Australian rules football in Victoria, Australia

Sport overview
noncountry = Victoria
sport = Australian rules football

---

imagesize = 260px
caption = The footy club is often the lifeblood of small country towns. In this image Swifts Creek versus Buchan in the 2001 ODFL Grand Final in East Gippsland
union = Football Victoria
nickname =
first = 1858, Melbourne
registered = 223,999 (total) 36,900 (adult)
clubs =
match = 121,696 (1970). VFL Grand Final Carlton v Collingwood (MCG, Melbourne)
league =
national1 =
club1 = Victorian Football League
club2 = Essendon District Football League
club3 = Victorian Amateur Football Association
club4 = Western Region Football League
club5 = Southern Football League
club6 = Diamond Valley Football League
club7 = Ovens & Murray Football League
club8 =
club9 =
country

Australian rules football in Victoria dates back to the origins of both the sport and the colony in the 1850s.

Victoria remains the sport's spiritual home.

The state is home to ten of the sixteen teams in the Australian Football League (AFL), a league which began as a suburban competition in the state's capital and whose five Melbourne games per week currently attract an average 35,000 people per game.

The AFL Grand Final, [For a detailed history of the evolution and development of the finals system used by the Victorian Football League (VFL) and, later, by the Australian Football League (AFL) see Early VFL Final systems and McIntyre System.] one of the biggest sporting events in Australia (and in the world in terms of attendance), is played on the last weekend in September at the world famous Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), a massive arena that has held over 120,000 spectators.

History

:See Also Origins of the Game
Australian rules football - Early years in Victoria.)

Tom Wills began to devise Australian rules in Melbourne in 1858.

(Although H.C.A. Harrison, Wills' cousin, was also named, much later, as an official "father of the game" his role does not, now, seem to have been significant at this very early stage.) A letter by Wills was published in "Bell's Life in Victoria & Sporting Chronicle" on 10 July, 1858, [http://www.mcg.org.au/default.asp?pg=footballdisplay&articleid=37] calling for a "foot-ball club" with a "code of laws" to keep cricketers fit during winter. An experimental match, played by Wills and others, at the Richmond Paddock (later known as Yarra Park next to the MCG) on 31 July, 1858, was probably the first game of Australian football. However, few details of the match have survived.

On 7 August, 1858, two significant events in the development of the game occurred. The Melbourne Football Club was founded, one of the world's first football clubs in any code, and a famous match between Melbourne Grammar School and Scotch College began, umpired by Wills. A second day of play took place on 21 August and a third, and final, day on 4 September. The two schools have competed annually ever since. However, the rules used by the two teams in 1858 could not have had much in common with the eventual form of Australian football since Wills had not yet begun to write them.

The Melbourne Football Club rules of 1859 are the oldest surviving set of laws for Australian football. They were drawn up at the Parade Hotel, East Melbourne, on 17 May, by Wills, W. J. Hammersley, J. B. Thompson and Thomas Smith (some sources include H. C. A. Harrison). The 1859 rules did not include some elements that soon became important to the game, such as the requirement to bounce the ball while running, and Melbourne's game was not immediately adopted by neighbouring clubs. Before each match the rules had to be agreed by the two teams involved. By 1866, however, several other clubs had agreed to play by an updated version of Melbourne's rules.

Victoria's First League

On 7th May 1877, the Victorian Football Association (VFA), Victoria's first governing body for Australian football, was formed. The foundation Senior clubs of the VFA were Albert Park, Carlton, East Melbourne, Essendon, Hotham, Melbourne, St. Kilda & West Melbourne. The Junior section of the VFA originally included such clubs as Ballarat, Hawthorn, Northcote, South Melbourne, Standard, Victoria United, Victorian Railways and Williamstown. During its early years, many clubs dropped in and out and there were erratic promotions between the Senior and Junior sections. Hawthorn, Northcote, Standard, Victoria United, Victorian Railways and Williamstown dropped out within a year or so but Hawthorn, Northcote and Williamstown were all to return at various times.

There were also numerous rules changes in this early period. (Refer: VFA.)

Formation of the VFL

A rift in the VFA led to the formation of the Victorian Football League (VFL), which commenced play in 1897 as an eight-team breakaway of the stronger clubs in the VFA competition: Carlton, Collingwood, Essendon, Fitzroy, Geelong, Melbourne, St Kilda and South Melbourne. The first season concluded with Essendon finishing as the premiers (winners).

Another five VFA clubs joined the VFL later, as Richmond and University joined the VFL in 1908 (University folded in 1915). Footscray, Hawthorn and North Melbourne joined in 1925, by which time VFL had become the most prominent league in the game.

