Carlton

Establishment and history

Carlton’s story begins before the national league and before the VFL itself. The Blues won VFA premierships in 1877 and 1887, then took part in the VFL’s opening season in 1897. Those earlier achievements belong to Carlton’s history, but sit outside the sixteen VFL/AFL flags listed below.

The first VFL premiership came in 1906, followed by two more in 1907 and 1908. Later generations built separate eras of success: the flags of 1968, 1970 and 1972; the 1979–82 period; and the 1987 and 1995 premiership sides. This is a history of several teams, rather than a single uninterrupted dynasty.

The 1995 team, captained by Stephen Kernahan, featured players including Greg Williams, Craig Bradley and Stephen Silvagni. Its place in the record is distinct from both the early twentieth-century champions and the famous comeback side of 1970. AFL’s history of the Blues.

Official club history and milestones.

A short club timeline

1. 1877 & 1887VFA premierships, before Carlton’s VFL entry.
2. 1897Carlton plays in the inaugural VFL season.
3. 1906–08Three consecutive VFL premierships.
4. 1968–95Eight further flags across several generations of players.

Continue the story in our guide to this club’s rivalry, with sourced match examples and links to the opposing club.

Home ground and identity

Princes Park, now known as IKON Park, is Carlton’s historic club home. It should be distinguished from the MCG and Marvel Stadium, the main men’s AFL match venues listed above.

For a particular match, use the current AFL fixture. The facts above identify the principal venues and club colours.

Honours

Senior men’s VFL/AFL premiership years through 2026: 1906, 1907, 1908, 1914, 1915, 1938, 1945, 1947, 1968, 1970, 1972, 1979, 1981, 1982, 1987, 1995

Source: AFL premiership winners, 1897–2026. This is a league-specific record: it excludes AFLW, VFA, SANFL, reserves and pre-season titles.

Sources and scope

Reviewed 4 November 2026. Official club history; AFL historical chronology; AFL match-venue information; AFL honours register. Men’s team reference profile, with heritage noted where necessary. Current squads, captains and coaches are deliberately separate season-specific subjects.