Australs were made up of VFL, WA AFL, Rugby and Gaelic footballers and won their inaugural and only premiership in 1958. Rover’s recruitment strategy was uncovering AFL talent at the local railway station and went on to win their inaugural premiership in 1959.
In 1961 a dispute erupted between the Mount Isa Mines (MIM) and their workers concerning pay, hence AFL ceased until it’s recommencement in 1967. After John Cargill drove the Mount Isa AFL recommencement in 1967, the Mount Isa Irish Club was approached to sponsor a team in the competition.
Due to the leagues recommencement, members from the Australs and Rovers football clubs combined to create the Irish Rovers AFC. The newly formed Irish Rovers kept their Rovers name with the “Irish” addition and adopted the Green with a Gold stripe jersey.
The current Mount Isa Rovers A.F.C. was formed in 1967 by the merging of both the Australs and Rovers football clubs. Australs wore a Green with a Gold stripe jersey and their local water hole and main sponsor was the Irish Club. Rovers wore a Red with a Black stripe jersey (left) and their local water hole and main sponsor was the then called Boydies Pub. (Current Red Earth Hotel)
In a dark incident in 1995, Stewart Horwood collapsed at the ground and subsequently passed away a day before his 35th birthday. The clubs most consistent player award has been named in his honour, as has the scoreboard at Legend Oval.
Last Modified on 07/04/2018 04:47
