VFA-VFL EXHIBITION MATCHES
|
INTRODUCTION
|
1877 marked the opening season of the Victorian Football Association (VFA) and that same year the first exhibition matches of note were played: Carlton taking on the Waratah club in Sydney; Melbourne travelling to Adelaide to play a combined SAFA line-up; and St Kilda following suit at season's end with further exhibition matches in Adelaide.
Numerous tours took place over the next twenty years with VFA clubs playing matches throughout regional areas as well as interstate. Most were played on end of season trips, with a handful being played during the season on representative weekends or when a club had a bye week in their fixture. Following the split of 1896 there were two main periods of practice/exhibition games against clubs of the breakaway Victorian Football League (VFL); 1898-1907 and 1935-1937. On both occasions these matches ceased due to a flare-up in the board room between the rival VFA and VFL competitions. The VFA clubs played occasional exhibition matches over the next forty seasons until a return to the main stage with NFL night series matches between 1977 and 1979. However, by the 1980s exhibition matches had become a rarity for VFA clubs. The only period of note since being the Foxtel Cup games against State League clubs from 2011 to 2014. |
Oakleigh vs Port Melbourne played at Wagga
|
EXHIBITION MATCHES (1877-PRES.)
|
PRAC - Practice matches played pre-season
EX - Exhibition matches played in-season or post-season PREM - a VFA Premiership match played in Wagga in 1953 NFL - NFL Night Series (1977-79) FOX - Foxtel Cup (2011-14) |
|
DATE |
TYPE |
VFA
CLUB |
SCORE |
|
OPPONENT |
SCORE |
W/L |
VENUE |
|
24-5-1886 |
EX |
Williamstown |
6.15 |
|
New South Wales |
0.7 |
W |
Gardens Reserve, W'town |
|
3-7-1888 |
EX |
Port Melbourne |
7.15 |
|
Great Britain |
6.11 |
W |
East Melbourne CG |
|
28-6-1889 |
EX |
Port Melbourne |
5.13 |
|
Northumberland FC |
4.8 |
W |
Albion Ground, West Maitland |
|
29-6-1889 |
Port Melbourne |
7.10 |
|
Newcastle District |
3.13 |
W |
Newcastle Cricket Ground |
|
|
4-7-1889 |
Port Melbourne |
11.10 |
|
Waratah FC |
0.2 |
W |
SCG |
|
|
6-7-1889 |
Port Melbourne |
6.12 |
|
New South Wales |
2.4 |
W |
SCG |
|
|
24-9-1894 |
EX |
Essendon |
0.7 |
|
Rest of the VFA |
5.11 |
L |
Victoria Park, Collingwood |
1888 Port Melbourne vs Great Britain - this was part of a lengthy tour of Australia and New Zealand by a representative rugby team (the first version of what is known today as the British Lions). During their time in Victoria and South Australia the rugby team played a number of Australian football matches under "Victorian Rules", including matches against top-level clubs Carlton, Essendon, Fitzroy, Port Melbourne, South Melbourne, Adelaide, Norwood, Port Adelaide and South Adelaide.
1889 Port Melbourne Tour of NSW - Port joined other prominent clubs such as Carlton, Essendon, Fitzroy and Melbourne in travelling interstate for a series of tour matches. The Northumberland and Waratah clubs were two of the strongest clubs at the time in the Newcastle and Sydney regions respectively.
1894 Essendon vs VFA - an end of season match between the VFA Premiers and the rest of the Association played to raise funds for various charities. Essendon's gun forward Thurgood was one of numerous late withdrawals from both line-ups. Players for the combined VFA team wore their various club uniforms rather than a representative jumper causing confusion both on-field and for the spectators.
|
DATE |
TYPE |
VFA
CLUB |
SCORE |
OPPONENT |
SCORE |
W/L |
VENUE |
|
Sept.1897 |
EX |
Port Melbourne |
cancelled |
Essendon |
cancelled |
- |
East Melbourne CG |
|
23-4-1898 |
PRAC |
Port Melbourne |
unknown |
Collingwood |
unknown |
L |
Victoria Park |
|
30-4-1898 |
PRAC |
Brunswick |
unknown |
Carlton |
unknown |
- |
Princes Park |
|
PRAC |
North Melbourne |
5.9
(39) |
South Melbourne |
10.11
(71) |
L |
Lake Oval |
|
|
PRAC |
West Melbourne |
unknown |
Melbourne |
unknown |
- |
Wesley College Ground |
|
|
7-5-1898 |
PRAC |
Footscray |
4.3
(27) |
Collingwood |
3.10
(28) |
L |
Western Oval |
|
PRAC |
North Melbourne |
1.6
(12) |
Fitzroy |
12.16
(88) |
L |
Brunswick Street Oval |
|
|
PRAC |
Port Melbourne |
6.6
(42) |
South Melbourne |
1.1
(7) |
W |
Lake Oval |
|
|
15-4-1899 |
PRAC |
North Melbourne |
2.5
(17) |
Collingwood |
12.10
(82) |
L |
Arden Street Oval |
|
PRAC |
West Melbourne |
unknown |
Essendon |
unknown |
- |
Friendly Societies Ground |
|
|
22-4-1899 |
PRAC |
Footscray |
6.4
(40) |
South Melbourne |
4.11
(35) |
W |
Western Oval |
|
PRAC |
Port Melbourne |
2.4
(16) |
Collingwood |
4.13
(37) |
L |
Victoria Park |
|
|
PRAC |
West Melbourne |
unknown |
Essendon |
unknown |
- |
EMCG |
|
|
29-4-1899 |
PRAC |
Footscray |
3.12
(30) |
Collingwood |
5.6
(36) |
L |
Victoria Park |
|
PRAC |
Richmond |
1.3
(9) |
Fitzroy |
10.26
(86) |
L |
Brunswick Street Oval |
|
|
23-9-1899 |
EX |
Footscray |
7.4
(46) |
Ballarat Imperial |
2.8
(20) |
W |
Eastern Oval, Ballarat |
|
14-4-1900 |
PRAC |
Footscray |
2.2
(14) |
South Melbourne |
1.5
(11) |
W |
Lake Oval |
|
21-4-1900 |
PRAC |
Footscray |
5.1
(31) |
Essendon |
2.7
(19) |
W |
Western Oval |
|
PRAC |
Port Melbourne |
1.4
(10) |
Collingwood |
8.12
(60) |
L |
North Port Oval |
|
|
PRAC |
Prahran |
3.6
(24) |
South Melbourne |
10.11
(71) |
L |
Lake Oval |
|
|
28-4-1900 |
PRAC |
Footscray |
5.3
(33) |
Collingwood |
6.8
(44) |
L |
Western Oval |
|
PRAC |
North Melbourne |
3.6
(24) |
Carlton |
11.10
(76) |
L |
Arden Street Oval |
|
|
PRAC |
Port Melbourne |
1.5
(11) |
Fitzroy |
17.19
(121) |
L |
Brunswick Street Oval |
|
|
14-7-1900 |
EX |
Port Melbourne |
7.1
(43) |
Maryborough |
4.24
(48) |
L |
Maryborough |
|
15-9-1900 |
EX |
Footscray |
3.6
(24) |
Rest of the VFA |
8.13
(61) |
L |
Arden Street Oval, NM |
|
20-4-1901 |
PRAC |
Brunswick |
5.6
(36) |
Carlton |
6.9
(45) |
L |
Brunswick CG |
|
PRAC |
Footscray |
3.4
(22) |
Victorian Junior FA |
7.11
(53) |
L |
Western Oval, Footscray |
|
|
PRAC |
North Melbourne |
unknown |
Fitzroy |
unknown |
- |
Brunswick Street Oval |
|
|
PRAC |
West Melbourne |
unknown |
South Melbourne |
unknown |
- |
Lake Oval |
|
|
PRAC |
Williamstown |
unknown |
Collingwood |
unknown |
- |
Victoria Park |
|
|
27-4-1901 |
PRAC |
Footscray |
4
goals |
Collingwood |
19.19
(133) |
L |
Victoria Park |
|
PRAC |
North Melbourne |
2.2
(14) |
Essendon |
12.25
(97) |
L |
EMCG |
|
|
PRAC |
Port Melbourne |
unknown |
South Melbourne |
unknown |
- |
Lake Oval |
|
|
PRAC |
West Melbourne |
unknown |
St Kilda |
unknown |
- |
Junction Oval |
|
|
27-7-1901 |
EX |
North Melbourne |
3.3
(21) |
Bendigo FA |
7.8
(50) |
L |
Upper Reserve, Bendigo |
|
5-4-1902 |
PRAC |
Brunswick |
12.3
(75) |
Collingwood |
8.13
(61) |
W |
Victoria Park |
|
12-4-1902 |
PRAC |
Williamstown |
10.5
(65) |
Collingwood |
7.18
(60) |
W |
Victoria Park |
|
19-4-1902 |
PRAC |
Brunswick |
unknown |
Fitzroy |
unknown |
L |
unknown |
|
PRAC |
Port Melbourne |
1.6
(12) |
Collingwood |
14.18
(102) |
L |
Victoria Park |
|
|
PRAC |
West Melbourne |
unknown |
St Kilda |
unknown |
L |
unknown |
|
|
PRAC |
Williamstown |
5.5
(35) |
Essendon |
12.12
(84) |
L |
Williamstown CG |
|
|
26-4-1902 |
PRAC |
Essendon Town |
2.10
(22) |
Carlton |
6.7
(43) |
L |
Princes Park |
|
PRAC |
Footscray |
4.6
(30) |
Collingwood |
5.15
(45) |
L |
Western Oval |
|
|
PRAC |
North Melbourne |
3.4
(22) |
St Kilda |
6.13
(49) |
L |
Junction Oval |
|
|
PRAC |
Port Melbourne |
1.4
(10) |
South Melbourne |
3.7
(25) |
L |
Lake Oval |
|
|
26-6-1902 |
EX |
Richmond |
cancelled |
Geelong |
cancelled |
- |
Corio Oval |
|
13-9-1902 |
EX |
Port Melbourne |
2.6
(18) |
Eaglehawk |
14.8
(92) |
L |
Canterbury Park, Eaglehawk |
|
13-9-1902 |
EX |
Richmond |
6.2
(38) |
South Bendigo |
7.11
(53) |
L |
Upper Reserve, Bendigo |
|
11-4-1903 |
PRAC |
Williamstown |
2
goals |
Collingwood |
15
goals |
L |
Victoria Park |
|
13-4-1903 |
PRAC |
Richmond |
1.5
(11) |
Geelong |
11.9
(75) |
