'It's time to give them justice': The massive AFL shakeup that will change the history of the game - and there's finally some good news for Carlton
- Former AFL Commissioner proposes plan that would change history of the game
- Geelong club president Colin Carter wants to reinstall foundation years history
- Mr Carter said it was a shame that foundation years of competition are ignored
- If accepted a number of clubs will see their premiership totals spike overnight
The AFL history books could be in for a shakeup after a former league commissioner proposed including the competition's foundation years in the record.
Former AFL commissioner and current Geelong Cats president Colin Carter took the proposal to the AFL Commission with the message they should 'reclaim the history' of the game.
Mr Carter wants all the unofficial records from 1870 to 1896 officially added to the AFL history book.
The change could reshape the AFL history books after a former league commissioner proposed including the competition's foundation years to the record (foundation Carlton Club pictured 1896-1898)
Former AFL commissioner and current Geelong Cats president Colin Carter (pictured) took the proposal to the AFL Commission with the message they should 'reclaim the history 'of the game
He wants to see the entire history of the competition included and would have it broken down into three era's.
Firstly the Foundation Era (1858-1896), followed by the VFL Era (1897-1986) and then the current National Competition (from 1987 to now).
By doing so a number of clubs would see there total premiership tally spike, The Herald Sun reported.
Carlton fans already brag their club has the most premiership wins, with 16, ahead of Essendon on 15.
If Mr Carter's proposal to update the record books is accepted by the AFL Commission, Carlton's total premierships wins will climb to 22.
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Meanwhile Essendon will be able to tout having 20 premierships.
Geelong (16), Collingwood (16), Melbourne (15) and South Melbourne/Sydney (10), will also have premierships added to the record books.
'I look at the history of football and it offends me because it's wrong. I also find it an extraordinary story. It wasn't as if our competition limped out of an era which doesn't really matter,' Mr Carter told the publication.
He said the AFL today is built upon a long and storied history which began in those early years and to ignore that was 'unfair' on those who helped built the foundation.
'Ignoring the years of our VFA history is grossly unfair to the players and administrators of that time. It's time to give them justice.,' he said.
If Mr Carter's proposal is accepted then a number of clubs will have premierships added to the record books including Collingwood (pictured) who would now have 20 flags
Carlton fans have been able to proudly brag their club (pictured) has the most premiership wins, with 16, and would hold top spot with 22 flags if the proposal is accepted
AFL insiders believe the Commission has warmed to the idea and are likely to approve it after inviting Mr Carter to tender his proposal to them in person.
Not everyone is behind the idea though, with Collingwood president Eddie McGuire saying he wants history to stay how it is.
'I certainly don't agree with it. We should just leave it where it is,' he said.
The game of Australian Rules Football was first thought up by Tom Wills, his cousin H.C.A. Harrison, W.J. Hammersley and J.B. Thompson between 1857 and 1858.
The first recorded game was between Scotch College and Melbourne Grammar School in 1858, the same year the foundation club Melbourne was started.
Competition wasn't started proper until 1866 when an updated rule book was introduced.
In 1896 the Victorian Football League was established with foundation clubs Carlton, Collingwood, Essendon, Fitzroy, Geelong, Melbourne, St Kilda and South Melbourne.
The competition then expanded in 1987 to become what is known as the national competition we see on television today, adding and merging some clubs along the way.
It is believed by insiders the AFL Commission have warmed to the idea and are actually expected to approve it after inviting Mr Carter to tender his proposal to them in person
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