1996 AFL season

100th season of the Australian Football League (AFL)

For the 1996 season of the Arena Football League, see 1996 Arena Football League season.

Australian rules football season

1996 AFL premiership season

AFL Centenary logo

Teams| 16
Premiers| North Melbourne
3rd premiership
Minor premiers| Sydney
7th minor premiership
Pre-season cup| St Kilda
1st pre-season cup win
Brownlow Medallist| James Hird (Essendon)
Michael Voss (Brisbane Bears)
Coleman Medallist| Tony Lockett (Sydney)
Attendance
Matches played| 185
Total attendance| 5,694,921 (30,783 per match)
Highest| 93,102 (Grand Final, North Melbourne vs. Sydney)

<- 1995

1997 ->

The 1996 AFL season was the 100th season of the Australian Football League (AFL), the highest level senior Australian rules football competition in Australia, which was known as the Victorian Football League until 1989. The season featured sixteen clubs and ran from 29 March until 28 September, comprising a 22-game home-and-away season followed by a finals series.

North Melbourne won the premiership for the third time, after it defeated Sydney by 43 points in the 1996 AFL Grand Final.

The season was notable as the final for Fitzroy, a founding member of the VFL/AFL in 1897, as well as for several celebrations of the league's centenary throughout the year.

## Pre-season

[edit]

### AFL Draft

[edit]

Main article: 1996 AFL Draft

### Lightning Premiership

[edit]

Main article: 1996 AFL Lightning Premiership

In the 1996 AFL Lightning Premiership final, Essendon defeated the Brisbane Bears 6.2 (38) to 2.9 (21) at Waverley Park.

### Ansett Australia Cup

[edit]

Main article: 1996 Ansett Australia Cup

In the 1996 Ansett Australia Cup final, St Kilda defeated Carlton 20.10 (130) to 10.12 (72) at Waverley Park.

## Home-and-away season

[edit]

### Round 1

[edit]

Home team | Score | Away team | Score | Venue | Attendance | Date

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Melbourne | 8.8 (56)  | Geelong | 27.21 (183) | MCG | 46,832  | Friday, 29 March
Richmond | 15.14 (104)  | Essendon | 19.8 (122) | MCG | 52,271  | Saturday, 30 March
St Kilda | 12.13 (85)  | North Melbourne | 15.19 (109) | Waverley Park | 23,434  | Saturday, 30 March
Fitzroy | 11.5 (71)  | Hawthorn | 13.14 (92) | Whitten Oval | 10,239  | Saturday, 30 March
Brisbane Bears | 21.15 (141) | Footscray | 7.12 (54)  | Gabba | 14,222  | Saturday, 30 March
Carlton | 16.13 (109) | Collingwood | 12.15 (87)  | MCG | 70,152  | Sunday, 31 March
Fremantle | 6.9 (45)  | West Coast | 9.13 (67) | Subiaco Oval | 33,041  | Sunday, 31 March
Adelaide | 20.10 (130) | Sydney | 6.4 (40)  | Football Park | 40,665  | Sunday, 31 March

### Round 2

[edit]

Home team | Score | Away team | Score | Venue | Attendance | Date

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North Melbourne | 26.12 (168) | Footscray | 5.7 (37)  | MCG | 30,873  | Saturday, 6 April
Geelong | 26.8 (164) | St Kilda | 20.14 (134)  | Kardinia Park | 25,950  | Saturday, 6 April
Hawthorn | 6.15 (51)  | Richmond | 14.14 (98) | Waverley Park | 38,263  | Saturday, 6 April
Fitzroy | 15.11 (101)  | Adelaide | 21.7 (133) | Whitten Oval | 8,685  | Saturday, 6 April
West Coast | 11.11 (77)  | Brisbane Bears | 16.7 (103) | WACA | 29,213  | Saturday, 6 April
Essendon | 10.12 (72)  | Carlton | 15.11 (101) | MCG | 62,207  | Sunday, 7 April
Sydney | 9.17 (71)  | Fremantle | 13.22 (100) | SCG | 10,965  | Sunday, 7 April
Collingwood | 27.11 (173) | Melbourne | 11.13 (79)  | MCG | 53,268  | Monday, 8 April

### Round 3

[edit]

Home team | Score | Away team | Score | Venue | Attendance | Date

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Adelaide | 21.16 (142) | Geelong | 12.6 (78)  | Football Park | 43,766  | Friday, 12 April
Footscray | 17.19 (121) | Fitzroy | 10.10 (70)  | Whitten Oval | 14,345  | Saturday, 13 April
Hawthorn | 12.8 (80)  | North Melbourne | 22.21 (153) | Waverley Park | 20,331  | Saturday, 13 April
Brisbane Bears | 13.12 (90)  | Richmond | 15.18 (108) | Gabba | 20,635  | Saturday, 13 April
Sydney | 15.17 (107) | Collingwood | 10.13 (73)  | SCG | 17,674  | Sunday, 14 April
Fremantle | 15.12 (102) | Carlton | 6.13 (49)  | Subiaco Oval | 22,652  | Sunday, 14 April
Essendon | 16.13 (109) | West Coast | 6.14 (50)  | Waverley Park | 20,852  | Sunday, 14 April
Melbourne | 14.14 (98) | St Kilda | 13.10 (88)  | Optus Oval | 11,881  | Sunday, 14 April

