The 1996 AFL season was the 100th season of the

Australian Football League The Australian Football League (AFL) is the only fully professional competition of Australian rules football. Through the AFL Commission, the AFL also serves as the sport's governing body and is responsible for controlling the laws of the gam ...

(AFL), the highest level senior

Australian rules football Australian football, also called Australian rules football or Aussie rules, or more simply football or footy, is a contact sport played between two teams of 18 players on an oval field, often a modified cricket ground. Points are scored by k ...

competition in Australia, which was known as the Victorian Football League until 1989. The season featured sixteen clubs and ran from 29 March until 28 September. It comprised a 22-game home-and-away season followed by a finals series featuring the top eight clubs, as well as several celebrations of the league's centennary. The premiership was won by the

North Melbourne Football Club The North Melbourne Football Club, nicknamed the Kangaroos, is a professional Australian rules football club. The men's team competes in the Australian Football League (AFL), and the women's team in the AFL Women's (AFLW). The Kangaroos also ...

for the third time, after it defeated by 43 points in the 1996 AFL Grand Final.

AFL Draft

''See 1996 AFL Draft.''

Lightning Premiership

In the 1996 AFL Lightning Premiership final, defeated the 6.2 (38) to 2.9 (21) at

Waverley Park Waverley Park (also and originally called VFL Park) was an Australian rules football stadium in Mulgrave, Victoria, Australia. For most of its history, its purpose was as a neutral venue and used by all Victorian-based Victorian Football ...

Ansett Australia Cup

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

Premiership season

Round 1

, - bgcolor="#CCCCFF" , Home team , Score , Away team , Score , Venue , Attendance , Date , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 8.8 (56) , , 27.21 (183) ,

MCG The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), also known locally as "The 'G", is an Australian sports stadium located in Yarra Park, Melbourne, Victoria. Founded and managed by the Melbourne Cricket Club, it is the largest stadium in the Southern Hem ...

, 46,832 , Friday, 29 March , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 15.14 (104) , , 19.8 (122) ,

, 52,271 , Saturday, 30 March , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 12.13 (85) , , 15.19 (109) ,

, 23,434 , Saturday, 30 March , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 11.5 (71) , , 13.14 (92) ,

Whitten Oval Whitten Oval (also known as Victoria University Whitten Oval under a naming rights agreement) is a stadium in the inner-western suburbs of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, located in Barkly Street, West Footscray. It is the training and administr ...

, 10,239 , Saturday, 30 March , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 21.15 (141) , , 7.12 (54) , Gabba , 14,222 , Saturday, 30 March , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 16.13 (109) , , 12.15 (87) ,

, 70,152 , Sunday, 31 March , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 6.9 (45) , , 9.13 (67) ,

Subiaco Oval Subiaco Oval (; nicknamed Subi) was a sports stadium in Perth, Western Australia, located in the suburb of Subiaco. It was opened in 1908 and closed in 2017 after the completion of the new Perth Stadium in Burswood. Subiaco Oval was the high ...

, 33,041 , Sunday, 31 March , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 20.10 (130) , , 6.4 (40) ,

Football Park Football Park, known commercially as AAMI Stadium, was an Australian rules football stadium located in West Lakes, South Australia, West Lakes, a western suburb of Adelaide, the state capital of South Australia, Australia. It was built in 197 ...

, 40,665 , Sunday, 31 March

Round 2

, - bgcolor="#CCCCFF" , Home team , Score , Away team , Score , Venue , Attendance , Date , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 26.12 (168) , , 5.7 (37) ,

, 30,873 , Saturday, 6 April , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 26.8 (164) , , 20.14 (134) ,

Kardinia Park Kardinia Park is a major public park located in South Geelong, Victoria. A number of public and sporting facilities are located in the park: a major AFL stadium, a secondary football oval, a cricket field, an open air swimming pool, a number of ...

