Episodes

1905 Episode 9: Year of Miracles

The VFL was sending money to Queensland to help support the Australian game in Brisbane and beyond. (Perhaps this investment paid off in 2020 when many clubs were able to relocate to Queensland during the Corona Virus affected season?)

Some clubs in 1905 were not happy about the Grand Final being played at the MCG every year, disadvantaging the teams that had succeeded during the year and costing their supporters large sums (in aggregate) in travel costs. And some players even had to return from their sheep shearing duties to run out onto the ground on Grand Final day. Listen to the Grand Final History podcast to hear which clubs were unhappy being forced to play the grand final at the MCG.

1904 Episode 8: Know Your Boundaries

The game is getting too fast for one umpire, it is time to bring in boundary umpires, who will signal out of bounds by waving white handkerchiefs. 

Carlton had some challenges when the committee tried to sack the coach but the players backed their man and it was the committee members who were pushed out. Many more committee room coups to come.

The VFL learns that it can increase the price of finals tickets and the crowds continue to come to the games. The money was to promote the game in Sydney, although not everyone agreed. Listen to the Grand Final History podcast as King Football makes a return in 1904.

1903 Episode 7: Sydney Here We Come

The first push to promote the game in Sydney. A game for premiership points payed in the harbour town, with no radio or TV to follow the game, some supporters were not too happy about losing a chance to watch their team play. And in an preview of 2020 one club has to cancel games and change their travel schedule because of a deadly contagious virus. Listen to the Grand Final History podcast to hear who played in Sydney and which team went on to become premiers in 1903.

1902 Episode 6: The Home of Football

The Grand Final is played at the MCG, the Home of Football for the first time. And see which club employed the first coach. The Argus Finals system was updated and the spectre of gambling and its influence over the game was raised again, possibly leading to the end of a champion’s career.  Listen to the Grand Final History podcast to hear which club became the first team to win a grand final at the home of football.

1901 Episode 5: Federation

Australia became a united country. So we would have interstate games instead of inter colonial games. 

The finals system was updated again and “Grand Final” was used for the first time as the version one of the “Argus System” made its debut. And see why Geelong were unhappy about the lack of a challenge option for the team finishing on top of the ladder, the only time this happened in finals until the system was revised in the 1930’s. Listen to the Grand Final History podcast to hear why Geelong were so upset.

1900: Episode 4: The End of the Century

The process for deciding the premiership continued to be criticized, St Kilda would win a game with the decision being made at league headquarters in the week after the game, just like the 2008 Sirengate affair in York Park Tasmania and one team makes a late run for the premiership which results in more changes to the finals in years to come.  Listen to the Grand Final History podcast to see who became premiers and why it was so controversial.

1899 Episode 3: 18 is Enough

The third season of the VFL and the number of players on the ground was reduced from 20 to 18 to reduce congestion and open the game up. There were fears about the influence of gambling and the role of bookmakers and allegations that the VFL was more focused on money than spectators when it came to selecting a ground for the Grand Final. Listen to the Grand Final History podcast to see how it all unfolded

1898 Episode 2: The First Grand Final

The second year of the VFL saw the first Grand Final. But only after one of the competing teams decided not to follow through with their threat to boycott the match. Listen to the Grand Final History podcast to see how the season unfolded and why there was doubt about the Grand Final being played right up until the Friday night before the game.

Grand Final History Podcast Introduction

Welcome to Grand Final History, a Podcast that explores every VFL and AFL premiership since 1897. Each episode takes you through a summary of the season, the changing rules, emerging trends, controversies and highlights. Then into the finals culminating in two teams challenging each other in a Grand Final to become the premiers for the year (Apart from the seasons where a round robin system replaced the Grand Final). From the early years of the VFL when 8 suburban clubs built a competition to a national league playing games in every state and territory across the country.