Examine individual changes

'{{About|the present day [[Victoria (Australia)|Victorian]] state football league|the league known as the Victorian Football League until 1990|Australian Football League}} {{Redirect|VFL}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2010}} {{Infobox sports league | title = Victorian Football League | current_season = | logo = VFL Football Logo.svg | pixels = 150px | sport = [[Australian rules football]] | chairman = [[Mike Fitzpatrick]] | Formerly = Victorian Football Association | ceo = | Headquarters = [[Melbourne]], [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]], [[Australia]] | inaugural = 1877 | teams = 14 | champion = [[Geelong VFL Football Club|Geelong]] | most_champs = | country = {{AUS}} | TV = [[ABC1]] | website = [http://www.vfl.com.au/ www.vfl.com.au] }} The '''Victorian Football League (VFL)''' which evolved from the former '''Victorian Football Association (VFA)''', taking its new name as from the 1996 season, is the major state-level [[Australian rules football]] league in [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]]. For historical purposes, the present VFL is sometimes referred to as the '''VFA/VFL''', to distinguish it from the present day [[Australian Football League]] (AFL), which was known until 1990 as the Victorian Football League. The VFA was formed in 1877, immediately after the foundation of a similar body in [[South Australia]] and is the second-oldest [[Australian rules football]] league, replacing the loose affiliation of clubs that had been the hallmark of the [[Australian Rules Football - Early Years in Victoria|early years]] of a game which was first played as early as the 1850s. Today, the VFL is one of many regional Australian semi-professional competitions. It comprises 14 teams from throughout [[Victoria, Australia|Victoria]], nine of which have a continuous VFA heritage. Many Victorian-based clubs in the fully professional AFL are [[Reserves affiliations of Australian Football League clubs|affiliated]] with VFL clubs, and as a result, the league partly serves as a reserves competition for the AFL. == History == === Formative years === [[File:BrunswickFC.jpg|550px|left|thumb|Brunswick during the early 1900s. The highlighted section in the bottom right-hand corner shows the future Australian Prime Minister [[John Curtin]]]] The Victorian Football Association (VFA) was founded in 1877 on 17 May. The new governing body replaced an [[Australian Rules Football - Early Years in Victoria|earlier system]] where club delegates met informally to decide on the rules, the selection of the winner of the Challenge Cup, the division of clubs into Senior and Junior status, and other matters of mutual interest. The VFA continued to list its teams as being of either Senior or Junior status. Foundation senior clubs of the VFA in the Melbourne metropolitan area were [[Albert Park Football Club|Albert Park]], [[Carlton Football Club|Carlton]], [[North Melbourne Football Club|Hotham]], [[Melbourne Football Club|Melbourne]] and [[St Kilda Football Club|St Kilda]]; regional senior clubs including [[Geelong Football Club|Geelong]], Barwon and [[Ballarat Football Club|Ballarat]] also competed. Foundation junior clubs included {{AFL Ess}}, Hawthorn<!-- No connection to modern Hawthorn --> [[Northcote Football Club|Northcote]], [[Sydney Swans|South Melbourne]], [[Standard Football Club|Standard]], [[Victoria United Football Club|Victoria United]], [[Victorian Railways Football Club|Victorian Railways]] and [[Williamstown Football Club|Williamstown]]. During its early years, many clubs dropped in and out and there were erratic promotions between the Senior and Junior sections. Scheduling was chaotic. Based on a system that had evolved [[Australian Rules Football - Early Years in Victoria|before the emergence of the Association]], the compilation of fixtures was not done by the VFA but was the responsibility of each club secretary. In a typical season a club would play against other VFA teams, both Senior and Junior, non-VFA Victorian clubs, and even interstate teams. At the end of each season, the VFA announced the Premier team. This was usually the club with the most wins, but there were some seasons where the VFA judged the leading team had had too many wins against junior clubs, and awarded the Premiership to the club with the second-highest number of wins. From 1878 the Association recorded the number of behinds, but with only goals counting towards a win, thus the number of draws was much higher than under the modern scoring system. The number of players on the field was usually twenty but when a Senior and Junior team met, the Junior club was usually allowed to field extra players; there were no reserves and if a player was injured the team was a man short. After 1889, the often-changeable collection of clubs in the VFA became settled at twelve consistent clubs: {{AFL Car}}, {{AFL Ess}}, [[Fitzroy Football Club|Fitzroy]], [[Footscray Football Club|Footscray]], {{AFL Gee}}, {{AFL Mel}}, {{AFL Nor}}, [[Port Melbourne Football Club|Port Melbourne]], {{AFL Ric}}, {{AFL Stk}}, [[Sydney Swans|South Melbourne]] and [[Williamstown Football Club|Williamstown]]; they were joined by a thirteenth club, {{AFL Col}}, in 1892. === Split === After the 1896 season, eight of the thirteen clubs broke away to form the Victorian Football League (VFL): Carlton, Collingwood, Essendon, Fitzroy, Geelong, Melbourne, St Kilda and South Melbourne. All twenty VFA premierships to that stage had been shared by six of those eight clubs. The VFA continued to be an independent body, with only five of its original clubs – Footscray, North Melbourne, Port Melbourne, Richmond and Williamstown – but within five years it had expanded to ten clubs, a size it maintained until the 1920s. Although its size was constant, its membership was not, with many new clubs lasting only a few years before leaving, and four clubs switching to the VFL: Richmond in 1908, and North Melbourne, Footscray and {{AFL Haw}} (who joined the VFA in 1914) in 1925. In the late 1920s, the VFA expanded to twelve teams, including six new clubs, and those twelve teams remained unchanged for several decades thereafter. Those clubs were: Port Melbourne; Williamstown; [[Brunswick Football Club|Brunswick]] (joined 1897); [[Prahran Football Club|Prahran]] (1899); [[Brighton Football Club|Brighton]] (1908); [[Northcote Football Club|Northcote]] (1908); [[Coburg Football Club|Coburg]] (1925); [[Camberwell Football Club|Camberwell]] (1926); [[Northern Bullants|Preston]] (1926, after a temporary period between 1903-1911); [[Yarraville Football Club|Yarraville]] (1928); [[Oakleigh Football Club|Oakleigh]] (1929); [[Sandringham Football Club|Sandringham]] (1929). A number of rule changes were adopted during the last years of the 19th Century and the first years of the 20th: * From 1897 behinds (1 point) were counted towards the score. (''The VFL also changed its scoring system in the same year''.) * The 'little mark' was abolished in 1897. A 'little mark' was taken when a player passed the ball by foot at least two yards (1.83 m) generally from a pack of players. It was difficult for umpires to pick out 'little marks' in scrimmages. It was abolished to open up play. (''The VFL also abolished it in the same year.'') * Also in 1897 the number of players was reduced from 20 to 18. This worked well as it gave players more freedom around the packs. Since then there have been a few modifications to the VFA's on-field numbers: 1908 – to 17; 1912 – to 16; 1918 – reverted to 18; 1959 – to 16; 1992 – reverted to 18. (''The