Jump to content

2026 AFL season

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

2026 AFL premiership season
Essendon and Carlton players contest the football in round 13
Overview
Date5 March – 26 September 2026
Teams18
PremiersBrisbane Lions
6th premiership
Runners-upFremantle
2nd runners-up result
Minor premiersFremantle
2nd minor premiership
Brownlow MedallistNick Daicos (Collingwood)
47 votes
Coleman MedallistCharlie Curnow (Sydney)
69 goals
Attendance
Matches played218
Total attendance8,529,383 (39,126 per match)
Highest (H&A)92,231 (round 7, Essendon v Collingwood)
Highest (finals)100,023 (grand final, Fremantle v Brisbane Lions)
← 2025

The 2026 AFL season was the 130th season of the Australian Football League (AFL), the highest-level senior men's Australian rules football competition in Australia. The season featured 18 clubs and ran from 5 March to 26 September, comprising a 23-match home-and-away season over 25 rounds, with a five-week finals series featuring the top ten clubs occurring for the first time.

The Brisbane Lions won the premiership, defeating Fremantle by seven points in the 2026 AFL Grand Final; it was their third consecutive premiership and sixth AFL premiership overall. Fremantle won the minor premiership by finishing atop the home-and-away ladder with a 19–4 win–loss record. Collingwood's Nick Daicos won the Brownlow Medal as the league's best and fairest player and Sydney's Charlie Curnow won his third Coleman Medal as the league's leading goalkicker.

Background

[edit]

In October 2025, the AFL announced two major changes to be brought into the competition for the 2026 season: the substitute rule was removed in favour of a five-player interchange; and the ball would no longer be bounced in the centre of the ground by a field umpire at the start of quarters and after goals, and would be thrown up instead.[1] The removal of the centre bounce ended a tradition dating back to 1887, with AFL executive general manager of football performance Greg Swann explaining that the skill of bouncing the ball was hindering the development of umpires and that the change would allow umpires to focus more on decision-making and reduce the likelihood of players making accidental umpire contact.[1] The AFL announced seven rule changes to reduce game length by approximately three minutes:[2]

  • The 6–6–6 rule would no longer require at least one player from each team to be in the goalsquare for centre ball-ups.
  • A 'last disposal' free kick would be awarded if the ball crossed the boundary line from a disposal between the 50-metre arcs, unless a nearby player does not attempt to play the ball or blocks an opponent.[a]
  • Ruckmen would no longer be allowed to cross the centre line during centre ball-ups, intended to increase the frequency of jumping ruck contests.
  • Players taking kick-ins would only be given eight seconds to restart play, down from approximately twelve seconds.
  • Field umpires could immediately restart play at around-the-ground ball-ups if a nominated ruckman was too far away or no nomination was made, however the 'third man up' was still not allowed.[b]
  • Players who shrug a tackle would be deemed to have had prior opportunity when considering holding the ball free kicks.
  • Players inside the five-metre protected area after a mark or free kick to an opponent would be required to stand the mark and would no longer be allowed to move out of the area.

Last disposal out of bounds decisions fell within the purview of decisions reviewable by the AFL Review Centre (ARC),[3] as had all out of bounds decisions since the 2025 finals series.[4] There was a key error late in the Geelong v Adelaide match in round 3: the boundary umpire incorrectly paid a last disposal free kick to Geelong instead of Adelaide, and Geelong restarted play before ARC had a chance to intervene, ultimately resulting in a goal to Geelong who won by eight points.[5] The AFL admitted the error the following day and announced a review of its ARC review processes.[3]

The AFL introduced a wildcard finals round, adding an extra week to the existing finals series and increasing the number of finalists from eight to ten; at the end of the home-and-away season, the seventh-placed team would host the tenth-placed team and eighth would host ninth in wildcard finals, before the remainder of the finals series would continue as per the previous final eight system.[6] The change was the first change to the AFL finals system since 2000.[7] The change was negatively received by the AFL Fans Association;[6] however, sports rights analyst Colin Smith explained that the league was protecting the value of the current $4.5 billion broadcast right deal by implementing the new system, with more finalists meaning fewer dead rubber matches later in the home-and-away season.[8]

A State of Origin match took place for the first time since 1999, with Western Australia playing Victoria at Optus Stadium in February 2026;[9] Victoria won the match by 24 points.[10]

Rules governing voting for the Brownlow Medal were changed, to provide umpires a set of player statistics prior to the lodging of votes.[11]

Coach appointments

[edit]
New coachClubDate of appointmentPrevious coachRef.
Josh Carr Port Adelaide12 February 2025[c]Ken Hinkley[12]
Steven King Melbourne12 September 2025Simon Goodwin[13]

Club leadership

[edit]
Club Coach Leadership group
Captain(s)Vice-captain(s)Other leader(s)Ref.
Adelaide Matthew Nicks[14]Jordan DawsonBen Keays, Alex Neal-BullenIsaac Cumming, Darcy Fogarty, Reilly O'Brien, Riley Thilthorpe[15]
Brisbane Lions Chris Fagan[14]Harris Andrews, Josh Dunkley,
Hugh McCluggage
Oscar Allen, Will Ashcroft, Jarrod Berry, Jaspa Fletcher, Cam Rayner[16]
Carlton Michael Voss[17]Patrick CrippsSam Walsh, Jacob Weitering[18]
Collingwood Craig McRae[14]Darcy MooreNick Daicos, Brayden MaynardDarcy Cameron, Jamie Elliott, Isaac Quaynor, Lachie Schultz[19]
Essendon Brad Scott[20]Andrew McGrathJye Caldwell, Sam Durham, Brayden Fiorini, Kyle Langford, Nic Martin, Mason Redman[21]
Fremantle Justin Longmuir[22]Alex PearceAndrew Brayshaw, Caleb SerongJordan Clark, Jaeger O'Meara, Sam Switkowski, Josh Treacy, Hayden Young[23]
Geelong Chris Scott[14]Patrick DangerfieldTom Stewart[24]
Gold Coast Damien Hardwick[14]Noah AndersonSam Collins, Touk MillerBen King, Wil Powell, Matt Rowell[25]
Greater Western Sydney Adam Kingsley[14]Toby GreeneJack Buckley, Tom Green, Connor Idun[26]
Hawthorn Sam Mitchell[27]Jai Newcombe, James Sicily[28]
Melbourne Steven King[29]Max GawnJack Viney[30]
North Melbourne Alastair Clarkson[31]Nick LarkeyHarry SheezelCharlie Comben, Luke Davies-Uniacke, Tristan Xerri, Cameron Zurhaar[32]
Port Adelaide Josh Carr[33]Connor RozeeZak Butters, Willem DrewAliir Aliir, Miles Bergman, Mitch Georgiades, Jack Lukosius[34]
Richmond Adem YzeToby NankervisTim TarantoNathan Broad, Tom Lynch, Jack Ross, Jayden Short[35]
St Kilda Ross Lyon[14]Jack Sinclair, Callum WilkieMitch Owens, Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, Marcus Windhager, Mason Wood[36]
Sydney Dean Cox[14]Callum MillsIsaac Heeney[37]
West Coast Andrew McQualter[14]Liam Baker, Liam DugganMatt Flynn, Reuben Ginbey, Jack Graham, Brandon Starcevich, Jake Waterman[38]
Western Bulldogs Luke Beveridge[14]Marcus BontempelliAaron Naughton, Ed RichardsBailey Dale, Matthew Kennedy, Tom Liberatore, Cody Weightman, Rhylee West[39]

Pre-season

[edit]

State of Origin

[edit]

Starting time is local time. Source: afl.com.au

2026 AFL Origin
Saturday, 14 February (4:40 pm) Western Australia 15.11 (101) def. by Victoria 18.17 (125) Optus Stadium (crowd: 58,141)
3.1 (19)
8.4 (52)
11.6 (72)
15.11 (101)
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
6.3 (39)
11.8 (74)
15.11 (101)
18.17 (125)
Graham Moss Medal: Jesse Hogan
E. J. Whitten Medal: Lachie Ash
Hogan 5, C. Cameron 3, Jackson 2, Waterman 2, Bolton, Hill, Warner Goals King 4, Dangerfield 2, Greene 2, McCluggage 2, Merrett 2, Bontempelli, Butters, Daicos, Serong, Smith, Xerri
Hogan, Warner, Barrass, Hill, Baker, Bolton Best Daicos, Bontempelli, Serong, King, Butters, Ash, Stewart

Practice matches

[edit]

All starting times are local time. Source: afl.com.au

Official practice matches
Wednesday, 25 February (7:10 pm) Carlton 13.8 (86) def. Geelong 11.5 (71) Ikon Park
Thursday, 26 February (4:10 pm) Sydney 14.13 (97) def. Greater Western Sydney 8.11 (59) Henson Park
Thursday, 26 February (6:10 pm) Brisbane Lions 19.12 (126) def. Gold Coast 15.11 (101) Brighton Homes Arena
Friday, 27 February (4:10 pm) Melbourne 12.6 (78) def. Richmond 6.7 (43) Mars Stadium
Friday, 27 February (7:10 pm) Western Bulldogs 18.9 (117) def. Hawthorn 11.7 (73) Mission Whitten Oval
Saturday, 28 February (3:10 pm) St Kilda 17.13 (115) def. Essendon 10.12 (72) Mars Stadium
Saturday, 28 February (3:10 pm) Fremantle 12.12 (84) def. Adelaide 9.14 (68) Lane Group Stadium
Sunday, 1 March (3:10 pm) North Melbourne 12.18 (90) def. Collingwood 14.5 (89) Mars Stadium
Sunday, 1 March (3:10 pm) West Coast 9.13 (67) def. by Port Adelaide 22.8 (140) Mineral Resources Park
  • The Melbourne v Richmond match was abandoned with 14 minutes remaining in the third quarter after play was halted twice due to nearby lightning strikes.[40]

Home-and-away season

[edit]

All starting times are local time. Source: afl.com.au

Opening Round

[edit]
Opening Round
Thursday, 5 March (7:30 pm) Sydney 20.12 (132) def. Carlton 10.9 (69) Sydney Cricket Ground (crowd: 40,372)
Friday, 6 March (7:05 pm) Gold Coast 19.11 (125) def. Geelong 10.9 (69) People First Stadium (crowd: 19,859)
Saturday, 7 March (4:15 pm) Greater Western Sydney 19.8 (122) def. Hawthorn 14.11 (95) Engie Stadium (crowd: 16,157)
Saturday, 7 March (6:35 pm) Brisbane Lions 15.16 (106) def. by Western Bulldogs 16.15 (111) The Gabba (crowd: 31,606)
Sunday, 8 March (7:20 pm) St Kilda 9.12 (66) def. by Collingwood 11.12 (78) Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 82,528)
Bye
  • The crowd of 82,528 for the St Kilda v Collingwood match was the largest crowd for a home-and-away match involving St Kilda.[41]

Round 1

[edit]
Round 1
Thursday, 12 March (7:30 pm) Carlton 10.15 (75) def. Richmond 9.17 (71) Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 74,313)
Friday, 13 March (7:40 pm) Essendon 13.5 (83) def. by Hawthorn 21.19 (145) Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 71,384)
Saturday, 14 March (1:15 pm) Western Bulldogs 21.8 (134) def. Greater Western Sydney 7.11 (53) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 28,318)
Saturday, 14 March (4:15 pm) Geelong 16.14 (110) def. Fremantle 14.16 (100) GMHBA Stadium (crowd: 28,715)
Saturday, 14 March (7:10 pm) Sydney 15.14 (104) def. Brisbane Lions 8.12 (60) Sydney Cricket Ground (crowd: 38,128)
Saturday, 14 March (7:35 pm) Collingwood 11.13 (79) def. by Adelaide 13.15 (93) Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 62,482)
Sunday, 15 March (1:10 pm) North Melbourne 17.11 (113) def. Port Adelaide 9.13 (67) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 23,318)
Sunday, 15 March (3:15 pm) Melbourne 18.12 (120) def. St Kilda 15.17 (107) Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 44,577)
Sunday, 15 March (5:10 pm) Gold Coast 20.11 (131) def. West Coast 10.12 (72) People First Stadium (crowd: 13,309)
  • Fremantle's quarter-time score of 8.4 (52) was its highest in a match outside of Western Australia,[42] the equal-highest conceded by Geelong since 1983 and the highest conceded by Geelong at GMHBA Stadium.[43]

Round 2

[edit]
Round 2
Thursday, 19 March (7:30 pm) Hawthorn 14.15 (99) def. Sydney 13.4 (82) Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 47,945)
Friday, 20 March (7:10 pm) Adelaide 13.10 (88) def. by Western Bulldogs 14.10 (94) Adelaide Oval (crowd: 49,185)
Saturday, 21 March (1:15 pm) Richmond 9.6 (60) def. by Gold Coast 19.14 (128) Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 30,468)
Saturday, 21 March (4:15 pm) Greater Western Sydney 10.14 (74) def. by St Kilda 11.12 (78) Engie Stadium (crowd: 9,149)
Saturday, 21 March (4:35 pm) Fremantle 17.16 (118) def. Melbourne 10.10 (70) Optus Stadium (crowd: 44,736)
Sunday, 22 March (2:45 pm) Port Adelaide 20.13 (133) def. Essendon 10.10 (70) Adelaide Oval (crowd: 36,049)
Sunday, 22 March (3:10 pm) West Coast 17.9 (111) def. North Melbourne 15.4 (94) Optus Stadium (crowd: 47,083)
Bye
  • The crowd of 49,185 for the Adelaide v Western Bulldogs match was the largest crowd for a home-and-away match between the two clubs.[44]
  • The start of the Greater Western Sydney v St Kilda match was delayed by 50 minutes due to nearby lightning.[45]
  • West Coast's win over North Melbourne ended a 14-match losing streak.[46]