L |
Corio Oval |
|
18-4-1903 |
PRAC |
Prahran |
unknown |
South Melbourne |
unknown |
- |
Lake Oval |
|
PRAC |
Richmond (19) |
5.3
(33) |
Fitzroy |
15.5
(95) |
L |
Punt Road Oval |
|
|
PRAC |
Williamstown |
0.6
(6) |
Essendon |
4.1
(25) |
L |
Williamstown CG |
|
|
25-4-1903 |
PRAC |
Essendon Town |
2.2
(14) |
Carlton |
11.22
(88) |
L |
unknown |
|
PRAC |
Footscray |
4.1
(25) |
Collingwood |
10.10
(70) |
L |
Victoria Park |
|
|
PRAC |
North Melbourne |
2.1
(13) |
St Kilda |
11.11
(77) |
L |
Junction Oval |
|
|
PRAC |
Port Melbourne |
5.5
(35) |
South Melbourne |
3.11
(29) |
W |
Lake Oval |
|
|
PRAC |
Richmond |
5.15
(45) |
Victorian Junior FA |
1.3
(9) |
W |
Punt Road Oval, Richmond |
|
|
PRAC |
Williamstown |
1.1
(7) |
Geelong |
8.12
(60) |
L |
Corio Oval |
|
|
27-4-1903 |
PRAC |
Essendon Town |
0.2
(2) |
St Kilda |
22.15
(147) |
L |
Junction Oval |
|
PRAC |
Richmond |
4.4
(28) |
Collingwood |
7.15
(57) |
L |
Victoria Park |
|
|
12-9-1903 |
EX |
Port Melbourne |
6.10
(46) |
Bendigo |
6.15
(51) |
L |
Upper Reserve, Bendigo |
|
2-4-1904 |
PRAC |
Port Melbourne |
5.3
(33) |
South Melbourne |
4.6
(30) |
W |
North Port Oval |
|
4-4-1904 |
PRAC |
Richmond |
5.7
(37) |
Geelong |
8.12
(60) |
L |
Corio Oval |
|
9-4-1904 |
PRAC |
Port Melbourne |
4.14
(38) |
Carlton |
2.3
(15) |
W |
North Port Oval |
|
PRAC |
Richmond |
unknown |
Melbourne |
unknown |
- |
Warehousemen's Ground |
|
|
16-4-1904 |
PRAC |
North Melbourne |
6.2
(38) |
South Melbourne |
7.20
(62) |
L |
Lake Oval |
|
PRAC |
Port Melbourne |
4.6
(30) |
St Kilda |
3.8
(26) |
W |
North Port Oval |
|
|
23-4-1904 |
PRAC |
North Melbourne |
2.6
(18) |
Carlton |
8.13
(61) |
L |
Princes Park |
|
PRAC |
Port Melbourne |
3.3
(21) |
South Melbourne |
10.18
(78) |
L |
Lake Oval |
|
|
PRAC |
West Melbourne |
5.5
(35) |
Melbourne |
7.20
(62) |
L |
Warehousemen's Ground |
|
|
25-4-1904 |
PRAC |
North Melbourne |
7.8
(50) |
St Kilda |
17.6
(108) |
L |
Junction Oval |
|
30-4-1904 |
PRAC |
Footscray |
8.6
(54) |
South Melbourne |
15.10
(100) |
L |
Lake Oval |
|
PRAC |
North Melbourne |
7.3
(45) |
Victorian Junior FA |
7.18
(60) |
L |
Arden Street Oval, NM |
|
|
PRAC |
Richmond |
5.9
(39) |
Collingwood |
9.13
(67) |
L |
Victoria Park |
|
|
PRAC |
West Melbourne |
3.4
(22) |
Carlton |
15.20
(110) |
L |
Princes Park |
|
|
PRAC |
Williamstown |
2.1
(13) |
Essendon |
12.19
(91) |
L |
EMCG |
|
|
17-9-1904 |
EX |
Williamstown |
9.11
(65) |
Castlemaine District |
5.8
(38) |
W |
Camp Reserve, Castlemaine |
|
24-9-1904 |
EX |
Richmond |
7.13
(55) |
Marylebone Jnr FC |
12.4
(76) |
L |
Friendly Societies Ground |
1899 Footscray vs Ballarat Imperial - played the week after Footscray won the VFA premiership.
1900 Footscray vs VFA - a fundraiser for the family of the late Frank Mitchell, played between the VFA premiers and the rest of the Association. Mitchell was a long-serving secretary of North Melbourne FC and life member of the VFA who had helped keep the Association going when the strongest clubs broke away to form the VFL and he had been "principally responsible for Brunswick, West Melbourne and Prahran joining the ranks". [(Footscray) Independent 25-8-1900, p.3] Robertson (Brunswick), McKinley (Williamstown) and Brown (Prahran) played for Footscray who were without four of their premiership team.
1901 Footscray vs Victorian Junior FA - the VJFA were the leading second grade league in Victoria and for a number of years their representative team had played an annual pre-season match against the reigning VFA premiers. This tradition continued after the split of 1896 but the match took place against the VFL premiers instead. However, from 1901 the VJFA began playing two pre-season games: one against the VFA's champion and the other against the VFL's premier team.
1901 North Melbourne vs Bendigo FA - played during North's bye week in aid of 'Bulla' McDonald (a seriously injured Sandhurst player).
1903 Richmond vs Collingwood - the first match to be played between reigning VFA and VFL premiers.
1903 Port Melbourne vs Bendigo - the Bendigo FC side was strengthened by the addition of two fill-in players.
1904 Richmond vs Marylebone Junior FC - Richmond (minor premiers) had a week off in the VFA whilst waiting for their opponent in the challenge final to be decided, so they travelled to Geelong to play the top junior club in the region. Marylebone was boosted by the addition of Bennion and E. Rankin from Geelong FC.
|
DATE |
TYPE |
VFA
CLUB |
SCORE |
OPPONENT |
SCORE |
W/L |
VENUE |
|
8-4-1905 |
PRAC |
Brunswick |
unknown |
Carlton |
unknown |
- |
Brunswick CG |
|
PRAC |
Port Melbourne |
9.3
(57) |
South Melbourne |
9.12
(66) |
L |
North Port Oval |
|
|
PRAC |
Richmond |
unknown |
Melbourne |
unknown |
- |
Warehousemen's Ground |
|
|
15-4-1905 |
PRAC |
Port Melbourne |
10.7
(67) |
Carlton |
5.11
(41) |
W |
North Port Oval |
|
22-4-1905 |
PRAC |
Footscray |
8.3
(51) |
Collingwood |
6.12
(48) |
W |
Western Oval |
|
PRAC |
North Melbourne |
2.1
(13) |
Carlton |
15.18
(108) |
L |
Princes Park |
|
|
PRAC |
Port Melbourne |
3.12
(30) |
South Melbourne |
16.9
(105) |
L |
Lake Oval |
|
|
PRAC |
Preston |
4
goals |
St Kilda |
12
goals |
L |
Junction Oval |
|
|
24-4-1905 |
PRAC |
Richmond |
11.2
(68) |
Essendon |
11.7
(73) |
L |
Punt Road Oval |
|
29-4-1905 |
PRAC |
Brunswick |
3.3
(21) |
Carlton |
9.17
(71) |
L |
Princes Park |
|
PRAC |
Essendon Town |
3.1
(19) |
Melbourne |
18.17
(125) |
L |
MCG |
|
|
PRAC |
North Melbourne |
10.13
(73) |
Victorian Junior FA |
2.5
(17) |
W |
Arden Street Oval, NM |
|
|
PRAC |
Richmond |
2.5
(17) |
Collingwood |
16.12
(108) |
L |
Punt Road Oval |
|
|
PRAC |
West Melbourne |
2.12
(24) |
St Kilda |
10.11
(71) |
L |
Junction Oval |
|
|
PRAC |
Williamstown |
6.6
(42) |
Essendon |
7.21
(63) |
L |
EMCG |
|
|
23-9-1905 |
EX |
Williamstown |
4.15
(39) |
Castlemaine District |
3.5
(23) |
W |
Camp Reserve, Castlemaine |
|
14-10-1905 |
EX |
Richmond |
10.11
(71) |
Collingwood |
12.9
(81) |
L |
Victoria Park |
|
7-4-1906 |
PRAC |
Port Melbourne |
unknown |
South Melbourne |
unknown |
L |
North Port Oval |
|
PRAC |
Richmond |
10
goals |
Melbourne |
19
goals |
L |
Punt Road Oval |
|
|
14-4-1906 |
PRAC |
Preston |
unknown |
Carlton |
unknown |
- |
Princes Park |
|
PRAC |
Williamstown |
3.11
(29) |
Collingwood |
9.8
(62) |
L |
Victoria Park |
|
|
16-4-1906 |
PRAC |
North Melbourne |
1.2
(8) |
Essendon |
9.12
(66) |
L |
Arden Street Oval |
|
PRAC |
Richmond |
6.5
(41) |
Fitzroy |
9.16
(70) |
L |
Punt Road Oval |
|
|
PRAC |
West Melbourne |
3.2
(20) |
Collingwood |
13.10
(88) |
L |
Victoria Park |
|
|
21-4-1906 |
PRAC |
Essendon Town |
3.6
(24) |
Melbourne |
13.11
(89) |
L |
MCG |
|
PRAC |
Richmond |
3.8
(26) |
South Melbourne |
9.16
(70) |
L |
Punt Road Oval |
|
|
PRAC |
West Melbourne |
4.11
(35) |
St Kilda |
10.19
(79) |
L |
Junction Oval |
|
|
23-4-1906 |
PRAC |
Prahran |
0.4
(4) |
St Kilda |
14.19
(103) |
L |
Junction Oval |
|
PRAC |
Richmond |
12.7
(79) |
Geelong |
6.12
(48) |
W |
Punt Road Oval |
|
|
PRAC |
West Melbourne |
unknown |
Carlton |
unknown |
- |
Princes Park |
|
|
PRAC |
Williamstown |
7.6
(48) |
Essendon |
10.6
(66) |
L |
EMCG |
|
|
28-4-1906 |
PRAC |
Richmond |
2.9
(21) |
Collingwood |
6.27
(63) |
L |
Punt Road Oval |
|
PRAC |
North Melbourne |
1.3
(9) |
Carlton |
26.22
(178) |
L |
Princes Park |
|
|
PRAC |
West Melbourne |
8.9
(57) |
Melbourne |
10.9
(69) |
L |
MCG |
|
|
4-6-1906 |
EX |
Richmond |
3.20
(38) |
South Adelaide |
3.11
(29) |
L |
Punt Road Oval, Richmond |
|
30-3-1907 |
PRAC |
Richmond |
11.12
(78) |
Geelong |
7.19
(61) |
W |
Punt Road Oval |
|
27-4-1908 |
PRAC |
West Melbourne |
4.15
(39) |
Essendon |
8.9
(57) |
L |
EMCG |
|
12-9-1908 |
EX |
Footscray |
6.8
(44) |
Long Gully |
7.14
(56) |
L |
Upper Reserve, Bendigo |
1906 Richmond vs South Adelaide - played on the King's Birthday holiday. Despite the VFL playing a full round that day the VFA clubs had the day off so South Adelaide made a special trip to Victoria for the match.