VFL changed from 20 to 18 two years after the VFA [1899] and has had 18 players on the ground ever since.'') * An order-off rule was also introduced in 1898 but only lasted for two seasons as it was not popular with either players or umpires. Umpires were never sure how rough things had to get before they could order a player off, rather than awarding a free kick to an opponent. (''The VFL has never had an order-off rule.'') * In 1903 the VFA introduced its first finals. Prior to this, the four teams at the top of the ladder at the end of what are now called home-and-away games made up the 'final four'. (''The VFL had introduced finals in 1897.'') Between at least 1900 and 1902, there was a short-lived VFA 2nd Division consisting of junior clubs such as [[Heidelberg Football Club|Heidelberg]]. The first regular radio broadcasts of VFA games were made by [[3XY]], a little after the station commenced operations in 1935. The commentator was [[Jumbo Sharland|Wallace ("Jumbo") Sharland]] who had earlier been the first to describe VFL matches, that being on 3AR in 1923. (Jumbo Sharland was a former Geelong player and, at one time, a newspaper football reporter.) In 1954 [[3AK]] began broadcasting VFA games, albeit only for a season or two. In 1966 [[Network Ten]] began to televise Sunday games. The 1970s also saw broadcasts on [[3UZ]], while local [[Geelong]] station, [[95.5 K-Rock#3GL|3GL]], broadcast all Geelong West matches. In 1982, the then-dominant Melbourne sports radio station, [[3AW]], broadcast the [[Grand Final]]. In 2003 3AK evolved into sports radio station [[SEN 1116|SEN]] 1116, and provided a coverage of VFL matches, but this was discontinued after they won the rights to broadcast the AFL ([[Australian Football League]]), as from the 2007 season. In the 2007 and 2008 seasons, [[3XX|Radio 1611 Double X]] began broadcasting VFL matches. The station was the first to [[podcast]] replays. ''(Details of current broadcasts are found below – "Radio".)'' [[File:Northcote 1929.jpg|400px|left|thumb|Northcote's 1929 premiership side. Second from right, front row, is [[Doug Nicholls]].]] [[File:Oakleigh1950.jpg|400px|left|thumb|Oakleigh's 1950 premiership side ([http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=b8JVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=6rwDAAAAIBAJ&dq=oakleigh%20and%20premiership&pg=7075%2C3699281]; [http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/page/1734990]).]] In 1938, the VFA made a bold rule change by legalising throwing of the football in general play, provided the throw was underarm with both hands below shoulder height. The throw-pass helped to speed up the game, and coupled with aggressive recruiting of stars from the VFL, it made the late 1930s and 1940s one of the most successful times in the VFA's history. The throw-pass was legal in the VFA between 1938 and 1949.<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=The Argus, Supplement|date=9 August 1949|title=Association joins ANFC|page=20|publication-place=Melbourne, VIC|author=}}</ref><ref name="preview">{{cite news|newspaper=The Argus|date=16 April 1938|title=Crowds will be attracted by new rules|page=22|publication-place=Melbourne, VIC|author=Rover}}</ref> During the 1940s, there were talks between the [[Victorian Football Association|VFA]] and [[Australian Football League|VFL]] towards an amalgamation of the two bodies with the VFA initially forming a second division of the VFL. The negotiations broke down over the issue of promotion and relegation. The VFA wanted an automatic promotion of each Division Two premier, while the bottom Division One team at the end of each season, would have been automatically relegated. On the other hand, the VFL wanted these two teams to play off for promotion and relegation. === Expansion === During the 1950s and 1960s, as Melbourne expanded geographically, the VFA embarked on a deliberate plan to establish its presence in new areas by expanding the number of teams, most of these coming from the newer, outer suburbs. By 1960, the league had expanded to seventeen teams; when the eighteenth club joined in 1961, the VFA was split into First and Second Divisions, the First Division originally having 10 teams, and Second Division eight. There was a promotion and relegation system between the two Divisions, with one team promoted and one relegated each season. Although the league was fairly constant at twenty teams during the 1970s, it expanded again (into the outer eastern suburbs) in the 1980s. At its peak in 1983, there were 24 teams competing in the VFA. The VFA also pioneered night and Sunday games. After years of losing ground to the VFL, the VFA's launch of Sunday games in 1960 was a turning point for the better. Eventually, most games were played on a Sunday, while the VFL played its games on Saturdays. This was similar to the College/Pro football day divide still present in the US. The [[Government of Victoria|Victorian Government]] supported the VFA's new-found vigour, and banned the VFL from holding games on Sundays. === Decline === The decline of the VFA may be said to have commenced in 1982 when the VFL moved the struggling South Melbourne Swans to Sydney. All [[Sydney Swans]] home games were played on Sunday and televised. This move basically destroyed the VFA's television ratings, and in 1986 Network Ten stopped broadcasting matches. This role was later taken on by the [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation|ABC]], but on a much lower-profile basis. VFA support declined. Increasing player payments and declining financial support and sponsorship forced clubs to leave the association, many unable to finish seasons. With fifteen teams remaining at the start of 1989, the VFA reverted to a single division. In 1989, after the [[Seven Network]] was given exclusive rights to broadcast VFL/AFL, the [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation|ABC]] increased its television commitment to the VFA in lieu of telecasting the VFL/AFL games. It attracted good ratings. Despite this, the early 1990s was a difficult period for the association, with many sides, including stalwart sides such as Oakleigh, Prahran and Dandenong leaving the competition or becoming defunct, and others, such as Williamstown, on the verge of folding. At its nadir in 1995, only nine teams remained. These clubs had joined in various eras. Two (Port Melbourne and Williamstown) had been in the VFA prior to 1897, three (Preston, Coburg and Sandringham) represented the 1920s expansion, and four ([[Box Hill Football Club|Box Hill]], [[Frankston Football Club|Frankston]], [[Springvale Football Club|Springvale]] and [[Werribee Football Club|Werribee]]) were admitted during the last few decades. In 1990, the VFL renamed itself the [[Australian Football League]]. The VFA evolved into the Victorian Football League in 1995, a change which caused much debate at the time. The new VFL adopted the original League logo, but featured a gold "V" and football, to reflect the colours of the former VFA logo. The logo reverted to the original VFL's blue and white, a few years later. In 1996, the VFL began a period of expansion into regional areas, with existing powerhouse country clubs [[North Ballarat Football Club|North Ballarat]] and [[Traralgon Football Club|Traralgon]] joining the nine existing teams. Traralgon's tenure was short-lived but they were soon replaced by another regional club, [[Bendigo Football Club|Bendigo]]. === Since 2000: affiliation with the AFL === {{See also|Australian Football League reserves affiliations}} After the 1999 season, the VFL