Round 2, 1960, an unusual & rare occurrence leads to a future great tradition, due to torrential rain, the Round is postponed. To make up the time, two matches
Round 2, 1960, an unusual & rare occurrence leads to a future great tradition, due to torrential rain, the Round is postponed. To make up the time, two matches are played for the very first time on Anzac Day while the remainder are played the following Saturday.For the next couple of seasons, TV coverage of the game becomes a major issue, the 1961 season begins & the League no longer permits live telecasts or replays of games, though a last minute deal allows the Grand Final to be replayed. The Following season of 1962 would bring yet another change as the League decides to once again allow replays of at least one match per round.After 36 years since entering the competition Hawthorn reaches the 1961 Grand Final, their first ever, defeating Footscray by 43 points to win their maiden Premiership.During the 1962 season, the League reaches a decision to buy land in the Melbourne suburb of Waverley for development of a sporting venue.1963, Geelong defeats Hawthorn in the Grand Finals, Bob Davis is the King of Geelong, but it would prove to be the Cat’s last premiership triumph indefinitely.For the beginning of the 1964 season coaches are allowed for the first time to enter the arena to address their players during the quarter & three quarter time breaks.While during the same season all goal & point posts are fitted with protective padding to safeguard against possible injury.1964, Melbourne defeats Collingwood in the Grand Final to win their 12th Premiership, but it would also be their last premiership victory indefinitely.Round 1, 1965, St Kilda plays Collingwood in the first game at Moorabbin. A record 51,370 people attend the game.The final match at Brunswick St Oval is played in Round 18, 1966 between Fitzroy & St Kilda, a match that would prove more memorable for the suspension of Saints tough man Carl Ditterich who would end up missing St Kilda’s historic first premiership due to the suspension.In histories most famous Grand Final, St Kilda & Collingwood meet in 1966, a last minute behind by Saint Barry Breen gives St Kilda a 1point victory & their first historic premiership.Final Home & Away Round of 1964, Richmond hosts Hawthorn in the last ever league match at Punt Rd Oval, the Tigers wouldn’t move far, playing home games at the MCG from 1965 on.The Brownlow Medal presentation changes for the 1967 award, 3 votes is now read first, 2 second and 1 first, the reverse of what had previously followed.The League's zoning rules are changed for the 1968 season. Victoria & Riverina are divided into regions & allocated to the clubs for the better recruiting of players.The decade would prove to probably be the most even in history. Every club bar three Fitzroy, North Melbourne & South Melbourne played in at least one Grand Final, the Premiership success split between the clubs, Carlton taking home 1, Essendon 2, Geelong 1, Hawthorn 1, Melbourne 2, Richmond 2 and even St Kilda captured their first historic flag.
The AFL will try to broker a peace deal with Irish officials to salvage the future of International Rules football after Ireland scrapped next year's series.