### Round 4

[edit]

Home team | Score | Away team | Score | Venue | Attendance | Date

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Brisbane Bears | 18.17 (125) | North Melbourne | 14.11 (95)  | Gabba | 17,469  | Friday, 19 April
Carlton | 21.7 (133) | Melbourne | 12.14 (86)  | Optus Oval | 19,051  | Saturday, 20 April
Collingwood | 14.14 (98) | Fremantle | 8.13 (61)  | Victoria Park | 23,170  | Saturday, 20 April
St Kilda | 24.16 (160) | Fitzroy | 11.9 (75)  | Waverley Park | 17,625  | Saturday, 20 April
Footscray | 8.9 (57)  | Hawthorn | 8.9 (57)  | Whitten Oval | 16,804  | Saturday, 20 April
Adelaide | 23.23 (161) | Essendon | 9.11 (65)  | Football Park | 45,266  | Saturday, 20 April
Richmond | 9.16 (70)  | Sydney | 10.11 (71) | Waverley Park | 33,847  | Sunday, 21 April
West Coast | 12.16 (88)  | Geelong | 16.10 (106) | Subiaco Oval | 30,837  | Sunday, 21 April

### Round 5

[edit]

Home team | Score | Away team | Score | Venue | Attendance | Date

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Essendon | 16.9 (105)  | Collingwood | 17.15 (117) | MCG | 87,549  | Thursday, 25 April
Fremantle | 13.18 (96) | Melbourne | 8.11 (59)  | WACA | 26,618  | Friday, 26 April
Carlton | 12.14 (86) | West Coast | 12.13 (85)  | Optus Oval | 19,927  | Saturday, 27 April
Geelong | 13.13 (91) | Richmond | 12.16 (88)  | Kardinia Park | 26,016  | Saturday, 27 April
North Melbourne | 23.14 (152) | Adelaide | 17.11 (113)  | MCG | 32,215  | Saturday, 27 April
Sydney | 13.10 (88) | Hawthorn | 11.10 (76)  | SCG | 20,227  | Saturday, 27 April
Brisbane Bears | 24.14 (158) | Fitzroy | 6.13 (49)  | Gabba | 14,495  | Sunday, 28 April
St Kilda | 16.20 (116) | Footscray | 13.12 (90)  | Waverley Park | 27,094  | Sunday, 28 April

### Round 6

[edit]

Home team | Score | Away team | Score | Venue | Attendance | Date

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Sydney | 14.6 (90)  | Essendon | 12.18 (90)  | SCG | 22,088  | Friday, 3 May
Geelong | 13.15 (93)  | North Melbourne | 15.14 (104) | MCG | 50,074  | Friday, 3 May
Collingwood | 23.14 (152) | Adelaide | 12.8 (80)  | Victoria Park | 26,459  | Saturday, 4 May
Melbourne | 7.8 (50)  | West Coast | 24.12 (156) | Optus Oval | 8,747  | Saturday, 4 May
Fitzroy | 9.8 (62)  | Richmond | 23.16 (154) | Whitten Oval | 13,497  | Saturday, 4 May
Hawthorn | 9.11 (65)  | St Kilda | 13.8 (86) | Waverley Park | 30,225  | Saturday, 4 May
Footscray | 9.10 (64)  | Carlton | 12.8 (80) | MCG | 31,024  | Sunday, 5 May
Fremantle | 12.13 (85)  | Brisbane Bears | 17.8 (110) | Subiaco Oval | 24,591  | Sunday, 5 May

### Round 7

[edit]

Home team | Score | Away team | Score | Venue | Attendance | Date

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Essendon | 22.11 (143) | Geelong | 17.12 (114)  | MCG | 75,632  | Wednesday, 8 May
Collingwood | 14.11 (95)  | St Kilda | 18.10 (118) | MCG | 71,663  | Friday, 10 May
Carlton | 18.17 (125) | Fitzroy | 8.14 (62)  | Optus Oval | 16,176  | Saturday, 11 May
Melbourne | 5.8 (38)  | Sydney | 12.10 (82) | MCG | 23,660  | Saturday, 11 May
Brisbane Bears | 15.14 (104) | Hawthorn | 5.11 (41)  | Gabba | 20,053  | Saturday, 11 May
Richmond | 17.11 (113) | Footscray | 9.8 (62)  | MCG | 25,691  | Sunday, 12 May
West Coast | 19.11 (125) | North Melbourne | 7.16 (58)  | Subiaco Oval | 32,312  | Sunday, 12 May
Adelaide | 20.12 (132) | Fremantle | 5.6 (36)  | Football Park | 40,386  | Sunday, 12 May

Note: The opening four matches of this round replicated the opening round of the inaugural 1897 VFL season, with Essendon and Geelong playing each other on the day of the 99th anniversary.