Round 3

[edit]
Round 3
Thursday, 26 March (7:30 pm) Geelong 9.14 (68) def. Adelaide 9.6 (60) GMHBA Stadium (crowd: 20,403)
Friday, 27 March (7:40 pm) Collingwood 13.9 (87) def. Greater Western Sydney 7.12 (54) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 41,607)
Saturday, 28 March (12:35 pm) St Kilda 11.14 (80) def. by Brisbane Lions 17.11 (113) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 31,854)
Saturday, 28 March (1:15 pm) Fremantle 13.25 (103) def. Richmond 6.7 (43) Optus Stadium (crowd: 35,245)
Saturday, 28 March (7:35 pm) Essendon 9.15 (69) def. by North Melbourne 12.9 (81) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 40,154)
Sunday, 29 March (12:00 pm) Port Adelaide 13.12 (90) def. by West Coast 13.14 (92) Adelaide Oval (crowd: 33,754)
Sunday, 29 March (3:15 pm) Carlton 11.11 (77) def. by Melbourne 15.10 (100) Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 67,763)
Bye
  • North Melbourne's win was its first over Essendon since 2016, ending a twelve-match losing streak.[47]

Round 4

[edit]
Round 4
Thursday, 2 April (6:30 pm) Brisbane Lions 17.17 (119) def. Collingwood 10.5 (65) The Gabba (crowd: 34,648)
Friday, 3 April (3:15 pm) North Melbourne 14.12 (96) def. Carlton 13.8 (86) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 45,919)
Friday, 3 April (6:45 pm) Adelaide 11.10 (76) def. by Fremantle 11.12 (78) Adelaide Oval (crowd: 48,627)
Saturday, 4 April (4:15 pm) Richmond 6.12 (48) def. by Port Adelaide 13.12 (90) Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 34,471)
Saturday, 4 April (4:35 pm) West Coast 4.11 (35) def. by Sydney 24.19 (163) Optus Stadium (crowd: 50,723)
Sunday, 5 April (3:15 pm) Melbourne 16.13 (109) def. Gold Coast 14.5 (89) Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 24,287)
Sunday, 5 April (7:20 pm) Western Bulldogs 14.15 (99) def. Essendon 9.11 (65) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 38,786)
Monday, 6 April (3:15 pm) Hawthorn 13.14 (92) def. Geelong 14.7 (91) Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 84,712)
Bye
  • Sydney's 128-point win over West Coast was its biggest win in an away match.[48]

Round 5

[edit]
Round 5 (Gather Round)
Thursday, 9 April (7:10 pm) Adelaide 17.12 (114) def. Carlton 12.14 (86) Adelaide Oval (crowd: 49,184)
Friday, 10 April (7:10 pm) Collingwood 5.9 (39) def. by Fremantle 7.3 (45) Adelaide Oval (crowd: 47,275)
Saturday, 11 April (12:05 pm) North Melbourne 9.12 (66) def. by Brisbane Lions 13.14 (92) Barossa Park (crowd: 10,613)
Saturday, 11 April (12:45 pm) Essendon 17.11 (113) def. Melbourne 10.8 (68) Adelaide Oval (crowd: 38,006)
Saturday, 11 April (3:45 pm) Sydney 14.16 (100) def. Gold Coast 9.14 (68) Norwood Oval (crowd: 9,228)
Saturday, 11 April (7:05 pm) Hawthorn 15.14 (104) def. Western Bulldogs 8.16 (64) Adelaide Oval (crowd: 48,451)
Sunday, 12 April (12:00 pm) Geelong 17.20 (122) def. West Coast 11.10 (76) Norwood Oval (crowd: 9,434)
Sunday, 12 April (2:45 pm) Greater Western Sydney 20.11 (131) def. Richmond 11.9 (75) Barossa Park (crowd: 10,508)
Sunday, 12 April (6:45 pm) Port Adelaide 9.13 (67) def. by St Kilda 12.9 (81) Adelaide Oval (crowd: 47,319)
  • Fremantle's score of 7.3 (45) against Collingwood was the lowest winning score in the club's history,[49] and its total of ten scores was the fewest by any winning team since 1968.[50]
  • Essendon's win over Melbourne ended an equal club-record 17-match losing streak.[51]

Round 6

[edit]
Round 6
Thursday, 16 April (7:30 pm) Carlton 12.11 (83) def. by Collingwood 13.10 (88) Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 78,058)
Friday, 17 April (7:20 pm) Geelong 19.17 (131) def. Western Bulldogs 8.8 (56) GMHBA Stadium (crowd: 33,200)
Friday, 17 April (7:50 pm) Sydney 17.5 (107) def. Greater Western Sydney 8.18 (66) Sydney Cricket Ground (crowd: 43,986)
Saturday, 18 April (1:15 pm) Gold Coast 17.17 (119) def. Essendon 17.8 (110) People First Stadium (crowd: 19,039)
Saturday, 18 April (4:15 pm) Hawthorn 13.11 (89) def. Port Adelaide 13.8 (86) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 37,070)
Saturday, 18 April (7:05 pm) Adelaide 15.13 (103) def. St Kilda 15.12 (102) Adelaide Oval (crowd: 45,854)
Sunday, 19 April (1:10 pm) North Melbourne 20.10 (130) def. Richmond 7.13 (55) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 36,584)
Sunday, 19 April (3:15 pm) Melbourne 16.8 (104) def. Brisbane Lions 15.12 (102) Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 41,629)
Sunday, 19 April (3:10 pm) West Coast 5.11 (41) def. by Fremantle 14.13 (97) Optus Stadium (crowd: 54,232)
  • Talor Byrne (Carlton) had a shot at goal after the final siren to draw the match against Collingwood, but kicked a behind.[52]
  • Due to nearby lightning, the start of the third quarter of the Sydney v Greater Western Sydney match was delayed by 40 minutes under the AFL's lightning protocols.[53]
  • The crowd of 43,986 for the Sydney v Greater Western Sydney match was the largest crowd for a home-and-away Sydney Derby and the largest between the two clubs at the Sydney Cricket Ground.[54]

Round 7

[edit]
Round 7 (Anzac Appeal Round)
Thursday, 23 April (7:30 pm) Western Bulldogs 9.6 (60) def. by Sydney 18.18 (126) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 29,523)
Friday, 24 April (7:40 pm) Richmond 11.6 (72) def. by Melbourne 19.12 (126) Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 67,364)
Saturday, 25 April (12:30 pm) Hawthorn 16.16 (112) def. Gold Coast 9.9 (63) University of Tasmania Stadium (crowd: 8,263)
Saturday, 25 April (3:20 pm) Essendon 9.6 (60) def. by Collingwood 20.17 (137) Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 92,231)
Saturday, 25 April (6:05 pm) Port Adelaide 13.17 (95) def. Geelong 10.5 (65) Adelaide Oval (crowd: 41,164)
Saturday, 25 April (6:15 pm) Fremantle 16.7 (103) def. Carlton 13.11 (89) Optus Stadium (crowd: 54,100)
Sunday, 26 April (1:10 pm) St Kilda 22.11 (143) def. West Coast 5.12 (42) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 29,070)
Sunday, 26 April (3:15 pm) Brisbane Lions 19.13 (127) def. Adelaide 11.9 (75) The Gabba (crowd: 32,629)
Sunday, 26 April (4:40 pm) Greater Western Sydney 15.15 (105) def. North Melbourne 14.14 (98) Corroboree Group Oval (crowd: 12,597)
  • The Hawthorn v Gold Coast match was moved back from 12:15pm to 12:30pm after having mistakenly been scheduled in violation of Tasmanian law prohibiting sporting events from commencing before 12:30pm on Anzac Day; consequently, the Essendon v Collingwood match was moved back by five minutes to minimise overlap between the two matches.[55]
  • The crowd of 54,100 for the Fremantle v Carlton match was the largest crowd for a match between the two clubs.[56]

Round 8

[edit]
Round 8
Thursday, 30 April (7:30 pm) Collingwood 15.3 (93) drew with Hawthorn 13.15 (93) Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 76,632)
Friday, 1 May (7:30 pm) Western Bulldogs 15.12 (102) def. by Fremantle 17.12 (114) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 23,071)
Friday, 1 May (7:40 pm) Adelaide 11.10 (76) def. Port Adelaide 11.9 (75) Adelaide Oval (crowd: 53,045)
Saturday, 2 May (12:35 pm) Essendon 11.13 (79) def. by Brisbane Lions 22.11 (143) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 31,595)
Saturday, 2 May (2:15 pm) West Coast 13.10 (88) def. by Richmond 15.9 (99) Optus Stadium (crowd: 46,350)
Saturday, 2 May (4:35 pm) Geelong 21.9 (135) def. North Melbourne 13.8 (86) GMHBA Stadium (crowd: 32,485)
Saturday, 2 May (7:35 pm) Carlton 9.15 (69) def. by St Kilda 16.12 (108) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 41,062)
Sunday, 3 May (3:15 pm) Sydney 19.17 (131) def. Melbourne 17.12 (114) Sydney Cricket Ground (crowd: 40,673)
Sunday, 3 May (7:20 pm) Gold Coast 11.17 (83) def. Greater Western Sydney 8.15 (63) People First Stadium (crowd: 13,537)
  • Dylan Moore (Hawthorn) kicked a goal after the final siren to draw the match against Collingwood.[57]
  • Richmond's win over West Coast ended a twelve-match losing streak.[58]

Round 9

[edit]
Round 9
Thursday, 7 May (6:10 pm) Fremantle 12.16 (88) def. Hawthorn 11.7 (73) Optus Stadium (crowd: 54,140)
Friday, 8 May (7:30 pm) Brisbane Lions 14.16 (100) def. Carlton 13.11 (89) The Gabba (crowd: 31,147)
Friday, 8 May (7:40 pm) Port Adelaide 10.12 (72) def. by Western Bulldogs 10.14 (74) Adelaide Oval (crowd: 33,883)
Saturday, 9 May (12:35 pm) North Melbourne 14.13 (97) def. by Sydney 16.9 (105) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 28,156)
Saturday, 9 May (4:15 pm) Greater Western Sydney 16.7 (103) def. Essendon 13.11 (89) Engie Stadium (crowd: 9,416)
Saturday, 9 May (6:40 pm) Gold Coast 13.11 (89) def. St Kilda 8.12 (60) TIO Stadium (crowd: 10,672)
Saturday, 9 May (7:35 pm) Geelong 18.14 (122) def. Collingwood 9.14 (68) Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 83,166)
Sunday, 10 May (1:10 pm) Melbourne 15.9 (99) def. West Coast 9.13 (67) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 16,650)
Sunday, 10 May (3:15 pm) Richmond 9.7 (61) def. by Adelaide 14.14 (98) Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 22,123)
  • The crowd of 54,140 for the Fremantle v Hawthorn match was the largest crowd for a home-and-away match between the two clubs.[59]

Round 10

[edit]
Round 10 (Sir Doug Nicholls Round week 1)
Thursday, 14 May (7:30 pm) Brisbane Lions 11.10 (76) def. by Geelong 17.15 (117) The Gabba (crowd: 29,221)
Friday, 15 May (7:30 pm) Sydney 11.15 (81) def. Collingwood 10.15 (75) Sydney Cricket Ground (crowd: 40,627)
Friday, 15 May (7:40 pm) Gold Coast 15.8 (98) def. Port Adelaide 10.13 (73) TIO Stadium (crowd: 11,974)
Saturday, 16 May (12:45 pm) Adelaide 20.13 (133) def. North Melbourne 9.11 (65) Adelaide Oval (crowd: 41,313)
Saturday, 16 May (4:15 pm) Melbourne 18.12 (120) def. Hawthorn 12.9 (81) Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 68,557)
Saturday, 16 May (7:35 pm) Carlton 10.14 (74) def. Western Bulldogs 9.8 (62) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 39,217)
Sunday, 17 May (1:10 pm) Essendon 8.13 (61) def. by Fremantle 16.8 (104) Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 25,100)
Sunday, 17 May (3:15 pm) St Kilda 16.13 (109) def. Richmond 11.7 (73) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 31,230)
Sunday, 17 May (4:15 pm) West Coast 13.10 (88) def. Greater Western Sydney 10.11 (71) Optus Stadium (crowd: 36,781)
  • The crowd of 68,557 for the Melbourne v Hawthorn match was the largest crowd for a home-and-away match between the two clubs.[60]

