Footystats, footy's best kept secret, Chronology of the Game
Chronology of the Game
1858-1896
Number One of three parts
YEAR  
1858 Football in many forms had been played after the settlement of Melbourne in 1834. On Saturday, August 7th 1858, a grand football match was played between boys from Scotch College and Melbourne Grammar School on the parklands where the Melbourne Cricket Ground now resides. ‘The match became a legend’ and is recognised as the birth of the Australian Football code.
1859 May 14: Melbourne Football Club formed.
May 17: Four men – Thomas Wentworth Wills, William Hammersley, James Thompson (all high-profile Victorian cricketers) and Thomas Smith (a teacher at Scotch College) – came together to draw up a set of rules at Bryant's Hotel on Richmond Road (Wellington Parade). The hand-written pages of 10 rules are preserved and in possession of the Melbourne Cricket Club.
July 18: Geelong Football Club formed.
1860 April 26: formation of the Adelaide Football Club. April 28: First recorded game in South Australia when two teams from the Adelaide Football Club played for three hours.
Early games were a mixture — a round ball was used and started as in soccer with teams lined up on each side of the centre. The loser of the toss kicked the ball into play.
1864 Carlton club formed.
1865 In Melbourne, the Athletic Sports Committee inaugurates the Challenge Cup—clubs compete from Albert Park, Carlton, Melbourne, Royal Park, South Yarra and University.
1866 May 8, Freemason's Hotel, Swanston Street, Melbourne, Laws of the Game revised; playing area to be oval, not more than 200 yards long by 150 yards wide, with goals posts seven yards apart.
Brisbane Football Club formed as first club in Queensland.
1867 Oval ball now used universally in all competition matches.
1868 The 14th Foot Regiment on arrival from Hobart plays a team of Perth locals as the first recorded game in Western Australia on September 19.
1869 Practice of awarding match to team who scored first two goals discontinued. Winner to be the highest scorer (only goals counted) after 100 minutes of play divided into two halves.
 Hotham (now North Melbourne) club formed.
1870 Establishment of regular premiership matches for the South Yarra Challenge Cup following years of challenge and scratch matches between existing Melbourne clubs.
The practice of changing ends at half-time commenced. Previously the teams had changed over whenever a goal was scored. 'Kick-off' posts were present (beside the goal posts) but the scores did not count.
May 13: Port Adelaide FC formed. Admitted to AFL in 1997.
1872 Central umpire introduced, eliminating powers of captains to interpret rules. Teams to change ends at half-time interval.
Goals to be kicked not 'forced'.
Essendon club formed.
1873 Uniforms introduced.
 April 4: St Kilda FC formed.
1874 May 12, Nissen's Cafe, Melbourne, new Laws of the Game set down in 13 basic rules.
First admission charges made in Melbourne.
Goal umpires first noted in Tasmania.
South Melbourne formed.
1875 Launceston Football Club founded in northern Tasmania.
1876 Australian football established in New Zealand.
1877 Monday, May 7, Oliver's Cafe, Melbourne, formation of the VICTORIAN FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION (VFA) as controlling body of all matches, senior, junior, country. Foundation clubs with senior status were: Albert Park, Carlton, East Melbourne, Essendon, Geelong, Hotham (later North Melbourne), Melbourne and St Kilda.
South Australian Football Association formed, April 30th, when the Victorian rules were adopted as they stood.
June 23 & 25: Carlton visit Sydney at the invitation of the Rugby club Waratah—playing two games at the Albert Cricket Ground in Redfern, one under Rugby rules, one under 'Victorian' rules.
First Central Umpire in an all-white uniform was Mr George Coulthard, who officiated as umpire in the match between Melbourne and Norwood at the MCG.
1878 The Essendon club are acknowledged as the first club to play on a "full sized" ground of 200 yards long by 150 yards wide — as set down in the rules of 1866. The arena was located at Flemington Hill, between the area known as Flemington Racecourse and the Showgrounds on Mt Alexander Road, near the present tram sheds.
1879 August 6, 13, 28: three night matches played in Melbourne using the recently invented electric light. Primitive arc lights were installed on poles around the arena by Mr Thomas Draper of W H Masters & Co.
Southern Tasmanian Football Association founded, first clubs: City, Railway, Holbrook, Cricketers.
Queensland competition founded in Brisbane.
1880 NSW Football Association founded on June 30th at a meeting held at the Freemasons' Hotel, York Street in the city: first clubs, Sydney and East Sydney.
Albert Park amalgamated with South Melbourne.
1882 Fitzroy formed.
1883 First games by the 'Swans' club played in Perth.
Footscray formed.
1884 Goal Umpires introduced by the VFA.
1885 Four 25-minutes quarters were adopted by the Inter-Colonial Football Conference held in Melbourne on November 4-5.
WA Football Association founded, first clubs: Fremantle Union, Victorians and Rovers.
February 20: Richmond FC formed.
1886 Four quarters each of 25-minutes introduced, teams changing ends at conclusion of each period. System of signalling scores with white flags introduced.
Umpire John Trait in June was given a whistle for the Fitzroy-Carlton match–he was instructed to use it only for the purpose of stopping play where the ball went out of bounds.
1887 Premiership points, four for a win, two for a draw were introduced by the VFA secretary T.S. Marshall (Theophilus Smith Marshall).
Ball is now bounced to start play. Previously it had been thrown in the air.
1889 September 23: at a meeting of the Geelong FC, discussion centered on proposal of two club officials that Geelong should form a new football association and ask the better-class clubs of Melbourne to join.
1891 Ball is bounced in the centre of ground after each goal is scored.
1892 Britannia club merged into Collingwood FC.
1896 October 2: on the eve of the VFA grand final, Geelong, Essendon, Collingwood, Fitzroy, Melbourne and South Melbourne move to form the VICTORIAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE. Invitations are extended and later accepted by Carlton and St Kilda to join the new competition.
October 3: Collingwood 6.9 defeat South Melbourne 5.10 for VFA premiership finishing ahead of Essendon, Melbourne, Fitzroy, North Melbourne, Port Melbourne, Williamstown, St Kilda, Footscray, Geelong, Carlton and Richmond.

