Collingwood became a foundation club of the Victorian Football League (VFL) in 1897. This marked the beginning of the club’s participation in what would later become the Australian Football League (AFL). The VFL’s establishment represented a pivotal moment in the formalization of Australian rules football.
The inception of Collingwood within the VFL holds considerable significance. It solidified the team’s presence in top-tier competition from the outset. Participation from the league’s first year provided the club with opportunities to build a strong fan base and cultivate rivalries that endure to this day. The legacy of the club, formed from the beginning, has had an impact on the league overall.