AustralianFootball.com Celebrating the history of the great Australian game
With the decision in 1877 to form an association also came a revised set of rules. These rules, and associated definitions, were reproduced in the Australasian.
On July 10, 1858, a letter in a Melbourne newspaper, Bell's Life in Victoria and Sporting Chronicle, calling for the establishment of a 'foot-ball club', sparked a new Australian game.
Observer of the Argus reviews the 1887 VFA season, which saw Carlton break the decade long stranglehold of Geelong and South to claim the premiership title, their second VFA flag.
The opening match of the 1908 Australasian carnival saw an unlikely pair facing off - New South Wales and New Zealand. Old Boy of the Argus reports on the historic game.
The 1904 SAFA Challenge Final between Norwood and Port Adelaide, as reported by Goalpost of the Adelaide Observer, produced one of the most thrilling comebacks in footy history.
'Half-back' of the Western Mail reviews the 1911 WAFL season, in which 'Old Easts' again claimed the premiership, and North Fremantle's Phil Matson was judged the season's best player.
'Mark' of the Western Mail reviews the 1905 WAFA season, which saw West Perth triumph over 'Old Easts', and Dolph Heindrichs acclaimed the 'best all-round' player on the coast.
'Observer' of the South Australian Chronicle reviews the 1894 SAFA season, in which the perennially strong Norwoods reclaimed the premiership, overcoming South Adelaide.
'Central' of the West Australian reviews the 1895 WAFA season, in which the mighty Fremantle (Unions), infused with interstate talent, again claimed the title.
1865 saw a new competition, the Challenge Cup, introduced to Melbourne rules. W. J. Hammersely of the Australasian reports on the match that decided the inaugural winner.
'Goalpost' of the South Australian Register reviews the 1885 SAFA season, in which South Adelaide claimed their second SAFA premiership, overcoming the Ports and Norwoods.
The opening round of 1925 VFL season saw the entry into the league of three new clubs, among them Hawthorn. Old Boy of the Argus reports on the Mayblooms initial effort vs Richmond.
The 'Ramber', of the Referee (Sydney) marvels at the 'football fever' of Melbourians, who despite being great sports lovers, clearly favour one game above all others.
'Kudex' of the Daily News, and 'Ajax', of the Western Mail, review the 1929 WANFL season in which Old Easts were again triumphant, and East Perth crashed to the wooden spoon.
'Goalpost' of the South Australian Register reviews the 1884 SAFA season, in which the men from Port outplayed the Norwoods and new rival Souths to claim the title as the leading club.
Writing in the Argus on the eve of the 1938 VFL season, Percy Taylor looks at the future job prospects of footballers, and previews the coming season through the prism of the coaches.
The two outstanding teams of the 1907 VFL season, Carlton and South Melbourne, slugged it out for the premiership flag. Observer of the Argus, reports on the nail-biting tussle.
Two West Australian stars, Tom Outridge and Bonny Campbell, speak to Wing of the Western Mail about the 1924 carnival clash in Hobart with the Vics, one of the great games of all time.
A return visit to Tasmania of 1880s legend Billy Cundy led the Mercury to recall the early years of football in that state. They republish an article from the Australian Football Guide of 1904.
Onlooker of the Referee reflects on his debut with Fitzroy in 1891 against the then mighty South Melbourne, and previews the 1917 VFL season and South's return to the league.
In this 1908 article, 'Spectator' of the Advertiser looked back at the early history of the 'seasiders', Port Adelaide, and also accesses the contemporary playing list.
In early 1922, after nearly twenty years in the game, South Australia's greatest ruckman, Tom Leahy, announced his retirement. Spectator, of the Advertiser, looks back at the great man's career.
Writing for the Western Mail (WA) in 1947, Pegasus profiles the career of Ern Henfry, the Perth star who captained Carlton in his first full year of VFL football.
Letter writers in the sports column of 'The Cynic' in the NSW-based Arrow, praise the Australian game vs Rugby, and explore the reasons why it has nonetheless failed to capture Sydney hearts.
After an eight year hiatus, organised football returned to Sydney in 1903. Arthur Kewin, secretary of the New South Wales League, talks to the Referee about the new competition.
Kicking off a premiership defence with five wins on the trot is a good thing, yeah? Maybe not, says Gigs.