Round 11

[edit]
Round 11 (Sir Doug Nicholls Round week 2)
Thursday, 21 May (7:30 pm) Hawthorn 10.15 (75) def. Adelaide 9.12 (66) University of Tasmania Stadium (crowd: 8,312)
Friday, 22 May (7:45 pm) Richmond 10.14 (74) def. Essendon 7.14 (56) Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 78,815)
Friday, 22 May (6:30 pm) Fremantle 16.8 (104) def. St Kilda 11.8 (74) Optus Stadium (crowd: 53,707)
Saturday, 23 May (1:15 pm) North Melbourne 17.9 (111) def. Gold Coast 16.9 (105) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 16,260)
Saturday, 23 May (4:15 pm) Geelong 15.17 (107) def. Sydney 12.8 (80) GMHBA Stadium (crowd: 35,869)
Saturday, 23 May (4:35 pm) Collingwood 13.14 (92) def. West Coast 12.10 (82) Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 90,028)
Saturday, 23 May (7:05 pm) Port Adelaide 8.10 (58) def. by Carlton 13.14 (92) Adelaide Oval (crowd: 40,597)
Sunday, 24 May (12:30 pm) Greater Western Sydney 26.10 (166) def. Brisbane Lions 13.10 (88) Engie Stadium (crowd: 8,394)
Sunday, 24 May (3:15 pm) Western Bulldogs 14.9 (93) def. Melbourne 13.12 (90) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 29,708)
  • The crowd of 53,707 for the Fremantle v St Kilda match was the largest crowd for a match between the two clubs.[61]
  • Fremantle's win over St Kilda was its tenth consecutive win, a club record;[61] it would win a further four matches to extend the streak to 14 matches.[62]
  • North Melbourne trailed by 43 points in the second quarter of its match against Gold Coast and went on to win, recording its biggest comeback since 1947;[63] Cameron Zurhaar (North Melbourne) kicked the winning goal after the final siren.[64]
  • Scott Pendlebury (Collingwood) played his 433rd AFL match against West Coast, breaking the VFL/AFL games record held by Brent Harvey (North Melbourne);[65] the crowd of 90,028 for the match was the largest crowd for a home-and-away match involving a non-Victorian club.[66]
  • Greater Western Sydney scored 14.2 (86) in the third quarter of its match against the Brisbane Lions; this was the highest-scoring quarter in the club's history,[67] and the highest-scoring quarter against a reigning premier and highest-scoring third quarter in VFL/AFL history.[68]
  • Greater Western Sydney's final score of 26.10 (166) against the Brisbane Lions was its highest ever.[67]

Round 12

[edit]
Round 12
Thursday, 28 May (7:30 pm) St Kilda 9.13 (67) def. by Hawthorn 18.11 (119) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 33,476)
Friday, 29 May (7:40 pm) Carlton 12.16 (88) def. Geelong 12.12 (84) Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 61,081)
Saturday, 30 May (1:15 pm) Sydney 25.20 (170) def. Richmond 8.8 (56) Sydney Cricket Ground (crowd: 38,013)
Saturday, 30 May (4:15 pm) Brisbane Lions 10.18 (78) def. by Fremantle 15.13 (103) The Gabba (crowd: 32,423)
Saturday, 30 May (7:35 pm) Western Bulldogs 14.13 (97) def. Collingwood 13.15 (93) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 43,430)
Sunday, 31 May (2:45 pm) Melbourne 9.16 (70) def. by Greater Western Sydney 19.5 (119) TIO Traeger Park (crowd: 6,374)
Sunday, 31 May (5:20 pm) West Coast 12.13 (85) def. Essendon 8.7 (55) Optus Stadium (crowd: 37,623)
Bye
  • St Kilda scored 0.5 (5) in the first half of its match against Hawthorn; this was its first goalless opening half since 1987 and its equal-lowest half-time score since 1957.[69]

Round 13

[edit]
Round 13
Thursday, 4 June (7:00 pm) Adelaide 11.9 (75) def. Geelong 10.14 (74) Adelaide Oval (crowd: 42,340)
Friday, 5 June (7:40 pm) Hawthorn 9.17 (71) def. by Western Bulldogs 12.5 (77) Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 59,556)
Saturday, 6 June (12:15 pm) North Melbourne 4.7 (31) def. by Fremantle 24.11 (155) Hands Oval (crowd: 13,331)
Saturday, 6 June (5:15 pm) Gold Coast 11.9 (75) def. by Brisbane Lions 15.16 (106) People First Stadium (crowd: 21,139)
Saturday, 6 June (6:15 pm) West Coast 10.11 (71) def. by Port Adelaide 11.11 (77) Optus Stadium (crowd: 47,479)
Sunday, 7 June (3:15 pm) Sydney 15.14 (104) def. St Kilda 15.12 (102) Sydney Cricket Ground (crowd: 42,143)
Sunday, 7 June (7:20 pm) Essendon 10.7 (67) def. by Carlton 10.12 (72) Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 76,745)
Monday, 8 June (3:15 pm) Collingwood 11.9 (75) def. by Melbourne 12.11 (83) Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 88,019)
Bye
  • The crowd of 59,556 for the Hawthorn v Western Bulldogs match was the largest crowd for a home-and-away match between the two clubs.[70]
  • The margin of 124 points in the North Melbourne v Fremantle match was Fremantle's biggest ever win[71] and the biggest loss of North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson's coaching career.[72]
  • Fremantle kicked the last 19 goals in its win over North Melbourne, the longest unanswered sequence of goals in its history.[71]
  • The crowd of 21,139 for the Gold Coast v Brisbane Lions match was the largest crowd for a QClash at People First Stadium.[73]
  • The crowd of 88,019 for the Collingwood v Melbourne match was the largest crowd for a home-and-away match between the two clubs since 1958.[74]
  • Six matches in round 13 were decided by margins under ten points, the most in a home-and-away round in VFL/AFL history.[75]

Round 14

[edit]
Round 14
Thursday, 11 June (7:30 pm) Western Bulldogs 9.10 (64) def. by Adelaide 19.7 (121) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 22,761)
Friday, 12 June (7:40 pm) Geelong 15.15 (105) def. Gold Coast 8.12 (60) GMHBA Stadium (crowd: 30,276)
Saturday, 13 June (1:15 pm) Melbourne 13.17 (95) def. Essendon 6.14 (50) Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 41,438)
Saturday, 13 June (2:15 pm) North Melbourne 10.14 (74) def. West Coast 10.13 (73) Optus Stadium (crowd: 42,409)
Saturday, 13 June (7:05 pm) Port Adelaide 13.12 (90) def. by Sydney 14.9 (93) Adelaide Oval (crowd: 31,350)
Sunday, 14 June (1:10 pm) Richmond 12.8 (80) def. by Brisbane Lions 17.13 (115) Ninja Stadium (crowd: 10,200)
Sunday, 14 June (3:15 pm) St Kilda 14.12 (96) def. Greater Western Sydney 13.10 (88) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 17,748)
Bye

Round 15

[edit]
Round 15
Thursday, 18 June (6:10 pm) Fremantle 14.15 (99) def. Geelong 14.6 (90) Optus Stadium (crowd: 55,201)
Friday, 19 June (7:40 pm) Gold Coast 14.13 (97) def. by Hawthorn 17.11 (113) People First Stadium (crowd: 19,576)
Saturday, 20 June (12:45 pm) Adelaide 11.13 (79) def. Melbourne 9.8 (62) Adelaide Oval (crowd: 46,337)
Saturday, 20 June (4:15 pm) Greater Western Sydney 9.11 (65) def. by Carlton 12.16 (88) Engie Stadium (crowd: 13,709)
Saturday, 20 June (7:35 pm) Collingwood 11.12 (78) def. Port Adelaide 6.16 (52) Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 40,860)
Sunday, 21 June (1:10 pm) Richmond 6.12 (48) def. by North Melbourne 10.13 (73) Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 41,806)
Sunday, 21 June (3:15 pm) St Kilda 8.13 (61) def. by Western Bulldogs 12.11 (83) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 30,194)
Bye
  • The crowd of 55,201 for the Fremantle v Geelong match was the largest crowd for a match between the two clubs.[76]

Round 16

[edit]
Round 16
Thursday, 25 June (7:30 pm) Brisbane Lions 19.12 (126) def. Sydney 12.11 (83) The Gabba (crowd: 29,700)
Friday, 26 June (7:40 pm) Hawthorn 14.12 (96) def. Greater Western Sydney 12.10 (82) Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 35,238)
Saturday, 27 June (1:15 pm) Carlton 17.15 (117) def. West Coast 9.10 (64) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 41,861)
Saturday, 27 June (4:15 pm) Collingwood 15.16 (106) def. Richmond 11.6 (72) Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 62,117)
Saturday, 27 June (7:05 pm) Port Adelaide 13.19 (97) def. Adelaide 11.5 (71) Adelaide Oval (crowd: 50,087)
Sunday, 28 June (3:15 pm) North Melbourne 10.19 (79) def. Essendon 9.11 (65) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 37,054)
Sunday, 28 June (3:10 pm) Fremantle 11.14 (80) def. Gold Coast 3.11 (29) Optus Stadium (crowd: 50,602)
Bye
  • The crowd of 35,238 for the Hawthorn v Greater Western Sydney match was the largest crowd for a home-and-away match between the two clubs.[77]
  • The crowd of 50,602 for the Fremantle v Gold Coast match was the largest crowd for a home-and-away match between the two clubs.[78]
  • Gold Coast's final score of 3.11 (29) was its lowest against Fremantle.[79]

Round 17

[edit]
Round 17
Thursday, 2 July (7:30 pm) Geelong 14.17 (101) def. by Brisbane Lions 19.9 (123) GMHBA Stadium (crowd: 26,741)
Friday, 3 July (7:40 pm) Sydney 13.12 (90) def. Western Bulldogs 7.13 (55) Sydney Cricket Ground (crowd: 40,770)
Friday, 3 July (6:10 pm) West Coast 11.8 (74) def. by Adelaide 15.9 (99) Optus Stadium (crowd: 35,227)
Saturday, 4 July (1:15 pm) Hawthorn 14.6 (90) def. by Melbourne 19.11 (125) University of Tasmania Stadium (crowd: 9,377)
Saturday, 4 July (1:35 pm) Greater Western Sydney 16.13 (109) def. Fremantle 13.10 (88) Corroboree Group Oval (crowd: 11,856)
Saturday, 4 July (4:15 pm) Gold Coast 15.8 (98) def. by Collingwood 15.14 (104) People First Stadium (crowd: 21,072)
Saturday, 4 July (7:35 pm) Richmond 10.12 (72) def. by Carlton 10.14 (74) Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 54,923)
Sunday, 5 July (3:15 pm) Essendon 7.8 (50) def. by St Kilda 17.15 (117) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 34,713)
Sunday, 5 July (4:10 pm) Port Adelaide 10.13 (73) def. North Melbourne 7.10 (52) Adelaide Oval (crowd: 33,105)
  • Fremantle's loss to Greater Western Sydney ended a club-record 14-match winning streak.[62]

Round 18

[edit]
Round 18
Thursday, 9 July (6:10 pm) Fremantle 15.21 (111) def. Sydney 10.13 (73) Optus Stadium (crowd: 55,966)
Friday, 10 July (7:40 pm) Collingwood 13.11 (89) def. North Melbourne 12.13 (85) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 48,369)
Saturday, 11 July (1:15 pm) St Kilda 13.9 (87) def. Port Adelaide 10.13 (73) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 22,074)
Saturday, 11 July (4:15 pm) Greater Western Sydney 12.14 (86) def. Geelong 11.7 (73) Engie Stadium (crowd: 13,821)
Saturday, 11 July (7:35 pm) Carlton 6.3 (39) def. by Hawthorn 15.13 (103) Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 70,314)
Saturday, 11 July (7:40 pm) Adelaide 19.14 (128) def. Gold Coast 7.7 (49) Adelaide Oval (crowd: 40,165)
Sunday, 12 July (1:10 pm) Western Bulldogs 13.8 (86) def. West Coast 9.16 (70) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 25,909)
Sunday, 12 July (3:15 pm) Melbourne 16.15 (111) def. Richmond 9.11 (65) Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 32,893)
Sunday, 12 July (4:40 pm) Brisbane Lions 22.17 (149) def. Essendon 8.11 (59) The Gabba (crowd: 30,505)
  • The crowd of 55,966 for the Fremantle v Sydney match was the largest crowd for a home-and-away match between the two clubs[80] and Fremantle's largest home crowd for a home-and-away match outside of a Western Derby.[81]
  • Fremantle's score of 9.5 (59) in the final quarter of its match against Sydney was the highest in a final quarter in its history.[82]
  • Fremantle's final score of 15.21 (111) against Sydney was the highest by a team that went goalless in the first half of a match, having scored 0.11 (11) to half-time.[83]
  • Greater Western Sydney trailed by 39 points in the third quarter of its match against Geelong and went on to win, recording its equal-biggest comeback.[84]
  • The Brisbane Lions' 90-point win was its biggest over Essendon.[85]

Round 19

[edit]
Round 19
Thursday, 16 July (7:30 pm) Geelong 15.12 (102) def. St Kilda 11.9 (75) GMHBA Stadium (crowd: 23,737)
Friday, 17 July (7:40 pm) Sydney 10.11 (71) def. by Adelaide 13.9 (87) Sydney Cricket Ground (crowd: 33,413)
Saturday, 18 July (12:45 pm) Port Adelaide 11.9 (75) def. by Fremantle 15.13 (103) Adelaide Oval (crowd: 28,727)
Saturday, 18 July (4:15 pm) North Melbourne 11.10 (76) def. by Melbourne 13.14 (92) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 25,025)
Saturday, 18 July (7:35 pm) Collingwood 14.6 (90) def. Carlton 10.9 (69) Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 83,885)
Saturday, 18 July (6:10 pm) West Coast 10.9 (69) def. by Brisbane Lions 13.15 (93) Optus Stadium (crowd: 41,560)
Sunday, 19 July (1:10 pm) Richmond 6.16 (52) def. by Hawthorn 18.14 (122) Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 49,127)
Sunday, 19 July (3:15 pm) Gold Coast 9.14 (68) def. by Western Bulldogs 11.11 (77) People First Stadium (crowd: 14,809)
Sunday, 19 July (4:40 pm) Essendon 10.7 (67) def. Greater Western Sydney 8.16 (64) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 14,601)
  • The crowd of 14,601 for the Essendon v Greater Western Sydney match was Essendon's smallest home crowd since 2016, excluding matches with restricted crowds during the COVID-19-affected 2020 and 2021 seasons.[86]
  • Jake Stringer (Greater Western Sydney) kicked seven behinds without a goal in the match against Essendon, the most behinds by a player without kicking a goal since 2003.[87]
  • Essendon's win over Greater Western Sydney ended a 12-match losing streak, and was its first win in Victoria in over a year.[88]

