1996 AFL season
The 1996 Australian Football League season was the 100th season of the elite Australian rules football competition and the 7th under the name 'Australian Football League', having switched from 'Victorian Football League' after 1989. This was the last season in which the Fitzroy Football Club competed.
| 1996 AFL premiership season | |
|---|---|
| Teams | 16 |
| Premiers | North Melbourne (3rd premiership) |
| Minor premiers | Sydney (7th minor premiership) |
| Pre-season cup | St Kilda (1st pre-season cup win) |
| Matches played | 185 |
| Attendance | 5,694,921 (30,783 per match) |
| Highest attendance | 93,102 (Grand Final, North Melbourne vs. Sydney) |
| Coleman Medallist | Tony Lockett (Sydney) |
| Brownlow Medallist | James Hird (Essendon) Michael Voss (Brisbane Bears) |
See List of Australian Football League premiers for a complete list.
AFL Draft
See 1996 AFL Draft.
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
In the 1996 Ansett Australia Cup final, St Kilda defeated Carlton 20.10 (130) to 10.12 (72) at Waverley Park.
Premiership Season
Round 1
| Home team | Score | Away team | Score | Venue | Attendance | Date |
| Melbourne | 8.8 (56) | Geelong | 27.21 (183) | MCG | 46,832 | Friday, 29 March |
| Richmond | 15.14 (104) | Essendon | 19.8 (122) | MCG | 52,271 | Saturday, 30 March |
| St Kilda | 12.13 (85) | North Melbourne | 15.19 (109) | Waverley Park | 23,434 | Saturday, 30 March |
| Fitzroy | 11.5 (71) | Hawthorn | 13.14 (92) | Whitten Oval | 10,239 | Saturday, 30 March |
| Brisbane Bears | 21.15 (141) | Footscray | 7.12 (54) | Gabba | 14,222 | Saturday, 30 March |
| Carlton | 16.13 (109) | Collingwood | 12.15 (87) | MCG | 70,152 | Sunday, 31 March |
| Fremantle | 6.9 (45) | West Coast | 9.13 (67) | Subiaco Oval | 33,041 | Sunday, 31 March |
| Adelaide | 20.10 (130) | Sydney | 6.4 (40) | Football Park | 40,665 | Sunday, 31 March |
Round 2
| Home team | Score | Away team | Score | Venue | Attendance | Date |
| North Melbourne | 26.12 (168) | Footscray | 5.7 (37) | MCG | 30,873 | Saturday, 6 April |
| Geelong | 26.8 (164) | St Kilda | 20.14 (134) | Kardinia Park | 25,950 | Saturday, 6 April |
| Hawthorn | 6.15 (51) | Richmond | 14.14 (98) | Waverley Park | 38,263 | Saturday, 6 April |
| Fitzroy | 15.11 (101) | Adelaide | 21.7 (133) | Whitten Oval | 8,685 | Saturday, 6 April |
| West Coast | 11.11 (77) | Brisbane Bears | 16.7 (103) | WACA | 29,213 | Saturday, 6 April |
| Essendon | 10.12 (72) | Carlton | 15.11 (101) | MCG | 62,207 | Sunday, 7 April |
| Sydney | 9.17 (71) | Fremantle | 13.22 (100) | SCG | 10,965 | Sunday, 7 April |
| Collingwood | 27.11 (173) | Melbourne | 11.13 (79) | MCG | 53,268 | Monday, 8 April |
Round 3
| Home team | Score | Away team | Score | Venue | Attendance | Date |
| Adelaide | 21.16 (142) | Geelong | 12.6 (78) | Football Park | 43,766 | Friday, 12 April |
| Footscray | 17.19 (121) | Fitzroy | 10.10 (70) | Whitten Oval | 14,345 | Saturday, 13 April |
| Hawthorn | 12.8 (80) | North Melbourne | 22.21 (153) | Waverley Park | 20,331 | Saturday, 13 April |
| Brisbane Bears | 13.12 (90) | Richmond | 15.18 (108) | Gabba | 20,635 | Saturday, 13 April |
| Sydney | 15.17 (107) | Collingwood | 10.13 (73) | SCG | 17,674 | Sunday, 14 April |
| Fremantle | 15.12 (102) | Carlton | 6.13 (49) | Subiaco Oval | 22,652 | Sunday, 14 April |
| Essendon | 16.13 (109) | West Coast | 6.14 (50) | Waverley Park | 20,852 | Sunday, 14 April |
