2016 AFL season

For the 2016 season of the Arena Football League, see 2016 Arena Football League season.

The 2016 AFL season was the 120th 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.

2016 AFL premiership season
Teams	18
Premiers	Western Bulldogs 2nd premiership
Minor premiers	Sydney 9th minor premiership
Brownlow Medallist	Patrick Dangerfield Geelong (35 votes)
Coleman Medallist	Josh Kennedy West Coast (80 goals)
Attendance
Matches played	207
Total attendance	6,870,241 (33,190 per match)
Highest (H&A)	85,082 (round 5, Collingwood v Essendon)
Highest (finals)	99,981 (Grand Final, Sydney vs. Western Bulldogs)
← 2015 2017 →

The season featured eighteen clubs, ran from 24 March until 1 October, and comprised a 22-game home-and-away season followed by a finals series featuring the top eight clubs. Thirty-four players, seventeen of whom were still active in the league, missed the season through suspension by the World Anti-Doping Agency, for doping infringements which occurred at the Essendon Football Club as part of its 2012 sports supplements program.

The premiership was won by the Western Bulldogs for the second time, after it defeated Sydney by 22 points in the 2016 AFL Grand Final.

Pre-season

The pre-season series of matches, known as the 2016 NAB Challenge, featured 27 practice matches played over 25 days, which began on 18 February and ended on 13 March. The matches were stand-alone, with no overall winner of the series. Each team played three games, many of which were played at suburban or regional venues, with all games televised on Fox Footy. The nine-point super goal was used in these matches.

	Week 1
Thursday, 18 February (7:10 pm)	Hawthorn 0.8.5 (53)	def.	Carlton 0.4.8 (32)	Aurora Stadium (crowd: 9,181)	Report
Friday, 19 February (4:10 pm)	Fremantle 0.14.6 (90)	def.	Richmond 0.4.6 (30)	Rushton Park (crowd: 7,500)	Report
Saturday, 20 February (2:05 pm)	St Kilda 1.9.10 (73)	def. by	North Melbourne 0.18.9 (117)	Norm Minns Oval, Wangaratta (crowd: 6,216)	Report
Saturday, 20 February (4:40 pm)	Sydney 1.10.12 (81)	def.	Port Adelaide 1.7.9 (60)	Blacktown International Sportspark (crowd: 3,172)	Report
Sunday, 21 February (1:35 pm)	Adelaide 2.20.10 (148)	def.	West Coast 0.7.6 (48)	Unley Oval, Adelaide (crowd: 8,000)	Report
Sunday, 21 February (3:40 pm)	Brisbane Lions 0.6.7 (43)	def. by	Gold Coast 0.9.14 (68)	Moreton Bay Central Sports Complex, Burpengary (crowd: 3,807)	Report

	Week 2
Thursday, 25 February (7:10 pm)	Greater Western Sydney 0.11.7 (73)	def. by	Western Bulldogs 1.13.17 (104)	StarTrack Oval (crowd: 5,472)	Report
Friday, 26 February (7:10 pm)	Geelong 2.16.9 (123)	def. by	Collingwood 0.21.5 (131)	Simonds Stadium (crowd: 20,460)	Report
Saturday, 27 February (1:35 pm)	Port Adelaide 1.10.7 (76)	def. by	Melbourne 0.15.5 (95)	Playford Alive Oval, Adelaide (crowd: 4,981)	Report
Saturday, 27 February (4:40 pm)	Richmond 1.15.5 (104)	def.	Hawthorn 0.4.9 (33)	Holm Park, (crowd: 6,384)	Report
Sunday, 28 February (2:05 pm)	Carlton 1.3.8 (35)	def. by	Essendon 1.13.8 (95)	Ikon Park (crowd: 18,718)	Report
Sunday, 28 February (1:40 pm)	Fremantle 1.9.6 (69)	def.	Adelaide 0.8.19 (67)	Sounness Park, Mount Barker (crowd: 4,767)	Report

	Week 3
Thursday, 3 March (4:10 pm)	West Coast 0.7.13 (55)	def.	Gold Coast 1.6.7 (52)	HBF Arena, Joondalup (crowd: 5,021)	Report
Friday, 4 March (7:10 pm)	Sydney 1.8.3 (60)	def. by	Greater Western Sydney 0.14.10 (94)	Drummoyne Oval, Sydney (crowd: 4,754)	Report
Saturday, 5 March (2:05 pm)	Essendon 0.3.6 (24)	def. by	Geelong 0.17.9 (111)	Deakin Reserve, Shepparton (crowd: 5,488)	Report
Saturday, 5 March (4:40 pm)	North Melbourne 1.10.8 (77)	def. by	Collingwood 0.12.13 (85)	Robertson Oval, Wagga Wagga (crowd: 6,000)	Report
Sunday, 6 March (2:05 pm)	Western Bulldogs 1.7.9 (60)	def. by	Melbourne 0.10.12 (72)	Highgate Recreational Reserve, Craigieburn (crowd: 4,139)	Report
Sunday, 6 March (cancelled)[1]	Brisbane Lions	v	St Kilda	Harrup Park Country Club, Mackay

	Week 4
Thursday, 10 March (7:10 pm)	Richmond 1.4.12 (45)	def. by	Port Adelaide 0.13.15 (93)	Etihad Stadium (crowd: 6,584)	Report
Friday, 11 March (5:50 pm)	Carlton 1.8.12 (69)	def. by	Sydney 0.14.7 (91)	Etihad Stadium (crowd: 6,804)	Report
Friday, 11 March (7:40 pm)	Gold Coast 0.11.18 (84)	def. by	Adelaide 3.12.10 (109)	Metricon Stadium (crowd: 4,460)	Report
Saturday, 12 March (1:10 pm)	Collingwood 1.15.8 (107)	def.	Western Bulldogs 1.14.12 (105)	Etihad Stadium (crowd: 12,594)	Report
Saturday, 12 March (1:10 pm)	Fremantle 2.9.11 (83)	def.	Geelong 0.10.11 (71)	Domain Stadium (crowd: 8,624)	Report
Saturday, 12 March (7:10 pm)	Hawthorn 2.16.11 (125)	def.	North Melbourne 0.12.8 (80)	Etihad Stadium (crowd: 8,894)	Report
Sunday, 13 March (12:10 pm)	Brisbane Lions 2.9.11 (83)	def. by	Greater Western Sydney 1.17.11 (122)	Metricon Stadium (crowd: 1,504)	Report
Sunday, 13 March (4:10 pm)	Melbourne 1.14.14 (107)	def.	St Kilda 0.12.11 (83)	Etihad Stadium (crowd: 8,621)	Report
Sunday, 13 March (4:10 pm)	West Coast 1.23.11 (158)	def.	Essendon 0.7.11 (53)	Domain Stadium (crowd: 9,210)	Report

Rule changes

The following rule changes were made for the 2016 season:

• The interchange rules were significantly altered to give each team four interchange players and a maximum of 90 rotations per game (excluding concussion, blood rule and stretcher interchanges). This replaced the 2015 protocol in which teams had three interchange players and a substitute and a maximum of 120 rotations per game.^[2]
• The scope of tackles covered by the existing 'dangerous tackles' rule was expanded, with both umpires and the tribunal more strictly penalising players for tackles including a lifting, slinging or rotating technique.^[3]
• A stricter interpretation of the existing "deliberate out of bounds" rule is to be applied.^[3]
• The width of the protected zone on either side of a player with a mark or free kick was increased from five metres to ten metres. The rule was trialled in the 2016 pre-season before being endorsed shortly for the premiership season.^[4]
• A provision for the AFL to appeal to the tribunal against an inadequate penalty will be introduced; previously, players had the right to appeal their charges or penalties but the AFL did not have the right to appeal against an acquittal or lenient penalty.^[3]
• A thirty-second countdown clock, within which a player taking a set shot must begin their approach, was displayed on the scoreboard at most AFL grounds. This replaced the previous system in which the umpire was responsible for judging the thirty second time limit. The change was not implemented at grounds which lacked existing infrastructure to support it.^[5] From round 9 onwards, the shot clock was not shown during the final two minutes of any quarter to prevent it from being actively used in end-of-game clock management.^[6]
• The grand final replay was abolished, with the provisions which were introduced in 1991 for five minutes each way of extra time in drawn finals now also applying to a drawn grand final. A new provision was also introduced to all finals to allow for an untimed period of golden point extra time to decide the game if scores remained level after extra time.^[7]
• All matches during rounds 13, 14 and 15 (the bye rounds) featured a trial of officiating matches with four field umpires instead of three.^[8]

Premiership season

Notable features of the draw include:

• Due to the weighted rule, Collingwood and Essendon met only once in the regular season for the first time since 1991, on Anzac Day.^[9]
• Due to poor results in the Friday night timeslot in 2015, Carlton did not feature on Friday nights during the regular season, but still contested the annual Thursday night season opener against Richmond in round 1.^[10]
• Melbourne and Richmond again met on Anzac Eve, which this season fell on a Sunday night. It was the only Sunday night match for the season, with the timeslot's unpopularity causing it to be scrapped after the 2014 season.^[11] The New Zealand Anzac Day match was scrapped from the fixture.^[12]
• Due to the Sydney Royal Easter Show, Greater Western Sydney's primary home ground (Spotless Stadium) was unavailable until round 6, therefore the club's first two home games were played at its secondary home ground, Manuka Oval.^[13]
• One month prior to the season, the Sydney Swans and ANZ Stadium came to an agreement to end their contract one year earlier than its scheduled conclusion, resulting in all eleven Sydney home games being played at the Sydney Cricket Ground, instead of eight at the SCG and three at ANZ Stadium. ANZ Stadium was still used for finals matches during 2016.^[14]
• The inclusion of the first ever AFL sanctioned LGBT pride game for premiership points was held in round 21 between St Kilda and Sydney.^[15]
• There was a bye round between round 23 and the first week of the finals, to encourage teams participating in the finals to field their strongest side possible ahead of their first final.^[16] It was since announced in February 2016 that the annual E. J. Whitten Legends Game would be played in the football-free weekend, shifting from its mid-season slot.^[17]
• All starting times are local.

