THE HISTORY OF REPRESENTATIVE / INTERSTATE FOOTBALL
VFA COMBINE / VFL REP. TEAM
VFA - REPRESENTATIVE HISTORY (1877-PRESENT)
The Victorian Football Association (VFA) has had a long and varied role in representative football and, together with the South Australian Football Association (forerunner of today's SANFL), they played the very first intercolonial match of Australian football. The VFA served as the governing body of Victorian football from 1877 to 1896 yet many modern football fans have been deluded into thinking top-level football in Victoria started in 1897 when the VFL was formed.
This has resulted in the association's crucial role in the formation of the game being largely overlooked, despite the fact the clubs and players that formed the VFL and its early representative teams were all originally part of the VFA.
Following the split of 1896-97 the VFA spent long periods in exile when their lack of ANFC membership denied them access to matches at the interstate level, broken up by relatively brief periods (1950-69/87-89) when they held official interstate status. During those times outside the top flight, occasional contests against lower leagues such as the Goldfields Association, Ovens & Murray League and the Victorian Amateur Association were interspersed with many years when the VFA did not play representative football at all.
After well over 100 seasons of play the VFA (renamed the VFL in 1996) currently sits on the second tier of Australian football, acting as a feeder competition for the national league (AFL). Their representative team plays annual matches against the other major State Leagues from around Australia - the SANFL, the WAFL, the TSL and the NEAFL.
The following history has been divided into a number of eras, scroll down the page to visit each section:
This has resulted in the association's crucial role in the formation of the game being largely overlooked, despite the fact the clubs and players that formed the VFL and its early representative teams were all originally part of the VFA.
Following the split of 1896-97 the VFA spent long periods in exile when their lack of ANFC membership denied them access to matches at the interstate level, broken up by relatively brief periods (1950-69/87-89) when they held official interstate status. During those times outside the top flight, occasional contests against lower leagues such as the Goldfields Association, Ovens & Murray League and the Victorian Amateur Association were interspersed with many years when the VFA did not play representative football at all.
After well over 100 seasons of play the VFA (renamed the VFL in 1996) currently sits on the second tier of Australian football, acting as a feeder competition for the national league (AFL). Their representative team plays annual matches against the other major State Leagues from around Australia - the SANFL, the WAFL, the TSL and the NEAFL.
The following history has been divided into a number of eras, scroll down the page to visit each section:
- 1877-1896: The birth of Representative Football - 1897-1904: Forced off the stage - 1905-1911: An opportunity seized - 1912-1919: Forced off the stage... officially - 1920-1930: Fighting back - 1931-1937: The rivals reunited - 1938-1949: Thrown out over the throw pass - 1950-1969: A.N.F.C. equals Interstate Football - 1970-1976: In a state of interstate exile - 1977-1979: The NFL era (Part 1) - 1980-1986: The Victorian Football Cup - 1987-1989: The NFL era (Part 2) - 1990-present: Out of the shadows |
1877-1896: THE BIRTH OF REPRESENTATIVE FOOTBALL
The Victorian Football Association (VFA) was formed in May 1877, a week after the formation of the South Australian Football Association (SAFA). The two new associations were eager to test themselves and the SAFA soon issued a challenge to the VFA to field a Victorian side against them.
The match was scheduled for Carlton's home ground, the Madeline Street Reserve, but the ground's owners (Melbourne University) refused to allow admission to be charged. The game was subsequently transferred to Flinders Park (near the current site of the National Tennis Centre) but the SAFA cancelled their trip before the match could be played. Talks between the two bodies continued and on July 1, 1879 the first intercolonial match was finally played. A crowd of 10,000 jammed into the East Melbourne Cricket Ground to watch the birth of representative football. The Victorians were led by Carlton's John Gardiner and the South Australians were skippered by Norwood's Alf McMichael. The VFA side dominated the match, eventually winning 7.14 to 0.8 in what was a preview of things to come. |
The first match against New South Wales was played in 1886 (won by Victoria 8.20 to 3.3) and the following season saw the first intercolonial contest against Tasmania (won by Victoria 7.15 to 4.6).
Right from that opening match against South Australia in 1879 the VFA established themselves as the dominant force in representative football, eventually finishing the pre-VFL era with a record of 17 wins and 2 losses in intercolonial matches plus two drawn matches against Southern Tasmania. They also defeated Port Adelaide and Norwood, two of South Australia's strongest clubs.
Famous names to don the Victorian colours during this period include Jack Baker (Carlton/Geelong), George Coulthard (Carlton), William Fleming and Albert Thurgood (Essendon), Thomas Banks and Jack Worrall (Fitzroy), the McShane brothers (Geelong), Peter Burns (South Melbourne/Geelong), Fred McGinis (Melbourne), Dick Houston (North Melbourne/Geelong), Billy Hannaysee (South Melbourne/Port Melbourne), Henry 'Sonny' Elms, William Windley and Henry 'Tracker' Young (South Melbourne), and Bill Strickland (Carlton/Collingwood).
Right from that opening match against South Australia in 1879 the VFA established themselves as the dominant force in representative football, eventually finishing the pre-VFL era with a record of 17 wins and 2 losses in intercolonial matches plus two drawn matches against Southern Tasmania. They also defeated Port Adelaide and Norwood, two of South Australia's strongest clubs.
Famous names to don the Victorian colours during this period include Jack Baker (Carlton/Geelong), George Coulthard (Carlton), William Fleming and Albert Thurgood (Essendon), Thomas Banks and Jack Worrall (Fitzroy), the McShane brothers (Geelong), Peter Burns (South Melbourne/Geelong), Fred McGinis (Melbourne), Dick Houston (North Melbourne/Geelong), Billy Hannaysee (South Melbourne/Port Melbourne), Henry 'Sonny' Elms, William Windley and Henry 'Tracker' Young (South Melbourne), and Bill Strickland (Carlton/Collingwood).
1897-1904: FORCED OFF THE STAGE
Everything changed for the VFA in late-1896 when their strongest clubs broke away to form the Victorian Football League (VFL). The VFL quickly assumed control of football in the Colony and took the VFA's place as Victoria's official representative team, consigning the association to a secondary role.
In 1897 the VFA did well to secure a match against the strong Ballarat Football Association (BFA). The BFA had surprised football followers with a 35 point defeat of the VFL in June, so just two months later in Ballarat the supposedly weaker VFA were not expected to win. But win they did, posting a hard-fought 3 point victory.
The following year another match at Ballarat was scheduled but the VFA cancelled, choosing to play a postponed round of premiership matches instead. This proved to be a serious oversight as the link with the BFA was lost and the Ballarat competition switched allegiance to the VFL, playing regular representative matches against them until 1928.
Throughout this period the VFA often challenged the VFL to play a representative match but, unsurprisingly, the latter showed no interest in such a contest. After all, what did the league have to gain from accepting such a challenge? It took the serious illness of Fred McGinis, a champion player for Melbourne Football Club in both competitions, to bring the bitter rivals together for a benefit match in 1902.
Any hopes the VFA may have had of it becoming an annual contest were soon dashed when the status-quo resumed the following year; the VFL played a series of matches against South Australia and the Ballarat Association while the VFA looked on from the sidelines.
