Towards a National Competition – Timeline of VFL/AFL Expansion (updated 24/4/2023)

Sources used:

• The Australian Game of Football…since 1858, edited by Geoff Slattery
• 100 Years of Australian Football – the official History of the AFL
• The South Australian Football Story, by Bernard Whimpress
• Behind the Play – A history of football in Western Australia, by Anthony Barker
• From Port to a Power, by Bruce Abernethy
• Football Limited, by Garry Linnell
• The Phoenix Rises, by Ross Oakley
• Fitzroy, by Dyson Hore Lacy
• Urge to Merge, by Ian Ridley
• Shake down the thunder, by Jim Main
• Camry Crows 1991 Yearbook
• Soaring – The Official History of the West Coast Eagles first 10 years, by Geoff Christian
  
• The Pride of South Australia – A Crows Decade by Ashley Porter
• Fremantle Dockers – An Illustrated History by Les Everett
• The Footballers – From 1885 to the West Coast Eagles by Geoff Christian
• Merger – William Westerman
• Big Jack – My Sporting Life by John Elliot
• A Bear is Born
• Headliners – Birth of the West Coast Eagles
• Birth of the Dockers
• Various sources at Trove.(as hyperlinked)

Revised and Extended Timeline of VFL Expansion

• 1907 – 11 September. University Football Club applies to the VFL.
• 1907 – 14 October – North and West Melbourne amalgamate in a bid to win the tenth spot, after University was granted entry. It was noted that Richmond had already expressed interest.
• 1925 – January 17 – The VFL decides to admit North Melbourne, Hawthorn and Footscray over the protests of the VFA.
• 1915 – Melbourne “merge with University
• 1925 – January 20 – Delegates from North, Hawthorn and Footscray deny applying to the VFL. Some confusion as to who actually made the applications.
• 1925 – January 31 – North, Hawthorn and Footscray municipal councils and clubs accept the terms and conditions and are formally admitted to the league.
• 1934 – April 19. Determined to stop VFL ‘piracy’ football authorities in WA and SA refuse to grant clearances to players transfering to the VFL.
• 1951 – June 13. Bendigo proposes joining the VFL.
• 1952 – VFL plays promotional games in Brisbane, Sydney and Hobart under the auspices of the ANFC.
• 1954 – November 9. ANFC proposes VFL play promotional games in every state.
• 1955 – July 14. Ballarat applies to join the VFL.
• 1977 – The VFL and HSV7 enter a 5 year agreement that prohibited the VFL from playing in a competition run by anyone else (The SA Football Story pg 115)
• 1977 – The NFL stages the “Ardath Cup” with 22 teams including 6 from SA, 6 from WA, 4 from the VFA, and state sides from NSW, ACT, Tasmania and Queensland. It was won by Norwood over East perth (The SA Football Story pg 115)
• 1977 – December 23. Ron Barrassi presents a plan to the VFL for a team in Sydney with himself as the coach.
• 1978 – April 26. VFL board of Directors authorises the VFL to investigate the Sydney Cricket Ground  hosting Sunday VFL matches.
• 1978 – The NFL championship is reduced to 16 teams, and became the Escort Cup. South Adelaide defeated Glenelg – the competition had 5 SA sides. (The SA Football Story pg 115)
• 1980 – July 29 – VFL approves South Melbourne plan to play 11 home games in Sydney from 1981.
• 1980, October 15. East Perth makes formal application to join the VFL. (Behind the Play pg 179)
• 1980, October 28. The VFL rejects East Perths application. (Soaring pg 10)
• 1980 – November. The VFL Board of Directors resolved to adopt a totally new approach to the recruitment of interstate players. The Permit Regulations of the League were amended to provide that, in future, players could only be registered with VFL Clubs through being drafted at an Interstate Selection meeting.
• 1980 – The Hennessy Report recommends a team be established in Sydney. The team would be profitable, making profits of $750,000 after three years, and drawing 17,000 average crowds  in the first year up to 20,000 in the third. (Football Limited, pg, 93)
• 1981 – January 28. VFL appoints Graham Huggins to do a study into launching a full time VFL side in Sydney. The study takes 5 months
• 1981 – June 12. A meeting of the SANFL directors resolves to pout a submission for the Adelaide Football club to join the VFL. (The SA Football Story pg 116)
• 1981 – June 17. Huggins report is tabled to the VFL board recommneding immediate expansion. Under the Huggins report Sydney would be controlled by a VFL trust, and have a trial period of three years in the league before becoming a full member.
• 1981 – June 11-17. VFL Directors decide that they would consider approaches from South Australia after a week of talks between senior VFL directors and the SANFL General Manager, Don roach.
• 1981 – July 1. South Melbourne asks the VFL to fixture all home games in Sydney and all away games at VFL Park under lights
• 1981, July 1. The WAFL board resolved to ask the VFL of their opinion of a WA team joining the VFL competition and for an iundication of the VFLs intentions regarding the development of football in Australia (Behind the Play pg 180)
• 1981 – July 5. Keep South at South meets at Lakeside oval.
• 1981 – July 29. VFL approves moving 11 home games to Sydney in 1982.
• 1981 – September 22.  Extraordinary meeting of South Melbourne members, KSAS committee wins 80% of vote.
• 1981 – October 1. The VFL drops the old Form Four system previously used to recruit from interstate and moves to a draft.
• 1981 – October 6. First VFL draft for interstate recruits is held. Alan Johnson from WA is pick 1 by Melbourne.
• 1981 – October 14. The VFL refuses to rescind the decision to play South in Sydney in 1982
• 1981 – November 18.The VFL agrees to loan South $400,000 from the Ground Improvement Fund on condition that the club plays its games in Sydney for at least two years.
• 1981 – December 9. VFL presidents indicate support for the VFL to take over South
• 1981 – December 11. South Board resigns.
• 1982 – February 10. Gold Coast Australian Football league launches a campaign to have a VFL team based on the Gold Coast within five years.
• 1982, April. The WAFL calls a special meeting of its Directors to discuss the formation of a policy on a national competition. (Behind the play pg 183)
• 1982 – August 2. The Canberra Times reports that a Canberra bid was “recently” placed before the VFL. While rejected, the League said that consideration would be given to Canberra being included “within the next 10 years”.
• 1982 – October 19.  Second VFL Draft for interstate recruits. Andrew Purser, from WA is selected at No.1 by Footscray.
• 1982 – December 10. VFL Commissioner says that applications had been recieved from WA, SA, and the ACT. The article quotes Hamilton as saying that the ACT would almost certainly be represented in the VFL in future.
• 1983 – John Elliot and Elders IXL look at buying the Swans. They would need to pay out 1.6 million in debt and buyout 1800 members at $40 a piece. The plan was later dropped. (Football Limited pg.97)
• 1983 – February 5th. Allen Aylett suggests moving clubs interstate to alleviate their financial problems after reported speculation that Footscray or Collingwood could move to Brisbane.
