The 1996 AFL season was the 100th season of the Australian Football League (AFL), the highest level senior Australian rules football competition in Australia, which was known as the Victorian Football League until 1989. The season featured sixteen clubs and ran from 29 March until 28 September. It comprised a 22-game home-and-away season followed by a finals series featuring the top eight clubs, as well as several celebrations of the league's centenary.
Quick Facts Teams, Premiers ...
Close
The premiership was won by the North Melbourne Football Club for the third time, after it defeated Sydney by 43 points in the 1996 AFL Grand Final.
In the 1996 AFL Lightning Premiership final, Essendon defeated the Brisbane Bears 6.2 (38) to 2.9 (21) at Waverley Park.
In the 1996 Ansett Australia Cup final, St Kilda defeated Carlton 20.10 (130) to 10.12 (72) at Waverley Park.
Round 1
Home team |
Score |
Away team |
Score |
Venue |
Attendance |
Date |
Melbourne |
8.8 (56) |
Geelong |
27.21 (183) |
MCG |
46,832 |
Friday, 29 March |
Richmond |
15.14 (104) |
Essendon |
19.8 (122) |
MCG |
52,271 |
Saturday, 30 March |
St Kilda |
12.13 (85) |
North Melbourne |
15.19 (109) |
Waverley Park |
23,434 |
Saturday, 30 March |
Fitzroy |
11.5 (71) |
Hawthorn |
13.14 (92) |
Whitten Oval |
10,239 |
Saturday, 30 March |
Brisbane Bears |
21.15 (141) |
Footscray |
7.12 (54) |
Gabba |
14,222 |
Saturday, 30 March |
Carlton |
16.13 (109) |
Collingwood |
12.15 (87) |
MCG |
70,152 |
Sunday, 31 March |
Fremantle |
6.9 (45) |
West Coast |
9.13 (67) |
Subiaco Oval |
33,041 |
Sunday, 31 March |
Adelaide |
20.10 (130) |
Sydney |
6.4 (40) |
Football Park |
40,665 |
Sunday, 31 March |
Round 2
Home team |
Score |
Away team |
Score |
Venue |
Attendance |
Date |
North Melbourne |
26.12 (168) |
Footscray |
5.7 (37) |
MCG |
30,873 |
Saturday, 6 April |
Geelong |
26.8 (164) |
St Kilda |
20.14 (134) |
Kardinia Park |
25,950 |
Saturday, 6 April |
Hawthorn |
6.15 (51) |
Richmond |
14.14 (98) |
Waverley Park |
38,263 |
Saturday, 6 April |
Fitzroy |
15.11 (101) |
Adelaide |
21.7 (133) |
Whitten Oval |
8,685 |
Saturday, 6 April |
West Coast |
11.11 (77) |
Brisbane Bears |
16.7 (103) |
WACA |
29,213 |
Saturday, 6 April |
Essendon |
10.12 (72) |
Carlton |
15.11 (101) |
MCG |
62,207 |
Sunday, 7 April |
Sydney |
9.17 (71) |
Fremantle |
13.22 (100) |
SCG |
10,965 |
Sunday, 7 April |
Collingwood |
27.11 (173) |
Melbourne |
11.13 (79) |
MCG |
53,268 |
Monday, 8 April |
Round 3
Home team |
Score |
Away team |
Score |
Venue |
Attendance |
Date |
Adelaide |
21.16 (142) |
Geelong |
12.6 (78) |
Football Park |
43,766 |
Friday, 12 April |
Footscray |
17.19 (121) |
Fitzroy |
10.10 (70) |
Whitten Oval |
14,345 |
Saturday, 13 April |
Hawthorn |
12.8 (80) |
North Melbourne |
22.21 (153) |
Waverley Park |
20,331 |
Saturday, 13 April |
Brisbane Bears |
13.12 (90) |
Richmond |
15.18 (108) |
Gabba |
20,635 |
Saturday, 13 April |
Sydney |
15.17 (107) |
Collingwood |
10.13 (73) |
SCG |
17,674 |
Sunday, 14 April |
Fremantle |
15.12 (102) |
Carlton |
6.13 (49) |
Subiaco Oval |
22,652 |
Sunday, 14 April |
Essendon |
16.13 (109) |
West Coast |
6.14 (50) |
Waverley Park |
20,852 |
Sunday, 14 April |
Melbourne |
14.14 (98) |
St Kilda |
13.10 (88) |
Optus Oval |
11,881 |
Sunday, 14 April |
Round 4
Home team |
Score |
Away team |