In 1897 the VFA did well to secure a match against the strong Ballarat Football Association (BFA). The BFA had surprised football followers with a 35 point defeat of the VFL in June, so just two months later in Ballarat the supposedly weaker VFA were not expected to win. But win they did, posting a hard-fought 3 point victory.
The following year another match at Ballarat was scheduled but the VFA cancelled, choosing to play a postponed round of premiership matches instead. This proved to be a serious oversight as the link with the BFA was lost and the Ballarat competition switched allegiance to the VFL, playing regular representative matches against them until 1928.
Throughout this period the VFA often challenged the VFL to play a representative match but, unsurprisingly, the latter showed no interest in such a contest. After all, what did the league have to gain from accepting such a challenge? It took the serious illness of Fred McGinis, a champion player for Melbourne Football Club in both competitions, to bring the bitter rivals together for a benefit match in 1902.
Any hopes the VFA may have had of it becoming an annual contest were soon dashed when the status-quo resumed the following year; the VFL played a series of matches against South Australia and the Ballarat Association while the VFA looked on from the sidelines.
1905-1911: AN OPPORTUNITY SEIZED
n 1904 the South Australians ceased interstate matches against the VFL because of a dispute over the sharing of gate takings. The VFA soon took advantage of this opportunity, infuriating the VFL by arranging two representative matches with the SAFA, to be played in Melbourne and Adelaide in 1905.
The teams were surprisingly well-matched with the VFA losing to their highly-fancied opponents by just 3 points and 7 points in front of crowds equal to those of the SAFA-VFL era. The VFL response was emphatic, calling a meeting in November 1905 of the major football leagues and associations from across Australia and New Zealand, which later resulted in the formation of a national body to control Australian Football: the Australasian Football Council. In 1906 two more VFA-SAFA matches were arranged with the VFA's home game scheduled for August 11 at East Melbourne. The VFL clubs originally had that day off while their representative side played away at Ballarat, which meant the VFA had full access to football's metropolitan fan base. |
Realising their error and determined not to give the VFA a "free kick", the VFL made a late fixture change, moving two matches from August 4 to August 11 in order to draw crowds away from their rival.
It had the desired effect with the VFA-SAFA crowd reported as "only moderate" while an estimated 25,000 fans watched Carlton take on Fitzroy in the league's top of the table clash. The VFA was incensed and at season's end banned their clubs from playing any future matches against VFL teams.[1]
Whilst the VFL's sabotage of the representative match had succeeded in tormenting their local rival, it also had the unintended effect of further antagonising the SAFA and strengthening the relationship they had developed with the VFA. Prior to the match on August 11 the SAFA contacted the VFA with three proposals: [2]
- a 5 year deal for annual matches between the two associations;
- the SAFA was prepared to lobby for the VFA if they also wanted to join the AFC;
- the SAFA would refuse to join the Australian Football Council if the national body objected to such a deal with the VFA.
The five year deal spanning seasons 1907 to 1911 was soon agreed upon and South Australia's only games against the VFL during this time would be at the 1908 and 1911 National Carnivals.
With the SAFA's continued support the VFA survived the VFL's efforts and in 1908 they strengthened their position further, arranging matches in Broken Hill against the Barrier Ranges Football Association (BRFA), to be played en route to Adelaide. The VFA received another boost from the success of their 1908 Grand Final. The day of the game was an unofficial public holiday with thousands of people descending on Melbourne to view the arrival of the American Naval fleet. Afterwards 44,000 fans headed to the MCG to watch the VFA decider. This was a standard finals crowd for the VFL but an unprecedented figure for the association whose previous attendance record stood at a mere 20,000.
It had the desired effect with the VFA-SAFA crowd reported as "only moderate" while an estimated 25,000 fans watched Carlton take on Fitzroy in the league's top of the table clash. The VFA was incensed and at season's end banned their clubs from playing any future matches against VFL teams.[1]
Whilst the VFL's sabotage of the representative match had succeeded in tormenting their local rival, it also had the unintended effect of further antagonising the SAFA and strengthening the relationship they had developed with the VFA. Prior to the match on August 11 the SAFA contacted the VFA with three proposals: [2]
- a 5 year deal for annual matches between the two associations;
- the SAFA was prepared to lobby for the VFA if they also wanted to join the AFC;
- the SAFA would refuse to join the Australian Football Council if the national body objected to such a deal with the VFA.
The five year deal spanning seasons 1907 to 1911 was soon agreed upon and South Australia's only games against the VFL during this time would be at the 1908 and 1911 National Carnivals.
With the SAFA's continued support the VFA survived the VFL's efforts and in 1908 they strengthened their position further, arranging matches in Broken Hill against the Barrier Ranges Football Association (BRFA), to be played en route to Adelaide. The VFA received another boost from the success of their 1908 Grand Final. The day of the game was an unofficial public holiday with thousands of people descending on Melbourne to view the arrival of the American Naval fleet. Afterwards 44,000 fans headed to the MCG to watch the VFA decider. This was a standard finals crowd for the VFL but an unprecedented figure for the association whose previous attendance record stood at a mere 20,000.
1912-1919: FORCED OFF THE STAGE... OFFICIALLY
Despite the formation of the AFC the SAFA had honoured its contract with the VFA by continuing to play their yearly representative matches. The AFC passed a resolution in 1910 banning affiliated leagues and associations from playing non-affiliated opponents yet the South Australian Association remained defiant, not only playing out the existing matches of the agreement with the VFA but actively discussing a new deal.
In 1911 the two associations signed a new five year deal but shortly afterwards the SAFA, heavily pressured by the AFC and its affiliated leagues, finally bowed to pressure and cancelled the new deal; falling further into line the following year by resuming interstate matches against the VFL.
In 1912 the Barrier Ranges FA (BRFA) - one of New South Wales' two AFC representatives - also succumbed to pressure from the AFC and played their final match against the VFA. Both parties had expressed a desire to continue the series but the BRFA was acting illegally by playing a league or association not recognised by the AFC, leaving their players liable to disqualification by the national body.[3]
This left the VFA officially in exile and searching for representative opponents. In 1913 the Association attempted to organise a match with local leagues at Warrnambool and Colac.[4] Originally nothing could be arranged but a match was eventually played against the Western District FA in Warrnambool.[5] It was to be the last representative match the VFA would play until 1920 when they formed an alliance with a fellow exile, the Goldfields Football League (GFL) from Western Australia.
In 1911 the two associations signed a new five year deal but shortly afterwards the SAFA, heavily pressured by the AFC and its affiliated leagues, finally bowed to pressure and cancelled the new deal; falling further into line the following year by resuming interstate matches against the VFL.
In 1912 the Barrier Ranges FA (BRFA) - one of New South Wales' two AFC representatives - also succumbed to pressure from the AFC and played their final match against the VFA. Both parties had expressed a desire to continue the series but the BRFA was acting illegally by playing a league or association not recognised by the AFC, leaving their players liable to disqualification by the national body.[3]
This left the VFA officially in exile and searching for representative opponents. In 1913 the Association attempted to organise a match with local leagues at Warrnambool and Colac.[4] Originally nothing could be arranged but a match was eventually played against the Western District FA in Warrnambool.[5] It was to be the last representative match the VFA would play until 1920 when they formed an alliance with a fellow exile, the Goldfields Football League (GFL) from Western Australia.