merged with the [[Victorian State Football League]] (VSFL), the latter of which was a reserves competition for the AFL's Victorian clubs (and Sydney). This new configuration received much media attention at the season launch. The main point of interest was that there were matchups that had not occurred since the 1897 VFA. The resulting competition contained a mixture of existing VFL clubs, reserves teams of AFL clubs, and [[reserves affiliations of Australian Football League clubs|affiliation arrangements]] between VFL and AFL clubs (whereby reserves players for the AFL would join the senior team of the VFL when not playing in the AFL). The affiliation deals greatly improved the financial viability of the clubs in question, but they diluted their ability to represent their suburb. There have been many changes to the affiliation arrangements in the decade since the VFL and VSFL merged. At its peak between 2003-2006, nine of the ten Victorian AFL clubs were involved in a VFL-affiliation, with only Geelong fielding its own reserves team. Many clubs have since migrated away from this model, and from 2014 there will be five AFL clubs fielding stand-alone reserves teams in the VFL.<ref name="dogsgullssplit">{{cite news|newspaper=Leader|first=Luke|last=d'Anello|date=21 September 2012|accessdate=22 September 2012|title=Seagulls and Bulldogs cut ties}}</ref> Also notable, but short-lived was the playing of feature matches on Monday nights, a time when no AFL matches were played. However, these matches were not shown on free-to-air television, but on Channel 7's [[C7 Sport]] subscription channel. This was at a time when pay TV penetration was very poor; there was no access to this channel in most of Melbourne, and in the parts of Melbourne that could receive it there was a much more popular competing subscription platform, [[Foxtel]]. There was also a small continuation of the expansion of the league into regional areas, with the [[Murray Kangaroos Football Club]] representing the [[Ovens & Murray Football League]] and an expansion into [[Tasmanian Devils Football Club|Tasmania]], although both of these teams have since folded. These days the VFL is moderately popular in Victoria, although not nearly as well-supported as the dominant [[Australian Football League]]. Matches now attract both traditional fans of the VFA/VFL clubs, and fans of affiliated AFL clubs keen to watch their reserves players in action. ==Awards== ===Best and fairest=== {{Main|J. J. Liston Trophy}} The first award for the Association best and fairest player was the [[Recorder Cup]], first awarded in 1923. Starting from 1933, a second award, the V.F.A. Medal, was awarded concurrently; the awards were both based on the votes of the umpires, but were based on different voting systems. In 1940, the Association dispensed with the Recorder Cup voting system, and awarded both trophies to the same player based on the same set of votes.<ref name="SF1">{{cite news|newspaper=The Argus|publication-place=Melbourne, VIC|title=Exciting V.F.A. semi-final|date=16 September 1940|page=11|author=Percy Taylor}}</ref> Since 1945, the award for the best and fairest player in each VFA/VFL season has been the [[J. J. Liston Trophy]], named after long-term Association president John James Liston, who died in 1944.<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=Williamstown Chronicle|publication-place=Williamstown, VIC|date=29 June 1945|page=2|title=Wind spoils game}}</ref> ===Other awards=== *The [[Jim 'Frosty' Miller Medal]] is awarded annually to the leading goal-kicker in the VFL season; named after [[Jim Miller (Australian footballer)|Jim Miller]], who kicked 885 goals for [[Dandenong Football Club|Dandenong]] between 1966 and 1974. *The [[Norm Goss Memorial Medal]], awarded annually to the player voted best afield in the VFL grand final; named after [[Norm Goss, Sr.]], a senior administrator in both the VFA and the [[Port Melbourne Football Club]]. *The [[Fothergill-Round Medal]], awarded annually to the most promising young talent in the VFL competition; named after [[Des Fothergill]] and [[Barry Round]], who both won [[Brownlow Medal]]s in the VFL before switching to the VFA and winning a Recorder Cup/Liston Trophy with [[Williamstown Football Club|Williamstown]]. *The Frank Johnson Medal, awarded to the player voted best afield for the VFL in interstate football games; named after [[Frank Johnson (footballer)|Frank Johnson]], the only VFA player ever selected as captain of an [[All-Australian Team]]. == Salary cap == The VFL is classed as a [[semi-professional]] competition. In 2007 the league had a [[salary cap]] of $185,000 excluding service payments. There are a significantly higher number of AFL reserves due to affiliations with Victorian clubs, but player payments for these appearances is apparently not included in the VFL's salary cap. == Attendance == Attendances are small by AFL standards, and generally less than the [[SANFL]] and [[West Australian Football League|WAFL]], with an average of between 1,000–2,000 in attendance. The VFL does not publish home and away attendance figures as some games are played as AFL curtain raisers, however various sources quote attendances for some games of the stronger clubs that maintain home records of their own. == Recent Grand Finals == {|border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" |- bgcolor="#cccccc" ! Season ! Premier ! Result ! Runner up ! Result ! Venue ! Crowd ! [[Norm Goss Memorial Medal]] |- | 2012 | '''Geelong''' | '''14.24 (108)''' | Port Melbourne | 11.9 (75) | [[Docklands Stadium|Etihad Stadium]] | 14,536<ref>[http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/148328/default.aspx Wojcinski's perfect exit as Cats claim VFL flag]</ref> | [[George Horlin-Smith]] (Geelong) |- | [[2011 VFL season|2011]] | '''Port Melbourne''' | '''22.12 (144)''' | Williamstown | 13.10 (88) | [[Docklands Stadium|Etihad Stadium]] | 11,879<ref name="austadiums.com">www.austadiums.com/sport/comp.php?sid=25</ref> | Toby Pinwill (Port Melbourne) |- | [[2010 VFL season|2010]] | '''North Ballarat''' | '''20.13 (133) | Northern Bullants | 13.8 (86) | [[Docklands Stadium|Etihad Stadium]] | 11,000<ref name="austadiums.com"/> | Myles Sewell (North Ballarat) |- | [[2009 VFL season|2009]] | '''North Ballarat''' | '''14.7 (91)''' | Northern Bullants | 10.8 (68) | [[Docklands Stadium|Etihad Stadium]] | 14,026<ref>http://www.austadiums.com/sport/event.php?eventid=9523</ref> | [[Orren Stephenson]] (North Ballarat) |- | [[2008 VFL season|2008]] | '''North Ballarat''' | '''18.12 (120)''' | Port Melbourne | 11.9 (75) | [[Telstra Dome]] | 11,641<ref>http://www.austadiums.com/sport/event.php?eventid=8348</ref> | [[Josh Smith (Australian footballer)|Josh Smith]] (North Ballarat) |- | [[2007 VFL season|2007]] | '''Geelong''' | '''17.24 (126)''' | Coburg | 7.10 (52) | [[Princes Park (stadium)|MC Labour Park]] | 13,842<ref>[http://www.austadiums.com/sport/event.php?eventid=7379 Australian Stadiums :: VFL GF: Geelong v Coburg]</ref> | [[Tom Lonergan (Australian footballer)|Tom Lonergan]] (Geelong) |- | [[2006 VFL season|2006]] | '''Sandringham''' | '''13.13 (91)''' | Geelong | 11.7 (73) | [[Princes Park (stadium)|Optus Oval]] | 6,000 | [[Phillip Read]] (Sandringham) |- | [[2005 VFL season|2005]] | '''Sandringham''' | '''11.17 (83)''' | Werribee | 11.8 (74) | [[Princes Park (stadium)|Optus Oval]] | 9,000 | [[Daniel Ward (footballer)|Daniel Ward]] (Sandringham) |- | 2004 | '''Sandringham''' | '''9.13 (67)''' | Port Melbourne | 9.9 (63) | [[Princes Park (stadium)|Optus Oval]] | 8,196 | [[Guy Rigoni]] (Sandringham) |- | 2003 | '''Williamstown''' | '''13.14 (92)''' | Box Hill | 9.9 (63) | [[Princes Park (stadium)|Optus Oval]] | 10,500 | [[Adrian Fletcher]] (Williamstown) |- | 2002 | '''Geelong''' | '''15.15 (105)''' | Port Melbourne | 12.11 (83) | [[Princes Park (stadium)|Optus Oval]] | 11,500 | [[James Rahilly]] (Geelong) |- | 2001 | '''Box Hill Hawks''' | '''13.13 (91)''' | Werribee | 7.12 (54) | [[Princes Park (stadium)|Optus Oval]] | 11,500 | [[John Baird (Australian footballer)|John Baird]] (Box Hill) |- | 2000 | '''Sandringham''' | '''15.18 (108)''' | North Ballarat | 11.11 (77) | [[Waverley Park]] | 8,652<ref>[http://www.oocities.org/unofficialwaverley/results.htm]</ref> | Richard Maloney (Sandringham) |} == Media coverage == === Television === [[ABV (TV station)|ABC Victoria]] (branded [[ABC1]]) broadcasts the match of the round live from 1pm on Saturday afternoons during the home and away season, as well as broadcasting two week 1 finals matches, both semi and prelimanary finals and the Grand Final. In 2012 and 2013 ABC1 replayed the match fully to national audience during the early hours of Wednesday.