### Round 8

[edit]

Home team | Score | Away team | Score | Venue | Attendance | Date

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Brisbane Bears | 15.18 (108) | Collingwood | 14.14 (98)  | Gabba | 21,644  | Friday, 17 May
Carlton | 12.14 (86)  | Geelong | 15.8 (98) | MCG | 67,931  | Friday, 17 May
Hawthorn | 19.8 (122) | Melbourne | 10.11 (71)  | Waverley Park | 20,527  | Saturday, 18 May
Fitzroy | 16.11 (107) | Fremantle | 10.16 (76)  | Whitten Oval | 5,083  | Saturday, 18 May
North Melbourne | 20.24 (144) | Richmond | 14.5 (89)  | MCG | 49,939  | Saturday, 18 May
West Coast | 14.16 (100) | Sydney | 9.10 (64)  | WACA | 31,411  | Saturday, 18 May
Adelaide | 13.19 (97) | St Kilda | 11.7 (73)  | Football Park | 43,370  | Sunday, 19 May
Footscray | 13.6 (84)  | Essendon | 23.13 (151) | MCG | 36,766  | Sunday, 19 May

Note: Ben Hart took the mark of the year in Adelaide's win over St Kilda.
Note: Fitzroy's victory was the last win they had in the AFL before merging.

### Round 9

[edit]

Home team | Score | Away team | Score | Venue | Attendance | Date

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North Melbourne | 25.20 (170) | Fitzroy | 9.11 (65)  | MCG | 19,964  | Friday, 24 May
Essendon | 11.23 (89) | Melbourne | 12.5 (77)  | MCG | 37,288  | Saturday, 25 May
Footscray | 18.11 (119) | Adelaide | 11.13 (79)  | Whitten Oval | 11,140  | Saturday, 25 May
Hawthorn | 8.8 (56)  | West Coast | 14.6 (90) | Waverley Park | 14,286  | Saturday, 25 May
Sydney | 21.6 (132) | Brisbane Bears | 10.14 (74)  | SCG | 26,537  | Sunday, 26 May
Fremantle | 17.18 (120) | Richmond | 10.6 (66)  | Subiaco Oval | 20,934  | Sunday, 26 May
St Kilda | 9.15 (69)  | Carlton | 13.13 (91) | Waverley Park | 41,023  | Sunday, 26 May
Collingwood | 11.10 (76)  | Geelong | 21.13 (139) | MCG | 56,609  | Monday, 27 May

### Round 10

[edit]

Home team | Score | Away team | Score | Venue | Attendance | Date

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Footscray | 10.9 (69)  | North Melbourne | 12.17 (89) | MCG | 22,416  | Friday, 7 June
Carlton | 15.11 (101) | Richmond | 13.12 (90)  | MCG | 59,062  | Saturday, 8 June
Geelong | 14.14 (98)  | Brisbane Bears | 15.8 (98)  | Kardinia Park | 24,800  | Saturday, 8 June
Fitzroy | 10.7 (67)  | Sydney | 21.11 (137) | Whitten Oval | 9,701  | Saturday, 8 June
St Kilda | 9.13 (67)  | Essendon | 13.11 (89) | Waverley Park | 43,925  | Saturday, 8 June
Fremantle | 7.11 (53)  | Hawthorn | 17.8 (110) | Subiaco Oval | 19,350  | Sunday, 9 June
Adelaide | 11.10 (76)  | West Coast | 19.16 (130) | Football Park | 43,398  | Sunday, 9 June
Melbourne | 17.12 (114) | Collingwood | 10.16 (76)  | MCG | 48,302  | Monday, 10 June

NOTE: St Kilda vs Essendon match on Saturday night was disrupted by a power failure during the third quarter, resulting the match being completed the following week on the Tuesday night with 2 12-minutes halves.

### Round 11

[edit]

Home team | Score | Away team | Score | Venue | Attendance | Date

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Geelong | 20.9 (129) | Footscray | 12.13 (85)  | Kardinia Park | 21,516  | Saturday, 15 June
Hawthorn | 16.12 (108) | Adelaide | 14.15 (99)  | Waverley Park | 16,652  | Saturday, 15 June
North Melbourne | 10.13 (73)  | Sydney | 24.8 (152) | Optus Oval | 18,644  | Saturday, 15 June
Richmond | 21.13 (139) | St Kilda | 15.15 (105)  | MCG | 39,029  | Saturday, 15 June
Brisbane Bears | 5.8 (38)  | Carlton | 9.8 (62) | Gabba | 20,225  | Saturday, 15 June
West Coast | 16.19 (115) | Collingwood | 9.8 (62)  | Subiaco Oval | 34,832  | Sunday, 16 June
Essendon | 13.12 (90) | Fremantle | 12.17 (89)  | MCG | 31,383  | Sunday, 16 June
Fitzroy | 8.8 (56)  | Melbourne | 18.11 (119) | Whitten Oval | 10,836  | Sunday, 16 June

### Round 12

[edit]