1920-1930: FIGHTING BACK
After the first World War the AFC decided each State should have only one representative on the council, which resulted in the Goldfields Football League being overlooked in favour of the metropolitan Western Australian Football League (WAFL). In protest, the GFL ended its affiliation with the WAFL and formally joined forces with the VFA in March 1920, changing their name from Goldfields Football League to Goldfields Football Association (GFA) in recognition of the new affiliation.
In August 1920 the VFA made the lengthy trip across the country, becoming the first Victorian representative team to play in Western Australia (the VFL did not send a team there until the 1921 National Carnival played in Perth). The following year the GFA made the return journey, travelling to Melbourne to meet the VFA on its home turf. The men of the goldfields, accustomed to rock-hard ovals, found themselves completely lost on the muddy East Melbourne ground and kicked just two goals in a 101 point whitewash. It was during this tour the GFA experienced further AFC-related frustration. The New South Wales Football League's representative team were in Melbourne for an interstate match against the VFL so the Goldfields team challenged them to a match. The New South Welshmen were keen to accept the challenge but the move was blocked by the VFL who stated that whilst the NSW team were in Melbourne they were under the League's jurisdiction and must not play the match. The GFA's attempts to play in Gawler, Adelaide, Ararat and Ballarat on this tour also failed as local leagues declined to host them due to their non-AFC status.[6] The VFA returned to Kalgoorlie in 1923, led by Hawthorn's Bill Walton. They won 2 of the 3 matches in the series, with Port Melbourne's George Taylor kicking 9 goals in the second match. During this tour the VFA attempted to arrange a game in Perth but as with the GFA's tour in 1921, the VFL and AFC successfully blocked the move.[7] |
In 1924 the GFA advised the VFA they would be unable to send a team to Melbourne due to the cost of travel. The sheer geographical distance between the two associations finally won out and their affiliation came to an end. The GFA later repaired its relationship with the WAFL, reverted to its old name (GFL) in late 1928 and affiliated with the WAFL once more.
With the Goldfields Association unable to send a team in 1924 a new opponent needed to be found and it arrived in an unlikely form: Perth, a club from the AFC-affiliated WAFL.
Perth had already visited Adelaide during the National Carnival break, defeating West Torrens and West Adelaide and were keen to continue eastwards to play the VFA at Arden Street Oval. However, the AFC did not want a WAFL club playing a non-affiliated league or club and threatened heavy sanctions. Perth ignored these threats and went ahead with the match. The result was a close win to the Western Australians, and even tighter enforcement of the agreement in place between the AFC-affiliated leagues going forward.
The VFA had first established ties with the Central Gippsland Football Association (CGFA) back in 1921 when the association decided to award the CGFA a premiership pennant for use in their competition and sent delegates to a CGFA match.[8]
With the Goldfields Association unable to send a team in 1924 a new opponent needed to be found and it arrived in an unlikely form: Perth, a club from the AFC-affiliated WAFL.
Perth had already visited Adelaide during the National Carnival break, defeating West Torrens and West Adelaide and were keen to continue eastwards to play the VFA at Arden Street Oval. However, the AFC did not want a WAFL club playing a non-affiliated league or club and threatened heavy sanctions. Perth ignored these threats and went ahead with the match. The result was a close win to the Western Australians, and even tighter enforcement of the agreement in place between the AFC-affiliated leagues going forward.
The VFA had first established ties with the Central Gippsland Football Association (CGFA) back in 1921 when the association decided to award the CGFA a premiership pennant for use in their competition and sent delegates to a CGFA match.[8]
That effort paid-off in 1926 when the association played an end-of-season match against the CGFA in Warragul. In 1927 a return match was played on the Show Day holiday at the Motordrome (later known as Olympic Park) in front of a small crowd.
The VFA's cause was not helped by the VFL scheduling their Reserves 2nd Semi Final the same day at the nearby MCG, watched by a comparatively large crowd of 8,500 Carlton and Collingwood fans. The VFA led at half-time by 2 points but kicked away in the second half, adding 71 points to just 4 by the Gippslanders to register an easy victory. In 1929 the short-lived series against the CGFA came to an abrupt end so the VFA returned to an old tactic which had proven unsuccessful thus far: challenging the VFL to a representative match at the end of the season. The league denied the request for such a match but offered up Carlton versus a VFA club or VFA representative team instead, albeit under certain conditions. If Carlton were unavailable, Richmond would play instead but the match was to be held no later than October 5 at the MCG. |
Carlton agreed to a match against a VFA club but this was rendered impossible by a drawn final in the VFA pushing their season back a week. Carlton then agreed to play Richmond for charity but Richmond refused. Ultimately, the match was not played and the VFA held their preliminary final at the MCG on October 5 instead. [9] [10] [11]
In 1930 another proposed charity match between the VFL and VFA premiers also fell through. It was scheduled for October 11 at the MCG but the VFL finals series was extended a week when 4th placed Geelong defeated the minor premiers, Collingwood, requiring a Challenge Final to be played. The 18th of October was not an option because the MCG was unavailable and a match on that date would have meant Oakleigh had been training three weeks to stay fit for the match.[12]
Although their attempts to entice the VFL into a match had been unsuccessful to this point, the VFA's proposals had met with more acceptance than any made pre-1905 which had all been dismissed by the league with little or no consideration (with the exception of the benefit match for Fred McGinis in 1902). This encouraged the association to continue their push and in 1931 those efforts finally bore fruit.
In 1930 another proposed charity match between the VFL and VFA premiers also fell through. It was scheduled for October 11 at the MCG but the VFL finals series was extended a week when 4th placed Geelong defeated the minor premiers, Collingwood, requiring a Challenge Final to be played. The 18th of October was not an option because the MCG was unavailable and a match on that date would have meant Oakleigh had been training three weeks to stay fit for the match.[12]
Although their attempts to entice the VFL into a match had been unsuccessful to this point, the VFA's proposals had met with more acceptance than any made pre-1905 which had all been dismissed by the league with little or no consideration (with the exception of the benefit match for Fred McGinis in 1902). This encouraged the association to continue their push and in 1931 those efforts finally bore fruit.
1931-1937: THE RIVALS REUNITED
After years of acrimony, the improved relationship with the VFL in 1929-30 paved the way for further dialogue and in 1931 the two bodies declared peace, signing a permit agreement that formalised the transfer of players between each competition.
This led to the VFL finally accepting the VFA's challenge of a representative match with the proceeds going to charity. The two teams faced-off at the MCG on June 6 in front of 16,500 spectators with the league winning comfortably by 61 points (for a detailed report of the match and all of the events leading up to it, read Michael Riley's article at www.boylesfootballphotos.net.au). Later that season the VFA benefited further from the new spirit of détente which existed with the league. The VFL were unable to send a team for their annual match against New South Wales so the NSWAFL approached the VFA to take the Victorian league's place. Such a change required the approval of football's governing body, the ANFC, who initially refused the match because the VFA was not an affiliated member and because their playing rules were not in strict conformity with the ANFC's official laws of the game. The deadlock was broken when the Victorian league lobbied on the VFA's behalf and decided not to vote against the game on the basis that it would improve football in New South Wales. The ANFC subsequently allowed the match, on the condition it was played under their official rules.[13] |
In 1932 the VFA played another match against a full-strength VFL team and gave their league opponents an almighty scare. Entering the final quarter 33 points in arrears, and urged on by 31,000 increasingly frantic fans, the association stormed home, kicking 6.2 to 1.7 in the final quarter to almost steal victory.