|
DATE |
TYPE |
VFA
CLUB |
SCORE |
OPPONENT |
SCORE |
W/L |
VENUE |
|
15-8-1915 |
EX |
North Melbourne |
8.9
(57) |
St Kilda |
4.7
(31) |
W |
Junction Oval, St Kilda |
|
21-8-1915 |
EX |
Port Melbourne |
5.11
(41) |
Ballarat FL |
6.8
(44) |
L |
Eastern Oval, Ballarat |
|
8-9-1916 |
EX |
North Melbourne |
8.8
(56) |
Rest of the VFA |
6.7
(43) |
W |
Arden Street Oval, NM |
|
4-10-1924 |
EX |
Footscray |
9.10
(64) |
Essendon |
4.12
(36) |
W |
MCG |
|
12-10-1929 |
EX |
Oakleigh |
19.16
(130) |
Preston |
19.7
(121) |
- |
Northern Oval, Ballarat |
|
12-10-1929 |
EX |
Brunswick |
17.16
(118) |
Alberton Shire XVIII |
12.2
(74) |
W |
Yarram |
|
3-10-1931 |
EX |
Northcote |
11.13
(79) |
Maryborough |
7.7
(49) |
W |
Maryborough |
|
3-10-1931 |
EX |
Preston |
10.17
(77) |
South Warrnambool |
3.11
(29) |
W |
Warrnambool |
|
24-9-1932 |
EX |
Preston |
12.28
(100) |
Euroa |
11.10
(76) |
W |
Euroa |
|
30-9-1933 |
EX |
Brunswick |
10.7
(67) |
Combined Wangaratta |
11.10
(76) |
L |
Wangaratta |
St Kilda were unimpressed to learn that North Melbourne had bolstered their side with three strong players from other VFA clubs (Hoare from Essendon 'A', Alley from Williamstown, and Walton from Port Melbourne). This ill-feeling spilled onto the field and a spiteful match ensued, with numerous fights breaking out throughout the contest.
1916 North Melbourne vs VFA - due to the First World War the VFA ended their 1915 season early and went into recess during 1916-17. However, the players reunited for this one-off match: a fundraiser for former South Melbourne and North Melbourne player Harry Todd who had lost his hands in a workplace accident. North Melbourne fielded their 1915 premiership team and players on both sides were reported to be out of form having had no football for a year. The following week a fundraiser was also played between retired North Melbourne and South Melbourne champions with South winning 4.4 (28) to 1.0 (6).
1924 Footscray vs Essendon - as with the 1902 VFA vs VFL representative match and the 1915 North Melbourne vs St Kilda contest, it was charity that again brought the rival football bodies together on the same playing field. The 1924 match was played in aid of Dame Nellie Melba's Limbless Soldiers Appeal and was promoted as being for the "Championship of Victoria", although no such title actually existed. [The Argus 3-10-1924] This was the third contest between reigning VFA and VFL premiership teams, and the first to carry any sort of status. A crowd of 46,100 - an unprecedented attendance for an exhibition match - witnessed a major upset as Footscray overcame a 2 point deficit at half-time to claim a famous 28 point win. During the months that followed Footscray joined North Melbourne and Hawthorn in transferring from the VFA to the VFL.
1929 Oakleigh vs Preston - originally scheduled as Northcote versus Oakleigh but Northcote were involved in the VFA Challenge Final played the same day.
1929 Brunswick vs Alberton Shire XVIII - Leo McInerney kicked 10 goals for Brunswick.
1931 Preston vs South Warrnambool - former St Kilda champion, Col Watson led the South Warrnambool team.
|
DATE |
TYPE |
VFA
CLUB |
SCORE |
OPPONENT |
SCORE |
W/L |
VENUE |
|
30-3-1935 |
PRAC |
Brunswick |
6.8
(44) |
Collingwood |
18.9
(117) |
L |
Brunswick Park |
|
6-4-1935 |
PRAC |
Camberwell |
8.10
(58) |
Richmond |
13.15
(93) |
L |
Olympic Park |
|
PRAC |
Prahran |
9.10
(64) |
Melbourne |
14.18
(102) |
L |
Toorak Park, Prahran |
|
|
PRAC |
Preston |
7.11
(53) |
South Melbourne |
8.9
(57) |
L |
Lake Oval |
|
|
13-4-1935 |
PRAC |
Camberwell |
6.10
(46) |
Melbourne |
20.12
(132) |
L |
MCG |
|
PRAC |
Northcote |
11.13
(79) |
St Kilda |
12.9
(81) |
L |
Junction Oval |
|
|
PRAC |
Oakleigh |
8.9
(57) |
Richmond |
22.14
(146) |
L |
Olympic Park |
|
|
PRAC |
Port Melbourne |
4.4
(28) |
South Melbourne |
16.14
(110) |
L |
Lake Oval |
|
|
14-9-1935 |
EX |
Northcote |
12.10
(82) |
Northern Tasmania FA |
10.10
(70) |
W |
York Park, Launceston |
|
26-9-1935 |
EX |
Yarraville |
8.18
(66) |
Camberwell |
5.17
(47) |
- |
Olympic Park (N) |
|
28-3-1936 |
PRAC |
Brighton |
4.12
(36) |
St Kilda |
7.16
(58) |
L |
Elsternwick Park |
|
PRAC |
Coburg |
7.12
(54) |
Carlton |
7.13
(55) |
L |
Coburg City Oval |
|
|
PRAC |
Port Melbourne |
4.7
(31) |
South Melbourne |
20.15
(135) |
L |
Lake Oval |
|
|
30-3-1936 |
PRAC |
Brunswick |
10.7
(67) |
Carlton |
10.18
(78) |
L |
Brunswick Park |
|
PRAC |
Camberwell |
7.15
(57) |
Richmond |
17.12
(114) |
L |
Punt Road Oval |
|
|
PRAC |
Oakleigh |
3.4
(22) |
North Melbourne |
11.19
(85) |
L |
Arden Street Oval |
|
|
4-4-1936 |
PRAC |
Brunswick |
8.10
(58) |
Melbourne 2nds |
16.12
(108) |
L |
Brunswick Park |
|
PRAC |
Northcote |
11.12
(78) |
St Kilda |
12.7
(79) |
L |
Junction Oval |
|
|
PRAC |
Prahran |
8.15
(63) |
Melbourne |
15.19
(109) |
L |
Toorak Park, Prahran |
|
|
PRAC |
Preston |
5.7
(37) |
Carlton |
11.16
(82) |
L |
Preston City Oval |
|
|
PRAC |
Williamstown |
5.6
(36) |
North Melbourne |
12.13
(85) |
L |
Arden Street Oval |
|
|
PRAC |
Yarraville |
7.8
(50) |
Essendon |
17.9
(111) |
L |
Windy Hill |
|
|
11-4-1936 |
PRAC |
Prahran |
10.7
(67) |
St Kilda |
18.13
(121) |
L |
Junction Oval |
|
20-3-1937 |
PRAC |
Oakleigh |
9.6
(60) |
Melbourne |
18.16
(124) |
L |
Oakleigh CG |
|
27-3-1937 |
PRAC |
Coburg |
7.19
(61) |
Essendon |
9.18
(72) |
L |
Windy Hill |
|
PRAC |
Sandringham |
9.16
(70) |
Richmond |
13.13
(91) |
L |
Hampton Oval |
|
|
29-3-1937 |
PRAC |
Brighton |
6.6
(42) |
St Kilda |
15.14
(104) |
L |
Junction Oval |
|
PRAC |
Camberwell |
10.5
(65) |
Hawthorn |
11.7
(73) |
L |
Camberwell Sports Ground |
|
|
PRAC |
Port Melbourne |
6.6
(42) |
South Melbourne |
12.9
(81) |
L |
North Port Oval |
|
|
3-4-1937 |
PRAC |
Brunswick |
10.11
(71) |
Richmond |
9.9
(63) |
W |
Brunswick Park |
|
PRAC |
Camberwell |
4.7
(31) |
Hawthorn |
9.9
(63) |
L |
Glenferrie Oval |
|
|
PRAC |
Coburg |
5.10
(40) |
Melbourne |
16.14
(110) |
L |
Coburg City Oval |
|
|
PRAC |
Prahran |
8.14
(62) |
St Kilda |
18.14
(122) |
L |
Junction Oval |
|
|
PRAC |
Preston |
15.14
(104) |
Melbourne 2nds |
7.9
(51) |
W |
Preston City Oval |
|
|
PRAC |
Yarraville |
4.13
(37) |
Essendon |
14.9
(93) |
L |
Windy Hill |
|
|
10-4-1937 |
PRAC |
Coburg |
10.13
(73) |
Carlton |
18.19
(127) |
L |
Princes Park |
|
PRAC |
Northcote |
11.5
(71) |
Fitzroy |
18.17
(125) |
L |
Brunswick Street Oval |
|
|
PRAC |
Prahran |
11.12
(78) |
Melbourne |
16.9
(105) |
L |
Toorak Park, Prahran |
|
|
PRAC |
Yarraville |
5.9
(39) |
St Kilda |
18.11
(119) |
L |
Junction Oval |
|
|
14-8-1937 |
EX |
Sandringham |
7.12
(54) |
Ballarat Imperial |
9.18
(72) |
L |
Eastern Oval, Ballarat |
|
9-8-1938 |
EX |
Camberwell |
22.18
(150) |
SAAFA |
15.10
(100) |
W |
Adelaide Oval |
|
10-9-1938 |
EX |
Northcote |
13.9
(87) |
Coburg |
11.15
(81) |
- |
Bairnsdale Oval |
|
16-9-1939 |
EX |
Oakleigh |
unknown |
Sandringham |
unknown |
- |
Frankston City Oval |
|
14-10-1939 |
EX |
Coburg |
21.23
(149) |
North-Western FA |
7.8
(50) |
W |
Devonport Oval |
1938 Camberwell vs SAAFA - played on Camberwell's end of season trip and Laurie Nash kicked 9 goals. The match included trial rules such as the throw pass. It was originally hoped to play a combined SANFL side but that was not possible so the South Australian amateur association agreed to take the field.
