1897 VFL season#Week 3
{{Short description|Inaugural season of the Victorian Football League (VFL)}}
{{Use Australian English|date=May 2011}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}}
{{Infobox VFL season
| year = 1897
| image = Essendon fc 1897.jpg
| imagesize = 258px
| caption = {{AFL Ess}} 1897 VFL premiership team
| date = 8 May – 4 September 1897
| teams = 8
| premiers = {{AFL Ess}}
| premcount = 1
| runnersup = {{AFL Gee}}
| rucount = 1
| minorpremiers = {{AFL Gee}}
| mpcount = 1
| leadinggoalkicker = Eddy James ({{AFL Gee}})
Jack Leith ({{AFL Mel}})
| goals = 22
| matches = 62
| nextseason = {{coloured link|white|1898 VFL season|1898}}
}}
The 1897 VFL season was the inaugural season of the Victorian Football League (VFL), the highest-level senior Australian rules football competition in Victoria. The season ran from 8 May to 4 September, comprising a 14-round home-and-away season followed by a three-week finals series featuring the top four clubs. Eight Victorian Football Association (VFA) clubs – {{AFL Car}}, {{AFL Col}}, {{AFL Ess}}, {{AFL Fit}}, {{AFL Gee}}, {{AFL Mel}}, {{AFL SM}} and {{AFL|StK}} – featured in the inaugural season after seceding from the VFA in 1896.
Essendon won the inaugural premiership after winning all three of its finals matches, with Geelong finishing as runners-up with two wins. Geelong won the minor premiership by finishing atop the home-and-away ladder with an 11–3 win–loss record. Geelong's Eddy James and Melbourne's Jack Leith tied for the leading goalkicker medal as the league's leading goalkickers.
Background
In 1897, the VFL competition consisted of eight teams of 20 on-the-field players each, with no "reserves" (although any of the 20 players who had left the playing field for any reason could later resume their place on the field at any time during the match).{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article9171820 |title=THE FOOTBALL SEASON. |newspaper=The Argus |location=Melbourne |date=8 May 1897 |page=11}} Each team played each other twice in a home-and-away season of 14 rounds.
Once the 14-round home-and-away season had finished, the 1897 VFL Premiers were determined according to the conditions dictated by the specific format and conventions of the 1897 Finals System, which was used in this season only.
Home-and-away season
=Round 1=
{{AFLGameHeader|title=Round 1}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 8 May (3:00 pm)|{{AFL Fit}}|6.13 (49)|H|{{AFL Car}}|2.4 (16)|Brunswick Street Oval||{{right|[https://afltables.com/afl/stats/games/1897/030618970508.html Statistics]}}}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 8 May (3:00 pm)|{{AFL Col}}|5.11 (41)|H|{{AFL|StK}}|2.4 (16)|Victoria Park||{{right|[https://afltables.com/afl/stats/games/1897/041518970508.html Statistics]}}}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 8 May (3:00 pm)|{{AFL Gee}}|3.6 (24)|A|{{AFL Ess}}|7.5 (47)|Corio Oval||{{right|[https://afltables.com/afl/stats/games/1897/050918970508.html Statistics]}}}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 8 May (3:00 pm)|{{AFL SM}}|3.9 (27)|A|{{AFL Mel}}|6.8 (44)|Lake Oval||{{right|[https://afltables.com/afl/stats/games/1897/111618970508.html Statistics]}}}}
{{AFLGameFooter}}
=Round 2=
{{AFLGameHeader|title=Round 2}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 15 May (3:00 pm)|{{AFL SM}} |6.4 (40)|H|{{AFL Car}}|5.6 (36)|Lake Oval||{{right|[https://afltables.com/afl/stats/games/1897/031618970515.html Statistics]}}}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 15 May (3:00 pm)|{{AFL Ess}}|4.6 (30)|A|{{AFL Col}}|8.2 (50)|East Melbourne Cricket Ground||{{right|[https://afltables.com/afl/stats/games/1897/040518970515.html Statistics]}}}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 15 May (3:00 pm)|{{AFL|StK}}|3.8 (26)|A|{{AFL Fit}}|10.6 (66)|Junction Oval||{{right|[https://afltables.com/afl/stats/games/1897/061518970515.html Statistics]}}}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 15 May (3:00 pm)|{{AFL Mel}}|9.10 (64)|H|{{AFL Gee}}|3.1 (19)|Melbourne Cricket Ground||{{right|[https://afltables.com/afl/stats/games/1897/091118970515.html Statistics]}}}}
{{AFLGameFooter}}
=Round 3=
{{AFLGameHeader|title=Round 3}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 22 May (3:00 pm)|{{AFL Col}}|6.5 (41)|H|{{AFL Gee}}|5.7 (37)|Victoria Park||{{right|[https://afltables.com/afl/stats/games/1897/040918970522.html Statistics]}}}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 22 May (3:00 pm)|{{AFL Fit}}|5.9 (39)|A|{{AFL Mel}}|7.8 (50)|Brunswick Street Oval||{{right|[https://afltables.com/afl/stats/games/1897/061118970522.html Statistics]}}}}