National League & Current Issues

[
State of Origin guernsey.] In 1982, in a move which heralded big changes within the sport, one of the original VFL clubs, South Melbourne Football Club, relocated to the rugby league stronghold of Sydney and became known as the Sydney Swans.

In the late 1980s, strong interstate interest in the VFL led to a more national competition; two more non-Victorian clubs, the West Coast Eagles and the Brisbane Bears began playing in 1987.

The league changed its name to the Australian Football League (AFL) following the 1989 season, later gaining further West Australian and South Australian teams.

As the game has grown, the state has struggled to come to terms with its place in the bigger picture.

The VFA/VFL became a secondary league, although even it has grown to accommodate a team from Tasmania.

Even the biggest locally grown suburban clubs, elevated into the national league, continue struggle for survival, competing for marketshare. Fourteen years after South Melbourne's difficulties led them to move to Sydney, similar problems at the Fitzroy Football Club result in a merger, forming the Brisbane Lions. Although a small consolation of these club's recent success has been establishing renewed interest with their Melbourne based supporters, other clubs, such as the historic Demons, Bulldogs, Kangaroos and powerhouse Carlton are assisted by the AFL to remain in the national competition. Many suggestions have been made in response to issues of overcrowding [http://www.worldfootynews.com/article.php?story=20060920220846635] but the AFL has been somewhat reluctant to make a drastic change, due to both the history and supporters' passion for their club.

There is still an anti-expansionist element in many Victorian supporters of the game, who would prefer to see it kept to themselves. This has forged a fierce rivalry with South Australia, who also lay claim to a substantial football history.

The construction of the Telstra Dome and the national competition and emerging international participation has put further pressure on the MCG and Melbourne to remain the spiritual home of football.

Participation

In 2004, with 36,900 senior players in Victoria, more than any other state in Australia.

With a total participation of 223,999 [ [http://realfooty.com.au/news/news/we-love-aussie-rules/2007/06/19/1182019117471.html More chase Sherrin than before - realfooty.com.au ] ] , Victoria has a participation rate of around 4% per capita, makes it the equal third most supported state (with Western Australia and South Australia). [ [http://afl.com.au/cp2/c2/webi/article/205058bu.pdf] ]

Audience

Attendance Record

* 121,696 (1970). VFL Grand Final Carlton v Collingwood (MCG, Melbourne)

Major Australian Rules Events in Victoria

*Australian Football League Premiership Season
*AFL Grand Final (annual)
*Victorian Football League Grand Final (annual)
*International Rules Series (biennial)
*Australian Football International Cup (quadrennial free event)
*E. J. Whitten Legends Game (annual charity event)
*Community Cup (annual charity event)
*Multicultural Cup (annual free event)
*Ovens & Murray Football League Grand Final (annual)

Great Victorian Footballers

Great players from Victoria to participate in elite football include: Tony Lockett, Gary Ablett, Ted Whitten, Ron Barassi, Leigh Matthews, Kevin Murray, Francis Bourke, Greg Williams, Jack Dyer, Roy Cazaly, Paul Salmon, Paul Roos, Dermott Brereton, Robert Flower.

Notable Victorian Players in the AFL

*Gary Ablett, Jr.
*Luke Ball
*Jimmy Bartel
*Jonathan Brown
*Nathan G. Brown
*Nick Dal Santo
*Peter Everitt
*Brendan Fevola
*Josh Fraser
*Barry Hall
*Robert Harvey
*Luke Hodge
*Brad Johnson
*Chris Judd
*Nigel Lappin
*Ryan Lonie
*Robert Murphy
*Luke Power
*Anthony Rocca
*Matthew Scarlett
*Heath Scotland
*Nick Stevens
*Chris Tarrant
*Scott West
*Jeff White
*David Wirrpanda

Governing Body

The governing body for Australian rules football in Victoria is Football Victoria.

Leagues & Clubs

Professional Clubs

*Carlton Blues (Australian Football League)
*Collingwood Magpies (Australian Football League)
*Essendon Bombers (Australian Football League)
*Hawthorn Hawks (Australian Football League)
*North Melbourne (Australian Football League)
*Melbourne Demons (Australian Football League)
*Richmond Tigers (Australian Football League)
*St Kilda Saints (Australian Football League)
*Western Bulldogs (Australian Football League)
*Geelong Cats (Australian Football League)

Open

tatewide Leagues

*Victorian Football League

Melbourne Metropolitan Leagues

*Eastern Football League
*Essendon District Football League
*Northern Football League
*Southern Football League
*Victorian Amateur Football Association
*Western Region Football League

