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2021 AFL season

For the 2021 season of the AFL Women's competition, see 2021 AFL Women's season.

The 2021 AFL season was the 125th season of the Australian Football League (AFL), the highest-level senior men's Australian rules football competition in Australia, which was known as the Victorian Football League until 1989. The season featured eighteen clubs, ran from 18 March until 25 September, and comprised a 22-game home-and-away season followed by a finals series featuring the top eight clubs.

2021 AFL premiership season
Date16 March – 25 September 2021
Teams18
PremiersMelbourne
13th premiership
Runners-upWestern Bulldogs
(2nd runners-up)
Minor premiersMelbourne
10th minor premiership
Brownlow MedallistOllie Wines
(Port Adelaide – 36 votes)
Coleman MedallistHarry McKay
(Carlton – 58 goals)
Attendance
Matches played207
Total attendance3,976,228 (19,209 per match)
Highest78,113
(Round 6, Collingwood vs Essendon)
← 2020
2022 →

The season was played during the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic, and saw disruptions but to a much lesser extent than the 2020 season. Virus outbreaks resulted in restrictions on crowds and the relocation of forty games outside their originally fixtured states, but the season was played without suspension and with only minor disruptions to the scheduled dates of matches.

The premiership was won by the Melbourne Football Club for the 13th time, after it defeated the Western Bulldogs by 74 points in the 2021 AFL Grand Final, which was played at Optus Stadium in Perth.

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic

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The season was played during the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic, with the country's vaccination roll-outs commencing around the beginning of the season. The country had largely settled into a paradigm of most states maintaining zero COVID-19 cases outside of their international travel quarantine systems; and when this was the case, it allowed matches to be played in front of crowds (albeit with reduced capacity) and unhindered interstate travel was permitted without quarantine. However, the different state governments often responded quickly to small numbers or even single virus cases being discovered in the community; this meant border restrictions or quarantine periods were often re-imposed at short notice, impacting interstate travel for matches; and, in some cases, that city- or state-wide lockdowns were imposed within the impacted states, precluding football activities altogether.[1] Short 'snap lockdowns', lasting between three and seven days in a given city, became a common response to the first few cases in the community as governments adopted 'Zero-COVID' policies.

The impact of the pandemic to the season's scheduled fixture was mostly limited to venue changes and matches being played behind closed doors; the dates of some fixtured games were adjusted, but none by more than a week from its original date. Unlike the 2020 season, the league sought to avoid putting clubs into long-term interstate hubs, and players were instead promised that only medium-term interstate trips would occur, with a maximum duration of three weeks before returning home.[2] This worked across most of the league, but a months-long period of lockdown and border restrictions in Sydney during the latter part of the season meant that Sydney and Greater Western Sydney were unable to return home after Round 15, the latter spending more than ten weeks interstate in more than six different locations between then and its season ending;[3] families and partners were able to join the players interstate after six weeks.[4] The completion of the season was assisted by special "sterile corridor" arrangements made with several state governments, allowing clubs to fly in and out of those states from some hot zones without quarantine if the travelling party was subjected to isolation and testing requirements in their home states in the week leading up to the match.[2][4] In the end, the biggest impact to the fixtured season was that the pre-finals bye week, which had been conventional since 2016, was dropped at less than two weeks' notice, and the first week of finals was brought forward, as a contingency to allow the league to respond to any unforeseen changes to border or societal restrictions during finals; at the time of the announcement, the grand final remained scheduled for its original date of Saturday 25 September, and the bye week was ultimately scheduled in the week between the preliminary finals and the grand final.[5]

The league saw relatively few impacts through the first half of the season, with only occasional games relocated; but, as more virus cases and outbreaks occurred through winter, the second half of the season was more heavily affected with relocated games. In particular:

  • Rounds 11 to 14: an outbreak in Victoria resulted in lockdown and border restrictions on Victorian clubs, precluding free entry to any state except New South Wales. Many clubs shifted games to Sydney and remained there between rounds during that period.[2]
  • Rounds 15 and 16: nationwide outbreaks in all states except Tasmania at one stage locked down all capital cities in those states, and precluded most free interstate travel in the country. All non-Victorian clubs relocated their training bases and most matches to Victoria, with only select matches able to be played interstate.[6]
  • Round 15 until the end of the season: a long period of restrictions in Sydney saw both clubs based outside New South Wales long term.[4]
  • All finals were held outside of Victoria and New South Wales due to the league’s preference to play finals before a crowd.

While most matches in the season saw some level of attendance restrictions, there was a steady return to larger crowds compared to the restrictions imposed in 2020. The openness of Australia's society compared with others around the world in the first half of the season meant that the AFL was on the leading edge of a return to typical sports attendances; and at the time it was played, the attendance of 78,113 for the match between Collingwood and Essendon on Anzac Day was a world record highest attendance for a sporting event since the beginning of the pandemic.[7] This was reversed in the second half of the season, with a return to matches being played with no spectators in many states.

Rule changes

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The following rule changes were made in the 2021 season:[8]

  • The maximum number of interchanges allowed was reduced from 90 to 75 per team. Like previous steps taken to reduce interchange numbers, this was designed to alleviate congested play by giving teams less fatigue management.
  • The interchange bench was increased from four to five, with the fifth designated a medical substitute allowed to take the field only to replace a player deemed medically unfit to continue. Except with permission from the AFL Medical Officer, a player thus substituted off would be ineligible to play again until at least twelve days later.[9] To be granted permission to play the injury must not be concussion, which has its own mandatory 12 day rule.
  • The distance between man on the mark and the kick-off line at a kick-in was increased from 10m to 15m.[10]
  • The duration of each quarter of play was returned to 20 minutes plus time-on, as it had been since 1994. Quarters had been played at a reduced 16 minutes plus time-on in 2020, specifically as a fatigue and injury management strategy to cope with pandemic-related interruptions to the season.[11]

Additionally, umpires were directed to use a more stringent interpretation of existing rules related to the man on the mark: the man on the mark had previously been given freedom to move laterally or make a run towards the mark, provided they did not step over the mark; but now, the player would be directed to 'stand' upon taking up the mark position, and would concede a 50-metre penalty if he left that position; he could also choose not to take up the mark, leaving him free to move provided he remained at least five metres behind the mark. This new interpretation made it more difficult for the man on the mark to influence a subsequent sequence of quick-running play, opening up freer ball movement.[12][13]

Pre-season

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AAMI Community Series

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Main article: 2021 AAMI Community Series

The pre-season series of games returned as the 2021 AAMI Community Series, with teams playing one game each. The games were stand-alone, with no overall winner of the series. All games were televised live on Fox Footy.[14]

Home-and-away season

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A full 23-round fixture for the 2021 season was released in December 2020; but dates, times and broadcasters were initially revealed only for the first six rounds, with the league intending to release the remaining dates in four-to-six weeks blocks with at least a month's notice during the season.[11]

Through the below tables, there were many matches played before no crowd or a heavily restricted attendance, all of which were caused by the local COVID-19 conditions at the time of the match. Where the venue for the match was altered due to COVID-19 restrictions, the original venue is noted; in cases where the competing teams had a return match later in the season, the clubs sometimes swapped home games.

