In 1896 , delegates from the stronger and wealthier VFA clubs-Carlton , Collingwood , Essendon , Fitzroy , Geelong , Melbourne , St Kilda and South Melbourne-met to form a breakaway competition and in 1897 , the Victorian Football League ( VFL ) , was born as an eight-team competition .
The first clubs were Carlton , Collingwood , Essendon , Fitzroy , Geelong , Melbourne , St Kilda , and South Melbourne .