Back to the Diary

Footystats
Chronology of the Game
1897-1946
Number Two of three parts
YEAR  
1897 Feb 5: League headquarters established at the Port Phillip Club Hotel, Flinders Street.
May 8: first round of Victorian Football League played.
The 'little mark' abolished. Ball must now travel 10 yards. Free kick for push in the back introduced.
New System of scoring, awarding six points for a goal, one point for a behind.
The VFA reduced teams to 18 men.
1899 The VFL reduced teams from 20 to 18 players.
The Round 3 match on the Queen's Birthday, Wednesday, May 24, Collingwood v St Kilda, was played as a morning match starting at 11am.
1900 First of only three successful match result protests gives St Kilda their first victory in the VFL competition – (see also 1909 and 2006).
1902 Hawthorn FC formed in April.
1903 Boundary umpires added to some VFL matches, relieving field umpire the task of returning the ball to play from the boundary.
May 23: VFL match for premiership points played at the SCG to a crowd of 20,000. Fitzroy 7.20-62 d Collingwood 6.9-45, in a match where players first wore numbers. Gate takings of £600/-/- donated to the newly re-formed NSW Australian Football League.
1904 Presence of boundary umpires ratified and appointed to all VFL matches—they punched the ball back into play.
1905 Australasian Football Council formed at a meeting held at the Port Phillip Hotel, Flinders Street, Melbourne to control the game in Australia and New Zealand.
1907 VFA introduce numbering of players – cards were sold with the printed numbers.
1908 Richmond (home ground Punt Road Oval) and University (East Melbourne Cricket Ground) clubs admitted to VFL.
Boundary umpires given power to report players.
The VFA reduced teams to 17 men.
July 24: League administrative headquarters transferred to the Block Arcade, Collins Street.
August: Jubilee of Australasian Football celebrated in Melbourne with Carnival of Football, all States of Australia and New Zealand participating.
1909 Posting of scores from other grounds was introduced at the East Melbourne Cricket Ground. In 1912, the "Football Record" aligned teams with "letters" in their pages.
 Second of only three successful match result protests in VFL-AFL history gives Geelong victory over St Kilda for playing a disqualified player – (see also 1900 and 2006).
1910 VFA Honorary Commissioners appointed to arbitrate on reports made by umpires.
VFL goal umpires given power to report players.
Boundary umpires required to throw the ball in over head instead of a punch off the palm of the hand.
July 20: an experiment in a game between Fitzroy and a touring side from South Australia where the ball was kicked in after going out of bounds, by an opponent of the last player to touch it. (Note: It became part of the game from 1922 to 1939, and has been the rule since 1969).
1911 Payments to VFL players approved.
Players wore guernsey numbers in Second Semi-Final and the Grand Final.
1912 VFL introduce numbering of players.
April 27: First issue of The Football Record.
 Stewards were introduced, allowed to move among the players on the field and with power to report offenders.
1913 VFL Independent Tribunal formed.
1915 University withdraw from VFL and disband.
 St Kilda change their colours from black, white and red (the German imperial colours) to black, yellow and red (the national colours of WW1 ally, Belgium).
 Nine teams compete over 18 rounds (each have 2 byes.)
1916 Essendon, Geelong, Melbourne, St Kilda and South Melbourne withdraw from the competition primarily for patriotic reasons.
 Proposal to unite the Australasian National Football Council and the NSW Rugby League with a hybrid set of rules is opposed by Richmond and Carlton delegates. Matter lapses.
 Carlton, Collingwood, Richmond and Fitzroy conduct a limited VFL season of 12 rounds.
1917 Geelong and South Melbourne rejoin the competition for a VFL season of 15 rounds.
1918 The VFA increased teams to 18 men.
 Essendon and St Kilda rejoin the competition for a VFL season of 14 rounds.
 St Kilda revert to to original black, white and red colours.
1919 VFL Second Eighteens competition commenced.
Stewards abolished because of complaints by players and umpires they obstructed play.
 Melbourne returns to the VFL.
 Nine team competition with a bye each week – Geelong opting to have their bye each round 1 of the 9 team competition 1919-1924.
 A District Scheme was introduced to curtail trafficking in players. Melbourne and Essendon were taking recruits from everywhere as they were able to offer better employment opportunities.
1920 On the occasion of the visit of HRH The Princes Of Wales, two morning matches starting at 10.45am were played on Wednesday, May 26: Richmond v Collingwood at Punt Road Oval and Fitzroy played Geelong at the Brunswick Street Oval.
1921 Last match (VFL game 225) played at the East Melbourne Cricket Ground. Land resumed for railway extensions.
 Australian Football Council turns down proposal to allow for substitution during a match of injured players.
 South Melbourne changed to a red jumper with white SMFC on the front.
1922 Essendon moved from the EMCG to Essendon Recreation Reserve which became known as 'Windy Hill'.
Boundary umpires required to throw the ball into play a distance ranging from nine to 22 metres instead of 4.5 to 13.5m.
Free kick to opposing side against team forcing ball out-of-bounds.
May 17: the VFL approved the innovation of boundary umpires bringing the ball back to the centre after a goal has been kicked.
Sept 25: The VFL opposed the propositions by the ANFC to allow throwing of the ball, a cross bar on goal posts and substitution of injured players. (Note: a 19th man was introduced by the VFA in 1929 and by the VFL in 1930.)
1923 League appointed former field umpire, Jack Elder, as the first umpires' instructor.
All League venues required to display quarter by quarter scores.
1924 Brownlow Medal instituted for Fairest and Best Player of each VFL season.
Only one player permitted to stand on the mark.
April 9: The VFL decided home sides will wear black shorts, while away teams will wear white shorts.
 One year trial of 'round robin' final series. Essendon win the premiership on percentage.
1925 January 9: Footscray (home ground Western Oval), Hawthorn (Glenferrie Oval) and North Melbourne (Arden Street Oval) admitted to VFL. Hawthorn commenced in a brown jersey with a yellow "V" and North a royal blue jersey with a white "V".
Free against player who kicked the ball out of bounds provided it was not touched in transit.
Boundary umpires bounced the ball 5 metres in from the boundary instead of throwing it in.
Handball rule clarified: Ball to be punched, not struck (Flick pass previously allowed).
1926 Admission to finals by Football Club Members ticket cancelled. All spectators except MCC members charged admission to finals at the MCG.
1927 The word 'National' was added to the name by most interstate Leagues at the suggestion of the Australian National Football Council—thus the Adelaide competition became the South Australian National Football League, a name it retains to this day.
Goal umpires first required to compare scores at the end of each quarter.
 A crowd of 30,000 see Carlton beat Geelong in a exhibition game played in Sydney.
1928 New definition of holding man–ball rule formulated. Player with ball had to be held firmly, not just touched or briefly tackled, to be deemed to be holding the ball.
1929 Aug 16: League officially moved into Spring Street headquarters and named it Harrison House.
Collingwood won 18 matches to remain undefeated in the home-and-home season.
1930 'Coulter Law' adopted, restricting payments to players. (Three Pounds per week – players in finals 12 Pounds a match.)
May 3: 19th man used for the first time in a VFL match. Once replaced, he could not return.
Holding man–ball ruled amended. A player was not permitted to drop the ball when tackled—a handpass or kick had to be attempted. The amendment was repealed two months later because of its unpopularity.
Umpires Appointment board set up.
1931 Ken McIntyre system of finals proposed by Richmond secretary Percy Page, ensuring four finals—First and Second Semi-Finals, Preliminary Final and Grand Final.
1933 System of determining percentage altered. Points 'for' were divided by points 'against' and multiplied by 100.
June 17: siren is used in Essendon v Geelong match.
August 11: During the Carnival of all States in Sydney a match of experimental rules combining rugby league and the Australian game was played. On August 14, the NSW Rugby League abandoned its idea, presented to the ANFC, that the two codes should be merged and a 'national game' created. (Note: A similar proposal was also considered in 1914 – the concept was abandoned when hostilities of World War One commenced.)
Moves for an amalgamation of the VFL and VFA with the top club in the VFA replacing the bottom club in the VFL fail.
1934 Handball rule altered. The ball could be held in one hand and knocked with the other. (The flick pass was again permitted).
 Collingwood introduce schoolboy football matches as curtain raisers instead of baseball which had been played previously.
1935 March 30: The practice match between Richmond and South Melbourne was played under electric light at Olympic Park. 25,000 attended to watch the game played with a white ball.
1936 Shepherding in ruck duels prohibited.
1938 VFL-VFA agreement terminated by Association who introduced amendments to laws, including throwing the ball.
Essendon beat St Kilda in a morning match at Junction Oval starting at 10.30am on King's Birthday, Monday, June 13. Only other morning games were in 1899, 1920 and later in 1998.
 VFA experiment with 3 substitute players and 4 boundary umpires.
1939 Reintroduction of general boundary throw-in. Frees no longer awarded when ball was kicked out of bounds.
Holding man–ball rule revised: Free to be paid against player who deliberately drops the ball when tackled.
1940 Payments to players and staff reduced by 50% as a war-time measure.
Last VFL game (371st match) played at Corio Oval.
Introduction of determining that the ball could not be kicked in after a behind had been scored until the goal umpire had waved the flags.
Percentage of receipts paid to war charities.
1941 Geelong commenced playing at Kardinia Park.
The eight-foot centre circle was replaced by one 10 feet in diameter.
Collingwood won Lightning Premiership conducted to raise war funds.
1942 Brownlow Medal suspended for remainder of World War Two.
Geelong went into recess due to travel restrictions and petrol rationing.
Military services acquired several grounds — the MCG, Albert Park, Junction Oval and Western Oval — Melbourne shared with Richmond at the Punt Road Oval; South Melbourne shared Princes Park; Footscray played at Yarraville; St Kilda at Toorak Park Prahran.
1943 Footscray returned to the Western Oval.
St Kilda as the bottom team after 11 rounds is eliminated from competition.
1944 Geelong returned to the competition.
South Melbourne moved to share at Junction Oval as St Kilda regained its venue.
1945 Introduction of a free down-field if player is interfered with after disposing of the ball.
20 home and away rounds played to compensate for matches lost during the war years, (19 matches are played per season 1946-1949)
1946 VFL. Under 19 (Thirds) grade formed.
Brownlow Medal reinstated.
Reserves now number two, not one (19th and 20th men). Once replaced, a player could not return to the field.
Football returned to the MCG on August 17th.
VFL Players Provident Fund instituted.