{{AFLGame|Monday, 24 May (3:00 pm)|{{AFL Ess}}|12.6 (78)|H|{{AFL Car}}|6.5 (41)|East Melbourne Cricket Ground||{{right|[https://afltables.com/afl/stats/games/1897/030518970524.html Statistics]}}}}
{{AFLGame|Monday, 24 May (3:00 pm)|{{AFL SM}}|8.11 (59)|H|{{AFL|StK}}|0.2 (2)|Lake Oval||{{right|[https://afltables.com/afl/stats/games/1897/151618970524.html Statistics]}}}}
{{AFLGameFooter}}
=Round 4=
{{AFLGameHeader|title=Round 4}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 29 May (3:00 pm)|{{AFL Gee}}|5.14 (44)|H|{{AFL Car}}|3.4 (22)|Corio Oval||{{right|[https://afltables.com/afl/stats/games/1897/030918970529.html Statistics]}}}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 29 May (3:00 pm)|{{AFL SM}}|5.11 (41)|H|{{AFL Col}}|5.3 (33)|Lake Oval||{{right|[https://afltables.com/afl/stats/games/1897/041618970529.html Statistics]}}}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 29 May (3:00 pm)|{{AFL Fit}}|2.8 (20)|A|{{AFL Ess}}|6.6 (42)|Brunswick Street Oval||{{right|[https://afltables.com/afl/stats/games/1897/050618970529.html Statistics]}}}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 29 May (3:00 pm)|{{AFL Mel}}|11.10 (76)|H|{{AFL|StK}}|7.4 (46)|Melbourne Cricket Ground||{{right|[https://afltables.com/afl/stats/games/1897/111518970529.html Statistics]}}}}
{{AFLGameFooter}}
=Round 5=
{{AFLGameHeader|title=Round 5}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 5 June (3:00 pm)|{{AFL Mel}}|15.17 (107)|H|{{AFL Car}}|3.8 (26)|Melbourne Cricket Ground||{{right|[https://afltables.com/afl/stats/games/1897/031118970605.html Statistics]}}}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 5 June (3:00 pm)|{{AFL Col}}|5.7 (37)|H|{{AFL Fit}}|2.9 (21)|Victoria Park||{{right|[https://afltables.com/afl/stats/games/1897/040618970605.html Statistics]}}}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 5 June (3:00 pm)|{{AFL|StK}}|3.8 (26)|A|{{AFL Ess}}|9.9 (63)|Junction Oval||{{right|[https://afltables.com/afl/stats/games/1897/051518970605.html Statistics]}}}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 5 June (3:00 pm)|{{AFL Gee}}|10.12 (72)|H|{{AFL SM}}|3.6 (24)|Corio Oval||{{right|[https://afltables.com/afl/stats/games/1897/091618970605.html Statistics]}}}}
{{AFLGameFooter}}
=Round 6=
{{AFLGameHeader|title=Round 6}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 19 June (3:00 pm)|{{AFL|StK}}|3.6 (24)|A|{{AFL Car}}|5.5 (35)|Junction Oval||{{right|[https://afltables.com/afl/stats/games/1897/031518970619.html Statistics]}}}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 19 June (3:00 pm)|{{AFL Mel}}|5.3 (33)|H|{{AFL Col}}|3.8 (26)|Melbourne Cricket Ground||{{right|[https://afltables.com/afl/stats/games/1897/041118970619.html Statistics]}}}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 19 June (3:00 pm)|{{AFL SM}}|2.4 (16)|A|{{AFL Ess}}|1.13 (19)|Lake Oval||{{right|[https://afltables.com/afl/stats/games/1897/051618970619.html Statistics]}}}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 19 June (3:00 pm)|{{AFL Gee}}|3.13 (31)|H|{{AFL Fit}}|2.3 (15)|Corio Oval||{{right|[https://afltables.com/afl/stats/games/1897/060918970619.html Statistics]}}}}
{{AFLGameFooter}}
=Round 7=
{{AFLGameHeader|title=Round 7}}
{{AFLGame|Tuesday, 22 June (3:00 pm)|{{AFL Car}}|5.5 (35)|A|{{AFL Col}}|6.5 (41)|Princes Park||{{right|[https://afltables.com/afl/stats/games/1897/030418970622.html Statistics]}}}}
{{AFLGame|Tuesday, 22 June (3:00 pm)|{{AFL Ess}}|8.15 (63)|H|{{AFL Mel}}|3.9 (27)|East Melbourne Cricket Ground||{{right|[https://afltables.com/afl/stats/games/1897/051118970622.html Statistics]}}}}
{{AFLGame|Tuesday, 22 June (3:00 pm)|{{AFL Fit}}|5.13 (43)|D|{{AFL SM}}|5.13 (43)|Brunswick Street Oval||{{right|[https://afltables.com/afl/stats/games/1897/061618970622.html Statistics]}}}}
{{AFLGame|Tuesday, 22 June (3:00 pm)|{{AFL|StK}}|4.7 (31)|A|{{AFL Gee}}|16.18 (114)|Junction Oval||{{right|[https://afltables.com/afl/stats/games/1897/091518970622.html Statistics]}}}}
{{AFLGameFooter}}
=Round 8=
{{AFLGameHeader|title=Round 8}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 26 June (3:00 pm)|{{AFL Car}}|1.3 (9)|A|{{AFL Fit}}|5.17 (47)|Princes Park||{{right|[https://afltables.com/afl/stats/games/1897/030618970626.html Statistics]}}}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 26 June (3:00 pm)|{{AFL|StK}}|4.5 (29)|A|{{AFL Col}}|7.11 (53)|Junction Oval||{{right|[https://afltables.com/afl/stats/games/1897/041518970626.html Statistics]}}}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 26 June (3;00 pm)|{{AFL Ess}}|5.2 (32)|A|{{AFL Gee}}|8.9 (57)|East Melbourne Cricket Ground||{{right|[https://afltables.com/afl/stats/games/1897/050918970626.html Statistics]}}}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 26 June (3:00 pm)|{{AFL Mel}}|3.2 (20)|A|{{AFL SM}}|11.7 (73)|Melbourne Cricket Ground||{{right|[https://afltables.com/afl/stats/games/1897/111618970626.html Statistics]}}}}
