1996 AFL season
The 1996 Australian Football League season was the 100th season of the elite Australian rules football competition.
See List of Australian Football League premiers for a complete list.
AFL Draft
See 1996 AFL Draft for more information.
Lightning Premiership
In the 1996 AFL Lightning Premiership final, Essendon defeated Brisbane Bears 6.11 (47) to 2.9 (21) at Waverley Park.
National Cup
In the 1996 Ansett Australia Cup final, St Kilda defeated Carlton 20.10 (130) to 10.12 (72) in front of 66,888 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) |
The 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) |
The 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) |
The 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) |
The 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 |
53,497 |
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) |
The 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 |
Round 8
| Home team |
Score |
Away team |
Score |
Venue |
Attendance |
Date |
| Brisbane Bears |
15.18 (108) |
Collingwood |
14.14 (98) |
The 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) |
The 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) |
The 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) |
The 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) |
The 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) |
The 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 |
Qualifying Finals
Semi Finals
Preliminary Finals
Grand Final
| Home team |
Score |
Away team |
Score |
Venue |
Attendance |
Date |
| Sydney |
13.10 (88) |
North Melbourne |
19.17 (131) |
MCG |
93,102 |
Saturday, 28 September |
Ladder
|
|
| | Team | P | W | L | D | PF | PA | % | Pts |
| 1 | Sydney | 22 | 16 | 5 | 1 | 2152 | 1737 | 123.89 | 66 |
| 2 | North Melbourne (P) | 22 | 16 | 6 | 0 | 2526 | 1982 | 127.45 | 64 |
| 3 | Brisbane Bears | 22 | 15 | 6 | 1 | 2174 | 1731 | 125.59 | 62 |
| 4 | West Coast | 22 | 15 | 7 | 0 | 2201 | 1758 | 125.20 | 60 |
| 5 | Carlton | 22 | 15 | 7 | 0 | 2116 | 1909 | 110.84 | 60 |
| 6 | Essendon | 22 | 14 | 7 | 1 | 2209 | 2023 | 109.19 | 58 |
| 7 | Geelong | 22 | 13 | 8 | 1 | 2353 | 2047 | 114.95 | 54 |
| 8 | Hawthorn | 22 | 11 | 10 | 1 | 1893 | 1921 | 98.54 | 46 |
| 9 | Richmond | 22 | 11 | 11 | 0 | 2282 | 1944 | 117.39 | 44 |
| 10 | St Kilda | 22 | 10 | 12 | 0 | 2053 | 2033 | 100.98 | 40 |
| 11 | Collingwood | 22 | 9 | 13 | 0 | 2203 | 2142 | 102.85 | 36 |
| 12 | Adelaide | 22 | 8 | 14 | 0 | 2233 | 2327 | 95.96 | 32 |
| 13 | Fremantle | 22 | 7 | 15 | 0 | 1830 | 1983 | 92.28 | 28 |
| 14 | Melbourne | 22 | 7 | 15 | 0 | 1743 | 2463 | 70.77 | 28 |
| 15 | Footscray | 22 | 5 | 16 | 1 | 1654 | 2139 | 77.33 | 22 |
| 16 | Fitzroy | 22 | 1 | 21 | 0 | 1452 | 2935 | 49.47 | 4 |
| Key: P = Played, W = Won, L = Lost, D = Drawn, PF = Points for, PA = Points against |
|
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 | 5216,148 |
|
| 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 | 5216,148 |
Awards
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 quarter and a bit was played three nights later.
- 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.
- 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. The Swans' victory led a Sydney journalist to comment that "All week we have been concentrating on Lockett's groin, when we now know it was his behind that counted."
References
North Melbourne
Sydney
Michael Voss (Brisbane Bears)
James Hird (Essendon)