Round 1

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Round 1
Thursday, 18 March (7:25 pm) Richmond 15.15 (105) def. Carlton 11.14 (80) MCG (crowd: 49,218) Report
Friday, 19 March (7:40 pm) Collingwood 7.11 (53) def. by Western Bulldogs 10.9 (69) MCG (crowd: 46,051) Report
Saturday, 20 March (1:45 pm) Melbourne 11.14 (80) def. Fremantle 8.10 (58) MCG (crowd: 21,365) Report
Saturday, 20 March (4:05 pm) Adelaide 15.13 (103) def. Geelong 13.13 (91) Adelaide Oval (crowd: 26,985) Report
Saturday, 20 March (7:25 pm) Essendon 13.13 (91) def. by Hawthorn 14.8 (92) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 25,128) Report
Saturday, 20 March (6:45 pm) Brisbane Lions 14.10 (94) def. by Sydney 19.11 (125) Gabba (crowd: 22,762) Report
Sunday, 21 March (1:10 pm) North Melbourne 9.11 (65) def. by Port Adelaide 17.15 (117) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 13,050) Report
Sunday, 21 March (3:20 pm) Greater Western Sydney 11.12 (78) def. by St Kilda 13.8 (86) Giants Stadium (crowd: 5,014) Report
Sunday, 21 March (3:10 pm) West Coast 12.11 (83) def. Gold Coast 8.10 (58) Optus Stadium (crowd: 38,493) Report

Round 2

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Round 2
Thursday, 25 March (7:20 pm) Carlton 13.7 (85) def. by Collingwood 16.10 (106) MCG (crowd: 51,723) Report
Friday, 26 March (7:50 pm) Geelong 12.9 (81) def. Brisbane Lions 11.14 (80) GMHBA Stadium (crowd: 20,070) Report
Saturday, 27 March (1:45 pm) Sydney 18.13 (121) def. Adelaide 11.22 (88) SCG (crowd: 23,946) Report
Saturday, 27 March (4:05 pm) Port Adelaide 18.11 (119) def. Essendon 9.11 (65) Adelaide Oval (crowd: 29,978) Report
Saturday, 27 March (7:30 pm) St Kilda 11.7 (73) def. by Melbourne 12.19 (91) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 25,903) Report
Saturday, 27 March (7:10 pm) Gold Coast 14.14 (98) def. North Melbourne 5.9 (39) Metricon Stadium (crowd: 6,661) Report
Sunday, 28 March (1:10 pm) Hawthorn 7.7 (49) def. by Richmond 11.12 (78) MCG (crowd: 41,051) Report
Sunday, 28 March (3:20 pm) Western Bulldogs 14.16 (100) def. West Coast 14.9 (93) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 21,391) Report
Sunday, 28 March (3:10 pm) Fremantle 11.21 (87) def. Greater Western Sydney 7.14 (56) Optus Stadium (crowd: 27,625) Report

Round 3

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Round 3 (Easter Round)
Thursday, 1 April (7:40 pm) Collingwood 11.6 (72) def. by Brisbane Lions 11.7 (73) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 28,057)
(Moved from The Gabba[15]) 		Report


Friday, 2 April (4:20 pm) North Melbourne 5.9 (39) def. by Western Bulldogs 25.17 (167) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 28,483) Report
Friday, 2 April (7:20 pm) Adelaide 14.11 (95) def. Gold Coast 12.13 (85) Adelaide Oval (crowd: 30,175) Report
Saturday, 3 April (1:45 pm) Richmond 10.12 (72) def. by Sydney 17.15 (117) MCG (crowd: 43,637) Report
Saturday, 3 April (4:35 pm) Essendon 22.11 (143) def. St Kilda 9.14 (68) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 29,234) Report
Saturday, 3 April (5:10 pm) West Coast 16.12 (108) def. Port Adelaide 11.5 (71) Optus Stadium (crowd: 42,090) Report
Sunday, 4 April (3:20 pm) Carlton 16.13 (109) def. Fremantle 9.10 (64) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 24,551) Report
Sunday, 4 April (6:10 pm) Greater Western Sydney 11.2 (68) def. by Melbourne 15.12 (102) Manuka Oval (crowd: 9,563) Report
Monday, 5 April (3:20 pm) Geelong 10.9 (69) def. Hawthorn 9.10 (64) MCG (crowd: 50,030) Report

Round 4

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Round 4
Thursday, 8 April (7:20 pm) Sydney 11.17 (83) def. Essendon 12.8 (80) SCG (crowd: 28,039) Report
Friday, 9 April (7:20 pm) Port Adelaide 11.13 (79) def. Richmond 11.11 (77) Adelaide Oval (crowd: 33,742) Report
Saturday, 10 April (1:45 pm) Western Bulldogs 10.13 (73) def. Brisbane Lions 8.6 (54) Mars Stadium (crowd: 7,387) Report
Saturday, 10 April (4:35 pm) St Kilda 15.12 (102) def. West Coast 13.4 (82) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 16,710) Report
Saturday, 10 April (7:25 pm) Gold Coast 8.11 (59) def. by Carlton 9.16 (70) Metricon Stadium (crowd: 11,618) Report
Saturday, 10 April (7:25 pm) Collingwood 9.6 (60) def. by Greater Western Sydney 14.6 (90) MCG (crowd: 29,866) Report
Sunday, 11 April (1:10 pm) North Melbourne 10.8 (68) def. by Adelaide 16.13 (109) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 13,479) Report
Sunday, 11 April (3:20 pm) Melbourne 12.13 (85) def. Geelong 9.6 (60) MCG (crowd: 33,728) Report
Sunday, 11 April (2:40 pm) Fremantle 13.18 (96) def. Hawthorn 12.9 (81) Optus Stadium (crowd: 29,490) Report

Round 5

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Round 5
Thursday, 15 April (7:20 pm) St Kilda 7.6 (48) def. by Richmond 20.14 (134) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 32,056) Report
Friday, 16 April (6:10 pm) West Coast 16.7 (103) def. Collingwood 11.10 (76) Optus Stadium (crowd: 54,159) Report
Saturday, 17 April (4:35 pm) Western Bulldogs 17.16 (118) def. Gold Coast 8.8 (56) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 18,920) Report
Saturday, 17 April (4:35 pm) Sydney 10.9 (69) def. by Greater Western Sydney 9.17 (71) SCG (crowd: 33,541) Report
Saturday, 17 April (7:25 pm) Carlton 9.14 (68) def. by Port Adelaide 15.6 (96) MCG (crowd: 32,893) Report
Saturday, 17 April (7:25 pm) Brisbane Lions 15.12 (102) def. Essendon 6.9 (45) Gabba (crowd: 23,544) Report
Sunday, 18 April (12:40 pm) Adelaide 11.6 (72) def. by Fremantle 12.12 (84) Adelaide Oval (crowd: 31,454) Report
Sunday, 18 April (3:20 pm) Hawthorn 8.6 (54) def. by Melbourne 15.14 (104) MCG (crowd: 36,337) Report
Sunday, 18 April (4:40 pm) Geelong 10.17 (77) def. North Melbourne 7.5 (47) GMHBA Stadium (crowd: 21,282) Report

Round 6

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Round 6 (ANZAC Round)
Friday, 23 April (7:50 pm) Greater Western Sydney 9.11 (65) def. by Western Bulldogs 15.14 (104) Manuka Oval (crowd: 10,064) Report
Saturday, 24 April (1:45 pm) Geelong 21.10 (136) def. West Coast 5.9 (39) GMHBA Stadium (crowd: 21,282) Report
Saturday, 24 April (1:45 pm) Gold Coast 15.10 (100) def. Sydney 9.6 (60) Metricon Stadium (crowd: 9,819) Report
Saturday, 24 April (4:35 pm) Carlton 12.13 (85) def. by Brisbane Lions 15.13 (103) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 29,576) Report
Saturday, 24 April (7:25 pm) Melbourne 12.10 (82) def. Richmond 6.12 (48) MCG (crowd: 56,418) Report
Saturday, 24 April (6:10 pm) Fremantle 14.15 (99) def. North Melbourne 6.12 (48) Optus Stadium (crowd: 0) Report
Sunday, 25 April (12:30 pm) Hawthorn 15.12 (102) def. Adelaide 16.3 (99) University of Tasmania Stadium (crowd: 9,007) Report
Sunday, 25 April (3:20 pm) Collingwood 13.7 (85) def. by Essendon 16.13 (109) MCG (crowd: 78,113) Report
Sunday, 25 April (6:10 pm) Port Adelaide 14.9 (93) def. St Kilda 5.9 (39) Adelaide Oval (crowd: 33,125) Report
  • Adelaide kicked an AFL record of 15 goals straight (14 of which were kicked before half time, also a record) before registering its first behind in its loss to Hawthorn.[18]