Round 1

	Round 1 (Opening Round)
Thursday, 24 March (7:25 pm)	Richmond 14.8 (92)	def.	Carlton 12.11 (83)	MCG (crowd: 75,706)	Report
Saturday, 26 March (1:40 pm)	Melbourne 12.8 (80)	def.	Greater Western Sydney 10.18 (78)	MCG (crowd: 28,505)	Report
Saturday, 26 March (3:35 pm)	Gold Coast 17.19 (121)	def.	Essendon 9.6 (60)	Metricon Stadium (crowd: 16,239)	Report
Saturday, 26 March (7:25 pm)	Sydney 18.25 (133)	def.	Collingwood 7.11 (53)	SCG[14] (crowd: 33,857) (Moved from ANZ Stadium)	Report
Saturday, 26 March (7:25 pm)	North Melbourne 16.11 (107)	def.	Adelaide 14.13 (97)	Etihad Stadium (crowd: 25,485)	Report
Sunday, 27 March (1:10 pm)	Western Bulldogs 15.13 (103)	def.	Fremantle 5.8 (38)	Etihad Stadium (crowd: 27,832)	Report
Sunday, 27 March (2:50 pm)	Port Adelaide 20.13 (133)	def.	St Kilda 15.10 (100)	Adelaide Oval (crowd: 43,807)	Report
Sunday, 27 March (4:40 pm)	West Coast 26.10 (166)	def.	Brisbane Lions 15.12 (102)	Domain Stadium (crowd: 35,201)	Report
Monday, 28 March (3:20 pm)	Geelong 18.8 (116)	def.	Hawthorn 12.14 (86)	MCG (crowd: 74,218)	Report
Fremantle's score of 5.8 (38) is its lowest ever score against the Western Bulldogs.[18]

Round 2

	Round 2
Friday, 1 April (7:50 pm)	Collingwood 13.9 (87)	def.	Richmond 12.14 (86)	MCG (crowd: 72,761)	Report
Saturday, 2 April (1:15 pm)	Adelaide 22.12 (144)	def.	Port Adelaide 11.20 (86)	Adelaide Oval (crowd: 51,585)	Report
Saturday, 2 April (2:10 pm)	Essendon 11.14 (80)	def.	Melbourne 10.7 (67)	MCG (crowd: 50,424)	Report
Saturday, 2 April (3:35 pm)	Brisbane Lions 11.17 (83)	def. by	North Melbourne 17.15 (117)	Gabba (crowd: 18,021)	Report
Saturday, 2 April (7:25 pm)	St Kilda 5.6 (36)	def. by	Western Bulldogs 13.15 (93)	Etihad Stadium (crowd: 37,353)	Report
Saturday, 2 April (4:40 pm)	Fremantle 14.16 (100)	def. by	Gold Coast 19.12 (126)	Domain Stadium (crowd: 34,208)	Report
Sunday, 3 April (1:10 pm)	Greater Western Sydney 13.11 (89)	def.	Geelong 11.10 (76)	Manuka Oval (crowd: 13,656)	Report
Sunday, 3 April (3:20 pm)	Hawthorn 14.15 (99)	def.	West Coast 7.11 (53)	MCG (crowd: 42,977)	Report
Sunday, 3 April (4:40 pm)	Carlton 10.11 (71)	def. by	Sydney 20.11 (131)	Etihad Stadium (crowd: 33,146)	Report

Round 3

	Round 3
Friday, 8 April (7:50 pm)	Port Adelaide 17.10 (112)	def.	Essendon 7.9 (51)	Adelaide Oval (crowd: 44,601)	Report
Saturday, 9 April (1:45 pm)	St Kilda 18.11 (119)	def.	Collingwood 14.6 (90)	MCG (crowd: 50,903)	Report
Saturday, 9 April (2:10 pm)	Richmond 13.14 (92)	def. by	Adelaide 19.14 (128)	Etihad Stadium (crowd: 29,951)	Report
Saturday, 9 April (4:35 pm)	Sydney 14.9 (93)	def.	Greater Western Sydney 10.8 (68)	SCG (crowd: 37,045)	Report
Saturday, 9 April (7:25 pm)	Gold Coast 13.17 (95)	def.	Carlton 5.11 (41)	Metricon Stadium (crowd: 13,885)	Report
Saturday, 9 April (5:40 pm)	West Coast 12.20 (92)	def.	Fremantle 8.11 (59)	Domain Stadium (crowd: 40,555)	Report
Sunday, 10 April (1:10 pm)	North Melbourne 21.10 (136)	def.	Melbourne 20.11 (131)	Blundstone Arena (crowd: 12,607)	Report
Sunday, 10 April (3:20 pm)	Western Bulldogs 13.12 (90)	def. by	Hawthorn 14.9 (93)	Etihad Stadium (crowd: 46,808)	Report
Sunday, 10 April (4:40 pm)	Geelong 18.17 (125)	def.	Brisbane Lions 7.14 (56)	Simonds Stadium (crowd: 23,320)	Report

Round 4

	Round 4
Friday, 15 April (6:10 pm)	West Coast 18.17 (125)	def.	Richmond 9.3 (57)	Domain Stadium (crowd: 38,860)	Report
Saturday, 16 April (1:45 pm)	Essendon 6.6 (42)	def. by	Geelong 9.18 (72)	MCG (crowd: 42,723)	Report
Saturday, 16 April (2:10 pm)	Hawthorn 13.9 (87)	def.	St Kilda 13.6 (84)	Aurora Stadium (crowd: 15,173)	Report
Saturday, 16 April (4:35 pm)	Brisbane Lions 14.23 (107)	def.	Gold Coast 14.10 (94)	Gabba (crowd: 20,041)	Report
Saturday, 16 April (7:25 pm)	Carlton 7.7 (49)	def. by	Western Bulldogs 13.7 (85)	Etihad Stadium (crowd: 27,622)	Report
Saturday, 16 April (7:10 pm)	Adelaide 16.17 (113)	def.	Sydney 15.13 (103)	Adelaide Oval (crowd: 51,330)	Report
Sunday, 17 April (1:10 pm)	Greater Western Sydney 22.19 (151)	def.	Port Adelaide 9.11 (65)	Manuka Oval (crowd: 10,028)	Report
Sunday, 17 April (3:20 pm)	Collingwood 9.13 (67)	def. by	Melbourne 16.6 (102)	MCG (crowd: 47,558)	Report
Sunday, 17 April (4:40 pm)	North Melbourne 20.12 (132)	def.	Fremantle 14.17 (101)	Etihad Stadium (crowd: 23,393)	Report
Greater Western Sydney's score of 22.19 (151) is the biggest score kicked at Manuka Oval.[19]

Round 5

	Round 5 (ANZAC Round)
Friday, 22 April (7:50 pm)	Hawthorn 17.10 (112)	def.	Adelaide 17.7 (109)	MCG (crowd: 45,781)	Report
Saturday, 23 April (1:45 pm)	Sydney 12.16 (88)	def.	West Coast 7.7 (49)	SCG (crowd: 35,427)	Report
Saturday, 23 April (4:35 pm)	Gold Coast 11.15 (81)	def. by	North Melbourne 18.11 (119)	Metricon Stadium (crowd: 13,351)	Report
Saturday, 23 April (7:25 pm)	Western Bulldogs 17.18 (120)	def.	Brisbane Lions 10.7 (67)	Etihad Stadium (crowd: 25,097)	Report
Saturday, 23 April (7:15 pm)	Port Adelaide 8.11 (59)	def. by	Geelong 16.11 (107)	Adelaide Oval (crowd: 44,937)	Report
Sunday, 24 April (1:10 pm)	St Kilda 12.7 (79)	def. by	Greater Western Sydney 19.12 (126)	Etihad Stadium (crowd: 21,052)	Report
Sunday, 24 April (2:15 pm)	Fremantle 9.14 (68)	def. by	Carlton 10.12 (72)	Domain Stadium (crowd: 34,796)	Report
Sunday, 24 April (7:10 pm)	Melbourne 20.9 (129)	def.	Richmond 14.12 (96)	MCG (crowd: 59,968)	Report
Monday, 25 April (3:20 pm)	Collingwood 22.10 (142)	def.	Essendon 11.7 (73)	MCG (crowd: 85,082)	Report

Round 6

	Round 6
Friday, 29 April (7:50 pm)	North Melbourne 9.7 (61)	def.	Western Bulldogs 6.9 (45)	Etihad Stadium (crowd: 47,622)	Report
Saturday, 30 April (1:45 pm)	Melbourne 15.6 (96)	def. by	St Kilda 20.15 (135)	Etihad Stadium (crowd: 27,260)	Report
Saturday, 30 April (1:40 pm)	Adelaide 14.13 (97)	def.	Fremantle 8.16 (64)	Adelaide Oval (crowd: 47,423)	Report
Saturday, 30 April (4:35 pm)	Greater Western Sydney 24.14 (158)	def.	Hawthorn 12.11 (83)	Spotless Stadium (crowd: 13,766)	Report
Saturday, 30 April (7:25 pm)	Geelong 25.18 (168)	def.	Gold Coast 7.6 (48)	Simonds Stadium (crowd: 23,007)	Report
Saturday, 30 April (7:25 pm)	Richmond 8.11 (59)	def. by	Port Adelaide 13.16 (94)	MCG (crowd: 27,077)	Report
Sunday, 1 May (1:10 pm)	Brisbane Lions 14.10 (94)	def. by	Sydney 15.7 (97)	Gabba (crowd: 14,646)	Report
Sunday, 1 May (3:20 pm)	Carlton 10.12 (72)	def.	Essendon 8.9 (57)	MCG (crowd: 43,827)	Report
Sunday, 1 May (2:40 pm)	West Coast 18.16 (124)	def.	Collingwood 9.8 (62)	Domain Stadium (crowd: 37,931)	Report