Back to the Diary

Footystats
Chronology of the Game
since 1947
Number Three of three parts
1947 Players' advocates first permitted to defend players at Tribunal hearings.
South Melbourne returned to the Lake Oval at Albert Park.
1948 First payments made from the VFL Players Provident Fund.
1950 Introduction of a penalty downfield for a late tackle.
Sirens replaced bells at all grounds.
Hawthorn changed colours to vertical brown and gold stripes.
1951 Under Coulter Law, payments to players increased from Four Pounds to £5.
1952 VFL "Propaganda" 8th round played at Albury, Brisbane, Euroa, Hobart, Sydney and Yallourn. A Saturday washout in Brisbane results in Monday night game for first premiership match played under lights, when Essendon defeated Geelong at the Brisbane Exhibition Ground on June 16th.
1953 Geelong's winning sequence of 23 consecutive matches ended on Saturday August 1.
Collingwood defeat Fitzroy in night charity game played at the Showgrounds on Anzac eve.
VFL announces that Brownlow Medal winners will have free passes to all matches including finals.
1955 Introduction of a 15-metre penalty for time-wasting.
League approves use of a "runner" or "messenger, wearing an armband, to enter the playing field to convey messages to players.
1956 First night football competition played at South Melbourne – (7 matches with 8 VFL clubs competing)
1957 Direct telecasts of the last quarter only of VFL matches permitted on ABV-2, HSV-7 and GTV-9 for which the TV stations paid the princely sum of Fifty Pounds ($100) a game.
 Reserved seating introduced for finals matches.
1958 Centenary of Australian Football celebrated. Carnival of major states held in Melbourne – VFL, VFA, SANFL, WAFL and TFL competed.
Last season Under 19 matches played as curtain-raisers to VFL games.
TV rights payments were raised with each club guaranteed Five Hundred Pounds ($1000) and Ninety Pounds ($180) for radio rights.
 Players numbers changed for Grand Final after newspaper had printed numbers.
1959 VFL Reserves played as curtain raisers to main game.
1960 First VFL matches played on Anzac Day, April 25.
The Association played the first senior Sunday match on April 24 at Brunswick when Coburg defeated the VFA Magpies.
VFL telecasts of last quarter's denied.
1961 VFA reduced teams to 16 players.
VFL denied live telecasts but allowed TV coverage of one-hour highlights.
VFL purchased land at Waverley for development of a sports arena.
1962 Approval granted for TV replays of matches.
 VFL purchase approx 200 acres of land at Waverly for future stadium development.
1964 Coaches permitted to address players on the field at quarter-time break.
Last match (VFL game 544) played at Punt Road Oval.
1965 Richmond moved to the MCG; St Kilda moved to Moorabbin; North Melbourne moved to Coburg City Oval.
June 2: Flick pass outlawed — ball had to be struck with a clenched fist.
As in 1958, VFL changes players numbers after Sydney firm publishes an unauthorised list.
1966 North Melbourne games returned to Arden Street.
Fitzroy's last match (VFL game 612) at Brunswick Street Oval.
1967 Fitzroy moved to share Princes Park with Carlton.
 Presentation at count of Brownlow votes is reversed so that the first (3 votes) for a match are read out last.
Football commentator Harry Beitzel promoted a touring team to play two Tests of a hybrid set of rules in Ireland against Gaelic Athletic Association clubs. The First Test was played at Croke Park in Dublin on October 29 against Meath, and a second match against Mayo was played a week after on November 4. The Australians called "The Galahs" lost both times.
1968 Victoria and Riverina divided into 12 VFL zones for allocation of players.
Home-and-away series increased to 20 rounds.
An opponent became obliged to return ball to recipient of mark or free if the opponent had possession at the time of the umpire's decision.
1969 Introduction of a free against player kicking ball out of bounds on the full.
1970 Fitzroy moved to the Junction Oval.
Home-and-away series increased to 22 rounds.
First direct TV cover of a League match, Richmond v Fitzroy, MCG, Sunday April 5, in the presence of Queen Elizabeth II.
April 18: VFL Park Waverley opened when Fitzroy played Geelong.
September 26: Record MCG Grand Final crowd of 121,696.
1971 "National" deleted from the controlling Australian Football Council name.
1972 McIntyre system of finals brings introduction of the Final Five, ensuring six finals—Elimination, Qualifying, First & Second Semi's, Preliminary and Grand Final.
Feb 23: New League headquarters opened at 82 Jolimont Street.
1973 Centre diamond (sides 45 metres long) introduced.
Four players only from each team permitted in the area at centre bounces.
Ten year rule introduced. The rule was rescinded in May.
Hawthorn's last match (VFL game 443) at Glenferrie Oval.
Surcharge on finals' tickets introduced for establishment of Ground Improvement Fund.
1974 Hawthorn moved to share Princes Park with Carlton.
Colour changes to players and runners uniforms approved for introduction of colour television broadcasts.
1975 Centre diamond became a 'square'.
Video tape became admissible evidence at tribunal hearings.
Colour TV introduced.
Eight clubs appoint the first fulltime promotions officers to promote game at junior level.
VFL Properties formed to recover royalties from League endorsed products.
Video evidence becomes admissible at tribunal hearings.
1976 Introduction of the two field umpire system.
VFL symbol added to guernsey, shorts and socks.
1977 First live telecast of a VFL Grand Final.
1978 19th and 20th men became Inter-Change players.
Sponsors logo permitted to left shoulder of player guernsey.
1979 Holding man–ball rule altered. Player bouncing ball ruled in possession.
Two Sunday games for premiership points played at the SCG.
Norm Smith Medal struck for best player in VFL Grand Final.
1980 Introduction of line across centre circle to prevent interference at centre bounces.
Handball rule altered. The ball could be held in one hand and knocked with the other. (The flick pass was again permitted).
Four matches played at the SCG and televised to Melbourne.
Grand Final medallions struck for premiership players and runners-up.
VFL removes count-back system for the Brownlow medal.
1981 Fifteen metres instead of 10 metres allowed for a player running with the ball.
Waverley Park record attendance of 92,935 watched Collingwood play Hawthorn on Queen's Birthday Monday June 8th.
 Two matches played in Sydney and one in Brisbane for premiership points.
John Coleman Medal struck for Leading Goalkicker of the home-and-away series.
South Melbourne's last match (VFL game 704) at Albert Park.
 Brownlow medal awarded jointly for the first time – Bernie Quinlan (Fitzroy)  and Barry Round (South Melbourne)
October 6: The history-making first interstate draft took place at VFL House.
1982 Introduction of rule allowing a player the option of another scoring opportunity if he is interfered with after the all-clear has been given.
South Melbourne move 'home' games to the SCG, and become Sydney.
March 17: New VFL headquarters opened at 120 Jolimont Road.
 Video Matrix screen operates for the first time at VFL Park Waverly, replaying highlights and direct telecasts from other games.
 Introduction of ban on taking alcohol into VFL matches.
October 19: Second Interstate Selection (draft) meeting held at VFL House.
1983 Australian Football celebrated the 125th anniversary of the game.
May 14: VFL appoint an eight-man board to conduct the affairs of the newly-named Sydney Swans Limited.
Sydney and Geelong at the SCG on Friday August 5th played for premiership points under lights. The only previous occasion was in 1952.
1984 Fitzroy played its final 'home' game at St Kilda. The Junction Oval completed its 734th match.
North Melbourne first 'home' games at the MCG.
October: VFL Commission established. The 12 member clubs yielded power to an independently appointed commission. Jack Hamilton first Chief Commissioner.
October: Following several years of intermittent contact, matches under "Compromise Rules" combining features of the GAA rules and Australian Football began to be played on a semi-annual basis in both Ireland and Australia. The addition of behind posts realigned the scoring with six points for an ‘under’ and three points for an ‘over’ remaining and the addition of one point for a behind.
1985 Salary cap introduced.
Fitzroy moved to share with Collingwood and play its home games at Victoria Park.
Friday March 29: First night premiership match played at the MCG when North Melbourne played Collingwood.
North Melbourne played 'home' games at the MCG. North's final home match (AFL game 529) at Arden Street Oval on August 17 versus Richmond.
1986 Jack Hamilton retired as Chief Commissioner – new CEO, Ross Oakley.
Video scrutiny begins of on-field misdemeanours.
Arcs of 50 metres in goal areas introduced.
VFL country zoning abolished.
VFL agrees to increase competition to 14 clubs. Brisbane and West Coast to be admitted in 1987.
November 26: National Draft held at VFL House in which 13 of the 14 clubs for season 1987 participated. West Coast did not take part. Brisbane had first choice and were able to select six players before the draft commenced.
1987 League and Channel 7 network fall out. Broadcom purchase broadcast rights and off-sell to ABC-TV who televise at least one match live each week. In some markets broadcast signal of SBS was also used.
Brisbane and West Coast play first competition games. Brisbane played at Carrara Oval on the Gold Coast – West Coast played at Subiaco Oval and the WACA Oval.
