Australian Football League | A.F.L.

Australian Rules is the oldest coded sporting competition in the world

The Australian Rules Football League [men] comprises 18 teams in 6 states, played over 23 rounds, a finals series culminating in a grand final.

Originally known as the Victorian Football League (VFL), it was founded in 1896 as a breakaway competition from the Victorian Football Association (VFA), with its inaugural season commencing the following year. The VFL, aiming to become a national competition, began expanding beyond Victoria to other Australian states in the 1980s, and changed its name to the AFL in 1990.

Short History

The game of football was devised by Tom Wills, H.C.A. Harrison, W.J. Hammersley and J.B. Thompson. The Melbourne Football Club was formed on August 7, 1858 - the year of the code's first recorded match between Scotch College and Melbourne Grammar School.

Originally the Victorian Football League (VFL) emerged from the Victorian Football Association (VFA) in 1897. The VFL aiming to become a national competition and officially changed its name to the AFL in 1990.

The Victorian Football League (VFL) foundation clubs were Carlton, Collingwood, Essendon, Fitzroy, Geelong, Melbourne, St Kilda and South Melbourne. In 1908, Richmond, 1925, Footscray (now the Western Bulldogs), Hawthorn and North Melbourne (now the Kangaroos).

The Victorian Football League (VFL) became the Australian Football League (AFL) in 1990 with clubs in New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia.

The 12 VFL clubs expanded to include the West Coast Eagles and the Brisbane Bears. By 1997, the competition comprised 16 clubs after Adelaide (1991), Fremantle (1995), and Port Adelaide (1997) joined the AFL and Fitzroy merged with the Brisbane Bears to form the Brisbane Lions (1997).

In 2011, Gold Coast Suns joined the competition as the 17th club followed by Greater Western Sydney Giants (GWS) in 2012 as the 18th club.

AFL Premiers

1990 - Collingwood
1991 - Hawthorn
1992 - West Coast
1993 - Essendon
1994 - West Coast
1995 - Carlton
1996 - North Melbourne
1997 - Adelaide
1998 - Adelaide
1999 - North Melbourne
2000 - Essendon
2001 - Brisbane Lions
2002 - Brisbane Lions
2003 - Brisbane Lions
2004 - Port Adelaide
2005 - Sydney Swans
2006 - West Coast
2007 - Geelong
2008 - Hawthorn
2009 - Geelong
2010 - Collingwood
2011 - Geelong
2012 - Sydney Swans
2013 - Hawthorn
2014 - Hawthorn
2015 - Hawthorn
2016 - Western Bulldogs
2017 - Richmond
2018 - West Coast
2019 - Richmond
2020 - Richmond
2021 - Melbourne
2022 - Geelong Cats

Australian Football League Clubs

Adelaide Football Club | Crows

Address: Turner Dr, West Lakes

The Adelaide Football Club, established in 1990, competes in the Australian Football League. Based at Football Park in the South Australian capital of Adelaide, the Club plays its .. Show More..

Brisbane Football Club | Lions

Address: 411 Vulture Street, Woolloongabba 4102

Brisbane Lions are the Reigning AFL premiers. Brisbane claimed back-to-back premierships with a 47-point victory over Geelong, on the back of a spectacular nine-goal final quarter... Show More..

Fremantle Football Club | Dockers

Address: Parry Street,, Fremantle 6160

The Fremantle Football Club (Dockers) is Western Australias second team in the Australian Football League (AFL). The club is based in Fremantle at the mouth of the Swan River in We.. Show More..

Geelong Football Club | Cats

Address: Kardinia Park, Geelong 3220

Based in Geelong, the Geelong Football Club (Cats) has some of the most dedicated fans in the AFL. Geelong has a proud history, having won TEN AFL and seven VFA premierships in its.. Show More..

Gold Coast Football Club | SUNS

Address: Nerang - Broadbeach Road, Carrara

The Gold Coast SUNS put its city on the AFL map in 2011, marking a monumental expansion of the game as the league's first new organisation in almost 20 years. Since its inception, .. Show More..

Greater Western Sydney Football Club | GWS Giants

Venue: Australian Football League | A.F.L.

The Greater Western Sydney GIANTS (GWS Giants) competes in the Australian Football League (AFL). Representing the western Sydney and Canberra, the club is based in Sydney Olympic P.. Show More..

Port Adelaide Football Club | Power

Address: War Memorial Drive, Adelaide North

Port Adelaide Football Club was established in 1870 and the oldest senior football club in South Australia. The club's senior team plays in the Australian Football League (Power) w.. Show More..

Sydney Swans Football Club

Address: Sydney

The Sydney Swans is one of two Sydney AFL teams competing in the Australian Rules Football Premier League. The Sydney Swans were originally a Victorian team, South Melbourne. The S.. Show More..

Tasmania Devils Football Club

Address: Tasmania

Hello and welcome to AFL, Tasmania. The Tasmania Devils will play its first AFL game at Hobart Stadium at Macquarie Point in 2028. The AFL men's team is expected to enter the compe.. Show More..

West Coast Football Club | Eagles

Address: 250 Roberts Road,, Subiaco

The West Coast Eagles are a professional sporting club forming in 1987 and competes in the Australian Football League. The Eagles have achieved remarkable success throughout four d.. Show More..