Round 7

	Round 7
Friday, 6 May (7:50 pm)	Richmond 13.12 (90)	def. by	Hawthorn 21.10 (136)	MCG (crowd: 49,678)	Report
Saturday, 7 May (1:45 pm)	Collingwood 12.12 (84)	def. by	Carlton 15.9 (99)	MCG (crowd: 60,222)	Report
Saturday, 7 May (2:10 pm)	Geelong 18.15 (123)	def.	West Coast 12.7 (79)	Simonds Stadium (crowd: 25,429)	Report
Saturday, 7 May (4:35 pm)	Sydney 20.15 (135)	def.	Essendon 7.12 (54)	SCG[14] (crowd: 29,527) (Moved from ANZ Stadium)	Report
Saturday, 7 May (5:10 pm)	Gold Coast 14.3 (87)	def. by	Melbourne 24.16 (160)	Metricon Stadium (crowd: 12,780)	Report
Saturday, 7 May (7:25 pm)	Western Bulldogs 18.15 (123)	def.	Adelaide 17.6 (108)	Etihad Stadium (crowd: 26,984)	Report
Saturday, 7 May (6:10 pm)	Fremantle 11.11 (77)	def. by	Greater Western Sydney 14.11 (95)	Domain Stadium (crowd: 28,201)	Report
Sunday, 8 May (3:20 pm)	St Kilda 11.9 (75)	def. by	North Melbourne 11.16 (82)	Etihad Stadium (crowd: 27,254)	Report
Sunday, 8 May (4:10 pm)	Port Adelaide 21.10 (136)	def.	Brisbane Lions 7.17 (59)	Adelaide Oval (crowd: 32,399)	Report
Melbourne's score of 24.16 (160) was its highest score since round 6, 2004 and the highest score conceded by Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium.[20][21]

Round 8

	Round 8
Friday, 13 May (7:20 pm)	Adelaide 11.6 (72)	def. by	Geelong 13.20 (98)	Adelaide Oval (crowd: 53,141)	Report
Saturday, 14 May (1:45 pm)	Essendon 8.12 (60)	def. by	North Melbourne 10.14 (74)	Etihad Stadium (crowd: 30,321)	Report
Saturday, 14 May (2:10 pm)	Hawthorn 17.14 (116)	def.	Fremantle 11.9 (75)	Aurora Stadium (crowd: 12,012)	Report
Saturday, 14 May (4:35 pm)	Greater Western Sydney 22.17 (149)	def.	Gold Coast 9.4 (58)	Spotless Stadium (crowd: 8,308)	Report
Saturday, 14 May (7:25 pm)	Richmond 14.17 (101)	def.	Sydney 15.10 (100)	MCG (crowd: 36,014)	Report
Saturday, 14 May (7:25 pm)	Brisbane Lions 10.5 (65)	def. by	Collingwood 20.23 (143)	Gabba (crowd: 24,552)	Report
Sunday, 15 May (1:10 pm)	Carlton 14.9 (93)	def.	Port Adelaide 13.13 (91)	Etihad Stadium (crowd: 26,924)	Report
Sunday, 15 May (3:20 pm)	Melbourne 12.10 (82)	def. by	Western Bulldogs 17.12 (114)	MCG (crowd: 39,921)	Report
Sunday, 15 May (2:40 pm)	West Coast 20.12 (132)	def.	St Kilda 3.11 (29)	Domain Stadium (crowd: 36,140)	Report
Essendon's half-time score of 0.4 (4) against North Melbourne is its lowest half-time score since round 1, 1915.[22] Richmond defeated Sydney after Sam Lloyd kicked a goal after the final siren.[23] St Kilda's score of 3.11 (29) is its lowest ever score at Domain Stadium and its equal lowest score against West Coast.[24] It is also St Kilda's lowest score in any game since round 6, 2002.[25] West Coast's winning margin of 103 points is their biggest win against St Kilda.[26]

Round 9

	Round 9
Friday, 20 May (7:50 pm)	Hawthorn 7.13 (55)	def. by	Sydney 10.9 (69)	MCG (crowd: 61,552)	Report
Saturday, 21 May (1:45 pm)	Collingwood 16.8 (104)	def.	Geelong 11.14 (80)	MCG (crowd: 59,864)	Report
Saturday, 21 May (2:10 pm)	Gold Coast 11.8 (74)	def. by	Adelaide 22.17 (149)	Metricon Stadium (crowd: 11,692)	Report
Saturday, 21 May (4:05 pm)	Port Adelaide 13.8 (86)	def. by	West Coast 14.10 (94)	Adelaide Oval (crowd: 38,695)	Report
Saturday, 21 May (5:40 pm)	Fremantle 6.9 (45)	def. by	Richmond 11.17 (83)	Domain Stadium (crowd: 20,184)	Report
Saturday, 21 May (7:25 pm)	North Melbourne 17.11 (113)	def.	Carlton 6.10 (46)	Etihad Stadium (crowd: 38,419)	Report
Sunday, 22 May (1:10 pm)	Melbourne 19.17 (131)	def.	Brisbane Lions 9.14 (68)	MCG (crowd: 26,892)	Report
Sunday, 22 May (3:20 pm)	Greater Western Sydney 15.8 (98)	def.	Western Bulldogs 10.13 (73)	Spotless Stadium (crowd: 9,612)	Report
Sunday, 22 May (4:40 pm)	St Kilda 16.13 (109)	def.	Essendon 9.9 (63)	Etihad Stadium (crowd: 29,026)	Report
North Melbourne won the first nine games of a VFL/AFL season for the first time in its history.[27] The Fremantle vs Richmond game, played during torrential rain, was attended by only 20,184 people, the lowest for a Fremantle home game since round 8, 2001, despite selling a season-high 43,943 tickets.[28]

Round 10

	Round 10 (Sir Doug Nicholls Round)
Friday, 27 May (7:50 pm)	Sydney 14.7 (91)	def.	North Melbourne 9.11 (65)	SCG (crowd: 38,498)	Report
Saturday, 28 May (1:45 pm)	Brisbane Lions 13.9 (87)	def. by	Hawthorn 21.9 (135)	Gabba (crowd: 23,691)	Report
Saturday, 28 May (1:40 pm)	Melbourne 10.16 (76)	def. by	Port Adelaide 18.13 (121)	TIO Traeger Park (crowd: 5,146)	Report
Saturday, 28 May (4:35 pm)	St Kilda 15.11 (101)	def.	Fremantle 10.7 (67)	Etihad Stadium (crowd: 17,927)	Report
Saturday, 28 May (7:25 pm)	Essendon 10.7 (67)	def. by	Richmond 16.9 (105)	MCG (crowd: 56,948)	Report
Saturday, 28 May (7:10 pm)	Adelaide 15.17 (107)	def.	Greater Western Sydney 13.7 (85)	Adelaide Oval (crowd: 46,737)	Report
Sunday, 29 May (1:10 pm)	Carlton 16.8 (104)	def.	Geelong 12.13 (85)	Etihad Stadium (crowd: 33,535)	Report
Sunday, 29 May (3:20 pm)	Collingwood 7.11 (53)	def. by	Western Bulldogs 11.8 (74)	MCG (crowd: 45,078)	Report
Sunday, 29 May (2:40 pm)	West Coast 20.12 (132)	def.	Gold Coast 7.13 (55)	Domain Stadium (crowd: 34,945)	Report
Carlton defeated Geelong for the first time at Etihad Stadium after 15 attempts.[29]

Round 11

	Round 11
Friday, 3 June (7:50 pm)	North Melbourne 18.16 (124)	def.	Richmond 7.12 (54)	Blundstone Arena (crowd: 17,844)	Report
Saturday, 4 June (1:45 pm)	Hawthorn 11.16 (82)	def.	Melbourne 10.4 (64)	MCG (crowd: 41,833)	Report
Saturday, 4 June (2:10 pm)	Carlton 16.6 (102)	def.	Brisbane Lions 9.10 (64)	Etihad Stadium (crowd: 30,722)	Report
Saturday, 4 June (4:35 pm)	Geelong 14.14 (98)	def.	Greater Western Sydney 14.4 (88)	Simonds Stadium (crowd: 22,007)	Report
Saturday, 4 June (5:40 pm)	Fremantle 20.6 (126)	def.	Essendon 6.11 (47)	Domain Stadium (crowd: 31,199)	Report
Saturday, 4 June (7:25 pm)	Gold Coast 6.5 (41)	def. by	Sydney 11.13 (79)	Metricon Stadium (crowd: 4,368)	Report
Sunday, 5 June (1:10 pm)	Collingwood 7.16 (58)	def. by	Port Adelaide 19.11 (125)	MCG (crowd: 28,567)	Report
Sunday, 5 June (3:20 pm)	Western Bulldogs 12.11 (83)	def.	West Coast 11.9 (75)	Etihad Stadium (crowd: 28,769)	Report
Sunday, 5 June (4:10 pm)	Adelaide 19.19 (133)	def.	St Kilda 6.9 (45)	Adelaide Oval (crowd: 40,896)	Report
The match between North Melbourne and Richmond at Blundstone Arena saw a crowd of 17,844, the highest for an AFL game at the ground.[30] Three clubs laid a club record number of tackles in their round 11 matches: Sydney (135 tackles), Gold Coast (119 tackles) and Hawthorn (109 tackles); all occurred in wet conditions, which is usually conducive to higher tackle counts.[31] The Swans' record was broken just two rounds later. As stand-in captain in the Western Bulldogs' win over West Coast, Marcus Bontempelli became the youngest player in history to captain a VFL/AFL side to victory at the age of 20 years and 194 days.[32]

Round 12

	Round 12
Friday, 10 June (7:50 pm)	Essendon 6.7 (43)	def. by	Hawthorn 23.13 (151)	Etihad Stadium (crowd: 27,567)	Report
Saturday, 11 June (1:10 pm)	Port Adelaide 14.13 (97)	def. by	Western Bulldogs 15.10 (100)	Adelaide Oval (crowd: 40,096)	Report
Saturday, 11 June (4:35 pm)	Brisbane Lions 9.10 (64)	def. by	Fremantle 23.9 (147)	Gabba (crowd: 12,899)	Report
Saturday, 11 June (7:25 pm)	Geelong 15.15 (105)	def.	North Melbourne 12.2 (74)	Etihad Stadium (crowd: 44,045)	Report
Saturday, 11 June (5:40 pm)	West Coast 11.10 (76)	def. by	Adelaide 15.15 (105)	Domain Stadium (crowd: 37,591)	Report
Sunday, 12 June (1:10 pm)	St Kilda 17.8 (110)	def.	Carlton 12.6 (78)	Etihad Stadium (crowd: 47,945)	Report
Sunday, 12 June (3:20 pm)	Richmond 17.12 (114)	def.	Gold Coast 15.7 (97)	MCG (crowd: 30,448)	Report
Sunday, 12 June (4:40 pm)	Greater Western Sydney 15.15 (105)	def.	Sydney 9.9 (63)	Spotless Stadium (crowd: 21,541)	Report
Monday, 13 June (3:20 pm)	Melbourne 16.8 (104)	def.	Collingwood 8.10 (58)	MCG (crowd: 60,158)	Report
Patrick Dangerfield's disposal count of 48 is the equal highest amount of disposals ever by a single player in Geelong's history and the equal highest number of disposals for any player at Etihad Stadium.[33] West Coast had its only scoreless quarter in its history at Domain Stadium.[34] Melbourne ended an eight game winless streak against Collingwood in the Queen's Birthday clash.[35]