{{AFLGameFooter}}
=Round 9=
{{AFLGameHeader|title=Round 9}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 3 July (3:00 pm)|{{AFL Car}}|4.4 (28)|A|{{AFL SM}}|11.8 (74)|Princes Park||{{right|[https://afltables.com/afl/stats/games/1897/031618970703.html Statistics]}}}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 3 July (3:00 pm)|{{AFL Col}}|5.7 (37)|A|{{AFL Ess}}|6.10 (46)|Victoria Park||{{right|[https://afltables.com/afl/stats/games/1897/040518970703.html Statistics]}}}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 3 July (3:00 pm)|{{AFL Fit}}|9.21 (75)|H|{{AFL|StK}}|2.6 (18)|Brunswick Street Oval||{{right|[https://afltables.com/afl/stats/games/1897/061518970703.html Statistics]}}}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 3 July (3:00 pm)|{{AFL Gee}}|1.9 (15)|H|{{AFL Mel}}|0.10 (10)|Corio Oval||{{right|[https://afltables.com/afl/stats/games/1897/091118970703.html Statistics]}}}}
{{AFLGameFooter}}
=Round 10=
{{AFLGameHeader|title=Round 10}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 10 July (3:00 pm)|{{AFL Car}}|2.1 (13)|A|{{AFL Ess}}|5.12 (42)|Princes Park||{{right|[https://afltables.com/afl/stats/games/1897/030518970710.html Statistics]}}}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 10 July (3:00 pm)|{{AFL Gee}}|7.10 (52)|H|{{AFL Col}}|1.4 (10)|Corio Oval||{{right|[https://afltables.com/afl/stats/games/1897/040918970710.html Statistics]}}}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 10 July (3:00 pm)|{{AFL Mel}}|8.5 (53)|H|{{AFL Fit}}|3.8 (26)|Melbourne Cricket Ground||{{right|[https://afltables.com/afl/stats/games/1897/061118970710.html Statistics]}}}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 10 July (3:00 pm)|{{AFL|StK}}|0.3 (3)|A|{{AFL SM}}|8.16 (64)|Junction Oval||{{right|[https://afltables.com/afl/stats/games/1897/151618970710.html Statistics]}}}}
{{AFLGameFooter}}
=Round 11=
{{AFLGameHeader|title=Round 11}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 17 July (3:00 pm)|{{AFL Car}}|2.4 (16)|A|{{AFL Gee}}|9.12 (66)|Princes Park||{{right|[https://afltables.com/afl/stats/games/1897/030918970717.html Statistics]}}}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 17 July (3:00 pm)|{{AFL Col}}|0.8 (8)|A|{{AFL SM}}|2.15 (27)|Victoria Park||{{right|[https://afltables.com/afl/stats/games/1897/041618970717.html Statistics]}}}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 17 July (3:00 pm)|{{AFL Ess}}|9.8 (62)|H|{{AFL Fit}}|4.6 (30)|East Melbourne Cricket Ground||{{right|[https://afltables.com/afl/stats/games/1897/050618970717.html Statistics]}}}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 17 July (3:00 pm)|{{AFL|StK}}|1.7 (13)|A|{{AFL Mel}}|10.11 (71)|Junction Oval||{{right|[https://afltables.com/afl/stats/games/1897/111518970717.html Statistics]}}}}
{{AFLGameFooter}}
=Round 12=
{{AFLGameHeader|title=Round 12}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 24 July (3:00 pm)|{{AFL Car}}|2.6 (18)|A|{{AFL Mel}}|5.16 (46)|Melbourne Cricket Ground||{{right|[https://afltables.com/afl/stats/games/1897/031118970724.html Statistics]}}}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 24 July (3:00 pm)|{{AFL Fit}}|4.4 (28)|A|{{AFL Col}}|3.17 (35)|Brunswick Street Oval||{{right|[https://afltables.com/afl/stats/games/1897/040618970724.html Statistics]}}}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 24 July (3:00 pm)|{{AFL Ess}}|13.16 (94)|H|{{AFL|StK}}|0.3 (3)|East Melbourne Cricket Ground||{{right|[https://afltables.com/afl/stats/games/1897/051518970724.html Statistics]}}}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 24 July (3:00 pm)|{{AFL SM}}|5.2 (32)|A|{{AFL Gee}}|6.8 (44)|Lake Oval||{{right|[https://afltables.com/afl/stats/games/1897/091618970724.html Statistics]}}}}
{{AFLGameFooter}}
=Round 13=
{{AFLGameHeader|title=Round 13}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 31 July (3:00 pm)|{{AFL Car}}|8.11 (59)|H|{{AFL|StK}}|3.7 (25)|Princes Park||{{right|[https://afltables.com/afl/stats/games/1897/031518970731.html Statistics]}}}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 31 July (3:00 pm)|{{AFL Col}}|5.13 (43)|H|{{AFL Mel}}|3.10 (28)|Victoria Park||{{right|[https://afltables.com/afl/stats/games/1897/041118970731.html Statistics]}}}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 31 July (3:00 pm)|{{AFL Ess}}|8.1 (49)|H|{{AFL SM}}|6.9 (45)|East Melbourne Cricket Ground||{{right|[https://afltables.com/afl/stats/games/1897/051618970731.html Statistics]}}}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 31 July (3:00 pm)|{{AFL Fit}}|2.9 (21)|A|{{AFL Gee}}|5.3 (33)|Brunswick Street Oval||{{right|[https://afltables.com/afl/stats/games/1897/060918970731.html Statistics]}}}}