The VFL selectors reacted to their team's effort by cutting five players for the match against South Australia played the following weekend. That 8-point loss was as close as the VFA would ever get to defeating their arch-rivals.
During 1933 the VFA signed an agreement to play all finals matches at Olympic Park along with a number of home and away games at the venue each season. This triggered a conflict with the Grounds Management Association (GMA) who controlled access to most of the suburban grounds the VFA clubs played on. The GMA would lose significant revenue if matches were transferred to Olympic Park, so they threatened to deny VFA clubs access to their grounds unless the deal was terminated.
The VFA were caught in a trap of their own making: unable to back out of their deal with Olympic Park management, and unable to continue their competition if denied access to suburban venues. The VFL became increasingly concerned by the standoff because the GMA were considering turning their football grounds over to soccer or rugby. The VFL chose to support the VFA in the dispute and eventually bailed them out by taking over the Olympic Park contract, allowing the association to make peace with the GMA. The cost to the VFA? They were required to sign a new three-year player transfer agreement with the VFL and adopt all laws of the game as directed by the ANFC.[14]
Over the next three years the VFA's standard of play deteriorated and crowds declined. The permit agreement had worked in the league's favour and the association found itself falling behind their old rivals. The final warning came in the form of a 104-point thrashing from the VFL in the 1937 representative match played at the Junction Oval.
In the months after this match the VFA announced plans to change their playing rules to make the game more popular. The proposed changes included:
- 16 players per team instead of 18;
- elimination of the centre bounce (a kick-off was to be made by a centreman instead);
- abolition of the existing out-of-bounds rule which automatically awarded a free kick against the last team to touch the ball before it travelled over the boundary (regardless of whether it went out on the full or bounced over the line);
- the introduction of a rugby-style throw pass which permitted the ball to be thrown "in any manner" so long as the player's hands remained below shoulder height.
Adoption of these rules would end the VFA's permit agreement with the VFL and bring them into direct conflict with the ANFC.[15] Neither the proposed reduction of players per team nor the elimination of the centre bounce were introduced at this time but the re-introduction of the boundary throw-in (not used in Victoria since 1924) and the use of a throw pass were adopted. The latter was the most radical of the four proposed rule changes, and it's introduction marked the first time in Australian football's near-eighty year history that players were legally permitted to throw the ball.
The VFL selectors reacted to their team's effort by cutting five players for the match against South Australia played the following weekend. That 8-point loss was as close as the VFA would ever get to defeating their arch-rivals.
During 1933 the VFA signed an agreement to play all finals matches at Olympic Park along with a number of home and away games at the venue each season. This triggered a conflict with the Grounds Management Association (GMA) who controlled access to most of the suburban grounds the VFA clubs played on. The GMA would lose significant revenue if matches were transferred to Olympic Park, so they threatened to deny VFA clubs access to their grounds unless the deal was terminated.
The VFA were caught in a trap of their own making: unable to back out of their deal with Olympic Park management, and unable to continue their competition if denied access to suburban venues. The VFL became increasingly concerned by the standoff because the GMA were considering turning their football grounds over to soccer or rugby. The VFL chose to support the VFA in the dispute and eventually bailed them out by taking over the Olympic Park contract, allowing the association to make peace with the GMA. The cost to the VFA? They were required to sign a new three-year player transfer agreement with the VFL and adopt all laws of the game as directed by the ANFC.[14]
Over the next three years the VFA's standard of play deteriorated and crowds declined. The permit agreement had worked in the league's favour and the association found itself falling behind their old rivals. The final warning came in the form of a 104-point thrashing from the VFL in the 1937 representative match played at the Junction Oval.
In the months after this match the VFA announced plans to change their playing rules to make the game more popular. The proposed changes included:
- 16 players per team instead of 18;
- elimination of the centre bounce (a kick-off was to be made by a centreman instead);
- abolition of the existing out-of-bounds rule which automatically awarded a free kick against the last team to touch the ball before it travelled over the boundary (regardless of whether it went out on the full or bounced over the line);
- the introduction of a rugby-style throw pass which permitted the ball to be thrown "in any manner" so long as the player's hands remained below shoulder height.
Adoption of these rules would end the VFA's permit agreement with the VFL and bring them into direct conflict with the ANFC.[15] Neither the proposed reduction of players per team nor the elimination of the centre bounce were introduced at this time but the re-introduction of the boundary throw-in (not used in Victoria since 1924) and the use of a throw pass were adopted. The latter was the most radical of the four proposed rule changes, and it's introduction marked the first time in Australian football's near-eighty year history that players were legally permitted to throw the ball.
1938-1949: THROWN OUT OVER THE THROW PASS
Despite football journalists warning that adopting the new rules and ending the permit agreement with the VFL would result in the VFA's demise, the association pushed ahead. The experts predicted such a move would leave the VFA open to the VFL poaching their players but it proved to have the opposite effect as, for the first time since 1905, the VFA took the fight to their league rivals.
The mood of the time is best summed up by a statement from Russell Keon-Cohen, then-VFA Secretary, who said: "The association devised the Australian game and introduced every enduring benefit. The league, which is the rebellious child of the association, has only brought in profit and litigation".[16]
The mood of the time is best summed up by a statement from Russell Keon-Cohen, then-VFA Secretary, who said: "The association devised the Australian game and introduced every enduring benefit. The league, which is the rebellious child of the association, has only brought in profit and litigation".[16]
Camberwell fired the opening shot, signing South Melbourne captain Laurie Nash in 1938 without a clearance. Essendon's champion goalkicker Ted Freyer soon followed transferring to Port Melbourne and winning the VFA goalkicking in his first season.
By the time VFL champions 'Soapy' Vallence (1939), Bob Pratt (1940), Ron Todd (1940) and the reigning Brownlow Medallist, Des Fothergill (1941) had crossed to the VFA the stand-off had escalated into a full-scale war. Although some VFA players went against the trend and crossed to the VFL, the lack of a permit agreement and the new rules had clearly worked in the VFA's favour with record crowds flocking to premiership matches and an all-time record crowd of 48,238 attending the 1939 VFA Grand Final. With relations between the two Victorian football bodies at an all-time low, a representative match against the league was no longer a possibility. Any chance of the ANFC approving matches against their affiliated leagues - as happened with the VFA-NSW match in 1931 - had also evaporated. So the VFA made regular forays into regional cities instead, playing exhibition matches to promote awareness of the association and its alternative rules, and forming strategic alliances with country leagues that were not affiliated with the VFL. |
This policy led to an exhibition game at Golden Square in 1947 against the Bendigo Football Association (BFA). The match was played on a Monday public holiday and four VFA players took the field for the opposition: Egan and Brokenshire (Sandringham), Jack Blackman (Preston captain-coach), and Laurie Taylor (Camberwell). Sharing the talent had the desired effect as the BFA claimed a 14 point victory. Egan was the BFA's best player and Brokenshire kicked 10 goals for the local team.