Round 7

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Round 7
Friday, 30 April (7:50 pm) Richmond 11.11 (77) def. Western Bulldogs 7.13 (55) MCG (crowd: 52,402) Report
Saturday, 1 May (1:40 pm) Adelaide 4.15 (39) def. by Greater Western Sydney 15.16 (106) Adelaide Oval (crowd: 28,853) Report
Saturday, 1 May (1:45 pm) Collingwood 7.13 (55) def. by Gold Coast 12.7 (79) MCG (crowd: 24,397) Report
Saturday, 1 May (4:35 pm) St Kilda 19.14 (128) def. Hawthorn 9.5 (59) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 26,433) Report
Saturday, 1 May (7:25 pm) Sydney 14.6 (90) def. Geelong 12.16 (88) SCG (crowd: 29,123) Report
Saturday, 1 May (7:25 pm) Brisbane Lions 13.15 (93) def. Port Adelaide 5.14 (44) Gabba (crowd: 20,007) Report
Sunday, 2 May (1:10 pm) North Melbourne 11.7 (73) def. by Melbourne 16.7 (103) Blundstone Arena (crowd: 6,009) Report
Sunday, 2 May (3:20 pm) Essendon 16.11 (107) def. by Carlton 19.9 (123) MCG (crowd: 57,447) Report
Sunday, 2 May (2:40 pm) West Coast 20.12 (132) def. Fremantle 11.7 (73) Optus Stadium (crowd: 0) Report

Round 8

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Round 8
Friday, 7 May (7:50 pm) Richmond 9.9 (63) def. by Geelong 19.12 (126) MCG (crowd: 54,857) Report
Saturday, 8 May (1:45 pm) Gold Coast 7.12 (54) def. by St Kilda 8.15 (63) Metricon Stadium (crowd: 9,271) Report
Saturday, 8 May (2:10 pm) Greater Western Sydney 16.11 (107) def. Essendon 16.9 (105) GIANTS Stadium (crowd: 8,526) Report
Saturday, 8 May (4:35 pm) North Melbourne 11.10 (76) def. by Collingwood 14.10 (94) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 22,329) Report
Saturday, 8 May (7:25 pm) Melbourne 10.7 (67) def. Sydney 8.10 (58) MCG (crowd: 35,567) Report
Saturday, 8 May (7:10 pm) Port Adelaide 12.15 (87) def. Adelaide 5.8 (38) Adelaide Oval (crowd: 43,069) Report
Sunday, 9 May (1:10 pm) Hawthorn 8.12 (60) def. by West Coast 14.14 (98) MCG (crowd: 15,277) Report
Sunday, 9 May (3:20 pm) Western Bulldogs 16.11 (107) def. Carlton 13.13 (91) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 27,663) Report
Sunday, 9 May (4:40 pm) Brisbane Lions 14.11 (95) def. Fremantle 10.11 (71) The Gabba (crowd: 15,403)
(Moved from Optus Stadium[19]) 		Report


Round 9

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Round 9
Friday, 14 May (7:50 pm) St Kilda 5.17 (47) def. by Geelong 10.8 (68) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 26,712) Report
Saturday, 15 May (1:45 pm) Sydney 10.12 (72) def. Collingwood 5.12 (42) SCG (crowd: 31,448) Report
Saturday, 15 May (2:10 pm) Hawthorn 12.8 (80) def. by North Melbourne 13.9 (87) University of Tasmania Stadium (crowd: 9,121) Report
Saturday, 15 May (4:35 pm) Gold Coast 7.9 (51) def. by Brisbane Lions 19.10 (124) Metricon Stadium (crowd: 12,636) Report
Saturday, 15 May (7:25 pm) Richmond 13.9 (87) def. Greater Western Sydney 12.11 (83) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 18,798) Report
Saturday, 15 May (7:10 pm) Port Adelaide 12.5 (77) def. by Western Bulldogs 15.6 (96) Adelaide Oval (crowd: 32,787) Report
Sunday, 16 May (1:10 pm) Essendon 10.8 (68) def. Fremantle 8.13 (61) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 26,357) Report
Sunday, 16 May (3:20 pm) Melbourne 13.16 (94) def. Carlton 10.8 (68) MCG (crowd: 38,581) Report
Sunday, 16 May (2:40 pm) West Coast 16.10 (106) def. Adelaide 11.10 (76) Optus Stadium (crowd: 43,427) Report

Round 10

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Round 10
Friday, 21 May (7:50 pm) Brisbane Lions 15.12 (102) def. Richmond 11.8 (74) Gabba (crowd: 31,127) Report
Saturday, 22 May (1:45 pm) Carlton 13.8 (86) def. Hawthorn 9.9 (63) MCG (crowd: 45,741) Report
Saturday, 22 May (2:10 pm) Geelong 14.7 (91) def. Gold Coast 8.9 (57) GMHBA Stadium (crowd: 22,055) Report
Saturday, 22 May (4:05 pm) Adelaide 15.6 (96) def. Melbourne 14.11 (95) Adelaide Oval (crowd: 31,373) Report
Saturday, 22 May (7:25 pm) Western Bulldogs 21.18 (144) def. St Kilda 5.3 (33) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 28,720) Report
Saturday, 22 May (5:40 pm) Fremantle 12.14 (86) def. Sydney 13.6 (84) Optus Stadium (crowd: 29,134) Report
Sunday, 23 May (1:10 pm) Greater Western Sydney 13.15 (93) def. West Coast 11.11 (77) GIANTS Stadium (crowd: 9,046) Report
Sunday, 23 May (3:20 pm) Collingwood 8.10 (58) def. by Port Adelaide 8.11 (59) MCG (crowd: 23,415) Report
Sunday, 23 May (4:40 pm) Essendon 22.9 (141) def. North Melbourne 10.9 (69) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 33,121) Report

Round 11

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Round 11 (Sir Doug Nicholls Round Week 1)
Friday, 28 May (7:50 pm) Western Bulldogs 8.11 (59) def. by Melbourne 13.9 (87) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 0) Report
Saturday, 29 May (1:45 pm) Collingwood 6.15 (51) def. by Geelong 8.13 (61) MCG (crowd: 0) Report
Saturday, 29 May (2:10 pm) Brisbane Lions 19.15 (129) def. Greater Western Sydney 10.5 (65) Gabba (crowd: 22,038) Report
Saturday, 29 May (4:35 pm) St Kilda 12.16 (88) def. North Melbourne 10.8 (68) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 0) Report
Saturday, 29 May (7:40 pm) Gold Coast 17.11 (113) def. Hawthorn 11.10 (76) SCG (crowd: 1,241)
(Moved from TIO Stadium[24]) 		Report


Saturday, 29 May (5:40 pm) West Coast 11.5 (71) def. by Essendon 12.15 (87) Optus Stadium (crowd: 41,883) Report
Sunday, 30 May (2:10 pm) Richmond 17.9 (111) def. Adelaide 12.11 (83) GIANTS Stadium (crowd: 4,236)
(Moved from MCG[25]) 		Report


Sunday, 30 May (3:20 pm) Sydney 15.10 (100) def. Carlton 11.12 (78) SCG (crowd: 29,882) Report
Sunday, 30 May (4:50 pm) Port Adelaide 18.7 (115) def. Fremantle 9.15 (69) Adelaide Oval (crowd: 26,759) Report

Round 12

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Round 12 (Sir Doug Nicholls Round Week 2)
Friday, 4 June (7:20 pm) Melbourne 14.13 (97) def. Brisbane Lions 11.9 (75) GIANTS Stadium (crowd: 3,772)
(Moved from TIO Traeger Park[26]) 		Report


Saturday, 5 June (1:45 pm) Sydney 13.14 (92) def. St Kilda 12.11 (83) SCG (crowd: 19,020)
(Moved from Marvel Stadium[26]) 		Report


Saturday, 5 June (4:05 pm) Adelaide 10.13 (73) def. by Collingwood 12.6 (78) Adelaide Oval (crowd: 30,446) Report
Saturday, 5 June (5:40 pm) Essendon 12.12 (84) def. by Richmond 19.9 (123) Optus Stadium (crowd: 55,656)
(Moved from MCG[26]) 		Report


Sunday, 6 June (3:20 pm) Carlton 10.13 (73) def. by West Coast 14.11 (95) SCG (crowd: 5,137)
(Moved from MCG[26]) 		Report


Sunday, 6 June (4:40 pm) Fremantle 9.11 (65) def. by Western Bulldogs 13.15 (93) Optus Stadium (crowd: 32,875) Report
Bye
Geelong, Gold Coast, Greater Western Sydney, Hawthorn, North Melbourne, Port Adelaide