Score |
Venue |
Attendance |
Date |
Brisbane Bears |
18.17 (125) |
North Melbourne |
14.11 (95) |
Gabba |
17,469 |
Friday, 19 April |
Carlton |
21.7 (133) |
Melbourne |
12.14 (86) |
Optus Oval |
19,051 |
Saturday, 20 April |
Collingwood |
14.14 (98) |
Fremantle |
8.13 (61) |
Victoria Park |
23,170 |
Saturday, 20 April |
St Kilda |
24.16 (160) |
Fitzroy |
11.9 (75) |
Waverley Park |
17,625 |
Saturday, 20 April |
Footscray |
8.9 (57) |
Hawthorn |
8.9 (57) |
Whitten Oval |
16,804 |
Saturday, 20 April |
Adelaide |
23.23 (161) |
Essendon |
9.11 (65) |
Football Park |
45,266 |
Saturday, 20 April |
Richmond |
9.16 (70) |
Sydney |
10.11 (71) |
Waverley Park |
33,847 |
Sunday, 21 April |
West Coast |
12.16 (88) |
Geelong |
16.10 (106) |
Subiaco Oval |
30,837 |
Sunday, 21 April |
Round 5
Home team |
Score |
Away team |
Score |
Venue |
Attendance |
Date |
Essendon |
16.9 (105) |
Collingwood |
17.15 (117) |
MCG |
87,549 |
Thursday, 25 April |
Fremantle |
13.18 (96) |
Melbourne |
8.11 (59) |
WACA |
26,618 |
Friday, 26 April |
Carlton |
12.14 (86) |
West Coast |
12.13 (85) |
Optus Oval |
19,927 |
Saturday, 27 April |
Geelong |
13.13 (91) |
Richmond |
12.16 (88) |
Kardinia Park |
26,016 |
Saturday, 27 April |
North Melbourne |
23.14 (152) |
Adelaide |
17.11 (113) |
MCG |
32,215 |
Saturday, 27 April |
Sydney |
13.10 (88) |
Hawthorn |
11.10 (76) |
SCG |
20,227 |
Saturday, 27 April |
Brisbane Bears |
24.14 (158) |
Fitzroy |
6.13 (49) |
Gabba |
14,495 |
Sunday, 28 April |
St Kilda |
16.20 (116) |
Footscray |
13.12 (90) |
Waverley Park |
27,094 |
Sunday, 28 April |
Round 6
Home team |
Score |
Away team |
Score |
Venue |
Attendance |
Date |
Sydney |
14.6 (90) |
Essendon |
12.18 (90) |
SCG |
22,088 |
Friday, 3 May |
Geelong |
13.15 (93) |
North Melbourne |
15.14 (104) |
MCG |
50,074 |
Friday, 3 May |
Collingwood |
23.14 (152) |
Adelaide |
12.8 (80) |
Victoria Park |
26,459 |
Saturday, 4 May |
Melbourne |
7.8 (50) |
West Coast |
24.12 (156) |
Optus Oval |
8,747 |
Saturday, 4 May |
Fitzroy |
9.8 (62) |
Richmond |
23.16 (154) |
Whitten Oval |
13,497 |
Saturday, 4 May |
Hawthorn |
9.11 (65) |
St Kilda |
13.8 (86) |
Waverley Park |
30,225 |
Saturday, 4 May |
Footscray |
9.10 (64) |
Carlton |
12.8 (80) |
MCG |
31,024 |
Sunday, 5 May |
Fremantle |
12.13 (85) |
Brisbane Bears |
17.8 (110) |
Subiaco Oval |
24,591 |
Sunday, 5 May |
Round 7
Home team |
Score |
Away team |
Score |
Venue |
Attendance |
Date |
Essendon |
22.11 (143) |
Geelong |
17.12 (114) |
MCG |
75,632 |
Wednesday, 8 May |
Collingwood |
14.11 (95) |
St Kilda |
18.10 (118) |
MCG |
71,663 |
Friday, 10 May |
Carlton |
18.17 (125) |
Fitzroy |
8.14 (62) |
Optus Oval |
16,176 |
Saturday, 11 May |
Melbourne |
5.8 (38) |
Sydney |
12.10 (82) |
MCG |
23,660 |
Saturday, 11 May |
Brisbane Bears |
15.14 (104) |
Hawthorn |
5.11 (41) |
Gabba |
20,053 |
Saturday, 11 May |
Richmond |
17.11 (113) |
Footscray |
9.8 (62) |
MCG |
25,691 |
Sunday, 12 May |
West Coast |
19.11 (125) |
North Melbourne |
7.16 (58) |
Subiaco Oval |
32,312 |
Sunday, 12 May |
Adelaide |
20.12 (132) |
Fremantle |
5.6 (36) |
Football Park |
40,386 |
Sunday, 12 May |
Note: The opening four matches of this round replicated the opening round of the inaugural 1897 VFL season, with Essendon and Geelong playing each other on the day of the 99th anniversary.
