1896
Clubs that formed VFL
Geelong, Essendon, Collingwood, Fitzroy, Melbourne and South Melbourne met to form the Victorian Football League as a break-away competition, with Carton and St. Kilda later invited to join.
1897
VFL First Game
The first VFL game played was on 18th May 1897.
1897
VFL First Year
First year of eight teams in VFL competition and introduction of a finals series to determine the premier.
1901
Fitzroy visit
VFL club Fitzroy visited the State to play two matches against the STFA winning both games.
1902
Essendon visit
Essendon also played two matches in both the North and South of the State, winning both games.
1902
Collingwood visit
Highlight of the season was a visit of VFL powerhouse club Collingwood who played two games in Launceston and Hobart. The result of the Southeners match was Collingwood 17.17 (119) defeated STFA 8.11 (59).
1903
South Melbourne visit
South Melbourne came to Tasmania to play two game. But after the first game against the NTFA, the Southern match was cancelled due to an outbreak of smallpox in the capital.
1904
WA interstate matches
West Australia played its first Interstate match against Victoria and South Australia.
1905
Essendon and St Kilda visit
VFL clubs Essendon and St. Kilda arrived in Hobart to play the STFA and convincingly won both games.
1906
Inter-State Matches
VFL Clubs Fitzroy and Collingwood visited Tasmania for a challenge against a STFA side made up from the following selected players: E. Russell, Lee, Mills, Orpwood, Langford, Hill, P. Dodge, Heathorn, Bridges, Brain, Burrell, Weare, P. Williams, Carroll, Able, Anderson, & Laurie Lobdale. Emergencies: C. Williams, Cook, W. Dodge, Donoghue, Searl and C. Williams.
The Fitzroy match was held in June and the visitors won comfortably 6.18 (54) to the STFA 5.5 (35).
The second match against Collingwood in August was a whitewash for the touring team, giving the locals a lesson in what the game was all about. Collingwood 16.8 (104) to the STFA scoring the same outcome as its previous game, 5.5 (35).
1907
National Championship game
Norwood defeats Carlton in the National Championship game.
1907
Inter-State matches
Top VFL clubs Melbourne and St. Kilda visited the State for two games against the TFL. In the match against Melbourne, the League scored 4.6 (30) to Melbourne 14.14 (98) and in the other game against St. Kilda (which at the time was the leading club in the VFL competition) the TFL scored 8.11 (59) to the Saints 17.15 (117).
1908
National Championship game
West Adelaide defeated Carlton in National Championship game.
1908
New clubs in VFL
Both Richmond and University Clubs were admitted to the VFL.
1909
National Championship game
South Melbourne defeats West Adelaide in National Championship game.
1910
National Championship game
Port Adelaide defeats Collingwood in National Championship game.
1910
Norwood and Melbourne visit
Norwood (SA) and VFL club Melbourne arrived to play matches against the TFL. Victory was attained by the League in the match against Norwood, but the TFL had to concede to Melbourne.
1911
National Championship game
West Adelaide defeats Essendon in National Championship game.
1912
Player numbers
VFL introduced numbers on player guernseys.
1912
Inter-State visits
Three Inter-State clubs came to Hobart to play one game each against the League.
The result of which, was a morale boosting year for the TFL when its combined League team defeated VFL club Melbourne in Hobart. On the deficit side, Port Adelaide (SA) and Richmond (VFL) won their respective games. Scores were : TFL 11.14 (80) defeated Melbourne 9.8 (62), Port Adelaide 7.13 (55) defeated TFL 6.6 (42) and Richmond 11.11 (77) defeated TFL 8.9 (57)
1913
National Championship game
Port Adelaide defeats Fitzroy in National Championship game.
1914
National Championship game
Port Adelaide defeated Carlton in National Championship game.
1914
University leaves VFL
University withdrew from the Victorian Football League.
1916
Leagues in recess
SAFL, VFA, and QFA all in recess for WW1, whilst VFL continued with only four clubs, and WAFL continued with full competition.
1922
Interstate visting teams
During the season matches were played against three visiting mainland teams, with the TFL winning one game. Results were: South Adelaide 12.9 (81) defeated TFL 8.13 (61), TFL 14.9 (93) defeated Glenelg (SA) 10.19 (79), Richmond (VFL) 10.9 (69) defeated TFL 9.12 (66).
1924
Brownlow Medal
Introduction of Brownlow Medal for Beat & Fairest player in VFL (now AFL).
1925
New clubs in VFL
Footscray, Hawthorn and North Melbourne join the Victorian Football League.
1926
Interstate visits
Two VFL Clubs, Essendon and Carlton came to Hobart in 1926. Essendon played one match against the TFL. Carlton played local TFL club New Town. Game results were : TFL 6.12 (48) defeated Essendon 4.9 (33). After one of the best games seen in recent years Carlton ran out winners 16.10 (106) to New Town 12.8 (80)
South Australian club Norwood also arrived, but did not play a match.
1929
Gordon Coventry - 100 goals in a season
Gordon Coventry kicked 124 goals becoming the first player in the VFL, WAFL or SANFL to score a century in a season.
1931
New finals system
Page McIntyre final system adopted in the VFL, SANFL and WAFL.
1968
National Championship game
Carlton defeated Sturt in National Championship game.
1969
National Champinship game
Richmond defeated Sturt in National Championship game.
1970
VFL Grand Final
Grand-final between Carlton and Collingwood is the largest attended game in Australian history with 121,696 present.
1970
Waverly Park Stadium
VFL opens its own stadium at Waverley Park.
1970
National Championship game
Carlton defeated Sturt in National Championship game.
1971
National Championship game
Hawthorn defeated North Adelaide in National Championship game.
1972
National Championship game
North Adelaide defeated Carlton in the National Championship game.
1972
Final Five
VFL introduced a final five system.
1973
National Championship game
Richmond defeated Subiaco in the National Championship game.
1974
National Championship game
Richmond defeated Sturt in the National Championship game.
1975
National Championship game
North Melbourne defeated Norwood in National Championship game.
1982
South Melbourne
South Melbourne relocated to Sydney.
1985
Independent Commission
Independent Commission became VFL’s decision-making body.
1990
AFL formed
The Australian Football League was formed from the clubs of the VFL.
2000
AFL Tasmania
At the conclusion of 2000 Football Tasmania was absorbed by AFL Tasmania, the new controlling body of football in Tasmania. It immediately ceased the State Wide League competition to focus on a Tasmanian team in the VFL. This move forced the former State Wide League clubs to return to their respective regional competitions.