2016 AFL season

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

2016 AFL premiership season
Teams18
PremiersWestern Bulldogs
2nd premiership
Minor premiersSydney
9th minor premiership
Brownlow MedallistPatrick Dangerfield
Geelong (35 votes)
Coleman MedallistJosh Kennedy
West Coast (80 goals)
Attendance
Matches played207
Total attendance6,870,241 (33,190 per match)
Highest (H&A)85,082 (round 5, Collingwood v Essendon)
Highest (finals)99,981 (Grand Final, Sydney vs. Western Bulldogs)
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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.

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

NAB Challenge

Main article: 2016 NAB Challenge

For the third consecutive year, the NAB Challenge series took place, featuring 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 super goal was retained for these pre-season matches.

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.[1]
  • 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.[2]
  • A stricter interpretation of the existing "deliberate out of bounds" rule is to be applied.[2]
  • 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.[3]
  • 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.[2]
  • 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.[4] 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.[5]
  • 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.[6]
  • All matches during rounds 13, 14 and 15 (the bye rounds) featured a trial of officiating matches with four field umpires instead of three.[7]

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.[8]
  • 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.[9]
  • 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.[10] The New Zealand Anzac Day match was scrapped from the fixture.[11]
  • 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.[12]
  • 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.[13]
  • The inclusion of the first ever AFL sanctioned LGBT pride game for premiership points was held in round 21 between St Kilda and Sydney.[14]
  • 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.[15] 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.[16]
  • 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[13] (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

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

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[13] (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.[19][20]

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

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.[26]
  • 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.[27]

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

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

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

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

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.[36]
  • Collingwood's win against Fremantle was their 1500th win in their VFL/AFL history.[36]
  • Fremantle's score of 5.7 (37) is its lowest score against Collingwood and their lowest score at the MCG.[17][37]
  • This round was the lowest attended round by average crowds since round 19, 1996, and the lowest attended round overall since round 6, 1994.[38]

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.[39]
  • The Brisbane Lions lost a club record 12th consecutive match.[40]
  • 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.[40]
  • 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.[41]

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[13] (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

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

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

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

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 ╲ Round1234567891011121314151617181920212223
Sydney4282121123163203243244284322362363402402404442445483523562602641681
Geelong454685124164202242282282283323362401403402406447484524565604643682
Hawthorn0144789128165168206246247287325365404441441481521561601601641644683
Greater Western Sydney0104941189126165205243283284286326365404403407444482522564565605644
Adelaide0114586127129167168168208248288327328368405443482486525563603642645
West Coast444887126128166167207246285287288327328368405446485486526566606646
Western Bulldogs418184122162164204245245286324364366367406444483487487527567607607
North Melbourne4884123161201241281321361361401401403405407408408448488488488488488
St Kilda01301841341241381281381412131613161320122012241224132812321036936104094010449489
Port Adelaide46412888118121211161016101610201024924924924928928932932103693610361136114010
Melbourne494114108101210129169169209209201124102410241024102810281128113211361140940104011
Collingwood0174144144158118138141212161116121612161416142014241128112812281232123212321236123612
Richmond47410412413414415415815121416141614201320132411241224132813281328133213321332133213
Carlton01201501701841581412121611161220112410241124112413241424142414241424152415241528142814
Gold Coast4383122125127121012111213121512151215121512161216161520152015241524142414241424152415
Fremantle01801701601701801801801801801841681612151215121612161216121612161216121612161616
Brisbane Lions015016018414416416416416416416417417417417417417417817817817121712171217
Essendon0164134154164174174174174174174184184184184184184184184184188188181218
Source: AFL Tables[60]

Positions of teams round by round

Finals series

Main article: 2016 AFL finals series
Qualifying and elimination finalsSemi-finalsPreliminary finalsGrand final
10 Sep, ANZ Stadium
1Sydney7.13 (55)
4Greater Western Sydney12.19 (91)17 Sep, SCG
Sydney18.10 (118)
10 Sep, Adelaide OvalAdelaide12.10 (82)24 Sep, Spotless Stadium
5Adelaide21.15 (141)Greater Western Sydney12.11 (83)
8North Melbourne12.7 (79)Western Bulldogs13.11 (89)1 Oct, MCG
Sydney10.7 (67)
8 Sep, Domain Stadium23 Sep, MCGWestern Bulldogs13.11 (89)
6West Coast7.10 (52)Geelong8.12 (60)
7Western Bulldogs14.15 (99)16 Sep, MCGSydney15.7 (97)
Hawthorn12.12 (84)
9 Sep, MCGWestern Bulldogs16.11 (107)
2Geelong12.13 (85)
3Hawthorn12.11 (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.[61]