{{AFLGameFooter}}
=Round 14=
{{AFLGameHeader|title=Round 14}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 7 August (3:00 pm)|{{AFL Col}}|7.12 (54)|H|{{AFL Car}}|3.4 (22)|Victoria Park||{{right|[https://afltables.com/afl/stats/games/1897/030418970807.html Statistics]}}}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 7 August (3:00 pm)|{{AFL Mel}}|8.8 (56)|H|{{AFL Ess}}|6.3 (39)|Melbourne Cricket Ground||{{right|[https://afltables.com/afl/stats/games/1897/051118970807.html Statistics]}}}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 7 August (3:00 pm)|{{AFL SM}}|3.12 (30)|H|{{AFL Fit}}|4.5 (29)|Lake Oval||{{right|[https://afltables.com/afl/stats/games/1897/061618970807.html Statistics]}}}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 7 August (3:00 pm)|{{AFL Gee}}|14.12 (96)|H|{{AFL|StK}}|3.0 (18)|Corio Oval||{{right|[https://afltables.com/afl/stats/games/1897/091518970807.html Statistics]}}}}
{{AFLGameFooter}}
Ladder
| class=wikitable
| (P) | Premiers |
| bgcolor=FFFFBB | | Qualified for finals |
{{Australian rules football ladder start}}
|- style=background:#FFFFBB
| 1 || align=left | {{AFL Gee}} || 14 || 11 || 3 || 0 || 704 || 383 || 183.8 || 44
|- style=background:#FFFFBB
| 2 || align=left | {{AFL Ess}} (P) || 14 || 11 || 3 || 0 || 706 || 445 || 158.7 || 44
|- style=background:#FFFFBB
| 3 || align=left | {{AFL Mel}} || 14 || 10 || 4 || 0 || 685 || 473 || 144.8 || 40
|- style=background:#FFFFBB
| 4 || align=left | {{AFL Col}} || 14 || 9 || 5 || 0 || 509 || 445 || 114.4 || 36
|-
| 5 || align=left | {{AFL SM}} || 14 || 8 || 5 || 1 || 595 || 430 || 138.4 || 34
|-
| 6 || align=left | {{AFL Fit}} || 14 || 4 || 9 || 1 || 509 || 485 || 104.9 || 18
|-
| 7 || align=left | {{AFL Car}} || 14 || 2 || 12 || 0 || 376 || 737 || 51.0 || 8
|-
| 8 || align=left | {{AFL|StK}} || 14 || 0 || 14 || 0 || 280 || 966 || 29.0 || 0
|}
Rules for classification: 1. premiership points; 2. percentage; 3. points for
Average score: 39.0
Source: [https://afltables.com/afl/seas/1897.html#lad AFL Tables]
Progression by round
{{Australian rules football ladder progression legend|end=yes|four=yes}}
| class="wikitable sortable" style=text-align:center
! Team !! 1 !! 2 !! 3 !! 4 !! 5 !! 6 !! 7 !! 8 !! 9 !! 10 !! 11 !! 12 !! 13 !! 14 | ||||||||||||||
| align=left | {{AFL Gee}} | {{sort|06|06}} | bgcolor=FFCFCF | {{sort|08|08}} | {{sort|07|07}} | {{sort|06|46}} | {{sort|06|86}} | bgcolor=FFFFBB | {{sort|04|124}} | bgcolor=FFFFBB | {{sort|04|164}} | bgcolor=FFFFBB | {{sort|04|204}} | bgcolor=FFFFBB | {{sort|02|242}} | bgcolor=FFFFBB | {{sort|02|282}} | bgcolor=FFFFBB | {{sort|02|322}} | bgcolor=FFFFBB | {{sort|02|362}} | bgcolor=FFFFBB | {{sort|02|402}} | bgcolor=CCFFCC | {{sort|01|441}} |
| align=left | {{AFL Ess}} | bgcolor=FFFFBB | {{sort|03|43}} | bgcolor=FFFFBB | {{sort|04|44}} | {{sort|05|85}} | bgcolor=FFFFBB | {{sort|02|122}} | bgcolor=FFFFBB | {{sort|02|162}} | bgcolor=FFFFBB | {{sort|02|202}} | bgcolor=C9F0FF | {{sort|01|241}} | bgcolor=C9F0FF | {{sort|01|241}} | bgcolor=C9F0FF | {{sort|01|281}} | bgcolor=C9F0FF | {{sort|01|321}} | bgcolor=C9F0FF | {{sort|01|361}} | bgcolor=C9F0FF | {{sort|01|401}} | bgcolor=C9F0FF | {{sort|01|441}} | bgcolor=FFFFBB | {{sort|02|442}} |
| align=left | {{AFL Mel}} | bgcolor=FFFFBB | {{sort|04|44}} | bgcolor=FFFFBB | {{sort|02|82}} | bgcolor=C9F0FF | {{sort|01|121}} | bgcolor=C9F0FF | {{sort|01|161}} | bgcolor=C9F0FF | {{sort|01|201}} | bgcolor=C9F0FF | {{sort|01|241}} | bgcolor=FFFFBB | {{sort|02|242}} | bgcolor=FFFFBB | {{sort|03|243}} | bgcolor=FFFFBB | {{sort|03|243}} | bgcolor=FFFFBB | {{sort|03|283}} | bgcolor=FFFFBB | {{sort|03|323}} | bgcolor=FFFFBB | {{sort|03|363}} | bgcolor=FFFFBB | {{sort|03|363}} | bgcolor=FFFFBB | {{sort|03|403}} |
| align=left | {{AFL Col}} | bgcolor=FFFFBB | {{sort|02|42}} | bgcolor=FFFFBB | {{sort|03|83}} | bgcolor=FFFFBB | {{sort|02|122}} | bgcolor=FFFFBB | {{sort|04|124}} | bgcolor=FFFFBB | {{sort|03|163}} | bgcolor=FFFFBB | {{sort|03|163}} | bgcolor=FFFFBB | {{sort|03|203}} | bgcolor=FFFFBB | {{sort|02|242}} | bgcolor=FFFFBB | {{sort|04|244}} | {{sort|05|245}} | {{sort|05|245}} | {{sort|05|285}} | bgcolor=FFFFBB | {{sort|04|324}} | bgcolor=FFFFBB | {{sort|04|364}} |