Round 8
Home team |
Score |
Away team |
Score |
Venue |
Attendance |
Date |
Brisbane Bears |
15.18 (108) |
Collingwood |
14.14 (98) |
Gabba |
21,644 |
Friday, 17 May |
Carlton |
12.14 (86) |
Geelong |
15.8 (98) |
MCG |
67,931 |
Friday, 17 May |
Hawthorn |
19.8 (122) |
Melbourne |
10.11 (71) |
Waverley Park |
20,527 |
Saturday, 18 May |
Fitzroy |
16.11 (107) |
Fremantle |
10.16 (76) |
Whitten Oval |
5,083 |
Saturday, 18 May |
North Melbourne |
20.24 (144) |
Richmond |
14.5 (89) |
MCG |
49,939 |
Saturday, 18 May |
West Coast |
14.16 (100) |
Sydney |
9.10 (64) |
WACA |
31,411 |
Saturday, 18 May |
Adelaide |
13.19 (97) |
St Kilda |
11.7 (73) |
Football Park |
43,370 |
Sunday, 19 May |
Footscray |
13.6 (84) |
Essendon |
23.13 (151) |
MCG |
36,766 |
Sunday, 19 May |
Note: Ben Hart took the mark of the year in Adelaide's win over St Kilda.
Note: Fitzroy's victory was the last win they had in the AFL before departing.
Round 9
Home team |
Score |
Away team |
Score |
Venue |
Attendance |
Date |
North Melbourne |
25.20 (170) |
Fitzroy |
9.11 (65) |
MCG |
19,964 |
Friday, 24 May |
Essendon |
11.23 (89) |
Melbourne |
12.5 (77) |
MCG |
37,288 |
Saturday, 25 May |
Footscray |
18.11 (119) |
Adelaide |
11.13 (79) |
Whitten Oval |
11,140 |
Saturday, 25 May |
Hawthorn |
8.8 (56) |
West Coast |
14.6 (90) |
Waverley Park |
14,286 |
Saturday, 25 May |
Sydney |
21.6 (132) |
Brisbane Bears |
10.14 (74) |
SCG |
26,537 |
Sunday, 26 May |
Fremantle |
17.18 (120) |
Richmond |
10.6 (66) |
Subiaco Oval |
20,934 |
Sunday, 26 May |
St Kilda |
9.15 (69) |
Carlton |
13.13 (91) |
Waverley Park |
41,023 |
Sunday, 26 May |
Collingwood |
11.10 (76) |
Geelong |
21.13 (139) |
MCG |
56,609 |
Monday, 27 May |
Round 10
Home team |
Score |
Away team |
Score |
Venue |
Attendance |
Date |
Footscray |
10.9 (69) |
North Melbourne |
12.17 (89) |
MCG |
22,416 |
Friday, 7 June |
Carlton |
15.11 (101) |
Richmond |
13.12 (90) |
MCG |
59,062 |
Saturday, 8 June |
Geelong |
14.14 (98) |
Brisbane Bears |
15.8 (98) |
Kardinia Park |
24,800 |
Saturday, 8 June |
Fitzroy |
10.7 (67) |
Sydney |
21.11 (137) |
Whitten Oval |
9,701 |
Saturday, 8 June |
St Kilda |
9.13 (67) |
Essendon |
13.11 (89) |
Waverley Park |
43,925 |
Saturday, 8 June |
Fremantle |
7.11 (53) |
Hawthorn |
17.8 (110) |
Subiaco Oval |
19,350 |
Sunday, 9 June |
Adelaide |
11.10 (76) |
West Coast |
19.16 (130) |
Football Park |
43,398 |
Sunday, 9 June |
Melbourne |
17.12 (114) |
Collingwood |
10.16 (76) |
MCG |
48,302 |
Monday, 10 June |
NOTE: St Kilda vs Essendon match on Saturday night was disrupted by a power failure during the third quarter, resulting the match being completed the following week on the Tuesday night with 2 12-minutes halves.
