AFL Under-19s

In 1946, the Victorian Football League (VFL) introduced a thirds competition for under-19s players. Initially, only 7 clubs competed − Carlton, Essendon, Hawthorn, Melbourne, North Melbourne, Richmond and St Kilda.[1] Several VFL clubs already operated thirds teams in local competitions, while others were affiliated with existing junior clubs.[2][3]

In 1947, the VFL invited the Essendon Doutta Stars Football Club (which competed in the Essendon District Football League) to field a side in the Thirds. The team was known as North Essendon (TAA).[4] The side was unsuccessful, finishing last in its third season and withdrawing from the competition following round 4 of the 1949 season.[5][6]

By 1950, all VFL clubs (bar Collingwood) were now in the thirds competition. Richmond chose to enter a second team − known as Richmond Juniors.[7] The new side competed for a single season, and Collingwood joined the competition in 1951.[2]

With the focus of the VFL/AFL moving rapidly towards a national competition, the former metropolitan and country zoning recruitment system for the Victorian VFL/AFL clubs was abolished, and the league's under-19 competition was shut down at the end of 1991. A new competition, called the TAC Cup began in 1992 with teams that were not linked to AFL clubs.

Richmond won the most under-19s premierships, with a total of 11.[8]