Adelaide Crows won first AFL premiership as first SA-based club to do so.

When the Huon Football Association became defunct in 1997, the Hobart Football Club (formerly TFL Statewide League) joined the STFL, and Lachlan folded in the same year. Former Huon Football Association Clubs, Huonville and Franklin merged. 

Teams competing were: Bracknel, Bridgenorth, Deloraine, George Town, Hillwood, Longford, Rocherlea, Scottsdale and University-Mowbray.

Teams participating at this point in time: Campbell Town, Evandale, Fingal Valley, Old Launcestonians, Old Scotch, Perth, St. Patricks, Tamar & University/Mowbray.

In 1997, the name Northern Tasmanian Football Association was granted to be used again.

In 1997 clubs from former Esk-Deloriane Football Association merged into the NTFA and two divisions were created: Division 1 and Division 2.