Regional Leagues

*Victorian Country Football League [http://www.vcfl.com.au/ Official Site] (governing body over regional Victoria)
*Alberton Football League
*Ballarat Football League
*Bellarine Football League
*Benalla & District Football League
*Bendigo Football League
*Central Highlands Football League
*Central Murray Football League
*Colac & District Football League [http://colacdistrictfnl.vcfl.com.au/ Official Site]
*East Gippsland Football League [http://www.egfl.vcfl.com.au/ Official Site]
*Ellinbank & District Football League [http://www.edfl.vcfl.com.au/ Official Site]
*Geelong Football League [http://www.gfl.com.au Official Site]
*Geelong & District Football League [http://www.geelongdfl.vcfl.com.au/ Official Site]
*Goulburn Valley Football League
*Golden Rivers Football League
*Hampden Football Netball League [http://hampdenfnl.vcfl.com.au/ Official Site]
*Heathcote Football League [http://www.heathcotedfl.vcfl.com.au/ Official Site]
*Horsham & District Football League [http://www.horshamdfl.vcfl.com.au/ Official Site]
*Kowree Naracoorte Tartiara Football League
*Kyabram & District Football League
*Lexton Plains Football League [http://lextonplainsfl.vcfl.com.au/ Official Site]
*Loddon Valley Football League [http://www.loddonvalleyfl.vcfl.com.au/ Official Site]
*Mallee Football League [http://www.malleefl.vcfl.com.au/ Official Site]
*Maryborough Castlemaine District Football League [http://www.mcdfl.vcfl.com.au/ Official Site]
*Mid Gippsland Football League [http://www.sportingpulse.com.au/assoc_page.cgi?assoc=735&pID=1 Official Site]
*Millewa Football League [http://www.millewa.asn.au/ Official Site]
*Mininera & District Football League [http://www.minineradfl.vcfl.com.au/ Official Site]
*Mornington Peninsula Nepean Football League [http://www.mpnfl.com.au/ Official Site]
*Murray Football League [http://www.murrayfootballleague.com.au/ Official Site]
*North Central Football League [http://www.northcentralfl.vcfl.com.au/ Official Site]
*North Gippsland Football League [http://www.northgippslandfnl.vcfl.com.au/ Official Site]
*Omeo & District Football League [http://www.omeodfl.vcfl.com.au/ Official Site]
*Ovens & King Football League [http://www.ovenskingfl.vcfl.com.au/ Official Site]
*Ovens & Murray Football League
*Picola & District Football League
*South West District Football League [http://www.swdfnl.vcfl.com.au/ Official Site]
*Sunraysia Football League [http://www.sunraysiafl.vcfl.com.au/ Official Site]
*Tallangatta & District Football League [http://www.tallangattadfl.vcfl.com.au/ Official Site]
*Upper Murray Football League [http://www.uppermurrayfl.vcfl.com.au/ Official Site]
*Warrnambool & District Football League [http://wdfnl.vcfl.com.au/ Official Site]
*West Gippsland Latrobe Football League [http://www.wglfl.vcfl.com.au/ Official Site]
*West Gippsland Football League [http://www.wglfl.vcfl.com.au/ Official Site]
*Western Border Football League [http://www.wbfl.vcfl.com.au/ Official Site]
*Wimmera Football League [http://www.sportingpulse.com.au/assoc_page.cgi?assoc=723&pID=1 Official Site]
*Yarra Valley Mountain District Football League

Junior

*Riddell District Junior Football League [http://www.rdjfl.asn.au/2005/ Official Site]
*Yarra Junior Football League
*Waverley Junior Football Association [http://www.wjfa.org.au/ Official Site]
*Moorabbin Saints Junior Football League [http://www.msjfl.com.au/ Official Site]
*Dandenong & District Junior Football League [http://www.ddjfl.com.au/ Official Site]

=Masters=

*Victorian Metropolitan Superules Football [http://www.mafvicmetro.com/ Official Site]
*Victorian Country Masters Australian Football [http://www.superules.com Official Site]

Women's

*Victorian Women's Football League
*Youth Girls Competition [http://youthgirls.footballvic.com.au/default.aspx?s=home Official Site]

Principal Venues

Representative Team

The Victorian representative team is known as the "Big V" and have played State of Origin test matches against all other Australian states. They still play at U19 level. The Big V will make a once off appearance in the 2008 AFL Hall of Fame Tribute Match.

:See Also Interstate matches in Australian rules football

References

* Australian Football League
* Victorian Football League
* Football Victoria
* [http://www.worldfootynews.com/article.php?story=20060920220846635 Opinion: Memo to AFL - Victoria needs you!]

External links

* [http://www.fullpointsfooty.net/victoria.htm Victoria Team of the Century (from Full Points Footy)]