Rochester entered the Goulburn Valley FL for the 1913 season; they were eventually runner-up to Shepparton. The following year, they defeated Shepparton in the Grand Final. With the outbreak of World War I, the Goulburn Valley FL did not reform in 1915, so Rochester entered the Bendigo FL. By 1971, Rochester was being woo-ed by the Goulburn Valley FL, as it was keen to expand, but the Bendigo league refused a clearance. In 1971. The club went into recess for the 1972 season. It commenced with the GVFL in 1973, changing from its red and black colours to black and yellow.