The Victorian Football Association (1877-1995) or the VFA for short, was the first Australian Football body established in Australia, formed in 1877, almost 20 years before that of the Victorian Football League (VFL). The VFL has now evolved into the Australian Football League (AFL) and , ironically, the VFA has now morphed into a new VFL. A fuller history of the VFA than that below, is to be found on the VFL Wikipedia page. Arden St. ... It has been suggested that Colney Hatch be merged into this article or section. ... Brunswick Street Oval is a sports ground situated in Fitzroy North, Melbourne. ... Coburg City Oval is an Australian Rules Football stadium located in Coburg, Australia. ... The East Melbourne Cricket Ground (EMCG) was a sports venue vocated in East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. ... Geelong West is a residential suburb of Geelong, Victoria, Australia. ... “MCG” redirects here. ... Moorabbin Oval is an Australian Rules Football oval based in Linton Street, Moorabbin, Victoria, Australia. ... TEAC Oval, also known as North Port Oval and previously as the Port Melbourne Cricket and Recreation Reserve, is an Australian rules football and cricket stadium located in Port Melbourne, Australia. ... An Olympic Park is a venue or group of venues set up when a country hosts the Olympic Games. ... Toorak Park is an Australian rules football stadium located in Melbourne, Australia. ... The Trevor Barker Oval is an Australian rules football ground in Beach Road, Sandringham, Victoria Australia. ... Whitten Oval is a stadium in the western suburbs of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. ... Whitten Oval is a stadium in the western suburbs of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. ... The Yarraville Oval is an Australian Rules and Cricket Ground Located on the corner of Williamstown Road and Anderson Street in Yarraville, Victoria. ... VFA may refer to: Victorian Football Association, an Australian rules football competition established in the 19th Century that was superseded as the elite competition by the 1897 establishment of the Victorian FootbalL League. ... For other uses, see VFL (disambiguation). ... VFL can refer to: Victorian Football League, an Australian rules football league formerly known as the Victorian Football Association prior to 1996. ... This article is about the national league in Australian rules football. ... AFL has a number of references: Football leagues Australian Football League — professional competition in Australian Rules Football. ...

Unlike today's leagues, the VFA only had eight teams on which to build the foundations of the association, they were Carlton FC, Essendon FC, Geelong FC, Melbourne FC, Albert Park FC, Hotham FC, St Kilda FC and East Melbourne FC. The Carlton Football Club, nicknamed The Blues for their dark blue playing colours, is one of the oldest, richest, and most successful Australian rules football clubs. ... Essendon Football Club logo Essendon Football Club, nicknamed The Bombers, is an Australian rules football club that is part of the Australian Football League. ... The Geelong Football Club, nicknamed The Cats, is an Australian rules football club in the Australian Football League. ... The Melbourne Football Club, nicknamed The Demons since 1933, is an Australian rules football club playing in the Australian Football League, based in Melbourne, Victoria. ... The St Kilda Football Club, nicknamed The Saints, is an Australian rules football club playing in the Australian Football League. ...

Throughout those early years many clubs entered and exited as was the nature of football clubs at the time, with many merging and changing grounds depending on their circumstances.