<ref>[http://www.abc.net.au/news/sport/programs/vfl/ VFL - ABC News]</ref> This was previously done in 2006 and 2007 during the early hours of Thursday on [[ABC2]].<ref>[http://www.abc.net.au/tv/guide/abc2/200605/programs/SP0519V005D17052006T230000.htm ABC TV Guide]</ref> The VFL can also be viewed each week on the ABC's catch up TV service [[ABC iview]]. === Radio === VFL Radio is produced by BPM Media who broadcast live at least one game a week during the regular season plus each day of the finals series. The coverage is broadcast on the [[Vision Australia Radio]] network throughout Victoria on analogue radio, by Aussie digital radio (SEN 2) and on the internet at [http://www.vfl.com.au vfl.com.au] or [http://www.bpmmedia.com.au bpmmedia.com.au].<ref>[http://www.sportingpulse.com/assoc_page.cgi?c=0-118-0-0-0&sID=63013 Broadcast Partners - VFL]</ref> In 2008, [[3WBC]] 94.1 FM began broadcasting Box Hill Hawks home games and from 2009 to today they broadcast all Box Hill Hawks games. In 2013 This began with the Round 2 game between Box Hill Hawks and Tasmania. This coverage can also be heard on the web at [http://www.3wbc.org.au www.3wbc.org.au].<ref>[http://3wbc.org.au/football.shtml 3WBC - Local footy in 2013]</ref> During the football season each Thursday night from 8.30pm to 9pm, [[1116 SEN]] broadcasts the Peter Jackson VFL Show. Hosted by Mark Fine and Mark Stone the show features news from around the VFL and includes special guests and a preview of the upcoming round of football.<ref>[http://www.sen.com.au/evenings-with-finey SEN SportsSENtral > Programs > Evenings With Finey]</ref> SEN 1116 broadcasts the VFL Grand Final and any finals matches that do not conflict with its AFL broadcast schedule. The station had previously broadcast matches on a regular basis from 2004 to 2006. Commencing in 1993, [[3SER|3SER-fm]] (Casey FM) has broadcast at least one VFL match per weekend. It was the only radio station to cover both the VFL reserves and seniors Grand Finals. Their coverage can be picked up on radio on 97.7 FM or on the internet at [http://www.3ser.org.au www.3ser.org.au]. Details of earlier broadcasts are listed in the History section (above). == Clubs == === Current clubs === {| class="wikitable" |- ! Club ! Location ! Home Ground ! AFL Affiliate |- | [[Bendigo Gold]] | [[Bendigo, Victoria]] | [[Queen Elizabeth Oval]] | ''none'' |- | [[Box Hill Hawks]] | [[Box Hill, Victoria]] | [[Box Hill City Oval]] | [[Hawthorn Football Club|Hawthorn]] |- | [[Casey Scorpions]] | [[Cranbourne, Victoria]] | [[Casey Fields]] | [[Melbourne Football Club|Melbourne]] |- | [[Coburg Football Club|Coburg]] | [[Coburg, Victoria]] | [[Coburg City Oval]] | [[Richmond Football Club|Richmond]] |- | [[Collingwood Football Club (VFL)|Collingwood]] | [[Collingwood, Victoria]] | [[Victoria Park, Melbourne|Victoria Park]] | [[Collingwood Football Club|Collingwood]] |- | [[Essendon Football Club (VFL)|Essendon]] | [[Essendon, Victoria]] | [[Windy Hill, Essendon|Windy Hill]] | [[Essendon Football Club|Essendon]] |- | [[Frankston Football Club|Frankston]] | [[Frankston, Victoria]] | [[Frankston Park]] | ''none'' |- | [[Geelong VFL Football Club|Geelong]] | [[Geelong|Geelong, Victoria]] | [[Kardinia Park (stadium)|Kardinia Park]] | [[Geelong Football Club|Geelong]] |- | [[North Ballarat Football Club|North Ballarat]] | [[Ballarat, Victoria]] | [[Northern Oval]] | [[North Melbourne Football Club|North Melbourne]] ''(partial)''<ref name="theage.com.au">[http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/link-to-roos-but-tigers-not-in-the-hunt-20100730-10zus.html Link to Roos, but Tigers not in the hunt]</ref> |- | [[Northern Blues]] | [[Preston, Victoria]] | [[Preston City Oval]] | [[Carlton Football Club|Carlton]] |- | [[Port Melbourne Football Club|Port Melbourne]] | [[Port Melbourne, Victoria]] | [[North Port Oval]] | ''none'' |- | [[Sandringham Football Club|Sandringham]] | [[Sandringham, Victoria]] | [[Trevor Barker Beach Oval]] | [[St Kilda Football Club|St Kilda]] |- | [[Werribee Football Club|Werribee]] | [[Werribee, Victoria]] | [[Chirnside Park (stadium)|Chirnside Park]] | [[North Melbourne Football Club|North Melbourne]] ''(partial)''<ref name="theage.com.au"/> |- | [[Williamstown Football Club|Williamstown]] | [[Williamstown, Victoria]] | [[Burbank Oval]] | [[Western Bulldogs]] |} ===Guernseys=== ====Home guernseys==== <gallery perrow="5"> Image:Bedndigo_Gold_Jumper.png|Bendigo Gold Image:Hawthorn_Hawks_Jumper.svg|Box Hill Hawks Image:Casey_Scorpions_Jumper.svg|Casey Scorpions Image:Coburg Tigers Jumper.svg|Coburg Tigers Image:Devonport Magpies Jumper.png|Collingwood Magpies Image:Essendon Bombers http:/upwiki/wikipedia/en/1/16/2012_Essendon_Bombers_Home_Uniform.png Image:Frankston Dolphins Jumper.jpg|Frankston Dolphins Image:Geelong Cats Jumper.svg|Geelong Cats Image:North Ballarat Roosters Jumper.svg|North Ballarat Roosters Image:Northern Blues Guernnsey.jpg|Northern Blues Image:Port Melbourne Borough Jumper.svg|Port Melbourne Borough Image:Sandringham Zebras Jumper.svg|Sandringham Zebras Image:Williamstown Seagulls Jumper.svg|Williamstown Seagulls </gallery> ====Clash guernseys==== <gallery perrow="5"> Image:Essendon Bombers Jumper.svg|Bendigo Gold Image:Box Hill FC.jpg|Box Hill Hawks Image:Casey FC.jpg|Casey Scorpions Image:Coburg FC.jpg|Coburg Tigers Image:Collingwood Magpies Jumper.svg|Collingwood Magpies Image:Frankston FC.jpg|Frankston Dolphins Image:Geelong Cats Jumper.svg|Geelong Cats Image:North Ballarat FC.jpg|North Ballarat Roosters Image:""|Northern Blues Image:Port Melbourne Borough Jumper.svg|Port Melbourne Borough Image:Sandringham FC.jpg|Sandringham Zebras Image:Williamstown Fc Clash.JPG|Williamstown Seagulls </gallery> ===Former clubs=== The VFL has undergone significant format changes since its induction which means several clubs have either left the league or changed identity for different reasons. * [[Albert Park Football Club]] * [[Ballarat Football Club]] * [[Ballarat Imperial Football Club]] * [[Barwon Football Club]] * [[Beechworth Football Club]] * [[Bendigo Diggers]] (changed name to [[Bendigo Bombers]], then Bendigo Gold) * [[Berwick Football Club]] (the Trojans 1983–85 and Gippslanders 1986–87) * [[Brighton Football Club]] (later Brighton-Caulfield Football Club) * [[Brunswick Football Club]] (later Brunswick-Broadmeadows Football Club) (the Pottery Workers or Brickfielders 1897–1908 and Magpies 1909–1990) * [[Camberwell Football Club]] (the Tricolors 1926–78 and the Cobras 1979–1991) * [[Carlton