Home team | Score | Away team | Score | Venue | Attendance | Date

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Richmond | 19.14 (128) | Adelaide | 13.4 (82)  | MCG | 39,044  | Friday, 21 June
Collingwood | 14.11 (95)  | Carlton | 17.14 (116) | MCG | 61,448  | Saturday, 22 June
Geelong | 17.10 (112) | Fremantle | 13.15 (93)  | Kardinia Park | 22,116  | Saturday, 22 June
Hawthorn | 17.12 (114) | Fitzroy | 12.11 (83)  | Waverley Park | 16,217  | Saturday, 22 June
Brisbane Bears | 18.15 (123) | Melbourne | 6.10 (46)  | Gabba | 14,871  | Saturday, 22 June
Sydney | 18.15 (123) | Footscray | 11.11 (77)  | SCG | 22,689  | Sunday, 23 June
North Melbourne | 16.11 (107) | Essendon | 14.11 (95)  | MCG | 39,515  | Sunday, 23 June
West Coast | 22.9 (141) | St Kilda | 17.6 (108)  | Subiaco Oval | 29,434  | Sunday, 23 June

### Round 13

[edit]

Home team | Score | Away team | Score | Venue | Attendance | Date

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Collingwood | 10.9 (69)  | Richmond | 14.8 (92) | MCG | 69,072  | Friday, 28 June
Carlton | 13.13 (91)  | Sydney | 15.12 (102) | Optus Oval | 20,030  | Saturday, 29 June
Fitzroy | 6.3 (39)  | Geelong | 25.16 (166) | Whitten Oval | 10,504  | Saturday, 29 June
St Kilda | 14.12 (96) | Brisbane Bears | 7.8 (50)  | Waverley Park | 13,824  | Saturday, 29 June
Essendon | 18.13 (121) | Hawthorn | 15.10 (100)  | MCG | 43,481  | Saturday, 29 June
Fremantle | 8.10 (58)  | North Melbourne | 9.20 (74) | WACA | 19,360  | Saturday, 29 June
Adelaide | 10.12 (72)  | Melbourne | 19.9 (123) | Football Park | 37,557  | Sunday, 30 June
Footscray | 9.5 (59)  | West Coast | 11.5 (71) | Whitten Oval | 11,184  | Sunday, 30 June

### Round 14

[edit]

Home team | Score | Away team | Score | Venue | Attendance | Date

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North Melbourne | 21.18 (144) | Carlton | 13.11 (89)  | MCG | 68,537  | Friday, 5 July
Hawthorn | 17.12 (114) | Collingwood | 11.15 (81)  | Waverley Park | 30,886  | Saturday, 6 July
Fitzroy | 7.10 (52)  | Essendon | 17.16 (118) | Optus Oval | 12,748  | Saturday, 6 July
Richmond | 7.9 (51)  | West Coast | 10.8 (68) | MCG | 37,482  | Saturday, 6 July
Adelaide | 15.12 (102) | Brisbane Bears | 14.10 (94)  | Football Park | 34,183  | Saturday, 6 July
Sydney | 18.17 (125) | Geelong | 11.8 (74)  | SCG | 44,047  | Sunday, 7 July
Melbourne | 14.10 (94) | Footscray | 10.7 (67)  | MCG | 22,852  | Sunday, 7 July
Fremantle | 11.11 (77)  | St Kilda | 15.10 (100) | Subiaco Oval | 17,697  | Sunday, 7 July

### Round 15

[edit]

Home team | Score | Away team | Score | Venue | Attendance | Date

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West Coast | 20.11 (131) | Fitzroy | 9.9 (63)  | WACA | 22,044  | Friday, 12 July
Carlton | 19.17 (131) | Adelaide | 9.10 (64)  | Optus Oval | 20,102  | Saturday, 13 July
Collingwood | 22.12 (144) | North Melbourne | 12.11 (83)  | MCG | 34,514  | Saturday, 13 July
Geelong | 10.12 (72)  | Hawthorn | 11.8 (74) | Kardinia Park | 22,207  | Saturday, 13 July
St Kilda | 11.13 (79)  | Sydney | 14.12 (96) | Waverley Park | 34,337  | Saturday, 13 July
Brisbane Bears | 15.13 (103) | Essendon | 10.8 (68)  | Gabba | 20,378  | Sunday, 14 July
Melbourne | 12.9 (81)  | Richmond | 18.19 (127) | MCG | 41,380  | Sunday, 14 July
Footscray | 18.9 (117) | Fremantle | 15.9 (99)  | Whitten Oval | 8,674  | Sunday, 14 July

### Round 16

[edit]

Home team | Score | Away team | Score | Venue | Attendance | Date

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North Melbourne | 17.16 (118) | St Kilda | 4.5 (29)  | MCG | 24,778  | Friday, 19 July
Essendon | 15.18 (108) | Richmond | 13.10 (88)  | MCG | 58,768  | Saturday, 20 July
Footscray | 3.4 (22)  | Brisbane Bears | 4.12 (36) | Whitten Oval | 9,994  | Saturday, 20 July
Geelong | 13.10 (88) | Melbourne | 4.6 (30)  | Kardinia Park | 17,538  | Saturday, 20 July
Hawthorn | 15.8 (98) | Carlton | 7.7 (49)  | Waverley Park | 28,670  | Saturday, 20 July
Sydney | 16.14 (110) | Adelaide | 12.16 (88)  | SCG | 29,174  | Sunday, 21 July
West Coast | 12.10 (82) | Fremantle | 7.6 (48)  | Subiaco Oval | 35,406  | Sunday, 21 July
Collingwood | 17.14 (116) | Fitzroy | 10.16 (76)  | Victoria Park | 23,567  | Sunday, 21 July