1939 Coburg vs North-Western FA - played under VFA rules (including the throw pass). Lance Collins kicked 11 goals for Coburg.
|
DATE |
TYPE |
VFA
CLUB |
SCORE |
OPPONENT |
SCORE |
W/L |
VENUE |
|
11-10-1941 |
EX |
Coburg |
31.19
(205) |
Combined Wangaratta |
22.19
(151) |
W |
Wangaratta |
|
18-6-1944 |
EX |
Northcote (2nds) |
16.18
(114) |
Aboriginal XVIII |
11.15
(81) |
W |
Northcote Park |
|
18-6-1945 |
EX |
Northcote |
14.15
(99) |
Aboriginal XVIII |
15.10
(100) |
L |
Northcote Park |
|
20-10-1945 |
EX |
Coburg |
16.18
(114) |
Williamstown |
12.8
(80) |
- |
Jubilee Oval, Broken Hill |
|
21-10-1945 |
EX |
Coburg-W'town XVIII |
14.15
(99) |
Broken Hill FL |
12.12
(84) |
W |
Jubilee Oval, Broken Hill |
|
17-6-1946 |
EX |
Northcote |
unknown |
Aboriginal XVIII |
unknown |
- |
Northcote Park |
|
19-10-1946 |
EX |
Williamstown |
16.11
(107) |
Camberwell |
13.16
(94) |
- |
York Park, Launceston |
|
19-10-1946 |
EX |
Coburg |
7.13
(55) |
Prahran |
14.13
(97) |
- |
Jubilee Oval, Broken Hill |
|
20-10-1946 |
EX |
Coburg-Prahran XVIII |
8.11
(59) |
Zinc Corporation XVIII |
11.6
(72) |
L |
Jubilee Oval, Broken Hill |
|
8-10-1949 |
EX |
Prahran |
15.19
(109) |
Nth Hobart/TANFL XVIII |
11.15
(81) |
W |
North Hobart Oval |
|
8-10-1949 |
EX |
Illawarra-W'town XVIII |
cancelled |
Newtown |
cancelled |
- |
Wollongong Showground |
|
9-10-1949 |
EX |
Williamstown |
12.10
(82) |
Illawarra-NSWAFL XVIII |
11.10
(76) |
W |
Wollongong Showground |
|
13-10-1951 |
EX |
Oakleigh |
20.22
(142) |
North Hobart |
9.14
(68) |
W |
North Hobart Oval |
|
16-5-1953 |
PREM |
Oakleigh |
8.13
(61) |
Port Melbourne |
11.13
(79) |
- |
Bolton Park, Wagga |
|
7-9-1958 |
EX |
Oakleigh |
19.17
(131) |
Eastern Suburbs |
14.12
(96) |
W |
Trumper Park, Sydney |
|
8-4-1967 |
PRAC |
Sandringham |
21.19
(145) |
Ainslie |
7.4
(46) |
W |
Beach Oval, Sandringham |
1944 Northcote 2nds vs Aboriginal XVIII - played on the King's Birthday holiday. The Aboriginal team was led by former Fitzroy player Doug Nicholls and comprised Aboriginal footballers from NSW and Lake Tyers. The match drew a crowd of 10,000.
1945 Northcote vs Aboriginal XVIII - played on the King's Birthday holiday. The Aboriginal XVIII was again captain-coached by Doug Nicholls. The match drew a crowd of 6,000.
1945 Combined Coburg-Williamstown vs Broken Hill FL - Coburg and Williamstown toured Broken Hill in October, playing each other on Oct.20 with Ron Todd kicking 6 goals for Williamstown. The following day a Combined Coburg-Williamstown team defeated the local league with Todd kicking 10 of the combined team's 14 goals (including 8.2 of 8.3 in the first quarter). The local press incorrectly referred to the Combined Coburg-Williamstown team as a VFA representative team.
1946 Northcote vs Aboriginal XVIII - scheduled for the King's Birthday holiday. The Saturday edition of The Argus (14-6-1946) previews the annual game thus: "...it is always made an interesting spectacle by the speed, sure ball handling, and kicking of the Aborigines, many of whom play in bare feet." Nicholls was reported to be leading the team for the third straight year.
[NOTE - despite these previews there is no mention of the match in the Tuesday editions of The Argus or The Age. If you have final scores please contact us]
1949 Prahran vs North Hobart/TANFL XVIII - over the years some sources have listed Prahran's opponent as North Hobart, other sources have referred to them as a TANFL representative side. Both are technically correct. The match was played as a fundraiser for seriously injured North Hobart veteran Dan Quinn and the team comprised nine players from the various TANFL clubs and nine from North Hobart.
1949 Williamstown tour of Illawarra - Australian football had been played in Illawarra some 20 years before rugby but it died out after the NSWAFA imploded in the late 1800s, allowing the area to become a rugby stronghold. The 1949 season marked the return of the Australian game to the region and the newly-formed Illawarra FC, with the assistance of the NSWAFL and the ANFC, invited VFA Premiers Williamstown to visit and participate in a football carnival to promote the game.
The plan was for a Combined Illawarra-Williamstown XVIII to play Newtown FC (NSWAFL premiers) on Saturday followed by a match between a Combined Illawarra-NSWAFL XVIII and Williamstown on the Sunday. Several members of the Williamstown team departed Melbourne a day early to participate in the first match but their efforts were for nought. Much to the disgust of the organisers, Newtown waited until the morning of the match to advise the local league they would not be attending. They advised that a club delegate had reportedly failed to tell the club secretary of the trip until Wednesday and by then it was too late to organise and send the team.
Despite the disappointment of the cancelled match, the second game went ahead. All of the Sydney-based players were state representatives and comprised: J. Cracknell, D. Wilson, E. Butcher (Sydney), R. Hayes, R. Wilson (Eastern Suburbs), L. Tomkin, H. Fee (Newtown), G. Lendrum, J. Armstrong (South Sydney). Heavy rain reduced the quality of play but the game was well attended and Ron Todd kicked four goals for Williamstown. [South Coast Times and Wollongong Argus, 29-9-1949, p.33 / 13-10-1949, p.39]
1953 Oakleigh vs Port Melbourne - the VFA had been elevated to full member status in the ANFC and football's governing body was keen to include the Association in the game's expansion. To help promote the code and raise awareness of the VFA it was suggested that a premiership match should be played in Wagga. The Association agreed and the Oakleigh-Port Melbourne game became the only VFA premiership match ever played outside of Victoria.
1958 Oakleigh vs Eastern Suburbs - played the week after Eastern Suburbs won the NSWANFL Grand Final. Oakleigh finished 13th that season.
|
DATE |
TYPE |
VFA
CLUB |
SCORE |
OPPONENT |
SCORE |
W/L |
VENUE |
|
12-3-1977 |
PRAC |
Preston |
20.11
(131) |
Central District |
21.29
(155) |
L |
Elizabeth Oval, Adelaide |
|
19-3-1977 |
PRAC |
Preston |
13.7
(85) |
Port Adelaide |
21.22
(148) |
L |
Alberton Oval, Adelaide |
|
19-3-1977 |
PRAC |
Dandenong |
17.7
(109) |
Woodville |
13.13
(91) |
W |
Woodville Oval, Adelaide |
|
26-3-1977 |
PRAC |
Brunswick |
14.11
(95) |
South Adelaide |
21.12
(138) |
L |
Panther Park, Adelaide |
|
27-3-1977 |
NFL |
Dandenong |
14.8
(92) |
Central District |
11.17
(83) |
W |
Lake Oval, South Melb.
(N) |
|
5-4-1977 |
Preston |
15.10
(100) |
New South Wales |
11.7
(73) |
W |
Norwood Oval, Adelaide (N) |
|
|
19-4-1977 |
Caulfield |
11.10
(76) |
ACT |
14.11
(95) |
L |
Norwood Oval, Adelaide (N) |
|
|
17-5-1977 |
Port Melbourne |
17.9
(111) |
Queensland |
12.8
(80) |
W |
Norwood Oval, Adelaide (N) |
|
|
24-5-1977 |
Preston |
7.14
(56) |
East Fremantle |
18.17
(125) |
L |
Norwood Oval, Adelaide (N) |
|
|
7-6-1977 |
Dandenong |
6.7
(43) |
East Perth |
7.12
(54) |
L |
Norwood Oval, Adelaide (N) |
|
|
21-6-1977 |
Port Melbourne |
12.10
(82) |
Norwood |
23.14
(152) |
L |
Norwood Oval, Adelaide (N) |
|
|
23-3-1978 |
PRAC |
Geelong West |
14.5
(89) |
Woodville |
19.24
(138) |
L |
Woodville Oval, Adelaide |
|
9-5-1978 |
NFL |
Port Melbourne |
12.20
(92) |
New South Wales |
7.4
(46) |
W |
Lake Oval, South Melb.
(N) |
|
23-5-1978 |
Sandringham |
12.10
(82) |
ACT |
12.6
(78) |
W |
Lake Oval, South Melb.
(N) |
|
|
6-6-1978 |
Coburg |
10.11
(71) |
East Perth |
7.7
(49) |
W |
Lake Oval, South Melb.
(N) |
|
|
20-6-1978 |
Port Melbourne |
13.18
(96) |
Queensland |
9.6
(60) |
W |
Lake Oval, South Melb.
