 From as early as the mid-1880s, a number of the Senior VFA clubs showed discontent with the unevenness of the competition, its unwieldiness and the VFA's perceived lack of desire to try and solve the problems.Geelong and Essendon, both of which were among the most successful teams, were at the forefront of the moves towards reform.In 1889 Geelong proposed a more streamlined break-away competition.