Round 13

	Round 13
Friday, 17 June (7:50 pm)	North Melbourne 11.18 (84)	def. by	Hawthorn 14.9 (93)	Etihad Stadium (crowd: 37,073)	Report
Saturday, 18 June (1:40 pm)	Brisbane Lions 12.10 (82)	def. by	West Coast 20.11 (131)	Gabba (crowd: 12,777)	Report
Saturday, 18 June (2:35 pm)	Fremantle 12.14 (86)	def.	Port Adelaide 9.15 (69)	Domain Stadium (crowd: 32,448)	Report
Saturday, 18 June (7:25 pm)	Western Bulldogs 5.13 (43)	def. by	Geelong 16.4 (100)	Etihad Stadium (crowd: 41,725)	Report
Sunday, 19 June (1:10 pm)	Sydney 12.14 (86)	def.	Melbourne 4.7 (31)	SCG (crowd: 19,086)	Report
Sunday, 19 June (4:40 pm)	Essendon 12.18 (90)	def. by	Greater Western Sydney 17.15 (117)	Etihad Stadium (crowd: 14,463)	Report
	Bye Adelaide, Carlton, Collingwood, Gold Coast, Richmond, St Kilda
The Sydney Swans laid the most number of tackles ever recorded in a match, with 155 in its win over Melbourne in a match played in wet conditions.[31] The crowd of 14,463 for the match between Essendon and Greater Western Sydney is the lowest for an Essendon home game since 1991.[36]

Round 14

	Round 14
Thursday, 23 June (7:20 pm)	Adelaide 12.28 (100)	def.	North Melbourne 10.7 (67)	Adelaide Oval (crowd: 37,890)	Report
Friday, 24 June (7:50 pm)	Collingwood 12.13 (85)	def.	Fremantle 5.7 (37)	MCG (crowd: 20,320)	Report
Saturday, 25 June (1:40 pm)	Richmond 17.15 (117)	def.	Brisbane Lions 11.9 (75)	MCG (crowd: 28,883)	Report
Saturday, 25 June (4:35 pm)	Greater Western Sydney 18.19 (127)	def.	Carlton 9.11 (65)	Spotless Stadium (crowd: 10,355)	Report
Saturday, 25 June (7:25 pm)	St Kilda 14.9 (93)	def.	Geelong 13.12 (90)	Etihad Stadium (crowd: 28,745)	Report
Sunday, 26 June (3:20 pm)	Hawthorn 12.14 (86)	def.	Gold Coast 8.12 (60)	Aurora Stadium (crowd: 10,121)	Report
	Bye Essendon, Melbourne, Port Adelaide, Sydney, West Coast, Western Bulldogs
The crowd of 20,320 for the match between Collingwood and Fremantle, played in cold conditions, is the lowest for a game involving Collingwood at the MCG since 1940.[37] Collingwood's win against Fremantle was their 1500th win in their VFL/AFL history.[37] Fremantle's score of 5.7 (37) is its lowest score against Collingwood and their lowest score at the MCG.[18][38] This round was the lowest attended round by average crowds since round 19, 1996, and the lowest attended round overall since round 6, 1994.[39]

Round 15

	Round 15
Thursday, 30 June (6:10 pm)	West Coast 20.10 (130)	def.	Essendon 7.10 (52)	Domain Stadium (crowd: 33,117)	Report
Friday, 1 July (7:50 pm)	Port Adelaide 14.10 (94)	def.	Richmond 8.8 (56)	Adelaide Oval (crowd: 37,848)	Report
Saturday, 2 July (1:40 pm)	Gold Coast 15.18 (108)	def.	St Kilda 8.20 (68)	Metricon Stadium (crowd: 14,071)	Report
Saturday, 2 July (4:35 pm)	Sydney 11.13 (79)	def. by	Western Bulldogs 13.5 (83)	SCG (crowd: 33,386)	Report
Saturday, 2 July (7:25 pm)	Carlton 6.9 (45)	def. by	Collingwood 8.9 (57)	MCG (crowd: 56,157)	Report
Sunday, 3 July (3:20 pm)	Melbourne 15.8 (98)	def. by	Adelaide 18.12 (120)	MCG (crowd: 29,133)	Report
	Bye Brisbane Lions, Fremantle, Geelong, Greater Western Sydney, Hawthorn, North Melbourne

Round 16

	Round 16 (Multicultural Round)
Thursday, 7 July (7:20 pm)	Port Adelaide 12.7 (79)	def. by	Hawthorn 15.11 (101)	Adelaide Oval (crowd: 43,025)	Report
Friday, 8 July (7:50 pm)	Geelong 9.6 (60)	def. by	Sydney 15.8 (98)	Simonds Stadium (crowd: 24,339)	Report
Saturday, 9 July (1:40 pm)	Greater Western Sydney 14.9 (93)	def. by	Collingwood 19.11 (125)	Spotless Stadium (crowd: 13,483)	Report
Saturday, 9 July (4:35 pm)	Gold Coast 22.7 (139)	def.	Brisbane Lions 17.11 (113)	Metricon Stadium (crowd: 13,528)	Report
Saturday, 9 July (7:25 pm)	Western Bulldogs 12.13 (85)	def.	Richmond 11.9 (75)	Etihad Stadium (crowd: 39,679)	Report
Saturday, 9 July (7:10 pm)	Melbourne 12.15 (87)	def.	Fremantle 8.7 (55)	TIO Stadium (crowd: 8,163)	Report
Sunday, 10 July (1:10 pm)	Carlton 7.5 (47)	def. by	Adelaide 16.11 (107)	MCG (crowd: 32,430)	Report
Sunday, 10 July (1:20 pm)	West Coast 16.8 (104)	def.	North Melbourne 11.6 (72)	Domain Stadium (crowd: 35,168)	Report
Sunday, 10 July (4:40 pm)	Essendon 14.14 (98)	def. by	St Kilda 17.7 (109)	Etihad Stadium (crowd: 25,204)	Report

Round 17

	Round 17
Thursday, 14 July (7:20 pm)	Sydney 10.10 (70)	def. by	Hawthorn 11.9 (75)	SCG (crowd: 42,314)	Report
Friday, 15 July (6:10 pm)	Fremantle 9.7 (61)	def. by	Geelong 11.12 (78)	Domain Stadium (crowd: 31,042)	Report
Saturday, 16 July (1:40 pm)	Richmond 16.6 (102)	def.	Essendon 11.17 (83)	MCG (crowd: 44,908)	Report
Saturday, 16 July (4:35 pm)	North Melbourne 10.17 (77)	def. by	Port Adelaide 16.9 (105)	Etihad Stadium (crowd: 24,361)	Report
Saturday, 16 July (7:25 pm)	Western Bulldogs 15.17 (107)	def.	Gold Coast 8.11 (59)	Cazaly's Stadium (crowd: 8,509)	Report
Saturday, 16 July (7:10 pm)	Adelaide 14.13 (97)	def.	Collingwood 10.9 (69)	Adelaide Oval (crowd: 50,012)	Report
Sunday, 17 July (1:10 pm)	Carlton 11.9 (75)	def. by	West Coast 12.10 (82)	MCG (crowd: 26,389)	Report
Sunday, 17 July (3:20 pm)	St Kilda 15.20 (110)	def.	Melbourne 11.8 (74)	Etihad Stadium (crowd: 25,322)	Report
Sunday, 17 July (4:40 pm)	Brisbane Lions 9.13 (67)	def. by	Greater Western Sydney 22.14 (146)	Gabba (crowd: 10,195)	Report
Greater Western Sydney's second quarter score of 10.1 (61) was their highest scoring quarter ever.[40] The Brisbane Lions lost a club record 12th consecutive match.[41] The crowd of 10,195 for the match between the Brisbane Lions and Greater Western Sydney is the lowest for a Brisbane Lions match at the Gabba and the lowest at the ground since round 16, 1995.[41] St Kilda won its 14th consecutive game against Melbourne spanning from the 2006 elimination final, and recorded their longest winning streak against any club in their VFL/AFL history, surpassing their previous record of 13 consecutive wins against Fitzroy from 1962 to 1969.[42]

Round 18

	Round 18
Friday, 22 July (7:50 pm)	Collingwood 12.12 (84)	def. by	North Melbourne 18.16 (124)	Etihad Stadium (crowd: 36,041)	Report
Saturday, 23 July (1:45 pm)	Sydney 10.14 (74)	def.	Carlton 10.8 (68)	SCG[14] (crowd: 31,765) (Moved from ANZ Stadium)	Report
Saturday, 23 July (2:10 pm)	Gold Coast 16.9 (105)	def.	Fremantle 12.9 (81)	Metricon Stadium (crowd: 8,933)	Report
Saturday, 23 July (2:35 pm)	West Coast 10.6 (66)	def.	Melbourne 8.12 (60)	Domain Stadium (crowd: 33,908)	Report
Saturday, 23 July (7:25 pm)	Geelong 12.13 (85)	def.	Adelaide 7.13 (55)	Simonds Stadium (crowd: 21,127)	Report
Saturday, 23 July (7:25 pm)	Western Bulldogs 9.6 (60)	def. by	St Kilda 11.9 (75)	Etihad Stadium (crowd: 26,532)	Report
Sunday, 24 July (1:10 pm)	Essendon 12.19 (91)	def. by	Brisbane Lions 20.8 (128)	Etihad Stadium (crowd: 34,869)	Report
Sunday, 24 July (3:20 pm)	Hawthorn 16.18 (114)	def.	Richmond 5.14 (44)	MCG (crowd: 51,892)	Report
Sunday, 24 July (4:10 pm)	Port Adelaide 9.6 (60)	def. by	Greater Western Sydney 11.13 (79)	Adelaide Oval (crowd: 27,935)	Report