| align=left | {{AFL SM}} | {{sort|05|05}} | {{sort|05|45}} | bgcolor=FFFFBB | {{sort|04|84}} | bgcolor=FFFFBB | {{sort|03|123}} | bgcolor=FFFFBB | {{sort|04|124}} | {{sort|05|125}} | {{sort|05|145}} | {{sort|05|185}} | {{sort|05|225}} | bgcolor=FFFFBB | {{sort|04|264}} | bgcolor=FFFFBB | {{sort|04|304}} | bgcolor=FFFFBB | {{sort|04|304}} | {{sort|05|305}} | {{sort|05|345}} |
| align=left | {{AFL Fit}} | bgcolor=C9F0FF | {{sort|01|41}} | bgcolor=C9F0FF | {{sort|01|81}} | bgcolor=FFFFBB | {{sort|03|83}} | {{sort|05|85}} | {{sort|05|85}} | {{sort|06|86}} | {{sort|06|106}} | {{sort|06|146}} | {{sort|06|186}} | {{sort|06|186}} | {{sort|06|186}} | {{sort|06|186}} | {{sort|06|186}} | {{sort|06|186}} |
| align=left | {{AFL Car}} | bgcolor=FFCFCF | {{sort|08|08}} | {{sort|06|06}} | {{sort|06|06}} | {{sort|07|07}} | {{sort|07|07}} | {{sort|07|47}} | {{sort|07|47}} | {{sort|07|47}} | {{sort|07|47}} | {{sort|07|47}} | {{sort|07|47}} | {{sort|07|47}} | {{sort|07|87}} | {{sort|07|87}} |
| align=left | {{AFL|StK}} | {{sort|07|07}} | {{sort|07|07}} | bgcolor=FFCFCF | {{sort|08|08}} | bgcolor=FFCFCF | {{sort|08|08}} | bgcolor=FFCFCF | {{sort|08|08}} | bgcolor=FFCFCF | {{sort|08|08}} | bgcolor=FFCFCF | {{sort|08|08}} | bgcolor=FFCFCF | {{sort|08|08}} | bgcolor=FFCFCF | {{sort|08|08}} | bgcolor=FFCFCF | {{sort|08|08}} | bgcolor=FFCFCF | {{sort|08|08}} | bgcolor=FFCFCF | {{sort|08|08}} | bgcolor=FFCFCF | {{sort|08|08}} | bgcolor=C0C0C0 | {{sort|08|08}} |
Source: [https://afltables.com/afl/seas/1897.html AFL Tables]
Finals series
{{main|1897 VFL finals series}}
=Finals week 1=
{{AFLGameHeader|title=Finals week 1}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 21 August (2:30 pm)|{{AFL Gee}}|3.11 (29)|A|{{AFL Ess}}|5.5 (35)|Corio Oval|5,000|{{hlist|[https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/9170424 Report]|[https://afltables.com/afl/stats/games/1897/050918970821.html Stats]}}}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 21 August (2:30 pm)|{{AFL Mel}}|7.5 (47)|A|{{AFL Col}}|7.9 (51)|Melbourne Cricket Ground|7,000|{{hlist|[https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/9170424 Report]|[https://afltables.com/afl/stats/games/1897/041118970821.html Stats]}}}}
{{AFLGameFooter}}
=Finals week 2=
{{AFLGameHeader|title=Finals week 2}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 28 August (2:30 pm)|{{AFL Ess}}|9.16 (70)|H|{{AFL Col}}|4.6 (30)|Melbourne Cricket Ground|8,000|{{hlist|[https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/9175221 Report]|[https://afltables.com/afl/stats/games/1897/040518970828.html Stats]}}}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 28 August (2:30 pm)|{{AFL Gee}}|5.16 (46)|H|{{AFL Mel}}|5.7 (37)|Brunswick Street Oval|4,000|{{hlist|[https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/9175266 Report]|[https://afltables.com/afl/stats/games/1897/091118970828.html Stats]}}}}
{{AFLGameFooter}}
=Finals week 3=
{{AFLGameHeader|title=Finals week 3}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 4 September (2:30 pm)|{{AFL Ess}}|1.8 (14)|H|{{AFL Mel}}|0.8 (8)|Lake Oval|3,800|{{hlist|[https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/9770101 Report]|[https://afltables.com/afl/stats/games/1897/051118970904.html Stats]}}}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 4 September (2:30 pm)|{{AFL Gee}}|8.4 (52)|H|{{AFL Col}}|6.12 (48)|East Melbourne Cricket Ground|3,000|{{hlist|[https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/9770125 Report]|[https://afltables.com/afl/stats/games/1897/040918970904.html Stats]}}}}
{{AFLGameFooter}}
Finals ladder
| class=wikitable
| style=width:1em bgcolor=CCFFCC | | Won the premiership |
{{Australian rules football ladder start}}
|- style=background:#CCFFCC
| 1 || align=left | {{AFL Ess}} || 3 || 3 || 0 || 0 || 119 || 67 || 177.6 || 12
|-
| 2 || align=left | {{AFL Gee}} || 3 || 2 || 1 || 0 || 127 || 120 || 105.8 || 8
|-
| 3 || align=left | {{AFL Col}} || 3 || 1 || 2 || 0 || 129 || 169 || 76.3 || 4
|-
| 4 || align=left | {{AFL Mel}} || 3 || 0 || 3 || 0 || 92 || 111 || 82.9 || 0
|}
Rules for classification: 1. premiership points; 2. percentage; 3. points for
Source: [https://afltables.com/afl/seas/1897.html#fin AFL Tables]
Win–loss table
The following table can be sorted from biggest winning margin to biggest losing margin for each round. If two or more matches in a round are decided by the same margin, these margins are sorted by percentage (i.e. the lowest-scoring winning team is ranked highest and the lowest-scoring losing team is ranked lowest). Opponents are listed above the margins and home matches are in bold.