| Melbourne | 14.14 (98) | St Kilda | 13.10 (88) | Optus Oval | 11,881 | Sunday, 14 April |
Round 4
| Home team | Score | Away team | Score | Venue | Attendance | Date |
| Brisbane Bears | 18.17 (125) | North Melbourne | 14.11 (95) | Gabba | 17,469 | Friday, 19 April |
| Carlton | 21.7 (133) | Melbourne | 12.14 (86) | Optus Oval | 19,051 | Saturday, 20 April |
| Collingwood | 14.14 (98) | Fremantle | 8.13 (61) | Victoria Park | 23,170 | Saturday, 20 April |
| St Kilda | 24.16 (160) | Fitzroy | 11.9 (75) | Waverley Park | 17,625 | Saturday, 20 April |
| Footscray | 8.9 (57) | Hawthorn | 8.9 (57) | Whitten Oval | 16,804 | Saturday, 20 April |
| Adelaide | 23.23 (161) | Essendon | 9.11 (65) | Football Park | 45,266 | Saturday, 20 April |
| Richmond | 9.16 (70) | Sydney | 10.11 (71) | Waverley Park | 33,847 | Sunday, 21 April |
| West Coast | 12.16 (88) | Geelong | 16.10 (106) | Subiaco Oval | 30,837 | Sunday, 21 April |
Round 5
| Home team | Score | Away team | Score | Venue | Attendance | Date |
| Essendon | 16.9 (105) | Collingwood | 17.15 (117) | MCG | 87,549 | Thursday, 25 April |
| Fremantle | 13.18 (96) | Melbourne | 8.11 (59) | WACA | 26,618 | Friday, 26 April |
| Carlton | 12.14 (86) | West Coast | 12.13 (85) | Optus Oval | 19,927 | Saturday, 27 April |
| Geelong | 13.13 (91) | Richmond | 12.16 (88) | Kardinia Park | 26,016 | Saturday, 27 April |
| North Melbourne | 23.14 (152) | Adelaide | 17.11 (113) | MCG | 32,215 | Saturday, 27 April |
| Sydney | 13.10 (88) | Hawthorn | 11.10 (76) | SCG | 20,227 | Saturday, 27 April |
| Brisbane Bears | 24.14 (158) | Fitzroy | 6.13 (49) | Gabba | 14,495 | Sunday, 28 April |
| St Kilda | 16.20 (116) | Footscray | 13.12 (90) | Waverley Park | 27,094 | Sunday, 28 April |
Round 6
| Home team | Score | Away team | Score | Venue | Attendance | Date |
| Sydney | 14.6 (90) | Essendon | 12.18 (90) | SCG | 22,088 | Friday, 3 May |
| Geelong | 13.15 (93) | North Melbourne | 15.14 (104) | MCG | 50,074 | Friday, 3 May |
| Collingwood | 23.14 (152) | Adelaide | 12.8 (80) | Victoria Park | 26,459 | Saturday, 4 May |
| Melbourne | 7.8 (50) | West Coast | 24.12 (156) | Optus Oval | 8,747 | Saturday, 4 May |
| Fitzroy | 9.8 (62) | Richmond | 23.16 (154) | Whitten Oval | 13,497 | Saturday, 4 May |
| Hawthorn | 9.11 (65) | St Kilda | 13.8 (86) | Waverley Park | 30,225 | Saturday, 4 May |
| Footscray | 9.10 (64) | Carlton | 12.8 (80) | MCG | 31,024 | Sunday, 5 May |
| Fremantle | 12.13 (85) | Brisbane Bears | 17.8 (110) | Subiaco Oval | 24,591 | Sunday, 5 May |
Round 7
| Home team | Score | Away team | Score | Venue | Attendance | Date |
| Essendon | 22.11 (143) | Geelong | 17.12 (114) | MCG | 75,632 | Wednesday, 8 May |
| Collingwood | 14.11 (95) | St Kilda | 18.10 (118) | MCG | 71,663 | Friday, 10 May |
| Carlton | 18.17 (125) | Fitzroy | 8.14 (62) | Optus Oval | 16,176 | Saturday, 11 May |
| Melbourne | 5.8 (38) | Sydney | 12.10 (82) | MCG | 23,660 | Saturday, 11 May |
| Brisbane Bears | 15.14 (104) | Hawthorn | 5.11 (41) | Gabba | 20,053 | Saturday, 11 May |
| Richmond | 17.11 (113) | Footscray | 9.8 (62) | MCG | 25,691 | Sunday, 12 May |
| West Coast | 19.11 (125) | North Melbourne | 7.16 (58) | Subiaco Oval | 32,312 | Sunday, 12 May |
| Adelaide | 20.12 (132) | Fremantle | 5.6 (36) | Football Park | 40,386 | Sunday, 12 May |
Note: The opening four matches of this round replicated the opening round of the inaugural 1897 VFL season, with Essendon and Geelong playing each other on the day of the 99th anniversary.
