1925-1970 - 12 teams but only 18-20 rounds mot playing everyone twice.

[pugsville]

I just found out that from 1925 to 1970 while there were 12 teams they did not all okay each other twice as the season was 18-20 rounds.

Why did it take so long for teams to play each other twice (1970)?

Does anyone know the whys and where fors of this?

 

[Wallaby]

I just found out that from 1925 to 1970 while there were 12 teams they did not all okay each other twice as the season was 18-20 rounds.

Why did it take so long for teams to play each other twice (1970)?

Does anyone know the whys and where fors of this?

A big reason was ground availability. In those days, all grounds were owned by the Council and leased to the football clubs (not sure about who owned the MCG). Clubs had to share the grounds with the cricket clubs (and most VFL home grounds were used by the big District cricket teams).
So the VFL only had 6 months to complete the season. 18-20 weeks of games, a bye round here or there for state games etc, 4 weeks for finals. Then add in time for pitch preparation after the football season.
Up until the 1950s-60s, District cricket was quite a serious event and would attract good size crowds (not football crowds, but still).

 

[Todman]

A big reason was ground availability. In those days, all grounds were owned by the Council and leased to the football clubs (not sure about who owned the MCG). Clubs had to share the grounds with the cricket clubs (and most VFL home grounds were used by the big District cricket teams).
So the VFL only had 6 months to complete the season. 18-20 weeks of games, a bye round here or there for state games etc, 4 weeks for finals. Then add in time for pitch preparation after the football season.
Up until the 1950s-60s, District cricket was quite a serious event and would attract good size crowds (not football crowds, but still).

The council leased the ovals to the cricket club that then sub-leased to the football club. The cricket club had control over the football club in ground use.