So where does history begin and end?
The competition has always been in a state of constant change and constant improvement. Not just the last 20years, anyone who thinks this is being naive.
Remember only 8 teams founded the original VFL. University eventually folded and Footscray, Hawthorn and North Melbourne joined much later at various stages. So does that mean all VFL history prior to these 'new' teams joining is irrelevant?...Of course not, because a VFL/AFL premiership is still an award for excellence; no matter when it was won. To win it you needed to be the best football team in this country. The old VFL may have been state-based, but it was still the 'premier league' for Aussie Rules.
Clubs have relocated, clubs have merged and new clubs have joined in the years since, and the AFL will continue to change.
So using you logic Eagle87, does that mean in 20 years when the AFL has expanded and Power-house clubs in New Zealand and Asia are winning premierships, the West Coast's 3 flags mean nothing because they were won in the 'old AFL system' that was limited to teams in one country only?....think about it.
Hawthorn thought they were God's gift to football in 1989 too. Now look at them!
The Collingwood Football Club has been able to maintain its intensity and iconic image (whilst winning 14 flags and having the hightest winning % of any team...60.4%) for over 100years, the real measure of success for clubs like the Eagles will be to see if they can do the same.