Ever found yourself at a BBQ, someone mentions “the VFL days,” and you nod along while silently praying they don’t ask you a follow-up question? Mate, we’ve all been there. Australian Rules football has a story that’s as wild as a Mark of the Year contender—full of twists, rivalries, and moments that shaped the game we love today.

Whether you’re a new fan trying to understand why your mates go nuts for Anzac Day footy, a grassroots player wondering how the game evolved from a winter pastime into a national obsession, or a coach wanting to drop some knowledge at training, this checklist is for you. We’re going to walk through the origins of AFL step by step, so by the end, you’ll have the full story locked in your back pocket.

Let’s kick things off.

What You’ll Need Before We Start

Before we dive into the history, here’s what you should have handy:

A cuppa (or a cold one—no judgment)
An open mind (the early rules were… interesting)
Basic knowledge of footy terms (goal, behind, mark, free kick)
About 20 minutes (this is a complete history, not a TikTok)
A mate to quiz afterwards (bonus points if they’re a Collingwood supporter—they love talking footy history)

Alright, let’s get into it.

Step 1: Understand the Pre-AFL Landscape

Before there was the AFL, there was chaos. Literally.

In the 1850s, Melbourne was booming thanks to the gold rush. People from all over the world were flooding in, and they wanted something to do on their days off. Cricket was already popular (sound familiar?), but it was a summer game. Winter needed its own sport.

Enter the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Yes, that MCG. In 1858, a bunch of blokes decided to invent a winter game to keep cricketers fit. Early matches were played between local schools and clubs, often lasting multiple days. The MCG was there from the start.

Key takeaway: Footy wasn’t born in a boardroom. It was born because cricketers wanted to stay in shape. And the MCG was there from day one.

Pro tip: If anyone asks you where footy started, say “the MCG, mate.” You’ll sound like a legend.

Step 2: Know the First Rules (And Why They Were Bonkers)

In 1859, a group of clubs sat down to write the rules. Here’s what they came up with:

No throwing the ball. You had to kick it or punch it. (Handballing as we know it came later.)
No offside. Unlike soccer or rugby, you could go anywhere on the field. This is still true today.
The ball had to bounce every 10 metres if you were running with it. (Yes, this rule is still around.)
Goals were scored by kicking the ball between two posts. Behinds? That came later.
The game was played on a cricket oval. That’s why footy fields are so big and oddly shaped.

Common mistake: People think the original rules were simple. They weren’t. There were arguments about whether you could tackle above the waist, how to handle the ball, and what counted as a mark. It took years to settle.

Pro tip: When explaining this to beginners, focus on the “no offside” rule. That’s the biggest difference between footy and every other sport.

Step 3: Trace the Formation of the VFL (1897)

For nearly 40 years, footy was run by individual clubs. It was messy. In 1896, the stronger clubs decided to break away from the Victorian Football Association (VFA) and form their own competition.

In 1897, the Victorian Football League (VFL) was born. The founding clubs were:

Carlton
Collingwood
Essendon
Fitzroy (later merged with Brisbane)
Geelong
Melbourne
St Kilda
South Melbourne (later became Sydney Swans)

Key detail: The VFL formalised a finals system and the scoring system: 6 points for a goal, 1 point for a behind.

Why this matters: The VFL wasn’t the only league in Australia. There were strong competitions in South Australia, Western Australia, and Tasmania. But the VFL had the money and the crowds. It was only a matter of time before it became the dominant force.

Pro tip: If you’re talking to a South Australian or WA fan, acknowledge their state leagues. They’ll respect you for it.

Step 4: Understand the Expansion Era (1980s–1990s)

By the 1980s, the VFL wanted to become a truly national competition. The problem? Most of the clubs were based in Victoria. That had to change.

Here’s how it happened:

1982: South Melbourne moved to Sydney and became the Sydney Swans. This was the first non-Victorian club.
1987: The West Coast Eagles (Perth) and Brisbane Bears (later Brisbane Lions) joined.
1991: The Adelaide Crows joined from South Australia.
1995: The Fremantle Dockers joined from Western Australia.
1997: Port Adelaide joined from South Australia.

In 1990, the VFL officially renamed itself the Australian Football League (AFL). The name change reflected the new reality: this was no longer a Victorian competition. It was national.

Common mistake: People think the AFL was created from scratch in 1990. Nope. It was the VFL rebranding and expanding. The history is continuous.

Pro tip: When explaining this, use the cricket comparison. Just like the Ashes series started in England and expanded, footy started in Melbourne and grew across Australia.

Step 5: Know the Key Moments That Shaped the Modern Game

The AFL didn’t become what it is today overnight. Here are the moments that changed everything:

The Introduction of the Night Grand Final

For the first time, the Grand Final was played under lights at the MCG. It was a ratings bonanza and set the stage for modern broadcasting.

The Salary Cap and Draft

The AFL introduced a salary cap and a player draft to even out the competition. This was huge. It meant that struggling clubs could rebuild through drafting young talent, just like in the NFL or NBA.

The Rise of Interstate Clubs

Clubs like the Brisbane Lions and Sydney Swans proved that non-Victorian clubs could dominate. This was a turning point for the competition’s credibility.