, 25,950 , Saturday, 6 April , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 6.15 (51) , , 14.14 (98) ,

, 38,263 , Saturday, 6 April , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 15.11 (101) , , 21.7 (133) ,

, 8,685 , Saturday, 6 April , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 11.11 (77) , , 16.7 (103) , WACA , 29,213 , Saturday, 6 April , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 10.12 (72) , , 15.11 (101) ,

, 62,207 , Sunday, 7 April , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 9.17 (71) , , 13.22 (100) , SCG , 10,965 , Sunday, 7 April , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 27.11 (173) , , 11.13 (79) ,

, 53,268 , Monday, 8 April

Round 3

, - bgcolor="#CCCCFF" , Home team , Score , Away team , Score , Venue , Attendance , Date , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 21.16 (142) , , 12.6 (78) ,

, 43,766 , Friday, 12 April , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 17.19 (121) , , 10.10 (70) ,

, 14,345 , Saturday, 13 April , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 12.8 (80) , , 22.21 (153) ,

, 20,331 , Saturday, 13 April , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 13.12 (90) , , 15.18 (108) , Gabba , 20,635 , Saturday, 13 April , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 15.17 (107) , , 10.13 (73) , SCG , 17,674 , Sunday, 14 April , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 15.12 (102) , , 6.13 (49) ,

, 22,652 , Sunday, 14 April , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 16.13 (109) , , 6.14 (50) ,

, 20,852 , Sunday, 14 April , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 14.14 (98) , , 13.10 (88) ,

Optus Oval Princes Park (or Carlton Recreation Ground, currently known by its sponsored name Ikon Park) is an Australian rules football ground located inside the wider Princes Park in the inner Melbourne suburb of Carlton North. It is a historic venue, ...

, 11,881 , Sunday, 14 April

Round 4

, - bgcolor="#CCCCFF" , Home team , Score , Away team , Score , Venue , Attendance , Date , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 18.17 (125) , , 14.11 (95) , Gabba , 17,469 , Friday, 19 April , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 21.7 (133) , , 12.14 (86) ,

, 19,051 , Saturday, 20 April , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 14.14 (98) , , 8.13 (61) ,

Victoria Park Victoria Park may refer to: Places Australia * Victoria Park Nature Reserve, a protected area in Northern Rivers region, New South Wales * Victoria Park, Adelaide, a park and racecourse * Victoria Park, Brisbane, a public park and former golf ...

, 23,170 , Saturday, 20 April , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 24.16 (160) , , 11.9 (75) ,

, 17,625 , Saturday, 20 April , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 8.9 (57) , , 8.9 (57) ,

, 16,804 , Saturday, 20 April , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 23.23 (161) , , 9.11 (65) ,

, 45,266 , Saturday, 20 April , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 9.16 (70) , , 10.11 (71) ,

, 33,847 , Sunday, 21 April , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 12.16 (88) , , 16.10 (106) ,

, 30,837 , Sunday, 21 April

Round 5

, - bgcolor="#CCCCFF" , Home team , Score , Away team , Score , Venue , Attendance , Date , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 16.9 (105) , , 17.15 (117) ,

, 87,549 , Thursday, 25 April , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 13.18 (96) , , 8.11 (59) , WACA , 26,618 , Friday, 26 April , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 12.14 (86) , , 12.13 (85) ,

, 19,927 , Saturday, 27 April , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 13.13 (91) , , 12.16 (88) ,

, 26,016 , Saturday, 27 April , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 23.14 (152) , , 17.11 (113) ,

, 32,215 , Saturday, 27 April , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 13.10 (88) , , 11.10 (76) , SCG , 20,227 , Saturday, 27 April , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 24.14 (158) , , 6.13 (49) , Gabba , 14,495 , Sunday, 28 April , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 16.20 (116) , , 13.12 (90) ,

, 27,094 , Sunday, 28 April

Round 6

, - bgcolor="#CCCCFF" , Home team , Score , Away team , Score , Venue , Attendance , Date , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 14.6 (90) , , 12.18 (90) , SCG , 22,088 , Friday, 3 May , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 13.15 (93) , , 15.14 (104) ,

, 50,074 , Friday, 3 May , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 23.14 (152) , , 12.8 (80) ,

, 26,459 , Saturday, 4 May , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 7.8 (50) , , 24.12 (156) ,

, 8,747 , Saturday, 4 May , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 9.8 (62) , , 23.16 (154) ,

, 13,497 , Saturday, 4 May , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 9.11 (65) , , 13.8 (86) ,

, 30,225 , Saturday, 4 May , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 9.10 (64) , , 12.8 (80) ,

, 31,024 , Sunday, 5 May , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 12.13 (85) , , 17.8 (110) ,

, 24,591 , Sunday, 5 May

Round 7

, - bgcolor="#CCCCFF" , Home team , Score , Away team , Score , Venue , Attendance , Date , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 22.11 (143) , , 17.12 (114) ,

