- Moderator
- #1
Second of three parts.
Sources used:
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
- Various sources at Trove.
- 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)
- 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.
- 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 - 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)
- 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, 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. May 15 - Footscray says it will oppose any attempt to introduce Port Adelaide into the 1996 season
- 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.
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