Round 13

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Round 13
Thursday, 10 June (7:10 pm) Port Adelaide 14.7 (91) def. by Geelong 17.10 (112) Adelaide Oval (crowd: 28,718) Report
Friday, 11 June (7:50 pm) Sydney 7.9 (51) def. by Hawthorn 14.5 (89) SCG (crowd: 25,904) Report
Saturday, 12 June (2:15 pm) Fremantle 11.10 (76) def. Gold Coast 6.13 (49) Optus Stadium (crowd: 27,318) Report
Saturday, 12 June (7:25 pm) St Kilda 8.12 (60) def. by Adelaide 9.12 (66) Cazalys Stadium (crowd: 5,969) Report
Sunday, 13 June (3:20 pm) North Melbourne 14.10 (94) drew with Greater Western Sydney 14.10 (94) Blundstone Arena (crowd: 3,462) Report
Sunday, 13 June (5:20 pm) West Coast 13.7 (85) def. Richmond 12.9 (81) Optus Stadium (crowd: 50,834) Report
Monday, 14 June (3:20 pm) Melbourne 9.9 (63) def. by Collingwood 11.14 (80) SCG (crowd: 16,453)
(Moved from MCG[27]) 		Report


Bye
Brisbane Lions, Carlton, Essendon, Western Bulldogs
  • The game between West Coast and Richmond was brought forward from Round 14 to Round 13, which had been both teams' originally fixtured bye; this allowed Richmond, whose players had remained interstate since Round 11, to visit Western Australia without quarantine and then return to Victoria five days earlier than the original fixture would have allowed.[28]
  • The attendance of 3,462 at the North Melbourne and Greater Western Sydney match is the lowest ever figure for a VFL/AFL fixture in Tasmania.[29]

Round 14

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Round 14
Friday, 18 June (7:50 pm) Geelong 12.11 (83) def. Western Bulldogs 11.12 (78) GMHBA Stadium (crowd: 6,583) Report
Saturday, 19 June (1:45 pm) Gold Coast 4.7 (31) def. by Port Adelaide 12.9 (81) Metricon Stadium (crowd: 7,117) Report
Saturday, 19 June (4:35 pm) North Melbourne 6.9 (45) def. by Brisbane Lions 9.14 (68) Blundstone Arena (crowd: 5,060)
(Moved from Marvel Stadium[30]) 		Report


Saturday, 19 June (7:25 pm) Greater Western Sydney 16.6 (102) def. Carlton 9.12 (66) GIANTS Stadium (crowd: 7,035) Report
Sunday, 20 June (3:20 pm) Hawthorn 10.13 (73) def. by Essendon 13.8 (86) University of Tasmania Stadium (crowd: 14,834)
(Moved from MCG[30]) 		Report


Bye
Adelaide, Collingwood, Fremantle, Melbourne, Richmond, St Kilda, Sydney, West Coast

Round 15

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Round 15
Thursday, 24 June (7:30 pm) Brisbane Lions 13.16 (94) def. Geelong 7.8 (50) Gabba (crowd: 29,024) Report
Friday, 25 June (7:50 pm) Richmond 2.10 (22) def. by St Kilda 9.8 (62) MCG (crowd: 14,787) Report
Saturday, 26 June (1:45 pm) Collingwood 12.7 (79) def. by Fremantle 14.7 (91) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 11,570) Report
Saturday, 26 June (1:45 pm) North Melbourne 9.18 (72) def. Gold Coast 9.9 (63) Blundstone Arena (crowd: 6,719) Report
Saturday, 26 June (4:05 pm) Port Adelaide 12.9 (81) def. Sydney 10.11 (71) Adelaide Oval (crowd: 29,631) Report
Saturday, 26 June (7:25 pm) Essendon 8.9 (57) def. by Melbourne 9.14 (68) MCG (crowd: 19,414) Report
Sunday, 27 June (1:10 pm) Greater Western Sydney 11.6 (72) def. by Hawthorn 13.12 (90) MCG (crowd: 9,897)
(Moved from GIANTS Stadium[32]) 		Report


Sunday, 27 June (1:20 pm) West Coast 6.7 (43) def. by Western Bulldogs 13.20 (98) Optus Stadium (crowd: 0) Report
Sunday, 27 June (4:10 pm) Carlton 12.11 (83) def. Adelaide 10.13 (73) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 14,930) Report

Round 16

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Round 16
Thursday, 1 July (7:20 pm) Gold Coast 10.17 (77) def. Richmond 10.7 (67) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 9,327)
(Moved from Metricon Stadium[35]) 		Report


Friday, 2 July (7:50 pm) Geelong 15.8 (98) def. Essendon 8.9 (57) GMHBA Stadium (crowd: 15,579) Report
Saturday, 3 July (1:45 pm) Melbourne 7.13 (55) def. by Greater Western Sydney 9.10 (64) MCG (crowd: 16,963) Report
Saturday, 3 July (4:05 pm) Adelaide 8.11 (59) def. by Brisbane Lions 17.9 (111) Adelaide Oval (crowd: 16,178) Report
Saturday, 3 July (7:40 pm) Hawthorn 7.11 (53) def. by Port Adelaide 13.9 (87) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 18,251) Report
Saturday, 3 July (7:40 pm) Fremantle 8.16 (64) def. by Carlton 12.8 (80) MCG (crowd: 12,103)
(Moved from Optus Stadium[35]) 		Report


Sunday, 4 July (1:10 pm) Sydney 18.10 (118) def. West Coast 3.8 (26) GMHBA Stadium (crowd: 9,520)
(Moved from SCG[35]) 		Report


Sunday, 4 July (3:20 pm) Collingwood 8.13 (61) def. by St Kilda 10.10 (70) MCG (crowd: 18,082) Report
Sunday, 4 July (4:40 pm) Western Bulldogs 16.12 (108) def. North Melbourne 11.13 (79) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 18,216) Report

Round 17

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Round 17
Thursday, 8 July (7:10 pm) Port Adelaide 8.7 (55) def. by Melbourne 12.14 (86) Adelaide Oval (crowd: 30,908) Report
Friday, 9 July (7:50 pm) Essendon 11.18 (84) def. Adelaide 2.9 (21) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 23,604) Report
Saturday, 10 July (1:45 pm) Hawthorn 6.10 (46) def. by Fremantle 16.12 (108) University of Tasmania Stadium (crowd: 9,111) Report
Saturday, 10 July (4:35 pm) Carlton 5.14 (44) def. by Geelong 10.10 (70) MCG (crowd: 31,834) Report
Saturday, 10 July (7:25 pm) Brisbane Lions 8.15 (63) def. by St Kilda 14.11 (95) Metricon Stadium (crowd: 9,075)
(Moved from The Gabba[38]) 		Report


Sunday, 11 July (12:40 pm) Greater Western Sydney 9.10 (64) def. by Gold Coast 10.5 (65) Mars Stadium (crowd: 2,952)
(Moved from GIANTS Stadium[39]) 		Report


Sunday, 11 July (3:20 pm) Western Bulldogs 8.12 (60) def. by Sydney 11.13 (79) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 24,817) Report
Sunday, 11 July (4:10 pm) Richmond 11.5 (71) def. by Collingwood 13.9 (87) MCG (crowd: 29,437) Report
Monday, 12 July (5:40 pm) West Coast 8.12 (60) def. by North Melbourne 10.10 (70) Optus Stadium (crowd: 30,515)

Report

  • Adelaide's score of 2.9 (21) against Essendon set new records for the lowest score in Adelaide's history, and the lowest score ever by any team at Marvel Stadium, surpassing the previous mark of 3.6 (24) from Round 18, 2011, which was also scored by the Crows.[40]

Round 18

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Round 18
Thursday, 15 July (6:10 pm) Fremantle 3.13 (31) def. by Geelong 14.16 (100) Optus Stadium (crowd: 35,271) Report
Friday, 16 July (8:05 pm) Richmond 16.10 (106) def. Brisbane Lions 13.8 (86) Metricon Stadium (crowd: 4,119)
(Moved from MCG[41]) 		Report


Saturday, 17 July (1:45 pm) St Kilda 8.13 (61) def. by Port Adelaide 10.14 (74) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 0) Report
Saturday, 17 July (4:35 pm) Gold Coast 11.13 (79) def. by Western Bulldogs 14.6 (90) Metricon Stadium (crowd: 8,244) Report
Saturday, 17 July (7:25 pm) Melbourne 11.13 (79) drew with Hawthorn 12.7 (79) MCG (crowd: 0) Report
Sunday, 18 July (12:35 pm) North Melbourne 11.8 (74) def. by Essendon 13.14 (92) Metricon Stadium (crowd: 5,114)
(Moved from Marvel Stadium[41]) 		Report