• 1983 – April-May. Mckinsey report commissioned. The report finds many issues with the leagues decision making processes. (The Pheonix Rises, pg 18)
• 1983, May 2. – The WAFL requests immediate AID from the WA Goverment to meet a 1.9 million deficit that had come about due to the maintenance of league venues. The Government sets up a task force headed by Bill Mitchell to investigate footballs financial problems and long term needs. The Report would recommend ground rationalisation – down to four, including Subiaco and the WACA, as well as an independent commission. (Behind the Play pg 187)
• 1983  – May 11. A report by David Crawford says the Swans are dangerously close to extinction. (The Phoenix Rises pg 20)
• 1983, August 8. The WA Government appoints a 3 man task force to investigate the long term financial needs of WA league football. (The Footballers, pg 154)
• 1983 – October 4. The VFL sets up Task Force Mandic. (The Phoenix Rises pg. 20)
• 1984, January 16. The WA Government task force recommends the formation of an independent board of directors be appointed to take overasll control of the game and that the Government take financial responsibility for Subaico (The Footballers, pg 154)
• 1984, February 28. The WAFL board hands control of football in WA over to a newly formed WAFL board. In return the Givernment took over repayments on a 4 million loan used to finance the development of Subiaco Oval. (Behind the Play pg 190)
• 1984 – April 7. The NFL calls a conference to discuss the VFLs attitude to interstate recruiting after the VFL ignored an NFL request to revoke permits granted to two players to transfer from South Australia back to Geelong.
• 1984 – May 17. Bob Ansett (North president) says that a national competition was needed to ensure the survival of the VFL after reports emerged that several clubs were considering forming a breakaway competition.
• 1984 – May 23. The herald reports that Fitzroy is considering a merger with Melbourne. Fitzroy deny any such discussion is taking place.
• 1984 – June 6. North Melbourne proposes a revamped 16 team competition in six states to a VFL task force.
• 1984 – June 15. WA Football Commissioner appraches the SANFL to discuss entering the VFL at the same time, but leaves under the impression the SANFL arent interested (Headliners – Birth of the West Coast Eagles)
• 1984 – August 1. Mandic Task Force reports ““the overwhelming preponderance of evidence received by the Task Force supports its unanimous view that a new management and policy-making structure with clearly defined objectives needs to be created for the VFL and further, the Task Force has concluded that the present decision-making process with the League is fundamently (sic) deficient”.” (The Phoenix Rises, pg. 20)
• 1984 – September 4. Meeting of club representatives organised by John Elliot and Ian Collins proposing the setting up of a new national competition, with financial conditions set, and clubs to be invited from WA and SA. SA is uninterested, but interest from WA was reported as warm. 11 VFL club presidents are reported in favour (Geelongs president wasnt present).
• 1984 – September 13. The WAFL says its ready to join the VFL, but wants composite teams not individuals. Elliot was reported to have talked to Swan District and Claremont. The SANFL condemned the VFL for keeping it in the dark.
• 1984 – September 12. John Elliot presents his plan to the VFL board at an emergency meeting “noting that his material had input from the Collingwood president, Ranald Macdonald, and “other club representatives” (The Phoenix Rises pg 23)
• 1984 – September 14. Victorian Minister for sport and recreation condemns moves to take the VFL national in parliament, saying 90% of the Victorian public opposed the move.
• 1984 – September 26. VFL subcommittee says changes could not be in place for 1985. (The Phoenix Rises, pg. 24)
• 1984 – October 4. ACTAFL president says any national competition should be run by the NFL not the VFL.
• 1984 – November 7 – ““after long and careful consideration it was resolved “that the VFL Board endorse in principal the Task Force recommendation that the existing VFL Board of Directors structure be replaced by the appointment of a full-time Commissioner and four part-time Commissioners to conduct the administrative affairs of the League on a trial basis” (The Phoenix Rises, pg 24)
• 1984 – December 20. Plans leaked that the league was considered a franchise system for all clubs in 1985.
• 1984 – The McKinsey Report, commissioned by the VFL, revealed that the VFL’s operating expenses were exceeding operating revenues by nearly $2 million per annum and that six of the twelve clubs were technically bankrupt (Nadel, 1998, p.220).
• 1985 – The VFL obtains a $60,000 grant from the Federal Government for a feasibility study on national football. This was conducted by John Adams with strong support from WA. (Soaring, pg 12)
• 1985. February 9. Geofrrey Edelston tables an offer to buy the Sydney Swans for $3 million up front and another $10 million over the next decade
• 1985 – April 3. The VFL approves the privatisation of the Swans, announcing that they have two bidders – Basil Sellars and Geoffrey Edelston.
• 1985 – May 20. St Kilda reject an offer from Perth businessman Alan Delaney to buy the Saints and move them to Perth.
• 1985 – July 1. Geoffrey Edelston wins the Sydney license.  He sets up a company called Powerplay to run the Swans. By September the club was effectively owned by Westeq.
• 1985 – October 24. In what is seen as a stern government warning to club administrators about their legal responsibilities, the attorneygeneral, Mr (Jim) Kennan, wrote to seven clubs on 24 October asking them to supply details by the end of November of their financial accounts, and declare that their directors had not breached the Companies Code. (The Phoenix Rises, pg. 33)
• 1985 – October. The League adopts the Blue Report – “VFL Football: Establishing the Basis for Future Success” – which said in part – The underlying causes of the difficulties of the last few years are largely external to the game itself and to its management. In fact, if anyone were to be held “responsible” for the problems of the competition, there would be two culprits, the first being the changing activity patterns in society; the second being the inevitable consequences of change from a near-amateur to a near-professional competition … The current focus on the game itself (violence, evenness, facilities, prices) or its management (club and VFL competence) are distractions from much more fundamental problems which need to be addressed” (The Phoenix Rises pg. 46)
• 1985, October 29. The VFL commission releases details of plans for a 14 team competition for 1987. (The Footballers pg 157)
• 1985, October 30. The Age reports that ‘the VFL was at great pains to say it is proposing an expansion of the existing competition to include interstate teams and not a national league’. (Behind the Play pg 198)
• 1985, Nov 6. Adams delivers his report. Major recommendations include a 12 team competition – eight from Victoria, two from Adelaide and 1 from Perth and Sydney. (Soaring, pg 12)
• 1985, November 7. The NFL releases its own play for a national compeition, with a 12 team structure featuring 9 teams from Melbourne and one each from Sydney, Perth and Adelaide. It also proposed an independent form of administration rather than the VFL’s Melbourne centrered power base”. The WAFL supports the NFL option, going so far as to send its CEO to talk to Macquarie Bank in Sydney about getting $100 million to float a competition, with six Melbourne clubs saying they’d break away. (Behind the Play pg 198)
• 1985. Paul Cronin approaches the Queensland Government to ascertain the degree of support for a team in a national competition. (A Bear is Born)
• 1985 – December. All clubs sign license agreements with the league/ (The Phoenix Rises pg.53)
• 1985 – December 31. Aylett says that Fitzroy could merge with Melbourne.
• 1986, February. Executives from the SANFL, WAFL and VFL meet to establish the format of a new competition. (Behind the Play pg 200)
• 1986, Feb 7. WAFL Chairman Roy Annear states that he sees a national competition as essential to football in Australia, WA had to be represented and it had to be with a composite team. (soaring pg 12)
• 1986 – WAFL Presidents vote 6-2 for joining the VFL. Only East Fremantle and Swan Districts vote against. (Headliners – Birth of the West Coast Eagles)
• 1986 – April 17. Collingwood books a 2.9 million loss, president is fired. Richmond, Fitzroy and Footscray mentioned as having financial problems.
• 1986 – May 22. QAFL President announces plans to introduce a team into Queensland. While wanting to field a Queensland side in its own right, they felt that having a relocated side was more likely. (A Bear is Born)
• 1986, June 6. West Perth announces that it will not support joining the VFL. (Soaring, pg 13)
• 1986 – June 26. Melbourne and Fitzroy are reported in merger talks.
• 1986 – July 1. VFL Commissioner reported in talks with consortium over possible team in Queensland
• 1986 – July 4. St Kilda and Fitzroy are reported as being in merger talks.