Round 11
Home team |
Score |
Away team |
Score |
Venue |
Attendance |
Date |
Geelong |
20.9 (129) |
Footscray |
12.13 (85) |
Kardinia Park |
21,516 |
Saturday, 15 June |
Hawthorn |
16.12 (108) |
Adelaide |
14.15 (99) |
Waverley Park |
16,652 |
Saturday, 15 June |
North Melbourne |
10.13 (73) |
Sydney |
24.8 (152) |
Optus Oval |
18,644 |
Saturday, 15 June |
Richmond |
21.13 (139) |
St Kilda |
15.15 (105) |
MCG |
39,029 |
Saturday, 15 June |
Brisbane Bears |
5.8 (38) |
Carlton |
9.8 (62) |
Gabba |
20,225 |
Saturday, 15 June |
West Coast |
16.19 (115) |
Collingwood |
9.8 (62) |
Subiaco Oval |
34,832 |
Sunday, 16 June |
Essendon |
13.12 (90) |
Fremantle |
12.17 (89) |
MCG |
31,383 |
Sunday, 16 June |
Fitzroy |
8.8 (56) |
Melbourne |
18.11 (119) |
Whitten Oval |
10,836 |
Sunday, 16 June |
Round 12
Home team |
Score |
Away team |
Score |
Venue |
Attendance |
Date |
Richmond |
19.14 (128) |
Adelaide |
13.4 (82) |
MCG |
39,044 |
Friday, 21 June |
Collingwood |
14.11 (95) |
Carlton |
17.14 (116) |
MCG |
61,448 |
Saturday, 22 June |
Geelong |
17.10 (112) |
Fremantle |
13.15 (93) |
Kardinia Park |
22,116 |
Saturday, 22 June |
Hawthorn |
17.12 (114) |
Fitzroy |
12.11 (83) |
Waverley Park |
16,217 |
Saturday, 22 June |
Brisbane Bears |
18.15 (123) |
Melbourne |
6.10 (46) |
Gabba |
14,871 |
Saturday, 22 June |
Sydney |
18.15 (123) |
Footscray |
11.11 (77) |
SCG |
22,689 |
Sunday, 23 June |
North Melbourne |
16.11 (107) |
Essendon |
14.11 (95) |
MCG |
39,515 |
Sunday, 23 June |
West Coast |
22.9 (141) |
St Kilda |
17.6 (108) |
Subiaco Oval |
29,434 |
Sunday, 23 June |
Round 13
Home team |
Score |
Away team |
Score |
Venue |
Attendance |
Date |
Collingwood |
10.9 (69) |
Richmond |
14.8 (92) |
MCG |
69,072 |
Friday, 28 June |
Carlton |
13.13 (91) |
Sydney |
15.12 (102) |
Optus Oval |
20,030 |
Saturday, 29 June |
Fitzroy |
6.3 (39) |
Geelong |
25.16 (166) |
Whitten Oval |
10,504 |
Saturday, 29 June |
St Kilda |
14.12 (96) |
Brisbane Bears |
7.8 (50) |
Waverley Park |
13,824 |
Saturday, 29 June |
Essendon |
18.13 (121) |
Hawthorn |
15.10 (100) |
MCG |
43,481 |
Saturday, 29 June |
Fremantle |
8.10 (58) |
North Melbourne |
9.20 (74) |
WACA |
19,360 |
Saturday, 29 June |
Adelaide |
10.12 (72) |
Melbourne |
19.9 (123) |
Football Park |
37,557 |
Sunday, 30 June |
Footscray |
9.5 (59) |
West Coast |
11.5 (71) |
Whitten Oval |
11,184 |
Sunday, 30 June |
Round 14
Home team |
Score |
Away team |
Score |
Venue |
Attendance |
Date |
North Melbourne |
21.18 (144) |
Carlton |
13.11 (89) |
MCG |
68,537 |
Friday, 5 July |
Hawthorn |
17.12 (114) |
Collingwood |
11.15 (81) |
Waverley Park |
30,886 |
Saturday, 6 July |
Fitzroy |
7.10 (52) |
Essendon |
17.16 (118) |
Optus Oval |
12,748 |
Saturday, 6 July |
Richmond |
7.9 (51) |
West Coast |
10.8 (68) |
MCG |
37,482 |
Saturday, 6 July |
Adelaide |
15.12 (102) |
Brisbane Bears |
14.10 (94) |
Football Park |
34,183 |
Saturday, 6 July |
Sydney |
18.17 (125) |
Geelong |
11.8 (74) |
SCG |
44,047 |
Sunday, 7 July |
Melbourne |
14.10 (94) |
Footscray |
10.7 (67) |
MCG |
22,852 |
Sunday, 7 July |
Fremantle |
11.11 (77) |
St Kilda |
15.10 (100) |
Subiaco Oval |
17,697 |
Sunday, 7 July |
Round 15
Home team |
Score |
Away team |
Score |
Venue |
Attendance |