### Round 17

[edit]

Home team | Score | Away team | Score | Venue | Attendance | Date

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Melbourne | 11.4 (70)  | North Melbourne | 28.15 (183) | MCG | 20,955  | Friday, 26 July
Carlton | 13.13 (91) | Essendon | 11.16 (82)  | MCG | 65,420  | Saturday, 27 July
St Kilda | 14.16 (100) | Geelong | 11.10 (76)  | Waverley Park | 24,289  | Saturday, 27 July
Richmond | 17.12 (114) | Hawthorn | 11.7 (73)  | Optus Oval | 19,081  | Saturday, 27 July
Brisbane Bears | 25.13 (163) | West Coast | 17.14 (116)  | Gabba | 15,772  | Saturday, 27 July
Footscray | 16.12 (108)  | Collingwood | 17.12 (114) | MCG | 28,776  | Sunday, 28 July
Fremantle | 15.14 (104) | Sydney | 12.6 (78)  | Subiaco Oval | 17,513  | Sunday, 28 July
Adelaide | 26.10 (166) | Fitzroy | 9.13 (67)  | Football Park | 31,880  | Sunday, 28 July

### Round 18

[edit]

Home team | Score | Away team | Score | Venue | Attendance | Date

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North Melbourne | 19.16 (130) | Hawthorn | 15.9 (99)  | MCG | 28,555  | Friday, 2 August
Carlton | 23.7 (145) | Fremantle | 11.18 (84)  | Optus Oval | 15,277  | Saturday, 3 August
St Kilda | 13.10 (88) | Collingwood | 11.12 (78)  | Waverley Park | 30,065  | Saturday, 3 August
Geelong | 15.14 (104) | Adelaide | 10.9 (69)  | Kardinia Park | 17,818  | Saturday, 3 August
Sydney | 17.13 (115) | Melbourne | 6.16 (52)  | SCG | 18,850  | Sunday, 4 August
West Coast | 14.15 (99) | Essendon | 14.9 (93)  | Subiaco Oval | 37,669  | Sunday, 4 August
Fitzroy | 6.9 (45)  | Footscray | 8.12 (60) | Whitten Oval | 8,757  | Sunday, 4 August
Richmond | 7.11 (53)  | Brisbane Bears | 9.16 (70) | Optus Oval | 17,157  | Sunday, 4 August

### Round 19

[edit]

Home team | Score | Away team | Score | Venue | Attendance | Date

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Fremantle | 15.16 (106) | Collingwood | 11.16 (82)  | WACA | 22,874  | Friday, 9 August
Melbourne | 20.9 (129) | Carlton | 17.8 (110)  | MCG | 30,166  | Saturday, 10 August
Essendon | 21.17 (143) | Adelaide | 16.11 (107)  | Optus Oval | 15,794  | Saturday, 10 August
Geelong | 18.19 (127) | West Coast | 12.10 (82)  | Kardinia Park | 21,081  | Saturday, 10 August
Fitzroy | 5.5 (35)  | St Kilda | 13.10 (88) | Whitten Oval | 7,781  | Saturday, 10 August
Hawthorn | 20.12 (132) | Footscray | 10.5 (65)  | Waverley Park | 14,914  | Saturday, 10 August
Sydney | 20.10 (130) | Richmond | 12.10 (82)  | SCG | 28,541  | Sunday, 11 August
North Melbourne | 8.11 (59)  | Brisbane Bears | 11.11 (77) | Optus Oval | 15,453  | Sunday, 11 August

### Round 20

[edit]

Home team | Score | Away team | Score | Venue | Attendance | Date

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Melbourne | 13.14 (92) | Fremantle | 10.11 (71)  | MCG | 15,494  | Friday, 16 August
Richmond | 19.18 (132) | Geelong | 9.13 (67)  | MCG | 50,633  | Saturday, 17 August
Hawthorn | 7.7 (49)  | Sydney | 9.18 (72) | Waverley Park | 28,897  | Saturday, 17 August
Fitzroy | 14.16 (100)  | Brisbane Bears | 29.13 (187) | Optus Oval | 6,469  | Saturday, 17 August
Adelaide | 10.10 (70)  | North Melbourne | 10.16 (76) | Football Park | 33,030  | Saturday, 17 August
Footscray | 14.11 (95) | St Kilda | 8.9 (57)  | Optus Oval | 7,677  | Sunday, 18 August
Collingwood | 9.10 (64)  | Essendon | 11.11 (77) | MCG | 51,057  | Sunday, 18 August
West Coast | 19.13 (127) | Carlton | 10.8 (68)  | Subiaco Oval | 40,085  | Sunday, 18 August

### Round 21

[edit]