{{Australian rules football win/loss table legend}}
| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:85%; text-align:center"
! rowspan=2 | Team !! colspan=14 | Home-and-away season !! rowspan=2 | {{Tooltip|Ladder|Ladder position and win/loss/draw record}} !! colspan=3 | Finals series !! rowspan=2 | {{Tooltip|Finals | |||||||||||||||||||
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | F1 | F2 | F3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| align=left | {{AFL Car}} | bgcolor=FFCFCF | {{sort|08|FIT -33}} | bgcolor=FFCFCF | {{sort|05|SM -4}} | bgcolor=FFCFCF | {{sort|07|ESS -37}} | bgcolor=FFCFCF | {{sort|06|GEE -22}} | bgcolor=FFCFCF | {{sort|08|MEL -81}} | bgcolor=CCFFCC | {{sort|02|STK +11}} | bgcolor=FFCFCF | {{sort|06|COL -6}} | bgcolor=FFCFCF | {{sort|07|FIT -38}} | bgcolor=FFCFCF | {{sort|07|SM -46}} | bgcolor=FFCFCF | {{sort|06|ESS -29}} | bgcolor=FFCFCF | {{sort|07|GEE -50}} | bgcolor=FFCFCF | {{sort|07|MEL -28}} | bgcolor=CCFFCC | {{sort|01|STK +34}} | bgcolor=FFCFCF | {{sort|07|COL -32}} | 7 (2–12–0) | colspan=4 bgcolor=C0C0C0 | | |||
| align=left | {{AFL Col}} | bgcolor=CCFFCC | {{sort|02|STK +25}} | bgcolor=CCFFCC | {{sort|03|ESS +20}} | bgcolor=CCFFCC | {{sort|04|GEE +4}} | bgcolor=FFCFCF | {{sort|05|SM -8}} | bgcolor=CCFFCC | {{sort|04|FIT +16}} | bgcolor=FFCFCF | {{sort|06|MEL -7}} | bgcolor=CCFFCC | {{sort|03|CAR +6}} | bgcolor=CCFFCC | {{sort|04|STK +24}} | bgcolor=FFCFCF | {{sort|06|ESS -9}} | bgcolor=FFCFCF | {{sort|07|GEE -42}} | bgcolor=FFCFCF | {{sort|05|SM -19}} | bgcolor=CCFFCC | {{sort|04|FIT +7}} | bgcolor=CCFFCC | {{sort|02|MEL +15}} | bgcolor=CCFFCC | {{sort|02|CAR +32}} | bgcolor=FFFFBB | 4 (9–5–0) | bgcolor=CCFFCC | {{sort|03|MEL +4}} | bgcolor=FFCFCF | {{sort|01|ESS -40}} | bgcolor=FFCFCF | {{sort|02|GEE -4}} | {{sort|02|3 (1–2–0)}} |
| align=left | {{AFL Ess}} | bgcolor=CCFFCC | {{sort|03|GEE +23}} | bgcolor=FFCFCF | {{sort|06|COL -20}} | bgcolor=CCFFCC | {{sort|02|CAR +37}} | bgcolor=CCFFCC | {{sort|02|FIT +22}} | bgcolor=CCFFCC | {{sort|03|STK +37}} | bgcolor=CCFFCC | {{sort|04|SM +3}} | bgcolor=CCFFCC | {{sort|02|MEL +36}} | bgcolor=FFCFCF | {{sort|06|GEE -25}} | bgcolor=CCFFCC | {{sort|03|COL +9}} | bgcolor=CCFFCC | {{sort|03|CAR +29}} | bgcolor=CCFFCC | {{sort|03|FIT +32}} | bgcolor=CCFFCC | {{sort|01|STK +91}} | bgcolor=CCFFCC | {{sort|04|SM +4}} | bgcolor=FFCFCF | {{sort|06|MEL -17}} | bgcolor=FFFFBB | 2 (11–3–0) | bgcolor=CCFFCC | {{sort|04|GEE +6}} | bgcolor=CCFFCC | {{sort|04|COL +40}} | bgcolor=CCFFCC | {{sort|04|MEL +6}} | bgcolor=CCFFCC | {{sort|04|1 (3–0–0)}} |
| align=left | {{AFL Fit}} | bgcolor=CCFFCC | {{sort|01|CAR +33}} | bgcolor=CCFFCC | {{sort|02|STK +40}} | bgcolor=FFCFCF | {{sort|06|MEL -11}} | bgcolor=FFCFCF | {{sort|07|ESS -22}} | bgcolor=FFCFCF | {{sort|05|COL -16}} | bgcolor=FFCFCF | {{sort|08|GEE -16}} | bgcolor=CCCCFF | {{sort|05|SM 0}} | bgcolor=CCFFCC | {{sort|02|CAR +38}} | bgcolor=CCFFCC | {{sort|01|STK +57}} | bgcolor=FFCFCF | {{sort|05|MEL -27}} | bgcolor=FFCFCF | {{sort|06|ESS -32}} | bgcolor=FFCFCF | {{sort|05|COL -7}} | bgcolor=FFCFCF | {{sort|06|GEE -12}} | bgcolor=FFCFCF | {{sort|05|SM -1}} | 6 (4–9–1) | colspan=4 bgcolor=C0C0C0 | | |||
| align=left | {{AFL Gee}} | bgcolor=FFCFCF | {{sort|06|ESS -23}} | bgcolor=FFCFCF | {{sort|08|MEL -45}} | bgcolor=FFCFCF | {{sort|05|COL -4}} | bgcolor=CCFFCC | {{sort|03|CAR +22}} | bgcolor=CCFFCC | {{sort|02|SM +48}} | bgcolor=CCFFCC | {{sort|01|FIT +16}} | bgcolor=CCFFCC | {{sort|01|STK +83}} | bgcolor=CCFFCC | {{sort|03|ESS +25}} | bgcolor=CCFFCC | {{sort|04|MEL +5}} | bgcolor=CCFFCC | {{sort|02|COL +42}} | bgcolor=CCFFCC | {{sort|02|CAR +50}} | bgcolor=CCFFCC | {{sort|03|SM +12}} | bgcolor=CCFFCC | {{sort|03|FIT +12}} | bgcolor=CCFFCC | {{sort|01|STK +78}} | bgcolor=FFFFBB | 1 (11–3–0) | bgcolor=FFCFCF | {{sort|01|ESS -6}} | bgcolor=CCFFCC | {{sort|03|MEL +9}} | bgcolor=CCFFCC | {{sort|03|COL +4}} | {{sort|03|2 (2–1–0)}} |