, 75,632 , Wednesday, 8 May , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 14.11 (95) , , 18.10 (118) ,

, 71,663 , Friday, 10 May , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 18.17 (125) , , 8.14 (62) ,

, 16,176 , Saturday, 11 May , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 5.8 (38) , , 12.10 (82) ,

, 23,660 , Saturday, 11 May , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 15.14 (104) , , 5.11 (41) , Gabba , 20,053 , Saturday, 11 May , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 17.11 (113) , , 9.8 (62) ,

, 25,691 , Sunday, 12 May , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 19.11 (125) , , 7.16 (58) ,

, 32,312 , Sunday, 12 May , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 20.12 (132) , , 5.6 (36) ,

, 40,386 , Sunday, 12 May Note: The opening four matches of this round replicated the opening round of the inaugural 1897 VFL season, with Essendon and Geelong playing each other on the day of the 99th anniversary.

Round 8

, - bgcolor="#CCCCFF" , Home team , Score , Away team , Score , Venue , Attendance , Date , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 15.18 (108) , , 14.14 (98) , Gabba , 21,644 , Friday, 17 May , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 12.14 (86) , , 15.8 (98) ,

, 67,931 , Friday, 17 May , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 19.8 (122) , , 10.11 (71) ,

, 20,527 , Saturday, 18 May , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 16.11 (107) , , 10.16 (76) ,

, 5,083 , Saturday, 18 May , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 20.24 (144) , , 14.5 (89) ,

, 49,939 , Saturday, 18 May , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 14.16 (100) , , 9.10 (64) , WACA , 31,411 , Saturday, 18 May , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 13.19 (97) , , 11.7 (73) ,

, 43,370 , Sunday, 19 May , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 13.6 (84) , , 23.13 (151) ,

, 36,766 , Sunday, 19 May Note: Ben Hart took the mark of the year in Adelaide's win over St Kilda.
Note: Fitzroy's victory was the last win they had in the AFL before departing.

Round 9

, - bgcolor="#CCCCFF" , Home team , Score , Away team , Score , Venue , Attendance , Date , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 25.20 (170) , , 9.11 (65) ,

, 19,964 , Friday, 24 May , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 11.23 (89) , , 12.5 (77) ,

, 37,288 , Saturday, 25 May , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 18.11 (119) , , 11.13 (79) ,

, 11,140 , Saturday, 25 May , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 8.8 (56) , , 14.6 (90) ,

, 14,286 , Saturday, 25 May , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 21.6 (132) , , 10.14 (74) , SCG , 26,537 , Sunday, 26 May , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 17.18 (120) , , 10.6 (66) ,

, 20,934 , Sunday, 26 May , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 9.15 (69) , , 13.13 (91) ,

, 41,023 , Sunday, 26 May , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 11.10 (76) , , 21.13 (139) ,

, 56,609 , Monday, 27 May

Round 10

, - bgcolor="#CCCCFF" , Home team , Score , Away team , Score , Venue , Attendance , Date , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 10.9 (69) , , 12.17 (89) ,

, 22,416 , Friday, 7 June , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 15.11 (101) , , 13.12 (90) ,

, 59,062 , Saturday, 8 June , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 14.14 (98) , , 15.8 (98) ,

, 24,800 , Saturday, 8 June , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 10.7 (67) , , 21.11 (137) ,

, 9,701 , Saturday, 8 June , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 9.13 (67) , , 13.11 (89) ,

, 43,925 , Saturday, 8 June , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 7.11 (53) , , 17.8 (110) ,

, 19,350 , Sunday, 9 June , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 11.10 (76) , , 19.16 (130) ,

, 43,398 , Sunday, 9 June , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 17.12 (114) , , 10.16 (76) ,

, 48,302 , Monday, 10 June

Round 11

, - bgcolor="#CCCCFF" , Home team , Score , Away team , Score , Venue , Attendance , Date , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 20.9 (129) , , 12.13 (85) ,

, 21,516 , Saturday, 15 June , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 16.12 (108) , , 14.15 (99) ,

, 16,652 , Saturday, 15 June , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 10.13 (73) , , 24.8 (152) ,

, 18,644 , Saturday, 15 June , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 21.13 (139) , , 15.15 (105) ,

, 39,029 , Saturday, 15 June , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 5.8 (38) , , 9.8 (62) , Gabba , 20,225 , Saturday, 15 June , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 16.19 (115) , , 9.8 (62) ,

