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First game of AFL
On the 10th of August 1858, the first ever match of Australian Rules Football was played. The match was refereed by Tom Willis, who is credited as one of the inventors of the sport. The match was played between Scotch College and Melbourne Grammar School. -
Melbourne F.C.
The first official football club to be formed was Melbourne Football Club, three days prior to the first match. This club mainly played exhibition matches against other clubs in the area until proper leagues were formed. Melbourne have won 12 premierships and 12 wooden spoons (last place) in the VFL/AFL league. -
Rules
In May 1859 the first set of rules for Australian Rules Football were published, by Melbourne Football Club. -
Melbourne University F.C.
Melbourne University Football Club was the second Australian Rules Football club to be formed. They competed in exhibition matches followed by the VFA and VFL. Due to the first World War, the club was disbanded, returning years later but in a minor league. In their few years in the VFL they won no premierships and 4 wooden spoons -
Geelong F.C.
In July 1859 the Geelong Football Club. Geelong competed in the Calendonian Challenge Cup (which was the earliest recorded football championship) against Melbourne and were victors in 1863. Geelong have won 9 premierships in the VFL/AFL and 5 wooden spoons. -
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Calendonian Challenge Cup
The Calendonian Challenge Cup is credited as the earliest Australian Rules Football tournament. The tournament was first played in 1862 and was competed by Melbourne Football Club and Melbourne University Football Club. The tournament continued to run annually until 1876 and was contested by 20 different clubs over the years, though not at the same time. Melbourne Football Club and Carlton Football Club were the most successful teams, each winning five premierships. -
Carlton F.C.
The Carlton Football Club were formed in 1864. The club competed in the Calendonian Football Challenge and won five premierships. Since the formation of the VFL/AFL Carlton is the equal most successful team, with Essendon Football Club, winning 16 premierships. -
North Melbourne F.C.
In July 1869 the North Melbourne Football Club was formed. -
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VFA
The Victorian Football Association is regarded as the first football league in Australia. When first played the teams competing included Carlton, Melbourne, Geelong, Essendon and Hawthorn. After the 1896 season, eight of the thirteen clubs competing split away from the VFA to form the Victorian Football League (VFL). During the period from the formation to the split, Geelong were the most sucessful club winning seven premierships. -
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VFL
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AFL