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.[62]
  • 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.[63]
  • 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.[64]
  • The Western Bulldogs qualified for their first grand final since 1961.[65]
  • 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

Milestones

Name Club Milestone Round Ref.
Michael Rischitelli Gold Coast 200 AFL games Round 1 [84]
Leigh Montagna St Kilda 250 AFL games Round 1 [85]
Nick Riewoldt St Kilda 300 AFL games Round 2 [86]
Matt Priddis West Coast 200 AFL games Round 3 [87]
Joel Patfull Greater Western Sydney 200 AFL games Round 4 [88]
Shaun Burgoyne Hawthorn 300 AFL games Round 5 [89]
Rodney Eade Gold Coast 600 AFL games played/coached Round 5 [90]
Drew Petrie North Melbourne 300 AFL games Round 7 [91]
Nick Malceski Gold Coast 200 AFL games Round 8 [92]
Kade Simpson Carlton 250 AFL games Round 8 [93]
Jordan Lewis Hawthorn 250 AFL games Round 10 [94]
John Worsfold Essendon 500 AFL games played/coached Round 10 [95]
Brent Harvey North Melbourne 500 AFL goals Round 11 [96]
Josh Gibson Hawthorn 200 AFL games Round 11 [97]
Heath Grundy Sydney 200 AFL games Round 13 [98]
Bryce Gibbs Carlton 200 AFL games Round 14 [99]
Andrew Walker Carlton 200 AFL games Round 15 [100]
Kieren Jack Sydney 200 AFL games Round 16 [101]
Andrew Swallow North Melbourne 200 AFL games Round 16 [102]
Andrew Mackie Geelong 250 AFL games Round 17 [103]
Scott Thompson Adelaide 300 AFL games Round 17 [104]
Sam Mitchell Hawthorn 300 AFL games Round 18 [105]
Jimmy Bartel Geelong 300 AFL games Round 19 [106]
Brent Harvey North Melbourne 427 AFL games (league record) Round 19 [107]
Matthew Pavlich Fremantle 350 AFL games Round 19 [108]
Justin Westhoff Port Adelaide 200 AFL games Round 20 [109]
John Worsfold Essendon 300 AFL games coached Round 20 [110]
Jack Riewoldt Richmond 200 AFL games Round 21 [111]
Harry Taylor Geelong 200 AFL games Round 21 [112]
David Mundy Fremantle 250 AFL games Round 22 [113]
Eddie Betts Adelaide 250 AFL games Round 22 [114]
Adam Cooney Essendon 250 AFL games Round 22 [115]
Mathew Stokes Essendon 200 AFL games Round 22 [116]
Dale Thomas Carlton 200 AFL games Round 23 [117]
Daniel Merrett Brisbane Lions 200 AFL games Round 23 [118]
Matthew Pavlich Fremantle 700 AFL goals Round 23 [119]
Shannon Hurn West Coast 200 AFL games Finals week 1 [120]

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 [121]
Brisbane Lions Merrett–Murray Medal Dayne Zorko [122]
Carlton John Nicholls Medal Sam Docherty [123]
Collingwood Copeland Trophy Scott Pendlebury [124]
Essendon W. S. Crichton Medal Zach Merrett [125]
Fremantle Doig Medal Lachie Neale [126]
Geelong Carji Greeves Medal Patrick Dangerfield [127]
Gold Coast Club Champion Tom Lynch [128]
Greater Western Sydney Kevin Sheedy Medal Toby Greene [129]
Hawthorn Peter Crimmins Medal Sam Mitchell [130]
Melbourne Keith 'Bluey' Truscott Medal Jack Viney [131]
North Melbourne Syd Barker Medal Robbie Tarrant [132]
Port Adelaide John Cahill Medal Robbie Gray [133]
Richmond Jack Dyer Medal Dustin Martin [134]
St Kilda Trevor Barker Award Jack Steven [135]
Sydney Bob Skilton Medal Josh Kennedy [136]
West Coast John Worsfold Medal Luke Shuey [137]
Western Bulldogs Charles Sutton Medal Marcus Bontempelli [138]