(N) |
|
|
27-6-1978 |
Coburg |
13.6
(84) |
Glenelg |
15.11
(101) |
L |
Norwood Oval, Adelaide (N) |
|
|
4-7-1978 |
Sandringham |
5.5
(35) |
South Adelaide |
14.10
(94) |
L |
Lake Oval, South Melb.
(N) |
|
|
18-7-1978 |
Port Melbourne |
9.9
(63) |
South Adelaide |
9.14
(68) |
L |
Lake Oval, South Melb.
(N) |
|
|
25-4-1979 |
NFL |
Prahran |
6.8
(44) |
Port Adelaide |
13.11
(89) |
L |
Preston City Oval |
|
25-4-1979 |
Preston |
11.10
(76) |
Central District |
16.12
(108) |
L |
Preston City Oval |
When the VFL announced in 1976 they were leaving the NFL's national competition to play their own rival night series (the Amco-Herald Cup), the SANFL responded by banning their players from taking part in interstate or club matches against VFL teams.
This created the possibility for VFA teams to play pre-season practice matches against SANFL clubs, something which had previously been impossible with the VFL controlling access to interstate contests.
These matches were a brief taste of national football for the VFA as by 1979 the SANFL had resumed practice and interstate matches against the VFL and commenced negotiations for their involvement in the 1980 VFL Night Series. The 1979 Escort Cup would be the final NFL competition and the door officially closed for the VFA once again.
1978 Geelong West vs Woodville - former Collingwood star Peter McKenna kicked 5 goals for Geelong West. He later kicked 67 goals in premiership matches before transferring to Port Melbourne in 1979.
|
DATE |
TYPE |
VFA
CLUB |
SCORE |
OPPONENT |
SCORE |
W/L |
VENUE |
|
15-3-1980 |
PRAC |
Coburg |
21.19
(145) |
North Melbourne 'B' |
19.22
(136) |
W |
Coburg City Oval |
|
PRAC |
Port Melbourne |
25.23
(173) |
South Melbourne 'B' |
17.7
(109) |
W |
North Port Oval, Port Melb. |
|
|
PRAC |
Sandringham |
13.14
(92) |
St Kilda |
28.22
(190) |
L |
Beach Oval, Sandringham |
|
|
14-3-1982 |
PRAC |
Sandringham |
11.13
(79) |
St Kilda |
22.33
(165) |
L |
Beach Oval, Sandringham |
|
23-3-1986 |
PRAC |
Sandringham |
11.9
(75) |
Essendon 'B' |
18.11
(119) |
L |
Windy Hill, Essendon |
|
12-2-1988 |
PRAC |
VFA |
15.11
(101) |
Essendon Reserves |
13.7
(85) |
W |
Skinner Reserve, Sunshine |
|
19-2-1988 |
PRAC |
VFA |
16.22
(118) |
Melbourne Reserves |
2.7
(19) |
W |
Skinner Reserve, Sunshine |
|
23-9-1990 |
PRAC |
Springvale |
unknown |
Carlton Reserves |
unknown |
- |
Princes Park, Carlton |
|
21-3-1992 |
PRAC |
Williamstown |
6.10
(46) |
North Melbourne |
25.30
(180) |
L |
Arden Street Oval, NM |
|
29-3-1997 |
PRAC |
Springvale |
24.13
(157) |
Clarence |
14.11
(95) |
W |
Bellerive Oval, Hobart |
|
28-3-1998 |
PRAC |
Sandringham |
15.10
(100) |
Clarence |
10.11
(71) |
W |
Barker Oval, Sandringham |
|
27-3-1999 |
PRAC |
Springvale |
14.11
(95) |
North Launceston |
10.14
(74) |
W |
York Park, Launceston |
|
DATE |
TYPE |
VFL
CLUB |
SCORE |
OPPONENT |
SCORE |
W/L |
VENUE |
|
2-4-2011 |
FOX |
North Ballarat |
9.7
(61) |
East Perth |
9.9
(63) |
L |
Subiaco Oval |
|
9-4-2011 |
Williamstown |
8.7
(55) |
Swan Districts |
2.6
(18) |
W |
Subiaco Oval |
|
|
30-4-2011 |
Northern Bullants |
19.9
(123) |
GWS Giants |
5.4
(34) |
W |
MCG |
|
|
4-6-2011 |
Williamstown |
15.6
(96) |
West Adelaide |
12.5
(77) |
W |
Football Park, Adelaide |
|
|
11-6-2011 |
Northern Bullants |
7.2
(44) |
Claremont |
13.12
(90) |
L |
Gold Coast Stadium |
|
|
9-7-2011 |
Williamstown |
16.7
(103) |
East Perth |
4.8
(32) |
W |
Docklands Stadium |
|
|
6-8-2011 |
Williamstown |
9.5
(59) |
Claremont |
5.8
(38) |
W |
Subiaco Oval |
|
|
14-4-2012 |
FOX |
Werribee |
26.9
(165) |
Burnie |
5.2
(32) |
W |
Docklands Stadium |
|
12-5-2012 |
Williamstown |
6.7
(43) |
South Adelaide |
6.12
(48) |
L |
MCG |
|
|
19-5-2012 |
Port Melbourne |
21.11
(137) |
NT Thunder |
7.7
(49) |
W |
Marrara Stadium, Darwin |
|
|
9-6-2012 |
Werribee |
10.7
(67) |
West Perth |
6.10
(46) |
W |
MCG |
|
|
23-6-2012 |
Port Melbourne |
12.6
(78) |
South Adelaide |
8.8
(56) |
W |
MCG |
|
|
7-7-2012 |
Werribee |
16.15
(111) |
Morningside |
6.4
(40) |
W |
Gabba, Brisbane |
|
|
14-7-2012 |
Port Melbourne |
6.2
(38) |
Claremont |
13.10
(88) |
L |
Subiaco Oval |
|
|
2-8-2012 |
Werribee |
8.7
(55) |
Claremont |
15.9
(99) |
L |
Subiaco Oval |
|
|
28-5-2013 |
FOX |
Werribee |
16.17
(113) |
Queanbeyan |
4.4
(28) |
W |
Docklands Stadium |
|
11-6-2013 |
Port Melbourne |
9.4
(58) |
West Adelaide |
17.9
(111) |
L |
MCG |
|
|
9-7-2013 |
Werribee |
2.4
(16) |
East Fremantle |
6.4
(40) |
L |
Subiaco Oval |
|
|
6-5-2014 |
FOX |
Box Hill |
7.9
(51) |
West Perth |
7.11
(53) |
L |
Docklands Stadium |
|
20-5-2014 |
Williamstown |
14.9
(93) |
Aspley |
7.6
(48) |
W |
MCG |
|
|
1-7-2014 |
Williamstown |
10.11
(71) |
East Perth |
7.5
(47) |
W |
Subiaco Oval |
|
|
22-7-2014 |
Williamstown |
10.11
(71) |
West Perth |
1.2
(8) |
W |
Kardinia Park, Geelong |
|
Following the bitter split of 1896, the remaining VFA teams were keen to test themselves against the VFL's breakaway clubs. The first challenge was issued in 1897 but the proposed playoff between Port Melbourne (VFA Premier) and Essendon (VFL Premier) eventually fell through.
Months later the first Association versus League matches were held during the 1898 pre-season and this quickly became an annual tradition that lasted until 1906. Everything changed during that 1906 season when the VFL moved two premiership matches to create a clash with the VFA's representative game versus South Australia. It had the desired effect with the VFA crowd reported as "only moderate" whilst an estimated 25,000 fans watched Carlton take on Fitzroy in a top of the table clash. The VFL's actions destroyed what had become a relatively amiable relationship between the two football bodies; the VFA responded by immediately banning their clubs from playing any future matches against VFL teams. |
1924 - Footscray (VFA) vs Essendon (VFL)
|
The end of hostilities between the League and the Association in 1931 saw the resumption of representative matches that year. Inter-club games did not resume until the 1935 pre-season; and a large number of practice matches were played over the next three seasons. However, the relationship ended once more when the VFA adopted a number of non-ANFC rules such as the throw pass prior to the 1938 season. No further matches were played until late-1949 when the Association returned to the ANFC.
The VFA's expulsion from the ANFC in 1970 and the VFL's transformation into a national league in the late-1980s has resulted in matches between League and Association clubs becoming a rarity. Only a handful have been played since 1970 with the last being a 1992 practice match between Williamstown and North Melbourne played during North's bye week in the AFL competition.