• 1986, July 10. A report by Richard Colless, Peter Fogarty and John Walker is presented to the WAFL stating that 1) an expanded VFL was inevitable. 2) a composite team was the way forward. 3) Control of the team should rest with the WAFL. 4) The VFL would expand to WA by other means if the WAFL teams didnt support the composite option.
• 1986 – July 16. Melbourne and North Melbourne in talks over possible merger at the suggestion of the VFL.
• 1986 – July 29.  Kevin Bartlett writes that the national league wont get off the ground. (Football Limited pg 154)
• 1986, July 31. The VFL reaffirms its commitment to a national competition in 1987, with a preference for a team from Brisbane. The league was uncertain as to whether teams from SA or WA would be involved. (Behind the Play pg 202) (A Bear is Born)
• 1986, August 1. A VFL report reveqaled that a number of clubs would be in serious financial trouble unless a national competition was introduced the following year (Soaring pg 14)
• 1986 – Fitzroy board approves an in principle move to Brisbane 5-3. It was later declared a “straw vote”. (Football limited pg. 157)
• 1986 – August 5. Melbourne calls of merger talks with Fitzroy.
• 1986 – August 5. The VFL decides not to adopt rationalistion and announces it will take 12 teams into its proposed national competition in 1987.
• 1986 – August 7. SA and WA say they will reconsider joining the national competition after the VFL voted to retain all 12 clubs in the league. WA and SA had been working under the belief that there were be some rationalisation and the league would be composed of 12 clubs and not 14.
• 1986 – August 8. the Victorian commissioner for corporate affairs, Gordon Lewis, reads the riot act: the 11 Victoria-based VFL clubs had the same responsibility as any other trading entity—they had to be solvent. (The Phoenix Rises pg 64). “Of the 11 Victorian Club companies it appears that seven of them are technically insolvent. These clubs are Fitzroy, Geelong, Footscray, Collingwood, Melbourne, North Melbourne and Richmond,” he wrote.
• 1986 – August 11. SANFL Directors unanimously vote against joining the VFL in 1987, citing a need for rationalisation of the Victorian clubs, and saying that the financial equation didnt work after being required to pay a 4 million license fee by the VFL.
• 1986 – August 12. Sportsplay proposes a 10 team “kerry packer” style competition which is met with widespread condemnation.
• 1986 – August 19. Paul Cronin and the QAFL join forces for their bid, leaving Alistair Norwood (Jeans West) and John Brown out on their own. Cronin was providing most of the funding. (A Bear is Born)
• 1986, August 26. All six WAFL directors and six of the eight clubs voted to apply to join the VFL in 1987. Sth Fremantle and Swan Districts vote against. (Behind the play, pg 202). To get the clubs votes a $200,000 in finanical support was offered to each club (Behind the play pg 218) The 4 million license fee is demanded up front by the VFL instead of over 10 years as had been originally proposed (Behind the play pg 215)
• 1986 – August 29. The VFL announces a 23 month moratorium on recruiting from Western Australia until October 1, 1988. The new WA side will be able to recruit up to 6 players with WAFL experience from Victoria or South Australia – and no more than one from any club. Another list of 30 players from the WAFL had to be presented by November 1 with no more than 5 players taken from any one WAFL club. This was made more difficult by the recruitment during the year of 17 players from the WAFL by Victorian clubs.
• 1986, September. Victorian Parliament is told only three VFL clubs are solvent – Carlton, Hawthorn and Essendon. The other eight clubs had combined debts of 7 million. (Behind the play pg 203)
• 1986 – September. Hecron offer 2.6 million to take control of Fitzroy. The Commission demands the same 4 million license fee that the new clubs would be paying. (The Phoenix Rises pg. 77)
• 1986, September 22. Indian PAcific Limited is formed to control the Eagles license. (Behind the play pg 206). The WAFL sells its sublicense to Indian Pacific Limited for $5.6million, making a 1.6 million profit. IPL also had the right 50% of any shares offered in a second team. The new clubs would have to pay their own air fares, but could only use the VFLs airline partner. (The Phoenix Rises pg 79)
• 1986 – October 1. VFL Board of Directors approves teams from Western Australia and Queensland to join the VFL in 1987. Hawthorn, Collingwood, Melbourne and Essendon vote against, but all other clubs vote for. Fitzroy initially opposed, but Leon Wiegard is convinced by the dollar signs drawn by the commission. (Football Limited pg. 159) West Coast have a 5 year exclusive period attached. (The Phoenix Rises pg. 156)
• 1986 – October 30. The new WA club is announced as the West Coast Eagles. (Headliners – Birth of the West coash Eagles)
• 1986, October 31. Deadline for Eagles to pay 4m license fee. This was financed by Bankwest.
• 1986 – October 1. VFL board of directors rejects Hecrons proposed ownership stake in Fitzroy.
• 1986 – October 1. Richmond propose to play 11 games a year in Brisbane. (The Phoenix Rises pg. 78) Richmond, with the strong backing of president-elect Alan Bond, announced it was planning to play 11 away games in Brisbane from the 1987 season onwards, with 11 home games at the MCG.
• 1986 – October 4. Perth clothing millionare Allister Norwood withdraws from the bidding for a Queensland side.
• 1986 – October 7. A syndicate headed by Actor Paul Cronin and the QAFL wins the right to field a new team in Brisbane. The VFL directors vote is unanimous. (A bear is born)
• 1986 – October 20. The VFL meets with the SANFLs Bob Lee and Leigh Whicker to discuss a composite team, or relocating a Victorian club. (The Phoenix Rises pg. 78)
• 1986 – October 30. VFL Commission notes with concern that Skase intended to base the Bears in Carrara. The league specified that this cold only be a temporary arrangement. (The Phoenix Rises,  pg 133)
• 1986, November 1, Moratorium begins on the recruitment of WA players by Victorian clubs. It was too late for Peter Wilson, who signed with Richmond the day the clubs voted to enter the VFL, similarly Mark Bairstow and Nicky Winmar were narrowly missed. Brad Hardie declined to come back, Gary Buckenara fought and lost in court over his Hawthorn contract. Leon Baker, Maurice Riioli, Alan Johnson, Miek Richardson and Darren Bewick all rejected the change to play for the Eagles. (Behind the play pg 210)
• 1986, November 1. The Eagles had to list 30 WA registered players, including not more than 5 from any club. By the end of the year it could include a maximum of six former WAFL players from Victoria or SA (and no more than one from any Victorian club). Ten players are secured from the 1986 State of Origin squad – Glendenning, Narkle, Lamb, Laidley, Davidson, Mainwaring, Wiley, Malaxos, Macnish, and Keene. (Behind the play pg 210)
• 1986, December 3. The new Queensland club is launched as the Brisbane Bears. (A Bear is Born)
• 1987 – East and South Fremantle apparently lauched a joint bid for a VFL team to enter in 1990. (The Phoenix Rises pg. 156)
• 1987, Feb 6. A Limited Partnership (Indian Pacific Limited) is formed to raise the money to cover the costs of setting up and operating the Eagles. The float eventually raised $12.3 million. (Soaring, pg 17)
• 1987 – February 18. The VFL annual report reveals that without the funds from the two new licenses, the VFL clubs would have lost a combined 3 million. Eagles have no facilities for training, and the change rooms were basically a van.
• 1987, March 3. The Eagles play their first official night match against Footscray at Waverly Park, winning by 29 points after holiding the Bulldogs to just 4 points in the second half. (Behind the play pg 212)
• 1987 – March 11. The VFL Board of Directors recieves a proposal for a team in New Zealand (The Phoenix Rises pg.117)
• 1987, March 29. The Eagles play their first officiial premiership match against Richmond at Subiaco in front of 30,000 fans, winning by 14 points. (Behind the play pg 212)
• 1987 – April 21. ACT announces its seeking a team in Canberra by 1988.
