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The Collingwood Magpies are one of the most famous and heavily supported clubs in Australia – as well as being one of the most loathed. Entering the VFL competition in 1897, Collingwood actually began in 1892, where they played Carlton in their first ever competition match.

Collingwood is the most consistently performing team in VFL/AFL history, having appeared in 74 final series up until 2002. However, Collingwood have more recently become renowned for not converting their finals chances into Grand Final victories. Up until 1936 they had won 11 ‘flags’ but since then have only won 3 more – 1953, 1958 and 1990 – much to the annoyance of fans. Under the recent coaching of Mick Malthouse, however, Collingwood have once again become a force to be reckoned with and in 2002 they made the Grand Final only to lose narrowly to Brisbane.

AFL

CARLTON BLUES

OPTUS OVAL

Carlton are the other most successful club in AFL/VFL history (with Essendon). The Blues – which have proudly stuck to there original Navy Blue with Carlton Football Club insignia proudly predominant on the front of their uniforms – have won an equal record 16 ‘flags’ since their entry to the VFL in 1897.

Some of Carlton’s greatest players played in and had their greatest success in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s, where they won the title 3 times and names like Alex Jesaulenko and John Nicholls graced the field.

Carlton’s last title came in 1995 and at the moment the club has gone into such decline that their next title seems another century away. Carlton finished last for the first time in their history in 2002 and were fined heavily for salary cap breaches, which has also left them struggling financially.

AFL

WESTERN BULLDOGS

The Western Bulldogs – formerly the Footscray Bulldogs – have always been renowned as a 'working class' team, being based in the gritty western section of suburban Melbourne. The Bulldogs played in the VFA between 1877 and 1924, where it had dominated that competition in the latter years.

The Bulldogs entered the VFL in 1925 and have been perennial strugglers evfer since. They won the ‘flag’ in 1954 but declined to such an extent that by the 1980’s they were subject of rumours that had them folding or almalgamating with other teams. By the early 1990’s the League had decided to merge Footscray with Fitzroy but on the back of a massive public protest and the subsequent appointment of coach Terry Wallace, the Western Bulldogs became a force in their own right again. They have consistently made the finals since these protest days but financially the Bulldogs continue to struggle and it may not be too long before rumours regarding their demise start again.

AFL

HAWTHORN HAWKS

The Hawthorn Hawks also entered the VFL in 1925 after 11 years in the VFA competition. Up until 1942, Hawthorn were known as the ‘Mayblooms’ but changes to the more fearful ‘Hawks’ that year.

Hawthorn’s success had been long coming. They did not make the finals until 1953 and their first flag was achieved in 1961. Things started to get better in the 1970’s, with three more flags and then the 1980’s they won another four. Although the 1990’s saw Hawthorn make the finals several times, the glory years of the 70’s and 80’s seem to be a fading memory. The Hawks teams of those glory decades have produced some of the greatest players of all time – including Leigh Matthews, Peter Knights, Peter Hudson and Michael Tuck. Today, the Hawks continue to tread water - not the worst team but certainly no where near the best.

AFL

RICHMOND TIGERS

The Richmond Tigers joined the VFL in 1908, after winning several premierships in the VFA in the years preceding their admission. The Tigers began wearing the famous black with gold sash in 1914 and it did not take long to win their first flag in 1920. Their first great era then began as they won another four flags between 1920 and 1934. This was also the period where their most famous player – Jack ‘Captain Blood’ Dyer - began his long association with the Tigers.

The second golden era for Richmond occurred between 1967 and 1974, where they won another four flags and produced legends like Francis Bourke, Kevin Bartlett and Royce Hart. Their last premiership occurred in 1980 and it has been pretty lean times ever since, with finals appearances being exceptions rather than the rule.

AFL

MELBOURNE DEMONS

The Melbourne Demons were one of the foundation VFL clubs of 1896 but it actually formed as a club some 40 years earlier. Melbourne won its first flag in 1900 and won 11 more up until 1964. Their most successful period came from 1955 until 1960 when they won 5 flags and produced one of the greatest players and coaches of all time – Ron Barassi.

Since 1964, the ‘Dees’ have had one of the leanest runs in the competition – making the Grand Final in 1988 and 2000 but losing both times. This lean run has coincided with a parlous financial state, with rumours of amalgamations rife in the late 1990’s.

AFL

ST KILDA SAINTS

The St Kilda Saints formed in 1873 and entered the VFL as an inaugural team in 1896. It was considered to be the ‘joke’ team of the early competition where it lost 48 games straight. Unfortunately this may have been a sign of things to come as St Kilda are still one of the most losingest clubs in Australian professional sports. They have only won one premiership (1967) and only made a handful of grand final appearances.

St Kilda’s history has also been racked by in-fighting and administrative haggling which has conspired against the Saints for most of their history. However, they did produce the greatest goal-kicker in Australian Football history – Tony Lockett.

AFL

KANGAROOS

COLONIAL STADIUM AND MANUKA OVAL

The Kangaroos have for most of their life been known as North Melbourne. North Melbourne joined the VFL in 1925 after entering the VFA competition in 1903. North Melbourne took a fair time to make their mark – they did not reach the semi finals until 1945. It also took them an age to then win their first premiership – 1975 – but then they quickly followed it up in 1977 by playing in the first ‘tied’ Grand Final with Collingwood and won the first ever replay.

Their next success was in the late 1990’s behind ‘King’ Wayne Carey when they won ‘flags’ in 1995 and 1999. Although achieving great success during this decade, the Kangaroos have attempted to reinvent themselves in order to create more income and crowds by dropping the North Melbourne part of their name and playing several home games in Sydney and Canberra. The Kangaroos are one of several Melbourne clubs expected to fold, amalgamate or relocate.

AFL

ESSENDON BOMBERS

Ticket information through Melbourne Storm

The Essendon Bombers are clearly one of the glamour teams of the AFL – they have won an equal record 16 premierships (with Carlton) and have one of the largest supporter bases in Melbourne. Essendon have been home to two of the most famous footballers of all time – Dick Reynolds – arguably the greatest footballer to have played the game and Jim Coleman, one of the greatest goal kickers of all time.

The 1940’s and the 1980’s were probably Essendon’s greatest decades, where they won four and two premierships respectively. Essendon have also been home to one of the longest serving coaches of all time – Kevin Sheedy – who has been coach at Essendon every year since 1981.

NRL

MELBOURNE STORM

OLYMPIC PARK

The Melbourne Storm are Victoria's contribution to the NRL. It was once thought that there would never be a Rugby League team in AFL mad Melbourne. However, in 1998, the NRL attempted the impossible and set up a new team in the southern capital. Some of the games best players were transplanted down to Melbourne under the coaching of master coach Chris Anderson in an attempt to make their mark in foreign land. To the shock of many traditionalists and many Melbournites, the team qualified for the semi-finals in their first year. In 1999, they qualified again – but this time they went all the way and won the Grand Final against St George-Illawarra.

Since this time, however, the team has settled into a comfortable mediocrity. Unfortunately, the early success has not yet generated the type of popularity for the game and for the Storm that the NRL had hoped in Melbourne.

CRICKET

VICTORIA BUSHRANGERS