| align=left | {{AFL Mel}} | bgcolor=CCFFCC | {{sort|04|SM +17}} | bgcolor=CCFFCC | {{sort|01|GEE +45}} | bgcolor=CCFFCC | {{sort|03|FIT +11}} | bgcolor=CCFFCC | {{sort|01|STK +30}} | bgcolor=CCFFCC | {{sort|01|CAR +81}} | bgcolor=CCFFCC | {{sort|03|COL +7}} | bgcolor=FFCFCF | {{sort|07|ESS -36}} | bgcolor=FFCFCF | {{sort|08|SM -53}} | bgcolor=FFCFCF | {{sort|05|GEE -5}} | bgcolor=CCFFCC | {{sort|04|FIT +27}} | bgcolor=CCFFCC | {{sort|01|STK +58}} | bgcolor=CCFFCC | {{sort|02|CAR +28}} | bgcolor=FFCFCF | {{sort|07|COL -15}} | bgcolor=CCFFCC | {{sort|03|ESS +17}} | bgcolor=FFFFBB | 3 (10–4–0) | bgcolor=FFCFCF | {{sort|02|COL -4}} | bgcolor=FFCFCF | {{sort|02|GEE -9}} | bgcolor=FFCFCF | {{sort|01|ESS -6}} | {{sort|01|4 (0–3–0)}} |
| align=left | {{AFL SM}} | bgcolor=FFCFCF | {{sort|05|MEL -17}} | bgcolor=CCFFCC | {{sort|04|CAR +4}} | bgcolor=CCFFCC | {{sort|01|STK +57}} | bgcolor=CCFFCC | {{sort|04|COL +8}} | bgcolor=FFCFCF | {{sort|07|GEE -48}} | bgcolor=FFCFCF | {{sort|05|ESS -3}} | bgcolor=CCCCFF | {{sort|04|FIT 0}} | bgcolor=CCFFCC | {{sort|01|MEL +53}} | bgcolor=CCFFCC | {{sort|02|CAR +46}} | bgcolor=CCFFCC | {{sort|01|STK +61}} | bgcolor=CCFFCC | {{sort|04|COL +19}} | bgcolor=FFCFCF | {{sort|06|GEE -12}} | bgcolor=FFCFCF | {{sort|05|ESS -4}} | bgcolor=CCFFCC | {{sort|04|FIT +1}} | 5 (8–5–1) | colspan=4 bgcolor=C0C0C0 | | |||
| align=left | {{AFL|StK}} | bgcolor=FFCFCF | {{sort|07|COL -25}} | bgcolor=FFCFCF | {{sort|07|FIT -40}} | bgcolor=FFCFCF | {{sort|08|SM -57}} | bgcolor=FFCFCF | {{sort|08|MEL -30}} | bgcolor=FFCFCF | {{sort|06|ESS -37}} | bgcolor=FFCFCF | {{sort|07|CAR -11}} | bgcolor=FFCFCF | {{sort|08|GEE -83}} | bgcolor=FFCFCF | {{sort|05|COL -24}} | bgcolor=FFCFCF | {{sort|08|FIT -57}} | bgcolor=FFCFCF | {{sort|08|SM -61}} | bgcolor=FFCFCF | {{sort|08|MEL -58}} | bgcolor=FFCFCF | {{sort|08|ESS -91}} | bgcolor=FFCFCF | {{sort|08|CAR -34}} | bgcolor=FFCFCF | {{sort|08|GEE -78}} | 8 (0–14–0) | colspan=4 bgcolor=C0C0C0 | |
Source: [https://afltables.com/afl/seas/1897.html AFL Tables]
Season notes
- The game between Essendon and Melbourne in the third round of the finals holds the record for the lowest combined score in a match in VFL/AFL history: 1.16 (22).
- George Stuckey, the captain of the Essendon Football Club team that won the VFL's inaugural premiership, also won the 130-yard Stawell Gift in 1897 in 12.2 seconds off a handicap of 12 yards.
- In the first round of 1897, the VFL revoked the VFA's (then prevailing) push-in-the-back rule. The rule was reinstated before the second round's matches on the following Saturday due to complaints from fans, players and officials.
- On 12 June, a League representative team played against a Ballarat Football League representative team at the Brunswick Street Oval. Ballarat 13.11 (89) defeated the League 8.6 (54).[http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article139743131 'Markwell', "Football Notes: Ballarat Defeat the League, The Australasian, (Saturday, 19 June 1897), p.1229.]
- On 3 July 1897, Fitzroy rover Bill McSpeerin weaved his way and bounced the ball the length of the Brunswick Street Oval to score a goal against St Kilda.[http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article139744055 'Markwell', "Football Notes: Hollow Defeat", The Australasian, (Saturday, 10 July 1897), p. 77.]
- Fred Waugh was unable to play in South Melbourne's team for the Round 11 game with St Kilda after attempting suicide. He had been spurned by his lover, and had become disconsolate. His mother found him in his room covered in blood, having cut his throat with a blunt knife. Luckily, he missed severing his windpipe and blood vessels, and a doctor was able to repair the wounds.[http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article9174399 A Footballer's Romance: Rejected by his Sweetheart: He Attempts Suicide, The Argus, (Monday, 12 July 1897), p. 5.]
- Carlton's first six matches were all away games due to renovations at Princes Park, with the first game at Princes Park being a 5.6 (36) loss to Collingwood 6.4 (40) on 22 June, the Diamond Jubilee Holiday.{{cite book |last1=Ross |first1=John |title=100 Years of Australian Football |date=1996 |publisher=Penguin Books |location=Ringwood, Victoria |isbn=978-0670868148 |page=39}}
- The first-round finals match between Geelong and Essendon at the Corio Oval was the only finals match to be played in Geelong until 2013.
