1874-1897
VFA era and the birth of a new club

Australia’s own code of football was played by clubs in South Melbourne and Albert Park as early as 1862, but it was June 1874 when the Red and White received its birthright. That Friday evening in the Temperance Hall, Napier Street at Emerald Hill, a group met to form a football club and four weeks later, on July 15, it was named the South Melbourne Football Club.

South Melbourne was soon prominent in Association football. Home games were played at the South Melbourne Cricket Ground from 1878, and the Club was runner-up to Geelong in 1880, attaining its first Premiership in 1881. Another followed in 1885, and three more between 1888 and 1890. Of the 57 matches played in 1888-1890, South lost on only six occasions.

The next chance for a Premiership came in 1896, when South Melbourne and Collingwood finished equal on games and goals scored for and against. This resulted in the first Grand Final, in which South Melbourne was defeated by one goal. On Friday 2nd October, the eve of Grand Final Day, six leading VFA clubs, including South Melbourne, met to form a breakaway competition called the Victorian Football League.

1898-1930
Early VFL days

South Melbourne’s early period in the VFL was highlighted by a Grand Final appearance in 1899. The red and white next made the finals in 1907, losing narrowly to Carlton in the Grand Final. After an inconsistent 1908 season, South appointed Charlie Ricketts as the first recognised coach at the Lake Oval for 1909.
On Saturday 9th October 1909, a crowd of 36,700 at the MCG saw South Melbourne 4.14 (38) defeat Carlton 4.12 (36) to win its first VFL Premiership. South were again runners-up in 1912 and 1914, before winning a second Premiership in 1918, defeating Collingwood 9.8 (62) to 7.15 (57) after trailing in the final minute of the Grand Final.

1930-1960
A second wave of success

South Melbourne – now known as the Swans due to an unprecedented influx of West Australian players – again made the finals between 1932 and 1936, playing in four successive Grand Finals from 1933 to 1936, but capturing only one flag – the Premiership of 1933—defeating Richmond in the season decider.

The Grand Final of 1945, together with the first Semi Final in 1970 and Elimination Final of 1977, were the only finals the Swans played during their remaining 45 years based at Albert Park. Of the 12 competing VFL clubs, the Swans finished in 8th place or better on only eight occasions over that 45-year period.
These statistics, however, mask the magnificent achievements of the players of that period. The leanest years of the Swans also produced nine Brownlow Medals. The record of 13 medals (by 11 players) is the greatest number achieved by any club in the history of VFL/AFL football.

1960-1984
Tough times see the Swans fly north

Many administrations through the 1960s and 1970s worked feverishly to keep the Swans afloat. However, diminishing attendances and membership nearly led to financial extinction. Change was a necessity, and club stalwarts Graeme John, Jack Marks and VFL President Alan Aylett cast their eyes further than the confines of Victoria.
In 1981 the Swans received the permission of the VFL to play 11 home matches in Sydney the following season. The first match was played at the SCG on Sunday March 28, 1982, when a crowd of 15,764 saw the Swans defeat Melbourne by 29 points. The Swans’ initially successful foray into Sydney continued in July, as they beat North Melbourne to win the Night Series Premiership, and prize money of $105,000.