• 1987 – April 23. Richmond denies its looking to relocate to Hobart.
• 1987, June 22. While the WAFL had budgeted for a 30% drop in attendance, the actual figure was closer to 50% as average Saturday crowds dropped from 30,000 to 15,000. The aggregate attendance across four games on that Saturday was 11,804. (Behind the play pg 213)
• 1987, July 24. The West Australian reports that officials of the two Fremantle sides were exploring the possibility of a second club down in the port. However, IPL had a five year exclusive rights clause in their agreement and it was not to be. (behind the play pg 214)
• 1987 – September. A proposal was forwarded to the League by a Western Australian Errol Marron, which called for the re-location of an existing VFL team to Los Angeles and that such team be known as the Los Angeles Crocodiles. (The Phoenix Rises pg. 117). This proposed a team to play 14 games in Australia and 8 in Los Angeles, with expect average crowds of 20,000.
• 1987 – September 11. Ross Oakley requests that no announcement of the LA proposal be made until after the Grand Final.
• 1987 – September 18. ACT supporters announce plan to lobby VFL clubs to get around Commission opposition to an ACT club entering the VFL. The ACT proposal appeared aimed at Fitzroy including paying off a relocated clubs debts and retain its traditional name, logo and jumper.
• 1987 – October 2. The VFL rejects Marrons proposal, and details are reported in the news.
• 1987 – IPL requires bailing out. A rescue package of $5 million was hastily organised, with five people putting in $1 million each: Neil Hamilton, Colless, McHenry, Mark Hohnen and Robert
  Armstrong. (The Phoenix Rises pg. 132)
• 1987 – December. Richmond posts a loss of 1.4 million and required league assistance to pay bills over Christmas. The league considered appointing an administrator, but instead sent the leagues finance supervisor to the club. Richmond, St Kilda and North Melbourne all request advances on their 1988 disbursements. (The Phoenix Rises pg.136)
• 1987 – December. The ACTAFL launches a tender for part ownership of the Sydney Swans. The intent was not to move the team entirely, but to stage a number of the swans games in Canberra and ultimately sell the license back to Sydney when Canberra received its own.
• 1988 – In eary 1988, East and South Fremantle Football Clubs put together a joiunt committe to look into the possibility of a team from Fremantle joining the competition. (Fremantle Dockers Illustrated History page 19)
• 1988, June. The VFL begins pay travel arrangements for all clubs. Travel costs for the eagles in 1987 had been more than a million dollars.
• 1988 – May 7. The AFL buys remaining shares in Sydney from Powerplay and becomes owner of the Swans.
• 1988 – July 11. The VFL announces a reduction in transfer fees for interstate and country recruits. Minimum payments will now pay a maximum of $27,500 per player. Clearance fees were abolished.
• 1989 – September 28. Alan Schwab says that talk of Canberra joining the league is unfounded.
• 1988 – December 13. A Mike Willesee led consortium takes over the Sydney Swans.
• 1989 -February 2. Ross Oakley announces talks to commence with the SANFL over an SA VFL license.
• 1989 – February 21. The VFL announces an all time high revenue of 25 million. Carlton, Collingwood, Geelong, Fitzroy, Hawthorn and Melbourne all make a profit. Essendon, Footscray, North Melbourne and St Kilda all make losses exceeding $200,000.
• 1989, June 20. The WAFC is formed. The Government commits $850,000 over three years to set up and operate the organisation. The WAFL was 9.48 million debt, including a 6 million bank loan, an overdraft of 1.2 million and the eight clubs owed another 2.28 million. (Behind the play pg 255)
• 1989 – August 9. North Melbourne president Bob Ansett says he is considering an offer from a Queensland entrepreneur to buy the privately owned football club and relocate to Brisbane
• 1989 – The Bulldogs were insolvent and close to being placed in adminstration, having lost 3.9 million (The Phoenix Rises pg. 140)
• 1989 – October 3. The VFL Board of Directors was advised that an agreement had been reached between Footscray and Fitzroy. “Mr Oakley expressed the commission’s view that the Footscray Football Club Limited was currently insolvent and by continuing to trade and incur debt, the directors were, in the commission’s view, in breach of Section 556 of the Companies Code and if this situation was allowed to continue, then directors could be exposed to convictions, resulting in personal fines and/or jail sentences as well as ultimately becoming responsible on a personal basis for the club’s liabilities” (The Phoenix Rises pg 140)
• 1989 – October 3. The Fitzroy Bulldogs is announced at 5pm The new club would be debt free, with the accumulated deficits of both Fitzroy and Footscray paid out by redeploying the
  allocations from the League that would otherwise have gone to Footscray. The Bulldogs would play in Fitzroy’s colours with a Bulldog symbol. The new team would be allowed to exceed the salary cap for two years until a new playing list bedded down that would be drawn from the 125 players at both clubs. The team would train at the Western Oval and play its home games at Princes Park, and the new coach would be Rod Austin. (The Phoenix Rises pg. 143)
• 1989 – October 6. The Save the Dogs group takes the VFL to the Supreme Court.
• 1989 – October 7. Footscray is given a three week reprieve by the VFL Commission. Collingwood offers to tip in money if they got got close to meeting the required amount, in return for being given Tony McGuiness. (The Phoenix Rises pg. 143).
• 1989 – October 11. The Fight for Football Campaign puts forward a plan that would see each state competition play a 20 round season, followed by a 10 week superleague season featuring amalgamated clubs from each state. The idea was reported to have the strong support of the SANFL.
• 1989 – October 22. Richmond hold a rally to raise funds to prevent further merger talk.
• 1989 – October 22. Footscray was given back its license. Leon Wiegard claims that he wasnt told anything about it until he saw it in the media.
• 1989 – November. Brisbane is effectively Broke. Mr Cronin had indicated that the companies involved in the Brisbane Bears structure could survive providing a capital injection of $3 million prior to Christmas and a further $3 million by February 1990 was provided. Mr Cronin further advised that none of the club’s existing creditors were likely to make a move against the club prior to Christmas, however they needed the League’s co-operation to bring forward its December distribution entitlement of $100,000 in order that staff salaries could be met. (The Phoenix Rises pg 151)
• 1989 – Amid public calls in 1989 for the Eagles to be scrapped, the West Australian Football Commission assumed 75 per cent control of Indian Pacific. Brian Cook was appointed chief executive and Mick Malthouse was named coach.
• 1990 – February 2. Reuben Pelerman launches his takeover of the Bears
• 1990 – February 16. Pelerman finalises his takever and formally takes control of Brisbane.
• 1990. May. The SANFL hold a conference in Victor Harbour. The clubs accept a SANFL proposal not to join the AFL before 1993. Port Adelaides representative, Dave Boyd, voted for this proposal. (From Port to a Power pg 46)
• 1990 – May. The SANFL tells the AFL that it would “consider” entering a team in the AFL competition in 1993, “subject to there not being more than 14 clubs—nor would it pay a licence fee” (The Phoenix Rises pg 155)
• 1990. July 3. Ports Ian Mckenzie calls Alan Schwab at the VFL and invites him to be guest speaker at the club. (Crows 1991 Yearbook)
• 1990 – July 5. Alan Schwab is told by Bruce Weber that Port Adelaide is willing to have a crack at the AFL. (Football limited pg 349)
• 1990. July 6 – Port Adelaide board members are advised by Bruce Weber of discussions he’d held with AFL Commissioner Alan Schwab.(From Port to a Power pg 48)
• 1990 – July 7. First meetings between Port Adelaide and the AFL at AFL House (Football limited pg. 349) The proposed deal included no fee for joining the AFL and Port would keep its development zone. (Bruce Weber, From Port to a Power pg 47)
• 1990 – July 30. Port Adelaide sign Heads of Agreement with the AFL. (Football limited pg. 350) The Agreement apparently allowed Port to wear black and white with minor changes for games against Collingwood .(From Port to a Power pg 65-66)

• 1990 – August 1. Port Adelaide announces its intention to join the AFL.