Round 19

	Round 19
Friday, 29 July (7:50 pm)	Geelong 16.7 (103)	def.	Western Bulldogs 11.12 (78)	Simonds Stadium (crowd: 24,331)	Report
Saturday, 30 July (1:45 pm)	Greater Western Sydney 17.9 (111)	def.	Richmond 3.5 (23)	Manuka Oval (crowd: 14,974)	Report
Saturday, 30 July (2:10 pm)	Hawthorn 10.14 (74)	def.	Carlton 7.13 (55)	Aurora Stadium (crowd: 18,112)	Report
Saturday, 30 July (4:35 pm)	Collingwood 13.13 (91)	def.	West Coast 11.6 (72)	MCG (crowd: 34,929)	Report
Saturday, 30 July (7:25 pm)	North Melbourne 12.13 (85)	def.	St Kilda 8.14 (62)	Etihad Stadium (crowd: 44,287)	Report
Saturday, 30 July (7:25 pm)	Brisbane Lions 11.13 (79)	def. by	Port Adelaide 25.23 (173)	Gabba (crowd: 13,085)	Report
Sunday, 31 July (1:10 pm)	Melbourne 9.12 (66)	def.	Gold Coast 9.10 (64)	MCG (crowd: 20,627)	Report
Sunday, 31 July (1:20 pm)	Fremantle 7.5 (47)	def. by	Sydney 21.11 (137)	Domain Stadium (crowd: 32,401)	Report
Sunday, 31 July (4:10 pm)	Adelaide 22.11 (143)	def.	Essendon 9.7 (61)	Adelaide Oval (crowd: 44,264)	Report
Corey Enright played his 326th game and became the games record holder for Geelong.[43] The crowd of 14,974 for Greater Western Sydney vs. Richmond is the highest ever crowd at Manuka Oval for an AFL game.[44] Richmond's score of 3.5 (23) is the lowest score kicked at Manuka Oval, the lowest score kicked against Greater Western Sydney.[45] Greater Western Sydney's winning margin of 88 is the biggest winning margin at Manuka Oval.[46] Brent Harvey of North Melbourne became the VFL/AFL games record holder after surpassing Michael Tuck's previous record of 426 games.[47] Port Adelaide's score of 25.23 (173) is the highest score the Brisbane Lions has conceded at the Gabba.[48] Port Adelaide's score of 25.23 (173) and their winning margin of 94 is their highest score and greatest winning margin outside of South Australia.[49] The crowd of 44,287 for North Melbourne vs St Kilda is the highest ever for a home and away game between these two clubs.[50]

Round 20

	Round 20
Friday, 5 August (7:50 pm)	Richmond 14.8 (92)	def.	Collingwood 11.11 (77)	MCG (crowd: 49,122)	Report
Saturday, 6 August (1:45 pm)	Sydney 14.16 (100)	def.	Port Adelaide 4.9 (33)	SCG (crowd: 30,204)	Report
Saturday, 6 August (2:10 pm)	Melbourne 17.8 (110)	def.	Hawthorn 11.15 (81)	MCG (crowd: 38,818)	Report
Saturday, 6 August (4:35 pm)	Gold Coast 13.6 (84)	def. by	Greater Western Sydney 14.8 (92)	Metricon Stadium (crowd: 9,108)	Report
Saturday, 6 August (7:25 pm)	Western Bulldogs 9.7 (61)	def.	North Melbourne 7.5 (47)	Etihad Stadium (crowd: 30,740)	Report
Saturday, 6 August (7:10 pm)	Adelaide 27.15 (177)	def.	Brisbane Lions 6.3 (39)	Adelaide Oval (crowd: 43,549)	Report
Sunday, 7 August (1:10 pm)	Carlton 7.9 (51)	def. by	St Kilda 19.8 (122)	MCG (crowd: 37,797)	Report
Sunday, 7 August (3:20 pm)	Geelong 15.10 (100)	def.	Essendon 4.10 (34)	Etihad Stadium (crowd: 29,254)	Report
Sunday, 7 August (2:40 pm)	Fremantle 9.10 (64)	def. by	West Coast 17.8 (110)	Domain Stadium (crowd: 36,215)	Report
Port Adelaide's score of 4.9 (33) is their lowest against Sydney[51] and their lowest score at the SCG.[52] Melbourne defeated Hawthorn for the first time since round 8, 2006, ending a thirteen match losing streak.[53] Adelaide's score of 27.15 (177) is the highest AFL score at Adelaide Oval[54] and both their biggest score and win against the Brisbane Lions.[55] Essendon's score of 4.10 (34) is their lowest score at Etihad Stadium.[56]

Round 21

	Round 21
Friday, 12 August (7:50 pm)	Western Bulldogs 14.11 (95)	def.	Collingwood 14.8 (92)	Etihad Stadium (crowd: 35,010)	Report
Saturday, 13 August (1:45 pm)	Brisbane Lions 15.9 (99)	def.	Carlton 13.17 (95)	Gabba (crowd: 17,432)	Report
Saturday, 13 August (2:10 pm)	Hawthorn 14.12 (96)	def.	North Melbourne 8.9 (57)	MCG (crowd: 50,657)	Report
Saturday, 13 August (4:35 pm)	Greater Western Sydney 14.12 (96)	def. by	West Coast 14.13 (97)	Spotless Stadium (crowd: 10,385)	Report
Saturday, 13 August (7:25 pm)	St Kilda 11.10 (76)	def. by	Sydney 23.8 (146)	Etihad Stadium (crowd: 33,059)	Report
Saturday, 13 August (7:10 pm)	Port Adelaide 8.6 (54)	def. by	Melbourne 13.16 (94)	Adelaide Oval (crowd: 33,426)	Report
Sunday, 14 August (1:10 pm)	Essendon 11.9 (75)	def.	Gold Coast 9.15 (69)	Etihad Stadium (crowd: 16,622)	Report
Sunday, 14 August (3:20 pm)	Richmond 12.6 (78)	def. by	Geelong 10.22 (82)	MCG (crowd: 45,567)	Report
Sunday, 14 August (2:40 pm)	Fremantle 11.4 (70)	def. by	Adelaide 21.16 (142)	Domain Stadium (crowd: 30,116)	Report
Melbourne defeated Port Adelaide in South Australia for the first time since round 8, 2000, ending an eleven match losing streak.[57] Essendon broke a club record 17-match losing streak with their win over Gold Coast.[58][59]

Round 22

	Round 22
Friday, 19 August (6:10 pm)	West Coast 13.14 (92)	def.	Hawthorn 10.7 (67)	Domain Stadium (crowd: 38,581)	Report
Saturday, 20 August (1:45 pm)	North Melbourne 10.16 (76)	def. by	Sydney 12.13 (85)	Blundstone Arena (crowd: 16,495)	Report
Saturday, 20 August (2:10 pm)	Richmond 6.10 (46)	def. by	St Kilda 7.13 (55)	MCG (crowd: 35,255)	Report
Saturday, 20 August (4:35 pm)	Greater Western Sydney 19.15 (129)	def.	Fremantle 5.7 (37)	Spotless Stadium (crowd: 9,556)	Report
Saturday, 20 August (7:25 pm)	Collingwood 16.22 (118)	def.	Gold Coast 6.11 (47)	Etihad Stadium (crowd: 17,644)	Report
Saturday, 20 August (7:10 pm)	Port Adelaide 14.10 (94)	def. by	Adelaide 15.19 (109)	Adelaide Oval (crowd: 49,541)	Report
Sunday, 21 August (1:10 pm)	Carlton 11.12 (78)	def.	Melbourne 7.16 (58)	MCG (crowd: 40,693)	Report
Sunday, 21 August (3:20 pm)	Brisbane Lions 10.9 (69)	def. by	Geelong 19.15 (129)	Gabba (crowd: 20,477)	Report
Sunday, 21 August (4:40 pm)	Essendon 7.11 (53)	def. by	Western Bulldogs 14.9 (93)	Etihad Stadium (crowd: 25,308)	Report
The crowd of 17,644 for the match between Collingwood and Gold Coast at Etihad Stadium is the lowest for a Collingwood home game since round 21, 1989.[60]

Round 23

	Round 23
Friday, 26 August (7:40 pm)	Adelaide 10.11 (71)	def. by	West Coast 14.16 (100)	Adelaide Oval (crowd: 50,785)	Report
Saturday, 27 August (1:45 pm)	Geelong 24.11 (155)	def.	Melbourne 6.8 (44)	Simonds Stadium (crowd: 24,413)	Report
Saturday, 27 August (2:10 pm)	Essendon 15.13 (103)	def.	Carlton 10.19 (79)	MCG (crowd: 46,566)	Report
Saturday, 27 August (4:35 pm)	Sydney 25.14 (164)	def.	Richmond 7.9 (51)	SCG (crowd: 36,570)	Report
Saturday, 27 August (7:25 pm)	North Melbourne 9.9 (63)	def. by	Greater Western Sydney 14.16 (100)	Etihad Stadium (crowd: 22,295)	Report
Saturday, 27 August (7:25 pm)	Gold Coast 9.12 (66)	def. by	Port Adelaide 13.11 (89)	Metricon Stadium (crowd: 9,213)	Report
Sunday, 28 August (1:10 pm)	St Kilda 25.11 (161)	def.	Brisbane Lions 15.13 (103)	Etihad Stadium (crowd: 21,834)	Report
Sunday, 28 August (3:20 pm)	Hawthorn 17.10 (112)	def.	Collingwood 17.9 (111)	MCG (crowd: 52,968)	Report
Sunday, 28 August (2:40 pm)	Fremantle 10.9 (69)	def.	Western Bulldogs 6.13 (49)	Domain Stadium (crowd: 34,765)	Report