Date |
West Coast |
20.11 (131) |
Fitzroy |
9.9 (63) |
WACA |
22,044 |
Friday, 12 July |
Carlton |
19.17 (131) |
Adelaide |
9.10 (64) |
Optus Oval |
20,102 |
Saturday, 13 July |
Collingwood |
22.12 (144) |
North Melbourne |
12.11 (83) |
MCG |
34,514 |
Saturday, 13 July |
Geelong |
10.12 (72) |
Hawthorn |
11.8 (74) |
Kardinia Park |
22,207 |
Saturday, 13 July |
St Kilda |
11.13 (79) |
Sydney |
14.12 (96) |
Waverley Park |
34,337 |
Saturday, 13 July |
Brisbane Bears |
15.13 (103) |
Essendon |
10.8 (68) |
Gabba |
20,378 |
Sunday, 14 July |
Melbourne |
12.9 (81) |
Richmond |
18.19 (127) |
MCG |
41,380 |
Sunday, 14 July |
Footscray |
18.9 (117) |
Fremantle |
15.9 (99) |
Whitten Oval |
8,674 |
Sunday, 14 July |
Round 16
Home team |
Score |
Away team |
Score |
Venue |
Attendance |
Date |
North Melbourne |
17.16 (118) |
St Kilda |
4.5 (29) |
MCG |
24,778 |
Friday, 19 July |
Essendon |
15.18 (108) |
Richmond |
13.10 (88) |
MCG |
58,768 |
Saturday, 20 July |
Footscray |
3.4 (22) |
Brisbane Bears |
4.12 (36) |
Whitten Oval |
9,994 |
Saturday, 20 July |
Geelong |
13.10 (88) |
Melbourne |
4.6 (30) |
Kardinia Park |
17,538 |
Saturday, 20 July |
Hawthorn |
15.8 (98) |
Carlton |
7.7 (49) |
Waverley Park |
28,670 |
Saturday, 20 July |
Sydney |
16.14 (110) |
Adelaide |
12.16 (88) |
SCG |
29,174 |
Sunday, 21 July |
West Coast |
12.10 (82) |
Fremantle |
7.6 (48) |
Subiaco Oval |
35,406 |
Sunday, 21 July |
Collingwood |
17.14 (116) |
Fitzroy |
10.16 (76) |
Victoria Park |
23,567 |
Sunday, 21 July |
Round 17
Home team |
Score |
Away team |
Score |
Venue |
Attendance |
Date |
Melbourne |
11.4 (70) |
North Melbourne |
28.15 (183) |
MCG |
20,955 |
Friday, 26 July |
Carlton |
13.13 (91) |
Essendon |
11.16 (82) |
MCG |
65,420 |
Saturday, 27 July |
St Kilda |
14.16 (100) |
Geelong |
11.10 (76) |
Waverley Park |
24,289 |
Saturday, 27 July |
Richmond |
17.12 (114) |
Hawthorn |
11.7 (73) |
Optus Oval |
19,081 |
Saturday, 27 July |
Brisbane Bears |
25.13 (163) |
West Coast |
17.14 (116) |
Gabba |
15,772 |
Saturday, 27 July |
Footscray |
16.12 (108) |
Collingwood |
17.12 (114) |
MCG |
28,776 |
Sunday, 28 July |
Fremantle |
15.14 (104) |
Sydney |
12.6 (78) |
Subiaco Oval |
17,513 |
Sunday, 28 July |
Adelaide |
26.10 (166) |
Fitzroy |
9.13 (67) |
Football Park |
31,880 |
Sunday, 28 July |
Round 18
Home team |
Score |
Away team |
Score |
Venue |
Attendance |
Date |
North Melbourne |
19.16 (130) |
Hawthorn |
15.9 (99) |
MCG |
28,555 |
Friday, 2 August |
Carlton |
23.7 (145) |
Fremantle |
11.18 (84) |
Optus Oval |
15,277 |
Saturday, 3 August |
St Kilda |
13.10 (88) |
Collingwood |
11.12 (78) |
Waverley Park |
30,065 |
Saturday, 3 August |
Geelong |
15.14 (104) |
Adelaide |
10.9 (69) |
Kardinia Park |
17,818 |
Saturday, 3 August |
Sydney |
17.13 (115) |
Melbourne |
6.16 (52) |
SCG |
18,850 |
Sunday, 4 August |
West Coast |
14.15 (99) |
Essendon |
14.9 (93) |
Subiaco Oval |
37,669 |
Sunday, 4 August |
Fitzroy |
6.9 (45) |
Footscray |
8.12 (60) |
Whitten Oval |
8,757 |
Sunday, 4 August |
Richmond |
7.11 (53) |
Brisbane Bears |
9.16 (70) |
Optus Oval |
17,157 |
Sunday, 4 August |
Round 19
Home team |
Score |
Away team |
Score |
Venue |
Attendance |
Date |
Fremantle |
15.16 (106) |