• 1990 – August 2. Nine SANFL Clubs have a crisis meeting. Amongst the options are a counter submission to the AFL, and kicking Port out of the SANFL. The SANFL announces that Port will not be allowed to use Football Park for AFL games (From Port to a Power, pg 68)
• 1990 – August 3. The SANFL unanimously voted to kick Port out of the SANFL if it proceeded with its AFL plans. Eleven SANFL officials fly to Melourne to lobby against Port Adelaides entry into the AFL. (from Port to a Power pg 68)
• 1990 – August 6. Oakley says that the AFL should stop waiting for a SANFL application and accept Port Adelaide. The SANFL makes its first counter-offer. The AFL declines to accept. (from Port to a Power pg 70)
• 1990 – August 6. Port Adelaide informs its members that it has an agreement with the AFL.
• 1990 – August 12. Glenelg wins an injunction against Port Adelaide. Justice Olssen prohibits Port from having further contact with the AFL, but doest prohibit the SANFL from talking to the AFL. (from Port to a Power pg 68)
• 1990. August 20. The SANFL launches its own AFL bid. (Crows 1991 Yearbook)
• 1990 – September 12. The AFL reported to be seriously looking at a SANFL offer for a composite side.(From Port to a Power pg 71)
• 1990 – August 25. Port Director, Dave Boyd, resigns over the clubs AFL application.
• 1990 – September 13. Max Basheer says that he is almost certain there will be a SANFL side in the AFL for 1991. Sometime about now, it is leaked that Norwood had also been prepared to breakaway. (Football Limited pg. 351)
• 1990, September 19. SANFL officially announces its intention to apply for a licens (Pride of South Australia, pg 10)
• 1990 – September 20. The AFL Board of Directors formally votes in favour of the SANFL composite application. Only Richmond vote against. The AFL pays $125,000 for Ports legal costs, and the SANFL are required to drop all legal action against Port Adelaide. (From Port to a Power pg 73)
• 1990. October 9. The SANFL and AFL formally sign an agreement for Adelaide to enter the competition. (Crows 1991 Yearbook)
• 1990, October 11. SANFL and AFL agree to and finalise terms. (Pride of South Australia, pg 10)
• 1990. October 12. The SANFL appoints an interim board for Adelaide. It included Max Basheer, Leigh Whicker, Bob Lee, Ed Betro, Bob Hammond, Ric allert and Adrian Salter. Graham Cornes was apponted coach and Neil Kerley football manager. (Crows 1991 Yearbook)
• 1990, October 25. Adelaide announces an initial squad of 57, later increased to 61, before finally being set at 52. (Crows 1991 Yearbook)
• 1990. October. The WAFC proceeds witha feasibility study into a second side. (Behind the play pg 284)
• 1990, November 28. AFL approves name, guernsey and logo. (Pride of South Australia, pg 13)
• 1991, February 13. SANFL and AFL sign license agreement. (Pride of South Australia, pg 10). Board queries the fact that 90% of the clubs operating surplus had to be returned to the SANFL – this was adjusted to 80%. (Pride of South Australia, pg 14)
• 1991, February 20. Here we go theme adopted on a temporary basis, subject to Toyota approval. (Pride of South Australia, pg 14)
• 1992 – Reuben Pelerman voluntarily returns Brisbane to the AFL and subsequently to a member owned structure. (The Phoenix Rises pg.153)
• 1992 – East and South Fremantle cosnider combining to form a team in the AFL. (Fremantle Dockers Illustrated History page 19)
• 1992 – March 20. Ross Oakley says that there will almost certainly be a new team in the competition by 1995, but it will not come from Tasmania or the ACT, citing a lack of support in both. “It costs 4.5-5m to run an interstate club and we cant see the ACT doing that”.
• 1992 – April 2. Independent survey in the ACT shows 54% support for an AFL team in Canberra, with 51% saying they would attend matches at Bruce Stadium
• 1992 – October 22. AFL Board of Directors votes to keep Sydney in the competition for a futher three years.
• 1992 – Sometime in 1992, Alan Schwab signs off on a list of draft requirements for a new club based in Fremantle, and due to begin operating in 1993.  (Football Limited pg. 354)
• 1993 – June. The AFL Commission sits down with the WAFC to look at the issues involved in getting a second team off the ground. (The Phoenix Rises pg 156)
• 1992 – June 8. Port Adelaide launches its bid for the next AFL license. (from Port to a Power pg 105)
• 1992 – October 13.  The Chairman of the AFL for Canberra committee proposes that the Swans partly move to Canberra, playing matches in Wagga and Sydney. Tasmania says it will be ten years before its ready to make a bid.
• 1993, June – a working party comprising WAFC CEO Jeff Owens, Ron Alexander, Graeme Samuel and Alan Schwab was formed to consider the prospects of a second club in WA. (Fremantle Dockers Illustrated History page 20)
• 1993 – Canberra launches another bid for an AFL side to relocate.
• 1993 – September. Port Adelaide launch Club 96 with the specific aim of generating funds for its next AFL license bid. (From Port to a Power pg 104)
• 1993, November – the working party reported to the WAFC and the AFL that a club should be formed and enter in 1995. (Fremantle Dockers Illustrated History page 20)
• 1993 – December 15. The AFL announces that it has reached its ceiling of teams with the inclusion of Fremantle, and no more than 16 teams will be in the AFL. Plans for a second SA license hinge on relocation or merging of Victorian sides. the Commission prefering a team based in Fremantle. (Fremantle Dockers Illustrated History page 20)
• 1994 – The AFL announces a second license for South Australia. This kicks off a round of applications from Port Adelaide, as well as joint applications from Norwood-Sturt, and Glenelg-South, however Port Adelaide was the AFLs preferred choice (The Phoenix Rises pg 156). Norwood spent $150,000 putting together a joint Norwood-Sturt bid to claim the second licence. After Oakley briefed the SANFL delegates at a hotel on North Tce, Norwood director Phil Gallagher left the meeting declaring the bidding process was a farce – the AFL wanted Port Adelaide.
• 1994 – Indian Pacific shareholders including prominent Perth businessmen Mr Neil Hamilton, Mr Denis Horgan, Mr Denis McInerney and Mr Murray McHenry refused to accept a 15¢ a share offer for their stock from the WAFC.
• 1994 – March. Fremantle is formally awarded the second WA license. (Behind the Play pg 290). The Dockers were given a list size of 42, first pick of the draft for two years, and two priority draft picks, and the ability to recruit 12 out of contract players over the two year period.
• 1994, April. Its announced that the second WA team will be based at Fremantle Oval. (Fremantle Dockers Illustrated History page 20)
• 1994 – April 6. Port Adelaide submits a comprehensive business plan to the SANFL for its AFL bid. (from Port to a Power pg 112)
• 1994 – April 13. Ron Cahill from the AFL to Canberra committe says that the ACT and Tasmania are being overlooked in the rush to bolster a failed Sydney experiment by including second sides from WA and SA.