Win/loss table

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22	23	F1	F2	F3	GF	Ladder
Adelaide	NM 10	PA 58	Rich 36	Syd 10	Haw 3	Frem 33	WB 15	Geel 26	GCS 75	GWS 22	StK 88	WCE 29	X	NM 33	Melb 22	Carl 60	Coll 28	Geel 30	Ess 82	BL 138	Frem 72	PA 15	WCE 29	NM 62	Syd 36	X	X	5
Brisbane Lions	WCE 64	NM 34	Geel 69	GCS 13	WB 53	Syd 3	PA 77	Coll 78	Melb 63	Haw 48	Carl 38	Frem 83	WCE 49	Rich 42	X	GCS 26	GWS 79	Ess 37	PA 94	Adel 138	Carl 4	Geel 60	StK 58	X	X	X	X	17
Carlton	Rich 9	Syd 60	GCS 54	WB 36	Frem 4	Ess 15	Coll 15	PA 2	NM 67	Geel 19	BL 38	StK 32	X	GWS 62	Coll 12	Adel 60	WCE 7	Syd 6	Haw 19	StK 71	BL 4	Melb 20	Ess 24	X	X	X	X	14
Collingwood	Syd 80	Rich 1	StK 29	Melb 35	Ess 69	WCE 62	Carl 15	BL 78	Geel 24	WB 21	PA 67	Melb 46	X	Frem 48	Carl 12	GWS 32	Adel 28	NM 40	WCE 19	Rich 15	WB 3	GCS 71	Haw 1	X	X	X	X	12
Essendon	GCS 61	Melb 13	PA 61	Geel 30	Coll 69	Carl 15	Syd 81	NM 14	StK 46	Rich 38	Frem 79	Haw 108	GWS 27	X	WCE 78	StK 11	Rich 19	BL 37	Adel 82	Geel 66	GCS 6	WB 40	Carl 24	X	X	X	X	18
Fremantle	WB 65	GCS 26	WCE 33	NM 31	Carl 4	Adel 33	GWS 18	Haw 41	Rich 38	StK 34	Ess 79	BL 83	PA 17	Coll 48	X	Melb 32	Geel 17	GCS 24	Syd 90	WCE 46	Adel 72	GWS 92	WB 20	X	X	X	X	16
Geelong	Haw 30	GWS 13	BL 69	Ess 30	PA 48	GCS 120	WCE 44	Adel 26	Coll 24	Carl 19	GWS 10	NM 31	WB 57	StK 3	X	Syd 38	Frem 17	Adel 30	WB 25	Ess 66	Rich 4	BL 60	Melb 111	Haw 2	X	Syd 37	X	2
Gold Coast	Ess 61	Frem 26	Carl 54	BL 13	NM 38	Geel 120	Melb 73	GWS 91	Adel 75	WCE 77	Syd 38	Rich 17	X	Haw 26	StK 40	BL 26	WB 48	Frem 24	Melb 2	GWS 8	Ess 6	Coll 71	PA 23	X	X	X	X	15
Greater Western Sydney	Melb 2	Geel 13	Syd 25	PA 86	StK 47	Haw 75	Frem 18	GCS 91	WB 25	Adel 22	Geel 10	Syd 42	Ess 27	Carl 62	X	Coll 32	BL 79	PA 19	Rich 88	GCS 8	WCE 1	Frem 92	NM 37	Syd 36	X	WB 6	X	4
Hawthorn	Geel 30	WCE 46	WB 3	StK 3	Adel 3	GWS 75	Rich 46	Frem 41	Syd 14	BL 48	Melb 18	Ess 108	NM 9	GCS 26	X	PA 22	Syd 5	Rich 70	Carl 19	Melb 29	NM 39	WCE 25	Coll 1	Geel 2	WB 23	X	X	3
Melbourne	GWS 2	Ess 13	NM 5	Coll 35	Rich 33	StK 39	GCS 73	WB 32	BL 63	PA 45	Haw 18	Coll 46	Syd 55	X	Adel 22	Frem 32	StK 36	WCE 6	GCS 2	Haw 29	PA 40	Carl 20	Geel 111	X	X	X	X	11
North Melbourne	Adel 10	BL 34	Melb 5	Frem 31	GCS 38	WB 16	StK 7	Ess 14	Carl 67	Syd 26	Rich 70	Geel 31	Haw 9	Adel 33	X	WCE 32	PA 28	Coll 40	StK 23	WB 14	Haw 39	Syd 9	GWS 37	Adel 62	X	X	X	8
Port Adelaide	StK 33	Adel 58	Ess 61	GWS 86	Geel 48	Rich 35	BL 77	Carl 2	WCE 8	Melb 45	Coll 67	WB 3	Frem 17	X	Rich 38	Haw 22	NM 28	GWS 19	BL 94	Syd 67	Melb 40	Adel 15	GCS 23	X	X	X	X	10
Richmond	Carl 9	Coll 1	Adel 36	WCE 68	Melb 33	PA 35	Haw 46	Syd 1	Frem 38	Ess 38	NM 70	GCS 17	X	BL 42	PA 38	WB 10	Ess 19	Haw 70	GWS 88	Coll 15	Geel 4	StK 9	Syd 113	X	X	X	X	13
St Kilda	PA 33	WB 57	Coll 29	Haw 3	GWS 47	Melb 39	NM 7	WCE 103	Ess 46	Frem 34	Adel 88	Carl 32	X	Geel 3	GCS 40	Ess 11	Melb 36	WB 15	NM 23	Carl 71	Syd 70	Rich 9	BL 58	X	X	X	X	9
Sydney	Coll 80	Carl 60	GWS 25	Adel 10	WCE 39	BL 3	Ess 81	Rich 1	Haw 14	NM 26	GCS 38	GWS 42	Melb 55	X	WB 4	Geel 38	Haw 5	Carl 6	Frem 90	PA 67	StK 70	NM 9	Rich 113	GWS 36	Adel 36	Geel 37	WB 22	1
West Coast	BL 64	Haw 46	Frem 33	Rich 68	Syd 39	Coll 62	Geel 44	StK 103	PA 8	GCS 77	WB 8	Adel 29	BL 49	X	Ess 78	NM 32	Carl 7	Melb 6	Coll 19	Frem 46	GWS 1	Haw 25	Adel 29	WB 47	X	X	X	6
Western Bulldogs	Frem 65	StK 57	Haw 3	Carl 36	BL 53	NM 16	Adel 15	Melb 32	GWS 25	Coll 21	WCE 8	PA 3	Geel 57	X	Syd 4	Rich 10	GCS 48	StK 15	Geel 25	NM 14	Coll 3	Ess 40	Frem 20	WCE 47	Haw 23	GWS 6	Syd 22	7 (P)
Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22	23	F1	F2	F3	GF	Ladder

+	Win		Qualified for finals
-	Loss	X	Bye
	Draw		Eliminated

Bold – Home game
X – Bye
Opponent for round listed above margin

Ladder

Pos	Team	Pld	W	L	D	PF	PA	PP	Pts	Qualification
1	Sydney	22	17	5	0	2221	1469	151.2	68	2016 finals
2	Geelong	22	17	5	0	2235	1554	143.8	68
3	Hawthorn	22	17	5	0	2134	1800	118.6	68
4	Greater Western Sydney	22	16	6	0	2380	1663	143.1	64
5	Adelaide	22	16	6	0	2483	1795	138.3	64
6	West Coast	22	16	6	0	2181	1678	130.0	64
7	Western Bulldogs (P)	22	15	7	0	1857	1609	115.4	60
8	North Melbourne	22	12	10	0	1956	1859	105.2	48
9	St Kilda	22	12	10	0	1953	2041	95.7	48
10	Port Adelaide	22	10	12	0	2055	1939	106.0	40
11	Melbourne	22	10	12	0	1944	1991	97.6	40
12	Collingwood	22	9	13	0	1910	1998	95.6	36
13	Richmond	22	8	14	0	1713	2155	79.5	32
14	Carlton	22	7	15	0	1568	1978	79.3	28
15	Gold Coast	22	6	16	0	1778	2273	78.2	24
16	Fremantle	22	4	18	0	1574	2119	74.3	16
17	Brisbane Lions	22	3	19	0	1770	2872	61.6	12
18	Essendon	22	3	19	0	1437	2356	61.0	12

Source: AFL
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) percentage; 3) number of points for.
(P) Premiers

Ladder progression

• Numbers highlighted in green indicates the team finished the round inside the top 8.
• Numbers highlighted in blue indicates the team finished in first place on the ladder in that round.
• Numbers highlighted in red indicates the team finished in last place on the ladder in that round.
• Underlined numbers indicates the team did not play during that round, either due to a bye or a postponed game.
• Subscript numbers indicate ladder position at round's end.

Points by round

Team ╲ Round	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22	23
Sydney	42	82	121	123	163	203	243	244	284	322	362	363	402	402	404	442	445	483	523	562	602	641	681
Geelong	45	46	85	124	164	202	242	282	282	283	323	362	401	403	402	406	447	484	524	565	604	643	682
Hawthorn	014	47	89	128	165	168	206	246	247	287	325	365	404	441	441	481	521	561	601	601	641	644	683
Greater Western Sydney	010	49	411	89	126	165	205	243	283	284	286	326	365	404	403	407	444	482	522	564	565	605	644
Adelaide	011	45	86	127	129	167	168	168	208	248	288	327	328	368	405	443	482	486	525	563	603	642	645
West Coast	44	48	87	126	128	166	167	207	246	285	287	288	327	328	368	405	446	485	486	526	566	606	646
Western Bulldogs	41	81	84	122	162	164	204	245	245	286	324	364	366	367	406	444	483	487	487	527	567	607	607
North Melbourne	48	84	123	161	201	241	281	321	361	361	401	401	403	405	407	408	408	448	488	488	488	488	488
St Kilda	013	018	413	412	413	812	813	814	1213	1613	1613	2012	2012	2412	2413	2812	3210	369	3610	409	4010	449	489
Port Adelaide	46	412	88	811	812	1211	1610	1610	1610	2010	249	249	249	249	289	289	329	3210	369	3610	3611	3611	4010
Melbourne	49	411	410	810	1210	129	169	169	209	209	2011	2410	2410	2410	2410	2810	2811	2811	3211	3611	409	4010	4011
Collingwood	017	414	414	415	811	813	814	1212	1611	1612	1612	1614	1614	2014	2411	2811	2812	2812	3212	3212	3212	3612	3612
Richmond	47	410	412	413	414	415	415	815	1214	1614	1614	2013	2013	2411	2412	2413	2813	2813	2813	3213	3213	3213	3213
Carlton	012	015	017	018	415	814	1212	1611	1612	2011	2410	2411	2411	2413	2414	2414	2414	2414	2415	2415	2415	2814	2814
Gold Coast	43	83	122	125	127	1210	1211	1213	1215	1215	1215	1215	1216	1216	1615	2015	2015	2415	2414	2414	2414	2415	2415
Fremantle	018	017	016	017	018	018	018	018	018	018	416	816	1215	1215	1216	1216	1216	1216	1216	1216	1216	1216	1616
Brisbane Lions	015	016	018	414	416	416	416	416	416	416	417	417	417	417	417	417	417	817	817	817	1217	1217	1217
Essendon	016	413	415	416	417	417	417	417	417	417	418	418	418	418	418	418	418	418	418	418	818	818	1218