Collingwood |
11.16 (82) |
WACA |
22,874 |
Friday, 9 August |
Melbourne |
20.9 (129) |
Carlton |
17.8 (110) |
MCG |
30,166 |
Saturday, 10 August |
Essendon |
21.17 (143) |
Adelaide |
16.11 (107) |
Optus Oval |
15,794 |
Saturday, 10 August |
Geelong |
18.19 (127) |
West Coast |
12.10 (82) |
Kardinia Park |
21,081 |
Saturday, 10 August |
Fitzroy |
5.5 (35) |
St Kilda |
13.10 (88) |
Whitten Oval |
7,781 |
Saturday, 10 August |
Hawthorn |
20.12 (132) |
Footscray |
10.5 (65) |
Waverley Park |
14,914 |
Saturday, 10 August |
Sydney |
20.10 (130) |
Richmond |
12.10 (82) |
SCG |
28,541 |
Sunday, 11 August |
North Melbourne |
8.11 (59) |
Brisbane Bears |
11.11 (77) |
Optus Oval |
15,453 |
Sunday, 11 August |
Round 20
Home team |
Score |
Away team |
Score |
Venue |
Attendance |
Date |
Melbourne |
13.14 (92) |
Fremantle |
10.11 (71) |
MCG |
15,494 |
Friday, 16 August |
Richmond |
19.18 (132) |
Geelong |
9.13 (67) |
MCG |
50,633 |
Saturday, 17 August |
Hawthorn |
7.7 (49) |
Sydney |
9.18 (72) |
Waverley Park |
28,897 |
Saturday, 17 August |
Fitzroy |
14.16 (100) |
Brisbane Bears |
29.13 (187) |
Optus Oval |
6,469 |
Saturday, 17 August |
Adelaide |
10.10 (70) |
North Melbourne |
10.16 (76) |
Football Park |
33,030 |
Saturday, 17 August |
Footscray |
14.11 (95) |
St Kilda |
8.9 (57) |
Optus Oval |
7,677 |
Sunday, 18 August |
Collingwood |
9.10 (64) |
Essendon |
11.11 (77) |
MCG |
51,057 |
Sunday, 18 August |
West Coast |
19.13 (127) |
Carlton |
10.8 (68) |
Subiaco Oval |
40,085 |
Sunday, 18 August |
Round 21
Home team |
Score |
Away team |
Score |
Venue |
Attendance |
Date |
North Melbourne |
14.12 (96) |
Geelong |
16.13 (109) |
MCG |
52,426 |
Friday, 23 August |
Carlton |
13.18 (96) |
Footscray |
9.12 (66) |
Optus Oval |
21,674 |
Saturday, 24 August |
Essendon |
14.16 (100) |
Sydney |
12.10 (82) |
MCG |
69,237 |
Saturday, 24 August |
St Kilda |
9.9 (63) |
Hawthorn |
12.8 (80) |
Waverley Park |
28,118 |
Saturday, 24 August |
Brisbane Bears |
10.11 (71) |
Fremantle |
10.10 (70) |
Gabba |
19,204 |
Saturday, 24 August |
Richmond |
28.19 (187) |
Fitzroy |
5.6 (36) |
MCG |
48,884 |
Sunday, 25 August |
West Coast |
24.7 (151) |
Melbourne |
11.12 (78) |
Subiaco Oval |
33,689 |
Sunday, 25 August |
Adelaide |
14.12 (96) |
Collingwood |
24.9 (153) |
Football Park |
40,212 |
Sunday, 25 August |
Round 22
Home team |
Score |
Away team |
Score |
Venue |
Attendance |
Date |
Essendon |
11.13 (79) |
Footscray |
11.10 (76) |
MCG |
42,598 |
Friday, 30 August |
Geelong |
9.11 (65) |
Carlton |
16.11 (107) |
Kardinia Park |
27,659 |
Saturday, 31 August |
Collingwood |
15.10 (100) |
Brisbane Bears |
6.15 (51) |
Victoria Park |
21,126 |
Saturday, 31 August |
St Kilda |
20.24 (144) |
Adelaide |
11.9 (75) |
Waverley Park |
14,778 |
Saturday, 31 August |
Melbourne |
15.11 (101) |
Hawthorn |
15.12 (102) |
MCG |
63,196 |
Saturday, 31 August |
Sydney |
12.13 (85) |
West Coast |
6.14 (50) |
SCG |
29,517 |
Saturday, 31 August |
Richmond |
16.13 (109) |
North Melbourne |
21.15 (141) |
MCG |
61,740 |
Sunday, 1 September |
Fremantle |
24.13 (157) |
Fitzroy |
10.11 (71) |
Subiaco Oval |
22,574 |
Sunday, 1 September |
Note: Last game of Fitzroy Lions before merger with Brisbane Bears to become Brisbane Lions.
