The History of
the Australian Football League (AFL)

1897

The first season of the Victorian Football League (VFL). The eight teams that broke away from the then "Victorian Football Association" to form the VFL were Carlton, Collingwood, Essendon, Fitzroy, Geelong, Melbourne, South Melbourne, and St Kilda.
Essendon win the first VFL Premiership.

1898

Fitroy win their first Premiership.

1899

Fitroy become the first team to win "back to back" Premierships.

1900

Melbourne win their first Premiership.

1902

Collingwood win their first Premiership.

1906

Carlton win their first Premiership.

1908

Richmond and University were accepted and played in their first season in the VFL.
Carlton become the first team to win 3 Premierships in a row.

1909

South Melbourne win their first Premiership.

1912

The Football Record commenced publication and was sold for one penny.

1915

With the outbreak of World War I, the University team could not cope with the losses of personnel to the forces and disbanded. The club was already in trouble losing every game of the previous two seasons and having only two wins in the two seasons before that. With the loss of the University side a Bye was required each round.

1916

Due to the War, Essendon, Geelong, Melbourne, South Melbourne and St Kilda were forced into recession leaving just four teams to compete for the Premiership. After just 12 rounds (each team playing the others four times), the finals were played. Carlton headed the ladder and were red hot favourites to win their 3rd Premiership on the trot. Fitzroy spoiled the party in two big upsets and by doing so completed a unique double of winning the wooden spoon (with just 2 wins in the home and away games) and the Premiership in the same year.

1917

Geelong and South Melbourne resumed.

1918

St Kilda and Essendon resumed.

1920

Richmond win their first Premiership.

1922

Rule introduced penalised players who forced the ball out of bounds.

1924

The Charles Browlow medal was awarded for the first time to fairest and best player in the VFL.

1925

Hawthorn, North Melbourne and Footscray join the League.
Geelong win their first Premiership.

1930

Introduction of the 19th man. Last year of the Argus Finals system.
Collingwood become the first and only team to win four Premierships in a row.

1931

The K.G. McIntyre Final Four system introduced for finals.
System saw 3rd vs 4th in 1st Semi with the loser omitted.
1st vs 2nd in the 2nd Semi Final, winner to go straight to Grand Final
The Preliminary Final saw the winner of the 1st Semi against the loser of the 2nd Semi with the loser being omitted.
The Grand Final was then played between the winner of the 2nd Semi and the winner of the Preliminary Final.

1942

Geelong in recession for World War II.

1944

Geelong resume.
Fitzroy win their 8th and last Premiership as a sole identity.

1946

The league introduced the second reserve (20th man).

1948

The first Grand Final to be drawn was played between Essendon and Melbourne. Melbourne won the replay by 39 points.

1954

Footscray win their first (and only) Premiership by thrashing Melbourne by 54 points.

1961

Hawthorn win their first Premiership.

1966

St Kilda win win their first (and only) Premiership by defeating Collingwood by a solitary behind.

1970

Waverley Park, the VFL's own ground, is completed and ready for games. Geelong defeated Fitzroy by 61 pts in the first game at the new stadium on 18 Apr 1970.
The most dominant era of the VFL began with just five teams taking out every premiership in the 70's and 80's. Hawthorn taking out 7 flags, Carlton 6, Richmond 3, North Melbourne and Essendon 2 each. Collingwood lost 5 Grand Finals in this time.

1972

League changes from top four competing for finals after the home and away season to top five.

1975

North Melbourne win their first Premiership.

1982

South Melbourne relocated to Sydney for their home games and officially changed their name to the Sydney Swans.

1987

The Brisbane Bears and West Coast Eagles (based in Perth) entered the competition.

1990

The VFL rename the competition the Australian Football League. Collingwood win the premiership and break a 30 odd year premiership drought which included 8 Grand Final losses.

1991

Adelaide Crows become the first team from South Australia to join the competition.
Once again a requirement for a team to have a bye each week was introduced along with the top six battling out in the finals.

1992

West Coast Eagles win their first Premiership in just their sixth season.

1994

Finals battled out with the top eight teams after the home and away games.

1995

The Fremantle club were admitted into the AFL.

1996

On 1 Nov 1996, after struggling for many years financially and on the field, the Fitzroy Lions merge with the Brisbane Bears to be become the Brisbane Lions.

1997

Brisbane Lions play their first season.
A second team from South Australia, in the form of Port Adelaide Power, join the competition.
Adelaide win their first Premiership.

1999

After just 29 years, Waverley Park (aka AFL Park) hosts its 732nd and last game, where Hawthorn defeated Sydney by 85 pts on 29 Aug 99.

2000

Docklands Stadium (officially named Colonial Stadium) hosts its first AFL game, where Essendon thrash Port Adelaide by 94 pts on 09 Mar 2000.

2001

The Brisbane Lions win their first Premiership.

2003

Brisbane Lions win their third Premiership in a row. The first time this has occurred since 1957.

2004

Port Adelaide win their first premiership halting Brisbane's run at 3 in a row.

2005

The Sydney Swans break the longest Premiership drought in VFL/AFL History by winning their first flag since 1933.

The History ofthe Australian Football League (AFL)

The History of
the Australian Football League (AFL)