Round 20

[edit]
Round 20
Thursday, 23 July (7:00 pm) Adelaide 11.8 (74) def. by Collingwood 16.12 (108) Adelaide Oval (crowd: 50,109)
Friday, 24 July (7:40 pm) Melbourne 14.13 (97) def. by Geelong 18.9 (117) Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 49,292)
Friday, 24 July (6:10 pm) Fremantle 16.16 (112) def. West Coast 6.6 (42) Optus Stadium (crowd: 56,616)
Saturday, 25 July (1:05 pm) Carlton 16.14 (110) def. Gold Coast 15.7 (97) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 26,945)
Saturday, 25 July (4:15 pm) Hawthorn 19.18 (132) def. Essendon 5.9 (39) Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 42,509)
Saturday, 25 July (4:35 pm) Greater Western Sydney 13.10 (88) def. by Sydney 21.13 (139) Engie Stadium (crowd: 20,141)
Saturday, 25 July (7:40 pm) Western Bulldogs 15.15 (105) def. Richmond 7.6 (48) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 25,154)
Sunday, 26 July (1:10 pm) Brisbane Lions 19.12 (126) def. Port Adelaide 9.13 (67) The Gabba (crowd: 30,722)
Sunday, 26 July (3:15 pm) North Melbourne 8.14 (62) def. by St Kilda 13.15 (93) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 25,523)
  • The crowd of 56,616 for the Fremantle v West Coast match was Fremantle's largest home crowd for a home-and-away match.[89]
  • Essendon's final score of 5.9 (39) was its lowest against Hawthorn.[90]

Round 21

[edit]
Round 21
Thursday, 30 July (7:30 pm) Collingwood 10.12 (72) def. by Geelong 15.7 (97) Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 60,023)
Friday, 31 July (6:10 pm) Fremantle 11.12 (78) def. Western Bulldogs 5.11 (41) Optus Stadium (crowd: 53,524)
Saturday, 1 August (1:05 pm) St Kilda 13.10 (88) def. by Sydney 16.11 (107) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 32,512)
Saturday, 1 August (1:35 pm) Hawthorn 14.15 (99) def. North Melbourne 12.11 (83) University of Tasmania Stadium (crowd: 9,420)
Saturday, 1 August (6:05 pm) Port Adelaide 9.9 (63) def. by Greater Western Sydney 10.15 (75) Adelaide Oval (crowd: 30,758)
Saturday, 1 August (7:40 pm) Carlton 24.10 (154) def. Brisbane Lions 11.12 (78) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 40,988)
Sunday, 2 August (1:10 pm) Richmond 12.12 (84) def. West Coast 9.19 (73) Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 33,737)
Sunday, 2 August (3:15 pm) Gold Coast 16.9 (105) def. by Melbourne 18.6 (114) People First Stadium (crowd: 14,963)
Sunday, 2 August (4:40 pm) Essendon 11.7 (73) def. by Adelaide 23.7 (145) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 20,518)
  • The crowd of 53,524 for the Fremantle v Western Bulldogs match was the largest crowd for a home-and-away match between the two clubs.[91]

Round 22

[edit]
Round 22
Thursday, 6 August (7:30 pm) Western Bulldogs 11.11 (77) def. by North Melbourne 15.10 (100) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 25,052)
Friday, 7 August (7:40 pm) Brisbane Lions 18.17 (125) def. Hawthorn 8.10 (58) The Gabba (crowd: 33,003)
Saturday, 8 August (1:15 pm) Melbourne 17.11 (113) def. Fremantle 17.7 (109) Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 40,938)
Saturday, 8 August (4:15 pm) Sydney 26.11 (167) def. Port Adelaide 10.10 (70) Sydney Cricket Ground (crowd: 40,014)
Saturday, 8 August (4:35 pm) Geelong 17.15 (117) def. Essendon 7.8 (50) GMHBA Stadium (crowd: 33,379)
Saturday, 8 August (7:05 pm) Adelaide 9.9 (63) def. Richmond 7.12 (54) Adelaide Oval (crowd: 42,762)
Sunday, 9 August (1:10 pm) Greater Western Sydney 11.11 (77) def. by Gold Coast 11.13 (79) Corroboree Group Oval (crowd: 5,814)
Sunday, 9 August (2:10 pm) West Coast 15.8 (98) def. by Collingwood 17.15 (117) Optus Stadium (crowd: 47,609)
Sunday, 9 August (7:20 pm) St Kilda 8.14 (62) def. by Carlton 16.10 (106) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 43,434)
  • Sydney's final score of 26.11 (167) was its highest against Port Adelaide.[92]
  • Gold Coast's win over Greater Western Sydney ended a ten-match losing streak.[93]

Round 23

[edit]
Round 23
Friday, 14 August (6:10 pm) Fremantle 16.16 (112) def. Adelaide 13.10 (88) Optus Stadium (crowd: 55,010)
Saturday, 15 August (12:35 pm) Richmond 6.9 (45) def. by St Kilda 14.10 (94) Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 35,850)
Saturday, 15 August (3:45 pm) North Melbourne 17.8 (110) def. by Geelong 19.11 (125) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 35,529)
Saturday, 15 August (4:15 pm) Brisbane Lions 14.11 (95) def. Gold Coast 6.17 (53) The Gabba (crowd: 30,413)
Saturday, 15 August (7:40 pm) Hawthorn 13.14 (92) drew with Collingwood 13.14 (92) Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 76,186)
Saturday, 15 August (7:40 pm) Port Adelaide 8.8 (56) def. by Melbourne 20.12 (132) Adelaide Oval (crowd: 28,417)
Sunday, 16 August (1:40 pm) Greater Western Sydney 16.15 (111) def. West Coast 7.15 (57) Engie Stadium (crowd: 7,345)
Sunday, 16 August (3:15 pm) Western Bulldogs 12.10 (82) drew with Carlton 12.10 (82) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 44,106)
Sunday, 16 August (4:40 pm) Essendon 11.10 (76) def. by Sydney 17.10 (112) Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 24,767)
  • The crowd of 55,010 for the Fremantle v Adelaide match was the largest crowd for a match between the two clubs.[94]
  • Dylan Moore (Hawthorn) had a shot at goal at the final siren to win the match against Collingwood, having kicked the match-drawing goal against Collingwood earlier in the season, but the ball fell short, resulting in a second draw.[95]
  • The crowd of 24,767 for the Essendon v Sydney match was the smallest for a match involving Essendon at the Melbourne Cricket Ground since 1993, excluding matches with restricted crowds during the COVID-19-affected 2020 and 2021 seasons.[96]
  • Round 23 was the first home-and-away round to feature two draws since 1977.[97]

Round 24

[edit]
Round 24
Thursday, 20 August (7:30 pm) St Kilda 12.8 (80) def. by Gold Coast 14.19 (103) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 14,429)
Friday, 21 August (7:40 pm) Collingwood 15.6 (96) def. by Brisbane Lions 25.9 (159) Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 66,846)
Saturday, 22 August (1:15 pm) Carlton 18.11 (119) def. Fremantle 12.10 (82) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 42,020)
Saturday, 22 August (4:15 pm) Melbourne 12.15 (87) def. by Western Bulldogs 16.12 (108) Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 44,258)
Saturday, 22 August (7:45 pm) Geelong 20.13 (133) def. Richmond 11.10 (76) GMHBA Stadium (crowd: 29,194)
Saturday, 22 August (7:40 pm) Adelaide 24.13 (157) def. Greater Western Sydney 15.11 (101) Adelaide Oval (crowd: 52,332)
Sunday, 23 August (12:20 pm) Essendon 14.11 (95) def. by Port Adelaide 16.9 (105) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 29,200)
Sunday, 23 August (3:20 pm) Sydney 17.21 (123) def. North Melbourne 10.10 (70) Sydney Cricket Ground (crowd: 30,058)
Sunday, 23 August (5:20 pm) West Coast 6.9 (45) def. by Hawthorn 16.11 (107) Optus Stadium (crowd: 43,066)
  • The crowd of 52,332 for the Adelaide v Greater Western Sydney match was the largest crowd for a home-and-away match between the two clubs.[98]

Ladder

[edit]
Pos Team Pld W L D PF PA PP Pts Qualification
1 Fremantle 23 19 4 0 2286 1666 137.2 76 Finals series
2 Sydney 23 18 5 0 2543 1869 136.1 72
3 Brisbane Lions (P) 23 16 7 0 2499 2054 121.7 64
4 Hawthorn 23 15 6 2 2260 1881 120.1 64
5 Geelong 23 15 8 0 2355 1925 122.3 60
6 Adelaide 23 15 8 0 2169 1849 117.3 60
7 Melbourne 23 15 8 0 2301 2099 109.6 60
8 Western Bulldogs 23 13 9 1 1901 1992 95.4 54
9 Collingwood 23 12 9 2 2021 1974 102.4 52
10 Carlton 23 12 10 1 2007 1978 101.5 50
11 St Kilda 23 10 13 0 2030 1974 102.8 40
12 Greater Western Sydney 23 10 13 0 2073 2095 98.9 40
13 Gold Coast 23 9 14 0 2011 2128 94.5 36
14 North Melbourne 23 9 14 0 1932 2175 88.8 36
15 Port Adelaide 23 7 16 0 1804 2048 88.1 28
16 West Coast 23 4 19 0 1615 2333 69.2 16
17 Richmond 23 3 20 0 1483 2373 62.5 12
18 Essendon 23 2 21 0 1601 2478 64.6 8
Source: afl.com.au
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) percentage; 3) number of points for
(P) Premiers

Progression by round

[edit]
4Finished the round in first place0Finished the round in last place
4Won the minor premiership0Finished the season in last place
4Finished the round inside the top ten
41Subscript indicates the ladder position at the end of the round
41Underlined points indicate the team had a bye that round
TeamO123456789101112131415161718192021222324
Fremantle00134583124162202242282322362401441481481521561561601641681721721761761
Sydney41818384122161201241281321361362402442482482482522522522562602642682722
Brisbane Lions0601501641389126129165204244247248249289327328365404444484524525564603643
Hawthorn08468485126163203243263263266304343343345383423423463503543583583604644
Geelong0949414810811128166169206245283323324324363364364367369409449487527566605
Adelaide04548412413811121012131611208248247248288326365366405445485485524565567606
Melbourne04741188127129168204207247285286286325364366367406446486486526566605607
Western Bulldogs4583122122161164167161016122092010249287326328367368368407447487488489509548
Collingwood44484987810813121116818818101811221022112211221326113010349388428468469508528529
Carlton01041141541641541641641641641681612151614201320142414281232103212321236114010441046105010
St Kilda070144104144148148131212169161120920112012201224102412241328123210321036103611361140114011
Greater Western Sydney43410413415416812814121412141613161320122410241024112413241428133211321132123612361240124012
Gold Coast4282121121123125164167205246284285285287289289281128142814281428142814321432143613
North Melbourne04446861251271651661610161216122013201320142412281032932113213321332133213361336133614
Port Adelaide00164741188810812121112131214121412141216161516151615201524152415241524152415241524152415
West Coast001841289812815815815815815121512161615161616161616161616161616161616161616161616161616
Richmond00120170180180180180184184184188178178178178178178178178188181217121712171217
Essendon0017018017017417417417417417417418418418418418418418418817817818818818818

Source: AFL Tables

Home matches and membership

[edit]

The following table includes all home match attendance figures from the home-and-away season, excluding neutral matches (Gather Round).