(P) | Premiers |
| Qualified for finals |
More information #, Team ...
Close
Rules for classification: 1. premiership points; 2. percentage; 3. points for
Average score: 94.0
Source: AFL Tables
Numbers highlighted in green indicate that the team finished the round inside the top 8.
Numbers highlighted in blue indicates the team finished first on the ladder in that round.
Numbers highlighted in red indicates the team finished in last place on the ladder in that round.
More information Team ╲ Round, Sydney ...
Team ╲ Round | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 |
---|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
---|
Sydney | 0 | 0 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 14 | 18 | 18 | 22 | 26 | 30 | 34 | 38 | 42 | 46 | 50 | 50 | 54 | 58 | 62 | 62 | 66 |
---|
North Melbourne (P) | 4 | 8 | 12 | 12 | 16 | 20 | 20 | 24 | 28 | 32 | 32 | 36 | 40 | 44 | 44 | 48 | 52 | 56 | 56 | 60 | 60 | 64 |
---|
Brisbane Bears | 4 | 8 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 20 | 24 | 28 | 28 | 30 | 30 | 34 | 34 | 34 | 38 | 42 | 46 | 50 | 54 | 58 | 62 | 62 |
---|
West Coast Eagles | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 20 | 24 | 28 | 32 | 36 | 40 | 44 | 48 | 48 | 52 | 52 | 56 | 60 | 60 |
---|
Carlton | 4 | 8 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 20 | 24 | 24 | 28 | 32 | 36 | 40 | 40 | 40 | 44 | 44 | 48 | 52 | 52 | 52 | 56 | 60 |
---|
Essendon | 4 | 4 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 14 | 18 | 22 | 26 | 30 | 30 | 34 | 38 | 38 | 42 | 42 | 42 | 46 | 50 | 54 | 58 |
---|
Geelong | 4 | 8 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 20 | 24 | 26 | 30 | 34 | 38 | 38 | 38 | 42 | 42 | 46 | 50 | 50 | 54 | 54 |
---|
Hawthorn | 4 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 10 | 10 | 14 | 18 | 22 | 22 | 26 | 30 | 34 | 34 | 34 | 38 | 38 | 42 | 46 |
---|
Richmond | 0 | 4 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 20 | 24 | 28 | 28 | 32 | 32 | 36 | 36 | 36 | 40 | 44 | 44 |
---|
St Kilda | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 20 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 28 | 32 | 36 | 36 | 36 | 40 |
---|
Collingwood | 0 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 20 | 24 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 32 | 36 |
---|
Adelaide | 4 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 20 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 |
---|
Fremantle | 0 | 4 | 8 | 8 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 20 | 20 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 28 |
---|
Melbourne | 0 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 12 | 16 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 24 | 28 | 28 | 28 |
---|
Footscray | 0 | 0 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 18 | 18 | 22 | 22 | 22 |
---|
Fitzroy | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
---|
Close
Grand Final
Home team |
Score |
Away team |
Score |
Venue |
Attendance |
Date |
North Melbourne |
19.17 (131) |
Sydney |
13.10 (88) |
MCG |
93,102 |
Saturday, 28 September |
More information Team, Hosted ...