Home team | Score | Away team | Score | Venue | Attendance | Date

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North Melbourne | 14.12 (96)  | Geelong | 16.13 (109) | MCG | 52,426  | Friday, 23 August
Carlton | 13.18 (96) | Footscray | 9.12 (66)  | Optus Oval | 21,674  | Saturday, 24 August
Essendon | 14.16 (100) | Sydney | 12.10 (82)  | MCG | 69,237  | Saturday, 24 August
St Kilda | 9.9 (63)  | Hawthorn | 12.8 (80) | Waverley Park | 28,118  | Saturday, 24 August
Brisbane Bears | 10.11 (71) | Fremantle | 10.10 (70)  | Gabba | 19,204  | Saturday, 24 August
Richmond | 28.19 (187) | Fitzroy | 5.6 (36)  | MCG | 48,884  | Sunday, 25 August
West Coast | 24.7 (151) | Melbourne | 11.12 (78)  | Subiaco Oval | 33,689  | Sunday, 25 August
Adelaide | 14.12 (96)  | Collingwood | 24.9 (153) | Football Park | 40,212  | Sunday, 25 August

### Round 22

[edit]

Home team | Score | Away team | Score | Venue | Attendance | Date

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|
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Essendon | 11.13 (79) | Footscray | 11.10 (76)  | MCG | 42,598  | Friday, 30 August
Geelong | 9.11 (65)  | Carlton | 16.11 (107) | Kardinia Park | 27,659  | Saturday, 31 August
Collingwood | 15.10 (100) | Brisbane Bears | 6.15 (51)  | Victoria Park | 21,126  | Saturday, 31 August
St Kilda | 20.24 (144) | Adelaide | 11.9 (75)  | Waverley Park | 14,778  | Saturday, 31 August
Melbourne | 15.11 (101)  | Hawthorn | 15.12 (102) | MCG | 63,196  | Saturday, 31 August
Sydney | 12.13 (85) | West Coast | 6.14 (50)  | SCG | 29,517  | Saturday, 31 August
Richmond | 16.13 (109)  | North Melbourne | 21.15 (141) | MCG | 61,740  | Sunday, 1 September
Fremantle | 24.13 (157) | Fitzroy | 10.11 (71)  | Subiaco Oval | 22,574  | Sunday, 1 September

Note: Last game of Fitzroy Lions before merger with Brisbane Bears to become Brisbane Lions.

## Ladder

[edit]

(P) | Premiers

|

| Qualified for finals
#  | Team  | P | W | L | D | PF | PA | %  | Pts

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

1 | Sydney | 22 | 16 | 5 | 1 | 2152 | 1737 | 123.9 | 66
2 | North Melbourne (P) | 22 | 16 | 6 | 0 | 2526 | 1982 | 127.4 | 64
3 | Brisbane Bears | 22 | 15 | 6 | 1 | 2174 | 1731 | 125.6 | 62
4 | West Coast | 22 | 15 | 7 | 0 | 2201 | 1758 | 125.2 | 60
5 | Carlton | 22 | 15 | 7 | 0 | 2116 | 1909 | 110.8 | 60
6 | Essendon | 22 | 14 | 7 | 1 | 2209 | 2023 | 109.2 | 58
7 | Geelong | 22 | 13 | 8 | 1 | 2353 | 2047 | 114.9 | 54
8 | Hawthorn | 22 | 11 | 10 | 1 | 1893 | 1921 | 98.5 | 46
9 | Richmond | 22 | 11 | 11 | 0 | 2282 | 1944 | 117.4 | 44
10 | St Kilda | 22 | 10 | 12 | 0 | 2053 | 2033 | 101.0 | 40
11 | Collingwood | 22 | 9 | 13 | 0 | 2203 | 2142 | 102.8 | 36
12 | Adelaide | 22 | 8 | 14 | 0 | 2233 | 2327 | 96.0 | 32
13 | Fremantle | 22 | 7 | 15 | 0 | 1830 | 1983 | 92.3 | 28
14 | Melbourne | 22 | 7 | 15 | 0 | 1743 | 2463 | 70.8 | 28
15 | Footscray | 22 | 5 | 16 | 1 | 1654 | 2139 | 77.3 | 22
16 | Fitzroy | 22 | 1 | 21 | 0 | 1452 | 2935 | 49.5 | 4

Rules for classification: 1. premiership points; 2. percentage; 3. points for
Average score: 94.0
Source: AFL Tables

## Progression by round

[edit]

Numbers highlighted in green indicate that the team finished the round inside the top 8.

Numbers highlighted in blue indicates the team finished first on the ladder in that round.

Numbers highlighted in red indicates the team finished in last place on the ladder in that round.