Fitzroy returned to Princes Park for home matches.
1988 League and Channel 7 network re-new TV broadcast agreement
Player awarded free obliged to kick.
Replacement of 15-metre penalty with 50-metre penalty.
Player kicking in from goal square obliged to clear ball at least two metres before regaining possession.
1989 October 3: Announcement made that Footscray and Fitzroy would merge. Fund-raising staved off the merger.
1990 VFL renamed the Australian Football League.
Player awarded free kick again allowed to kick or handpass.
Introduction of 40-year agreement with MCC to play at least once weekly at the MCG during finals series.
Last season of VFL under-19s competition.
Port Adelaide bid to join AFL thwarted. SANFL agree to form club, the Adelaide club is born.
1991 Adelaide admitted and AFL competition increased to 15 clubs.
Brisbane played four matches at the BCG (Gabba).
Essendon's final home match (AFL game 629) at Windy Hill.
The Final Six was introduced. In week one, 5 v 6, 3 v 4, loser eliminated. Season was 24 rounds with 22 games and two byes – the ladder was calculated on match ratio.
No finals matches were played at the MCG due to construction of the Great Southern Stand.
The first finals match was played outside of Victoria when West Coast hosted Hawthorn in the Qualifying Final at Subiaco Oval. The Eagles had the distinction of being top of the ladder after every round. The criteria for a final outside of Victoria was adopted by the AFL Commission and was accepted by the various State bodies as appropriate for the future.
Interstate teams finishing the higher on the premiership ladder may host finals (with the exception of the Grand Final) subject to the contractual obligations in place with the MCC for the playing of finals at the MCG until 2032.
1992 Great Southern Grandstand at the MCG accommodating 48,000 completed at a cost of $145 million.
AFL administration moved from AFL House to the Great Southern Stand at the MCG in May.
MCG colour video scoreboard first used for AFL matches.
Essendon moved to play 'home' matches at the MCG.
Hawthorn moved to play 'home' matches at Waverley Park.
Finals system revised and in week one of the playoffs, 4 v 5, 3 v 6, when losers were eliminated, while the Qualifying matches 1 v 2. In week 2 the winner of the Qualifying played the higher-placed final winner in the 2SF. The loser of the QF played the lower-placed EF winner as the system reverted to the final four system.
May 3: Geelong re-wrote footy history – new record score, new last quarter record, best winning margin, with Geelong forward BILLY BROWNLESS kicking a behind on the siren at 37 minutes setting a new League highest scoring record of 37.17-239 at Carrara Oval versus Brisbane.
St Kilda played final League match (game 254) at Moorabbin Oval.
Brisbane's last match (AFL game 61) at Carrara Oval.
Collingwood played many feature games away from Victoria Park, at the MCG.
Blood-rule introduced.
1993 St Kilda moved 'home' games to Waverley Park, sharing with Hawthorn.
Season returned to 22 rounds and two byes.
Brisbane moved 'home' games to the BCG.
First night final, Carlton played Essendon in the Qualifying Final at the MCG.
1994 Final Eight system introduced. In week one, 4 v 5, 3 v 6, 2 v 7, 1 v 8.
Season returned to 24 rounds and two byes.
Introduction of a third Inter-Change player.
Introduction of a third field umpire.
Tripping by hand, a reportable offence.
Quarters reduced to 20 minutes, plus time-on. Revised system of adding time-on – recorded from boundary or goal umpire's signal until the next act of play.
1995 Fremantle admitted and competition increased to 16 clubs.
Fitzroy moved to share with Footscray and play its home games at Western Oval.
Season returned to 22 rounds, bye was eliminated.
Intentional tripping by hand no longer a reportable offence. The player instead was penalised by free kick and a 50 metre penalty.
Ball to be bounced on kick-off line if full-back is penalised for wasting time rather than a report and free kick to opposition.
Player no longer has to clear ball at least two metres before playing on from kick-in.
Umpire given power to recall play in advantage situation if no advantage eventuates.
By sponsorship, Princes Park at Carlton, became known as "Optus Oval".
April 21-25: In the 4th round, field umpires wear identifying blue numbers numbers on their backs of their white shirts for the first time.
Carlton won its 16th premiership, recording 23 wins from 25 matches.
The Victorian Football Association (formed 1877) played its closing matches. Surviving VFA members will join the new second-tier competition called the Victorian Football League.
1996 The AFL celebrated its Centenary season.
Umpires will not re-start centre square play until injured player being treated by medical staff is removed from the arena.
Boundary umpires wore shirts and shorts coloured pale blue.
Protected area around player changed from 10-metre circle to five-metre corridor either side of the mark and moving back with the player.
July 4: Fitzroy club merged to become the Brisbane Lions.
Brisbane and Sydney experienced finals football in their cities for the first time.
September 1: The Fitzroy club plays its 1928th and final League match at Subiaco Oval versus Fremantle.
September 16: A bitter merger campaign concluded when Melbourne members voted 4879-4220 to merge; Hawthorn gave it the thumbs down, 5241 votes to 2841. The Hawks and the Demons will continue in their own right in 1997. The AFL incentive package of $6 million to "mergees" was taken off the table.
Ross Oakley retired as AFL Chief Commissioner – new CEO, Wayne Jackson.
Victoria experienced a very wet winter, with the first nine months of the year being the wettest in record.
1997 Adelaide won its first premiership.
Adelaide became the first team in the history of finals to win four finals.
Port Adelaide admitted as the League's 18th club – competition remained at 16 teams following merger of Fitzroy with Brisbane.
Boundary umpire uniforms returned to white clothing.
Footscray became the Western Bulldogs – final League match (game 665) played at Whitten (formerly Western) Oval.
Construction of Victoria Stadium at Docklands begins.
Carlton wore a League approved sponsor's guernsey in its April 13 match versus Adelaide.
1998 Introduction of a fourth Inter-Change player.
Sydney's Homebush Stadium contracted for AFL matches from 2001.
First "twilight" matches played starting at 3.40pm. Collingwood met Hawthorn at the MCG on Saturday March 28th, 47,628 attended. The "twilight" experiment totalled nine matches – seven at the MCG, two at Waverley though discontinued after Round 11.
August 1: Manuka Oval in Canberra became the 33rd venue for League football when North Melbourne played Port Adelaide. It also marked the first morning League game since 1938 and the fourth pre-noon start following the first in 1899 and two others in 1920.
1999 Tony Lockett, playing for the Sydney club against Collingwood at the SCG on Sunday June 6 kicked his 1300th League goal, to exceed the League Goalkicking Record of 1299 goals held by Collingwood player Gordon Coventry (1920-1937).
To broaden their national appeal North Melbourne became known as the 'Kangaroos' and played four 'home' matches at the Sydney Cricket Ground. The Kangas won its fourth VFL-AFL premiership.
August 29: Waverley Park, which opened in 1970 as the jewel in the VFL crown, hosted its 732nd and final League premiership match on a glorious Sunday afternoon. The stadium and its surrounding areas will be sold to fund the AFL financial commitment to the new Docklands facility. Hawthorn overran a mediocre Sydney and produced a stunning 85pt victory, 23.15-153 to 11.2-68 before a crowd of 72,130.
2000 The Final Eight system system was revised with teams in the first week playing, 1 v 4, 2 v 3, 5 v 8 and 6 v 7. The top four finishing sides were guaranteed a double chance after the first week of the finals while sides finishing 5th to 8th need to win every game to win the premiership.
League brought forward the start of season to March 8, to avert a clash with the staging of the Olympic Games in Sydney in September. The Grand Final was played at the MCG on September 2nd.
March 9: First League premiership match was played at Colonial Stadium, Docklands when Essendon met Port Adelaide in Round One. Due to technical problems the roof remained open to a warm evening. The ground becomes the 34th League venue.
The first of 11,742 premiership matches was played indoors on Sunday night March 19 when the Bulldogs played Brisbane in Round 2. The retractable roof was closed in light of the showers forecast.
The Kangaroos played three 'home' matches at the SCG. (The club received $836,000 in grants from the AFL for playing in Sydney).
The Western Bulldogs played one 'home' match at the SCG.
From Round 19, a dedicated signal was introduced for umpires — when a free kick or 50 metre penalty is paid for abusive language, they signal with an open hand at chest level.
The Kangaroos wore a League approved sponsor's guernsey in its July 30 match versus Collingwood.
Essendon established a new record, winning the first 20 matches of the season.
Essendon, winning 24 of the 25 matches played won the premiership to equal the Carlton record of 16.
The AFL moved its operations from the MCG to new headquarters at Colonial Stadium, Docklands, on November 4-5.
2001 Brisbane on the way to winning its first premiership completed 16 successive victories.