Despite the VFA having achieved its objective of becoming a viable alternative to the VFL and securing its place in the Victorian football framework, in 1948 the association's new president Frank Hartnett hoped to unite the two bodies and share control of football in the state.
Ironically, it was Hartnett, as president of Camberwell, who had initiated hostilities back in 1938 by poaching Laurie Nash from the VFL. Discussions about the VFA joining Australian football's governing body commenced in January 1949 but the real question was: "what would it cost the association?".
Despite the VFA having achieved its objective of becoming a viable alternative to the VFL and securing its place in the Victorian football framework, in 1948 the association's new president Frank Hartnett hoped to unite the two bodies and share control of football in the state.
Ironically, it was Hartnett, as president of Camberwell, who had initiated hostilities back in 1938 by poaching Laurie Nash from the VFL. Discussions about the VFA joining Australian football's governing body commenced in January 1949 but the real question was: "what would it cost the association?".
1950-1969: A.N.F.C. EQUALS INTERSTATE FOOTBALL
The 1949 season was to be a crucial one in the history of the VFA. President Hartnett was an advocate of uniting football in Victoria and of the major State Leagues from across Australia working together to promote the game via the ANFC. In late January talks commenced but the VFA delegates rejected the ANFC's offer to affiliate on a 12-month trial basis because such a move would have required them to abandon the throw pass.[17]
In March talks between the VFA and VFL over a new permit agreement stalled because the VFL tried to force the association into following ANFC rules before signing. The VFA delegates then rejected an offer in April to meet with an ANFC sub-committee. Informal talks continued without much progress and in July the VFA delegates deferred their decision on ANFC membership. A decision was eventually made in August with the VFA announcing it would abandon the throw pass and other innovations in exchange for entry to the ANFC as a non-voting member.[18] [19] [20] [21] As part of the deal a new permit agreement was also signed with the VFL, removing the VFA's ability to recruit league players without a clearance. |
The 1949 VFA Grand Final was the last association match to feature the throw pass and two weeks later Williamstown, still celebrating their title, travelled interstate to Wollongong to play an exhibition match against the Illawarra District team. This was the first VFA match since 1937 to be played under ANFC rules.[22]
NFC membership had cost the VFA its identity, but it had also given the association access to interstate matches against the other State leagues, and allowed them to participate in the National Championships for the first time.
The VFA made an immediate impact at the top-level by recording a shock 8-point victory over South Australia at the 1950 National Carnival. However, results over the rest of the era varied with some strong performances against the major States offset by some huge defeats.
After finishing last in Section 1 at the 1950 National Carnival the VFA faced a playoff against the Section 2 winner, the Australian Amateurs. The playoff was held in July 1951 at Canberra and the VFA's comfortable victory ensured they would remain in Section 1 at the 1953 National Carnival.
By 1953 the Association had been promoted to full-member status in the ANFC and had formed strong bonds with the Tasmanian Football League; leading to a number of interstate contests between the two footballing bodies over the following years.
The 1953 National Carnival proved to be the VFA's best performance at this level; defeating Tasmania on the opening day by 43 points, followed by competitive losses to the VFL (33 points) and Western Australia (18 points). A 51 point defeat by South Australia was the association's only poor display. The VFA finished 4th, allowing them to avoid the relegation/promotion playoff game held after the Carnival.
In December 1956 a combined VFA and VFL side played an exhibition match against the VAFA as a demonstration event at the Melbourne Olympic Games. The team was coached by Bruce Andrew (the ANFC's Victorian delegate), captained by VFL player Denis Cordner (Melbourne) and comprised players from the VFL and VFA who were still of amateur status rather than professional, i.e. they were not receiving payment to play. This was a key requirement for the match to proceed because at that time all Olympic athletes were required to be of amateur status. The game was held before the men's soccer final and, amongst other challenges on a modified MCG arena, players had to dodge a flag pole at centre wing!
NFC membership had cost the VFA its identity, but it had also given the association access to interstate matches against the other State leagues, and allowed them to participate in the National Championships for the first time.
The VFA made an immediate impact at the top-level by recording a shock 8-point victory over South Australia at the 1950 National Carnival. However, results over the rest of the era varied with some strong performances against the major States offset by some huge defeats.
After finishing last in Section 1 at the 1950 National Carnival the VFA faced a playoff against the Section 2 winner, the Australian Amateurs. The playoff was held in July 1951 at Canberra and the VFA's comfortable victory ensured they would remain in Section 1 at the 1953 National Carnival.
By 1953 the Association had been promoted to full-member status in the ANFC and had formed strong bonds with the Tasmanian Football League; leading to a number of interstate contests between the two footballing bodies over the following years.
The 1953 National Carnival proved to be the VFA's best performance at this level; defeating Tasmania on the opening day by 43 points, followed by competitive losses to the VFL (33 points) and Western Australia (18 points). A 51 point defeat by South Australia was the association's only poor display. The VFA finished 4th, allowing them to avoid the relegation/promotion playoff game held after the Carnival.
In December 1956 a combined VFA and VFL side played an exhibition match against the VAFA as a demonstration event at the Melbourne Olympic Games. The team was coached by Bruce Andrew (the ANFC's Victorian delegate), captained by VFL player Denis Cordner (Melbourne) and comprised players from the VFL and VFA who were still of amateur status rather than professional, i.e. they were not receiving payment to play. This was a key requirement for the match to proceed because at that time all Olympic athletes were required to be of amateur status. The game was held before the men's soccer final and, amongst other challenges on a modified MCG arena, players had to dodge a flag pole at centre wing!
The VFA started the 1958 Carnival with an impressive 8 point victory over a strong Tasmanian side but faded after that, losing their remaining games by 49 points (vs VFL), 68 points (vs WA), and 68 points (vs SA). The loss in the final match left them level with the injury-ravaged South Australian team on 1 win from 4 matches, but the association finished in last place due to an inferior percentage.
Finishing last in Section 1 in 1958 meant the VFA were automatically relegated to Section 2 for the 1960/61 National Carnivals. This was a change from earlier Carnivals (1950/53) when the last-placed team in Section 1 had been granted the chance to survive via a promotion playoff against the winner of Section 2. The unfamiliar terrain of the 1960 Section 2 Carnival proved no challenge for the VFA. The result was farcical as the association claimed the title undefeated with winning margins of 104, 129 and 105 points over Canberra, Queensland and New South Wales respectively. This set-up a promotion playoff on July 30, 1960 versus the Australian Amateurs (winners of Section 2 at the 1958 Carnival). As with the 1951 playoff between these teams the match was held in Canberra, and the VFA's 24 point victory ensured they would compete in Section 1 at the 1966 National Carnival. |
By 1965 old wounds were re-opening: the VFA was infuriated by VFL clubs moving onto their turf (St Kilda had taken control of Moorabbin Oval and North Melbourne had relocated to Coburg) and responded by ending their permit agreement with the VFL.
Throughout 1967-68 the VFL exerted its influence within the ANFC to pressure the VFA into signing a new player permit agreement and the ANFC held three different votes to decide the issue. For the motion to be approved it required a three-quarter majority but this was denied each time by the Canberra and Tasmanian leagues voting in support of the VFA.