Team ╲ Round| 1| 2| 3| 4| 5| 6| 7| 8| 9| 10| 11| 12| 13| 14| 15| 16| 17| 18| 19| 20| 21| 22

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|
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|
|
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|
|

| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Sydney| 0| 0| 4| 8| 12| 14| 18| 18| 22| 26| 30| 34| 38| 42| 46| 50| 50| 54| 58| 62| 62| 66
North Melbourne (P)| 4| 8| 12| 12| 16| 20| 20| 24| 28| 32| 32| 36| 40| 44| 44| 48| 52| 56| 56| 60| 60| 64
Brisbane Bears| 4| 8| 8| 12| 16| 20| 24| 28| 28| 30| 30| 34| 34| 34| 38| 42| 46| 50| 54| 58| 62| 62
West Coast Eagles| 4| 4| 4| 4| 4| 8| 12| 16| 20| 24| 28| 32| 36| 40| 44| 48| 48| 52| 52| 56| 60| 60
Carlton| 4| 8| 8| 12| 16| 20| 24| 24| 28| 32| 36| 40| 40| 40| 44| 44| 48| 52| 52| 52| 56| 60
Essendon| 4| 4| 8| 8| 8| 10| 14| 18| 22| 26| 30| 30| 34| 38| 38| 42| 42| 42| 46| 50| 54| 58
Geelong| 4| 8| 8| 12| 16| 16| 16| 20| 24| 26| 30| 34| 38| 38| 38| 42| 42| 46| 50| 50| 54| 54
Hawthorn| 4| 4| 4| 6| 6| 6| 6| 10| 10| 14| 18| 22| 22| 26| 30| 34| 34| 34| 38| 38| 42| 46
Richmond| 0| 4| 8| 8| 8| 12| 16| 16| 16| 16| 20| 24| 28| 28| 32| 32| 36| 36| 36| 40| 44| 44
St Kilda| 0| 0| 0| 4| 8| 12| 16| 16| 16| 16| 16| 16| 20| 24| 24| 24| 28| 32| 36| 36| 36| 40
Collingwood| 0| 4| 4| 8| 12| 16| 16| 16| 16| 16| 16| 16| 16| 16| 20| 24| 28| 28| 28| 28| 32| 36
Adelaide| 4| 8| 12| 16| 16| 16| 20| 24| 24| 24| 24| 24| 24| 28| 28| 28| 32| 32| 32| 32| 32| 32
Fremantle| 0| 4| 8| 8| 12| 12| 12| 12| 16| 16| 16| 16| 16| 16| 16| 16| 20| 20| 24| 24| 24| 28
Melbourne| 0| 0| 4| 4| 4| 4| 4| 4| 4| 8| 12| 12| 16| 20| 20| 20| 20| 20| 24| 28| 28| 28
Footscray| 0| 0| 4| 6| 6| 6| 6| 6| 10| 10| 10| 10| 10| 10| 14| 14| 14| 18| 18| 22| 22| 22
Fitzroy| 0| 0| 0| 0| 0| 0| 0| 4| 4| 4| 4| 4| 4| 4| 4| 4| 4| 4| 4| 4| 4| 4

Source: [citation needed]

## Finals

[edit]

### Qualifying Finals

[edit]

Home team | Score | Away team | Score | Venue | Attendance | Date

|
|
|
|
|
|

Brisbane Bears | 15.11 (101) | Essendon | 15.10 (100)  | Gabba | 21,964  | Friday, 6 September
West Coast | 18.17 (125) | Carlton | 10.10 (70)  | Subiaco Oval | 41,501  | Saturday, 7 September
Sydney | 13.12 (90) | Hawthorn | 12.12 (84)  | SCG | 37,010  | Saturday, 7 September
North Melbourne | 19.17 (131) | Geelong | 9.17 (71)  | MCG | 69,323  | Sunday, 8 September

### Semi-finals

[edit]

Home team | Score | Away team | Score | Venue | Attendance | Date

|
|
|
|
|
|

West Coast | 8.19 (67)  | Essendon | 22.12 (144) | MCG | 85,656  | Saturday, 14 September
Brisbane Bears | 26.14 (170) | Carlton | 10.13 (73)  | Gabba | 21,767  | Saturday, 14 September

### Preliminary Finals

[edit]

Home team | Score | Away team | Score | Venue | Attendance | Date

|
|
|
|
|
|

North Melbourne | 17.12 (114) | Brisbane Bears | 11.10 (76)  | MCG | 66,719  | Saturday, 21 September
Sydney | 10.10 (70) | Essendon | 10.9 (69)  | SCG | 41,731  | Saturday, 21 September

### Grand Final

[edit]

Main article: 1996 AFL Grand Final

Home team | Score | Away team | Score | Venue | Attendance | Date

|
|
|
|
|
|

North Melbourne | 19.17 (131) | Sydney | 13.10 (88)  | MCG | 93,102  | Saturday, 28 September

## Attendance

[edit]