, 34,832 , Sunday, 16 June , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 13.12 (90) , , 12.17 (89) ,

, 31,383 , Sunday, 16 June , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 8.8 (56) , , 18.11 (119) ,

, 10,836 , Sunday, 16 June

Round 12

, - bgcolor="#CCCCFF" , Home team , Score , Away team , Score , Venue , Attendance , Date , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 19.14 (128) , , 13.4 (82) ,

, 39,044 , Friday, 21 June , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 14.11 (95) , , 17.14 (116) ,

, 61,448 , Saturday, 22 June , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 17.10 (112) , , 13.15 (93) ,

, 22,116 , Saturday, 22 June , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 17.12 (114) , , 12.11 (83) ,

, 16,217 , Saturday, 22 June , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 18.15 (123) , , 6.10 (46) , Gabba , 14,871 , Saturday, 22 June , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 18.15 (123) , , 11.11 (77) , SCG , 22,689 , Sunday, 23 June , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 16.11 (107) , , 14.11 (95) ,

, 39,515 , Sunday, 23 June , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 22.9 (141) , , 17.6 (108) ,

, 29,434 , Sunday, 23 June

Round 13

, - bgcolor="#CCCCFF" , Home team , Score , Away team , Score , Venue , Attendance , Date , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 10.9 (69) , , 14.8 (92) ,

, 69,072 , Friday, 28 June , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 13.13 (91) , , 15.12 (102) ,

, 20,030 , Saturday, 29 June , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 6.3 (39) , , 25.16 (166) ,

, 10,504 , Saturday, 29 June , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 14.12 (96) , , 7.8 (50) ,

, 13,824 , Saturday, 29 June , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 18.13 (121) , , 15.10 (100) ,

, 43,481 , Saturday, 29 June , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 8.10 (58) , , 9.20 (74) , WACA , 19,360 , Saturday, 29 June , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 10.12 (72) , , 19.9 (123) ,

, 37,557 , Sunday, 30 June , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 9.5 (59) , , 11.5 (71) ,

, 11,184 , Sunday, 30 June

Round 14

, - bgcolor="#CCCCFF" , Home team , Score , Away team , Score , Venue , Attendance , Date , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 21.18 (144) , , 13.11 (89) ,

, 68,537 , Friday, 5 July , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 17.12 (114) , , 11.15 (81) ,

, 30,886 , Saturday, 6 July , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 7.10 (52) , , 17.16 (118) ,

, 12,748 , Saturday, 6 July , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 7.9 (51) , , 10.8 (68) ,

, 37,482 , Saturday, 6 July , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 15.12 (102) , , 14.10 (94) ,

, 34,183 , Saturday, 6 July , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 18.17 (125) , , 11.8 (74) , SCG , 44,047 , Sunday, 7 July , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 14.10 (94) , , 10.7 (67) ,

, 22,852 , Sunday, 7 July , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 11.11 (77) , , 15.10 (100) ,

, 17,697 , Sunday, 7 July

Round 15

, - bgcolor="#CCCCFF" , Home team , Score , Away team , Score , Venue , Attendance , Date , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 20.11 (131) , , 9.9 (63) , WACA , 22,044 , Friday, 12 July , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 19.17 (131) , , 9.10 (64) ,

, 20,102 , Saturday, 13 July , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 22.12 (144) , , 12.11 (83) ,

, 34,514 , Saturday, 13 July , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 10.12 (72) , , 11.8 (74) ,

, 22,207 , Saturday, 13 July , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 11.13 (79) , , 14.12 (96) ,

, 34,337 , Saturday, 13 July , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 15.13 (103) , , 10.8 (68) , Gabba , 20,378 , Sunday, 14 July , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 12.9 (81) , , 18.19 (127) ,

, 41,380 , Sunday, 14 July , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 18.9 (117) , , 15.9 (99) ,

, 8,674 , Sunday, 14 July

Round 16

, - bgcolor="#CCCCFF" , Home team , Score , Away team , Score , Venue , Attendance , Date , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 17.16 (118) , , 4.5 (29) ,

, 24,778 , Friday, 19 July , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 15.18 (108) , , 13.10 (88) ,

, 58,768 , Saturday, 20 July , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 3.4 (22) , , 4.12 (36) ,

, 9,994 , Saturday, 20 July , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 13.10 (88) , , 4.6 (30) ,