On December 19, 2000 the League announced a consortium of News Limited, Channel Nine and Channel 10 had won the 2002 to 2006 TV broadcasting rights for five years with a bid of $500 million, ending 45 seasons of Seven Network television.
News Corp paid the first $30 million due from the AFL in March 2001 to Colonial as part of the original deal for which the League will secure freehold of the Docklands stadium in 2025.
MCC unveils plans worth $460 million to redevelop the MCG in time for the 2006 Commonwealth Games to be held in Melbourne. The MCC will spend $10 million per year for 30 years while the AFL will contribute $5 million annually until 2030. The federal and Victorian governments will also contribute.
York Park in Launceston became the 35th League venue when Hawthorn played Adelaide on May 6.
Geelong wore a League approved guernsey celebrating its Team of the Century in its June 9 match versus Hawthorn.
St Kilda wore a League approved sponsor's guernsey in its August 19 match versus Carlton.
New collective bargaining agreement struck introducing long service leave after five and 10 years with one club. The AFL agreed to allocate $11,000 a year per player to the AFLPA retirement fund.
Ansett Airlines, founded in 1936, collapsed on September 14. Ansett were sponsors of the pre-season competition, the Rising Star Award, the national draft, the AIS draft camps, and the national Under 16 and Under 18 championships.
AFL finals on September 15 observed one minute's silence for those who died in the terrorist attacks in New York on September 11.
League institute the Jock McHale Medal for the winning premiership coach, retrospective back to 1950. The John Coleman Medal for the leading goalkicker of the home-and-away season was also made retrospective, back to 1955.
2002 Brisbane Lions won their second premiership, completing 20 successive victories in the process.
The League on December 10, 2001 announced the sale of Waverley Park to property developers Mirvac for $110 million. A $700 million residential development on the 80-hectare site will take place. The playing oval and some buildings will be retained. Hawthorn FC will move its administration and training base to Waverley in 2004.
The cable-pay-TV Fox Footy Channel delivered it first telecast on Sunday, February 10 from North Sydney Oval when Sydney hosted Essendon in a practice match. 12,576 attended.
Pre-season series sponsored by Wizard Home Loans.
On February 20, the 105th Annual Report of the League for season 2001 reported a $16.8 million deficit on a record revenue of $116.6m. The report revealed the average player earns about $150,000, compared to top field umpires who earn a base of $33,000 a year and $1550 a game. 19 players were paid more than $500,000 a season. Player payments have increased from $24 million in 1992 to $83m in 2001, by 254 per cent.
League agrees to request by TV networks that the retractable roof at Docklands Stadium be closed at all times to protect the quality of their telecast.
Among rule changes for the premiership season – ball must travel 15m for a mark, replacing the old 10m rule.
First AFL match for premiership points played at Homebush Stadium in Sydney on May 25. It is the 36th League venue.
John Elliott, Carlton president for 20 years resigns on November 11. The new Carlton administration on December 20 reported a record deficit of $7.558 million.
2003 The pre-season competition, sponsored by Wizard Home Loans introduced trial rules including nine points for a goal kicked outside of the 50 metre arc and three points for a rushed behind. Umpires in the Wizard Cup wore orange tops and socks.
The Brisbane Lions won a third successive premiership.
The traditional white uniform for umpires in use since 1877 gave way to coloured polo shirts from the Round 8 Sydney v Geelong game on Sunday, May 18 at the SCG. Umpires wore gold tops and socks, navy shorts. Goal umpires also wore gold tops, but retained their distinctive white brimmed hats. In matches of succeeding rounds, red and orange tops were also used.
2004 Centre square introduced in 1973 increased from the previous 45 metres to 50 metres long and 50 metres wide.
For some weeks the 50m arc at the SCG was changed to 45m in Rounds 2, 3, 7, 9, 10 and 11 – it reverted to 50m in Round 15.
Umpire uniforms for all matches were coloured. Goal umpires also wore range tops, and white brimmed hats gave way to a coloured skull cap. Flags in premiership matches continued to be white.
Port Adelaide won its first AFL premiership, adding to the 36 won by the club in the SANFL.
Brisbane played its fourth successive Grand Final and lost for the first time.
First AFL match for premiership points played Marrara Oval in Darwin on August 14 when Western Bulldogs played Port Adelaide. It became the 37th League venue.
2005 Height of goal posts in matches of the AFL competition increased from 12 to 15 metres tall, with point posts (previously 5.8 metres) to be a minimum of 10 metres. As costs of each set of four goal posts varied from $17,000 to $25,000, the 12 metre goal post became the point posts at many grounds.
Centre circle – line across circle removed and reduced to 10 metres to prohibit ruckmen from contacting each other with raised knees.
Adelaide finish as minor premiers but miss grand final.
Sydney beat West Coast by four points in the grand final ending a 72-year premiership drought for the Swans.
Melbourne was given its first taste of the $434 million Northern Grandstand on the day of the Boxing Day Test when the MCG received national heritage listing. The Federal Treasurer, Mr Peter Costello, made the announcement during the lunch break. Mr Costello described the ground as the "spiritual home" of Australian football and pointed out its long and proud cricketing tradition. The MCG joins the Sydney Opera House and Melbourne's Exhibition Buildings on the National Heritage listing.
The MCG has been home to the Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC) since 1853 and hosted the first interstate cricket match between the MCC and New South Wales in 1858.
2006 January 5: Seven and Ten win 2007-11 five-year TV rights for $780 million.
Hawthorn move administration and training from Glenferrie Oval to Waverley Park. First practice match at *old* new venue on Friday, February 17th.
Pre-season competition sponsored by banking group and called the NAB Cup, won by Geelong. NAB also sponsored the Rising Star award.
May 3: For only the third time (previously 1900 and 1909) the League altered the outcome of a match following a protest by the Fremantle club. In a confusing ending the score of the teams were tied. The AFL Commission declared Fremantle the winner over St Kilda in the April 30 match at York Park.
Premiership matches after a 15-year hiatus returned to the Gold Coast venue of Carrara Oval.
West Coast finish as minor premiers and meet Sydney in the grand final. The Eagles capture their third AFL premiership when they beat the Swans by one point.
September 30: Pay-TV Fox Footy Channel of 24/7 cable service closed after five years.
October 23: Free-to-air Channel 7 and Network Ten and Pay-TV Foxtel sign off five-year alliance for 2007-11 telecasts. Another 14 weeks elapsed before all details were finalised.
December 6: At Southport Surf Life Saving Club, League chief Andrew Demetriou at the launch of five-year $30 million campaign for the Gold Coast noted "the AFL is not averse to a 17th team."
2007 Telstra pays $60 million for five year *afl.com.au* Internet rights.
Premiership draw constructed with the aid of new computer software.
Changes to the Laws of the Game provided greater protection for a player with their head over the ball. Under Rule 15.4.5 a free kick will apply wherever a player bumps or makes forceful contact from front on when that player has his head down over the ball, while Under Rule 19.2.2 that “intentionally, recklessly or negligently bumping or making forceful contact to an opponent from front on when that player has his head down over the ball” will be a reportable offence and strict sanctions will be applied. The League notified there will be stricter policing of hands in the back in marking contests – players will be penalised if they push, hold or block an opponent in a marking contest. Dangerous tackles will also be policed such as by unnecessarily and dangerously driving an opponent into the ground with their arms pinned.
February 8: 399 days after the 2007-11 TV rights were awarded, Channel 7, Network 10 and Foxtel reached agreement that the Pay-TV cable network would pay $315.5 million over five seasons (av. $63.1m) to telecast four matches weekly including the late Sunday match.
Carlton won its second *night* title in two years when it beat Brisbane for the NAB Cup at Docklands on March 17.
March 20: West Coast suspended 2005 Brownlow Medallist Ben Cousins for failing to meeting terms of his contract. Cousins later sought treatment in California for substance abuse and did not play until Round 16 when he returned in an outstanding 38-possession match against Sydney. He played seven matches before injury ended his time at 238 games in the qualifying final versus Port Adelaide.
Media focus on Cousins' life-style resulted in the AFL Commission charging him with bringing the game into disrepute.
After a hearing on November 19 the AFL Commission found Cousins guilty of conduct unbecoming and suspended him from playing in the competition for 12 months.
Reduction of seating by grandstand redevelopment of the southern end (Yabba's Hill) of the Sydney Cricket Ground due for completion the end of 2008 at a cost of $70 million will result in increased capacity to 47,000 and add two metres in length of the oval to 152 metres.