Team | Hosted | Average | Highest | Lowest | Total

|
|
|
|
|

Essendon | 11 | 49,526 | 87,549 | 15,794 | 544,789
Collingwood | 11 | 44,723 | 71,663 | 21,126 | 491,953
Adelaide | 11 | 39,428 | 45,266 | 31,880 | 433,713
Richmond | 11 | 38,624 | 61,740 | 17,157 | 424,859
Carlton | 11 | 35,891 | 70,152 | 15,277 | 394,802
North Melbourne | 11 | 34,627 | 68,537 | 15,453 | 380,899
West Coast | 11 | 32,448 | 40,085 | 22,044 | 356,932
Melbourne | 11 | 30,315 | 63,196 | 8747 | 333,465
St Kilda | 11 | 27,137 | 43,925 | 13,824 | 298,512
Geelong | 11 | 25,161 | 50,074 | 17,538 | 276,775
Sydney | 11 | 24,574 | 44,047 | 10,965 | 270,309
Hawthorn | 11 | 23,624 | 38,263 | 14,286 | 259,868
Fremantle | 11 | 22,473 | 33,041 | 17,513 | 247,204
Brisbane | 11 | 18,088 | 21,644 | 14,222 | 198,968
Footscray | 11 | 18,073 | 36,766 | 7677 | 198,800
Fitzroy | 11 | 9482 | 13,497 | 5083 | 104,300
Totals | 176 | 29,637 | 87,549 | 5083 | 5,216,148
Venue | Hosted | Average | Highest | Lowest | Total

|
|
|
|
|

MCG | 51 | 46,114 | 87,549 | 15,494 | 2351,808
Football Park | 11 | 39,428 | 45,266 | 31,880 | 433,713
Subiaco Oval | 16 | 28,289 | 40,085 | 17,513 | 452,616
Waverley Park | 24 | 25,545 | 43,925 | 13,824 | 613,079
WACA | 6 | 25,253 | 31,411 | 19,360 | 151,520
SCG | 11 | 24,574 | 44,047 | 10,965 | 270,309
Victoria Park | 4 | 23,581 | 26,459 | 21,126 | 94,322
Kardinia Park | 10 | 22,670 | 27,659 | 17,538 | 226,701
Gabba | 11 | 18,088 | 21,644 | 14,222 | 198,968
Optus Oval | 17 | 15,641 | 21,674 | 6469 | 265,892
Whitten Oval | 15 | 10,482 | 16,804 | 5083 | 157,224
Totals | 176 | 29,637 | 87,549 | 5083 | 5,216,148

## Awards

[edit]

* The Brownlow Medal was awarded to Michael Voss of Brisbane Bears and James Hird of Essendon.
* The Leigh Matthews Trophy was awarded to Corey McKernan of North Melbourne.
* The Coleman Medal was awarded to Tony Lockett of Sydney.
* The Norm Smith Medal was awarded to Glenn Archer of North Melbourne.
* The AFL Rising Star award was awarded to Ben Cousins of West Coast.
* The Wooden Spoon was "awarded" to Fitzroy in their final season before the club merged with the Brisbane Bears.
* The reserves premiership was won by North Melbourne
* The seniors premiership was won by North Melbourne

## Notes

[edit]

* North Melbourne's Corey McKernan received the same number of Brownlow Medal votes as the joint-winners James Hird and Michael Voss, but was ineligible to receive a medal as McKernan was suspended for one match during the season for kneeing. McKernan went on to win the AFL Players Association MVP, which is not subject to the same eligibility criteria.
* The Round 10 game between St Kilda and Essendon was interrupted at the twenty-minute mark of the third quarter when Waverley Park lost power, causing the floodlights to go off. The remaining 24 minutes was played three nights later on Tuesday, 11 June.[1]
* Subsequently, the AFL introduced contingencies that a game could be abandoned, with the progress result accepted as final at any point beyond half time, at the agreement of the captains when (a) any unexpected incident delays a game by an hour, or (b) if dangerous weather conditions, most typically lightning, prevail.
* Footscray's 1996 season became the subject of the sports film, Year of the Dogs, which was released theatrically the following year.
* After their round 17 loss to Collingwood, caretaker coach Terry Wallace infamously sprayed the players during his post-match address.[2]
* North Melbourne received a special gold-coloured premiership cup, instead of the typical silver, to signify what the AFL had represented as its Centenary Season throughout 1996. (Note: 1996 was the VFL/AFL's hundredth season, which by strictest definition is not the same as the centenary year, which would have been in 1997).
* Sydney recorded its first finals win since 1945 in the qualifying final against Hawthorn, and reached its first grand final since the same season (as South Melbourne).
* The season is perhaps best remembered for its preliminary final between minor premiers Sydney and sixth-placed Essendon. With scores level on 10.9 (69), Sydney's Tony Lockett scored a behind with a kick after the siren to win the game, and sent the Swans into their first Grand Final since 1945.
* Lockett had been under an injury cloud with a groin problem during the preceding week, and there was some doubt whether he would play.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Tuesday night blockbuster set for 2018 fixture \- AFL.com.au
2. ^ Sherwood, Anthony (1 October 2016). "This Epic 1996 Coach Spray Is All The Motivation The Bulldogs Need". HuffPost. Retrieved 9 October 2018.

## Sources

[edit]

* 1996 AFL season at AFL Tables
* 1996 AFL season at Australian Football

* v
* t
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Known as the Victorian Football League from 1897–1989; no grand finals were held in 1897 and 1924
*[P]: Played
*[W]: Won
*[L]: Lost
*[D]: Drawn
*[PF]: Points for
*[PA]: Points against
*[Pts]: Premiership points
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template
*[Venues]: Venues that hosted matches during the 2024 season