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 [139][140]
Brisbane Lions Justin Leppitsch Tom Rockliff Pearce Hanley, Daniel Rich, Dayne Zorko, Dayne Beams, Daniel Merrett [141]
Carlton Brendon Bolton Marc Murphy Kade Simpson Patrick Cripps, Ed Curnow, Sam Docherty, Bryce Gibbs, Andrew Walker [142]
Collingwood Nathan Buckley Scott Pendlebury Nathan Brown, Steele Sidebottom, Taylor Adams, Brent Macaffer [143]
Essendon John Worsfold Brendon Goddard Mark Baguley Joe Daniher, James Gwilt, Zach Merrett, David Zaharakis [144][145]
Fremantle Ross Lyon David Mundy Nat Fyfe, Aaron Sandilands, Lee Spurr, Matthew Pavlich, Michael Johnson [146][147]
Geelong Chris Scott Joel Selwood Harry Taylor Mark Blicavs, Patrick Dangerfield, Mitch Duncan, Tom Hawkins [148]
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 [149]
Greater Western Sydney Leon Cameron Phil Davis
Callan Ward 		Heath Shaw Matthew Buntine, Stephen Coniglio, Dylan Shiel, Devon Smith [150]
Hawthorn Alastair Clarkson Luke Hodge Jarryd Roughead, Jordan Lewis, Sam Mitchell, Josh Gibson, Isaac Smith [151]
Melbourne Paul Roos Nathan Jones Max Gawn, Colin Garland, Jack Viney, Bernie Vince, Tom McDonald [152][153]
North Melbourne Brad Scott Andrew Swallow Jack Ziebell Shaun Higgins, Jamie Macmillan, Scott Thompson [154]
Port Adelaide Ken Hinkley Travis Boak Hamish Hartlett Brad Ebert, Jack Hombsch, Tom Jonas, Matthew Lobbe, Justin Westhoff, Ollie Wines [155]
Richmond Damien Hardwick Trent Cotchin Brett Deledio, Ivan Maric Alex Rance, Shane Edwards [156]
St Kilda Alan Richardson Nick Riewoldt David Armitage, Sean Dempster, Jarryn Geary, Leigh Montagna, Jack Newnes, Jack Steven, Maverick Weller [157]
Sydney John Longmire Kieren Jack
Jarrad McVeigh 		Heath Grundy, Dan Hannebery, Josh Kennedy, Luke Parker, Dane Rampe, Nick Smith [158]
West Coast Adam Simpson Shannon Hurn Josh Kennedy Eric Mackenzie, Matt Priddis, Luke Shuey [159]
Western Bulldogs Luke Beveridge Robert Murphy Easton Wood Matthew Boyd, Marcus Bontempelli, Dale Morris [160]

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[161] — Simon Goodwin
Justin Leppitsch Brisbane Lions 29 August 2016 Sacked following continued poor on-field performances in 2016[162] — Chris Fagan

Club financials

2016 AFL membership figures
Club Members[163] Change from 2015 % change from 2015
Adelaide 54,307 Increase 1,387 Increase 2.62%
Brisbane Lions 23,286 Decrease 2,122 Decrease 8.35%
Carlton 50,130 Increase 2,825 Increase 5.97%
Collingwood 74,643 Decrease 394 Decrease 0.53%
Essendon 57,494 Decrease 3,324 Decrease 5.47%
Fremantle 51,889 Increase 456 Increase 0.89%
Geelong 50,571 Increase 6,259 Increase 14.12%
Gold Coast 12,854 Decrease 789 Decrease 5.78%
Greater Western Sydney 15,312 Increase 1,832 Increase 15.59%
Hawthorn 75,351 Increase 2,427 Increase 3.33%
Melbourne 39,146 Increase 3,193 Increase 8.88%
North Melbourne 45,014 Increase 4,002 Increase 9.78%
Port Adelaide 53,743 Decrease 314 Decrease 0.58%
Richmond 72,278 Increase 1,469 Increase 2.07%
St Kilda 38,009 Increase 5,263 Increase 16.07%
Sydney 56,523 Increase 7,687 Increase 15.74%
West Coast 65,188 Increase 4,967 Increase 8.25%
Western Bulldogs 39,459 Increase 4,237 Increase 12.03%
Total 875,197 Increase 39,061 Increase 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.[164]

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