Footy History: The Early Days of the VFL Players’ Association

Braham Dabscheck’s comprehensive analysis of the current state of AFLW pay negotiations has attracted considerable interest over the last couple of days. Braham brings extensive experience to this subject. This early paper of his dates from the 1970’s, and has been previously published at the Footy Almanac. It is an examination of the founding days of what was then the VFLPA.

The Early Days Of The VFL Players’ Association

Around this time last year John Harms published a fortieth year anniversary history of the AFL/VFL Players’ Association. His research was aided enormously by the early work of Braham Dabscheck, an academic who went on to be a leader in the area of understanding player associations, organisations, and unions (around the world). Braham now writes for the Almanac. To add to those St Kilda laments, we feel it’s timely to publish one of his early papers. [Thanks to Braham for making this original research paper available, and to Jay Carmichael for his diligent editing/conversion job – Ed]