Sunday, 18 July (3:20 pm) Collingwood 9.8 (62) def. by Carlton 13.13 (91) MCG (crowd: 0) Report
Sunday, 18 July (4:10 pm) Adelaide 8.8 (56) def. by West Coast 14.14 (98) Adelaide Oval (crowd: 24,554) Report
Sunday, 18 July (6:10 pm) Greater Western Sydney 11.6 (72) def. by Sydney 15.8 (98) Metricon Stadium (crowd: 2,374)
(Moved from GIANTS Stadium[41]) 		Report


Round 19

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Round 19
Friday, 23 July (7:15 pm) Port Adelaide 14.13 (97) def. Collingwood 10.9 (69) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 0)
(Moved from Adelaide Oval) 		Report


Saturday, 24 July (1:45 pm) Carlton 11.11 (77) def. by North Melbourne 18.8 (116) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 0) Report
Saturday, 24 July (3:10 pm) Brisbane Lions 17.18 (120) def. Gold Coast 10.11 (71) Gabba (crowd: 16,660) Report
Saturday, 24 July (2:35 pm) West Coast 14.10 (94) def. St Kilda 13.8 (86) Optus Stadium (crowd: 43,657) Report
Saturday, 24 July (7:25 pm) Melbourne 9.11 (65) def. by Western Bulldogs 13.7 (85) MCG (crowd: 0) Report
Saturday, 24 July (7:40 pm) Adelaide 16.6 (102) def. Hawthorn 13.5 (83) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 0)
(Moved from Adelaide Oval) 		Report


Sunday, 25 July (12:30 pm) Sydney 14.14 (98) def. Fremantle 8.10 (58) Metricon Stadium (crowd: 2,875)
(Moved from SCG) 		Report


Sunday, 25 July (3:20 pm) Geelong 15.5 (95) def. Richmond 8.9 (57) MCG (crowd: 0) Report
Sunday, 25 July (6:10 pm) Essendon 7.11 (53) def. by Greater Western Sydney 9.12 (66) Metricon Stadium (crowd: 2,681)
(Moved from Marvel Stadium) 		Report


Round 20

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Round 20
Friday, 30 July (7:50 pm) St Kilda 12.9 (81) def. by Carlton 18.4 (112) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 0) Report
Saturday, 31 July (12:20 pm) Western Bulldogs 15.15 (105) def. Adelaide 8.8 (56) Mars Stadium (crowd: 0) Report
Saturday, 31 July (1:15 pm) North Melbourne 6.6 (42) def. by Geelong 8.14 (62) Blundstone Arena (crowd: 8,083) Report
Saturday, 31 July (4:15 pm) Collingwood 14.6 (90) def. West Coast 6.9 (45) MCG (crowd: 0) Report
Sunday, 1 August (12:10 pm) Gold Coast 4.6 (30) def. by Melbourne 18.20 (128) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 0)
(Moved from Metricon Stadium[42]) 		Report


Sunday, 1 August (2:10 pm) Hawthorn 14.8 (92) def. Brisbane Lions 12.8 (80) University of Tasmania Stadium (crowd: 5,381)
(Moved from MCG) 		Report


Sunday, 1 August (3:10 pm) Essendon 16.6 (102) def. by Sydney 17.7 (109) MCG (crowd: 0)
(Moved from Marvel Stadium) 		Report


Sunday, 1 August (3:10 pm) Fremantle 7.13 (55) def. Richmond 6.15 (51) Optus Stadium (crowd: 24,979) Report
Sunday, 1 August (6:10 pm) Greater Western Sydney 11.7 (73) def. by Port Adelaide 15.10 (100) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 0)
(Moved from UNSW Canberra Oval[42]) 		Report


Round 21

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Round 21
Friday, 6 August (7:50 pm) Geelong 8.17 (65) def. by Greater Western Sydney 13.6 (84) GMHBA Stadium (crowd: 0) Report
Saturday, 7 August (1:45 pm) Carlton 8.9 (57) def. by Gold Coast 11.10 (76) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 0) Report
Saturday, 7 August (4:35 pm) Richmond 13.11 (89) def. North Melbourne 8.8 (56) MCG (crowd: 0) Report
Saturday, 7 August (7:10 pm) Adelaide 7.9 (51) def. by Port Adelaide 7.13 (55) Adelaide Oval (crowd: 14,376) Report
Saturday, 7 August (7:40 pm) St Kilda 14.9 (93) def. Sydney 10.4 (64) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 0)
(Moved from SCG[26]) 		Report


Sunday, 8 August (2:10 pm) Hawthorn 15.7 (97) def. Collingwood 12.6 (78) MCG (crowd: 0) Report
Sunday, 8 August (3:20 pm) Western Bulldogs 12.12 (84) def. by Essendon 15.7 (97) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 0) Report
Sunday, 8 August (3:10 pm) Fremantle 8.6 (54) def. by Brisbane Lions 18.10 (118) Optus Stadium (crowd: 29,589)
(Moved from The Gabba[19]) 		Report


Monday, 9 August (6:10 pm) West Coast 9.9 (63) def. by Melbourne 10.12 (72) Optus Stadium (crowd: 31,584)

Report

  • The match between Hawthorn and Collingwood was originally moved from the MCG to University of Tasmania Stadium to allow spectators to attend; but was returned to its original venue after a COVID-19 case was detected in Tasmania.[43]
  • The match between West Coast and Melbourne was originally scheduled to be played on August 7, but was pushed back to August 9 to allow Melbourne to complete seven days of quarantine in Western Australia.[44]
  • The match between West Coast and Melbourne was suspended early in the final quarter under the lightning policy, and when the game resumed 29 minutes later, it was played to its full length.

Round 22

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Round 22
Friday, 13 August (7:50 pm) Greater Western Sydney 16.10 (106) def. Richmond 10.7 (67) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 0)
(Moved from GIANTS Stadium) 		Report


Saturday, 14 August (1:45 pm) Hawthorn 9.10 (64) def. Western Bulldogs 5.7 (37) University of Tasmania Stadium (crowd: 7,822) Report
Saturday, 14 August (4:05 pm) Port Adelaide 21.14 (140) def. Carlton 5.15 (45) Adelaide Oval (crowd: 13,943) Report
Saturday, 14 August (4:35 pm) Geelong 13.7 (85) def. St Kilda 11.5 (71) GMHBA Stadium (crowd: 0) Report
Saturday, 14 August (7:25 pm) Brisbane Lions 22.10 (142) def. Collingwood 8.9 (57) Gabba (crowd: 15,146)
(Moved from Marvel Stadium) 		Report


Saturday, 14 August (7:40 pm) North Melbourne 12.5 (77) def. by Sydney 13.13 (91) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 0) Report
Sunday, 15 August (2:10 pm) Melbourne 16.8 (104) def. Adelaide 9.9 (63) MCG (crowd: 0) Report
Sunday, 15 August (3:20 pm) Gold Coast 4.6 (30) def. by Essendon 14.14 (98) GMHBA Stadium (crowd: 0)
(Moved from Metricon Stadium) 		Report


Sunday, 15 August (3:10 pm) Fremantle 12.7 (79) def. West Coast 9.10 (64) Optus Stadium (crowd: 51,692) Report

Round 23

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Round 23
Friday, 20 August (7:50 pm) Western Bulldogs 10.4 (64) def. by Port Adelaide 9.12 (66) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 0) Report
Saturday, 21 August (1:35 pm) Richmond 12.11 (83) drew with Hawthorn 12.11 (83) MCG (crowd: 0) Report
Saturday, 21 August (1:45 pm) Sydney 21.10 (136) def. Gold Coast 6.13 (49) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 0)
(Moved from SCG) 		Report


Saturday, 21 August (4:35 pm) Brisbane Lions 19.11 (125) def. West Coast 13.9 (87) Gabba (crowd: 21,845) Report
Saturday, 21 August (7:25 pm) Geelong 12.5 (77) def. by Melbourne 12.9 (81) GMHBA Stadium (crowd: 0) Report
Saturday, 21 August (7:40 pm) Carlton 11.9 (75) def. by Greater Western Sydney 12.17 (89) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 0) Report
Sunday, 22 August (12:15 pm) St Kilda 17.5 (107) def. Fremantle 6.13 (49) Blundstone Arena (crowd: 3,082)
(Moved from Marvel Stadium) 		Report