Men's AFL is back, and so is Micro Noises. Andrew Gigacz looks at Hawthorn's one-point win and invokes Mozart to describe Gold Coast's AFLW loss.
Media Release: Eight new members have been inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame.
In response to a question from a fan, Andrew Gigacz looks at past V/AFL teams that have flown out of the blocks before falling short of finals.
Today's Carlton vs GWS match will be the 17th meeting of the two sides for premiership points. Of the previous 16 matches, the Giants won 10 and the Blues six. — Andrew Gigacz
Tonight's Adelaide vs Essendon match will be the second meeting of the two sides to take place on April 19. The first came in 2002, when the Bombers prevailed by 41 points. — Andrew Gigacz
CARL 17.15 (117) | GWS 15.8 (98) Round 6
GOALS Carlton: McKay, De Koning, Curnow 3; E. Hollands, Durdin 2; Owies, Kennedy, O. Hollands, Cottrell Greater Western Sydney: Riccardi, Kelly, Hogan 3; Bedford 2; Peatling, Daniels, Cadman, Buckley BEST - AFL.COM.AU (Sarah Black) Carlto ..
COLL 17.21 (123) | PORT 12.9 (81) Round 6
GOALS Collingwood: Lipinski 4; Mihocek 3; Hoskin-Elliott, Schulz, Cox 2; McInnes, McCreery, Elliott, Hill Port Adelaide: Georgiades 3; Powell-Pepper, Marshall 2; Mead, Horne-Francis, Butters, Burton, Bergman BEST - AFL.COM.AU (Josh Gabelic ..
ADEL 11.9 (75) | ESS 10.18 (78) Round 6
GOALS Adelaide: Dawson, Keays 2; Walker, Jones, Fogarty, Soligo, Rachele, McHenry, Rankine Essendon: Jones, Langford 2; Gresham, Parish, Hobbs, Stringer, Merrett, Martin BEST - AFL.COM.AU (Sophie Welsh) Adelaide: Dawson, Soligo, Hinge, O'B ..
STK 9.10 (64) | WBULL 19.10 (124) Round 6
GOALS St. Kilda: Membrey 3; Caminiti, Jones, Garcia, Wilson, Owens, Sharman Western Bulldogs: Naughton 6; Weightman, Bontempelli 3; Darcy, Dale, Treloar, West, English, Gallagher, Macrae BEST - AFL.COM.AU (Gemma Bastiani) St. Kilda: Windha ..
WCE 16.13 (109) | RICH 10.10 (70) Round 5
TELEVISION BROADCAST: Fox FootyCOMMENTATORS: Adam Papalia, Matthew Pavlich, Will Schofield, Kath Loughnan ..
GEEL 21.13 (139) | NTH 10.4 (64) Round 5
GOALS Geelong: Cameron 6; Close 4; Neale 3; Holmes, Stengle 2; Blicavs, Dempsey, Henry, O'Connor North Melbourne: Ford 3; Drury, Larkey 2; Curtis, Davies-Uniacke, Sheezel BEST - AFL.COM.AU (Alison O'Connor) Geelong: Cameron, Holmes, Miers, ..
SUNS 16.13 (109) | HAW 8.8 (56) Round 5
GOALS Gold Coast: King 4; Swallow 3; Clohesy, Read, Walter 2; Rowell, Rosas Jnr, Anderson Hawthorn: Maginness 3; Moore, Macdonald, Hardwick, Ginnivan, Chol BEST - AFL.COM.AU (Michael Whiting) Gold Coast: Anderson, Rowell, King, Ainsworth, Clohe ..
PORT 9.12 (66) | FREO 9.9 (63) Round 5
TELEVISION BROADCAST: Fox FootyCOMMENTATORS: Dwayne Russell, Leigh Montagna, Jason Duntstall, Mark Ricciuto, Kath Loughnan ..
CARL 14.14 (98) | ADEL 16.4 (100) Round 5
GOALS Carlton: Curnow 4; McKay 2; Pittonet, Owies, E. Hollands, Fantasia, Durdin, Cripps, Cottrell, Acres Adelaide: Walker 4; Rankine, Keays 3; Rachele 2; Gollant, Dawson, Cook, Berry BEST - AFL.COM.AU (Dejan Kalinic) Carlton: Walsh, Curn ..