But it wasn't until 1896 when a group of eight disgruntled clubs decided to form a break away league called the Victorian Football League (VFL) to rival that of the VFA. The foundation clubs of this new league were Carlton FC, Collingwood FC, Essendon FC, Fitzroy FC, Geelong FC, Melbourne FC, South Melbourne FC (now Sydney Swans) and St Kilda FC, leaving just five clubs to rebuild the broken VFA; *Port Melbourne FC, Footscray FC (now Western Bulldogs), North Melbourne FC (now Kangaroos), Richmond FC and Williamstown FC. This sequence of events would forever change the fortunes of the VFA. (*Port Melbourne, as a matter of interest were on the fringes of gaining entry into the new VFL if it hadn't been for their supporters, who had gained the reputation of being unruly on game day, something the new football body in the VFL wished to avoid, giving St Kilda FC the position instead...even though Port Melbourne FC had performed far better than that of St Kilda FC, who up to that point had not won a premiership). For other uses, see VFL (disambiguation). ... VFL can refer to: Victorian Football League, an Australian rules football league formerly known as the Victorian Football Association prior to 1996. ... VFA may refer to: Victorian Football Association, an Australian rules football competition established in the 19th Century that was superseded as the elite competition by the 1897 establishment of the Victorian FootbalL League. ... The Carlton Football Club, nicknamed The Blues for their dark blue playing colours, is one of the oldest, richest, and most successful Australian rules football clubs. ... The Collingwood Football Club, nicknamed The Magpies after the black and white striped jerseys worn by the players, is an Australian rules football club, playing in the elite Australian Football League. ... Essendon Football Club logo Essendon Football Club, nicknamed The Bombers, is an Australian rules football club that is part of the Australian Football League. ... The Fitzroy Football Club, latterly known as the Lions, was formed in 1883 and was a foundation member club of the Victorian Football League on its inception in 1897. ... The Geelong Football Club, nicknamed The Cats, is an Australian rules football club in the Australian Football League. ... The Melbourne Football Club, nicknamed The Demons since 1933, is an Australian rules football club playing in the Australian Football League, based in Melbourne, Victoria. ... This page relates to the association football club known as South Melbourne FC. For the former Australian rules football club, see Sydney Swans. ... Sydney Swans is an Australian Football League (AFL) club based in Sydney, New South Wales. ... The St Kilda Football Club, nicknamed The Saints, is an Australian rules football club playing in the Australian Football League. ... VFA may refer to: Victorian Football Association, an Australian rules football competition established in the 19th Century that was superseded as the elite competition by the 1897 establishment of the Victorian FootbalL League. ... Western Bulldogs Football Club Logo The Western Bulldogs, formerly known as the Footscray Football Club or The Bulldogs is an Australian Football League (AFL) club based at the Whitten Oval in western suburban Melbourne, Australia, drawing its supporter base from this traditionally poor, industrial, and less leafy part of Melbourne. ... The Western Bulldogs, formerly known, and occasionally still referred to, as the Footscray Football Club, is an Australian Football League (AFL) club based at the Whitten Oval in Footscray, an inner western suburb of Melbourne. ... The North Melbourne Football Club, trading as the Kangaroos, and informally known as the Shinboners or the Kangaroos Football Club plays Australian rules football in the Australian Football League. ... Its true that everything old is new again which is why youre once again seeing people wearing KangaROOS shoes. ... The Richmond Football Club, nicknamed The Tigers, is an Australian rules football club playing in the Australian Football League. ... VFA may refer to: Victorian Football Association, an Australian rules football competition established in the 19th Century that was superseded as the elite competition by the 1897 establishment of the Victorian FootbalL League. ... VFL can refer to: Victorian Football League, an Australian rules football league formerly known as the Victorian Football Association prior to 1996. ... VFL can refer to: Victorian Football League, an Australian rules football league formerly known as the Victorian Football Association prior to 1996. ... The St Kilda Football Club, nicknamed The Saints, is an Australian rules football club playing in the Australian Football League. ... The St Kilda Football Club, nicknamed The Saints, is an Australian rules football club playing in the Australian Football League. ...

During these early days of Australian Football the 'premiership' was given to the team with the most wins throughout the regular season, unlike the later system where teams were forced, if they were positioned high enough on the ladder, to compete in a finals series to determine the winner of the premiership season. This system of elimination is still used today, with only minor adjustments with reference to the amount of teams within the league. Australian Football is the official name for Australian rules football, the code of football. ...

