This important work traces the growth of Australian Football from 1858 through to the development of the national league. The eight chapters are presented in chronological order, with several consistent themes emphasised throughout, including the early development of the game, the formation of the VFA, the VFA/VFL split, football during the war years, creeping professionalism, the impact of press, radio and television coverage, player recruitment, venues and change, club and league structures and the development of a national league. Contributors focus on football at the elite level, with the emphasis on Victoria and occasional references to developments in other states. This scholarly and substantial work builds upon earlier studies by Sandercock and Turner (1981) and Pascoe (1995). Contains several black and white photographs and cartoons and includes an index, endnotes and bibliography.