Team Home match attendance Membership
Hosted Total Highest Lowest Average 2025[99] 2026 Change
2025[100] 2026[101] Change
Adelaide11512,06953,04540,165 45,120 46,552Increase 1,432 81,067
Brisbane Lions11346,01734,64829,221 30,598 31,456Increase 858 75,115
Carlton11583,62278,05826,945 49,182 53,057Increase 3,875 100,743
Collingwood11720,86890,02840,860 68,873 65,533Decrease 3,340 112,491
Essendon11461,00892,23114,601 40,034 41,910Increase 1,876 85,568
Fremantle11568,84756,61635,245 45,758 51,713Increase 5,955 66,179
Geelong11377,16583,16620,403 35,439 34,288Decrease 1,151 92,379
Gold Coast11179,94921,13910,672 15,679 16,359Increase 680 30,107
Greater Western Sydney11128,39920,1415,814 12,026 11,673Decrease 353 37,705
Hawthorn11418,58884,7128,263 41,484 38,053Decrease 3,431 87,204
Melbourne11410,89368,5576,374 36,805 37,354Increase 549 58,563
North Melbourne11329,10845,91913,331 25,266 29,919Increase 4,653 56,283
Port Adelaide11387,89150,08728,417 35,556 35,263Decrease 293 72,656
Richmond11458,88478,81510,200 44,398 41,717Decrease 2,681 92,531
St Kilda11368,54982,52814,429 31,644 33,504Increase 1,860 65,509
Sydney11422,65443,98630,058 34,277 38,423Increase 4,146 76,674
West Coast11493,27654,23236,781 42,576 44,843Increase 2,267 107,079
Western Bulldogs11335,81844,10622,761 36,764 30,529Decrease 6,235 65,584
Total/overall1987,503,08192,2315,81437,30637,894Increase 5881,363,437

Source: AFL Tables

Finals series

[edit]
Wildcard finalsQualifying and elimination finalsSemi-finalsPreliminary finalsGrand final
3 September, Optus Stadium
1Fremantle5.10 (40)
4Hawthorn10.12 (72)11 September, Optus Stadium
Fremantle18.12 (120)
29 August, Melbourne Cricket Ground4 September, Melbourne Cricket GroundGeelong16.10 (106)19 September, Melbourne Cricket Ground
7Melbourne7.13 (55)5Geelong14.23 (107)Hawthorn19.8 (122)
10Carlton10.14 (74)Carlton11.8 (74)Brisbane Lions20.11 (131)26 September, Melbourne Cricket Ground
Fremantle12.17 (89)
28 August, Melbourne Cricket Ground5 September, Adelaide Oval18 September, Sydney Cricket GroundBrisbane Lions14.12 (96)
8Western Bulldogs14.12 (96)6Adelaide14.6 (90)Sydney10.11 (71)
9Collingwood14.9 (93)Western Bulldogs9.14 (68)12 September, the GabbaFremantle12.11 (83)
Brisbane Lions21.18 (144)
5 September, Sydney Cricket GroundAdelaide13.13 (91)
2Sydney21.15 (141)
3Brisbane Lions13.10 (88)

All starting times are local time. Source: afl.com.au

Finals week 1

[edit]
Second wildcard final
Friday, 28 August (7:40 pm) Western Bulldogs 14.12 (96) def. Collingwood 14.9 (93) Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 81,036)
4.1 (25)
7.6 (48)
10.8 (68)
14.12 (96)
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
4.0 (24)
6.2 (38)
8.8 (56)
14.9 (93)
Jones 4, Naughton 4, Weightman 2, Bontempelli, Davidson, M. Kennedy, Richards Goals McStay 4, Anderson 2, N. Daicos 2, Cameron, Crisp, De Goey, Long, Membrey, C. West
Bontempelli, Jones, Naughton, M. Kennedy, Dale, Freijah Best N. Daicos, McStay, McCreery, Swadling, Lipinski, J. Daicos
  • Tim Membrey (Collingwood) had a shot at goal after the final siren to win the wildcard final against the Western Bulldogs, but kicked a behind.[102]
First wildcard final
Saturday, 29 August (7:35 pm) Melbourne 7.13 (55) def. by Carlton 10.14 (74) Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 91,733)
4.3 (27)
5.6 (36)
7.10 (52)
7.13 (55)
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
1.3 (9)
5.5 (35)
8.8 (56)
10.14 (74)
Fritsch, Gawn, Langford, Laurie, McDonald, Petty, Sharp Goals Ainsworth 3, McKay 2, Smith 2, Cripps, O. Hollands, Kemp
Gawn, Langford, Chandler, Sparrow Best Smith, Walsh, O. Hollands, Ainsworth, Evans, Cripps

Finals week 2

[edit]
First qualifying final
Thursday, 3 September (6:10 pm) Fremantle 5.10 (40) def. by Hawthorn 10.12 (72) Optus Stadium (crowd: 59,466)
1.3 (9)
1.4 (10)
4.7 (31)
5.10 (40)
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
4.4 (28)
6.7 (43)
9.10 (64)
10.12 (72)
Amiss, Brayshaw, Jackson, Switkowski, Treacy Goals Gunston 2, Moore 2, Watson 2, Chol, Ginnivan, Lewis, Morrison
Clark, Brayshaw, Erasmus, Worner Best Sicily, Day, Battle, Watson, D'Ambrosio, Newcombe
First elimination final
Friday, 4 September (7:40 pm) Geelong 14.23 (107) def. Carlton 11.8 (74) Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 96,680)
1.5 (11)
4.10 (34)
10.13 (73)
14.23 (107)
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
4.3 (27)
5.7 (37)
7.8 (50)
11.8 (74)
Dangerfield 5, Miers 2, Neale 2, Close, O. Henry, Holmes, Mannagh, Polkinghorne Goals Evans 2, Kemp 2, Lord 2, Ainsworth, Cottrell, Cripps, O. Hollands, McKay
Mannagh, Dangerfield, B. Smith, Wiltshire, Stewart, J. Henry Best J. Smith, Walsh, Cripps, Wilson, Pittonet, Cowan
  • The crowd of 96,680 for the Geelong v Carlton elimination final was the largest crowd for a match between the two clubs since 1962.[103]
Second qualifying final
Saturday, 5 September (3:15 pm) Sydney 21.15 (141) def. Brisbane Lions 13.10 (88) Sydney Cricket Ground (crowd: 37,261)
6.6 (42)
10.8 (68)
16.13 (109)
21.15 (141)
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
2.4 (16)
5.8 (38)
9.9 (63)
13.10 (88)
McDonald 6, Curnow 5, Papley 5, McLean 3, Gulden, Roberts Goals Allen 4, Hipwood 2, Morris 2, L. Ashcroft, Berry, Draper, Dunkley, McKenna
Gulden, McDonald, Papley, Curnow, Cunningham, Rowbottom Best Dunkley, Allen, Hipwood, Wilmot
  • Sydney's final score of 21.15 (141) against the Brisbane Lions was its highest in a final.[104]
Second elimination final
Saturday, 5 September (7:05 pm) Adelaide 14.6 (90) def. Western Bulldogs 9.14 (68) Adelaide Oval (crowd: 51,370)
3.1 (19)
7.2 (44)
9.5 (59)
14.6 (90)
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
1.7 (13)
5.8 (38)
5.10 (40)
9.14 (68)
Rachele 3, Cook 2, Fogarty 2, Keays 2, Rankine 2, Ah Chee, Thilthorpe, Walker Goals A. Jones 2, Lewis 2, Richards 2, Freijah, Naughton, Sanders
Worrell, Milera, Rankine, Rachele, Dawson, Fogarty, Cook Best Richards, Freijah, Bontempelli, Williams, Hynes

Finals week 3

[edit]
First semi-final
Friday, 11 September (6:10 pm) Fremantle 18.12 (120) def. Geelong 16.10 (106) Optus Stadium (crowd: 59,725)
6.2 (38)
10.5 (65)
15.6 (96)
18.12 (120)
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
2.1 (13)
7.2 (44)
12.8 (80)
16.10 (106)
Voss 4, Amiss 2, Bolton 2, Dudley 2, Frederick 2, Jackson 2, M. Cox, Serong, Treacy, Young Goals O. Henry 5, Neale 3, Cameron 2, Dangerfield 2, Mannagh 2, Stewart, Wiltshire
Jackson, Bolton, Young, Treacy, Reid, Brayshaw, Serong Best O. Henry, Smith, Humphries, Neale, Dangerfield, Mannagh
Second semi-final
Saturday, 12 September (7:35 pm) Brisbane Lions 21.18 (144) def. Adelaide 13.13 (91) The Gabba (crowd: 36,026)
6.6 (42)
10.12 (72)
16.15 (111)
21.18 (144)
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
2.3 (15)
5.4 (34)
7.9 (51)
13.13 (91)
Cameron 5, Bailey 3, Hipwood 2, Lohmann 2, McCluggage 2, Morris 2, Rayner 2, L. Ashcroft, McKenna, Zorko Goals Fogarty 2, Keays 2, Thilthorpe 2, Walker 2, Curtin, Nankervis, Milera, Neal-Bullen, Rachele
W. Ashcroft, Bailey, Zorko, Dunkley, Rayner, Cameron Best Dawson, Berry, Curtin, Hall-Kahan, Taylor

Finals week 4

[edit]
Second preliminary final
Friday, 18 September (7:40 pm) Sydney 10.11 (71) def. by Fremantle 12.11 (83) Sydney Cricket Ground (crowd: 45,129)
4.5 (29)
7.6 (48)
10.10 (70)
10.11 (71)
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
2.1 (13)
4.5 (29)
7.7 (49)
12.11 (83)
L. McDonald 3, Campbell, Cleary, Curnow, Hanily, McInerney, Papley, Sheldrick Goals Bolton 2, Dudley 2, Jackson 2, Amiss, M. Cox, Erasmus, Frederick, Voss, Young
L. McDonald, Gulden, J. Serong, Grundy, Rowbottom Best Young, Jackson, Brayshaw, Bolton, Dudley, C. Serong
  • Fremantle trailed by 21 points at three-quarter time of the preliminary final against Sydney and went on to win, recording its biggest comeback from a three-quarter time deficit.[105]
First preliminary final
Saturday, 19 September (5:15 pm) Hawthorn 19.8 (122) def. by Brisbane Lions 20.11 (131) Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 97,835)
5.1 (31)
11.1 (67)
12.5 (77)
19.8 (122)
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
5.2 (32)
8.5 (53)
15.7 (97)
20.11 (131)
Watson 6, Gunston 5, Lewis 4, Chol, Moore, Sicily, Weddle Goals Lohmann 5, Cameron 3, Hipwood 3, McCluggage 3, Morris 2, L. Ashcroft, W. Ashcroft, Berry, McKenna
Watson, Ward, D'Ambrosio, Gunston, Sicily, Barrass Best W. Ashcroft, Lohmann, Neale, Dunkley, Andrews, McCluggage
  • The crowd of 97,835 for the Hawthorn v Brisbane Lions preliminary final was the largest crowd for a match between the two clubs.[106]
  • Hawthorn's final score of 19.8 (122) against the Brisbane Lions was the highest losing score in a preliminary final.[107]

Grand final

[edit]
Grand final
Saturday, 26 September (2:30 pm) Fremantle 12.17 (89) def. by Brisbane Lions 14.12 (96) Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 100,023)
3.4 (22)
6.7 (43)
10.12 (72)
12.17 (89)
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
3.5 (23)
6.7 (43)
9.8 (62)
14.12 (96)
Norm Smith Medal: Shai Bolton (Fremantle)[108]
Field umpires: Nick Foot, Brendan Hosking, Hayden Meyer, Brett Rosebury[109]
National anthem: Michael Paynter[110]
Voss 3, Amiss 2, Dudley 2, Young 2, Frederick, Reid, Treacy Goals Cameron 3, Morris 3, Allen 2, Lohmann 2, L. Ashcroft, Bailey, Draper, McKenna
Serong, Young, Voss, Reid, Jackson, Bolton Best Dunkley, W. Ashcroft, Zorko, Cameron, Wilmot, Gallop, Lohmann
  • The crowd of 100,023 for the grand final was the largest crowd for a grand final featuring two non-Victorian clubs.[111]
  • Shai Bolton (Fremantle) was the first player since 2005 to win the Norm Smith Medal in a losing grand final team.[112]
  • The grand final was the most-watched television program of 2026, averaging 6.5 million viewers across the Seven Network and 7plus, and the most-watched grand final in VFL/AFL history.[111]

Win–loss table

[edit]

The following table can be sorted from biggest winning margin to biggest losing margin for each round. If multiple matches in a round are decided by the same margin, these margins are sorted by percentage (i.e. the lowest-scoring winning team is ranked highest and the lowest-scoring losing team is ranked lowest).[d] Home matches are in bold, neutral matches (Gather Round) are underlined and opponents are listed above the margins.