Over the next few years the VFA slowly regained some of its former strength with the inclusion of teams such as Brunswick FC, Preston FC (now Northern Bullants), Essendon Town FC (known as Essendon Association from 1905 onwards), Prahran FC, Northcote FC, Brighton FC, West Melbourne FC and Ballarat Association FC, helping to create greater competition within the association and also to grow more support for the VFA as a whole by expanding the association. But unfortunately the VFA was delt another harsh blow when in 1908 Richmond FC left the association for the VFL, with Footscray FC, North Melbourne FC and Hawthorn FC following suit in 1925 after an invitation from the VFL. VFA may refer to: Victorian Football Association, an Australian rules football competition established in the 19th Century that was superseded as the elite competition by the 1897 establishment of the Victorian FootbalL League. ... Northern Bullants Logo The Northern Bullants Football Club is an Australian Football Club based in Preston, Melbourne and currently playing in the Victorian Football League. ... Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. are an English football team based in the coastal city of Brighton & Hove, East Sussex. ... VFA may refer to: Victorian Football Association, an Australian rules football competition established in the 19th Century that was superseded as the elite competition by the 1897 establishment of the Victorian FootbalL League. ... VFA may refer to: Victorian Football Association, an Australian rules football competition established in the 19th Century that was superseded as the elite competition by the 1897 establishment of the Victorian FootbalL League. ... The Richmond Football Club, nicknamed The Tigers, is an Australian rules football club playing in the Australian Football League. ... VFL can refer to: Victorian Football League, an Australian rules football league formerly known as the Victorian Football Association prior to 1996. ... Western Bulldogs Football Club Logo The Western Bulldogs, formerly known as the Footscray Football Club or The Bulldogs is an Australian Football League (AFL) club based at the Whitten Oval in western suburban Melbourne, Australia, drawing its supporter base from this traditionally poor, industrial, and less leafy part of Melbourne. ... The North Melbourne Football Club, trading as the Kangaroos, and informally known as the Shinboners or the Kangaroos Football Club plays Australian rules football in the Australian Football League. ... Hawthorn Football Club logo The Hawthorn Football Club, nicknamed The Hawks, is an Australian rules football club playing in the Australian Football League (AFL). ... VFL can refer to: Victorian Football League, an Australian rules football league formerly known as the Victorian Football Association prior to 1996. ...

The Post War Talks - VFA and VFL

As the end of the Second World War drew near the head's of both the VFA and the VFL to begin talks about blending the two footballing bodies into a two division system. However talks broke down when the two bodies could not agree on the process of promotion and relegation between the two divisions, with the VFA wanting immediate promotion for the top team of Division Two, while the VFL wanted the bottom team of Division One to play off again the top team of Division Two to decide on the final position of the top division. Eventually talks were extinguished and the two bodies parted ways. VFA may refer to: Victorian Football Association, an Australian rules football competition established in the 19th Century that was superseded as the elite competition by the 1897 establishment of the Victorian FootbalL League. ... VFL can refer to: Victorian Football League, an Australian rules football league formerly known as the Victorian Football Association prior to 1996. ... VFA may refer to: Victorian Football Association, an Australian rules football competition established in the 19th Century that was superseded as the elite competition by the 1897 establishment of the Victorian FootbalL League. ... VFL can refer to: Victorian Football League, an Australian rules football league formerly known as the Victorian Football Association prior to 1996. ...

The Liston Trophy

The Liston Trophy, named after John James Liston who was VFA President for 15 years from 1929-1943,and life time member of the association. The award was originally named the Recorder Cup until 1945 when the powers that be deemed it a fitting tribute to name it after the recent passing of John Liston in 1944. The award is given to the player voted the best and fairest of all players in the VFA, it is the highest honour that could be given on a individual level. Originally the award was an actual cup, as suggested in its previous name, but was then replaced by a small medal, similar to that of the Brownlow Medal, given to the best and fairest of the VFL/AFL competition. VFA may refer to: Victorian Football Association, an Australian rules football competition established in the 19th Century that was superseded as the elite competition by the 1897 establishment of the Victorian FootbalL League. ... VFA may refer to: Victorian Football Association, an Australian rules football competition established in the 19th Century that was superseded as the elite competition by the 1897 establishment of the Victorian FootbalL League. ... The Charles Brownlow Trophy, better known as the Brownlow Medal and colloquially as Charlie, is the medal awarded to the best and fairest player in the Australian Football League during the regular season (ie not including finals matches) as decided upon by umpires. ... VFL/AFL is the term used to refer to the competition established in 1897, which was originally known as the Victorian Football League. ...

VFA Football Action

Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ...

