The Victorian Football League ( VFL ) formed in 1897 . Collingwood was one of the original teams ( along with Fitzroy , Melbourne , St Kilda , Carlton , Essendon , South Melbourne and Geelong ) . In 1897 , Collingwood , along with fellow VFA clubs Fitzroy , Melbourne , St Kilda , Carlton , Essendon , South Melbourne and Geelong split from the VFA and formed the VFL ( Victorian Football League ) .