In 1946, the Victorian Football League (VFL) introduced a thirds competition for under-19s players.

[2][3] In 1947, the VFL invited the Doutta Stars Football Club (which competed in the Essendon District Football League) to field a side in the Thirds; the team was known as North Essendon.

[4] The side was unsuccessful, and after two seasons a team representing Trans Australia Airlines (TAA) took its place.

[7] The new side competed for a single season, and Collingwood joined the competition in 1951.

A new competition, called the TAC Cup, began in 1992 with teams that were not linked to AFL clubs.