The VFA from the 1940's

Over the next few decades teams such as the Port Melbourne Boroughs, Williamstown Seagulls, Sandringham Zebras, Coburg Lions and Oakleigh FC cemented themselves as VFA powers, winning the majority of the Premierships through the 1930's, 40's and 50's. It was also in this period that the game began to change, with the institution of the 'throw-pass' in the 1940's to make the game faster and more entertaining for viewers. This allowed for a player to pass the football off without handballing it in the traditional fashion only if it was below shoulder height (however there are many other conditions to which this rule applies). This was just one of the many ideas that floated through the VFA at that time. The Port Melbourne Football Club is an Australian Football club based in Melbourne and currently playing in the Victorian Football League. ... Williamstown Seagulls Logo The Williamstown Football Club is an Australian Football Club based in Melbourne and currently playing in the Victorian Football League. ... Sandringham Zebras Logo Sandringham Football Club is an Australian rules football club based in Melbourne that was formed in 1929 and plays in the Victorian Football League. ... VFA may refer to: Victorian Football Association, an Australian rules football competition established in the 19th Century that was superseded as the elite competition by the 1897 establishment of the Victorian FootbalL League. ... VFA may refer to: Victorian Football Association, an Australian rules football competition established in the 19th Century that was superseded as the elite competition by the 1897 establishment of the Victorian FootbalL League. ...

Also in 1950 the VFA competed in the Australian National Football Carnival held in Brisbane. In this competition the VFA defeated South Australia 6.6.42 to 4.10.34. VFA may refer to: Victorian Football Association, an Australian rules football competition established in the 19th Century that was superseded as the elite competition by the 1897 establishment of the Victorian FootbalL League. ... For other uses, see Brisbane (disambiguation). ... VFA may refer to: Victorian Football Association, an Australian rules football competition established in the 19th Century that was superseded as the elite competition by the 1897 establishment of the Victorian FootbalL League. ... Capital Adelaide Government Constitutional monarchy Governor Marjorie Jackson-Nelson Premier Mike Rann (ALP) Federal representation  - House seats 11  - Senate seats 12 Gross State Product (2004-05)  - Product ($m)  $59,819 (5th)  - Product per capita  $38,838/person (7th) Population (End of September 2006)  - Population  1,558,200 (5th)  - Density  1. ...

But it wasn't until Alex Gillon, legendary VFA President that the association regained its glory days, challenging the VFL as Victoria's premier league for the very first time. In that year 14 teams competed for the premiership; the Port Melbourne Boroughs, Williamstown Seagulls, Moorabbin FC, Northcote FC, Preston Bullants, Coburg Lions, Prahran FC, Box Hill Mustangs, Oakleigh FC, Brunswick FC, Yarraville Eagles, Brighton Penguins, Camberwell Cobras and Sandringham Zebras (Many of these teams conseqently survived till the very end of the VFA in 1995). In 1959, after numerous changes the number of players allowed on the field were reduced to 16, with the hope to open up the game by taking away the wingmen. This change remained until 1992 when the number was returned to 18 players, but by that time the change had become one of the most recognisable trait of theVFA. Then in 1963 a new team entered the association, Geelong West FC, surprising most involved due to their close proximity to VFL team the Geelong Cats. They became the 19th team in the VFA. VFA may refer to: Victorian Football Association, an Australian rules football competition established in the 19th Century that was superseded as the elite competition by the 1897 establishment of the Victorian FootbalL League. ... VFL can refer to: Victorian Football League, an Australian rules football league formerly known as the Victorian Football Association prior to 1996. ... The Port Melbourne Football Club is an Australian Football club based in Melbourne and currently playing in the Victorian Football League. ... Williamstown Seagulls Logo The Williamstown Football Club is an Australian Football Club based in Melbourne and currently playing in the Victorian Football League. ... A player in club colours Brighton Football Club were an Australian rules football club which played in the VFA. The club was based in the Melbourne suburb of Brighton and were nicknamed the Penguins. ... The Camberwell Cobras were an Australian Rules Football team who were formed in 1896 and played in the Victorian Football Association between 1926 and 1990. ... Sandringham Zebras Logo Sandringham Football Club is an Australian rules football club based in Melbourne that was formed in 1929 and plays in the Victorian Football League. ... VFA may refer to: Victorian Football Association, an Australian rules football competition established in the 19th Century that was superseded as the elite competition by the 1897 establishment of the Victorian FootbalL League. ... VFA may refer to: Victorian Football Association, an Australian rules football competition established in the 19th Century that was superseded as the elite competition by the 1897 establishment of the Victorian FootbalL League. ... VFL can refer to: Victorian Football League, an Australian rules football league formerly known as the Victorian Football Association prior to 1996. ... Geelong Football Club logo The Geelong Football Club is a football club in the Australian Football League (AFL). ... VFA may refer to: Victorian Football Association, an Australian rules football competition established in the 19th Century that was superseded as the elite competition by the 1897 establishment of the Victorian FootbalL League. ...

