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Australian Football initiated by Thomas Wills.
In 1858, Tom Wills, one of the founders of Australian Football, returned to Australia after schooling in England where he was football captain of Rugby School and a brilliant cricketer. Initially, he advocated the winter game of football as a way of keeping cricketers fit during off-season. -
First Recorded Match
Aug 7: The year of the code's first recorded match between Scotch College and Melbourne Grammar School with no formal rules. -
Rules Introduced
Melbourne FC rules formulated. -
Umpires make their debut.
Field umpires introduced. Previously, rival captains had awarded free kicks. -
Uniforms Arrive
Team uniforms introduced. Previously, caps had been the only distinguishing feature. -
The shape of the field!
Oval shaped playing areas generally replaced the rectangular versions. -
VFL Formed
The Victorian Football League was established in 1896 and the following year the League’s first games were played among the foundation clubs – Carlton, Collingwood, Essendon, Fitzroy, Geelong, Melbourne, St Kilda and South Melbourne. -
Australasian Football Council formed.
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Money!
Payments to players and staff cut in half because of the war. -
12 teams to 16
This line-up of 12 clubs would remain unchanged until 1987 when the competition expanded to include the West Coast Eagles and the Brisbane Bears. By 1997, the competition comprised 16 clubs after Adelaide (in 1991), Fremantle (in 1995), and Port Adelaide (in 1997) joined the now Australian Football League and foundation club Fitzroy merged with the Brisbane Bears to form the Brisbane Lions (after the 1996 season) -
The VFL renamed as the AFL.
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Final 18 Teams in AFL!
In 2011 the Gold Coast Suns joined the competition, followed by the Greater Western Sydney Giants, creating the 18-team national competition we see today.