The association team travelled to Canberra in May 1968 for a match against the local league. Officially, this match was to help promote Australian football in the region, but it was also the VFA's way of thanking the CANFL for their support at the ANFC voting table. The association cruised to a 91 point win and Williamstown's Eddie Szyska equalled the VFA's representative record by kicking 10 goals.
Five months after the match in Canberra the ANFC held a fourth vote and CANFL officials finally bowed to pressure, voting in favour of the VFL. As a result, the VFA met with the VFL and agreed to sign a new permit agreement on the proviso that the league agree to a number of conditions, including not poaching any more association clubs (as had happened in 1897, 1908 and 1925) or taking over association grounds (1965-66). The VFL declined to sign on the basis that these events were unlikely to occur again.
In 1969 the VFA took legal action against the ANFC for acting unconstitutionally and the ruling body responded with an ultimatum that the VFA comply with ANFC requirements. The VFA refused to accept these conditions and were subsequently excluded from the 1969 National Carnival. The dispute dragged on and in March 1970 the VFA were expelled from the ANFC, bringing an unfortunate end to their time on the interstate scene.
Throughout 1967-68 the VFL exerted its influence within the ANFC to pressure the VFA into signing a new player permit agreement and the ANFC held three different votes to decide the issue. For the motion to be approved it required a three-quarter majority but this was denied each time by the Canberra and Tasmanian leagues voting in support of the VFA.
The association team travelled to Canberra in May 1968 for a match against the local league. Officially, this match was to help promote Australian football in the region, but it was also the VFA's way of thanking the CANFL for their support at the ANFC voting table. The association cruised to a 91 point win and Williamstown's Eddie Szyska equalled the VFA's representative record by kicking 10 goals.
Five months after the match in Canberra the ANFC held a fourth vote and CANFL officials finally bowed to pressure, voting in favour of the VFL. As a result, the VFA met with the VFL and agreed to sign a new permit agreement on the proviso that the league agree to a number of conditions, including not poaching any more association clubs (as had happened in 1897, 1908 and 1925) or taking over association grounds (1965-66). The VFL declined to sign on the basis that these events were unlikely to occur again.
In 1969 the VFA took legal action against the ANFC for acting unconstitutionally and the ruling body responded with an ultimatum that the VFA comply with ANFC requirements. The VFA refused to accept these conditions and were subsequently excluded from the 1969 National Carnival. The dispute dragged on and in March 1970 the VFA were expelled from the ANFC, bringing an unfortunate end to their time on the interstate scene.
1970-1976: IN A STATE OF INTERSTATE EXILE
The VFA annual report of 1970 describes their expulsion from the ANFC and interstate football as having "not caused even a ripple in the VFA."[23] Throughout the period 1970 to 1974 the association was content to focus on premiership football and build further on the popularity of Sunday football, which had boosted their crowds and provided a viable alternative to the VFL's games which were all held on Saturdays. However, this policy changed in 1975 when the Ovens & Murray FL (OMFL) challenged the VFA to a match during a split round, with the first half to be played 18-per-side (national standard) and the second half 16-per-side (VFA standard).
The VFA underestimated their opponents and sent a half-strength line-up comprised of players from five First Division clubs and six Second Division clubs. Any players involved in the second half of the split round (played the same day back in Melbourne) were not considered for selection. This meant the combine team had no players from Geelong West, Port Melbourne and Preston; three of the best VFA sides that season. The association paid the price for not selecting their strongest combination, suffering a 56 point thrashing from their regional opponents.
The mistake wasn't repeated the following year, when the VFA sent their best side to Albury and levelled the series, albeit with a fight. The 1976 match was originally scheduled for June 13, but the Victorian Government would not allow the VFA to play a round of premiership matches on Anzac Day (April 25), so the representative game was moved to that date instead.[24] The association team kicked six goals in the opening term but were never able to breakaway from the OMFL throughout the match. They eventually scraped home by 9 points, thanks largely to 5 goals from Port Melbourne's Fred Cook and 4 goals from Geelong West's Joe Radojevic. Having reclaimed the Viscount Cup, the VFA returned to Melbourne and the series was later discontinued.
The VFA underestimated their opponents and sent a half-strength line-up comprised of players from five First Division clubs and six Second Division clubs. Any players involved in the second half of the split round (played the same day back in Melbourne) were not considered for selection. This meant the combine team had no players from Geelong West, Port Melbourne and Preston; three of the best VFA sides that season. The association paid the price for not selecting their strongest combination, suffering a 56 point thrashing from their regional opponents.
The mistake wasn't repeated the following year, when the VFA sent their best side to Albury and levelled the series, albeit with a fight. The 1976 match was originally scheduled for June 13, but the Victorian Government would not allow the VFA to play a round of premiership matches on Anzac Day (April 25), so the representative game was moved to that date instead.[24] The association team kicked six goals in the opening term but were never able to breakaway from the OMFL throughout the match. They eventually scraped home by 9 points, thanks largely to 5 goals from Port Melbourne's Fred Cook and 4 goals from Geelong West's Joe Radojevic. Having reclaimed the Viscount Cup, the VFA returned to Melbourne and the series was later discontinued.
1977-1979: THE NFL ERA (PART 1)
The football landscape changed dramatically in 1976-77 resulting in the VFA receiving a surprise invitation to return to the top tier. In 1976 Australian football's governing body, the ANFC (now renamed the NFL) ran a national night competition featuring clubs from the VFL, SANFL and WAFL.
In 1977 the VFL broke away to form their own rival night series, so the NFL invited the VFA to take the VFL's place in the series, ending the association's exile at national level which had started with their departure from the ANFC in 1970. This return to the national level also gave the VFA access to interstate football, and three matches against Queensland soon followed. The VFA travelled to the Gabba in June 1977 well aware that Queensland were no longer the pushover they had traditionally been in years past. In fact, the Queensland teams of 1974-78 were the strongest in the State's history having claimed their first national title (1974) and first victory over Tasmania (1975). Ten minutes into the third-quarter the VFA had a 41-point lead but the Queenslanders stormed home, kicking 9 goals to 1 and adding a first victory over the VFA to their growing list of achievements. The VFA returned to Brisbane in 1978 intent on squaring the series but the Maroons proved even stronger than the previous year, this time winning by 30 points. |
With Queensland travelling to Melbourne for the 1979 match the VFA were determined to utilise their home-field advantage. Even though the Queensland side had suffered a huge 198-point loss to a full-strength South Australian side in Adelaide six weeks earlier, they remained a strong team and were expected to provide a close contest.
Thus, the 156-point massacre that occurred at Toorak Park came as a complete shock. The VFA posted their second-highest score in representative football; highest score against a top-level State team; greatest-ever winning margin; and Fred Cook and Kim Smith kicked 7 goals each in a well-supplied forward line.
After such a major victory, the VFA hoped to remain in the NFL on a permanent basis. Working against this was the SANFL's resumption of interstate matches against the VFL in 1979 and negotiations for their involvement in the VFL Night Series. Later that season the SANFL confirmed they would defect to the VFL's night competition in 1980, leaving the NFL no choice but to disband their own competition after 1979 and, in the process, closing the door on the VFA once again.