Sunday, 22 August (3:20 pm) Essendon 16.6 (102) def. Collingwood 9.10 (64) MCG (crowd: 0) Report
Sunday, 22 August (4:10 pm) Adelaide 13.20 (98) def. North Melbourne 8.6 (54) Adelaide Oval (crowd: 13,103) Report
  • Max Gawn kicked a goal after the siren to win the game for Melbourne against Geelong, after trailing by 44 points midway through the third quarter. In doing so, Melbourne secured the minor premiership. It was the first time that the minor premiership was not confirmed until after the siren in the final round since Round 22, 1987. It was also the first time Melbourne had kicked a goal after the siren to win a game.[citation needed]

Season notes

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  • Melbourne won its first nine games of the season, its best unbeaten start to a season since 1956.[45]
  • North Melbourne 'won' the wooden spoon, their 14th total and their first since 1972. They were only the 8th team in VFL/AFL history to finish last on the ladder after every round of the home-and-away season (and the first since 2008).[46]
  • Melbourne won the minor premiership for the first time since 1964. Melbourne also won the McClelland Trophy for the first time since 1990 for finishing first.
  • West Coast missed the AFL finals for the first time since 2014.

Win/loss table

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Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 F1 F2 F3 GF Ladder
Adelaide Geel
+12 		Syd
-33 		GCS
+10 		NM
+41 		Frem
-12 		Haw
-3 		GWS
-67 		PA
-49 		WCE
-30 		Melb
+1 		Rich
-28 		Coll
-5 		StK
+6 		X Carl
-10 		BL
-52 		Ess
-63 		WCE
-42 		Haw
+19 		WB
-49 		PA
-4 		Melb
-41 		NM
+44 		X X X X 15
Brisbane Lions Syd
-31 		Geel
-1 		Coll
+1 		WB
-19 		Ess
+57 		Carl
+18 		PA
+49 		Frem
+24 		GCS
+73 		Rich
+28 		GWS
+64 		Melb
-22 		X NM
+23 		Geel
+44 		Adel
+52 		StK
-32 		Rich
-20 		GCS
+49 		Haw
-12 		Frem
+64 		Coll
+85 		WCE
+38 		Melb
-33 		WB
-1 		X X 4 (5)
Carlton Rich
-25 		Coll
-21 		Frem
+45 		GCS
+11 		PA
-28 		BL
-18 		Ess
+16 		WB
-16 		Melb
-26 		Haw
+23 		Syd
-22 		WCE
-22 		X GWS
-36 		Adel
+10 		Frem
+16 		Geel
-26 		Coll
+29 		NM
-39 		StK
+31 		GCS
-19 		PA
-95 		GWS
-14 		X X X X 13
Collingwood WB
-16 		Carl
+21 		BL
-1 		GWS
-30 		WCE
-27 		Ess
-24 		GCS
-24 		NM
+18 		Syd
-30 		PA
-1 		Geel
-10 		Adel
+5 		Melb
+17 		X Frem
-12 		StK
-9 		Rich
+16 		Carl
-29 		PA
-28 		WCE
+45 		Haw
-19 		BL
-85 		Ess
-38 		X X X X 17
Essendon Haw
-1 		PA
-54 		StK
+75 		Syd
-3 		BL
-57 		Coll
+24 		Carl
-16 		GWS
-2 		Frem
+7 		NM
+72 		WCE
+16 		Rich
-39 		X Haw
+13 		Melb
-11 		Geel
-41 		Adel
+63 		NM
+18 		GWS
-13 		Syd
-7 		WB
+13 		GCS
+68 		Coll
+38 		WB
-49 		X X X 8 (8)
Fremantle Melb
-22 		GWS
+31 		Carl
-45 		Haw
+15 		Adel
+12 		NM
+51 		WCE
-59 		BL
-24 		Ess
-7 		Syd
+2 		PA
-46 		WB
-28 		GCS
+27 		X Coll
+12 		Carl
-16 		Haw
+62 		Geel
-69 		Syd
-40 		Rich
+4 		BL
-64 		WCE
+15 		StK
-58 		X X X X 11
Geelong Adel
-12 		BL
+1 		Haw
+5 		Melb
-25 		NM
+30 		WCE
+97 		Syd
-2 		Rich
+63 		StK
+21 		GCS
+34 		Coll
+10 		X PA
+21 		WB
+5 		BL
-44 		Ess
+41 		Carl
+26 		Frem
+69 		Rich
+38 		NM
+20 		GWS
-19 		StK
+14 		Melb
-4 		PA
-43 		GWS
+35 		Melb
-83 		X 3 (4)
Gold Coast WCE
-25 		NM
+59 		Adel
-10 		Carl
-11 		WB
-62 		Syd
+40 		Coll
+24 		StK
-9 		BL
-73 		Geel
-34 		Haw
+37 		X Frem
-27 		PA
-50 		NM
-9 		Rich
+10 		GWS
+1 		WB
-11 		BL
-49 		Melb
-98 		Carl
+19 		Ess
-68 		Syd
-87 		X X X X 16
Greater Western Sydney StK
-8 		Frem
-31 		Melb
-34 		Coll
+30 		Syd
+2 		WB
-39 		Adel
+67 		Ess
+2 		Rich
-4 		WCE
+16 		BL
-64 		X NM
0 		Carl
+36 		Haw
-18 		Melb
+9 		GCS
-1 		Syd
-26 		Ess
+13 		PA
-27 		Geel
+19 		Rich
+39 		Carl
+14 		Syd
+1 		Geel
-35 		X X 7 (6)
Hawthorn Ess
+1 		Rich
-29 		Geel
-5 		Frem
-15 		Melb
-50 		Adel
+3 		StK
-69 		WCE
-38 		NM
-7 		Carl
-23 		GCS
-37 		X Syd
+38 		Ess
-13 		GWS
+18 		PA
-34 		Frem
-62 		Melb
0 		Adel
-19 		BL
+12 		Coll
+19 		WB
+27 		Rich
0 		X X X X 14
Melbourne Frem
+22 		StK
+18 		GWS
+34 		Geel
+25 		Haw
+50 		Rich
+34 		NM
+30 		Syd
+9 		Carl
+26 		Adel
-1 		WB
+28 		BL
+22 		Coll
-17 		X Ess
+11 		GWS
-9 		PA
+31 		Haw
0 		WB
-20 		GCS
+98 		WCE
+9 		Adel
+41 		Geel
+4 		BL
+33 		X Geel
+83 		WB
+74 		1 (1)
North Melbourne PA
-52 		GCS
-59 		WB
-128 		Adel
-41 		Geel
-30 		Frem
-51 		Melb
-30 		Coll
-18 		Haw
+7 		Ess
-72 		StK
-20 		X GWS
0 		BL
-23 		GCS
+9 		WB
-29 		WCE
+10 		Ess
-18 		Carl
+39 		Geel
-20 		Rich
-33 		Syd
-14 		Adel
-44 		X X X X 18
Port Adelaide NM
+52 		Ess
+54 		WCE
-37 		Rich
+2 		Carl
+28 		StK
+54 		BL
-49 		Adel
+49 		WB
-19 		Coll
+1 		Frem
+46 		X Geel
-21 		GCS
+50 		Syd
+10 		Haw
+34 		Melb
-31 		StK
+13 		Coll
+28 		GWS
+27 		Adel
+4 		Carl
+95 		WB
+2 		Geel
+43 		X WB
-71 		X 2 (3)
Richmond Carl
+25 		Haw
+29 		Syd
-45 		PA
-2 		StK
+86 		Melb
-34 		WB
+22 		Geel
-63 		GWS
+4 		BL
-28 		Adel
+28 		Ess
+39 		WCE
-4 		X StK
-40 		GCS
-10 		Coll
-16 		BL
+20 		Geel
-38 		Frem
-4 		NM
+33 		GWS
-39 		Haw
0 		X X X X 12
St Kilda GWS
+8 		Melb
-18 		Ess
-75 		WCE
+20 		Rich
-86 		PA
-54 		Haw
+69 		GCS
+9 		Geel
-21 		WB
-111 		NM
+20 		Syd
-9 		Adel
-6 		X Rich
+40 		Coll
+9 		BL
+32 		PA
-13 		WCE
-8 		Carl
-31 		Syd
+29 		Geel
-14 		Frem
+58 		X X X X 10
Sydney BL
+31 		Adel
+33 		Rich
+45 		Ess
+3 		GWS
-2 		GCS
-40 		Geel
+2 		Melb
-9 		Coll
+30 		Frem
-2 		Carl
+22 		StK
+9 		Haw
-38 		X PA
-10 		WCE
+92 		WB
+19 		GWS
+26 		Frem
+40 		Ess
+7 		StK
-29 		NM
+14 		GCS
+87 		GWS
-1 		X X X 6 (7)
West Coast GCS
+25 		WB
-7 		PA
+37 		StK
-20 		Coll
+27 		Geel
-97 		Frem
+59 		Haw
+38 		Adel
+30 		GWS
-16 		Ess
-16 		Carl
+22 		Rich
+4 		X WB
-55 		Syd
-92 		NM
-10 		Adel
+42 		StK
+8 		Coll
-45 		Melb
-9 		Frem
-15 		BL
-38 		X X X X 9
Western Bulldogs Coll
+16 		WCE
+7 		NM
+128 		BL
+19 		GCS
+62 		GWS
+39 		Rich
-22 		Carl
+16 		PA
+19 		StK
+111 		Melb
-28 		Frem
+28 		X Geel
-5 		WCE
+55 		NM
+29 		Syd
-19 		GCS
+11 		Melb
+20 		Adel
+49 		Ess
-13 		Haw
-27 		PA
-2 		Ess
+49 		BL
+1 		PA
+71 		Melb
-74 		5 (2)
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 F1 F2 F3 GF Ladder
+ Win Qualified for finals
- Loss X Bye
Draw Eliminated

