100 Years of the Big V: Part 1

To celebrate a century of the Big V in 2025, the VAFA commissioned a short-form documentary to capture the history and stories for future generations to enjoy. Watch part one below.

The four-part video series was played at the recent Big V Centenary Gala Dinner, held at Centrepiece at Melbourne Park on Thursday 10th July, attended by in excess of 500 guests, ahead of the 2025 representative football weekend.

Written and produced by Jason Bennett and the VAFA Media Team, in conjunction with the VAFA Heritage Group and Bergs Productions, the film documents the timeline of the VAFA’s representative football program’s history across its first 100 years.

Narrated by legendary Australian sports broadcaster Graham ‘Smokey’ Dawson, it encapsulates the history, tradition, pride and passion stitched into the fabric of footy’s most recognisable jumper – the Big V.

Part 1: 1925 – 1975

The Big V is one of the most well-known sporting jumpers in Australia and its heritage was born out of the Amateurs.

From the moment the Big V debuted against the South Australian Amateur Football League at the MCG in 1925, it became a symbol of amateur footballing excellence, and has been worn by Victorian teams of all sports since.

In the first 50 years of its existence, the Big V Senior Men’s team had a remarkable winning record of 88%, losing just 11 times in half a century as generations of VAFA footballers strived to live up to the responsibility that comes with pulling on the mighty Big V jumper.

The remaining three parts of ‘100 Years of the Big V’ will be released on VAFA.com.au over the next three Wednesday’s.