<P> The league was officially renamed the Australian Football League in 1990 to reflect the new national perspective ; the VFA later took over the Victorian Football League name in 1996 . Functionally , the AFL gave up control over its Victorian - based minor grades at the end of 1991 -- clubs continued to field reserves teams in the independent Victorian State Football League , while an entirely new under - 18s competition ( the TAC Cup ) was established with new , zone - based clubs . Without minor grades , the McClelland Trophy was now awarded to the senior minor premiers . </P>
<P> The league was officially renamed the Australian Football League in 1990 to reflect the new national perspective ; the VFA later took over the Victorian Football League name in 1996 . Functionally , the AFL gave up control over its Victorian - based minor grades at the end of 1991 -- clubs continued to field reserves teams in the independent Victorian State Football League , while an entirely new under - 18s competition ( the TAC Cup ) was established with new , zone - based clubs . Without minor grades , the McClelland Trophy was now awarded to the senior minor premiers . </P>
when did the vfl change to the afl
when did the vfl change to the afl
1990
1990