Team | Hosted | Average | Highest | Lowest | Total |
Essendon | 11 | 49,526 | 87,549 | 15,794 | 544,789 |
Collingwood | 11 | 44,723 | 71,663 | 21,126 | 491,953 |
Adelaide | 11 | 39,428 | 45,266 | 31,880 | 433,713 |
Richmond | 11 | 38,624 | 61,740 | 17,157 | 424,859 |
Carlton | 11 | 35,891 | 70,152 | 15,277 | 394,802 |
North Melbourne | 11 | 34,627 | 68,537 | 15,453 | 380,899 |
West Coast | 11 | 32,448 | 40,085 | 22,044 | 356,932 |
Melbourne | 11 | 30,315 | 63,196 | 8747 | 333,465 |
St Kilda | 11 | 27,137 | 43,925 | 13,824 | 298,512 |
Geelong | 11 | 25,161 | 50,074 | 17,538 | 276,775 |
Sydney | 11 | 24,574 | 44,047 | 10,965 | 270,309 |
Hawthorn | 11 | 23,624 | 38,263 | 14,286 | 259,868 |
Fremantle | 11 | 22,473 | 33,041 | 17,513 | 247,204 |
Brisbane | 11 | 18,088 | 21,644 | 14,222 | 198,968 |
Footscray | 11 | 18,073 | 36,766 | 7677 | 198,800 |
Fitzroy | 11 | 9482 | 13,497 | 5083 | 104,300 |
Totals | 176 | 29,637 | 87,549 | 5083 | 5,216,148 |
Close
More information Venue, Hosted ...
Venue | Hosted | Average | Highest | Lowest | Total |
MCG | 51 | 46,114 | 87,549 | 15,494 | 2351,808 |
Football Park | 11 | 39,428 | 45,266 | 31,880 | 433,713 |
Subiaco Oval | 16 | 28,289 | 40,085 | 17,513 | 452,616 |
Waverley Park | 24 | 25,545 | 43,925 | 13,824 | 613,079 |
WACA | 6 | 25,253 | 31,411 | 19,360 | 151,520 |
SCG | 11 | 24,574 | 44,047 | 10,965 | 270,309 |
Victoria Park | 4 | 23,581 | 26,459 | 21,126 | 94,322 |
Kardinia Park | 10 | 22,670 | 27,659 | 17,538 | 226,701 |
Gabba | 11 | 18,088 | 21,644 | 14,222 | 198,968 |
Optus Oval | 17 | 15,641 | 21,674 | 6469 | 265,892 |
Whitten Oval | 15 | 10,482 | 16,804 | 5083 | 157,224 |
Totals | 176 | 29,637 | 87,549 | 5083 | 5,216,148 |
Close
- North Melbourne's Corey McKernan received the same number of Brownlow Medal votes as the joint-winners James Hird and Michael Voss, but was ineligible to receive a medal as McKernan was suspended for one match during the season for kneeing. McKernan went on to win the AFL Players Association MVP, which is not subject to the same eligibility criteria.
- The Round 10 game between St Kilda and Essendon was interrupted at the twenty-minute mark of the third quarter when Waverley Park lost power, causing the floodlights to go off. The remaining 24 minutes was played three nights later on Tuesday, 11 June.[1]
- Subsequently, the AFL introduced contingencies that a game could be abandoned, with the progress result accepted as final at any point beyond half time, at the agreement of the captains when (a) any unexpected incident delays a game by an hour, or (b) if dangerous weather conditions, most typically lightning, prevail.
- Footscray's 1996 season became the subject of the sports film, Year of the Dogs, which was released theatrically the following year.
- After their round 17 loss to Collingwood, caretaker coach Terry Wallace infamously sprayed the players during his post-match address.[2]
- North Melbourne received a special gold-coloured premiership cup, instead of the typical silver, to signify what the AFL had represented as its Centenary Season throughout 1996. (Note: 1996 was the VFL/AFL's hundredth season, which by strictest definition is not the same as the centenary year, which would have been in 1997).
- Sydney recorded its first finals win since 1945 in the qualifying final against Hawthorn, and reached its first grand final since the same season (as South Melbourne).
- The season is perhaps best remembered for its preliminary final between minor premiers Sydney and sixth-placed Essendon. With scores level on 10.9 (69), Sydney's Tony Lockett scored a behind with a kick after the siren to win the game, and sent the Swans into their first Grand Final since 1945.
- Lockett had been under an injury cloud with a groin problem during the preceding week, and there was some doubt whether he would play.