Football Club]] (breakaway club to the [[Australian Football League|VFL/AFL]]) * [[Castlemaine Football Club]] * [[Caulfield Football Club]] (Brighton-Caulfield Penguins 1962–1964, Caulfield Bears 1965–1988) * [[Collingwood Football Club]] (breakaway club to the [[Australian Football League|VFL/AFL]] but the reserves side now plays in the VFL as of 2008) * [[Dandenong Football Club]] (Redlegs 1958–1992. Disbanded, reformed as new Dandenong Redlegs 1993-1994). * [[East Melbourne Football Club]] * [[Essendon Football Club]] (breakaway club to the [[Australian Football League|VFL/AFL]]) * Essendon Town Football Club (later [[Essendon Association Football Club]]) (the Dreadnaughts 1901–1922) * [[Fitzroy Football Club]] (breakaway club to the [[Australian Football League|VFL/AFL]]) * [[Footscray Football Club]] (joined the [[Australian Football League|VFL/AFL]] in 1925) * [[Geelong Football Club]] (breakaway club to the [[Australian Football League|VFL/AFL]] but the reserves side now plays in the VFL) * [[Geelong Association Football Club]] * [[Geelong West Football Club]] (the Roosters 1963–1988) * [[Gold Coast Football Club]] (played one season as preparation for joining the [[Australian Football League]] in 2011) * [[Hawthorn Football Club]] (joined the [[Australian Football League|VFL/AFL]] in 1925) * [[Heidelberg Football Club]] (competed 1900–1902 in the short-lived VFA 2nd Division) * [[Inglewood Football Club]] * [[Kilsyth Football Club]] (the Cougars VFA 1982/83/84 now playing in the [[Eastern Football League (Australia)|EFL]]) * [[Melbourne Football Club]] (breakaway club to the [[Australian Football League|VFL/AFL]]) * [[Melbourne City Football Club]] (Disbanded after two seasons without a win.) * [[Moorabbin Football Club]] (the Kangaroos 1951–1964, 1983–1988) * [[Mordialloc Football Club]] (the Bloodhounds 1957–1988) * [[Murray Kangaroos Football Club|Murray Kangaroos]] * [[North Melbourne Football Club]] (initially known as Hotham; joined the [[Australian Football League|VFL/AFL]] in 1925) * [[Northcote Football Club]] (originally the Brickfielders, then Rosellas, and later the Dragons) * [[Oakleigh Football Club]] (originally the Purple and Golds, and later the Devils) * [[Prahran Football Club]] (the Two Blues 1886–1888, 1899–1959, 1960–1995) * [[Richmond Football Club]] (joined the [[Australian Football League|VFL/AFL]] in 1908) * [[Rochester Football Club]] * [[St Kilda Football Club]] (breakaway club to the [[Australian Football League|VFL/AFL]]) * [[South Ballarat Football Club]] * Standard Football Club (an original Junior Club, albeit short-lived) * [[Sydney Swans|South Melbourne Football Club]] (breakaway club to the [[Australian Football League|VFL/AFL]]) * [[South Williamstown Football Club]] (amalgamated with [[Williamstown Football Club]] in 1888) * [[Sunshine Football Club]] (the Crows 1959–1989) * [[Tasmanian Devils Football Club]] * [[Traralgon Football Club]] (the Maroons 1996–1997) * [[University Football Club]] * Victoria United Football Club (an original Junior Club, albeit short-lived) * Victorian Railways Football Club (an original Junior Club, albeit short-lived) * [[Waverley Football Club]] (the Panthers 1961–1988) * [[West Melbourne Football Club]] * [[Yarraville Football Club]] (the Villains 1927–1948, the Eagles 1949–1984) === Club participation timeline === <timeline> ImageSize = width:950 height:780 PlotArea = width:800 height:700 left:140 bottom:45 AlignBars = late BarData= bar:Ya text:Yarraville bar:Wi text:Williamstown bar:WM text:West Melbourne bar:We text:Werribee bar:Wa text:Waverley bar:VU text:Victoria United bar:VR text:Victorian Railways bar:Un text:University bar:Tr text:Traralgon bar:Ta text:Tasmania bar:Su text:Sunshine bar:SK text:St Kilda bar:St text:Standard bar:Sp text:Springvale/Casey Scorpions bar:SW text:South Williamstown bar:SM text:South Melbourne bar:SB text:South Ballarat bar:Sa text:Sandringham bar:Ri text:Richmond bar:Pr text:Prahran bar:PM text:Port Melbourne bar:Oa text:Oakleigh bar:No text:Northcote bar:PB text:Northern Blues bar:NM text:North Melbourne bar:NB text:North Ballarat bar:MK text:Murray Kangaroos bar:Md text:Mordialloc bar:Mo text:Moorabbin bar:MC text:Melbourne City bar:Me text:Melbourne bar:Ki text:Kilsyth bar:Ha text:Hawthorn bar:GW text:Geelong West bar:GA text:Geelong A bar:Ge text:Geelong bar:GC text:Gold Coast bar:Fr text:Frankston bar:Fo text:Footscray bar:Fi text:Fitzroy bar:EA text:Essendon Association bar:Es text:Essendon bar:EM text:East Melbourne bar:DR text:Dandenong Redlegs bar:Da text:Dandenong bar:Co text:Collingwood bar:Cb text:Coburg bar:Ca text:Carlton bar:Cm text:Camberwell bar:Br text:Brunswick bar:BC text:Brighton-Caulfield bar:BH text:Box Hill bar:Bw text:Berwick bar:Be text:Bendigo bar:BI text:Ballarat Imperial bar:Ba text:Ballarat bar:AP text:Albert Park Colors = id:grey value:gray(0.4) id:lgrey value:gray(0.8) id:orange value:orange legend:AFL_reserves_team id:blue value:blue legend:Ineligible_for_Premiership id:purple value:purple legend:Juniors_team_only DateFormat = yyyy Period = from:1877 till:2013 TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal ScaleMajor = unit:year increment:10 start:1880 gridcolor:lgrey ScaleMinor = unit:year increment:1 start:1877 PlotData= color:green width:3 bar:AP from:1877 till:1880 at:1880 mark:(line,red) shift:(1,0) text:Merged with South Melbourne bar:Ba from:1887 till:1889 color:blue bar:Be from:1998 till:end bar:Bw from:1983 till:1987 bar:BC from:1908 till:1916 bar:BC from:1919 till:1988 at:2000 mark:(line,black) at:1944 text:Merged with Caulfield at:1965 mark:(line,black) shift:(1,-10) text:Name change to Caulfield bar:BH from:1951 till:end bar:BI from:1887 till:1889 color:blue bar:Br from:1897 till:1991 bar:Ca from:1877 till:1897 bar:Cb from:1925 till:end bar:Cm from:1926 till:1991 bar:Co from:1892 till:1897 bar:Da from:1958 till:1993 bar:DR from:1994 till:1995 bar:EA from:1900 till:1916 bar:EA from:1919 till:1922 at:1905 mark:(line,black) shift:(1,-10) text:Name change from Essendon Town bar:EM from:1880 till:1883 bar:Es from:1877 till:1878 color:purple bar:Es from:1878 till:1897 bar:Fi from:1884 till:1897 bar:Fo from:1886 till:1925 bar:Fr from:1966 till:end bar:Ge from:1877 till:1897 bar:GA from:1922 till:1928 bar:GC from:2010 till:2011 bar:GW from:1963 till:1988 bar:Ha from:1877 till:1878 color:purple bar:Ha from:1914 till:1917 bar:Ha from:1919 till:1925 bar:Ki from:1982 till:1985 bar:Me from:1877 till:1897 bar:MC from:1912 till:1914 bar:Mo from:1951 till:1964 bar:Mo from:1983 till:1987 bar:Md from:1958 till:1988 bar:MK from:2001 till:2003 bar:NB from:1996 till:end bar:NM from:1877 till:1925 bar:NM at:1888 mark:(line,black) shift:(1,1) text:Name change from Hotham bar:No from:1877 till:1878 color:purple bar:No from:1908 till:1988 bar:Oa from:1929 till:1989 bar:PB from:1903 till:1912 at:1912 mark:(line,red) shift:(1,0) text:Merged with Northcote bar:PB from:1926 till:end at:2000 mark:(line,black) at:1979 text:Name change from Preston bar:PM from:1886 till:end bar:Pr from:1886 till:1889 at:1889 mark:(line,red) shift:(1,0) text:Merged with St Kilda bar:Pr from:1960 till:1994 bar:Pr from:1899 till:1959 bar:Ri from:1885 till:1908 bar:Sa from:1929 till:end bar:SB from:1887 till:1889 color:blue bar:SK from:1877 till:1880 bar:SK from:1886 till:1897 bar:SM from:1879 till:1897 bar:Sp from:1982 till:end bar:St from:1877 till:1880 color:purple bar:Su from:1959 till:1989 bar:SW from:1886 till:1888 bar:SW at:1888 mark:(line,red) shift:(2,0) text:Merged with Williamstown bar:Tr from:1996 till:1998 bar:Ta from:2001 till:2008 bar:Un from:1885 till:1889 