How have the Geelong FC ever been part of the VFL/AFL, considering Geelong is a regional town?

Question

How have the Geelong FC ever been part of the VFL/AFL, considering Geelong is a regional town?

Answer 1

Geelong has always been Victoria's second largest city and now has a population of over 100,000 people. It is not a regional town.  It is bigger than Hawthorn, Essendon, Fremantle, Port Adelaide etc.etc

Do the maths yourself

Answer 2

Ever since it was called the victorian football league (i.e not the melbourne football league).

Answer 3

Since day one, GFC was a foundation member of the VFL back in 1897.

Answer 4

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geelong_Foo...

Heres the history.