Round 8
| Home team | Score | Away team | Score | Venue | Attendance | Date |
| Brisbane Bears | 15.18 (108) | Collingwood | 14.14 (98) | Gabba | 21,644 | Friday, 17 May |
| Carlton | 12.14 (86) | Geelong | 15.8 (98) | MCG | 67,931 | Friday, 17 May |
| Hawthorn | 19.8 (122) | Melbourne | 10.11 (71) | Waverley Park | 20,527 | Saturday, 18 May |
| Fitzroy | 16.11 (107) | Fremantle | 10.16 (76) | Whitten Oval | 5,083 | Saturday, 18 May |
| North Melbourne | 20.24 (144) | Richmond | 14.5 (89) | MCG | 49,939 | Saturday, 18 May |
| West Coast | 14.16 (100) | Sydney | 9.10 (64) | WACA | 31,411 | Saturday, 18 May |
| Adelaide | 13.19 (97) | St Kilda | 11.7 (73) | Football Park | 43,370 | Sunday, 19 May |
| Footscray | 13.6 (84) | Essendon | 23.13 (151) | MCG | 36,766 | Sunday, 19 May |
Note: Ben Hart took the mark of the year in Adelaide's win over St Kilda.
Note: Fitzroy's victory was the last win they had as a club.
Round 9
| Home team | Score | Away team | Score | Venue | Attendance | Date |
| North Melbourne | 25.20 (170) | Fitzroy | 9.11 (65) | MCG | 19,964 | Friday, 24 May |
| Essendon | 11.23 (89) | Melbourne | 12.5 (77) | MCG | 37,288 | Saturday, 25 May |
| Footscray | 18.11 (119) | Adelaide | 11.13 (79) | Whitten Oval | 11,140 | Saturday, 25 May |
| Hawthorn | 8.8 (56) | West Coast | 14.6 (90) | Waverley Park | 14,286 | Saturday, 25 May |
| Sydney | 21.6 (132) | Brisbane Bears | 10.14 (74) | SCG | 26,537 | Sunday, 26 May |
| Fremantle | 17.18 (120) | Richmond | 10.6 (66) | Subiaco Oval | 20,934 | Sunday, 26 May |
| St Kilda | 9.15 (69) | Carlton | 13.13 (91) | Waverley Park | 41,023 | Sunday, 26 May |
| Collingwood | 11.10 (76) | Geelong | 21.13 (139) | MCG | 56,609 | Monday, 27 May |
Round 10
| Home team | Score | Away team | Score | Venue | Attendance | Date |
| Footscray | 10.9 (69) | North Melbourne | 12.17 (89) | MCG | 22,416 | Friday, 7 June |
| Carlton | 15.11 (101) | Richmond | 13.12 (90) | MCG | 59,062 | Saturday, 8 June |
| Geelong | 14.14 (98) | Brisbane Bears | 15.8 (98) | Kardinia Park | 24,800 | Saturday, 8 June |
| Fitzroy | 10.7 (67) | Sydney | 21.11 (137) | Whitten Oval | 9,701 | Saturday, 8 June |
| St Kilda | 9.13 (67) | Essendon | 13.11 (89) | Waverley Park | 43,925 | Saturday, 8 June* |
| Fremantle | 7.11 (53) | Hawthorn | 17.8 (110) | Subiaco Oval | 19,350 | Sunday, 9 June |
| Adelaide | 11.10 (76) | West Coast | 19.16 (130) | Football Park | 43,398 | Sunday, 9 June |
| Melbourne | 17.12 (114) | Collingwood | 10.16 (76) | MCG | 48,302 | Monday, 10 June |
Round 11
| Home team | Score | Away team | Score | Venue | Attendance | Date |
| Geelong | 20.9 (129) | Footscray | 12.13 (85) | Kardinia Park | 21,516 | Saturday, 15 June |
| Hawthorn | 16.12 (108) | Adelaide | 14.15 (99) | Waverley Park | 16,652 | Saturday, 15 June |
| North Melbourne | 10.13 (73) | Sydney | 24.8 (152) | Optus Oval | 18,644 | Saturday, 15 June |
| Richmond | 21.13 (139) | St Kilda | 15.15 (105) | MCG | 39,029 | Saturday, 15 June |
