When Fitzroy Stars and Rumbalara revived a shared tradition at the weekend, it was more than just about footy.

The Aboriginal-led football-netball clubs once rotated hosting rights for an annual city versus country contest with "bragging rights" on the line.

Stars and Rumba met ahead of their respective NFNL and Murray League seasons for the Alf Bamblett Cup in Naarm's north on Saturday.

The contest returned after a handful of years at Sir Doug Nicolls Oval in Thornbury, at the Aboriginal Advancement League.

Stars got the job done by a solid margin to continue their roll off drought-breaking flag in 2025.

"This goes back 30 years longer," Stars life member, pre and coach Uncle Alan Brown, told National Indigenous Times.

Uncle Alan ran out against Rumba back in his playing days.

"We would play each other every year, before their carnivals (and opportunities to play each other)," he said.

"They were good games, they were respectful games. They were played in good spirit, either in Shepparton or in Melbourne. And we want to see that tradition continue."

Uncle Alan added together, Stars and Rumba exist as unique pieces in the state's footy landscape - Not Aboriginal-exclusive, but Aboriginal-led sporting organisations having a positive impact on community and existing as positive examples in Victoria.

They occupy an important space in country and metro football, Uncle Alan said.

Contests between the pair have more recently been held with the shield named in Alf Bamblett's honour up for grabs.

The late Mr Bamblett is recognised as a key figure in shaping many of Victoria's Aboriginal Organisations and services, a former Victorian Commissioner on the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission, musician, education, justice and self-determination advocate, and community leader.

Earlier in the morning, a Stars side took on the Army 4th Brigade team for the John 'Stewart' Murray Shield - named for the late Wamba Wamba Elder, war veteran, and Aboriginal rights activist.

The hosts survived a second half comeback into the match from the Army to walk away winners.

A best on ground medal on the day is named in honour of army veteran Rick Morris, a Stars premiership player still involved with the club.

"Bragging rights" were well and truly up for grabs against Rumba, Uncle Alan said.

"The game today will be competitive, and there'll be some quality football. There'll be passion shown on the ground, but once the lads get back over this side of the fence, they'll be brothers."

Travelling down to play was about community, Rumbalara reserves coach Tristan Miller said.

Miller's connection to his club dates back to being a 12-year-old.

"It was awesome coming down to watch the older brothers and cousins and uncles get to play against each other, and to get it back is amazing," he said.

The club have picked up a bit of talent over the off season, and are keen to get into their 2026 campaign.

At Thornbury, the Stars got back onto the track in November ahead of jumping up an NFNL division off the back of their grand final triumph in September.

"We don't take anything for granted. We've had to work harder. We've recruited. We've looked at who we need," Uncle Alan said.

Player-coach and former AFL star Neville Jetta's game plan is looking the goods, he added.

Saturday's matches aligned with the commencement of the First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria's elections, with more than 80 candidates contesting seats across the state, with votes cast at the footy ground.