Late-afternoon Sunday matches introduced to premiership season; "Night" matches designated as those starting at or after 5pm local time – time previously was 4.30pm or later starting time.
Geelong won its seventh premiership; its first since 1963. Geelong beat Port Adelaide in the grand final by a record 119 points.
November 21: St Kilda announced they will vacate Moorabbin Oval in 2010 and move to a new $10.25 million facility at Frankston Oval.
December 6: Kangaroos forego offer of financial benefits to relocate to Carrara on the Gold Coast and remain Victorian-based. They will officially change their name back to 'North Melbourne'.
The AFL begins work to create a 17th-club licence for the entry of a club from the Gold Coast and an 18th licence for a club based in West Sydney. Both clubs are expected to operate by 2012. Club presidents were briefed on the plans in mid-November,
2008 Game celebrates the 150th anniversary of the founding of the code.
 January 5: 3AW-Foxtel commentator Clinton Grybas dies, aged 32.
Salary cap $7.43m per club.
Computer software creates draw for a second year and eliminates requirement all clubs play each other once by round 15. The one restriction is that clubs must have a seven-week break in between playing each other twice. All teams will play at least once in SA or WA and all 16 clubs will play at least one match at both the MCG and Docklands.
Close commercial links with China bring Melbourne FC to shelve its *Demons* tag – a nickname to endure since the mid 1930s. Merchandise no longer carries references to Demons–which Chinese people have an aversion to. Melbourne finish in 16th place for its 11th wooden spoon. In August a team from China represented at the Australian Football International Cup in Melbourne was called, "China Red Demons."
February 2: Fifteen Dutch-built lighting rigs arrive to provide heat assistance for the growth of grass in the interior of Docklands Stadium. Their use was a great success providing an improve surface.
February 16: The Age revealed the intention to expand the competition by the introduction of a 17th team on the Gold Coast and an 18th team in west Sydney. Mr Fitzpatrick and league chief executive Andrew Demetriou outlined the expanded competition plans to the club presidents in mid-November and channels Seven, Nine, Ten and Foxtel in Sydney before Christmas.
NAB-sponsored pre-season competition limits each side to a maximum of 16 interchanges per quarter and 64 per match; and a 2.5m x 6m ‘no-go zone’ in the middle of the ground, where players cannot position while the umpire is preparing to bounce, in the act of bouncing or exiting via his usual exit path from the stoppage. A breach will result in a free kick against the offending player.
 March 1st: The Australian Game of Football, a book commissioned by the AFL for the 150th anniversary of the code, creates controversy when writer Gillian Hibbins concludes, and diminishes the importance of Thomas Wentworth Wills in the foundation of our game and the inspiration drawn from indigenous culture.
 In a subtle rule change to apply for the first time in 2008, emergency umpires were given the authority to call an end to play. This follows the experience of the end to the St Kilda-Fremantle match at Launceston in 2006.
Sydney were found guilty with having 19 men on the ground in the dying moments of the Round 6 draw with North Melbourne on April 27 at Docklands and fined $50,000 for doing so (half the fine was suspended for 24 months).  Days later the AFL brought down new rules for breaches of player movements from the interchange bench. Severe penalties were imposed of a free kick for goal 20-30m out; an immediate free kick and 50m penalty. A player cannot enter the field before the AFL interchange steward has been handed a note confirming the impending move. The new rules (for the AFL alone) would eliminate rule 5.5 and the count of players from the Laws of Australian Football.
The exchange of paper slips as a means of handling interchange movements had the shortest life of any new rule – one week. In a first week bungle, an official *thought he saw* a West Coast player enter the field at Subiaco in the match against Adelaide. The gaff granted Adelaide a free kick and a goal.
The AFL reacted in an embarrassing backflip and consigned the *post-it* notes to history and turned over the recording of all interchange movements to the Champion Data operation from Round 10.
After the season, rules were relaxed in December by the Laws of the Game committee when a free kick and 50m penalty for breaches of interchange rules were introduced.
Saturday, May 10: Victoria 21.11-137 beat the Dream Team 18.12-120 in a night match at the MCG attended by 69,294. It was the first time a Victorian side of AFL players had competed since 1999. The Dream Team was also comprised of AFL players. The Allen Aylett Medal was won by Brendan Fevola (Victoria).
Four boundary umpires officially introduced beginning with Round 21.
September 27: Hawthorn beat Geelong to win its 10th League pennant. The 100,012 was the biggest AFL attendance at the MCG since 1986.
With only 12mm of rain, Melbourne experienced its driest September since records began in 1855. Previous driest was September 1907 when 13.4mm of rain fell. Historically September is one of Melbourne's wettest months averaging 57.9mm. Highlighting the current severity of the drought since 1996 Melbourne will record its 12th consecutive calendar year with below average rainfall.
October 23: New sponsorship changed the commercial naming rights of the Docklands venue to Etihad Stadium from March 2009. Etihad Airlines is based in Abu-Dhabi, UAE.
Australia-GAA (Ireland) Test series resumes. Ireland win on aggregate from Tests played in Perth and Melbourne.
 November 4: The United States elected its first African-American president when Barak Hussein Obama (Democrat) beat John McCain (Republican) by popular vote to become its 44th president.
December 15: Laws of the Game rule changes were approved by the Commission.
In summary:
 A side will be penalised a free kick and 50-metre penalty from where play is stopped if they breach interchange rules.
 Four boundary umpires will now be used permanently in premiership season
 A free kick will now be awarded for any deliberate rushed behind
 Off-line bounces can be recalled
 Infringements against a defender after a goal or behind will draw a 50m penalty
 Team will retain possession when stretcher enters for an injured player
 Free kicks will be paid for interfering with an injured player
 Free kick and 50m penalty for breaches of interchange rules
 Scoring line to be equal with the back of the padding on posts
 In NAB Cup, rebounds from goal or behind post will no longer be 'play on'.
2009 Three-point *rushed* behind eliminated from scoring in pre-season comp.
March 13: Geelong crush Collingwood to win the pre-season NAB Cup.
March 20: AFL Commission removes the right to deliberately rush a behind – offending club will have a 50 metre penalty awarded against it.
April 28: Richard Pratt, Carlton FC president and founding head of the Visy packaging empires dies, aged 74.
May 1: The Age comments on potential of a third Melbourne stadium on 20 hectares near North Melbourne railway station.
May 6: Melbourne Cricket Club reveal installation proceeds of a $2 million lighting rig at the MCG to enhance growth of grass.
May 7: Federal government grant of $36 million secures $126 million plan for re-development of Carrara Oval as a 25,000 capacity stadium on the Gold Coast.
May 7: Financially stretched Port Adelaide receives $2.5 million grant from the SANFL to ease their $5.1m debt. Some four weeks later the AFL made a $1m grant to the club.
May 22-23-24: St Kilda and Geelong won their ninth consecutive matches – the first time in 113 League seasons where after the 9th round two undefeated clubs led the premiership ladder.
 May 29: ABC Sport Online reported on 1200 players who were drug tested in 2008, 10 failed tests, two failed two tests each, putting them among a list of seven players with two strikes.
 June 1: After only two wins for the season, Terry Wallace in his fifth and final year of contract stepped down as coach of Richmond, effective immediately.
 June 12: The World Health Organisation declared its first influenza pandemic in 40 years after an emergency meeting of scientific experts in Geneva. Infections of swine flue A(H1N1) has extended to 74 countries. A nationwide immunisation effort commenced on September 28 when reported cases in Australia had reached near 37,000 and 185 confirmed deaths. Football codes considered their vulnerability but all competitions were not impeded.
June 16: Dean Laidley in his 7th season of 150 matches quit as coach of North Melbourne, effective immediately.
July 11: Fremantle kick 1.7-13 at Football Park against Adelaide (19.16-130) – the 5th lowest team tally in League footy since 1915.
 Sept 26: Geelong win their 8th premiership (second in three years) beating St Kilda by 12 points, 12.8-80 to 9.14-68.
 Plans proceeded for the addition of 17th (Gold Coast) and 18th (western Sydney) clubs to the competition in 2011 and 2012.
 Poor drawing crowds at Docklands result in substantial financial losses to several clubs. Discussions lasting most of the season concluded in September with greater financial returns of up to $100,000 per game achieved from both the MCG and Docklands management for clubs in home-and-away matches.

