VFL-TFL CHALLENGE CUP

Within a year of re-launching as the VFL, the Victorian state league faced the Tasmanian Football League (TFL) in an exhibition match between the reigning premiers of each competition. The first game was held during the 1997 pre-season and quickly became an annual contest.

However, by the end of the 1999 season the Tasmanian league was in crisis with a number of clubs leaving the competition or folding due to mounting debts and political in-fighting. A new body named Football Tasmania was struggling to keep statewide football alive and this, combined with the VFL's own restructure which resulted in the AFL's former reserves teams moving to the VFL, spelt the end of the annual challenge match.   

1997 - SPRINGVALE (VFL) vs CLARENCE (TFL)

Saturday March 29, 1997

SPRINGVALE

4.3 (27)

12.8 (80)

18.10 (118)

24.13 (157)

CLARENCE

3.3 (21)

6.6 (42)

9.9 (63)

14.11 (95)

VENUE:

Bellerive Oval, Hobart

CROWD:

681

SOURCE:

Sunday Tasmanian/Ross Smith

 

1998 - SANDRINGHAM (VFL) vs CLARENCE (TFL)

Saturday March 28, 1998

SANDRINGHAM

-

9.6 (60)

-

15.10 (100)

CLARENCE

-

5.6 (36)

-

10.11 (71)

BEST PLAYERS:

Sandringham

Frater, Rieniets, Johnston

Clarence

Sharpen, Black, Cooney, Beechy, Wilson, O'Dwyer

GOALKICKERS:

Sandringham

Templeton 3, Amiet 3, Bradley 2, Nugent, Grant, Gold, Baxter, Frater, Mitchelson, Johnston

Clarence

Cullen 3, Cooney 2, Westbury, Millar, Jones, Black, Anderson

VENUE:

Trevor Barker Beach Oval, Sandringham

CROWD:

unknown

SOURCE:

Herald-Sun/Sunday Tasmanian/Ross Smith

 

1999 - SPRINGVALE (VFL) vs NORTH LAUNCESTON (TFL)

Saturday March 27, 1999

SPRINGVALE

4.2 (26)

8.5 (53)

10.8 (68)

14.11 (95)

NORTH LAUNCESTON

0.7 (7)

3.7 (25)

8.12 (60)

10.14 (74)

VENUE:

York Park, Launceston

CROWD:

500

SOURCE:

Sunday Examiner/Ross Smith

 

Written and researched by David Eastman
Additional research by Ross Smith
First published 19/9/2014
Last updated 30/6/2019