• 1994, May West Coast Manager Brian Cook says the club has registed the Perth Pirates name to prevent a Fremantle based team from using it. (Fremantle Dockers Illustrated History page 21)
• 1994 – May 8. Tasmania invited to particpiate in the AFL reserves competition, the VSFL.
• 1994 – June 15. The SANFL Future Directions committee hands down a report recommending the second license go to a team formed of the amalgamation of two clubs. (from Port to a Power pg.113)
• 1994 – June 16. Norwood-Sturt officially launch a bid for the AFL license. (From Port to a Power pg 113)
• 1994 – June 22. A Cartel of Four SA clubs – Central Districts, North Adelaide, West Adelaide and Woodville West Torrents launch a bid for the second SA license.
• 1994 – June 23. Glenelg-South Adelaide launch a bid for the AFL license (from Port to a Power pg 113)
• 1994 – July 1. A SANFL strategy paper says that the license should go to Port Adelaide, while the Crows should be adopted by Norwood. (From Port to a Power pg 114)
• 1994, July 21. The Fremantle DOckers are officially launched at the Fremantle Passenger Terminal. (Fremantle Dockers Illustrated History page 21)
• 1994, July. Dockers executive David Hatt wrote to Alan Schwab saying that the club would “not shy away from getting as many AFL players as we can and by whatever method” (Fremantle Dockers Illustrated History page 25)
• 1994 – August. Dyson Hore-Lacy, who had taken over the presidency of Fitzroy from Leon Wiegard in 1992, and Ian Ridley of Melbourne fronted the commission with a proposal for a Fitzroy-Melbourne merger given Fitzroy’s debt, which was then revealed to the commission as $2 million but later that month became $2.6 million. (The Phoenix Rises pg 158)
• 1994 – September 14. All SA license bids are officially lodged with the SANFL. Port Adelaides bid document is almost a thousand pages. (from Port to a Power pg 116)
• 1994 – October 11. A SANFL 9 member committee begins to evaluate the bids. The Committee takes 34 days to go through the process. (From Port to a Power pg 116)
• 1994 – Novermber 21. The SANFL meets with the AFL concerning a second license for SA. The AFL says “”This matter has not yet been considered in detail by the AFL Commission and no an nouncement will be made today or in the foreseeable future by the AFL”.
• 1994 – December 9. The SANFL informs Port Adelaide that it has won the license, with minor changes to its bid recquired. (From Port to a Power pg 119)
• 1994 – December 13. Port Adelaide wins the tender for the second SA license over its various state rivals, however it cant enter the competition before 1996 (as stipulated in the Crows license agreement).
• 1994 – In 1994 outspoken Collingwood president Allan McAlister called for a three-way merger between Richmond, Melbourne and North. In August of the same year it was revealed that the name “Melbourne Lions” had been registered and speculation continued that the Demons would amalgamate with Fitzroy despite the Lions continually vowing to go it alone. The Lions were in massive financial trouble but still demanded the club be known as the Fitzroy-Melbourne Football Club. They were preciously short of bargaining chips and couldn’t bring financial benefits, a large fanbase or a training ground to the union. Other clubs also complained that Melbourne would be able to boost their list with the best six Lions players.  (Demonwiki)
• 1995 – Fremantle begin playing in the league.
• 1995 – April 7. John Elliot says he was approached by Rupert Murdoch about forming a superleague in late 1994, but he declined. The AFL believed its license agreements that prevented a departing club from playing in another licensed competition for at least 2 years would prevent any club from leaving.
• 1995. May 15 – Footscray says it will oppose any attempt to introduce Port Adelaide into the 1996 season
• 1995 – May 15. Tasmania says it has many options to try and pursade Ross Oakley to drop his opposition to a Tasmanian license, part of which would include a $20m upgrade of Bellerive Oval to seat at least 20,000.
• 1995 – May 27. Fitzroy plays their Round 9 home game in Canberra against West Coast
• 1995 -June 15.Ian Collins publicly supports Fitzroy’s application to play four home games in Canberra in 1996, after application by Fitzroy was submitted (Malcolm Conn: The Australian)
• 1995 – Carlton and St Kilda hold talks on a merger. Talks cease when Blues win the grand final.
• 1995 – August 25. The AFL commission rejects Fitzroy’s application to play four home games in Canberra in Season 1996
• 1995 – August 28. AFL Commissioner Ron Evans tells Dyson Hore-Lacy that if Fitzroy were prepared to play the majority of its home games in Canberra, the Commission might look at it.
• 1995 – August 31. Port Adelaide officially announces it will be called the Power. (from Port to a Power pg 126)
• 1995 – September – North Melbourne makes a formal written merger proposal to Fitzroy
• 1995 – October. “AFL for Canberra” endeavours to meet with Fitzroy Football Club, the Ainslee Football Club, the ACT Chief Minister and the AFL commission to discuss a deal where Fitzroy (who had agreed) might play up to seven home games in Canberra. Request for meeting rejected by the AFL.
• 1995 – October 10. Port Adelaide appoints John Cahill as senior coach for the 1996 season if it enters the league.
• 1995 – October 27. Port Adelaide advised they wont be in the 1996 AFL competition. (from Port to a Power pg 137)
• 1996 – February 21 – Ross Oakley informs Dyson Hore-Lacy that the AFL would not support any initiative for Fitzroy to play any home games in Canberra.
• 1996 – March 6. Fitzroy board authorises board members Dyson Hore-Lacy, Elaine Findlay and Robert Johnstone to enter non-binding merger agreements with other AFL clubs.
• 1996 – April 16. Fitzroy chief says future is secure.
• 1996 – May 6. Fitzroy and North Melbourne hold first merger talks.
• 1996 – May 11. A non-binding agreement to merge and the basic terms of name is struck between Fitzroy and North Melbourne. A Heads of Agreement document detailing the conditions of the merge in writing is signed.
• 1996 – May 13. A Brisbane merger offer is formally rejected by the Fitzroy board.
• 1996 – May 20. First Fitzroy shareholders’ meeting to explain the conditions of a North Melbourne – Fitzroy merge.
• 1996 – May 21. Port Adelaide advised they will be in the 1997 AFL competition. (from Port to a Power pg 146)
• 1996 – June 18. A meeting between North and Fitzroy to execute the merger document canceled. Greg Miller, North Melbourne’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) tells Dyson Hore-Lacy that North Melbourne wanted to change the name of the merged club from the already agreed ‘Fitzroy-North Melbourne Kangaroos’ to ‘North Melbourne-Fitzroy Kangaroos’.
• 1996 – June 20. The Fitzroy board rejects North Melbourne’s revised conditions.
• 1996 – June 24. The Brisbane Bears are contacted by Fitzroy and advised to submit their best merger offer to Fitzroy for consideration.
• 1996 – June 25. A compromise between North Melbourne and Fitzroy is reached.
• 1996 – June 26. Fitzroy Football Club offers $550,000 plus $100,000 to be paid over the next two years to their only secured creditor the Nauru Insurance Company to settle their debt. This offer is rejected. Nauru wanted $750,000 by the end of August and $100,000 for the next three years to consider their debt settled.
• 1996 – June 27. Nauru Insurance Company agrees to $750,000 by the end of August and $100,000 for the next two years and $50,000 for the third. North Melbourne board member and one of the chief merger negotiators Peter de Rauch says North Melbourne will not allow any more than $550,000 to be paid.
• 1996 – June 28. Nauru Insurance Company appoints an administrator (Michael Brennan) to recover their debt.