Bold – Home game
X – Bye
Opponent for round listed above margin

Ladder

edit
Pos Team Pld W L D PF PA PP Pts Qualification
1 Melbourne (P) 22 17 4 1 1888 1443 130.8 70 Finals series
2 Port Adelaide 22 17 5 0 1884 1492 126.3 68
3 Geelong 22 16 6 0 1845 1456 126.7 64
4 Brisbane Lions 22 15 7 0 2131 1599 133.3 60
5 Western Bulldogs 22 15 7 0 1994 1501 132.8 60
6 Sydney 22 15 7 0 1986 1656 119.9 60
7 Greater Western Sydney 22 11 10 1 1768 1773 99.7 46
8 Essendon 22 11 11 0 1953 1790 109.1 44
9 West Coast 22 10 12 0 1752 1880 93.2 40
10 St Kilda 22 10 12 0 1644 1796 91.5 40
11 Fremantle 22 10 12 0 1578 1825 86.5 40
12 Richmond 22 9 12 1 1743 1780 97.9 38
13 Carlton 22 8 14 0 1746 1972 88.5 32
14 Hawthorn 22 7 13 2 1629 1912 85.2 32
15 Adelaide 22 7 15 0 1616 1971 82.0 28
16 Gold Coast 22 7 15 0 1430 1863 76.8 28
17 Collingwood 22 6 16 0 1557 1818 85.6 24
18 North Melbourne 22 4 17 1 1458 2075 70.3 18
Updated to match(es) played on 21 August 2021. Source: AFL
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) percentage; 3) number of points for.
(P) Premiers

Ladder progression

edit
  • Numbers highlighted in green indicates the team finished the round inside the top 8.
  • Numbers highlighted in blue indicates the team finished in first place on the ladder in that round.
  • Numbers highlighted in red indicates the team finished in last place on the ladder in that round.
  • Underlined numbers indicates the team did not play during that round, either due to a bye or a postponed game.
  • Subscript numbers indicate ladder position at round's end.
Points by round
Team ╲ Round1234567891011121314151617181920212223
Melbourne4384123162202242281321361362401441441441481482521541543583621661701
Port Adelaide418184124164203203243245285325325325365404444445484524564604643682
Geelong01241187810128164165204243283324323363403405445483523562602603642643
Brisbane Lions015014413416810128167205244284323324324364403443444444485486525565604
Western Bulldogs4685121161201241242282322361362402402402442481482522561601602604605
Sydney4483122163163165204206246246286326326326326366406446486525526566606
Greater Western Sydney0110160174158128141211169169208201020102210269261030830103012348349388427467
Essendon01001741041241481281581512121611209209201124102411241228113283293210369408448
West Coast424785861261210168207247247247287327327327327328367407407407409409
St Kilda484104168118138161214161116111614201220122013201324122811329321132123213361136124010
Fremantle0164841589129166169161016102010201120112492411289281032732103211368361240104011
Richmond45828688125127166168208209248288288288288289281232932103211361036113812
Carlton0140154128781181312121213121316121613161416141614201324132413281328133212321332133213
Hawthorn4941341441741781581681781781781781712171217161716171617181718172217261530143214
Adelaide474128812512712912131214121516131615161520122012201420152016201624152416241724172815
Gold Coast017464941341581112101212121412151614161316151616161620142414241424142415281428152816
Collingwood01349411414416417417816816816816121616161615161516162015201520162414241624162417
North Melbourne018018018018018018018018418418418418618618101810181418141818181818181818181818
Source: AFL Tables[47]

Positions of teams round by round

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Finals series

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Main article: 2021 AFL finals series


Qualifying and elimination finalsSemi-finalsPreliminary finalsGrand final
28 Aug, Adelaide Oval
1Melbourne13.15 (93)
4Brisbane Lions9.6 (60)4 Sep, Gabba
Brisbane Lions11.12 (78)
29 Aug, University of Tasmania StadiumWestern Bulldogs11.13 (79)10 Sep, Optus Stadium
5Western Bulldogs13.7 (85)Melbourne19.11 (125)
8Essendon4.12 (36)Geelong6.6 (42)25 Sep, Optus Stadium
Melbourne21.14 (140)
28 Aug, University of Tasmania Stadium11 Sep, Adelaide OvalWestern Bulldogs10.6 (66)
6Sydney10.13 (73)Port Adelaide6.9 (45)
7Greater Western Sydney11.8 (74)3 Sep, Optus StadiumWestern Bulldogs17.14 (116)
Geelong15.13 (103)
27 Aug, Adelaide OvalGreater Western Sydney10.8 (68)
2Port Adelaide12.14 (86)
3Geelong5.13 (43)


Week one

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Qualifying finals
QF2: Friday, 27 August (7:20 pm) Port Adelaide 12.14 (86) def. Geelong 5.13 (43) Adelaide Oval (crowd: 19,712) Report
QF1: Saturday, 28 August (7:00 pm) Melbourne 13.15 (93) def. Brisbane Lions 9.6 (60) Adelaide Oval (crowd: 13,784) Report
Elimination finals
EF2: Saturday, 28 August (3:20 pm) Sydney 10.13 (73) def. by Greater Western Sydney 11.8 (74) University of Tasmania Stadium (crowd: 8,635) Report
EF1: Sunday, 29 August (3:20 pm) Western Bulldogs 13.7 (85) def. Essendon 4.12 (36) University of Tasmania Stadium (crowd: 9,760) Report

Week two

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Semi-finals
SF2: Friday, 3 September (5:50 pm) Geelong 15.13 (103) def. Greater Western Sydney 10.8 (68) Optus Stadium (crowd: 44,091) Report
SF1: Saturday, 4 September (7:20 pm) Brisbane Lions 11.12 (78) def. by Western Bulldogs 11.13 (79) Gabba (crowd: 30,647) Report

Week three

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Preliminary finals
PF1: Friday, 10 September (5:50 pm) Melbourne 19.11 (125) def. Geelong 6.6 (42) Optus Stadium (crowd: 58,599) Report
PF2: Saturday, 11 September (7:10 pm) Port Adelaide 6.9 (45) def. by Western Bulldogs 17.14 (116) Adelaide Oval (crowd: 26,400) Report
  • Melbourne defeated Geelong by 83 points, its greatest winning margin ever against Geelong.