The Introduction of Free Agency

Players could now move clubs more freely after a certain number of years. This changed the dynamics of team building.

The COVID-19 Season

The AFL adapted by using hub arrangements across multiple states. It was chaotic, but it proved the league could adapt.

Pro tip: If you’re coaching or playing grassroots footy, the salary cap and draft are the most relevant parts. They’re why your local club might have a star player one year and lose them the next.

Step 6: Connect Footy to Cricket (Because This Is a Cricket Site)

Now, here’s where things get interesting for our readers. Australian Rules football and cricket are deeply connected. Here’s how:

Shared grounds: The MCG, SCG, WACA Ground, and Adelaide Oval are used for both sports. The MCG alone hosts the AFL Grand Final and the Boxing Day Test (a key part of the Ashes series).
Shared history: As we mentioned, footy was invented to keep cricketers fit. The Melbourne Cricket Club was instrumental in the early days of the VFL.
Shared stars: Plenty of athletes have played both sports at a high level. Some well-known cricketers have junior footy backgrounds, and many footy stars grew up playing cricket.
Shared rivalries: Just like the Border-Gavaskar Trophy between Australia and India, footy has its own historic rivalries. The Collingwood vs. Carlton rivalry is as fierce as any Ashes Test.
Shared seasons: Cricket runs in summer, footy in winter. That’s why the MCG can host a Test match in December and a Grand Final in September.

Key takeaway: If you love the Ashes series or the Big Bash League, you already have a foot in the door for understanding footy. The same grounds, the same cities, the same passion.

Pro tip: Next time you’re at the MCG for a cricket match, look at the footy goalposts. They’re always there, just waiting for winter.

Step 7: Appreciate the Modern AFL (And Its Challenges)

Today, the AFL is a billion-dollar industry. It has 18 clubs, a women’s competition (AFLW), and a massive media presence. But it also faces challenges:

Concussion and player safety: The AFL has introduced stricter protocols, similar to cricket’s concussion substitutes.
Equalisation: The salary cap and draft help, but some clubs still have massive financial advantages.
Expansion: There’s talk of a 19th club in Tasmania. It would be the first new club since Gold Coast (2011) and Greater Western Sydney (2012).
The AFLW: The women’s competition has grown rapidly, but it still faces issues with pay equity and media coverage.

Common mistake: People think the AFL is perfect. It’s not. But it’s constantly evolving, just like cricket has with T20 leagues and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

Pro tip: If you’re writing about footy history, don’t shy away from the controversies. They’re part of the story.

Step 8: Dive Deeper Into Footy History

If you want to go beyond this checklist, here are some resources:

Books: The Australian Game of Football by the AFL, Football’s Brave New World by Rob Hess.
Museums: The Australian Sports Museum at the MCG has an incredible footy exhibit.
Podcasts: The History of Australian Football by the AFL, Footyology.
Websites: The AFL’s official history section, plus fan sites like The Roar.

Pro tip: For cricket fans, start with the shared history of the MCG. It’s the bridge between the two sports.

Pro Tips and Common Mistakes

Pro Tips:

Start with the MCG. It’s the easiest entry point for cricket fans.
Focus on the rules that matter. The no-offside rule, the bounce rule, and the scoring system are the big ones.
Use cricket comparisons. Talk about the Ashes series, the Big Bash League, and the Sheffield Shield to make footy relatable.
Acknowledge state pride. If you’re talking to a South Australian, mention the SANFL. If you’re talking to a West Australian, mention the WAFL.

Common Mistakes:

Calling it “Aussie Rules” in formal writing. Stick to “Australian Rules football” or “AFL.”
Forgetting the women’s game. The AFLW is a huge part of modern footy.
Overcomplicating the early rules. Keep it simple.
Ignoring the history of Indigenous players. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players have been central to footy since the beginning. Mention them.

The Origins of AFL: Complete History Checklist

Here’s your quick-reference checklist. Tick these off as you go:

Understand the pre-AFL landscape (1850s Melbourne, gold rush, MCG)
Know the first rules (no offside, bouncing every 10 metres, cricket ovals)
Trace the formation of the VFL (1897, founding clubs, finals system)
Understand the expansion era (1980s–1990s, national competition)
Know the key moments (night Grand Final, salary cap, free agency, COVID hub)
Connect footy to cricket (shared grounds, shared stars, shared rivalries)
Appreciate the modern AFL (challenges, AFLW, equalisation)
Dive deeper (books, museums, podcasts)

Final Word

The origins of AFL are a story of innovation, rivalry, and pure Aussie grit. From a scratch match on the MCG to a billion-dollar national league, footy has come a long way. And if you’re a cricket fan, you’re already part of that story—because the same grounds, the same cities, and the same passion connect both sports.

So the next time someone asks you about footy history, you’ll have the whole checklist in your head. Just remember: start with the MCG, mention the no-offside rule, and never forget that footy was born because cricketers wanted to stay fit in winter.

Now go impress your mates at the next BBQ. And if you’re really keen, check out our other articles on legendary players, iconic grounds, club rivalries, and grand final history. There’s always more to learn.

Catch ya at the footy.

The Origins of AFL: A Complete History Checklist