+WinQualified for finals
−LossEliminated
Draw
X
Bye
TeamHome-and-away seasonLadderFinals series
O123456789101112131415161718192021222324F1F2F3F4GF
AdelaideXCOL
+14
WB
–6
GEE
–8
FRE
–2
CAR
+28
STK
+1
BL
–52
PA
+1
RIC
+37
NM
+68
HAW
–9
XGEE
+1
WB
+57
MEL
+17
PA
–26
WC
+25
GC
+79
SYD
+16
COL
–34
ESS
+72
RIC
+9
FRE
–24
GWS
+56
6
(15–8–0)
XWB
+22
BL
–53
Brisbane LionsWB
–5
SYD
–44
XSTK
+33
COL
+54
NM
+26
MEL
–2
ADE
+52
ESS
+64
CAR
+11
GEE
–41
GWS
–78
FRE
–25
GC
+31
RIC
+35
XSYD
+43
GEE
+23
ESS
+90
WC
+24
PA
+59
CAR
–76
HAW
+67
GC
+42
COL
+63
3
(16–7–0)
XSYD
–53
ADE
+53
HAW
+9
FRE
+7
CarltonSYD
–63
RIC
+4
XMEL
–23
NM
–10
ADE
–28
COL
–5
FRE
–14
STK
–39
BL
–11
WB
+12
PA
+34
GEE
+4
ESS
+5
XGWS
+23
WC
+53
RIC
+2
HAW
–64
COL
–21
GC
+13
BL
+76
STK
+44
WB
0
FRE
+37
10
(12–10–1)
MEL
+19
GEE
–33
CollingwoodSTK
+12
ADE
–14
XGWS
+33
BL
–54
FRE
–6
CAR
+5
ESS
+77
HAW
0
GEE
–54
SYD
–6
WC
+10
WB
–4
MEL
–8
XPA
+26
RIC
+34
GC
+6
NM
+4
CAR
+21
ADE
+34
GEE
–25
WC
+19
HAW
0
BL
–63
9
(12–9–2)
WB
–3
EssendonXHAW
–62
PA
–63
NM
–12
WB
–34
MEL
+45
GC
–9
COL
–77
BL
–64
GWS
–14
FRE
–43
RIC
–18
WC
–30
CAR
–5
MEL
–45
XNM
–14
STK
–67
BL
–90
GWS
+3
HAW
–93
ADE
–72
GEE
–67
SYD
–36
PA
–10
18
(2–21–0)
FremantleXGEE
–10
MEL
+48
RIC
+60
ADE
+2
COL
+6
WC
+56
CAR
+14
WB
+12
HAW
+15
ESS
+43
STK
+30
BL
+25
NM
+124
XGEE
+9
GC
+51
GWS
–21
SYD
+38
PA
+28
WC
+70
WB
+37
MEL
–4
ADE
+24
CAR
–37
1
(19–4–0)
XHAW
–32
GEE
+14
SYD
+12
BL
–7
GeelongGC
–56
FRE
+10
XADE
+8
HAW
–1
WC
+46
WB
+75
PA
–30
NM
+49
COL
+54
BL
+41
SYD
+27
CAR
–4
ADE
–1
GC
+45
FRE
–9
XBL
–23
GWS
–13
STK
+27
MEL
+20
COL
+25
ESS
+67
NM
+15
RIC
+57
5
(15–8–0)
XCAR
+33
FRE
–14
Gold CoastGEE
+56
WC
+59
RIC
+68
XMEL
–20
SYD
–32
ESS
+9
HAW
–49
GWS
+20
STK
+29
PA
+25
NM
–6
XBL
–31
GEE
–45
HAW
–16
FRE
–51
COL
–6
ADE
–79
WB
–9
CAR
–13
MEL
–9
GWS
+2
BL
–42
STK
+23
13
(9–14–0)
Greater Western SydneyHAW
+27
WB
–81
STK
–4
COL
–33
XRIC
+56
SYD
–41
NM
+7
GC
–20
ESS
+14
WC
–17
BL
+78
MEL
+49
XSTK
–8
CAR
–23
HAW
–14
FRE
+21
GEE
+13
ESS
–3
SYD
–51
PA
+12
GC
–2
WC
+54
ADE
–56
12
(10–13–0)
HawthornGWS
–27
ESS
+62
SYD
+17
XGEE
+1
WB
+40
PA
+3
GC
+49
COL
0
FRE
–15
MEL
–39
ADE
+9
STK
+52
WB
–6
XGC
+16
GWS
+14
MEL
–35
CAR
+64
RIC
+70
ESS
+93
NM
+16
BL
–67
COL
0
WC
+62
4
(15–6–2)
XFRE
+32
XBL
–9
MelbourneXSTK
+13
FRE
–48
CAR
+23
GC
+20
ESS
–45
BL
+2
RIC
+54
SYD
–17
WC
+32
HAW
+39
WB
–3
GWS
–49
COL
+8
ESS
+45
ADE
–17
XHAW
+35
RIC
+46
NM
+16
GEE
–20
GC
+9
FRE
+4
PA
+76
WB
–21
7
(15–8–0)
CAR
–19
North MelbourneXPA
+46
WC
–17
ESS
+12
CAR
+10
BL
–26
RIC
+75
GWS
–7
GEE
–49
SYD
–8
ADE
–68
GC
+6
XFRE
–124
WC
+1
RIC
+25
ESS
+14
PA
–21
COL
–4
MEL
–16
STK
–31
HAW
–16
WB
+23
GEE
–15
SYD
–53
14
(9–14–0)
Port AdelaideXNM
–46
ESS
+63
WC
–2
RIC
+42
STK
–14
HAW
–3
GEE
+30
ADE
–1
WB
–2
GC
–25
CAR
–34
XWC
+6
SYD
–3
COL
–26
ADE
+26
NM
+21
STK
–14
FRE
–28
BL
–59
GWS
–12
SYD
–97
MEL
–76
ESS
+10
15
(7–16–0)
RichmondXCAR
–4
GC
–68
FRE
–60
PA
–42
GWS
–56
NM
–75
MEL
–54
WC
+11
ADE
–37
STK
–36
ESS
+18
SYD
–114
XBL
–35
NM
–25
COL
–34
CAR
–2
MEL
–46
HAW
–70
WB
–57
WC
+11
ADE
–9
STK
–49
GEE
–57
17
(3–20–0)
St KildaCOL
–12
MEL
–13
GWS
+4
BL
–33
XPA
+14
ADE
–1
WC
+101
CAR
+39
GC
–29
RIC
+36
FRE
–30
HAW
–52
SYD
–2
GWS
+8
WB
–22
XESS
+67
PA
+14
GEE
–27
NM
+31
SYD
–19
CAR
–44
RIC
+49
GC
–23
11
(10–13–0)
SydneyCAR
+63
BL
+44
HAW
–17
XWC
+128
GC
+32
GWS
+53
WB
+66
MEL
+17
NM
+8
COL
+6
GEE
–27
RIC
+114
STK
+2
PA
+3
XBL
–43
WB
+35
FRE
–38
ADE
–16
GWS
+51
STK
+19
PA
+97
ESS
+36
NM
+53
2
(18–5–0)
XBL
+53
XFRE
–12
West CoastXGC
–59
NM
+17
PA
+2
SYD
–128
GEE
–46
FRE
–56
STK
–101
RIC
–11
MEL
–32
GWS
+17
COL
–10
ESS
+30
PA
–6
NM
–1
XCAR
–53
ADE
–25
WB
–16
BL
–24
FRE
–70
RIC
–11
COL
–19
GWS
–54
HAW
–62
16
(4–19–0)
Western BulldogsBL
+5
GWS
+81
ADE
+6
XESS
+34
HAW
–40
GEE
–75
SYD
–66
FRE
–12
PA
+2
CAR
–12
MEL
+3
COL
+4
HAW
+6
ADE
–57
STK
+22
XSYD
–35
WC
+16
GC
+9
RIC
+57
FRE
–37
NM
–23
CAR
0
MEL
+21
8
(13–9–1)
COL
+3
ADE
–22

Source: AFL Tables

Season notes

[edit]
  • In round 13, the AFL recorded a combined attendance of 390,752, the highest for an eight-match home-and-away round in VFL/AFL history; the round also saw a total television viewership of over 7.2 million, the highest viewership for a home-and-away round in VFL/AFL history despite only eight matches being played.[75]
  • Fremantle won 14 consecutive matches during the season,[113] breaking West Coast's record of 12 in 1991 for the longest winning streak of the Western Australia-based AFL clubs.[114]
  • Fremantle recorded crowds of over 50,000 in nine consecutive home matches during the home-and-away season, a VFL/AFL record.[115]
  • Collingwood and Hawthorn drew both of their home-and-away match-ups, becoming the first clubs in VFL/AFL history to do so in the same season;[116] both matches ended with shots at goal at or after the final siren by Dylan Moore (Hawthorn) and produced almost identical scorelines: 93–93 in round 8 and 92–92 in round 23.[95]
  • Essendon won two matches during the home-and-away season, the equal-fewest in the club's history.[e]
  • New records for combined (7,772,015) and average attendance (37,545) were set during the home-and-away season, along with new records for combined crowds in Western Australia, South Australia and Queensland.[118]

Notable events

[edit]

Milestones

[edit]
Round Player/official Club Milestone
OR Isaac Heeney Sydney300th AFL goal
Jesse Hogan Greater Western Sydney400th AFL goal
Rory Lobb Western Bulldogs200th AFL game
1 Blake Hardwick Hawthorn200th AFL game
Daniel McStay Collingwood200th AFL game
Darcy Fogarty Adelaide200th AFL goal
Christian Salem Melbourne200th AFL game
3 Jake Stringer Greater Western Sydney400th AFL goal
Max Gawn Melbourne250th AFL game
Tom McDonald Melbourne250th AFL game
4 Tom Papley Sydney200th AFL game
Aaron Naughton Western Bulldogs300th AFL goal
5 Jake Melksham Melbourne250th AFL game
6 Mark Blicavs Geelong300th AFL game
Jake Kolodjashnij Geelong200th AFL game
Karl Amon Hawthorn200th AFL game
Josh Dunkley Brisbane Lions200th AFL game
Lachie Neale Brisbane Lions300th AFL game
Shai Bolton Fremantle200th AFL goal
7 Bayley Fritsch Melbourne300th AFL goal
8 Nick Larkey North Melbourne300th AFL goal
Brodie Grundy Sydney250th AFL game
9 Tom Stewart Geelong200th AFL game
Daniel McStay Collingwood200th AFL goal
10 Zac Bailey Brisbane Lions200th AFL goal
11 Jayden Short Richmond200th AFL game
Dan Houston Collingwood200th AFL game
13 Jacob Mollison —400th AFL game umpired[120]
14 Harris Andrews Brisbane Lions250th AFL game
Eric Hipwood Brisbane Lions200th AFL game
15 Jake Lever Melbourne200th AFL game
16 Mitch Georgiades Port Adelaide200th AFL goal
17 Ben King Gold Coast300th AFL goal
Ollie Florent Carlton200th AFL game
18 Will Hayward Carlton200th AFL game
19 Dion Prestia Richmond250th AFL game
Tom Lynch Richmond500th AFL goal
20 Jordan De Goey Collingwood200th AFL game
Taylor Walker Adelaide700th AFL goal
Jack Gunston Hawthorn600th AFL goal
21 Patrick Cripps Carlton250th AFL game
Nick Haynes Carlton250th AFL game
22 Ryan Lester Brisbane Lions250th AFL game
Jarrod Berry Brisbane Lions200th AFL game
Harry McKay Carlton300th AFL goal
23 Luke Ryan Fremantle200th AFL game
Tom Lynch Richmond250th AFL game
James Sicily Hawthorn200th AFL game
Aliir Aliir Port Adelaide200th AFL game
24 Bradley Hill St Kilda300th AFL game
Eric Hipwood Brisbane Lions300th AFL goal
Jake Stringer Greater Western Sydney250th AFL game
Andrew McGrath Essendon200th AFL game
Jack Gunston Hawthorn300th AFL game

Source: AFL Tables (players); other milestones sourced individually

Coach departures

[edit]
Outgoing coachClubManner of departureDate of departureCaretaker coachIncoming coachDate of appointment
Michael Voss CarltonResigned12 May 2026[121]Josh Fraser[122]Josh Fraser18 August 2026[123]
Brad Scott EssendonDismissed with a year and a half remaining on contract26 May 2026[124]Dean Solomon[125]Mark McVeigh24 August 2026[126]
Alastair Clarkson North MelbourneDismissed with a year remaining on contract2 September 2026[127]—Jaymie Graham6 October 2026[128]
Chris Fagan Brisbane LionsRetired with a year remaining on contract1 October 2026[129]—

Awards

[edit]

Major awards

[edit]

Leading goalkickers

[edit]
1Led the goalkicking at the end of the round
1Led the goalkicking at the end of the home-and-away season
11Subscript indicates the player's goal tally to that point of the season
–Did not play during that round
XHad a bye during that round
# Player Club Home-and-away season (Coleman Medal) Finals series Total Games Average
O123456789101112131415161718192021222324F1F2F3F4GF
1 Charlie CurnowSydney330325X54909312719120–21121223831233336X36339645550050454357562466369X69574X7417575243.13
2 Logan MorrisBrisbane Lions33–3X3253808311213417421223124125732335X35338341243144347047451455863X6326526726937272262.77
3 Jack GunstonHawthorn4459413X13316319–19524024630–30–30535–35X35–35–35136339140747249352254559X59261X6156666193.47
4 Jye AmissFremantleX01101234729514317017320222426430232X32335136137239443548048553558–58X5815926116226464262.46
5 Nick WatsonHawthorn224617X7310111516218220323326228230333X33336339–39–39544347552052052355X55257X5766363232.74
6 Charlie CameronBrisbane Lions4426X6280819312416218220323225227229130X30232234236238341243346248250X5005055535836161272.26
7 Ben KingGold Coast4459716X16319221324226228432133134X3443834114214334614714835125325525736060232.61
8 Josh TreacyFremantleX02246410212012113316319221223225328432X32234034337441344145348250151354X5415515605615757272.11
9 Kai LohmannBrisbane Lions2213X32549110111112416218018321021021122X22224529332436339241546046046X4604624855325555272.04
10 Shannon NealeGeelong1156X606410212113215318220222022022123225227X27330030131536238341243447X4724935252252.08

Source: AFL Tables

Club best and fairest

[edit]
Player(s)ClubAwardRef.
Jordan Dawson AdelaideMalcolm Blight Medal[134]
Will Ashcroft Brisbane LionsMerrett–Murray Medal[135]
Sam Walsh CarltonJohn Nicholls Medal[136]
Nick Daicos CollingwoodCopeland Trophy[137]
Zach Merrett EssendonCrichton Medal[138]
Luke Jackson FremantleDoig Medal[139]
Bailey Smith GeelongCarji Greeves Medal[140]
Bodhi Uwland Gold CoastClub Champion[141]
Lachie Ash Greater Western SydneyKevin Sheedy Medal[142]
Nick Watson HawthornPeter Crimmins Medal[143]
Max Gawn MelbourneKeith 'Bluey' Truscott Trophy[144]
Harry Sheezel North MelbourneSyd Barker Medal[145]
Jason Horne-Francis Port AdelaideJohn Cahill Medal[146]
Tim Taranto RichmondJack Dyer Medal[147]
Callum Wilkie St KildaTrevor Barker Award[148]
Isaac Heeney SydneyBob Skilton Medal[149]
Harley Reid West CoastJohn Worsfold Medal[150]
Marcus Bontempelli Western BulldogsCharles Sutton Medal[151]

