40+)

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Brian Stirling was made a life member of the National Superules in 1998.​

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Masterules (2001 - 2007)

​The Superules competition was renamed to the Masters Australian Football (MAF) competition at the end of the 2000 year.

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National Carnival Winners

ACT teams have won a number of divisional national competitions:

• 2002 Masterules - Division 2 (40+)

• 2004 Seniors - Division 2 (45+) with NSW

• 2007 Superules - Division 2 (35+)

 

National Carnival Winners - Best & Fairest

ACT player Steve Bailey wins the Best & Fairest in 2001 National Carnival with Steve Armstrong winning in 2008 (Masterules)

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National Carnival Sprint Winner

ACT player Rick Holt wins the sprint competition for the Masters (40+) division.  John Lamb wins the Veterans (55+) division sprints in 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2010

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AFL Masters (2008 -     )

​The Masters Australian Football (MAF) competition was renamed to the AFL Masters competition at the end of the 2007 year.

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National Carnival Canberra

The National Carnival was held in Canberra in 2010.

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ACT had its 1st inductee into the AFL Masters Hall of Fame with the inclusion of Robert "Blouse" Nisbet in 2012.  This was followed by the addition of Brian Stirling in 2014. 

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In 2016, 3 Women's representatives were included in the National AFL Masters Carnival in the Gold Coast.  Pam Andrew played for and captained the Victoria team while representing ACT. Pam was one of 7 selected in the All Australian Ladies team.

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Pam Andrew as National Women’s Director, organised an AFLM Over 40’s exhibition match in 2019 as a curtain raiser for the AFLW International Women’s Day double header held at Marvel Stadium. Pam Andrew, Andi McGee & Brooke Murphy all played for the winning VIC County team in this game.

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ACT Women fielded a team in the 2022 National Carnival for the 1st time. 
 

National Carnival Winners

ACT teams have won a number of divisional national competitions:

• 2002 Masterules - Division 2 (40+)

• 2004 Seniors - Division 2 (45+) with NSW

• 2007 Superules - Division 2 (35+)

• 2010 Division1 (45+)

• 2011 Division 3 (35+)

• 2014 Division 1 (45+)

• 2015 Division 2 (35+)

• 2016 Division 3 (35+)

• 2017 Division 3 (45+)

• 2023 Women's (40+)

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National Carnival Winners - Best & Fairest

ACT player Dave Skuta wins the Best & Fairest in Masters 2008 National Carnival with Arthur Gidis winning in 2009 (Masterules), Dave Skuta in 2010 (Seniors), Simon Tuan in 2014 (Seniors), Charles Bishop in 2017 (45+), Kate Greenacre in 2022 (Women's 35+), and Simon Tuan in 2023 (50+).​​​​