|
DATE |
TYPE |
VFA TEAM |
SCORE |
VFL TEAM |
SCORE |
W/L |
VENUE |
|
Sep-1897 |
EX |
Port Melbourne |
cancelled |
Essendon |
cancelled |
- |
EMCG |
|
23-4-1898 |
PRAC |
Port Melbourne |
unknown |
Collingwood |
unknown |
L |
Victoria Park |
|
30-4-1898 |
PRAC |
Brunswick |
unknown |
Carlton |
unknown |
unknown |
Princes Park |
|
PRAC |
North Melbourne |
5.9 (39) |
South Melbourne |
10.11 (71) |
L |
Lake Oval |
|
|
PRAC |
West Melbourne |
unknown |
Melbourne |
unknown |
unknown |
Wesley College Ground |
|
|
7-5-1898 |
PRAC |
Footscray |
4.3 (27) |
Collingwood |
3.10 (28) |
L |
Western Oval |
|
PRAC |
North Melbourne |
1.6 (12) |
Fitzroy |
12.16 (88) |
L |
Brunswick Street Oval |
|
|
PRAC |
Port Melbourne |
6.6 (42) |
South Melbourne |
1.1 (7) |
W |
Lake Oval |
|
|
15-4-1899 |
PRAC |
North Melbourne |
2.5 (17) |
Collingwood |
12.10 (82) |
L |
Arden Street Oval |
|
PRAC |
West Melbourne |
unknown |
Essendon |
unknown |
unknown |
Friendly Societies Ground |
|
|
22-4-1899 |
PRAC |
Footscray |
6.4 (40) |
South Melbourne |
4.11 (35) |
W |
Western Oval |
|
PRAC |
Port Melbourne |
2.4 (16) |
Collingwood |
4.13 (37) |
L |
Victoria Park |
|
|
PRAC |
West Melbourne |
unknown |
Essendon |
unknown |
unknown |
EMCG |
|
|
29-4-1899 |
PRAC |
Footscray |
3.12 (30) |
Collingwood |
5.6 (36) |
L |
Victoria Park |
|
PRAC |
Richmond |
1.3 (9) |
Fitzroy |
10.26 (86) |
L |
Brunswick Street Oval |
|
|
14-4-1900 |
PRAC |
Footscray |
2.2 (14) |
South Melbourne |
1.5 (11) |
W |
Lake Oval |
|
21-4-1900 |
PRAC |
Footscray |
5.1 (31) |
Essendon |
2.7 (19) |
W |
Western Oval |
|
PRAC |
Port Melbourne |
1.4 (10) |
Collingwood |
8.12 (60) |
L |
North Port Oval |
|
|
PRAC |
Prahran |
3.6 (24) |
South Melbourne |
10.11 (71) |
L |
Lake Oval |
|
|
28-4-1900 |
PRAC |
Footscray |
5.3 (33) |
Collingwood |
6.8 (44) |
L |
Western Oval |
|
PRAC |
North Melbourne |
3.6 (24) |
Carlton |
11.10 (76) |
L |
Arden Street Oval |
|
|
PRAC |
Port Melbourne |
1.5 (11) |
Fitzroy |
17.19 (121) |
L |
Brunswick Street Oval |
|
|
20-4-1901 |
PRAC |
Brunswick |
5.6 (36) |
Carlton |
6.9 (45) |
L |
Brunswick CG |
|
PRAC |
North Melbourne |
unknown |
Fitzroy |
unknown |
unknown |
Brunswick Street Oval |
|
|
PRAC |
West Melbourne |
unknown |
South Melbourne |
unknown |
unknown |
Lake Oval |
|
|
PRAC |
Williamstown |
unknown |
Collingwood |
unknown |
unknown |
Victoria Park |
|
|
27-4-1901 |
PRAC |
Footscray |
4 goals |
Collingwood |
19.19 (133) |
L |
Victoria Park |
|
PRAC |
North Melbourne |
2.2 (14) |
Essendon |
12.25 (97) |
L |
EMCG |
|
|
PRAC |
Port Melbourne |
unknown |
South Melbourne |
unknown |
unknown |
Lake Oval |
|
|
PRAC |
West Melbourne |
unknown |
St Kilda |
unknown |
unknown |
Junction Oval |
|
|
5-4-1902 |
PRAC |
Brunswick |
12.3 (75) |
Collingwood |
8.13 (61) |
W |
Victoria Park |
|
12-4-1902 |
PRAC |
Williamstown |
10.5 (65) |
Collingwood |
7.18 (60) |
W |
Victoria Park |
|
19-4-1902 |
PRAC |
Brunswick |
unknown |
Fitzroy |
unknown |
L |
unknown |
|
PRAC |
Port Melbourne |
1.6 (12) |
Collingwood |
14.18 (102) |
L |
Victoria Park |
|
|
PRAC |
West Melbourne |
unknown |
St Kilda |
unknown |
L |
unknown |
|
|
PRAC |
Williamstown |
5.5 (35) |
Essendon |
12.12 (84) |
L |
Williamstown CG |
|
|
26-4-1902 |
PRAC |
Essendon Town |
2.10 (22) |
Carlton |
6.7 (43) |
L |
Princes Park |
|
PRAC |
Footscray |
4.6 (30) |
Collingwood |
5.15 (45) |
L |
Western Oval |
|
|
PRAC |
North Melbourne |
3.4 (22) |
St Kilda |
6.13 (49) |
L |
Junction Oval |
|
|
PRAC |
Port Melbourne |
1.4 (10) |
South Melbourne |
3.7 (25) |
L |
Lake Oval |
|
|
26-6-1902 |
EX |
Richmond |
cancelled |
Geelong |
cancelled |
- |
Corio Oval |
|
4-9-1902 |
REP |
VFA |
4.3 (27) |
VFL |
9.17 (71) |
L |
MCG |
|
11-4-1903 |
PRAC |
Williamstown |
2 goals |
Collingwood |
15 goals |
L |
Victoria Park |
|
13-4-1903 |
PRAC |
Richmond |
1.5 (11) |
Geelong |
11.9 (75) |
L |
Corio Oval |
|
18-4-1903 |
PRAC |
Prahran |
unknown |
South Melbourne |
unknown |
unknown |
Lake Oval |
|
PRAC |
Richmond (19) |
5.3 (33) |
Fitzroy |
15.5 (95) |
L |
Punt Road Oval |
|
|
PRAC |
Williamstown |
0.6 (6) |
Essendon |
4.1 (25) |
L |
Williamstown CG |
|
|
25-4-1903 |
PRAC |
Essendon Town |
2.2 (14) |
Carlton |
11.22 (88) |
L |
unknown |
|
PRAC |
Footscray |
4.1 (25) |
Collingwood |
10.10 (70) |
L |
Victoria Park |
|
|
PRAC |
North Melbourne |
2.1 (13) |
St Kilda |
11.11 (77) |
L |
Junction Oval |
|
|
PRAC |
Port Melbourne |
5.5 (35) |
South Melbourne |
3.11 (29) |
W |
Lake Oval |
|
|
PRAC |
Williamstown |
1.1 (7) |
Geelong |
8.12 (60) |
L |
Corio Oval |
|
|
27-4-1903 |
PRAC |
Essendon Town |
0.2 (2) |
St Kilda |
22.15 (147) |
L |
Junction Oval |
|
PRAC |
Richmond |
4.4 (28) |
Collingwood |
7.15 (57) |
L |
Victoria Park |
|
|
2-4-1904 |
PRAC |
Port Melbourne |
5.3 (33) |
South Melbourne |
4.6 (30) |
W |
North Port Oval |
|
4-4-1904 |
PRAC |
Richmond |
5.7 (37) |
Geelong |
8.12 (60) |
L |
Corio Oval |
|
9-4-1904 |
PRAC |
Port Melbourne |
4.14 (38) |
Carlton |
2.3 (15) |
W |
North Port Oval |
|
PRAC |
Richmond |
unknown |
Melbourne |
unknown |
unknown |
Warehousemen's Ground |
|
|
16-4-1904 |
PRAC |
North Melbourne |
6.2 (38) |
South Melbourne |
7.20 (62) |
L |
Lake Oval |
|
PRAC |
Port Melbourne |
4.6 (30) |
St Kilda |
3.8 (26) |
W |
North Port Oval |
|
|
23-4-1904 |
PRAC |
North Melbourne |
2.6 (18) |
Carlton |
8.13 (61) |
L |
Princes Park |
|
PRAC |
Port Melbourne |
3.3 (21) |
South Melbourne |
10.18 (78) |
L |
Lake Oval |
|
|
PRAC |
West Melbourne |
5.5 (35) |
Melbourne |
7.20 (62) |
L |
Warehousemen's Ground |
|
|
25-4-1904 |
PRAC |
North Melbourne |
7.8 (50) |
St Kilda |
17.6 (108) |
L |
Junction Oval |
|
30-4-1904 |
PRAC |
Footscray |
8.6 (54) |
South Melbourne |
15.10 (100) |
L |
Lake Oval |
|
PRAC |
Richmond |
5.9 (39) |
Collingwood |
9.13 (67) |
L |
Victoria Park |
|
|
PRAC |
West Melbourne |
3.4 (22) |
Carlton |
15.20 (110) |
L |
Princes Park |
|
|
PRAC |
Williamstown |
2.1 (13) |
Essendon |
12.19 (91) |
L |
EMCG |
|
|
8-4-1905 |
PRAC |
Brunswick |
unknown |
Carlton |
unknown |
unknown |
Brunswick CG |
|
PRAC |
Port Melbourne |
9.3 (57) |
South Melbourne |
9.12 (66) |
L |
North Port Oval |
|
|
PRAC |
Richmond |
unknown |
Melbourne |
unknown |
unknown |
Warehousemen's Ground |
|
|
15-4-1905 |
PRAC |
Port Melbourne |
10.7 (67) |
Carlton |
5.11 (41) |
W |
North Port Oval |
|
22-4-1905 |
PRAC |
Footscray |
8.3 (51) |
Collingwood |
6.12 (48) |
W |
Western Oval |
|
PRAC |
North Melbourne |
2.1 (13) |
Carlton |
15.18 (108) |
L |
Princes Park |
|
|
PRAC |
Port Melbourne |
3.12 (30) |
South Melbourne |
16.9 (105) |
L |
Lake Oval |
|
|
PRAC |
Preston |
4 goals |
St Kilda |
12 goals |
L |
Junction Oval |
|
|
24-4-1905 |
PRAC |
Richmond |
11.2 (68) |
Essendon |
11.7 (73) |
L |
Punt Road Oval |
|
29-4-1905 |
PRAC |
Brunswick |
3.3 (21) |
Carlton |
9.17 (71) |
L |
Princes Park |
|
PRAC |
Essendon Town |
3.1 (19) |
Melbourne |
18.17 (125) |
L |
MCG |
|
|
PRAC |
Richmond |
2.5 (17) |
Collingwood |
16.12 (108) |
L |
Punt Road Oval |
|
|
PRAC |
West Melbourne |
2.12 (24) |
St Kilda |
10.11 (71) |
L |
Junction Oval |
|
|
PRAC |
Williamstown |
6.6 (42) |
