Representative matches in Australian rules football are matches between representative teams played under the Australian rules, most notably of the colonies and later Australian states and territories that have been held since 1879.For most of the 20th century, the absence of a national club competition in Australia and international matches meant that intercolonial and later interstate matches were regarded with great importance.
Players contest a mark at the Australian Football Carnival, in 1933, at the Sydney Cricket Ground. The teams are New South Wales and Western Australia.
Victoria vs South Australia at the East Melbourne Cricket Ground in 1879
Victoria's "Big V" team of 1928.
Victoria v South Australia at the Australian National Football Council Interstate Carnival Sydney Cricket Ground 1933
Victorian Football League
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The Victorian Football League (VFL) is an Australian rules football competition in Australia operated by the Australian Football League (AFL) as a second-tier, regional, semi-professional competition. It includes teams from clubs based in eastern states of Australia: Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland, including reserves teams for the eastern state AFL clubs. It succeeded and continues the competition of the former Victorian Football Association (VFA) which began in 1877. The name of the competition was changed to the Victorian Football League in 1996. Under its VFL brand, the AFL also operates a women's football competition known as VFL Women's, which was established in 2016.
Melbourne FC team of 1879
Scenes from an 1891 VFA Premiership Match between Essendon and Carlton
Brunswick during the early 1900s. The highlighted section in the bottom right-hand corner shows the future Australian Prime Minister John Curtin.
Northcote's 1929 premiership side. Second from right, front row, is Doug Nicholls.