| Brisbane Bears | 5.8 (38) | Carlton | 9.8 (62) | Gabba | 20,225 | Saturday, 15 June |
| West Coast | 16.19 (115) | Collingwood | 9.8 (62) | Subiaco Oval | 34,832 | Sunday, 16 June |
| Essendon | 13.12 (90) | Fremantle | 12.17 (89) | MCG | 31,383 | Sunday, 16 June |
| Fitzroy | 8.8 (56) | Melbourne | 18.11 (119) | Whitten Oval | 10,836 | Sunday, 16 June |
Round 12
| Home team | Score | Away team | Score | Venue | Attendance | Date |
| Richmond | 19.14 (128) | Adelaide | 13.4 (82) | MCG | 39,044 | Friday, 21 June |
| Collingwood | 14.11 (95) | Carlton | 17.14 (116) | MCG | 61,448 | Saturday, 22 June |
| Geelong | 17.10 (112) | Fremantle | 13.15 (93) | Kardinia Park | 22,116 | Saturday, 22 June |
| Hawthorn | 17.12 (114) | Fitzroy | 12.11 (83) | Waverley Park | 16,217 | Saturday, 22 June |
| Brisbane Bears | 18.15 (123) | Melbourne | 6.10 (46) | Gabba | 14,871 | Saturday, 22 June |
| Sydney | 18.15 (123) | Footscray | 11.11 (77) | SCG | 22,689 | Sunday, 23 June |
| North Melbourne | 16.11 (107) | Essendon | 14.11 (95) | MCG | 39,515 | Sunday, 23 June |
| West Coast | 22.9 (141) | St Kilda | 17.6 (108) | Subiaco Oval | 29,434 | Sunday, 23 June |
Round 13
| Home team | Score | Away team | Score | Venue | Attendance | Date |
| Collingwood | 10.9 (69) | Richmond | 14.8 (92) | MCG | 69,072 | Friday, 28 June |
| Carlton | 13.13 (91) | Sydney | 15.12 (102) | Optus Oval | 20,030 | Saturday, 29 June |
| Fitzroy | 6.3 (39) | Geelong | 25.16 (166) | Whitten Oval | 10,504 | Saturday, 29 June |
| St Kilda | 14.12 (96) | Brisbane Bears | 7.8 (50) | Waverley Park | 13,824 | Saturday, 29 June |
| Essendon | 18.13 (121) | Hawthorn | 15.10 (100) | MCG | 43,481 | Saturday, 29 June |
| Fremantle | 8.10 (58) | North Melbourne | 9.20 (74) | WACA | 19,360 | Saturday, 29 June |
| Adelaide | 10.12 (72) | Melbourne | 19.9 (123) | Football Park | 37,557 | Sunday, 30 June |
| Footscray | 9.5 (59) | West Coast | 11.5 (71) | Whitten Oval | 11,184 | Sunday, 30 June |
Round 14
| Home team | Score | Away team | Score | Venue | Attendance | Date |
| North Melbourne | 21.18 (144) | Carlton | 13.11 (89) | MCG | 68,537 | Friday, 5 July |
| Hawthorn | 17.12 (114) | Collingwood | 11.15 (81) | Waverley Park | 30,886 | Saturday, 6 July |
| Fitzroy | 7.10 (52) | Essendon | 17.16 (118) | Optus Oval | 12,748 | Saturday, 6 July |
| Richmond | 7.9 (51) | West Coast | 10.8 (68) | MCG | 37,482 | Saturday, 6 July |
| Adelaide | 15.12 (102) | Brisbane Bears | 14.10 (94) | Football Park | 34,183 | Saturday, 6 July |
| Sydney | 18.17 (125) | Geelong | 11.8 (74) | SCG | 44,047 | Sunday, 7 July |
| Melbourne | 14.10 (94) | Footscray | 10.7 (67) | MCG | 22,852 | Sunday, 7 July |
| Fremantle | 11.11 (77) | St Kilda | 15.10 (100) | Subiaco Oval | 17,697 | Sunday, 7 July |
Round 15
| Home team | Score | Away team | Score | Venue | Attendance | Date |
| West Coast | 20.11 (131) | Fitzroy | 9.9 (63) | WACA | 22,044 | Friday, 12 July |
| Carlton | 19.17 (131) | Adelaide | 9.10 (64) | Optus Oval | 20,102 | Saturday, 13 July |