Essendon |
7.21 (63) |
L |
EMCG |
|
|
14-10-1905 |
EX |
Richmond |
10.11 (71) |
Collingwood |
12.9 (81) |
L |
Victoria Park |
|
7-4-1906 |
PRAC |
Port Melbourne |
unknown |
South Melbourne |
unknown |
L |
North Port Oval |
|
PRAC |
Richmond |
10 goals |
Melbourne |
19 goals |
L |
Punt Road Oval |
|
|
14-4-1906 |
PRAC |
Preston |
unknown |
Carlton |
unknown |
unknown |
Princes Park |
|
PRAC |
Williamstown |
3.11 (29) |
Collingwood |
9.8 (62) |
L |
Victoria Park |
|
|
16-4-1906 |
PRAC |
North Melbourne |
1.2 (8) |
Essendon |
9.12 (66) |
L |
Arden Street Oval |
|
PRAC |
Richmond |
6.5 (41) |
Fitzroy |
9.16 (70) |
L |
Punt Road Oval |
|
|
PRAC |
West Melbourne |
3.2 (20) |
Collingwood |
13.10 (88) |
L |
Victoria Park |
|
|
21-4-1906 |
PRAC |
Essendon Town |
3.6 (24) |
Melbourne |
13.11 (89) |
L |
MCG |
|
PRAC |
Richmond |
3.8 (26) |
South Melbourne |
9.16 (70) |
L |
Punt Road Oval |
|
|
PRAC |
West Melbourne |
4.11 (35) |
St Kilda |
10.19 (79) |
L |
Junction Oval |
|
|
23-4-1906 |
PRAC |
Prahran |
0.4 (4) |
St Kilda |
14.19 (103) |
L |
Junction Oval |
|
PRAC |
Richmond |
12.7 (79) |
Geelong |
6.12 (48) |
W |
Punt Road Oval |
|
|
PRAC |
West Melbourne |
unknown |
Carlton |
unknown |
unknown |
Princes Park |
|
|
PRAC |
Williamstown |
7.6 (48) |
Essendon |
10.6 (66) |
L |
EMCG |
|
|
28-4-1906 |
PRAC |
Richmond |
2.9 (21) |
Collingwood |
6.27 (63) |
L |
Punt Road Oval |
|
PRAC |
North Melbourne |
1.3 (9) |
Carlton |
26.22 (178) |
L |
Princes Park |
|
|
PRAC |
West Melbourne |
8.9 (57) |
Melbourne |
10.9 (69) |
L |
MCG |
|
|
30-3-1907 |
PRAC |
Richmond |
11.12 (78) |
Geelong |
7.19 (61) |
W |
Punt Road Oval |
|
27-4-1908 |
PRAC |
West Melbourne |
4.15 (39) |
Essendon |
8.9 (57) |
L |
EMCG |
|
14-8-1915 |
EX |
North Melbourne |
8.9 (57) |
St Kilda |
4.7 (31) |
W |
Junction Oval |
|
4-10-1924 |
EX |
Footscray |
9.10 (64) |
Essendon |
4.12 (36) |
W |
MCG |
|
DATE |
TYPE |
VFA TEAM |
SCORE |
VFL TEAM |
SCORE |
W/L |
VENUE |
|
6-6-1931 |
REP |
VFA |
3.10 (28) |
VFL |
12.17 (89) |
L |
MCG |
|
6-6-1932 |
REP |
VFA |
14.15 (99) |
VFL |
15.17 (107) |
L |
Princes Park |
|
16-6-1934 |
REP |
VFA |
17.8 (110) |
VFL (2nd XVIII) |
21.17 (143) |
L |
MCG |
|
30-3-1935 |
PRAC |
Brunswick |
6.8 (44) |
Collingwood |
18.9 (117) |
L |
Brunswick Park |
|
6-4-1935 |
PRAC |
Camberwell |
8.10 (58) |
Richmond |
13.15 (93) |
L |
Olympic Park |
|
PRAC |
Prahran |
9.10 (64) |
Melbourne |
14.18 (102) |
L |
Toorak Park, Prahran |
|
|
PRAC |
Preston |
7.11 (53) |
South Melbourne |
8.9 (57) |
L |
Lake Oval |
|
|
13-4-1935 |
PRAC |
Camberwell |
6.10 (46) |
Melbourne |
20.12 (132) |
L |
MCG |
|
PRAC |
Northcote |
11.13 (79) |
St Kilda |
12.9 (81) |
L |
Junction Oval |
|
|
PRAC |
Oakleigh |
8.9 (57) |
Richmond |
22.14 (146) |
L |
Olympic Park |
|
|
PRAC |
Port Melbourne |
4.4 (28) |
South Melbourne |
16.14 (110) |
L |
Lake Oval |
|
|
28-3-1936 |
PRAC |
Brighton |
4.12 (36) |
St Kilda |
7.16 (58) |
L |
Elsternwick Park |
|
PRAC |
Coburg |
7.12 (54) |
Carlton |
7.13 (55) |
L |
Coburg City Oval |
|
|
PRAC |
Port Melbourne |
4.7 (31) |
South Melbourne |
20.15 (135) |
L |
Lake Oval |
|
|
30-3-1936 |
PRAC |
Brunswick |
10.7 (67) |
Carlton |
10.18 (78) |
L |
Brunswick Park |
|
PRAC |
Camberwell |
7.15 (57) |
Richmond |
17.12 (114) |
L |
Punt Road Oval |
|
|
PRAC |
Oakleigh |
3.4 (22) |
North Melbourne |
11.19 (85) |
L |
Arden Street Oval |
|
|
4-4-1936 |
PRAC |
Brunswick |
8.10 (58) |
Melbourne 2nds |
16.12 (108) |
L |
Brunswick Park |
|
PRAC |
Northcote |
11.12 (78) |
St Kilda |
12.7 (79) |
L |
Junction Oval |
|
|
PRAC |
Prahran |
8.15 (63) |
Melbourne |
15.19 (109) |
L |
Toorak Park, Prahran |
|
|
PRAC |
Preston |
5.7 (37) |
Carlton |
11.16 (82) |
L |
Preston City Oval |
|
|
PRAC |
Williamstown |
5.6 (36) |
North Melbourne |
12.13 (85) |
L |
Arden Street Oval |
|
|
PRAC |
Yarraville |
7.8 (50) |
Essendon |
17.9 (111) |
L |
Windy Hill |
|
|
11-4-1936 |
PRAC |
Prahran |
10.7 (67) |
St Kilda |
18.13 (121) |
L |
Junction Oval |
|
29-6-1936 |
REP |
VFA |
10.10 (70) |
VFL |
16.21 (117) |
L |
Princes Park |
|
24-9-1936 |
EX |
VFA |
10.10 (70) |
VFL |
14.15 (99) |
L |
Olympic Park (N) |
|
20-3-1937 |
PRAC |
Oakleigh |
9.6 (60) |
Melbourne |
18.16 (124) |
L |
Oakleigh CG |
|
27-3-1937 |
PRAC |
Coburg |
7.19 (61) |
Essendon |
9.18 (72) |
L |
Windy Hill |
|
PRAC |
Sandringham |
9.16 (70) |
Richmond |
13.13 (91) |
L |
Hampton Oval |
|
|
29-3-1937 |
PRAC |
Brighton |
6.6 (42) |
St Kilda |
15.14 (104) |
L |
Junction Oval |
|
PRAC |
Camberwell |
10.5 (65) |
Hawthorn |
11.7 (73) |
L |
Camberwell Sports Ground |
|
|
PRAC |
Port Melbourne |
6.6 (42) |
South Melbourne |
12.9 (81) |
L |
North Port Oval |
|
|
3-4-1937 |
PRAC |
Brunswick |
10.11 (71) |
Richmond |
9.9 (63) |
W |
Brunswick Park |
|
PRAC |
Camberwell |
4.7 (31) |
Hawthorn |
9.9 (63) |
L |
Glenferrie Oval |
|
|
PRAC |
Coburg |
5.10 (40) |
Melbourne |
16.14 (110) |
L |
Coburg City Oval |
|
|
PRAC |
Prahran |
8.14 (62) |
St Kilda |
18.14 (122) |
L |
Junction Oval |
|
|
PRAC |
Preston |
15.14 (104) |
Melbourne 2nds |
7.9 (51) |
W |
Preston City Oval |
|
|
PRAC |
Yarraville |
4.13 (37) |
Essendon |
14.9 (93) |
L |
Windy Hill |
|
|
10-4-1937 |
PRAC |
Coburg |
10.13 (73) |
Carlton |
18.19 (127) |
L |
Princes Park |
|
PRAC |
Northcote |
11.5 (71) |
Fitzroy |
18.17 (125) |
L |
Brunswick Street Oval |
|
|
PRAC |
Prahran |
11.12 (78) |
Melbourne |
16.9 (105) |
L |
Toorak Park, Prahran |
|
|
PRAC |
Yarraville |
5.9 (39) |
St Kilda |
18.11 (119) |
L |
Junction Oval |
|
|
12-5-1937 |
REP |
VFA |
11.11 (77) |
VFL |
26.25 (181) |
L |
Junction Oval |
|
26-7-1950 |
I (C) |
Victoria (VFA) |
6.5 (41) |
Victoria (VFL) |
18.13 (121) |
L |
Brisbane Exhibition Ground |
|
13-7-1953 |
I (C) |
Victoria (VFA) |
11.10 (76) |
Victoria (VFL) |
16.13 (109) |
L |
Adelaide Oval |
|
16-6-1956 |
I (C) |
Victoria (VFA) |
3.5 (23) |
Victoria (VFL) |
21.17 (143) |
L |
Subiaco Oval |
|
7-7-1958 |
I (C) |
Victoria (VFA) |
7.10 (52) |
Victoria (VFL) |
13.23 (101) |
L |
Lake Oval (N) |
|
13-6-1966 |
I (C) |
Victoria (VFA) |
9.7 (61) |
Victoria (VFL) |
14.17 (101) |
L |
North Hobart Oval |
|
15-3-1980 |
PRAC |
Coburg |
21.19 (145) |
North Melbourne 'B' |
19.22 (136) |
W |
Coburg City Oval |
|
PRAC |
Port Melbourne |
25.23 (173) |
South Melbourne 'B' |
17.7 (109) |
W |
North Port Oval, Port Melb. |
|
|
PRAC |
Sandringham |
13.14 (92) |
St Kilda |
28.22 (190) |
L |
Beach Oval, Sandringham |
|
|
14-3-1982 |
PRAC |
Sandringham |
11.13 (79) |
St Kilda |
22.33 (165) |
L |
Beach Oval, Sandringham |
|
23-3-1986 |
PRAC |
Sandringham |
11.9 (75) |
Essendon 'B' |
18.11 (119) |
L |
Windy Hill, Essendon |
|
23-9-1990 |
PRAC |
Springvale |
unknown |
Carlton Reserves |
unknown |
unknown |
Princes Park, Carlton |
|
21-3-1992 |
PRAC |
Williamstown |
6.10 (46) |
North Melbourne |
25.30 (180) |
L |
Arden Street Oval, NM |
A full history of VFA Representative football (including match scores, captains and coaches) can be found here
1902 Richmond vs Geelong - this match was scheduled to be played on a Thursday public holiday in Geelong but was abandoned when the holiday was postponed.
