1903 VFA season
The 1903 Victorian Football Association season was the 27th season of the Australian rules football competition. For the first time in its history, the VFA introduced an annual finals series to determine the premiership. The premiership was won by the North Melbourne Football Club, after defeating in the challenge final; it was the first premiership in the club's history, after having competed in the Association since its inaugural season in 1877. Association membership. The size of the association was increased from nine to ten teams in 1903, with the Preston Football Club – which had won the  previous three Victorian Junior Football Association premierships – elevated to senior level and admitted to the competition. Premiership. The Association introduced a finals system to determine the major premiership for the season. Finals had been used by the rival Victorian Football League since its establishment in 1897, but this was the first time it had been used by the Association. The finals were played according to the amended "Argus" system – the system which had been in use in the League since 1902, except with a slight variation that the League would not adopt until 1907; in summary: 1903 VFA season The