bar:VU from:1877 till:1878 color:purple bar:VR from:1877 till:1878 color:purple bar:Wa from:1961 till:1988 bar:We from:1965 till:end bar:Wi from:1884 till:1916 bar:Wi from:1919 till:end bar:WM from:1878 till:1881 bar:WM from:1899 till:1908 bar:Ya from:1928 till:1984 color:orange width:3 bar:Ca from:2000 till:2003 bar:Co from:2000 till:2001 bar:Co from:2009 till:end bar:Es from:2000 till:2003 bar:Es from:2013 till:end bar:Ge from:2000 till:end bar:NM from:2000 till:2001 bar:Ri from:2000 till:2001 bar:SK from:2000 till:2001 Legend = left:50 top:20 columnwidth:90 LineData = layer:front # all lines in front of bars unless stated otherwise at:1916 color:grey width:5 # WWI at:1917 color:grey width:5 # WWI at:1943 color:grey width:5 # WWII at:1942 color:grey width:5 # WWII at:1944 color:grey width:5 # WWII at:1961 color:orange width:0.5 # Divisions introduced at:1988 color:orange width:0.5 # Divisions abandoned at:1996 color:red width:0.5 # change to VFL TextData= pos:(300,764) fontsize:L text:VFA Clubs pos:(360,745) textcolor:grey fontsize:M tabs:(0-right) text:^WW1 text:^disruption pos:(510,745) textcolor:grey fontsize:M tabs:(0-right) text:^WW2 text:^disruption pos:(630,785) textcolor:orange fontsize:M tabs:(0-right) text:^Divisional system text:^adopted pos:(790,785) textcolor:orange fontsize:M tabs:(0-right) text:^Divisions text:^abandoned pos:(850,785) textcolor:red fontsize:M tabs:(0-right) text:VFL name text:adopted </timeline> == Season results == === VFA 1877–1994 === From 1888, the VFA published a list of the final four clubs at the end of what are now called home-and-away matches. The listings (below) for 1877 to 1887 are based on various newspaper reports as researched by Graeme Atkinson and published in his book ''Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Australian Rules Football ...'' (1982, The Five Mile Press, Melbourne). Finals series (initially the Argus system, and from 1933 the Page-McIntyre system) were introduced in 1903 and, therefore from that date, the listing (below) reflects that situation after the finals. In 1989 the VFA changed from a final four to a final five. {| class="wikitable" |- ! Year ! PREMIER ! RUNNER-UP ! THIRD ! FOURTH |- | 1877 | '''Carlton''' | Melbourne | Hotham | Albert Park |- | 1878 | '''Geelong''' | Melbourne | Carlton | Hotham |- | 1879 | '''Geelong''' | Carlton | South Melbourne | Melbourne |- | 1880 | '''Geelong''' | South Melbourne | Carlton | Melbourne |- | 1881 | '''South Melbourne''' | Geelong | Carlton | Melbourne |- | 1882 | '''Geelong''' | Essendon | South Melbourne | Carlton |- | 1883 | '''Geelong''' | South Melbourne | Carlton | Melbourne |- | 1884 | '''Geelong''' | Essendon | Hotham | South Melbourne |- | 1885 | '''South Melbourne''' | Essendon | Geelong | Carlton |- | 1886 | ''' Geelong''' | South Melbourne | Carlton | Port Melbourne |- | 1887 | '''Carlton''' | Geelong | South Melbourne | Fitzroy |- | 1888 | '''South Melbourne''' | Geelong | Williamstown | Carlton |- | 1889 | '''South Melbourne''' | Carlton | Port Melbourne | Essendon |- | 1890 | '''South Melbourne''' | Carlton | Essendon | Fitzroy |- | 1891 | '''Essendon''' | Carlton | Fitzroy | South Melbourne |- | 1892 | '''Essendon''' | Fitzroy | Geelong | Melbourne |- | 1893 | '''Essendon''' | Melbourne | Geelong | South Melbourne |- | 1894 | '''Essendon''' | Melbourne | South Melbourne | Fitzroy |- | 1895 | '''Fitzroy''' | Geelong | Melbourne | Collingwood |- |1896 | '''Collingwood''' | South Melbourne | Essendon |Melbourne |- | 1897 | '''Port Melbourne''' | North Melbourne | Footscray | Williamstown |- | 1898 | '''Footscray''' | North Melbourne | Port Melbourne | Richmond |- | 1899 | '''Footscray''' | North Melbourne | Port Melbourne | Williamstown |- | 1900 | '''Footscray''' | Williamstown | Richmond | Prahran |- | 1901 | '''Port Melbourne''' | Richmond | North Melbourne | Williamstown |- | 1902 | '''Richmond''' | Port Melbourne | North Melbourne | Williamstown |- | 1903 | '''North Melbourne''' | Richmond | Footscray | West Melbourne |- | 1904 | '''North Melbourne''' | Richmond | Footscray | Port Melbourne |- | 1905 | '''Richmond''' | North Melbourne | Williamstown | Port Melbourne |- | 1906 | '''West Melbourne''' | Footscray | Richmond | North Melbourne |- | 1907 | '''Williamstown''' | West Melbourne | Richmond | Footscray |- | 1908 | '''Footscray''' | Brunswick | Essendon Association | Williamstown |- | 1909 | '''Brunswick''' | Prahran | Essendon Association | Footscray |- | 1910 | '''North Melbourne''' | Brunswick | Essendon Association | Prahran |- | 1911 | '''Essendon Association''' | Brunswick | North Melbourne | Prahran |- | 1912 | '''Essendon Association''' | Footscray | North Melbourne | Brunswick |- | 1913 | '''Footscray''' | North Melbourne | Essendon Association | Brunswick |- | 1914 | '''North Melbourne''' | Footscray | Essendon Association | Williamstown |- | 1915 | '''North Melbourne''' | Brunswick | Williamstown | Port Melbourne |- | 1916 | ''In recess – WW1'' | | | |- | 1917 | ''In recess – WW1'' | | | |- | 1918 | '''North Melbourne''' | Prahran | Brunswick | Port Melbourne |- | 1919 | '''Footscray''' | North Melbourne | Brunswick | Northcote |- | 1920 | '''Footscray''' | Brunswick | North Melbourne | Port Melbourne |- | 1921 | '''Williamstown''' | Footscray | Port Melbourne | Brunswick |- | 1922 | '''Port Melbourne''' | Footscray | North Melbourne | Williamstown |- | 1923 | '''Footscray''' | Port Melbourne | Williamstown | Hawthorn |- | 1924 | '''Footscray''' | Williamstown | Northcote | Brunswick |- | 1925 | '''Brunswick''' | Port Melbourne | Northcote | Coburg |- | 1926 | '''Coburg''' | Brighton | Northcote | Port Melbourne |- | 1927 | '''Coburg''' | Brighton | Port Melbourne | Preston |- | 1928 | '''Coburg''' | Port Melbourne | Brighton | Preston |- | 1929 | '''Northcote''' | Port Melbourne | Preston | Brunswick |- | 1930 | '''Oakleigh''' | Northcote | Williamstown | Yarraville |- | 1931 | '''Oakleigh''' | Northcote | Preston | Port Melbourne |- | 1932 | '''Northcote''' | Coburg | Camberwell | Preston |- | 1933 | ''' Northcote''' | Coburg | Port Melbourne | Yarraville |- | 1934 | '''Northcote''' | Coburg | Preston | Prahran |- | 1935 | '''Yarraville''' | Camberwell | Northcote | Coburg |- | 1936 | '''Northcote''' | Prahran | Brunswick | Camberwell |- | 1937 | '''Prahran''' | Brunswick | Brighton | Yarraville |- | 1938 | '''Brunswick''' | Brighton | Northcote | Prahran |- | 1939 | '''Williamstown''' | Brunswick | Prahran | Northcote |- | 1940 | '''Port Melbourne''' | Prahran | Williamstown | Preston |- | 1941 | '''Port Melbourne''' | Coburg | Prahran | Preston |- | 1942 | ''In recess – WWII'' | | | |- | 1943 | ''In recess – WWII'' | | | |- | 1944 | ''In recess – WWII'' | | | |- | 1945 | '''Williamstown''' | Port Melbourne | Coburg | Camberwell |- | 1946 | '''Sandringham''' | Camberwell | Williamstown | Port Melbourne |- | 1947 | '''Port Melbourne''' | Sandringham | Williamstown | Prahran |- | 1948 | '''Brighton''' | Williamstown | Brunswick | Northcote |- | 1949 | '''Williamstown''' | Oakleigh | Brighton | Northcote |- | 1950 | '''Oakleigh''' | Port Melbourne | Brighton | Williamstown |- | 1951 | '''Prahran''' | Port Melbourne | Oakleigh | Sandringham |- | 1952 | '''Oakleigh''' | Port Melbourne | Coburg | Yarraville |- | 1953 | '''Port Melbourne''' | Yarraville | Williamstown | Prahran |- | 1954 | '''Williamstown''' | Port Melbourne | Northcote | Moorabbin |- | 1955 | '''Williamstown''' | Port Melbourne | Preston | Moorabbin |- | 1956 | '''Williamstown''' | Port Melbourne | Box Hill | Brunswick |- | 1957 | '''Moorabbin''' | Port Melbourne | Williamstown | Preston |- | 1958 | '''Williamstown''' | Moorabbin | Port Melbourne | Box Hill |- | 1959 | '''Williamstown''' | Coburg | Sandringham | Oakleigh |- | 1960 | '''Oakleigh''' | Sandringham | Williamstown | Yarraville |} {| class="wikitable" |- ! Year ! Division ! PREMIER ! RUNNER-UP ! THIRD ! FOURTH |- | 1961 | 1st<br />2nd | '''YARRAVILLE<br />Northcote''' | WILLIAMSTOWN<br />Dandenong | MOORABBIN<br />Camberwell | SANDRINGHAM<br />Preston |- | 1962 | 1st<br />2nd | '''SANDRINGHAM<br />Dandenong''' | MOORABBIN<br />Prahran | COBURG<br />Preston | WILLIAMSTOWN<br />Box Hill |- | 1963 | 1st<br />2nd | '''MOORABBIN<br />Preston''' | SANDRINGHAM<br />Waverley | YARRAVILLE<br />Prahran | COBURG<br />Sunshine |- | 1964 | 1st<br />2nd | '''PORT MELBOURNE<br />Geelong West''' | WILLIAMSTOWN<br />Sunshine | COBURG<br />Mordialloc | SANDRINGHAM<br />Brighton-Caulfield |- | 1965 | 1st<br />2nd | '''WAVERLEY<br />Preston''' | PORT MELBOURNE<br />Mordialloc | DANDENONG<br />Northcote | SANDRINGHAM<br />Sunshine |- | 1966 | 1st<br />2nd | '''PORT MELBOURNE<br />Prahran''' | WAVERLEY<br />Geelong West | PRESTON<br />Northcote | YARRAVILLE<br />Sunshine |- | [[1967 VFA Grand Final|1967]] | 1st<br />2nd | '''DANDENONG<br />Oakleigh''' | PORT MELBOURNE<br />Geelong West | SANDRINGHAM<br />Frankston | PRESTON<br />Sunshine |- | 1968 | 1st<br />2nd | '''PRESTON<br />Geelong West''' | PRAHRAN<br />Williamstown | SANDRINGHAM<br />Sunshine | DANDENONG<br />Werribee |- | 1969 | 1st<br />2nd | '''PRESTON<br />Williamstown''' | DANDENONG<br />Sunshine | PORT MELBOURNE<br />Coburg | SANDRINGHAM<br />Box Hill |- | 1970 | 1st<br />2nd | '''PRAHRAN<br />Coburg''' | WILLIAMSTOWN<br />Box Hill | WAVERLEY<br />Sunshine | PORT MELBOURNE<br />Brunswick |- | [[1971 VFA Division 1 Grand Final|1971]] | 1st<br />2nd | '''DANDENONG<br />Sunshine''' | PRESTON<br />Brunswick | SANDRINGHAM<br />Caulfield | OAKLEIGH<br />Yarraville |- | 1972 | 1st<br />2nd | '''OAKLEIGH<br />Geelong West''' | DANDENONG<br />Caulfield | WILLIAMSTOWN<br />Yarraville | PRESTON<br />Brunswick |- | 1973 | 1st<br />2nd | '''PRAHRAN<br />Caulfield''' | OAKLEIGH<br />Brunswick | DANDENONG<br />Waverley | PORT MELBOURNE<br />Camberwell |- | 1974 | 1st<br />2nd | '''PORT MELBOURNE<br />Coburg''' | OAKLEIGH<br />Brunswick | GEELONG WEST<br />Waverley | DANDENONG<br />Camberwell |- | 1975 | 1st<br />2nd | '''GEELONG WEST<br />Brunswick''' | DANDENONG<br />Camberwell | PORT MELBOURNE<br />Sunshine | COBURG<br />Frankston |- | 1976 | 1st<br />2nd | '''PORT MELBOURNE<br />Williamstown''' | DANDENONG<br />Mordialloc | PRESTON<br />Frankston | CAULFIELD<br />Northcote |- | 1977 | 1st<br />2nd | '''PORT MELBOURNE<br />Mordialloc''' | SANDRINGHAM<br />Yarraville | C0BURG<br />Camberwell | BRUNSWICK<br />Oakleigh |- | 1978 | 1st<br />2nd | '''PRAHRAN<br />Frankston''' | PRESTON<br />Camberwell | PORT MELBOURNE<br />Oakleigh | DANDENONG<br />Yarraville |- | 1979 | 1st<br />2nd | '''COBURG<br />Camberwell''' | GEELONG WEST<br />Oakleigh | PORT MELBOURNE<br />Mordialloc | PRAHRAN<br />Williamstown |- | 1980 | 1st<br />2nd | '''PORT MELBOURNE<br />Brunswick''' | COBURG<br />Yarraville | GEELONG WEST<br />Waverley | SANDRINGHAM<br />Williamstown |- | 1981 | 1st<br />2nd | '''PORT MELBOURNE<br />Camberwell''' | PRESTON<br />Waverley | SANDRINGHAM<br />Mordialloc | FRANKSTON<br />Werribee |- | 1982 | 1st<br />2nd | '''PORT MELBOURNE<br />Northcote''' | PRESTON<br />Caulfield | COBURG<br />Oakleigh | GEELONG WEST<br />Brunswick |- | 1983 | 1st<br />2nd | '''PRESTON<br />Springvale''' | GEELONG WEST<br />Brunswick | PORT MELBOURNE<br />Mordialloc | SANDRINGHAM<br />Oakleigh |- | 1984 | 1st<br />2nd | '''PRESTON<br />Box Hill''' | FRANKSTON<br />Oakleigh | GEELONG WEST<br />Brunswick | CAMBERWELL<br />Caulfield |- | 1985 | 1st<br />2nd | '''SANDRINGHAM<br />Brunswick''' | WILLIAMSTOWN<br />Oakleigh | COBURG<br />Sunshine | PRESTON<br />Caulfield |- | 1986 | 1st<br />2nd | '''WILLIAMSTOWN<br />Box Hill''' | COBURG<br />Sunshine | FRANKSTON<BR>Prahran | PRESTON<br />Oakleigh |- | 1987 | 1st<br />2nd | '''SPRINGVALE<br />Prahran''' | PORT MELBOURNE<br />Waverley | WILLIAMSTOWN<br />Werribee | FRANKSTON<br />Sunshine |- | 1988 | 1st<br />2nd | '''COBURG<BR>Oakleigh''' | WILLIAMSTOWN<br />Sunshine | PRESTON<BR>Werribee | PORT MELBOURNE<br />Dandenong |} {| class="wikitable" |- ! Year ! PREMIER ! RUNNER-UP ! THIRD ! FOURTH ! FIFTH |- | 1989 | '''Coburg''' | Williamstown | Box Hill | Springvale | Frankston |- | 1990 | '''Williamstown''' | Springvale | Preston | Coburg | Werribee |- | 1991 | '''Dandenong''' | Werribee | Box Hill | Springvale | Port Melbourne |- | 1992 | '''Sandringham''' | Williamstown | Prahran | Box Hill | Werribee |- | 1993 | '''Werribee''' | Port Melbourne | Springvale | Prahran | Frankston |- | 1994 | '''Sandringham''' | Box Hill | Springvale | Dandenong Redlegs | Frankston |} === VFL 1995–present === <timeline> ImageSize = width:670 height:520 PlotArea = width:500 height:420 left:140 bottom:50 AlignBars = late BarData= bar:Wi text:Williamstown bar:We text:Werribee bar:Tr text:Traralgon bar:Ta text:Tasmania bar:Sp text:Springvale/Casey Scorpions bar:Sa text:Sandringham bar:PB text:Preston/Northern Bullants/Blues bar:PM text:Port Melbourne bar:NB text:North Ballarat bar:MK text:Murray Kangaroos bar:GC text:Gold Coast bar:Ge text:Geelong bar:Fr text:Frankston bar:Co text:Collingwood bar:Cb text:Coburg Tigers bar:BH text:Box Hill Hawks bar:Be text:Bendigo Bombers Colors = id:grey value:gray(0.4) id:lgrey value:gray(0.8) id:vlgrey value:gray(0.92) id:premier value:blue legend:Premier id:spoon value:rgb(0.5,0,0) # legend:Last_place # need more data id:rup value:gray(0.5) legend:Runner_Up DateFormat = yyyy Period = from:1995 till:2013 TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal ScaleMajor = unit:year increment:1 start:1995 gridcolor:lgrey ScaleMinor = unit:year increment:1 start:1995 gridcolor:vlgrey PlotData= color:lgrey width:10 bar:Be from:1998 till:end bar:BH from:1995 till:end at:2001 mark:(line,premier) at:2003 mark:(line,rup) bar:Cb from:1995 till:end at:2007 mark:(line,rup) bar:Co from:2009 till:end bar:Fr from:1995 till:end at:1996 mark:(line,rup) at:1997 mark:(line,rup) bar:Ge from:2000 till:end at:2002 mark:(line,premier) at:2006 mark:(line,rup) at:2007 mark:(line,premier) at:2012 mark:(line,premier) bar:GC from:2010 till:2011 bar:MK from:2001 till:2002 bar:NB from:1996 till:end at:1999 mark:(line,rup) at:2000 mark:(line,rup) at:2008 mark:(line,premier) bar:PB from:1995 till:end bar:PM from:1995 till:end at:2002 mark:(line,rup) at:2004 mark:(line,rup) at:2008 mark:(line,rup) at:2011 mark:(line,premier) at:2012 mark:(line,rup) bar:Sa from:1995 till:end at:1995 mark:(line,rup) at:1997 mark:(line,premier) at:2000 mark:(line,premier) at:2004 mark:(line,premier) at:2005 mark:(line,premier) at:2006 mark:(line,premier) bar:Sp from:1995 till:end at:1995 mark:(line,premier) at:1996 mark:(line,premier) at:1998 mark:(line,premier) at:1999 mark:(line,premier) bar:Tr from:1996 till:1998 bar:Ta from:2001 till:2008 bar:We from:1995 till:end at:1998 mark:(line,rup) at:2001 mark:(line,rup) at:2005 mark:(line,rup) bar:Wi from:1995 till:end at:2003 mark:(line,premier) at:2011 mark:(line,rup) color:premier width:10 bar:BH from:2001 till:2002 bar:Ge from:2002 till:2003 from:2007 till:2008 from:2012 till:2013 bar:NB from:2008 till:2011 bar:PM from:2011 till:2012 bar:Sa from:1997 till:1998 from:2000 till:2001 from:2004 till:2007 bar:Sp from:1995 till:1997 from:1998 till:2000 bar:Wi from:2003 till:2004 color:rup width:10 bar:BH from:2003 till:2004 bar:Cb from:2007 till:2008 