, 17,538 , Saturday, 20 July , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 15.8 (98) , , 7.7 (49) ,

, 28,670 , Saturday, 20 July , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 16.14 (110) , , 12.16 (88) , SCG , 29,174 , Sunday, 21 July , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 12.10 (82) , , 7.6 (48) ,

, 35,406 , Sunday, 21 July , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 17.14 (116) , , 10.16 (76) ,

, 23,567 , Sunday, 21 July

Round 17

, - bgcolor="#CCCCFF" , Home team , Score , Away team , Score , Venue , Attendance , Date , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 11.4 (70) , , 28.15 (183) ,

, 20,955 , Friday, 26 July , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 13.13 (91) , , 11.16 (82) ,

, 65,420 , Saturday, 27 July , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 14.16 (100) , , 11.10 (76) ,

, 24,289 , Saturday, 27 July , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 17.12 (114) , , 11.7 (73) ,

, 19,081 , Saturday, 27 July , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 25.13 (163) , , 17.14 (116) , Gabba , 15,772 , Saturday, 27 July , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 16.12 (108) , , 17.12 (114) ,

, 28,776 , Sunday, 28 July , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 15.14 (104) , , 12.6 (78) ,

, 17,513 , Sunday, 28 July , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 26.10 (166) , , 9.13 (67) ,

, 31,880 , Sunday, 28 July

Round 18

, - bgcolor="#CCCCFF" , Home team , Score , Away team , Score , Venue , Attendance , Date , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 19.16 (130) , , 15.9 (99) ,

, 28,555 , Friday, 2 August , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 23.7 (145) , , 11.18 (84) ,

, 15,277 , Saturday, 3 August , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 13.10 (88) , , 11.12 (78) ,

, 30,065 , Saturday, 3 August , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 15.14 (104) , , 10.9 (69) ,

, 17,818 , Saturday, 3 August , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 17.13 (115) , , 6.16 (52) , SCG , 18,850 , Sunday, 4 August , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 14.15 (99) , , 14.9 (93) ,

, 37,669 , Sunday, 4 August , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 6.9 (45) , , 8.12 (60) ,

, 8,757 , Sunday, 4 August , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 7.11 (53) , , 9.16 (70) ,

, 17,157 , Sunday, 4 August

Round 19

, - bgcolor="#CCCCFF" , Home team , Score , Away team , Score , Venue , Attendance , Date , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 15.16 (106) , , 11.16 (82) , WACA , 22,874 , Friday, 9 August , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 20.9 (129) , , 17.8 (110) ,

, 30,166 , Saturday, 10 August , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 21.17 (143) , , 16.11 (107) ,

, 15,794 , Saturday, 10 August , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 18.19 (127) , , 12.10 (82) ,

, 21,081 , Saturday, 10 August , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 5.5 (35) , , 13.10 (88) ,

, 7,781 , Saturday, 10 August , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 20.12 (132) , , 10.5 (65) ,

, 14,914 , Saturday, 10 August , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 20.10 (130) , , 12.10 (82) , SCG , 28,541 , Sunday, 11 August , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 8.11 (59) , , 11.11 (77) ,

, 15,453 , Sunday, 11 August

Round 20

, - bgcolor="#CCCCFF" , Home team , Score , Away team , Score , Venue , Attendance , Date , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 13.14 (92) , , 10.11 (71) ,

, 15,494 , Friday, 16 August , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 19.18 (132) , , 9.13 (67) ,

, 50,633 , Saturday, 17 August , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 7.7 (49) , , 9.18 (72) ,

, 28,897 , Saturday, 17 August , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 14.16 (100) , , 29.13 (187) ,

, 6,469 , Saturday, 17 August , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 10.10 (70) , , 10.16 (76) ,

, 33,030 , Saturday, 17 August , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 14.11 (95) , , 8.9 (57) ,

, 7,677 , Sunday, 18 August , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 9.10 (64) , , 11.11 (77) ,

, 51,057 , Sunday, 18 August , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 19.13 (127) , , 10.8 (68) ,

, 40,085 , Sunday, 18 August

Round 21

, - bgcolor="#CCCCFF" , Home team , Score , Away team , Score , Venue , Attendance , Date , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 14.12 (96) , , 16.13 (109) ,

, 52,426 , Friday, 23 August , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 13.18 (96) , , 9.12 (66) ,