| Collingwood | 22.12 (144) | North Melbourne | 12.11 (83) | MCG | 34,514 | Saturday, 13 July |
| Geelong | 10.12 (72) | Hawthorn | 11.8 (74) | Kardinia Park | 22,207 | Saturday, 13 July |
| St Kilda | 11.13 (79) | Sydney | 14.12 (96) | Waverley Park | 34,337 | Saturday, 13 July |
| Brisbane Bears | 15.13 (103) | Essendon | 10.8 (68) | Gabba | 20,378 | Sunday, 14 July |
| Melbourne | 12.9 (81) | Richmond | 18.19 (127) | MCG | 41,380 | Sunday, 14 July |
| Footscray | 18.9 (117) | Fremantle | 15.9 (99) | Whitten Oval | 8,674 | Sunday, 14 July |
Round 16
| Home team | Score | Away team | Score | Venue | Attendance | Date |
| North Melbourne | 17.16 (118) | St Kilda | 4.5 (29) | MCG | 24,778 | Friday, 19 July |
| Essendon | 15.18 (108) | Richmond | 13.10 (88) | MCG | 58,768 | Saturday, 20 July |
| Footscray | 3.4 (22) | Brisbane Bears | 4.12 (36) | Whitten Oval | 9,994 | Saturday, 20 July |
| Geelong | 13.10 (88) | Melbourne | 4.6 (30) | Kardinia Park | 17,538 | Saturday, 20 July |
| Hawthorn | 15.8 (98) | Carlton | 7.7 (49) | Waverley Park | 28,670 | Saturday, 20 July |
| Sydney | 16.14 (110) | Adelaide | 12.16 (88) | SCG | 29,174 | Sunday, 21 July |
| West Coast | 12.10 (82) | Fremantle | 7.6 (48) | Subiaco Oval | 35,406 | Sunday, 21 July |
| Collingwood | 17.14 (116) | Fitzroy | 10.16 (76) | Victoria Park | 23,567 | Sunday, 21 July |
Round 17
| Home team | Score | Away team | Score | Venue | Attendance | Date |
| Melbourne | 11.4 (70) | North Melbourne | 28.15 (183) | MCG | 20,955 | Friday, 26 July |
| Carlton | 13.13 (91) | Essendon | 11.16 (82) | MCG | 65,420 | Saturday, 27 July |
| St Kilda | 14.16 (100) | Geelong | 11.10 (76) | Waverley Park | 24,289 | Saturday, 27 July |
| Richmond | 17.12 (114) | Hawthorn | 11.7 (73) | Optus Oval | 19,081 | Saturday, 27 July |
| Brisbane Bears | 25.13 (163) | West Coast | 17.14 (116) | Gabba | 15,772 | Saturday, 27 July |
| Footscray | 16.12 (108) | Collingwood | 17.12 (114) | MCG | 28,776 | Sunday, 28 July |
| Fremantle | 15.14 (104) | Sydney | 12.6 (78) | Subiaco Oval | 17,513 | Sunday, 28 July |
| Adelaide | 26.10 (166) | Fitzroy | 9.13 (67) | Football Park | 31,880 | Sunday, 28 July |
Round 18
| Home team | Score | Away team | Score | Venue | Attendance | Date |
| North Melbourne | 19.16 (130) | Hawthorn | 15.9 (99) | MCG | 28,555 | Friday, 2 August |
| Carlton | 23.7 (145) | Fremantle | 11.18 (84) | Optus Oval | 15,277 | Saturday, 3 August |
| St Kilda | 13.10 (88) | Collingwood | 11.12 (78) | Waverley Park | 30,065 | Saturday, 3 August |
| Geelong | 15.14 (104) | Adelaide | 10.9 (69) | Kardinia Park | 17,818 | Saturday, 3 August |
| Sydney | 17.13 (115) | Melbourne | 6.16 (52) | SCG | 18,850 | Sunday, 4 August |
| West Coast | 14.15 (99) | Essendon | 14.9 (93) | Subiaco Oval | 37,669 | Sunday, 4 August |
| Fitzroy | 6.9 (45) | Footscray | 8.12 (60) | Whitten Oval | 8,757 | Sunday, 4 August |
| Richmond | 7.11 (53) | Brisbane Bears | 9.16 (70) | Optus Oval | 17,157 | Sunday, 4 August |
Round 19