More VFA Football Action

The growth of the VFA in this period was such that in 1960 a Second Division was created, allowing for promotion and relegation to take place between the two VFA leagues. It was in this 27 year reign by Gillon that the VFA, with the appeal of Sunday football and the 'Community Football' slogan saw an influx of support for the VFA with crowds rising up to 50,000. It was also in this era, in 1966 that Channel 0 (now Channel 10) began broadcasting VFA games on a Sunday. These amazing results can be seen from the attendance records between 1975 and 76' where the total grew from 591,665 to 603,637. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... VFA may refer to: Victorian Football Association, an Australian rules football competition established in the 19th Century that was superseded as the elite competition by the 1897 establishment of the Victorian FootbalL League. ... VFA may refer to: Victorian Football Association, an Australian rules football competition established in the 19th Century that was superseded as the elite competition by the 1897 establishment of the Victorian FootbalL League. ... VFA may refer to: Victorian Football Association, an Australian rules football competition established in the 19th Century that was superseded as the elite competition by the 1897 establishment of the Victorian FootbalL League. ... Ten Network logo Network TEN so called because it broadcasts on Channel TEN in most cities, is Australias third but possibly most profitable television network. ... VFA may refer to: Victorian Football Association, an Australian rules football competition established in the 19th Century that was superseded as the elite competition by the 1897 establishment of the Victorian FootbalL League. ...

Unfortunately things began to spiral downwards as the VFL began the process of creating a national competition when they relocated the South Melbourne Swans to Sydney to become the Sydney Swans, airing their games on Sunday. In 1987 Moorabbin FC forfeited their last 14 games of the season, leaving the VFA for good. The VFA then reverted back to a 1 division competition, the first time since 1960. Then in 1995, after several years of questions the VFA played out its last season, only 9 teams competed, the lowest number for 70 years. Out of the 9 teams which were; Springvale Scorpions, Port Melbourne Boroughs, Preston Bullants, Coburg Lions, Williamstown Seagulls, Box Hill Mustangs, Frankston Dolphins, Sandringham Zebras and the Werribee FC, with the Springvale Scorpions defeated the Sandringham Zebras in the Grand Final 14.10.94 to 6.15.51. Only 6445 attended the game, signalling the end of an era. The Liston Trophy was won by Paul Satterley (18 votes) and the goal kicking went to Danny Sexton (64 goals). Sydney Swans logo The Sydney Swans are an Australian Football League (AFL) club based in Sydney. ... Sydney Swans is an Australian Football League (AFL) club based in Sydney, New South Wales. ... VFA may refer to: Victorian Football Association, an Australian rules football competition established in the 19th Century that was superseded as the elite competition by the 1897 establishment of the Victorian FootbalL League. ... VFA may refer to: Victorian Football Association, an Australian rules football competition established in the 19th Century that was superseded as the elite competition by the 1897 establishment of the Victorian FootbalL League. ... VFA may refer to: Victorian Football Association, an Australian rules football competition established in the 19th Century that was superseded as the elite competition by the 1897 establishment of the Victorian FootbalL League. ... The Scorpions are now based in the Cranbourne region and will play their home matches out at the Casey fields, their 3rd home ground in 3 seasons having used Shepley Oval in Dandenong and Newcomen Road in the previous 2 seasons. ... The Port Melbourne Football Club is an Australian Football club based in Melbourne and currently playing in the Victorian Football League. ... Williamstown Seagulls Logo The Williamstown Football Club is an Australian Football Club based in Melbourne and currently playing in the Victorian Football League. ... Franskton Dolphins Logo The Frankston Football Club is an Australian Football Club based in Melbourne and currently playing in the Victorian Football League. ... Sandringham Zebras Logo Sandringham Football Club is an Australian rules football club based in Melbourne that was formed in 1929 and plays in the Victorian Football League. ... The Scorpions are now based in the Cranbourne region and will play their home matches out at the Casey fields, their 3rd home ground in 3 seasons having used Shepley Oval in Dandenong and Newcomen Road in the previous 2 seasons. ... Sandringham Zebras Logo Sandringham Football Club is an Australian rules football club based in Melbourne that was formed in 1929 and plays in the Victorian Football League. ... A Grand Final is the culmination of a series of final matches played between a number of sporting teams to decide the premier team. ...