Back to the Diary

Footystats
Chronology of the Game
Match Day Trivia

 

FIRST MATCHES UNDER LIGHTS FOR PREMIERSHIP POINTS
Monday June 16 1952, played at the Brisbane Exhibition Ground. The Round 8 match between Geelong and Essendon was programmed as a day game in Brisbane but was washed out on Saturday June 14.

Friday August 5 1983, the second match for premiership points was played at the SCG between Sydney (renamed from The Swans in May 1983) and the Geelong club.

Friday March 29 1985 opened the season under lights at the MCG when North Melbourne played Collingwood. A second match followed on June 28 when North played Carlton.

In 1986 regular matches under lights for premiership points began.

The first Saturday night match for premiership points was played at the MCG on August 9 1986 between North Melbourne and Footscray.

SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTY ARRIVES
Sunday night April 28 1991, Adelaide 19.14-128 defeated Footscray 14.13-97 at Football Park, to a crowd of 36,695.

MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
Richmond played West Coast on Monday May 19 1997, the first Monday night match since 1952.

SUNDAY FOOTBALL
Sunday April 5 1970, on the occasion of a Royal visit. One match from Round 1 was programmed at the MCG in the presence of The Queen and Prince Phillip. Richmond played Fitzroy. It was the first League match to be programmed on a Sunday.

Sunday June 10 1979, Hawthorn 23.18-156 played North Melbourne 16.9-105 at the Sydney Cricket Ground to a crowd of 31,391. Five weeks later, Fitzroy played Richmond at the SCG.

Sunday matches played at the SCG in 1980 were four: April 27, Footscray v North Melbourne (extending a round of matches to three days, Friday-Saturday-Sunday, April 25-26-27 for the first time); May 25, Essendon v Carlton; June 15, South Melbourne v Geelong; July 20, St Kilda v Richmond.

Sunday matches in 1981 were played in Sydney, Brisbane and two matches were approved at the MCG. At the SCG on May 3, Geelong played Melbourne; on July 26, South Melbourne played Collingwood. At the Brisbane Cricket Ground, Woolloongabba on June 28, Hawthorn played Essendon.

At the MCG on successive Sundays, on August 2, Essendon played Collingwood; on August 9, South Melbourne played Carlton.

In 1982 South Melbourne relocated "home" matches to the SCG, playing on Sundays as "The Swans".

In 1984 the VFL played two Sunday finals at the MCG, the Elimination Final was between Collingwood and Fitzroy on September 9 and on September 16, Essendon and Hawthorn played the Second Semi-Final.

In 1985 the VFL played two Sunday finals at the MCG on September 8 when Footscray played Hawthorn in the Qualifying Final, then on September 15, Footscray played North Melbourne in the First Semi-Final.

In 1986 the VFL played two further Sunday finals – Sydney played Carlton in the Qualifying Final on September 7; on September 14 in the First Semi-Final, Sydney played Fitzroy.

In 1987, regular Sunday matches at the interstate venues of Subiaco Oval, Carrara Oval and the SCG were joined by the MCG from May 3. The first Sunday game was played at Kardinia Park on May 24 between Geelong and Sydney.