| Home team | Score | Away team | Score | Venue | Attendance | Date |
| Fremantle | 15.16 (106) | Collingwood | 11.16 (82) | WACA | 22,874 | Friday, 9 August |
| Melbourne | 20.9 (129) | Carlton | 17.8 (110) | MCG | 30,166 | Saturday, 10 August |
| Essendon | 21.17 (143) | Adelaide | 16.11 (107) | Optus Oval | 15,794 | Saturday, 10 August |
| Geelong | 18.19 (127) | West Coast | 12.10 (82) | Kardinia Park | 21,081 | Saturday, 10 August |
| Fitzroy | 5.5 (35) | St Kilda | 13.10 (88) | Whitten Oval | 7,781 | Saturday, 10 August |
| Hawthorn | 20.12 (132) | Footscray | 10.5 (65) | Waverley Park | 14,914 | Saturday, 10 August |
| Sydney | 20.10 (130) | Richmond | 12.10 (82) | SCG | 28,541 | Sunday, 11 August |
| North Melbourne | 8.11 (59) | Brisbane Bears | 11.11 (77) | Optus Oval | 15,453 | Sunday, 11 August |
Round 20
| Home team | Score | Away team | Score | Venue | Attendance | Date |
| Melbourne | 13.14 (92) | Fremantle | 10.11 (71) | MCG | 15,494 | Friday, 16 August |
| Richmond | 19.18 (132) | Geelong | 9.13 (67) | MCG | 50,633 | Saturday, 17 August |
| Hawthorn | 7.7 (49) | Sydney | 9.18 (72) | Waverley Park | 28,897 | Saturday, 17 August |
| Fitzroy | 14.16 (100) | Brisbane Bears | 29.13 (187) | Optus Oval | 6,469 | Saturday, 17 August |
| Adelaide | 10.10 (70) | North Melbourne | 10.16 (76) | Football Park | 33,030 | Saturday, 17 August |
| Footscray | 14.11 (95) | St Kilda | 8.9 (57) | Optus Oval | 7,677 | Sunday, 18 August |
| Collingwood | 9.10 (64) | Essendon | 11.11 (77) | MCG | 51,057 | Sunday, 18 August |
| West Coast | 19.13 (127) | Carlton | 10.8 (68) | Subiaco Oval | 40,085 | Sunday, 18 August |
Round 21
| Home team | Score | Away team | Score | Venue | Attendance | Date |
| North Melbourne | 14.12 (96) | Geelong | 16.13 (109) | MCG | 52,426 | Friday, 23 August |
| Carlton | 13.18 (96) | Footscray | 9.12 (66) | Optus Oval | 21,674 | Saturday, 24 August |
| Essendon | 14.16 (100) | Sydney | 12.10 (82) | MCG | 69,237 | Saturday, 24 August |
| St Kilda | 9.9 (63) | Hawthorn | 12.8 (80) | Waverley Park | 28,118 | Saturday, 24 August |
| Brisbane Bears | 10.11 (71) | Fremantle | 10.10 (70) | Gabba | 19,204 | Saturday, 24 August |
| Richmond | 28.19 (187) | Fitzroy | 5.6 (36) | MCG | 48,884 | Sunday, 25 August |
| West Coast | 24.7 (151) | Melbourne | 11.12 (78) | Subiaco Oval | 33,689 | Sunday, 25 August |
| Adelaide | 14.12 (96) | Collingwood | 24.9 (153) | Football Park | 40,212 | Sunday, 25 August |
Round 22
| Home team | Score | Away team | Score | Venue | Attendance | Date |
| Essendon | 11.13 (79) | Footscray | 11.10 (76) | MCG | 42,598 | Friday, 30 August |
| Geelong | 9.11 (65) | Carlton | 16.11 (107) | Kardinia Park | 27,659 | Saturday, 31 August |
| Collingwood | 15.10 (100) | Brisbane Bears | 6.15 (51) | Victoria Park | 21,126 | Saturday, 31 August |
| St Kilda | 20.24 (144) | Adelaide | 11.9 (75) | Waverley Park | 14,778 | Saturday, 31 August |
| Melbourne | 15.11 (101) | Hawthorn | 15.12 (102) | MCG | 63,196 | Saturday, 31 August |