Leading goalkickers
{{Australian rules football leading goalkickers legend|end=yes|dnp=yes}}
{{Alternating rows table|class=wikitable plainrowheaders|style=font-size:90%; text-align:center}}
! rowspan=2 style=width:2em | #
! rowspan=2 | Player
! rowspan=2 | Club
! colspan=14 | Home-and-away season (leading goalkicker medal)
! colspan=3 | Finals series
! rowspan=2 | Total
! rowspan=2 | Games
! rowspan=2 | Average
|-
! 1 !! 2 !! 3 !! 4 !! 5 !! 6 !! 7 !! 8 !! 9 !! 10 !! 11 !! 12 !! 13 !! 14 !! F1 !! F2 !! F3
|-
! scope=row style=text-align:center | 1
| align=left | Eddy James || align=left | {{AFL Gee}} || bgcolor=C9F0FF | 22 || 13 || 03 || 36 || 39 || 110 || 313 || 013 || 114 || –14 || –14 || 115 || 419 || bgcolor=CCFFCC | 322 || 123 || 225 || 227 || 27 || 15 || 1.80
|-
! scope=row style=text-align:center | 2
| align=left | Jack Leith || align=left | {{AFL Mel}} || bgcolor=C9F0FF | 22 || bgcolor=C9F0FF | 46 || bgcolor=C9F0FF | 17 || bgcolor=C9F0FF | 07 || bgcolor=C9F0FF | 411 || bgcolor=C9F0FF | 314 || bgcolor=C9F0FF | 216 || bgcolor=C9F0FF | 016 || bgcolor=C9F0FF | 016 || bgcolor=C9F0FF | 117 || bgcolor=C9F0FF | 219 || bgcolor=C9F0FF | 221 || bgcolor=C9F0FF | 122 || bgcolor=CCFFCC | 022 || 426 || 026 || 026 || 26 || 17 || 1.53
|-
! scope=row style=text-align:center | 3
| align=left | Norman Waugh || align=left | {{AFL Ess}} || bgcolor=C9F0FF | 22 || 02 || 13 || 25 || –5 || –5 || 16 || 28 || 19 || 110 || 212 || 214 || 418 || 119 || 019 || 423 || 023 || 23 || 15 || 1.53
|-
! scope=row style=text-align:center | 4
| align=left | Charlie Coles || align=left | {{AFL Gee}} || –0 || –0 || 11 || 12 || 35 || 16 || 28 || 311 || 011 || 213 || 114 || 115 || 116 || 117 || 017 || –17 || –17 || 17 || 13 || 1.31
|-
! scope=row style=text-align:center rowspan=2 | 5
| align=left | Wally O'Cock || align=left | {{AFL Car}} || 11 || 12 || 13 || 14 || 26 || 06 || 39 || –9 || –9 || –9 || –9 || 211 || 213 || 215 || colspan=3 | || 15 || 10 || 1.50
|-
| align=left | Archie Smith || align=left | {{AFL Col}} || 00 || 22 || 24 || 15 || 27 || 18 || 08 || 210 || 111 || 112 || 012 || 012 || 214 || 014 || 014 || 014 || 115 || 15 || 17 || 0.88
|-
! scope=row style=text-align:center rowspan=5 | 7
| align=left | Hugh Gavin || align=left | {{AFL Ess}} || –0 || 00 || 00 || 11 || 23 || 03 || 25 || 05 || 27 || 07 || 310 || –10 || 010 || 212 || 012 || 214 || 014 || 14 || 15 || 0.93
|-
| align=left | Dinny McKay || align=left | {{AFL SM}} || 11 || 34 || 26 || 06 || 06 || 06 || 28 || 19 || 312 || 012 || 012 || 113 || 114 || 014 || colspan=3 | || 14 || 14 || 1.00
|-
| align=left | Jack Quinn || align=left | {{AFL Gee}} || 00 || 00 || 11 || 01 || 12 || 13 || 36 || –6 || 06 || 28 || 19 || 110 || 010 || 111 || 112 || 012 || 214 || 14 || 16 || 0.88
|-
| align=left | Fred White || align=left | {{AFL Gee}} || –0 || –0 || –0 || –0 || –0 || 00 || 00 || 22 || –2 || 02 || 35 || 27 || 07 || 310 || 111 || 112 || 214 || 14 || 11 || 1.27
|-
| align=left | Charlie Young || align=left | {{AFL Mel}} || bgcolor=C9F0FF | 22 || 02 || 35 || 16 || –6 || 17 || 07 || 07 || 07 || 29 || 211 || 011 || 011 || 112 || 113 || 114 || 014 || 14 || 16 || 0.88
|}
Source: [https://afltables.com/afl/stats/1897a.html AFL Tables]
References
{{Reflist}}
- Maplestone, M., Flying Higher: History of the Essendon Football Club 1872–1996, Essendon Football Club, (Melbourne), 1996. {{ISBN|0-9591740-2-8}}
- Rogers, S. & Brown, A., Every Game Ever Played: VFL/AFL Results 1897–1997 (Sixth Edition), Viking Books, (Ringwood), 1998. {{ISBN|0-670-90809-6}}
- Ross, J. (ed), 100 Years of Australian Football 1897–1996: The Complete Story of the AFL, All the Big Stories, All the Great Pictures, All the Champions, Every AFL Season Reported, Viking, (Ringwood), 1996. {{ISBN|0-670-86814-0}}
Sources
- [https://afltables.com/afl/seas/1897.html 1897 VFL season] at AFL Tables
- [https://www.australianfootball.com/seasons/season/afl/138/premiership%2Bseason/1/1/1897 1897 VFL season] at Australian Football
{{Australian Football League}}
{{Essendon Football Club}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:1897 VFL season}}