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ↑ Consistent with the rule used in the AFL Women's (AFLW) and South Australian National Football League (SANFL)
  2. ↑ Consistent with the rule used in the AFLW
  3. ↑ Announcement of succession plan
  4. ↑ In the case of round 13, in which two matches produced the same final scores, the winners of those matches are sorted alphabetically; in the case of round 23, which produced two draws (where the away team would be ranked higher), the away teams are sorted alphabetically.
  5. ↑ Essendon also won two matches in the 1933 VFL season, albeit in a shorter home-and-away season.[117]

References

[edit]
  1. 1 2 "AFL ditches centre bounce for men's game, and sub rule after grand final criticism". ABC News. 1 October 2025. Archived from the original on 4 November 2025. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
  2. ↑ Beveridge, Riley (29 October 2025). "Watch examples of the seven rule changes that will impact 2026". afl.com.au. Archived from the original on 10 November 2025. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
  3. 1 2 "AFL to review ARC process after conceding late error in Cats-Crows clash". afl.com.au. 27 March 2026. Retrieved 27 March 2026.
  4. ↑ "AFL to use video reviews for "key boundary line decisions" in finals". zerohanger.com. 2 September 2025. Retrieved 28 March 2026.
  5. ↑ De Silva, Chris (26 March 2026). "Jack Martin's heroics help Geelong claim thriller over Adelaide as missed call puts last-touch rule under spotlight". ABC News. Retrieved 27 March 2026.
  6. 1 2 Australian Associated Press (10 November 2025). "AFL gives teams finishing 10th chance to win premiership through wildcard round in finals". ABC News. Archived from the original on 12 November 2025. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
  7. ↑ Australian Associated Press (10 November 2025). "Biggest finals shake-up in 25 years as Wildcard Round introduced". afl.com.au. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
  8. ↑ Ryan, Peter (10 November 2025). "Many fans are asking why the AFL has introduced wildcard round. The answer is in the TV rights". The Age. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
  9. ↑ "'Thrilled to see it back': AFL Origin fixture details revealed in end to 26-yr hiatus". Fox Sports. 15 September 2025. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
  10. ↑ Bilton, Dean; Australian Associated Press (14 February 2026). "AFL State of Origin returns in style as Victoria holds off WA, Jacob Weitering taken to hospital". Fox Sports. Retrieved 14 February 2026.
  11. ↑ "AFL confirms historic shift in Brownlow voting". Australian Football League. 25 February 2026. Retrieved 25 February 2026.
  12. ↑ Keane, Daniel (12 February 2025). "Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley to step down at end of 2025 season as Power anoints Carr as successor". ABC News. Archived from the original on 15 February 2025. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
  13. ↑ Cotton, Ben (12 September 2025). "Demons name Steven King as new senior coach for 2026". Fox Sports. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "Who wants what? Every coach's New Year's resolution for 2026". afl.com.au. 31 December 2025. Archived from the original on 21 January 2026. Retrieved 7 March 2026.
  15. ↑ "Crows announce 2026 leaders". Adelaide Football Club. 24 February 2026. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
  16. ↑ "The power of three: Lions appoint co-captain trio". Brisbane Lions. 16 February 2026. Retrieved 16 February 2026.
  17. ↑ "Carlton confirms coaching structure for 2026". Carlton Football Club. 3 October 2025. Archived from the original on 16 November 2025. Retrieved 30 December 2025.
  18. ↑ "Who's in, who's out? Your club's captains, leadership group for 2026". afl.com.au. 4 March 2026. Archived from the original on 4 March 2026. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  19. ↑ "Collingwood confirms 2026 AFL leadership group". Collingwood Football Club. 10 February 2026. Archived from the original on 10 February 2026. Retrieved 10 February 2026.
  20. ↑ "Bombers finalise 2026 coaching structure". Essendon Football Club. 15 December 2025. Archived from the original on 23 December 2025. Retrieved 17 December 2025.
  21. ↑ "Step forward, Andrew McGrath – Essendon's new captain". Essendon Football Club. 17 December 2025. Archived from the original on 1 January 2026. Retrieved 17 December 2025.
  22. ↑ "Fremantle coaching department update". Fremantle Football Club. 7 October 2025. Retrieved 30 December 2025.
  23. ↑ "2026 leadership group announced". Fremantle Football Club. 16 January 2026. Retrieved 16 January 2026.
  24. ↑ "Cats announce leaders for the 2026 AFL season". Geelong Football Club. 24 February 2026. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  25. ↑ "Suns lock in leaders for 2026". Gold Coast Suns. 18 February 2026. Retrieved 27 February 2026.
  26. ↑ "Toby to continue captaincy". Greater Western Sydney Giants. 2 February 2026. Archived from the original on 3 February 2026. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  27. ↑ "Hawthorn locks in 2026 AFL coaching panel". Hawthorn Football Club. 2 December 2025. Archived from the original on 10 December 2025. Retrieved 30 December 2025.
  28. ↑ "Sicily and Newcombe appointed as Hawthorn co-captains". Hawthorn Football Club. 22 January 2026. Retrieved 22 January 2026.
  29. ↑ "Four new additions to Dees' coaching mix". Melbourne Football Club. 10 October 2025. Archived from the original on 9 November 2025. Retrieved 30 December 2025.
  30. ↑ "Gawn to lead King's men | leaders announced". Melbourne Football Club. 19 February 2026. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  31. ↑ "North Melbourne appoints Hampson, Macpherson to development coach roles". North Melbourne Football Club. 7 November 2025. Archived from the original on 12 December 2025. Retrieved 30 December 2025.
  32. ↑ "Larkey named captain as Roos reveal new-look leadership group". North Melbourne Football Club. 9 December 2025. Archived from the original on 9 December 2025. Retrieved 10 December 2025.
  33. ↑ "Port Adelaide finalises 2026 AFL coaching panel". Port Adelaide Football Club. 23 October 2025. Archived from the original on 23 October 2025. Retrieved 30 December 2025.
  34. ↑ "Captain Rozee to lead for third AFL season". Port Adelaide Football Club. 21 January 2026. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  35. ↑ "Nankervis confirmed as captain for fifth season". St Kilda Football Club. 18 February 2026. Retrieved 18 February 2026.
  36. ↑ "Wilkie, Sinclair named St Kilda co-captains". St Kilda Football Club. 16 February 2026. Retrieved 16 February 2026.
  37. ↑ "Mills and Heeney to lead Swans in 2026". Sydney Swans. 28 January 2026. Retrieved 28 January 2026.
  38. ↑ "New-look leadership group locked in for 2026". West Coast Eagles. 29 January 2026. Retrieved 29 January 2026.
  39. ↑ "Dogs announce 2026 leadership group". Western Bulldogs. 3 February 2026. Archived from the original on 3 February 2026. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
  40. ↑ Black, Sarah (27 February 2026). "Dees-Tigers practice match abandoned after lightning delay strikes twice". afl.com.au. Retrieved 27 February 2026.
  41. ↑ Bastiani, Gemma (8 March 2026). "Magpies hold firm as surging Saints fall short in fiery MCG showdown". afl.com.au. Retrieved 8 March 2026.
  42. ↑ Australian Associated Press; Rogers, Michael (14 March 2026). "Neale bags five as Cats grind down fast-starting Freo". afl.com.au. Retrieved 14 March 2026.
  43. ↑ Healey, Catherine; Cotton, Ben (14 March 2026). "'Word disgraceful was used': Spray sparks epic comeback as Freo left 'bitterly disappointed' — 3-2-1". Fox Sports. Retrieved 14 March 2026.
  44. ↑ "Adelaide – all games – by opponent (section: Western Bulldogs)". AFL Tables. Retrieved 20 March 2026.
  45. ↑ Australian Associated Press; Welsh, Sophie (21 March 2026). "Saints cling on to withstand Giants' late surge in heartstopper". afl.com.au. Retrieved 21 March 2026.
  46. ↑ Woodcock, Mitchell (22 March 2026). "Young talent time shine as new era of West Coast Eagles beat North Melbourne to end 14-game losing streak". The West Australian. Archived from the original on 22 March 2026. Retrieved 22 March 2026.
  47. ↑ Australian Associated Press; Cohen, Brandon (28 March 2026). "Roos snap 10-year streak as Bombers edge closer to unwanted record". afl.com.au. Retrieved 28 March 2026.
  48. ↑ McGarry, Andrew (4 April 2026). "Swans complete 128-point victory over Eagles as Heeney stars on return, Port Adelaide downs Richmond at MCG". ABC News. Archived from the original on 4 April 2026. Retrieved 5 April 2026.
  49. ↑ "Fremantle – game records (section: Lowest winning scores)". AFL Tables. Retrieved 17 April 2026.
  50. ↑ "AFL – fewest scoring shots". Australian Football. Retrieved 4 May 2026.[dead link]
  51. ↑ Cotton, Ben; Faulkner, Will (11 April 2026). "Winners... finally! Dons' 'dark' 17-game losing streak ends as dismal Demons 'belted'". Fox Sports. Retrieved 11 April 2026.
  52. ↑ Healey, Catherine; Jovanovski, Jack (16 April 2026). "Horror movie repeat with twist ending: Blue misses after siren, Daicos inspires Pies epic". Fox Sports. Retrieved 16 April 2026.
  53. ↑ "Swans defy Giants, lightning delay to secure Derby bragging rights". afl.com.au. 17 April 2026. Retrieved 17 April 2026.
  54. ↑ "South Melbourne/Sydney – all games – by opponent (section: Greater Western Sydney)". AFL Tables. Retrieved 17 April 2026.
  55. ↑ "Anzac Day start times changed due to government legislation". afl.com.au. 16 April 2026. Retrieved 17 April 2026.
  56. ↑ "Fremantle – all games – by opponent (section: Carlton)". AFL Tables. Retrieved 25 April 2026.
  57. ↑ Healey, Catherine; Walsh, Courtney (30 April 2026). "'Dropped two points': Skipper's last-second 'mare, Hawks pull great escape in wild draw". Fox Sports. Retrieved 30 April 2026.
  58. ↑ Pentony, Luke; Doyle, Michael (2 May 2026). "Carlton blows another half-time lead as Michael Voss pins blame on defensive effort, Tigers get off the mark against Eagles". ABC News. Retrieved 2 May 2026.
  59. ↑ "Fremantle – all games – by opponent (section: Hawthorn)". AFL Tables. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
  60. ↑ "Melbourne – all games – by opponent (section: Hawthorn)". AFL Tables. Archived from the original on 4 January 2026. Retrieved 17 May 2026.
  61. 1 2 Healey, Catherine (22 May 2026). "10 in a row! Late blitz delivers Dockers historic first as Flagmantle dream grows". Fox Sports. Archived from the original on 22 May 2026. Retrieved 22 May 2026.
  62. 1 2 Australian Associated Press; Kalinic, Dejan (4 July 2026). "Giant boilover! 'The Package' delivers as GWS ends Freo's winning run". afl.com.au. Archived from the original on 4 July 2026. Retrieved 4 July 2026.
  63. ↑ Kalinic, Dejan (23 May 2026). "Roos go close to club record in Suns stunner: Your club's biggest comeback win". afl.com.au. Archived from the original on 25 May 2026. Retrieved 26 May 2026.
  64. ↑ Cotton, Ben; Jovanovski, Jack (23 May 2026). "Wild scenes as Roos stun Suns after the siren in 49-pt turnaround". Fox Sports. Retrieved 23 May 2026.
  65. ↑ Sullivan, Matthew (23 May 2026). "Scott Pendlebury breaks AFL games record: 'Tragedy' rocks MCG, sparks brawl". news.com.au. Retrieved 23 May 2026.
  66. ↑ "Attendances (1921–2026) (section: High & Lowest)". AFL Tables. Archived from the original on 4 June 2019. Retrieved 23 May 2026.
  67. 1 2 Jovanovski, Jack (24 May 2026). "'Is there a mercy rule?' Giants' record blitz stuns in premiers' horror show". Fox Sports. Archived from the original on 25 May 2026. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
  68. ↑ Patterson, Emily (24 May 2026). "'We couldn't stop it': Lions left reeling after Giants' third-quarter onslaught". afl.com.au. Archived from the original on 24 May 2026. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
  69. ↑ Bastiani, Gemma (28 May 2026). "Sluggish Saints left scrambling as Hawks cash in on blistering start". afl.com.au. Archived from the original on 28 May 2026. Retrieved 28 May 2026.
  70. ↑ "Hawthorn – all games – by opponent (section: Western Bulldogs)". AFL Tables. Archived from the original on 29 May 2025. Retrieved 6 June 2026.
  71. 1 2 Healey, Catherine; Faulkner, Will (6 June 2026). "Fre-woah! Records tumble as dominant Dockers obliterate Roos in 124-point drubbing". Fox Sports. Archived from the original on 7 June 2026. Retrieved 6 June 2026.