• 1996 – June 29. Fitzroy negotiates with Nauru to pay $550,000 by August 1996, $150,000 in 1997 and $100,000 in 1998. Peter de Rauch agrees to put that proposal to the North Melbourne board on Monday 1st July
• 1996 – July 1. The Fitzroy board agrees to underwrite all monies owed to Nauru over the sum of $550,000. The AFL commission gives Fitzroy and North Melbourne until Friday 5th July to complete their merger.
• 1996 – July 2. North Melbourne’s Greg Miller informs Dyson Hore-Lacy that North Melbourne now wants only four Fitzroy board members on the board of the merged club. Fitzroy refuses to accept that condition.
• 1996 – July 3. North Melbourne backs down on their demand of 2nd July, but still wanted none of the current Fitzroy directors on the board. North Melbourne was asked by Dyson Hore-Lacy to give an undertaking to Fitzroy that there would be no more changes to the agreement of 25th June. No such undertaking was given.
• 1996 – July 3. Nauru Insurance Company accepts $550,000 paid before August 31st, $350,000 paid before October 31st 1997 and the rest of the balance payable in $50,000 payments annually from 1998 onwards.
• 1996 – July 3. The Fitzroy board re-opens merger discussions with the Brisbane Bears. The Bears are told that the merger door with Fitzroy is “open half an inch”
• 1996 – July 3. Greg Miller the CEO of North Melbourne informs the media that without 54 players on their 1997 list there would be no merger with Fitzroy.
• 1996 – July 4. Fitzroy is informed by the AFL that the merger would be rejected by the other AFL clubs if North Melbourne continued to demand 54 players. Dyson Hore-Lacy informs North Melbourne’s Ken Montgomery and Greg Miller of this fact.
• 1996 – July 4. Fitzroy settles last niggling disputes in their proposed merger agreement with North Melbourne and signs a formal document setting out the merger in fine detail, which includes the new agreed name of the club to be the ‘North Fitzroy Kangaroos Football Club’. The merger agreement is set to be signed by the AFL on Friday morning (5th July) subject to the AFL clubs’ endorsement.
• 1996 – July 4. AFL Presidents’ Meeting rejects the Fitzroy-North Melbourne merger. After a meeting between the administrator of Fitzroy and the AFL commission, the AFL commission recommends a Bears-Fitzroy merger. North Melbourne withdraws from the merger race. A reconvened AFL presidents’ meeting endorses the AFL commission’s recommendation of a Brisbane Bears-Fitzroy merger.
• 1996 – July. The AFL Commission is informed of arrangements for a merger being discussed between Melbourne and Hawthorn.  (The Phoenix Rises pg 163)
• 1996 – September 4. Hawks-Demons members vote on the merger. Hawthorn vote no, Melbourne vote yes. The merger fails to go ahead.
• 1996 – November 1. Brisbane Lions officially launch.
• 1997 – Port Adelaide begin playing in the AFL.
• 1997 – The AFL launches a commission to investigate ways to improve the game in New South Wales.
• 1998 –Tasmania proposes a VFL team to go along with a stadium redevelopment, however the Commission had real doubts about the ability of the Tasmanian market _ population 450,000 _ to support financially a team in the AFL competition where the larger clubs are already generating up to $14 million a year in revenue
• 1998 – The commission into New South Wales footy reports back, resulting in the formation of the AFL NSW/ACT Commission. Planning begins for a second team in Sydney.
• 1998 – A Commission is launched into the improving football in Queensland resulting in the formation of AFL Queensland.
• 1999 – Merger talks between Carlton and North Melbourne cease when both sides make the Grand Final.
• 1999 – North Melbourne begin playing some home games at the SCG until 2001.
• 1999 – August 25.  Minority shareholders of the Eagles parent company, Indian Pacific Ltd, indicate they will accept a fresh offer to purchase their shares, via a scheme of arrangement, in a move which will deliver 100 per cent control of the AFL club to the West Australian Football Commission. It is understood the offer to the 370 Indian Pacifc minorities, who control a collective 21 per cent of the stock, will involve 80¢ cash up front, or up to $1 in instalments over six years.
• 2000 – a report into the state of football in WA puts the matter bluntly. In 1988, it says, ‘the football system could have been bankrupted’. WAFL clubs collectively owed $2.1 million, the WAFL as an entity itself owed $6 million mainly due to constructing a
  3‐tiered stand at Subiaco Oval, and Indian Pacific Limited, the public company which owned West Coast, ‘could not meet its obligations to the WAFL’.
• 2001 – St Kilda and Hawthorn begin playing matches in Tasmania under an initial three year deal.
• 2002 – North Melbourne begin playing some home games at Manuka Oval until 2006.
• 2006 – The Saints decide not to keep playing in Tasmania. Hawthorn remains
• 2006 – September 1. Hawthorn signs a 5 year deal with Tasmania to play 4 games a year in Launceston.
• 2006 – July 13. North Melbourne confirms it is leaving Canberra to play 10 games over three seasons on the Gold Coast. North says its not part of a plan to move the club north.
• 2006 – August 6. Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs sign a deal to play a premiership match a year at Manuka Oval in the ACT until 2009.
• 2007 – January 25. Ron Joseph says its inevitable that North Melbourne will move to the Gold Coast permanently.
• 2007 – November 17. North Melbourne offered 100 million to move to Gold Coast, contingent on getting a stadium deal.
• 2007 – December 6. North Melbourne formally reject the AFL offer, largely because there was no stadium deal.
• 2007 – December 12. The AFL informs North that it will no longer have its community camps and preseason matches at Carrarra.
• 2007 – 24 December. The AFL formally registers the name Gold Coast Football Club.
• 2008 – January. Western Sydney Football club registered by the AFL.
• 2008 – March 12. Clubs give unanimous support to the inclusion of GWS and Gold Coast
• 2008 – April. A bid group called GC17 is formed to meet the AFLs criteria.
• 2008 – April 16. Tasmania invited to apply for an AFL license.
• 2008 – June 25. A survey conducted in 2008 by the State Government found that 48% of Tasmanians support a Tasmanian bid, 23% of Tasmanians would consider becoming members41% of Tasmanians would consider attending games. The AFL treats the bid with contempt.
• 2008 – July 31. Mars Confectionary announces a potential $4 million sponsorship for a Tasmanian team if it gets up.
• 2008 – August 28. The Senate formally calls for a committee into the AFLs expansion backed by Tasmanian senator Kerry Obrien.
• 2008 – November 18. The AFL formally accepts GC17 and Western Sydney having met all criteria and grants the licenses.
• 2008 – December 11. The AFL says the Tasmanian bid was comprehensive and ticked all the boxes.
• 2009 – March 27. Gillon McLachlan, told a Senate inquiry in Melbourne that Queensland and New South Wales were priorities for the growth of the game and  says the AFL has not closed the door on a future Tasmanian side, but he is not sure it could happen.
• 2009 – April 1. Andrew Demetriou says that if there was ever to be another AFL club, then the next one should be Tasmania.
• 2009 – May 6. North Melbourne enter discussions with the AFL to play up to 3 games a year in Canberra.
• 2009 – May 9. Carlton play one off home game at Carrara.
• 2009 – June. The Senate Enquiry reports that there are cultural barriers facing a Western Sydney-based AFL team that appear to be insurmountable.
• 2009 – October 19. Melbourne, Richmond and Bulldogs sign deal with the NT Government for 10 games over 5 years between them with Port Adelaide to be the away side.
• 2010 – July 25. North Melbourne announce intentions to play games at a redeveloped Eureka Stadium in ballarat.