Source: AFL Tables^[61]

Positions of teams round by round

Finals series

Main article: 2016 AFL finals series

	Qualifying and elimination finals					Semi-finals						Preliminary finals					Grand final
	10 Sep, ANZ Stadium
	1	Sydney	7.13 (55)
	4	Greater Western Sydney	12.19 (91)			17 Sep, SCG
						Sydney		18.10 (118)
	10 Sep, Adelaide Oval					Adelaide		12.10 (82)				24 Sep, Spotless Stadium
	5	Adelaide	21.15 (141)									Greater Western Sydney		12.11 (83)
	8	North Melbourne	12.7 (79)									Western Bulldogs		13.11 (89)			1 Oct, MCG
																	Sydney		10.7 (67)
	8 Sep, Domain Stadium											23 Sep, MCG					Western Bulldogs		13.11 (89)
	6	West Coast	7.10 (52)									Geelong		8.12 (60)
	7	Western Bulldogs	14.15 (99)			16 Sep, MCG						Sydney		15.7 (97)
						Hawthorn		12.12 (84)
	9 Sep, MCG					Western Bulldogs		16.11 (107)
	2	Geelong	12.13 (85)
	3	Hawthorn	12.11 (83)

Week one

	Qualifying finals
QF2: Friday, 9 September (7:50 pm)	Geelong 12.13 (85)	def.	Hawthorn 12.11 (83)	MCG (crowd: 87,533)	Report
QF1: Saturday, 10 September (3:20 pm)	Sydney 7.13 (55)	def. by	Greater Western Sydney 12.19 (91)	ANZ Stadium (crowd: 60,222)	Report

	Elimination finals
EF2: Thursday, 8 September (6:10 pm)	West Coast 7.10 (52)	def. by	Western Bulldogs 14.15 (99)	Domain Stadium (crowd: 42,079)	Report
EF1: Saturday, 10 September (7:10 pm)	Adelaide 21.15 (141)	def.	North Melbourne 12.7 (79)	Adelaide Oval (crowd: 49,007)	Report
The Western Bulldogs won their first week one final since 2006, and their first interstate final in the club's history. Greater Western Sydney won their first ever finals match.[62]

Week two

	Semi finals
SF2: Friday, 16 September (7:50 pm)	Hawthorn 12.12 (84)	def. by	Western Bulldogs 16.11 (107)	MCG (crowd: 87,823)	Report
SF1: Saturday, 17 September (7:25 pm)	Sydney 18.10 (118)	def.	Adelaide 12.10 (82)	SCG (crowd: 38,136)	Report

Week three

See also: 2016 AFL First Preliminary Final

	Preliminary finals
PF2: Friday, 23 September (7:50 pm)	Geelong 8.12 (60)	def. by	Sydney 15.7 (97)	MCG (crowd: 71,772)	Report
PF1: Saturday, 24 September (5:15 pm)	Greater Western Sydney 12.11 (83)	def. by	Western Bulldogs 13.11 (89)	Spotless Stadium (crowd: 21,790)	Report
With both Geelong and Greater Western Sydney losing, this was the first time under the final eight system in which both teams who won their respective qualifying finals failed to qualify for the grand final.[63] The crowd of 21,790 for the match between Greater Western Sydney and the Western Bulldogs is the highest ever crowd for an AFL game at Spotless Stadium.[64] The Greater Western Sydney and Western Bulldogs match was the second-most watched game in AFL history outside a grand final with an average viewership of 2.387 million people.[65] The Western Bulldogs qualified for their first grand final since 1961.[66] The Western Bulldogs became the first team to finish outside the top 4 in the home and away season under the current system to qualify for the Grand Final.

Week four

Main article: 2016 AFL Grand Final

	Grand Final
Saturday, 1 October (2:30 pm)	Sydney 10.7 (67)	def. by	Western Bulldogs 13.11 (89)	MCG (crowd: 99,981)	Report
The Western Bulldogs won their first premiership in sixty-two years, ending the then-longest active VFL/AFL premiership drought. The Western Bulldogs won from the seventh on the ladder after the regular season, the lowest position from which an AFL team had ever won the premiership. The Western Bulldogs became just the second club after Adelaide in 1997 to win four consecutive finals to win a premiership.

Attendances

By club

2016 AFL attendances

Club	Total	Games	Avg. per game	Home total	Home games	Home avg.
Adelaide	944,586	24	37,948	517,612	11	47,056
Brisbane Lions	504,110	22	22,914	187,816	11	17,074
Carlton	784,445	22	35,657	389,242	11	35,386
Collingwood	972,219	22	44,192	508,066	11	46,188
Essendon	802,059	22	36,457	371,015	11	33,729
Fremantle	574,588	22	26,118	345,575	11	31,416
Geelong	910,207	24	37,925	335,490	11	30,499
Gold Coast	351,648	22	15,984	127,168	11	11,561
Greater Western Sydney	485,219	24	20,217	135,664	11	12,333
Hawthorn	1,013,973	24	42,249	403,078	11	36,643
Melbourne	686,641	22	30,977	344,591	11	31,326
North Melbourne	720,874	23	31,342	309,881	11	28,171
Port Adelaide	694,948	22	31,589	436,310	11	39,665
Richmond	900,137	22	40,915	452,609	11	41,146
St Kilda	686,842	22	31,220	340,420	11	30,947
Sydney	966,681	26	37,180	367,679	11	33,425
West Coast	786,853	23	34,211	401,997	11	36,545
Western Bulldogs	954,452	26	36,710	337,685	11	30,699

By ground

2016 ground attendances

Ground	Total	Games	Avg. per game
Adelaide Oval	1,002,929	23	43,606
ANZ Stadium	60,222	1	60,222
Aurora Stadium	55,418	4	13,855
Blundstone Arena	46,946	3	15,649
Cazaly's Stadium	8,509	1	8,509
Domain Stadium	789,651	23	34,333
Etihad Stadium	1,392,126	46	30,264
Gabba	187,816	11	17,074
Manuka Oval	38,658	3	12,886
MCG	2,434,905	50	48,698
Metricon Stadium	127,168	11	11,561
Simonds Stadium	187,973	8	23,497
Spotless Stadium	118,796	9	13,200
SCG	405,815	12	33,818
TIO Stadium	8,163	1	8,163
TIO Traeger Park	5,146	1	5,146

Awards

• The Brownlow Medal was awarded to Patrick Dangerfield of Geelong, who received 35 votes. He broke Dane Swan's 2011 record for the most votes by any player under the 3-2-1 voting system, until the record was broken a year later by Dustin Martin.^[67][68]
• The Coleman Medal was awarded to Josh Kennedy of West Coast, who kicked 80 goals during the home and away season.^[69]
• The Ron Evans Medal was awarded to Callum Mills of Sydney, who received 49 votes.^[70]
• The Norm Smith Medal was awarded to Jason Johannisen of the Western Bulldogs.^[71]
• The AFL Goal of the Year was awarded to Eddie Betts of Adelaide for the second consecutive season.^[72]
• The AFL Mark of the Year was awarded to Majak Daw of North Melbourne.^[72]
• The McClelland Trophy was awarded to Sydney for the first time since 2014.^[73]
• The wooden spoon was "awarded" to Essendon for the first time since 1933, breaking an eighty-three-year drought.^[74]
• The AFL Players Association Awards
  • The Leigh Matthews Trophy was awarded to Patrick Dangerfield of Geelong.^[75]
  • The Robert Rose Award was awarded to Luke Parker of Sydney for the second consecutive year.^[76]
  • The best captain was awarded to Taylor Walker of Adelaide.^[77]
  • The best first year player was awarded to Callum Mills of Sydney.^[78]
  • The 22under22 team captaincy was awarded to Marcus Bontempelli of the Western Bulldogs.^[79]
• The AFL Coaches Association Awards
  • The AFL Coaches Association Player of the Year Award was awarded to Patrick Dangerfield of Geelong, who received 121 votes.^[80]
  • The inaugural Gary Ayres Award for the best player in the finals series was awarded to Josh Kennedy of Sydney.^[81]
  • The Allan Jeans Senior Coach of the Year Award was awarded to Luke Beveridge of the Western Bulldogs for the second consecutive year.^[82]
  • The Assistant Coach of the Year Award was awarded to Stuart Dew of Sydney.
  • The Career and Development Coach of the Year Award was awarded to Andrew McQualter of Richmond and Danny Sexton of St Kilda.
  • The Lifetime Achievement Award was awarded to Mark Williams.
  • The Best Young Player Award was awarded to Isaac Heeney of Sydney.^[83]
  • The Media Award was awarded to Gerard Whateley for his work on Fox Footy and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
• The Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award was awarded to Jimmy Bartel of Geelong.^[84]