1903 Richmond vs Collingwood - the first match to be played between reigning VFA and VFL premiers.
1906 Richmond vs Fitzroy - the second contest between reigning VFA and VFL premier teams.
1907 Richmond vs Geelong -
During the 1906 season the VFL deliberately transferred two matches to create a schedule clash with the VFA's representative match against South Australia. The move was widely condemned by the press and resulted in the VFA placing an immediate ban on their clubs playing against VFL sides. However, the VFA's strongest clubs had turned these annual practice matches into a money-maker and had no intention of ending this revenue stream. Richmond alone had generated between £75 and £100 pounds from their 1906 practice matches against VFL opposition, a very handy total in that era. [Independent (Footscray) 30-3-1907, p.3]
West Melbourne, the 1906 VFA premiers, also intended to cash-in and signed an agreement with Richmond to play pre-season games against VFL sides in defiance of the Association. The majority of VFA clubs were strongly against this stance and the two rebel clubs were informed if they proceeded with their plans, they would be disqualified from the competition. West Melbourne backed down, leaving Richmond alone in its fight against the VFA. Sensing the disunity within Association ranks, the VFL upped the ante. In previous seasons they had offered VFA clubs £3 to cover expenses in practice matches between the two football bodies, that figure suddenly increased to £10 pounds a match for the 1907 pre-season. [Independent (Footscray) 30-3-1907, p.3]
A meeting was held on March 28th at which Richmond advised the VFA of their intentions to go ahead with their plans, the club adding that Port Melbourne and North Melbourne were also keen to play VFL teams. The VFA made it clear what the consequences would be if Richmond proceeded with this course of action.
A compromise was eventually reached. Plans for the match against Geelong the following Saturday had already been finalised so Richmond agreed to scrap all future games against VFL opponents in return for permission to go ahead with that single match. [The Argus 1-4-1907, p.3]
1908 West Melbourne vs Essendon -
This match followed a tumultuous off-season for the VFA. In 1907 the Association experienced their most successful season since the breakaway of October 1896 which had formed the VFL. [The Argus 17-10-1907, p.8] This progress was suddenly halted when the rival VFL declared their intentions to expand from 8 to 10 teams in 1908. The University club, premiers of the Metropolitan Junior Football Association, were announced on October 4th as the first new team to join the League, with the other team to be named on October 18th from any teams that applied in the interim. [The Argus 5-10-1907, p.17]
Richmond, who had been amongst the strongest Association clubs on and off-field during the previous seven seasons, promptly lodged their application. The other application came from the North Melbourne and West Melbourne clubs who sought to join the League as a merged club. The two clubs seemed a natural fit for a merger: West Melbourne had won the 1906 VFA flag and finished second in 1907 but off-field they were struggling financially and had just lost their home ground (from 1908 University would replace them as Essendon's co-tenants at the EMCG). North Melbourne were financially strong and were settled at the Arden Street Oval but were struggling on-field, their premiership success of 1903-04 now a distant memory.
The League subsequently announced Richmond as their 10th team, leaving North Melbourne and West Melbourne to face the wrath of the Association. The VFA had decided that any clubs that attempted to defect to the VFL would not be permitted to return and following the VFL's announcement they refused to re-admit the two unsuccesful applicants back into the competition. [The Argus 17-10-1907, p.8] In February of 1908 the two clubs again attempted to join the VFL as a single entity to be based at Arden Street Oval and named the City Football Club but the League rejected their application. [The Argus 22-2-1908, p.16] In late March they applied to the VFA for re-admission but were again rejected for their disloyalty and within days both clubs were formally defunct. [The Argus 26-3-1908 & 4-4-1908]
The following week a group of North Melbourne locals set about re-forming the club and the new entity was formed at a public meeting on April 15th. The next day the club applied for admission to the VFA and was accepted, on the proviso that no person who had formerly served on the committees of the old North Melbourne or West Melbourne clubs could serve on the new committee. [The Argus 4, 16 & 18-4-1908].
This left West Melbourne standing alone after the events of the previous months. The club had disbanded and its players had moved elsewhere by the time of the match against Essendon. West Melbourne's former secretary, Frank Reid had become the new secretary of Essendon and he organised the match "in the hope of getting a few pounds out of the gate in order to pay off all their liabilities". The former club went out with a flourish in a practice match that was described as "so like the real thing barrackers became excited, and players went for one another in real earnest".
[The Argus 28-4-1908, p.6]
1915 North Melbourne vs St Kilda -
The 1915 VFA season had originally been scheduled to end on September 11th but the Association ended the season early due to the First World War.
North Melbourne's Grand Final victory on August 7th was followed by this match against St Kilda during that club's bye week in the VFL. The match was played to raise money for Lady Stanley's Fund for Wounded Soldiers and was attended by an enthusiastic crowd of 10,000 fans, eager to see the first contest of any sort between VFA and VFL teams since 1908.
St Kilda were unimpressed to learn that North Melbourne had bolstered their side with three strong players from other VFA clubs (Hoare from Essendon 'A', Alley from Williamstown, and Walton from Port Melbourne). This ill-feeling spilled onto the field and a spiteful match ensued with numerous fights breaking out throughout the contest.
1924 Footscray vs Essendon -
As with the 1902 VFA vs VFL representative match and the 1915 North Melbourne vs St Kilda contest, it was charity that again brought the rival football bodies together on the same playing field. The 1924 match was played in aid of Dame Nellie Melba's Limbless Soldiers Appeal and was promoted as being for the "Championship of Victoria", although no such title actually existed. [The Argus 3-10-1924] Following the 1903 Richmond vs Collingwood and 1906 Richmond vs Fitzroy practice matches, the 1924 game was the third contest between reigning VFA and VFL premiership teams, and the first to carry any sort of status. A crowd of 46,100 - an unprecedented attendance for an exhibition match - witnessed a major upset as Footscray overcame a 2 point deficit at half-time to claim a famous 28 point win.
In the off-season that followed Footscray, along with fellow VFA clubs Hawthorn and North Melbourne, gained entry to an expanded VFL competition. The role of their upset victory against Essendon in that decision remains uncertain but such a victory certainly could not have hurt their cause. In 1935 allegations were made by Tom Fitzmaurice and Charlie Hardy that some of their Essendon teammates took bribes to 'play dead' in the 1924 match. [Sporting Globe 1 & 3-6-1935] However, these allegations were never investigated by the League or the Association and barely rated a mention in other newspapers at the time so the legitimacy of such claims will never be proven.
NOTE - for further analysis of the match and the bribery allegations, read Dale James Blair's article: The 1924 Championship Game - Did the Dons Play Dead?
1935 VFA vs Richmond -
On March 30th Richmond and South Melbourne played a Grand Final re-match under lights at Olympic Park; this was the first night football match in Victoria since 1879. Although it was only a pre-season practice match the game drew a crowd of 25,000 eager fans and Richmond were keen to test the market further. A night match against Collingwood was proposed for the following Saturday but needed VFL approval to proceed. After much discussion about the merits of night football, the League announced on the eve of the match that it refused to permit the game.
An alternative proposal was then put to the League for Richmond to play a VFA representative side under lights on April 13th. Again, much debate ensued but this time the League reluctantly granted its approval and the Association selected a representative team to be led by Preston's Danny Warr. On the day of the match Melbourne was lashed by gale force winds, forcing a late postponement. The match was rescheduled to the night of Tuesday the 16th but torrential rains forced another postponement.
The VFA proposed the match be held on Wednesday the 24th but this date was rejected by Richmond because it was only three days before their first premiership game of the season. Richmond suggested Tuesday the 30th might be possible but this was never followed-up officially and with the opening round of the VFA and VFL seasons fast approaching the night match quietly disappeared from the schedule.
1937 Brunswick vs Richmond -
Although Brunswick posted a rare victory during this era for VFA clubs against their VFL rivals, it should be noted they changed 10 players at half-time compared to a single change by Richmond.
1980 Port Melbourne vs South Melbourne 'B' / 1980 Coburg vs North Melbourne 'B' -
North Melbourne and South Melbourne's senior teams played a practice match at Wagga. The South players who didn't make the trip combined with some of their reserve grade players to form a 'B' team for this match against Port Melbourne at North Port Oval. Port Melbourne's goalkicking machine, Fred Cook kicked 9 for the Borough. North Melbourne's 'B' team were defeated by Coburg the same day in a 40 goal shootout.
1986 Sandringham vs Essendon -
A pre-season practice match played at Windy Hill between the reigning VFA and VFL premiers. The Canberra Times [13-3-1986, p.20] reports this match as VFA versus Essendon, but although a handful of players from other VFA clubs were on loan to the Zebras for the day, including Williamstown forwards Ian Rickman and Mark Fotheringham, this was not officially an Association representatative team.
Essendon comprised mainly reserves players along with a few of their premiership team (13 members of Essendon's premiership team were in their 'A' side that played in Queensland the same day). The attendance was listed as 5,000 at a "very windy Windy Hill".
1990 Springvale vs Carlton Reserves -
The 1990 AFL season was thrown into chaos when Collingwood and West Coast drew their Qualifying Final on September 8, requiring a replay the following weekend and pushing the entire AFL finals series back a week. This not only impacted the AFL but had an effect on a number of other competitions throughout Victoria.
For the VFA, the extra week of AFL finals meant the VFA Grand Final, originally scheduled for September 23 (a vacant day in the AFL schedule) would now clash with the AFL's Second Semi-Final, potentially reducing the Association crowd. In response the VFA pushed their Grand Final back to the 30th. This postponement made financial sense but meant Springvale now faced a potentially form-destroying three week break between the Second Semi-Final and the Grand Final.
The drawn AFL final had also forced changes in the scheduling of the AFL Reserves finals matches (played as curtain-raisers for the senior competition). Carlton Reserves were facing a similar three-week break in their schedule so a match against Springvale was played on September 23, allowing both teams to stay match fit ahead of their respective Grand Finals.
1992 Williamstown vs North Melbourne -
The introduction of the Adelaide Crows in 1991 meant the AFL competition had an uneven number of teams, requiring each club to have a bye during the season. North Melbourne had an opening-round bye in 1992 and, eager to maintain their momentum after a long pre-season, invited Williamstown to Arden Street for a practice match. The Kangaroos took the match seriously; their 134 point thrashing of Williamstown emphasising the gap between the two competitions in this modern era of professionalism.
|
Written and researched by David Eastman
|
First published 19/9/2014
Last updated 7/7/2019 |