, 21,674 , Saturday, 24 August , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 14.16 (100) , , 12.10 (82) ,

, 69,237 , Saturday, 24 August , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 9.9 (63) , , 12.8 (80) ,

, 28,118 , Saturday, 24 August , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 10.11 (71) , , 10.10 (70) , Gabba , 19,204 , Saturday, 24 August , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 28.19 (187) , , 5.6 (36) ,

, 48,884 , Sunday, 25 August , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 24.7 (151) , , 11.12 (78) ,

, 33,689 , Sunday, 25 August , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 14.12 (96) , , 24.9 (153) ,

, 40,212 , Sunday, 25 August

Round 22

, - bgcolor="#CCCCFF" , Home team , Score , Away team , Score , Venue , Attendance , Date , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 11.13 (79) , , 11.10 (76) ,

, 42,598 , Friday, 30 August , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 9.11 (65) , , 16.11 (107) ,

, 27,659 , Saturday, 31 August , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 15.10 (100) , , 6.15 (51) ,

, 21,126 , Saturday, 31 August , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 20.24 (144) , , 11.9 (75) ,

, 14,778 , Saturday, 31 August , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 15.11 (101) , , 15.12 (102) ,

, 63,196 , Saturday, 31 August , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 12.13 (85) , , 6.14 (50) , SCG , 29,517 , Saturday, 31 August , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 16.13 (109) , , 21.15 (141) ,

, 61,740 , Sunday, 1 September , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 24.13 (157) , , 10.11 (71) ,

, 22,574 , Sunday, 1 September Note: Last game of Fitzroy Lions before merger with Brisbane Bears to become Brisbane Lions.

Ladder

Ladder progression

Finals

Qualifying Finals

, - bgcolor="#CCCCFF" , Home team , Score , Away team , Score , Venue , Attendance , Date , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 15.11 (101) , , 15.10 (100) , Gabba , 21,964 , Friday, 6 September , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 18.17 (125) , , 10.10 (70) ,

, 41,501 , Saturday, 7 September , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 13.12 (90) , , 12.12 (84) , SCG , 37,010 , Saturday, 7 September , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 19.17 (131) , , 9.17 (71) ,

, 69,323 , Sunday, 8 September Note: The SCG match was the Swans' first finals win since the

1945 1945 marked the end of World War II and the fall of Nazi Germany and the Empire of Japan. It is also the only year in which nuclear weapons have been used in combat. Events Below, the events of World War II have the "WWII" prefix. Januar ...

Second-Semi-Final, when they were known as South Melbourne. This is the longest period for any club in VFL/AFL history without winning even one final, although St. Kilda won only one final between 1914 and 1964 inclusive.

Semi Finals

, - bgcolor="#CCCCFF" , Home team , Score , Away team , Score , Venue , Attendance , Date , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 8.19 (67) , , 22.12 (144) ,

, 85,656 , Saturday, 14 September , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 26.14 (170) , , 10.13 (73) , Gabba , 21,767 , Saturday, 14 September Note: West Coast Eagles played its "home" final at the MCG despite being ranked above Essendon due to the agreement then in place with the

Melbourne Cricket Club The Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC) is a sports club based in Melbourne, Australia. It was founded in 1838 and is one of the oldest sports clubs in Australia. The MCC is responsible for management and development of the Melbourne Cricket Ground, ...

that at least one game each week of the finals be played at the MCG.

Preliminary Finals

, - bgcolor="#CCCCFF" , Home team , Score , Away team , Score , Venue , Attendance , Date , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 17.12 (114) , , 11.10 (76) ,

, 66,719 , Saturday, 21 September , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 10.10 (70) , , 10.9 (69) , SCG , 41,731 , Saturday, 21 September Note: Last game of Brisbane Bears before merger with Fitzroy Lions to become Brisbane Lions. Note: Tony Lockett kicked a behind after the siren to send the Swans to the Grand Final for the first time since South Melbourne's last appearance in 1945. Note: Essendon became the first team in VFL/AFL history to lose two finals in the same season by one point.