Week four

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Main article: 2021 AFL Grand Final
Grand final
Saturday, 25 September (5:15 pm) Melbourne 21.14 (140) def. Western Bulldogs 10.6 (66) Optus Stadium (crowd: 61,118) Report

Club leadership

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Club Coach Captain(s) Vice-captain(s) Leadership group Ref.
Adelaide Matthew Nicks Rory Sloane Matt Crouch, Tom Doedee, Tom Lynch, Brodie Smith [48]
Brisbane Lions Chris Fagan Dayne Zorko Harris Andrews Jarrod Berry, Darcy Gardiner, Ryan Lester, Jarryd Lyons, Lincoln McCarthy, Hugh McCluggage, Lachie Neale, Daniel Rich [49]
Carlton David Teague Patrick Cripps
Sam Docherty
Collingwood Nathan Buckley
(round 1–13)
Robert Harvey
(round 15–) 		Scott Pendlebury Taylor Adams, Jeremy Howe, Steele Sidebottom Brodie Grundy, Darcy Moore, Jordan Roughead [50]
Essendon Ben Rutten Dyson Heppell Michael Hurley, Andrew McGrath, Zach Merrett [51]
Fremantle Justin Longmuir Nathan Fyfe Andrew Brayshaw, Reece Conca, David Mundy, Alex Pearce, Michael Walters [52]
Geelong Chris Scott Joel Selwood Mark Blicavs, Patrick Dangerfield Mitch Duncan, Mark O'Connor, Tom Stewart, Zach Tuohy [53]
Gold Coast Stuart Dew David Swallow
Jarrod Witts 		Sam Collins, Touk Miller [54]
Greater Western Sydney Leon Cameron Stephen Coniglio Toby Greene Phil Davis, Matt de Boer, Jacob Hopper, Josh Kelly, Lachie Whitfield [55]
Hawthorn Alastair Clarkson Ben McEvoy Jaeger O’Meara Jack Gunston, Tom Mitchell, Liam Shiels, James Worpel [56]
Melbourne Simon Goodwin Max Gawn Jack Viney [57]
North Melbourne David Noble Jack Ziebell Luke McDonald, Jy Simpkin Ben Cunnington, Robbie Tarrant, Kayne Turner [58]
Port Adelaide Ken Hinkley Tom Jonas Ollie Wines Darcy Byrne-Jones, Hamish Hartlett [59]
Richmond Damien Hardwick Trent Cotchin Jack Riewoldt, Shane Edwards
St Kilda Brett Ratten Jarryn Geary
Jack Steele 		Dougal Howard, Tim Membrey Jack Billings, Sebastian Ross, Callum Wilkie [60]
Sydney John Longmire Josh Kennedy
Luke Parker
Dane Rampe 		Harry Cunningham, Lance Franklin, Jake Lloyd, Callum Mills, Tom Papley [61]
West Coast Adam Simpson Luke Shuey Jeremy McGovern Josh Kennedy, Nic Naitanui [62]
Western Bulldogs Luke Beveridge Marcus Bontempelli Mitch Wallis [63]

Awards

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Coleman Medal

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  • Numbers highlighted in blue indicates the player led the Coleman Medal at the end of that round.
  • Numbers underlined indicates the player did not play in that round.
Player 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 Total
1 Harry McKay 22 46 713 215 116 622 426 430 333 235 338 038 038 341 243 346 248 452 052 557 158 058 058 58
2 Tom Hawkins 22 35 27 29 110 313 114 418 220 222 325 025 429 130 131 637 037 441 445 146 147 350 454 54
3 Jack Riewoldt 44 48 19 312 517 219 120 121 122 325 530 232 234 034 034 135 136 642 244 145 247 148 351 51
4 Taylor Walker 55 611 617 320 222 325 227 027 027 330 434 236 137 037 340 141 041 142 446 248 048 048 048 48
Josh Bruce 11 34 1014 115 217 219 120 525 227 330 333 134 034 337 037 239 140 141 243 245 348 048 048
Lance Franklin 00 33 03 36 511 011 011 011 213 619 322 224 125 025 429 332 133 437 239 241 142 042 648
7 Bayley Fritsch 22 13 36 410 010 212 618 018 321 122 325 227 128 028 028 031 132 335 237 239 039 746 147 47
Charlie Cameron 00 22 24 04 15 38 412 315 318 119 120 222 022 224 327 330 030 232 335 136 238 644 347
Ben King 33 36 410 111 213 518 220 323 225 328 432 032 032 234 034 438 038 240 343 043 043 043 447
10 Charlie Dixon 22 46 06 06 28 210 010 212 214 115 318 018 422 224 226 430 232 133 437 441 142 446 046 46

Player milestones

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Player milestones[64]
Name Club Milestone Round
Brad Sheppard West Coast 200 AFL games[65] Round 4
Luke Dahlhaus Geelong 200 AFL games[66] Round 6
Nathan Jones Melbourne 300 AFL games[67] Round 6
Dustin Martin Richmond 250 AFL games[68] Round 6
Brandon Ellis Gold Coast 200 AFL games[69] Round 8
Steele Sidebottom Collingwood 250 AFL games[70] Round 8
Robbie Gray Port Adelaide 250 AFL games[71] Round 14
Shaun Burgoyne Hawthorn 400 AFL games[36] Round 16
Steven Motlop Port Adelaide 200 AFL games[72] Round 17
Nathan Fyfe Fremantle 200 AFL games[73] Round 17
Lachie Henderson Geelong 200 AFL games[74][75] Round 17
Dayne Zorko Brisbane Lions 200 AFL games[76] Round 17
Jack Riewoldt Richmond 700 AFL goals[77] Round 17
Todd Goldstein North Melbourne Most hitouts in VFL/AFL history[78] Round 17
Jack Riewoldt Richmond 300 AFL games[77] Round 18
Brodie Smith Adelaide 200 AFL games[79] Round 18
Nic Naitanui West Coast 200 AFL games[80] Round 18
Lance Franklin Sydney 400 Sydney goals[81] Round 18
Travis Boak Port Adelaide 300 AFL games[82] Round 19
Ed Curnow Carlton 200 AFL games[83] Round 19
David Mundy Fremantle 350 AFL games[84] Round 19
Shaun Higgins Geelong 250 AFL games[85] Round 20
Shannon Hurn West Coast 300 AFL games[86] Round 20
Cameron Guthrie Geelong 200 AFL games[87] Round 21
Marc Murphy Carlton 300 AFL games[88] Round 22
Mark Blicavs Geelong 200 AFL games[89] Round 23
Eddie Betts Carlton 350 AFL games[90] Round 23
Jordan Roughead Collingwood 200 AFL games[91] Round 23
Tom Hawkins Geelong 300 AFL games[92] Qualifying Final
Jackson Macrae Western Bulldogs Most disposals in a VFL/AFL season Preliminary Final

Best and fairest

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Club Award name Player Times won
Adelaide Malcolm Blight Medal Rory Laird 2
Brisbane Lions Merrett–Murray Medal Dayne Zorko 5
Carlton John Nicholls Medal Sam Walsh 1
Collingwood Copeland Trophy Jack Crisp 1
Essendon W. S. Crichton Medal Zach Merrett 3
Fremantle Doig Medal Sean Darcy 1
Geelong Carji Greeves Medal Tom Stewart 1
Gold Coast Club Champion Touk Miller 1
Greater Western Sydney Kevin Sheedy Medal Josh Kelly 2
Hawthorn Peter Crimmins Medal Tom Mitchell 3
Melbourne Keith 'Bluey' Truscott Trophy Clayton Oliver 3
North Melbourne Syd Barker Medal Jy Simpkin 1
Port Adelaide John Cahill Medal Ollie Wines 1
Richmond Jack Dyer Medal Dylan Grimes 1
St Kilda Trevor Barker Award Jack Steele 2
Sydney Bob Skilton Medal Luke Parker 3
West Coast John Worsfold Medal Nic Naitanui 2
Western Bulldogs Charles Sutton Medal Marcus Bontempelli 4

Coach changes

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Outgoing coach Club Date Notes Caretaker coach Incoming coach
Nathan Buckley Collingwood 9 June 2021 Stepped down after round 13 following poor start to the season in his final year of contract.[93] Robert Harvey[93] Craig McRae[94]
Alastair Clarkson Hawthorn 30 July 2021 Stepping down at the end of the season after succession plan ended earlier than expected.[95] N/A Sam Mitchell[96]
David Teague Carlton 26 August 2021 Sacked following an extensive review of the club's football operations.[97] N/A (end of season) Michael Voss[98]

References

edit
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