Thus, the 156-point massacre that occurred at Toorak Park came as a complete shock. The VFA posted their second-highest score in representative football; highest score against a top-level State team; greatest-ever winning margin; and Fred Cook and Kim Smith kicked 7 goals each in a well-supplied forward line.
After such a major victory, the VFA hoped to remain in the NFL on a permanent basis. Working against this was the SANFL's resumption of interstate matches against the VFL in 1979 and negotiations for their involvement in the VFL Night Series. Later that season the SANFL confirmed they would defect to the VFL's night competition in 1980, leaving the NFL no choice but to disband their own competition after 1979 and, in the process, closing the door on the VFA once again.
1980-1986: THE VICTORIAN FOOTBALL CUP
Despite the SANFL joining the VFL's night series in 1980, tensions between the two leagues remained high. Early that year the SANFL refused to enter a team in the VFL's planned national league so the Victorian league responded by refusing to play an interstate match against them. As had been the case back in 1904-05, the SANFL turned to the VFA, and a representative match at Football Park was organised. It was one of the VFA's finest efforts, pushing a full-strength South Australian team all the way on the SANFL's home turf.
Although the match had been seen as a chance to validate the VFA's claims for inclusion in the NFL, this was always a temporary return to the national stage and the status-quo resumed shortly after. As the events of 1968-69 had proved, the association would never be part of the national body if the VFL did not support such a move.
In the months after this match the VFL repaired their relationship with the SANFL and other NFL members, and the VFA was once again forced to search for lower-level representative opponents. The VFA travelled to Launceston in June 1980 to play the Northern Tasmanian Association (NTFA) and romped home by 121 points. Naturally, the VFA was eager to continue the series and in 1981 a second match was played, this time against a combined NTFA and North West Football Union team known as the Greater Northern League (GNFL). In a shock result, the VFA was humbled by the GNFL, suffering a 10-point loss at Devonport Oval. Revenge was soon obtained when the GNFL travelled to Sandringham in 1982 for the rematch and the VFA dished out a 132-point thrashing, with Fred Cook equalling the |
association's representative record of 10 goals. It was also the VFA's highest representative score and second highest winning margin. Unsurprisingly, the series against the GNFL did not continue in future seasons.
In 1982 the VFA joined forces with the VAFA, commencing an annual series for the Victorian Football Cup. The two associations turned out to be evenly matched and the VFA did not claim the cup until the third year of the series, much to the chagrin of VFA administrators who had frequently declared their competition the second strongest in Victoria.
After two successive losses the VFA team entered the 1984 match determined to salvage the association's reputation and accomplished their objective with an easy 51-point victory. That comfortable win proved the exception as the VFA continued to be pressured by a doggedly determined VAFA, winning by just 11 points in 1985 and 29 points in 1986.
In 1982 the VFA joined forces with the VAFA, commencing an annual series for the Victorian Football Cup. The two associations turned out to be evenly matched and the VFA did not claim the cup until the third year of the series, much to the chagrin of VFA administrators who had frequently declared their competition the second strongest in Victoria.
After two successive losses the VFA team entered the 1984 match determined to salvage the association's reputation and accomplished their objective with an easy 51-point victory. That comfortable win proved the exception as the VFA continued to be pressured by a doggedly determined VAFA, winning by just 11 points in 1985 and 29 points in 1986.
1987-1989: THE NFL ERA (PART 2)
In 1987 the NFL came calling again when New South Wales dropped out of the annual Section 2 championships, known as the NFL Shield. The VFA accepted the invitation and over the next three seasons played matches against all states and territories other than Victoria (VFL) and South Australia.
The first match of the 1987 campaign was also the toughest, a grinding 8-point victory in Canberra over the ACT, the reigning Section 2 national champions. On the way home the VFA side stopped at the border city of Lavington to play a midweek match under lights against the New South Wales representative team, suffering a shock 19-point defeat in what were described as "atrocious conditions".
This remains the association's only loss to New South Wales. Following a comfortable 45-point victory in Queensland the VFA hosted Tasmania at the Junction Oval and were under pressure early but kicked away in the second quarter to win by 29 points; claiming their second national title (and first since 1960). The 1988 season featured a national carnival played under State of Origin rules. The association's team was led by Williamstown's Barry Round and comprised 27 players who had started their careers in the VFA or were playing in the VFA at the time of the Carnival. The team was heavily favoured to win the Section 2 title for the second year in a row and was on track with easy wins over Queensland (77 points) and the ACT (45 points) in the opening rounds. However, the party ended when the VFA team was handed a 45-point defeat in the final by the Northern Territory. Although bigger and stronger, the association players were |
simply overwhelmed by the Territorians' pace and agility. Terry Wallace (ex-Camberwell) won the inaugural Dolphin Medal for the best player in Section 2 of the championships.
Later that season the VFA travelled to Hobart for a re-match with Tasmania. The locals went some way to avenging their defeat the previous year in the NFL Shield final, defeating the Victorian association by 20 points.
The following month the VFA headed to Perth to meet the WAFL in a curtain-raiser for the Western Australia versus Victoria (VFL) State of Origin clash. The WAFL team, including future West Coast Eagles players Peter Sumich, Don Pyke, Ben Allan and Scott Watters, thrashed the visitors by 86 points.
The VFA rebounded quickly from this loss and won the 1989 NFL Shield. The carnival was held over four days in Tasmania and the VFA coasted to their third national title; defeating New South Wales by 95 points, Queensland by 55 points, and the perennially-strong Australian Amateurs by 126 points. Not since the VFA had demolished all-comers at the 1960 Carnival had a team dominated the Section 2 championships to such an extent.
Later that season the VFA travelled to Hobart for a re-match with Tasmania. The locals went some way to avenging their defeat the previous year in the NFL Shield final, defeating the Victorian association by 20 points.
The following month the VFA headed to Perth to meet the WAFL in a curtain-raiser for the Western Australia versus Victoria (VFL) State of Origin clash. The WAFL team, including future West Coast Eagles players Peter Sumich, Don Pyke, Ben Allan and Scott Watters, thrashed the visitors by 86 points.
The VFA rebounded quickly from this loss and won the 1989 NFL Shield. The carnival was held over four days in Tasmania and the VFA coasted to their third national title; defeating New South Wales by 95 points, Queensland by 55 points, and the perennially-strong Australian Amateurs by 126 points. Not since the VFA had demolished all-comers at the 1960 Carnival had a team dominated the Section 2 championships to such an extent.
1990-PRESENT DAY: OUT OF THE SHADOWS
At the end of the 1980s the VFL was transforming into the AFL national competition and a clear divide became evident in representative football between:
*State of Origin
Top-level interstate matches with teams comprised of a State or territory's best players, regardless of where they played in Australia at that time.
*State League
Second-tier representative matches with teams comprised of a league's best players, regardless of where they were originally from.
For the VFA, whose only involvement with State of Origin football came at the 1988 National Carnival, it was initially a case of business as usual but this divide later provided them with clear benefits. When the VFL went national and became the AFL it left a void in Victorian football that was soon filled by the VFA; they were transformed from being spectators on the national scene to being one of Australia's three major State Leagues (along with the SANFL and WAFL).