bar:Fr from:1996 till:1998 bar:Ge from:2006 till:2007 bar:NB from:1999 till:2001 bar:PB from:2009 till:2011 bar:PM from:2002 till:2003 from:2004 till:2005 from:2008 till:2009 from:2012 till:2013 bar:Sa from:1995 till:1996 bar:We from:1998 till:1999 from:2001 till:2002 from:2005 till:2006 bar:Wi from:2011 till:2012 Legend = left:50 top:20 columnwidth:90 LineData = layer:front # all lines in front of bars unless stated otherwise TextData= pos:(350,488) fontsize:L text:VFL Premiers </timeline> {| class="wikitable" |- ! Year ! PREMIER ! RUNNER-UP ! THIRD ! FOURTH ! FIFTH ! (SIXTH) ! (SEVENTH) ! (EIGHTH) |- | 1995 | '''Springvale''' | Sandringham | Port Melbourne | Frankston | Werribee |- | 1996 | '''Springvale''' | Frankston | Werribee | Williamstown | Port Melbourne |- | 1997 | '''Sandringham''' | Frankston | Springvale | Port Melbourne | Werribee |- | 1998 | '''Springvale''' | Werribee | North Ballarat | Frankston | Preston |- | 1999 | '''Springvale''' | North Ballarat | Sandringham | Frankston | Williamstown |- | 2000 | '''Sandringham''' | North Ballarat | Carlton | St Kilda | Geelong | Williamstown | Box Hill Hawks | Sandringham |- |- | 2001 | '''Box Hill Hawks''' | Werribee | Springvale | Murray Kangaroos | Carlton | Frankston | Coburg Tigers | Essendon |- | 2002 | '''Geelong''' | Port Melbourne | Werribee | Coburg Tigers | Box Hill Hawks | Williamstown | Murray Kangaroos | Sandringham |- | 2003 | '''Williamstown''' | Box Hill Hawks | Port Melbourne | Sandringham | Tasmania | Springvale | Werribee | Geelong |- | 2004 | '''Sandringham''' | Port Melbourne | Werribee | North Ballarat | Tasmania | Coburg Tigers | Box Hill Hawks | Bendigo Bombers |- | 2005 | '''Sandringham''' | Werribee | Northern Bullants | Bendigo Bombers | Port Melbourne | Tasmania | Frankston | Box Hill Hawks |- | 2006 | '''Sandringham''' | Geelong | Northern Bullants | Williamstown | Frankston | North Ballarat | Werribee | Coburg Tigers |- | 2007 | '''Geelong''' | Coburg Tigers | Williamstown | North Ballarat | Sandringham | Port Melbourne | Casey Scorpions | Bendigo Bombers |- |- | 2008 | '''North Ballarat''' | Port Melbourne | Williamstown | Werribee | Casey Scorpions | Frankston | Coburg Tigers | Northern Bullants |- |- | 2009 | '''North Ballarat''' | Northern Bullants | Port Melbourne | Collingwood | Williamstown | Box Hill Hawks | Casey Scorpions | Geelong |- |- | 2010 | '''North Ballarat''' | Northern Bullants | Williamstown | Box Hill Hawks | Casey Scorpions | Port Melbourne | Collingwood | Bendigo Bombers |- |- | 2011 | '''Port Melbourne''' | Williamstown | Werribee | Northern Bullants | North Ballarat | Casey Scorpions | Bendigo Bombers | Box Hill Hawks |- |- | 2012 | '''Geelong''' | Port Melbourne | Werribee | Williamstown | Casey Scorpions | Box Hill Hawks | Sandringham | Bendigo Gold |} ===VFA/VFL all-time final placings=== {| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:left; font-size:100%; width:70%;" ! Team ! PREMIERS ! RUNNERS-UP ! 3rd ! 4th ! 5th ! 6th ! 7th ! 8th ! TOTAL |- | '''Port Melbourne''' | 16 | 21 | 15 | 13 | 3 | 4 | - | - | 72 |- | '''Williamstown''' | 13 | 11 | 14 | 13 | 2 | 2 | - | 1 | 56 |- | '''Sandringham''' | 10 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 1 | - | 34 |- | Footscray | 9 | 5 | 3 | 2 | - | - | - | - | 19 |- | Geelong (VFA) | 8 | 4 | 3 | - | - | - | - | - | 15 |- | '''Coburg''' | 6 | 9 | 7 | 7 | - | - | 3 | 1 | 33 |- | Hotham/North Melbourne | 6 | 6 | 8 | 2 | - | - | - | - | 22 |- | Oakleigh | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | - | - | - | - | 12 |- | Prahran | 5 | 5 | 3 | 9 | - | - | - | - | 22 |- | South Melbourne | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | - | - | - | - | 16 |- | Northcote | 5 | 2 | 6 | 3 | - | - | - | - | 16 |- | '''Springvale/Casey Scorpions''' | 5 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 20 |- | '''Preston/Northern Bullants/Northern Blues''' | 4 | 6 | 8 | 11 | 1 | 1 | 1 | - | 32 |- | Essendon (VFA) | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | - | - | - | - | 10 |- | Brunswick | 3 | 7 | 4 | 7 | - | - | - | - | 21 |- | Dandenong | 3 | 4 | 2 | 3 | - | - | - | - | 12 |- | Carlton (VFA) | 2 | 4 | 5 | 3 | - | - | - | - | 14 |- | Richmond (VFA) | 2 | 3 | 3 | 1 | - | - | - | - | 9 |- | '''North Ballarat''' | 3 | 2 | 4 | - | 1 | 1 | - | - | 11 |- | Moorabbin | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | - | - | - | - | 7 |- | '''Geelong (VFL)''' | 3 | 1 | - | 1 | - | - | - | 2 | 7 |- | Yarraville | 2 | 1 | 1 | 6 | - | - | - | - | 10 |- | Essendon Association | 2 | - | 5 | - | - | - | - | - | 7 |- | '''Werribee''' | 1 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 6 | 1 | - | 1 | 18 |- | Brighton | 1 | 3 | 4 | - | - | - | - | - | 8 |- | '''Box Hill''' | 1 | 2 | 3 | 5 | - | 1 | 2 | 2 | 16 |- | Geelong West | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | - | - | - | - | 7 |- | West Melbourne | 1 | 1 | - | 1 | - | - | - | - | 3 |- | Fitzroy | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | - | - | - | - | 6 |- | Waverley | 1 | 1 | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | 3 |- | Collingwood (VFA) | 1 | - | - | 1 | 1 | - | - | - | 3 |- | Melbourne (VFA) | - | 4 | 1 | 6 | - | - | - | - | 11 |- | '''Frankston''' | - | 3 | 2 | 6 | 3 | - | 1 | - | 15 |- | Camberwell | - | 2 | 1 | 3 | - | - | - | - | 6 |- | Carlton (VFL) | - | - | 1 | - | 1 | 1 | - | - | 3 |- | Tasmania | - | - | 1 | - | 1 | 1 | - | - | 3 |- | Albert Park | - | - | - | 1 | - | - | - | - | 1 |- | Caulfield | - | - | - | 1 | - | - | - | - | 1 |- | Dandenong Redlegs | - | - | - | 1 | - | - | - | - | 1 |- | Hawthorn (VFA) | - | - | - | 1 | - | - | - | - | 1 |- | Murray Kangaroos | - | - | - | 1 | 1 | - | - | - | 2 |- | '''Bendigo''' | - | - | - | 1 | - | - | - | 5 | 6 |- | St Kilda (VFL) | - | - | - | - | 1 | - | - | - | 1 |- | Essendon (VFL) | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | 1 |- | '''Collingwood (VFL)''' | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |} ==AFL Victoria Development League / AFL Victoria VFL Football Academy== As from the beginning of the 2012 season, the former VFL Reserves competition was replaced with the AFL Victoria Development League, a move that coincided with the introduction of the AFL Victoria Development League which provides development opportunities for up to 25 selected VFL players per year.<ref>[http://www.sportingpulse.com/assoc_page.cgi?client=1-118-0-0-0&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=18246595]</ref> All current VFL teams enter a reserves team in the Development League. == See also == * [[Early VFL Final systems]] * [[History of Australian rules football in Victoria (1859-1900)]] == References == {{Reflist}} == External links == * [http://www.vfl.com.au/ VFL official website] * [http://vfl.footballvic.com.au/default.aspx?s=historydisplay&aid=89804 VFL official history] * [http://svc227.bne117v.server-web.com/vfl/vfl_final_team_place.htm List of VFA/VFL premiers since 1877] * [http://www.fullpointsfooty.net/vfl_vfa.htm VFA and VFL statistics and history at Full Points Footy] * [http://www.truenergy.com.au/About/inthecommunity/vfl.xhtml VFL Mark of the Year competition] * [http://www.angelfire.com/un/aspirex/vfl_history.htm History of the VFL] {{Australian rules football}} {{VFL}} {{VFA/VFL seasons}} {{Aussie Rules in Victoria}} [[Category:Victorian Football League| ]] [[Category:History of Australian rules football]] [[Category:Australian rules football competitions in Victoria (Australia)|1]] [[Category:1877 establishments in Australia]] [[Category:Sport in Melbourne]] [[Category:Sports leagues established in 1877]]'