<P> Australian rules football was invented in Melbourne , Australia , in 1858 . The first match identified as a direct precursor to the codification of Australian football was organised and umpired by Tom Wills and contested on 31 July between Melbourne Grammar School and Scotch College , adjacent to the Melbourne Cricket Ground at the Richmond Paddock . The oldest surviving set of rules of Australian rules football were drawn up on 17 May 1859 , three days after the formation of the Melbourne Football Club . </P>
<P> Australian rules football was invented in Melbourne , Australia , in 1858 . The first match identified as a direct precursor to the codification of Australian football was organised and umpired by Tom Wills and contested on 31 July between Melbourne Grammar School and Scotch College , adjacent to the Melbourne Cricket Ground at the Richmond Paddock . The oldest surviving set of rules of Australian rules football were drawn up on 17 May 1859 , three days after the formation of the Melbourne Football Club . </P>
when was the first australian football competition held
when was the first australian football competition held
1858 31 July
1858 31 July