How a single rule change transformed the landscape of Australian football

History · Published 6 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: For decades, a handful of clubs dominated the VFL. But through strategic equalisation policies like the draft and salary cap, the league fundamentally shifted the balance of power, allowing more teams to taste premiership glory than ever before.

The history of the Australian Football League (AFL) is a study in the evolution from a localized Victorian competition to a national powerhouse. Originally known as the Victorian Football League (VFL), the competition underwent a significant identity shift in 1989. While the league's roots are deeply embedded in the Victorian era, the transition toward a national competition began in earnest in 1987, bringing new challenges and opportunities for expansion.

To ensure a stable and even competition, the league introduced specific equalisation mechanisms. The salary cap, introduced in 1985, and the draft, implemented in 1986, were designed to prevent the concentration of talent. The impact of these policies is measurable in the distribution of success. Between 1967 and 1989, only five clubs managed to secure a premiership. However, the landscape changed significantly in the modern era; since 1990, thirteen different clubs have claimed the title.

Despite this increased parity, certain legacies remain unbroken. Carlton, Collingwood, and Essendon stand as the most successful clubs in the league's history, each holding 16 premiership titles. The league's expansion has also seen the arrival of newer clubs like Fremantle, Gold Coast, and Greater Western Sydney. While most current AFL teams have experienced the triumph of a premiership, the newest entrants, specifically Gold Coast and Greater Western Sydney, are still searching for their first title, and Gold Coast remains the only current club to have yet to reach a grand final.

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