  72. ↑ Australian Associated Press, Dejan; Kalinic (6 June 2026). "Dazzling Dockers make it a dozen with record Roos thrashing". afl.com.au. Retrieved 6 June 2026.
  73. ↑ "Gold Coast – all games – by opponent (section: Brisbane Lions)". AFL Tables. Archived from the original on 6 February 2025. Retrieved 8 June 2026.
  74. ↑ "Collingwood – all games – by opponent (section: Melbourne)". AFL Tables. Retrieved 8 June 2026.
  75. 1 2 "AFL announces record crowds and viewership for round 13". afl.com.au. 9 June 2026. Archived from the original on 10 June 2026. Retrieved 9 June 2026.
  76. ↑ "Fremantle – all games – by opponent (section: Geelong)". AFL Tables. Retrieved 18 June 2026.
  77. ↑ "Hawthorn – all games – by opponent (section: Greater Western Sydney)". AFL Tables. Archived from the original on 29 May 2025. Retrieved 28 June 2026.
  78. ↑ "Fremantle – all games – by opponent (section: Gold Coast)". AFL Tables. Retrieved 28 June 2026.
  79. ↑ Schmook, Nathan (28 June 2026). "Dockers extend winning record with total eclipse of the Suns". afl.com.au. Retrieved 28 June 2026.
  80. ↑ "Fremantle – all games – by opponent (section: Sydney)". AFL Tables. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
  81. ↑ Schmook, Nathan (23 July 2026). "'We'll embrace it': Eagles fired up for hostile derby cauldron". afl.com.au. Archived from the original on 24 July 2026. Retrieved 25 July 2026.
  82. ↑ "Fremantle – quarters & halves (section: Most points in final quarter)". AFL Tables. Archived from the original on 13 July 2026. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
  83. ↑ Cotton, Ben; Healey, Catherine (9 July 2026). "'Feels like 1st v 18th': Swans 'monstered' in stunning mauling as contender makes huge statement". Fox Sports. Archived from the original on 10 July 2026. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
  84. ↑ Kalinic, Dejan (11 July 2026). "Giants equal club record: Your club's biggest ever comeback win". afl.com.au. Archived from the original on 12 July 2026. Retrieved 12 July 2026.
  85. ↑ "Brisbane Lions – game records (section: Biggest wins)". AFL Tables. Archived from the original on 18 May 2026. Retrieved 12 July 2026.
  86. ↑ "Essendon attendances (section: Since 1997 high and lows)". AFL Tables. Archived from the original on 29 April 2024. Retrieved 21 July 2026.
  87. ↑ "Stocks up, stocks down: Star forward has one of the all-time stinkers in shock loss". ESPN. 20 July 2026. Archived from the original on 21 July 2026. Retrieved 21 July 2026.
  88. ↑ Caffrey, Oliver; Jackson, Ed; Smart, Nick; Spits, Scott (19 July 2026). "'A bloody good feeling': Essendon bask in the glow of landing a win, climbing off the bottom". The Age. Retrieved 21 July 2026.
  89. ↑ "Fremantle attendances (section: All-time high and lows)". AFL Tables. Archived from the original on 29 July 2024. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
  90. ↑ "Essendon – all games – by opponent (section: Hawthorn)". AFL Tables. Archived from the original on 9 December 2021. Retrieved 27 July 2026.
  91. ↑ "Fremantle – all games – by opponent (section: Western Bulldogs)". AFL Tables. Archived from the original on 9 December 2021. Retrieved 3 August 2026.
  92. ↑ Jovanovski, Jack (8 August 2026). "'Don't think I've seen...': Scary Swans surge in finals statement as hurt star sweats scans". Fox Sports. Archived from the original on 9 August 2026. Retrieved 10 August 2026.
  93. ↑ Healey, Catherine (9 August 2026). "Giant disaster! GWS finals hopes all but dashed in stunner as Suns snap dire skid". Fox Sports. Archived from the original on 9 August 2026. Retrieved 10 August 2026.
  94. ↑ "Fremantle – all games – by opponent (section: Adelaide)". AFL Tables. Archived from the original on 9 December 2021. Retrieved 14 August 2026.
  95. 1 2 Lerner, Ronny; Jovanovski, Jack (15 August 2026). "A draw... again! Hawks, Pies can't be split after star's agonising kick after the siren". Fox Sports (Australia). Archived from the original on 15 August 2026. Retrieved 15 August 2026.
  96. ↑ "Essendon all games – by venue (section: M.C.G.)". AFL Tables. Archived from the original on 15 October 2025. Retrieved 17 May 2026.
  97. ↑ McGarry, Andrew (16 August 2026). "Carlton seals wildcard with draw with Bulldogs, Swans beat Bombers to lock in second, GWS downs Eagles, Van Rooyen gets three-match ban". ABC News. Archived from the original on 16 August 2026. Retrieved 16 August 2026.
  98. ↑ "Adelaide – all games – by opponent (section: Greater Western Sydney)". AFL Tables. Retrieved 23 August 2026.
  99. ↑ "All-time club membership record broken again". afl.com.au. 10 September 2025. Archived from the original on 13 September 2025. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
  100. ↑ "Attendances 2025". AFL Tables. Archived from the original on 21 April 2025. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
  101. ↑ "Attendances 2026". AFL Tables. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
  102. ↑ Bilton, Dean (28 August 2026). "Western Bulldogs beat Collingwood in AFL wildcard final as Tim Membrey misses shot after the siren". ABC News. Archived from the original on 28 August 2026. Retrieved 28 August 2026.
  103. ↑ "Geelong – all games – by opponent (section: Carlton)". AFL Tables. Retrieved 5 September 2026.
  104. ↑ Pegan, Martin (15 September 2026). "Mega-preview: Swans v Dockers, stats that matter, who wins and why". afl.com.au. Retrieved 16 September 2026.
  105. ↑ Waterworth, Ben (19 September 2026). "Coach's two words for Freo star after iconic goal as 'fluke' turns prelim on its head". Fox Sports. Retrieved 19 September 2026.
  106. ↑ "Hawthorn – all games – by opponent (section: Brisbane Lions)". AFL Tables. Retrieved 23 September 2026.
  107. ↑ Kalinic, Dejan (20 September 2026). "Unwanted record leaves Brisbane needing to defy history". afl.com.au. Retrieved 20 September 2026.
  108. ↑ Gleeson, Michael (26 September 2026). "Shai Bolton wins 2026 Norm Smith Medal". The Age. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  109. ↑ "2026 Toyota AFL Grand Final umpiring panel announced". afl.com.au. 22 September 2026. Retrieved 23 September 2026.
  110. ↑ "Home grown talent added to Telstra pre-game entertainment line-up". afl.com.au. 15 September 2026. Retrieved 23 September 2026.
  111. 1 2 "Lions-Dockers classic breaks Grand Final record". afl.com.au. 27 September 2026. Retrieved 27 September 2026.
  112. ↑ Healey, Catherine (26 September 2026). "Norm Smith stunner: Shock winner named as Freo star makes rare AFL history". Fox Sports. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  113. ↑ Schmook, Nathan (28 June 2026). "Dockers extend winning record with total eclipse of the Suns". afl.com.au. Archived from the original on 28 June 2026. Retrieved 28 June 2026.
  114. ↑ Schmook, Nathan (18 June 2026). "Lucky 13: Dockers overcome yips, gritty Cats to extend winning streak". afl.com.au. Archived from the original on 18 June 2026. Retrieved 18 June 2026.
  115. ↑ Kirby, Aaron (14 August 2026). "Fremantle Dockers set new record for consecutive 50,000-fan games". The West Australian. Retrieved 15 August 2026.
  116. ↑ Bastiani, Gemma (16 August 2026). "Mitchell left helpless, McRae celebrates 'small wins' after historic draw". afl.com.au. Archived from the original on 15 August 2026. Retrieved 16 August 2026.
  117. ↑ Valencich, Glenn (24 August 2026). "James Hird responds to Essendon coaching 'disappointment' with revelation 'other clubs have been contacting me'". Seven News. Retrieved 24 August 2026.
  118. ↑ "AFL breaks all-time crowd record as huge wildcard games loom". afl.com.au. 24 August 2026. Archived from the original on 24 August 2026. Retrieved 24 August 2026.
  119. ↑ "Sydney Swans ban Isaac Heeney, Nick Blakey, Chad Warner, Riley Bice and James Jordon for remainder of 2026 season". ABC News. 19 August 2026. Archived from the original on 19 August 2026. Retrieved 19 August 2026.
  120. ↑ "AFL congratulates Jacob Mollison on 400 games". afl.com.au. 4 June 2026. Archived from the original on 4 June 2026. Retrieved 8 June 2026.
  121. ↑ Brunsdon, Simon (12 May 2026). "'He's been a great mentor and a great coach': Blues captain shocked after Michael Voss quits as coach". Nine's Wide World of Sports. Retrieved 12 May 2026.
  122. ↑ Ralphsmith, Jonty (12 May 2026). ""I'm ambitious. I believe I could do it": Carlton interim on senior coaching". Zero Hanger. Retrieved 12 May 2026.
  123. ↑ Australian Associated Press (18 August 2026). "Josh Fraser named Carlton coach after leading Blues' AFL revival". ABC News. Archived from the original on 18 August 2026. Retrieved 18 August 2026.
  124. ↑ Niall, Jake; Ryan, Peter; Pierik, Jon; Russell, Danny (26 May 2026). "Essendon part ways with Brad Scott, club great says Hird could return". The Age. Retrieved 26 May 2026.
  125. ↑ Sutton, Ben (26 May 2026). "'Strong push' for James Hird to return as Essendon coach after Brad Scott sacked". Seven News. Archived from the original on 26 May 2026. Retrieved 26 May 2026.
  126. ↑ "'We're not looking backwards': McVeigh announced as Essendon's new coach". The Age. 24 August 2026. Retrieved 24 August 2026.
  127. ↑ Brunsdon, Simon (2 September 2026). "Legendary coach Clarkson sacked as Roos cop $1m payout". Nine's Wide World of Sports. Retrieved 2 September 2026.
  128. ↑ Waterworth, Ben; Faulkner, Will (6 October 2026). "The rapid rise behind Roos' hopeful saviour... and reason why he was named Clarko's successor". Fox Sports. Retrieved 6 October 2026.
  129. ↑ Clark, Jay (1 October 2026). "Three time premiership coach Chris Fagan to step down as Brisbane coach". Herald Sun. Retrieved 1 October 2026.
  130. ↑ Brandon Cohen (25 August 2026). "Third time's a charm: Curnow joins greats with another Coleman Medal". afl.com.au. Archived from the original on 25 August 2026. Retrieved 25 August 2026.
  131. ↑ Brandon Cohen (25 August 2026). "FULL VOTES: Blues young gun wins Rising Star, falls just short of perfect season". afl.com.au. Archived from the original on 25 August 2026. Retrieved 25 August 2026.
  132. ↑ Martin Smith (25 August 2026). "Daicos completes rare double, Dawson honoured by his peers". afl.com.au. Archived from the original on 25 August 2026. Retrieved 25 August 2026.
  133. ↑ Nathan Schmook (25 August 2026). "Record breaker: Pies star caps incredible season with second coaches' award". afl.com.au. Archived from the original on 25 August 2026. Retrieved 25 August 2026.
  134. ↑ "Dawson named 2026 Malcolm Blight Medallist". Adelaide Football Club. 2 October 2026. Retrieved 2 October 2026.
  135. ↑ "Merrett-Murray Medal winner - Club Champions 2026". Brisbane Lions. 2 October 2026. Retrieved 2 October 2026.
  136. ↑ "Walsh named the 2026 John Nicholls Medallist". Carlton Football Club. 4 October 2026. Retrieved 4 October 2026.
  137. ↑ "Daicos claims second E.W. Copeland Trophy". Collingwood Football Club. 2 October 2026. Retrieved 2 October 2026.
  138. ↑ "Magnificent seven: Merrett enters rare air with record-equalling Crichton win". Essendon Football Club. 1 October 2026. Retrieved 1 October 2026.
  139. ↑ "Luke Jackson joins elite group". Fremantle Football Club. 3 October 2026. Retrieved 3 October 2026.
  140. ↑ "Bailey Smith wins the 2026 Carji Greeves Medal". Geelong Football Club. 1 October 2026. Retrieved 1 October 2026.
  141. ↑ "Bodhi Uwland wins maiden Suns Club Champion". Gold Coast Suns. 19 September 2026. Retrieved 19 September 2026.
  142. ↑ "Ash awarded 2026 Kevin Sheedy Medal". Greater Western Sydney Giants. 3 September 2026. Retrieved 6 September 2026.
  143. ↑ "Watson wins first Peter Crimmins Medal". Hawthorn Football Club. 3 October 2026. Retrieved 3 October 2026.
  144. ↑ "Gawn claims fourth Keith 'Bluey' Truscott Memorial Trophy". Melbourne Football Club. 2 October 2026. Retrieved 2 October 2026.
  145. ↑ "Sensational Sheezel wins historic third Syd Barker Medal". North Melbourne Football Club. 30 September 2026. Retrieved 30 September 2026.
  146. ↑ Anderson, Jamie (1 September 2026). "Horne-Francis awarded first John Cahill Medal". Port Adelaide Football Club. Retrieved 6 September 2026.
  147. ↑ Milic, Henry (29 September 2026). "Taranto crowned as three-time Jack Dyer Medallist". Richmond Football Club. Retrieved 29 September 2026.
  148. ↑ "Captain Cal claims 2026 Trevor Barker Award". St Kilda Football Club. 5 October 2026. Retrieved 5 October 2026.
  149. ↑ "2026 Sydney Swans AFL awards: every award winner". Sydney Swans. 1 October 2026. Retrieved 1 October 2026.
  150. ↑ "Harley Reid claims 2026 John Worsfold Medal". West Coast Eagles. 4 September 2026. Retrieved 6 September 2026.
  151. ↑ "Bontempelli in seventh heaven". Western Bulldogs. 30 September 2026. Retrieved 30 September 2026.
[edit]