Grand Final

, - bgcolor="#CCCCFF" , Home team , Score , Away team , Score , Venue , Attendance , Date , - bgcolor="#FFFFFF" , , 19.17 (131) , , 13.10 (88) ,

, 93,102 , Saturday, 28 September

Attendance

Awards

*The

Brownlow Medal The Charles Brownlow Trophy, better known as the Brownlow Medal (and informally as "Charlie"), is awarded to the " best and fairest" player in the Australian Football League (AFL) during the home-and-away season, as determined by votes cast by ...

was awarded to

Michael Voss Michael Voss (born 7 July 1975) is a former professional Australian rules football player with the Brisbane Bears/Lions and current senior coach of the Carlton Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL). Voss was a triple premiersh ...

of and

James Hird James Albert Hird (born 4 February 1973) is a former professional Australian rules football player and past senior coach of the Essendon Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL). Hird played as a midfielder and half-forward, but ...

of . *The

Leigh Matthews Trophy The Leigh Matthews Trophy is an annual award given by the AFL Players Association to the Most Valuable Player in the Australian Football League. It is named in honour of Leigh Matthews, who won the first MVP award in 1982, when the league was st ...

was awarded to

Corey McKernan Corey McKernan (born 19 December 1973) is a former Australian rules footballer who played for the North Melbourne Kangaroos and Carlton Blues in the Australian Football League (AFL). A dual Premiership player a one time All Australian at Nor ...

of . *The

Coleman Medal The Coleman Medal is an Australian rules football award given annually to the Australian Football League (AFL) player who kicks the most goals A goal is an objective that a person or a system plans or intends to achieve. Goal may also refer ...

was awarded to

Tony Lockett Anthony Howard Lockett (born 9 March 1966) is a former Australian rules footballer who played for the St Kilda Football Club and Sydney Swans in the Australian Football League (AFL). Nicknamed "Plugger", he is considered one of the greatest f ...

of . *The

Norm Smith Medal The Norm Smith Medal is an Australian rules football award presented annually to the player adjudged the best on ground in the Grand Final of the Australian Football League (AFL). Prior to 1990 the competition was known as the Victorian Football ...

was awarded to Glenn Archer of . *The

AFL Rising Star award The AFL Rising Star is an Australian rules football award presented annually to the player adjudged the best young player in the Australian Football League (AFL) for the year. It was first presented in the 1993 season, and was won by Nathan ...

was awarded to

Ben Cousins Benjamin Luke Cousins (born 30 June 1978) is a former professional Australian rules footballer who played for and in the Australian Football League (AFL). Cousins is listed by journalist Mike Sheahan as one of the fifty greatest players of ...

of . *The

Wooden Spoon Wooden Spoon may refer to: * Wooden spoon, implement * Wooden spoon (award) A wooden spoon is an award that is given to an individual or team that has come last in a competition. Examples range from the academic to sporting and more frivolous e ...

was "awarded" to in their final season before the club merged with the . *The reserves premiership was won by *The seniors premiership was won by

Notes

* North Melbourne's

received the same number of

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 and was interrupted at the twenty-minute mark of the third quarter when

lost power, causing the floodlights to go off. The remaining 24 minutes was played three nights later on Tuesday, 11 June. ** Subsequently, the AFL introduced contingencies that a game could be abandoned, with the progress result accepted as final at any point beyond half time, at the agreement of the captains when (a) any unexpected incident delays a game by half an hour, or (b) if dangerous weather conditions, most typically lightning, prevail. * Footscray's 1996 season became the subject of the sports film, ''

Year of the Dogs ''Year of the Dogs'' is a 1997 documentary film detailing the 1996 season of the Footscray Football Club (now Western Bulldogs). Directed by Michael Cordell and Stewart Young, it stars Alan Joyce, Tony Liberatore, Stephen Wallis, Terry Wallace, ...

'', which was released theatrically the following year. ** After their round 17 loss to Collingwood, caretaker coach

Terry Wallace Terry Wallace (born 13 December 1958) is a former professional Australian rules football player and coach. As a player, his career spanned three VFL/AFL clubs; most notably Hawthorn where he played in three premierships. After one season with ...

infamously sprayed the players during his post-match address. * 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 in 1997). * As well as breaking a 51 year grand final appearance drought, Sydney would also break a 51 year finals win drought, with the qualifying final vs Hawthorn being their first finals win since the 1945 season (as South Melbourne). * The season is perhaps best remembered for its preliminary final between minor premiers and sixth-placed . With scores level on 10.9 (69), Sydney's

scored a behind with a kick after the siren to win the game, and sent the Swans into their first Grand Final since 1945. **Lockett had been under an injury cloud with a groin problem during the preceding week, and there was some doubt whether he would play.

References

1996 Season - AFL Tables
{{DEFAULTSORT:1996 Afl Season AFL season Australian Football League seasons