"ALL" DAYS OF THE WEEK
League football was first played on a day other than a Saturday on —
Monday May 24 1897 on the occasion of the Queen’s Birthday. Games of Round 3 were split, with two played on Saturday May 22 and two on the Monday.

First matches on a Tuesday occurred on June 22 1897 on the occasion of a public holiday for the Jubilee celebrating the 60th year on the throne of Queen Victoria. A full League program of four matches (Round 7) were played and the first time Carlton played a home match at Princes Park. The Blues met Collingwood who were victors 6.4-40 to 5.6-36.

First matches on a Wednesday occurred in 1899 on Queen’s Birthday May 24 when a full program of Round 3 games were played.

In 1900, games of Round 3 were split over two days. A Wednesday match was played at the East Melbourne CG between Essendon and Collingwood. It was a public holiday celebrating the ‘Relief of Mafeking’ in the Boer War fought in South Africa. The balance of three matches were played the next day on May 24 on the Thursday Queen’s Birthday holiday.

In 1901, a full round of four matches (Round 2) were played on Thursday May 9, a public holiday to mark the opening of the Australia’s first Federal Parliament.

In 1901, the traditional King’s Birthday holiday was celebrated on the first weekend in June with a full program of four matches (Round 7) played on Monday June 3.

From 1938, the King’s Birthday moved to the second weekend of June. No King’s Birthday holidays were celebrated during the war years of 1942, 1943, 1944 or 1945. Monday King’s Birthday matches were restored in 1946 (June 17 and in that year preceded a week before by Victory Day with a split round of games on Monday (June 10).

In 1953, Coronation Day (of Queen Elizabeth II) was celebrated on Tuesday June 2 with a Lightning Premiership involving all 12 clubs. The Royal Holiday was restored to the second weekend of June as Queen’s Birthday in 1954.

In 1956, the Queen’s Birthday was celebrated on the first weekend in June. The holiday returned to the second weekend in 1957.

Friday matches were introduced in 1969 when two games from Round 4 were played on Anzac Day, Melbourne v Essendon at the MCG, and St Kilda v Geelong at Moorabbin.

The next Friday fixtures were in 1975 when two more Anzac Day games were played.

First matches on Anzac Day
Following a washout of four matches on Saturday April 23 1960, the match program was put forward by one week. Two matches of Round 2 were played as scheduled on Monday April 25, the first League matches to be played on Anzac Day. The balance of four matches from Round 2 were played the following Saturday April 30. Anzac Day games have been part of the roster since 1960 with the exception of 1962, 1965, 1967, 1971, 1976 and 1982.

Monday start to the season
In 1968 the first (of 20 minor) round of matches were played on Easter Monday April 15.

 

EARLY STARTS —

Seasons from 1897 normally started on the first weekend in May until 1907 —

1907—Saturday April 27 1956—Saturday April 14 1986—Saturday March 29
1927—Saturday April 30 1957—Saturday April 20 1987—Friday March 27
1928—Saturday April 21 1958—Saturday April 12 1988—Saturday April 2
1929—Saturday April 27 1959—Saturday April 18 1989—Friday March 31
1930—Saturday May 3 1960—Saturday April 16 1990—Saturday March 31
1931—Saturday May 2 1961—Saturday April 15 1991—Friday March 22
1932—Saturday April 30 1962—Saturday April 21 1992—Friday March 21
1933—Saturday April 29 1963—Saturday April 20 1993—Friday March 26
1934—Saturday May 5 1964—Saturday April 18 1994—Saturday March 26
1935—Saturday April 27 1965—Saturday April 17 1995—Friday March 31
1936—Saturday May 2 1966—Saturday April 23 1996—Friday March 29
1937—Saturday April 24 1967—Saturday April 15 1997—Thursday March 27
1938—Saturday April 23 1968—Monday April 15 1998—Friday March 27
1939—Saturday April 22 1969—Saturday April 5 1999—Thursday March 25
1940—Saturday April 27 1970—Saturday April 4 2000—Wednesday March 8
1941—Saturday April 26 1971—Saturday April 3 2001—Friday March 30
1942—Saturday May 9 1972—Saturday April 1 2002—Thursday March 28
1943—Saturday May 8 1973—Saturday April 7 2003—Friday March 28
1944—Saturday May 6 1974—Saturday April 6 2004—Friday March 26
1945—Saturday April 21 1975—Saturday April 5 2005—Thursday March 24
1946—Saturday April 20 1976—Saturday April 3 2006—Thursday March 30
1947—Saturday April 19 1977—Saturday April 2 2007—Friday March 30
1948—Saturday April 17 1978—Saturday April 1 2008—Thursday March 20
1949—Saturday April 16 1979—Saturday March 31 2009—Thursday March 26
1950—Saturday April 22 1980—Saturday March 30 x
1951—Saturday April 21 1981—Saturday March 28 x
1952—Saturday April 19 1982—Saturday March 20 x
1953—Saturday April 18 1983—Saturday March 26 x
1954—Saturday April 17 1984—Saturday March 31 x
1955—Saturday April 16 1985—Friday March 29 x

 

Prior to season 2000, the earliest start to a season was in 1982 — March 20. One match from Round 2, Fitzroy v Richmond was brought forward and played at Waverley on Saturday March 20.

In 1979, one match from Round 3, Essendon v Carlton was brought forward and played at Waverley on Saturday March 31.

EARLIEST STARTS:
Saturday March 20, 1982,
Wednesday March 8, 2000,
Thursday March 20, 2008

LATEST START: May 14 1898

EARLIEST FINISH: Saturday September 2, 1916, Saturday September 2, 2000

LATEST FINISH: October 20 1923

The first League season in 1897 began on May 8th.

The first League season to begin in April was 1907 (the 27th).

The first League season to begin in March was 1979 (the 31st).

EARLY SEPTEMBER GRAND FINALS

1897—Third round finals concluded the season on Saturday September 4.
1898—The Play Off and Grand Final was played on Saturday September 16.
1900—The Grand Final was Saturday September 7.
1903—The Grand Final was Saturday September 12.
1904—The Grand Final was Saturday September 17.
1916—The Grand Final was Saturday September 2.
1918—The Grand Final was Saturday September 7.

In preparation for the Olympics at the MCG, the 1955 Grand Final was played on Saturday September 17 and in 1956 on Saturday September 15. The Melbourne Olympics commenced on November 22 1956.

In 1964 the Grand Final was played on Saturday September 19.

GRAND FINALS IN OCTOBER
1909 — Saturday October 2.
1910 — Saturday October 1.
1919 — Saturday October 11.
1920 — Saturday October 2.
1921 — Saturday October 15.
1922 — Saturday October 14.
1923 — Saturday October 20 (latest finish to a season).
1925 — Saturday October 10.
1926 — Saturday October 9.
1930 — Saturday October 11.
1931 — Saturday October 10.
1932 — Saturday October 1.
1934 — Saturday October 13.
1935 — Saturday October 5.
1936 — Saturday October 3.

1946 —19 rounds — a draw in the Second Semi-Final caused the Grand Final to be played on Saturday October 5.

1948 — 19 rounds — a draw in the Grand Final caused the Replay to be played on Saturday October 9.

1963 — 18 rounds — the Grand Final was played on Saturday October 5.

1972 — 22 rounds — a draw in the Second Semi-Final caused the Grand Final to be played on Saturday October 7.

1977 — 22 rounds — a draw in the Grand Final caused the Replay to be played on Saturday October 1.

1990 — 22 rounds — a Qualifying Final draw caused the Grand Final to be played on Saturday October 6.

1994 — 24 rounds — the Grand Final was played on Saturday October 1.

Back to the Diary