Match scores and competitive balance in the Victorian Football Association (VFA): a tale of two divisions, 1961 to 1988

The issue of match attractiveness is important for both sporting leagues and fans. Match attractiveness is related to a range of factors including the overall competitiveness of the league (measured via competitive balance), match scores and margins. Australian Rules football in Victoria provides a unique setting for a study of this topic, with the sub-elite competition, the Victorian Football Association (VFA) operating a two-division structure between 1961 and 1988. The analysis shows a long-term trend of increases in match scores but greater volatility in margins and competitive balance. Attractive match features such as high scores and star leading goalkickers have a complex relationship with competitive balance that varied across the two divisions of the VFA.