After the Fall of the VFA

In 1996 many of the clubs left over from the VFA began a new league called the Victorian Football League (this was new in the sense that the old VFL had disappeared due to the creation of the Australian Football League (AFL)), becoming an AFL second's division as affiliations between the two leagues grew. This allowed for the old VFA teams to survive along with adding new teams such as Traralgon FC and North Ballarat FC to strength the competition. VFA may refer to: Victorian Football Association, an Australian rules football competition established in the 19th Century that was superseded as the elite competition by the 1897 establishment of the Victorian FootbalL League. ... For other uses, see VFL (disambiguation). ... VFL can refer to: Victorian Football League, an Australian rules football league formerly known as the Victorian Football Association prior to 1996. ... This article is about the national league in Australian rules football. ... AFL has a number of references: Football leagues Australian Football League — professional competition in Australian Rules Football. ... VFA may refer to: Victorian Football Association, an Australian rules football competition established in the 19th Century that was superseded as the elite competition by the 1897 establishment of the Victorian FootbalL League. ...

To this day the VFL is still going, with most teams joined with AFL teams, becoming the breeding ground for the AFL's young talent, with teams such as the Williamstown Seagulls, Port Melbourne Boroughs, Coburg Tigers (due to their affiliation with the Richmond Football Club), Frankston Dolphins, Box Hill Hawks (due to their affiliation with the Hawthorn Football Club), Northern Bullants (Preston FC), Casey Scorpions FC (Springvale FC), Sandringham Zebras and the Werribee Tigers, keeping the old VFA feel alive in this new league. VFL can refer to: Victorian Football League, an Australian rules football league formerly known as the Victorian Football Association prior to 1996. ... AFL has a number of references: Football leagues Australian Football League — professional competition in Australian Rules Football. ... AFL has a number of references: Football leagues Australian Football League — professional competition in Australian Rules Football. ... Williamstown Seagulls Logo The Williamstown Football Club is an Australian Football Club based in Melbourne and currently playing in the Victorian Football League. ... The Port Melbourne Football Club is an Australian Football club based in Melbourne and currently playing in the Victorian Football League. ... Coburg Tigers Logo The Coburg Football Club is an Australian rules football Club based in the Northern Suburbs of Melbourne and currently playing in the Victorian Football League. ... Franskton Dolphins Logo The Frankston Football Club is an Australian Football Club based in Melbourne and currently playing in the Victorian Football League. ... Box Hill Hawks Logo Box Hill Football Club was formed in 1921 as the Box Hill Junior Football Club. ... Northern Bullants Logo The Northern Bullants Football Club is an Australian Football Club based in Preston, Melbourne and currently playing in the Victorian Football League. ... Sandringham Zebras Logo Sandringham Football Club is an Australian rules football club based in Melbourne that was formed in 1929 and plays in the Victorian Football League. ... Werribee Tigers Logo Werribee Football Club was formed in 1965 and currently plays in the Victorian Football League. ... VFA may refer to: Victorian Football Association, an Australian rules football competition established in the 19th Century that was superseded as the elite competition by the 1897 establishment of the Victorian FootbalL League. ...

Related Pages

http://www.afl.com.au - links to all AFL teams

http://vfl.footballvic.com.au/ - links to all VFL teams

http://www.vflfooty.com/index.php - website dedicated to VFL and VFA related subjects

Books

The VFA - A History of the Victorian Football Association 1877-1995 by Marc Fiddian