Collingwood won the 1990 VFL premiership, the first premiership officially recorded under the AFL name change that followed.
Collingwood defeated Essendon in the 1990 Grand Final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The Magpies’ victory ended a long premiership drought dating back to 1958, making the season especially significant for the club.
The competition was still called the Victorian Football League during the 1990 season. It became the Australian Football League from the 1990 season onward as the competition expanded beyond Victoria, although many historical records continue to use VFL and AFL together.
Collingwood’s 1990 success also completed an undefeated finals campaign. The club has since remained one of the competition’s most prominent teams, with a large national following and numerous premiership appearances.