• 2010 – July 26. North Melbourne deny a deal has been done to play games in Hobart
• 2010 – August 5 – Kennett says Hawthorn ready to continue their Tasmanian partnership for another 20 years.
• 2010 – September 30. Richmond announce they will play an annual game in Cairns for three years.
• 2010 – October 18. Melbourne play a post season game against Brisbane in Shanghai.
• 2010 – November 11. North say they could play as many as 7 games a year in Tasmania if they were guaranteed 11 games in Melbourne.
• 2010 – November 11. Canberra and GWS sign a ten year, 40 game deal for games in the ACT worth 23 million
• 2010 – November 16. A poll in the Age has 72% sayin that North should gone to the Gold Coast.
• 2010 – November 16. Kennett says North would have eventuially moved to Tasmania entirely if it had been able to play 7 games.
• 2010 – November 16. Tasmania renews Hawthorn deal for a further 5 years, through 2016.
• 2011 – June 7. North Melbourne sign a 3 year deal to play matches in Hobart.
• 2011 – October 1. Richmond sell remaining Darwin game to Melbourne.
• 2013 – July 19. Richmond finish contract to play 1 game a season in Cairns. They opt not to renew.
• 2013 – October 5. St Kilda sign 5 year ANZAC Day fixture deal with Wellington Council in NZ
• 2013 – October 23. Melbourne announce a deal to play three games in Darwin –  2 regular and 1 preseason game.
• 2013 – October 31. Western Bulldogs announces as Richmonds replacements in Cairns.
• 2014 – July 3. Melbourne announce an extention to the deal that sees another two years and two matches in the NT
• 2014 – August 25. North Melbourne and Hobart City Council announce a two year contract extention until the end of 2016. The Council will provide $300,000 a year towards three games a season in Hobart.
• 2015 – July 7. The Herald Sun — Fox Footy 2015 Footy Fans Survey of more than 14,000 people found most supporters believe Tasmania deserves its own AFL side.
• 2015 -July 31. Tasmania and Hawthorn announce a new deal to keep the Hawks playing in Tasmania until 2021. The deal is worth 20 million and consists of jumper sponsorship as well as 4 premiership matches and a preseason game.
• 2015 – August 5. North Melbourne announce they are seeking a five year contract extension for its games in Hobart
• 2015 – August 19 – Gillon Mclachlan says that Tasmania cant financially support its own AFL side. “”The brutal reality right now, the economy and scale of growth mean they financially can’t support their own team playing 11 games, you need $45 million,”
• 2015 – September 12. The Western Bulldogs announce a partnership with the Victorian Government which will result in a 5 year plan to bring games to Ballarat and promote the city. The announcement included a 31.5 million upgrade to facilities in Ballarat.
• 2015 – September 16. St Kilda announces that it will look at its options in NZ after Wellington City council declined to extend the deal to play matches there after 2015.
• 2016 – April 14. Port Adelaide announce intention to play premiership match in Shanghai in 2017.
• 2016 – June 3. North Melbourne announce a 5 year extension of their Hobart deal to play 3 games a year at Bellerive Oval.
• 2017 – May 14. Port Adelaide play Gold Coast in first ever game in China for premiership points.
• 2017 – August 8. Western Bulldogs play first AFL game for premiership points in Ballarat.
• 2017 – August 23. Western Bulldogs announce they will not seek an extension of their games in Cairns when their 3 year deal is up.
• 2017 – October 24. A second game in China is confirmed for 2018.
• 2017 – October 27. Melbourne and the NT Government announce two games to be played in the Territory in 2018.
• 2018 – March 21. The AFL announces that AFL boss Gillon McLachlan will chair a high powered steering committee to try to resolve the crisis in Tasmanian football.
• 2018 – April 13. Under a deal with the Victorian Government, Ballarat in central Victoria is guaranteed to host two AFL matches a year for the next decade.
• 2018 – July 2. The AFL announces additional funding and resources for Tasmanian football, including a team in the VFL to be launched in 2021.
• 2018 – September 2. Gold Coast tell the AFL they have no interest in returning to Shanghai in 2019 after playing two fixtures against Port Adelaide in the past two season.
• 2018 – October 5. The NT Government allocates $100,000 towards a ‘scoping study’ to investigate whether the Territory should aim for an AFL franchise if one becomes available.  The study would look at various things, such as the challenges an AFL team would face in the NT, sponsorship opportunities, local talent pathways and facility upgrades.
• 2018 – October 25. St Kilda replace Gold Coast as Port Adelaide’s opponents for the AFL’s annual match in Shanghai. The Saints commit to the Chinese venture for the next three years, giving up a home fixture to do so.
• 2018 – November 20. The Tasmanian Parliament sets up a select committee to look at a Tasmanian AFL side.
• 2019 – March 23. The Federal Opposition leader says it’s time for the AFL to get “serious” about giving Tassie its own team
• 2019 –  October 6. The Tasmanian Task Force says it has almost 50,000 pledges of support for its AFL team bid.
• 2019 – October 16. As part of a new agreement with the Northern Territory Government (NTG), the Gold Coast SUNS will play one Toyota AFL Premiership game in Darwin for four years starting in 2020, while Melbourne FC will return to Alice Springs for its seventh successive home game next year (the first being in 2014) and has also been locked in until at least 2024. Further, the Demons will play a NAB AFLW game in Alice Springs for the next four years,
• 2020 – February 7. The Tasmanian Government releases a study that says an initial investment of $45 million, split between the AFL and federal and state governments, would be required to cover the initial set-up of an club, and debunks certain myths about the clubs support and viability.
• 2020 – May 7. The Tasmanian Parliament files its final report into a Tasmanian AFL Team.
• 2021 – February 12. The Tasmanian Government says it won’t meet Hawthorn’s mid-year deadline for contract negotiations as the state plays hardball in its quest for an AFL side. Jeff Kennett suggests the AFL club could relocate to Tasmania in the future.
• 2021 – February 22. Jeff Kennett says there is no way the AFL would consider bringing a 19th team into the competition, given the current economic climate.
• 2021 – February 26. Tasmanian premier Peter Gutwein insists an independent report into the viability of a standalone AFL club based in his state must be completed within months and wants this done by a major accounting firm.
• 2021 – March 19. Former Geelong president and AFL Commissioner Colin Carter appointed to review the business case for a 19th club licence to be awarded to Tasmania.
• 2021 – May 18. Colin Carter lands in the Apple Isle for a series of crucial meetings with key stakeholders involved in the bid as part of his review into the business case for a 19th AFL team.
• 2021 – June 1. AFL sources said Carter had raised concerns over whether a Tasmanian team could be successful given its population size.
• 2021 – June 4. The Northern Territory’s releases its feasibility study citing a revenue gap of 15m, but claiming social benefits would outweigh the financial losses.
• 2021 – August 12. The AFL releases the Carter report. The case for Tasmania is strong, particularly with the deep historical links to the game and there should be a team representing Tasmania in the AFL/AFLW national competitions – however the best form of that team is less clear-cut.
• 2021 – August 13 – Tasmanian Premier is unhappy with the AFL response to the report -accusing the league of kicking the can down the road.
• 2021 – August 18 – Eddie McGuire says the premier is open to discussion on private ownership, which wasn’t addressed in the Carter report, and can push the entry of a team from 2026 to 2030.
• 2021 – August 22 – The AFL has agrees that a decision on whether a standalone team from Tasmania will enter the league will be made in early 2022. The agreement means that Gutwein will roll over the existing contracts with Hawthorn and North Melbourne to play games in Tasmania into 2022.