| Sydney | 12.13 (85) | West Coast | 6.14 (50) | SCG | 29,517 | Saturday, 31 August |
| Richmond | 16.13 (109) | North Melbourne | 21.15 (141) | MCG | 61,740 | Sunday, 1 September |
| Fremantle | 24.13 (157) | Fitzroy | 10.11 (71) | Subiaco Oval | 22,574 | Sunday, 1 September |
Note: Last game of Fitzroy Lions before merger with Brisbane Bears to become Brisbane Lions.
Ladder
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | D | PF | PA | PP | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sydney | 22 | 16 | 5 | 1 | 2152 | 1737 | 123.9 | 66 | Finals |
| 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 |
Source: AFL ladder
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) percentage; 3) number of points for.
(P) Premiers.
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) percentage; 3) number of points for.
(P) Premiers.
Ladder progression
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.
Source:
Finals
Qualifying Finals
| 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 |
Note: The SCG match was the Swans’ first finals win since the 1945 Second-Semi-Final, when they were known as South Melbourne. This is the longest period for any club in VFL/AFL history without winning even one final, although St. Kilda won only one final between 1914 and 1964 inclusive.
Semi Finals
| 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 |
Note: West Coast Eagles played its “home” final at the MCG despite being ranked above Essendon due to the agreement then in place with the Melbourne Cricket Club that at least one game each week of the finals be played at the MCG.
Preliminary Finals
| 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 |
Note: Last game of Brisbane Bears before merger with Fitzroy Lions to become Brisbane Lions.
Note: Tony Lockett kicked a behind after the siren to send the Swans to the Grand Final for the first time since South Melbourne’s last appearance in 1945.
Note: Essendon became the first team in VFL/AFL history to lose two finals in the same season by one point.
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
| 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
- 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.
Notes
- 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. Until 2018 it was the only occasion on which a game had been played on a Tuesday night.[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 half 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 season which would have been 1997).
- 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.
- Lockett had been under an injury cloud with a groin problem during the preceding week, and there was some doubt whether he would play.
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References
- Tuesday night blockbuster set for 2018 fixture - AFL.com.au
- Sherwood, Anthony (1 October 2016). "This Epic 1996 Coach Spray Is All The Motivation The Bulldogs Need". Huffington Post. Retrieved 9 October 2018.
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