Milestones

Name	Club	Milestone	Round	Ref.
Michael Rischitelli	Gold Coast	200 AFL games	Round 1	[85]
Leigh Montagna	St Kilda	250 AFL games	Round 1	[86]
Nick Riewoldt	St Kilda	300 AFL games	Round 2	[87]
Matt Priddis	West Coast	200 AFL games	Round 3	[88]
Joel Patfull	Greater Western Sydney	200 AFL games	Round 4	[89]
Shaun Burgoyne	Hawthorn	300 AFL games	Round 5	[90]
Rodney Eade	Gold Coast	600 AFL games played/coached	Round 5	[91]
Drew Petrie	North Melbourne	300 AFL games	Round 7	[92]
Nick Malceski	Gold Coast	200 AFL games	Round 8	[93]
Kade Simpson	Carlton	250 AFL games	Round 8	[94]
Jordan Lewis	Hawthorn	250 AFL games	Round 10	[95]
John Worsfold	Essendon	500 AFL games played/coached	Round 10	[96]
Brent Harvey	North Melbourne	500 AFL goals	Round 11	[97]
Josh Gibson	Hawthorn	200 AFL games	Round 11	[98]
Heath Grundy	Sydney	200 AFL games	Round 13	[99]
Bryce Gibbs	Carlton	200 AFL games	Round 14	[100]
Andrew Walker	Carlton	200 AFL games	Round 15	[101]
Kieren Jack	Sydney	200 AFL games	Round 16	[102]
Andrew Swallow	North Melbourne	200 AFL games	Round 16	[103]
Andrew Mackie	Geelong	250 AFL games	Round 17	[104]
Scott Thompson	Adelaide	300 AFL games	Round 17	[105]
Sam Mitchell	Hawthorn	300 AFL games	Round 18	[106]
Jimmy Bartel	Geelong	300 AFL games	Round 19	[107]
Brent Harvey	North Melbourne	427 AFL games (league record)	Round 19	[108]
Matthew Pavlich	Fremantle	350 AFL games	Round 19	[109]
Justin Westhoff	Port Adelaide	200 AFL games	Round 20	[110]
John Worsfold	Essendon	300 AFL games coached	Round 20	[111]
Jack Riewoldt	Richmond	200 AFL games	Round 21	[112]
Harry Taylor	Geelong	200 AFL games	Round 21	[113]
David Mundy	Fremantle	250 AFL games	Round 22	[114]
Eddie Betts	Adelaide	250 AFL games	Round 22	[115]
Adam Cooney	Essendon	250 AFL games	Round 22	[116]
Mathew Stokes	Essendon	200 AFL games	Round 22	[117]
Dale Thomas	Carlton	200 AFL games	Round 23	[118]
Daniel Merrett	Brisbane Lions	200 AFL games	Round 23	[119]
Matthew Pavlich	Fremantle	700 AFL goals	Round 23	[120]
Shannon Hurn	West Coast	200 AFL games	Finals week 1	[121]

Coleman Medal

See also: Coleman Medal

• Numbers highlighted in blue indicates the player led the Coleman that round.
• Underlined numbers indicates the player did not play that round.

	Player	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22	23	Total
1	Josh J. Kennedy	88	19	110	212	214	317	320	525	732	537	138	341	546	046	349	453	255	358	260	767	370	575	580	80
2	Lance Franklin	44	48	412	416	218	523	629	534	337	340	141	243	447	047	552	153	053	457	259	261	667	067	774	74
3	Eddie Betts	11	56	39	413	316	420	020	222	022	527	128	533	033	235	338	341	344	145	550	454	660	565	166	66
	Tom Lynch	44	59	413	518	422	224	428	230	232	234	135	439	039	342	143	548	351	455	257	461	263	265	166
5	Josh Jenkins	55	49	110	111	213	215	823	225	126	127	734	337	037	138	240	343	144	347	249	352	557	259	360	60
6	Tom Hawkins	22	35	49	09	110	414	317	017	421	122	224	024	428	331	031	233	134	438	240	343	144	246	652	52
7	Jeremy Cameron	00	00	00	00	55	38	19	716	521	122	022	123	225	328	028	533	336	238	240	444	145	348	149	49
8	Jack Riewoldt	22	35	16	410	313	316	319	120	222	224	226	127	027	431	435	237	037	239	241	445	146	147	148	48
	Jack Gunston	33	14	26	06	17	512	416	319	423	225	328	432	032	133	033	336	238	341	142	244	145	247	148
10	Tim Membrey	00	00	00	00	00	55	38	08	311	314	115	520	00	121	223	528	432	234	034	539	140	242	244	44
	Cyril Rioli	00	44	37	18	412	113	114	014	115	519	120	323	225	025	025	328	230	334	034	438	341	044	344

Best and fairest

Club	Award name	Player	Ref.
Adelaide	Malcolm Blight Medal	Rory Sloane	[122]
Brisbane Lions	Merrett–Murray Medal	Dayne Zorko	[123]
Carlton	John Nicholls Medal	Sam Docherty	[124]
Collingwood	Copeland Trophy	Scott Pendlebury	[125]
Essendon	W. S. Crichton Medal	Zach Merrett	[126]
Fremantle	Doig Medal	Lachie Neale	[127]
Geelong	Carji Greeves Medal	Patrick Dangerfield	[128]
Gold Coast	Club Champion	Tom Lynch	[129]
Greater Western Sydney	Kevin Sheedy Medal	Toby Greene	[130]
Hawthorn	Peter Crimmins Medal	Sam Mitchell	[131]
Melbourne	Keith 'Bluey' Truscott Medal	Jack Viney	[132]
North Melbourne	Syd Barker Medal	Robbie Tarrant	[133]
Port Adelaide	John Cahill Medal	Robbie Gray	[134]
Richmond	Jack Dyer Medal	Dustin Martin	[135]
St Kilda	Trevor Barker Award	Jack Steven	[136]
Sydney	Bob Skilton Medal	Josh Kennedy	[137]
West Coast	John Worsfold Medal	Luke Shuey	[138]
Western Bulldogs	Charles Sutton Medal	Marcus Bontempelli	[139]

Club leadership

Club	Coach	Captain(s)	Vice-captain(s)	Leadership group	Reference
Adelaide	Don Pyke	Taylor Walker		Richard Douglas, Sam Jacobs, Rory Sloane, Daniel Talia, Scott Thompson, Nathan van Berlo	[140][141]
Brisbane Lions	Justin Leppitsch	Tom Rockliff	Pearce Hanley, Daniel Rich, Dayne Zorko, Dayne Beams, Daniel Merrett		[142]
Carlton	Brendon Bolton	Marc Murphy	Kade Simpson	Patrick Cripps, Ed Curnow, Sam Docherty, Bryce Gibbs, Andrew Walker	[143]
Collingwood	Nathan Buckley	Scott Pendlebury	Nathan Brown, Steele Sidebottom, Taylor Adams, Brent Macaffer		[144]
Essendon	John Worsfold	Brendon Goddard	Mark Baguley	Joe Daniher, James Gwilt, Zach Merrett, David Zaharakis	[145][146]
Fremantle	Ross Lyon	David Mundy		Nat Fyfe, Aaron Sandilands, Lee Spurr, Matthew Pavlich, Michael Johnson	[147][148]
Geelong	Chris Scott	Joel Selwood	Harry Taylor	Mark Blicavs, Patrick Dangerfield, Mitch Duncan, Tom Hawkins	[149]
Gold Coast	Rodney Eade	Gary Ablett	Tom Lynch, Dion Prestia, Steven May	Nick Malceski, Michael Rischitelli, David Swallow, Jarrod Harbrow, Matt Rosa, Jaeger O'Meara	[150]
Greater Western Sydney	Leon Cameron	Phil Davis Callan Ward	Heath Shaw	Matthew Buntine, Stephen Coniglio, Dylan Shiel, Devon Smith	[151]
Hawthorn	Alastair Clarkson	Luke Hodge		Jarryd Roughead, Jordan Lewis, Sam Mitchell, Josh Gibson, Isaac Smith	[152]
Melbourne	Paul Roos	Nathan Jones		Max Gawn, Colin Garland, Jack Viney, Bernie Vince, Tom McDonald	[153][154]
North Melbourne	Brad Scott	Andrew Swallow	Jack Ziebell	Shaun Higgins, Jamie Macmillan, Scott Thompson	[155]
Port Adelaide	Ken Hinkley	Travis Boak	Hamish Hartlett	Brad Ebert, Jack Hombsch, Tom Jonas, Matthew Lobbe, Justin Westhoff, Ollie Wines	[156]
Richmond	Damien Hardwick	Trent Cotchin	Brett Deledio, Ivan Maric	Alex Rance, Shane Edwards	[157]
St Kilda	Alan Richardson	Nick Riewoldt		David Armitage, Sean Dempster, Jarryn Geary, Leigh Montagna, Jack Newnes, Jack Steven, Maverick Weller	[158]
Sydney	John Longmire	Kieren Jack Jarrad McVeigh		Heath Grundy, Dan Hannebery, Josh Kennedy, Luke Parker, Dane Rampe, Nick Smith	[159]
West Coast	Adam Simpson	Shannon Hurn	Josh Kennedy	Eric Mackenzie, Matt Priddis, Luke Shuey	[160]
Western Bulldogs	Luke Beveridge	Robert Murphy	Easton Wood	Matthew Boyd, Marcus Bontempelli, Dale Morris	[161]

Coach changes

Coach	Club	Date	Notes	Caretaker	New coach
Paul Roos	Melbourne	27 August 2016	Retired at the end of the season as part of a succession plan[162]	—	Simon Goodwin
Justin Leppitsch	Brisbane Lions	29 August 2016	Sacked following continued poor on-field performances in 2016[163]	—	Chris Fagan

Club financials

2016 AFL membership figures

Club	Members[164]	Change from 2015	% change from 2015
Adelaide	54,307	1,387	2.62%
Brisbane Lions	23,286	2,122	8.35%
Carlton	50,130	2,825	5.97%
Collingwood	74,643	394	0.53%
Essendon	57,494	3,324	5.47%
Fremantle	51,889	456	0.89%
Geelong	50,571	6,259	14.12%
Gold Coast	12,854	789	5.78%
Greater Western Sydney	15,312	1,832	15.59%
Hawthorn	75,351	2,427	3.33%
Melbourne	39,146	3,193	8.88%
North Melbourne	45,014	4,002	9.78%
Port Adelaide	53,743	314	0.58%
Richmond	72,278	1,469	2.07%
St Kilda	38,009	5,263	16.07%
Sydney	56,523	7,687	15.74%
West Coast	65,188	4,967	8.25%
Western Bulldogs	39,459	4,237	12.03%
Total	875,197	39,061	4.67%

Notable events

Essendon supplements scandal

See also: Essendon Football Club supplements saga

On 12 January 2016, after appealing the AFL anti-doping tribunal's verdict that 34 past and present Essendon players were found not guilty of taking an illegal substance during the 2012 season, the Court of Arbitration for Sport returned a final verdict of guilty; as a result, these players, including twelve still at the club, five at another as well as 17 players who are currently playing at lower levels or have retired altogether, were suspended for the entire season.^[165]