With AFL clubs focused solely on the national competition, State of Origin football is no longer played so the State League matches have become the pinnacle of representative football. Under the current system the VFA (now renamed the VFL) enjoys a much larger role than they ever would have if the old VFL had continued to squeeze them out of the Victorian football scene instead of expanding nationally.
It is in this new role of major State League that the VFA-VFL's represesentative team not only succeeds but thrives, registering their all-time biggest score and greatest winning margin against South Australia (2005), Western Australia (2007) and Tasmania (2012) during the current era.
*State of Origin
Top-level interstate matches with teams comprised of a State or territory's best players, regardless of where they played in Australia at that time.
*State League
Second-tier representative matches with teams comprised of a league's best players, regardless of where they were originally from.
For the VFA, whose only involvement with State of Origin football came at the 1988 National Carnival, it was initially a case of business as usual but this divide later provided them with clear benefits. When the VFL went national and became the AFL it left a void in Victorian football that was soon filled by the VFA; they were transformed from being spectators on the national scene to being one of Australia's three major State Leagues (along with the SANFL and WAFL).
With AFL clubs focused solely on the national competition, State of Origin football is no longer played so the State League matches have become the pinnacle of representative football. Under the current system the VFA (now renamed the VFL) enjoys a much larger role than they ever would have if the old VFL had continued to squeeze them out of the Victorian football scene instead of expanding nationally.
It is in this new role of major State League that the VFA-VFL's represesentative team not only succeeds but thrives, registering their all-time biggest score and greatest winning margin against South Australia (2005), Western Australia (2007) and Tasmania (2012) during the current era.
WHERE TO NEXT?
Click the tabs below to read more about the VFA's representative football history:
REFERENCES
1. "FOOTBALL. LEAGUE V. ASSOCIATION." The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) 1 Apr 1907: p. 3.
2. "INTER-STATE FOOTBALL." The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1931) 4 Aug 1906: p. 10.
3. "FOOTBALL CONFERENCE." Barrier Miner (Broken Hill, NSW : 1888 - 1954) 1 Jul 1912: p. 1.
4. "FOOTBALL. ASSOCIATION MEETING" The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) 10 Jun 1913: p. 4.
5. "VICTORIAN ASSOCIATION TEAM WARRNAMBOOL TEAM." Camperdown Chronicle (Vic. : 1877 - 1954) 22 Jul 1913: p. 3.
6. "GOLDFIELDS' ASSOCIATION - COMPLAINTS OF EXCLUSION." The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) 12 Aug 1921: p. 4.
7 ."FOOTBALL. THE INTERSTATE GAMES" The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) 2 Jul 1923: p. 12.
8. "FOOTBALL. CENTRAL GIPPSLAND ASSOCIATION." The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) 27 Sep 1921: p. 5.
9. "FOOTBALL. LEAGUE AND ASSOCIATION" The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) 6 Sep 1929: p. 13.
10. "FOOTBALL. HARRISON HOUSE." The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) 14 Sep 1929: p. 28.
11. "FOOTBALL. CHARITY MATCH" The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) 30 Sep 1929: p. 15.
12. "CHARITY MATCH." The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) 7 Oct 1930: p. 14.
13. "AUSTRALIAN RULES." The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954) 10 Jun 1931: p. 15.
14. "FOOTBALL LEAGUE. AGREEMENT WITH ASSOCIATION." The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) 21 Dec 1933: p. 12.
15. "FOOTBALL CHANGES. DANGER OF ISOLATION." The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) 13 Oct 1937: p. 26.
16. "WILLIAMSTOWN AND HOPKINS." The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) 12 Apr 1938: p. 18.
17. "VFA WILL NOT JOIN ANFC" The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) 25 Jan 1949: p. 16.
18. "FOOTBALL PERMIT DISCUSSIONS." The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) 22 Mar 1949: p. 16.
19. "VFA Rejects An ANFC Offer." The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) 12 Apr 1949: p. 16.
20. "VFA DEFERS ANFC AFFILIATION." The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) 12 Jul 1949: p. 20.
21. "ASSOCIATION JOINS A N F C." The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) 9 Aug 1949: p. 20.
22. "CASH PRIZE URGED FOR VFL WINNER." The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) 15 Oct 1949: p. 41.
23. Fiddian, Mark. The Pioneers. Melbourne: Victorian Football Association, 1977 (p. 40)
24. "VFA TO TAKE ON O&M LEAGUE" The Football Recorder. 4 April 1976.
2. "INTER-STATE FOOTBALL." The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1931) 4 Aug 1906: p. 10.
3. "FOOTBALL CONFERENCE." Barrier Miner (Broken Hill, NSW : 1888 - 1954) 1 Jul 1912: p. 1.
4. "FOOTBALL. ASSOCIATION MEETING" The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) 10 Jun 1913: p. 4.
5. "VICTORIAN ASSOCIATION TEAM WARRNAMBOOL TEAM." Camperdown Chronicle (Vic. : 1877 - 1954) 22 Jul 1913: p. 3.
6. "GOLDFIELDS' ASSOCIATION - COMPLAINTS OF EXCLUSION." The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) 12 Aug 1921: p. 4.
7 ."FOOTBALL. THE INTERSTATE GAMES" The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) 2 Jul 1923: p. 12.
8. "FOOTBALL. CENTRAL GIPPSLAND ASSOCIATION." The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) 27 Sep 1921: p. 5.
9. "FOOTBALL. LEAGUE AND ASSOCIATION" The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) 6 Sep 1929: p. 13.
10. "FOOTBALL. HARRISON HOUSE." The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) 14 Sep 1929: p. 28.
11. "FOOTBALL. CHARITY MATCH" The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) 30 Sep 1929: p. 15.
12. "CHARITY MATCH." The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) 7 Oct 1930: p. 14.
13. "AUSTRALIAN RULES." The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954) 10 Jun 1931: p. 15.
14. "FOOTBALL LEAGUE. AGREEMENT WITH ASSOCIATION." The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) 21 Dec 1933: p. 12.
15. "FOOTBALL CHANGES. DANGER OF ISOLATION." The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) 13 Oct 1937: p. 26.
16. "WILLIAMSTOWN AND HOPKINS." The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) 12 Apr 1938: p. 18.
17. "VFA WILL NOT JOIN ANFC" The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) 25 Jan 1949: p. 16.
18. "FOOTBALL PERMIT DISCUSSIONS." The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) 22 Mar 1949: p. 16.
19. "VFA Rejects An ANFC Offer." The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) 12 Apr 1949: p. 16.
20. "VFA DEFERS ANFC AFFILIATION." The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) 12 Jul 1949: p. 20.
21. "ASSOCIATION JOINS A N F C." The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) 9 Aug 1949: p. 20.
22. "CASH PRIZE URGED FOR VFL WINNER." The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) 15 Oct 1949: p. 41.
23. Fiddian, Mark. The Pioneers. Melbourne: Victorian Football Association, 1977 (p. 40)
24. "VFA TO TAKE ON O&M LEAGUE" The Football Recorder. 4 April 1976.
Written and researched by David Eastman
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First published 12/12/2013
Last updated 17/5/2019 |