2015 AFL season
119th season of the Australian Football League (AFL)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The 2015 AFL season was the 119th season of the Australian Football League (AFL), the highest level senior Australian rules football competition in Australia, which was known as the Victorian Football League until 1989. The season featured eighteen clubs, ran from 2 April until 3 October, and comprised a 22-game home-and-away season followed by a finals series featuring the top eight clubs.
| 2015 AFL premiership season | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Teams | 18 |
| Premiers | Hawthorn 13th premiership |
| Minor premiers | Fremantle 1st minor premiership |
| Brownlow Medallist | Nat Fyfe Fremantle (31 votes) |
| Coleman Medallist | Josh Kennedy West Coast (75 goals) |
| Attendance | |
| Matches played | 206 |
| Total attendance | 6,886,266 (33,428 per match) |
| Highest (H&A) | 88,395 (round 4, Essendon v Collingwood) |
| Highest (finals) | 98,633 (Grand Final, Hawthorn vs. West Coast) |
The premiership was won by the Hawthorn Football Club for the 13th time and third time consecutively, after it defeated West Coast by 46 points in the 2015 AFL Grand Final.
The season was marred by the mid-season death of Adelaide senior coach Phil Walsh, who was the victim of a domestic incident. Adelaide's following match was cancelled.[1]
Pre-season
All Stars game
The biennial All Stars game, this year played in Western Australia, featuring an AFL team and the Indigenous All Stars team made up of some of the best Indigenous players in the game, returned for the 2015 pre-season. West Coast was the All Stars' opponent, and the match was played at Medibank Stadium in Perth.[2][3]
| 2015 Indigenous All Stars Game | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday, 20 February 7:45 pm (AWST) | Indigenous All Stars | def. by | West Coast | Medibank Stadium (crowd: 10,000) | Report |
| 1.2 (8) 5.6 (36) 5.9 (39) 5.11 (41) |
Q1 Q2 Q3 Final |
3.2 (20) 4.2 (26) 5.5 (35) 7.7 (49) |
Polly Farmer Medal: Shaun Burgoyne[4] | ||
| Edwards, Jetta, Yarran, Pickett, B.Hill | Goals | McGovern, Sheppard, Wellingham, Gaff, Cripps, Powell, Lamb | |||
| Burgoyne, Harbrow, Martin, B.Hill, S.Hill | Best | Wellingham, Masten, Gaff, Schofield, Sinclair, Cripps | |||
| Nil | Injuries | Nil | |||
| Nil | Reports | Nil | |||
NAB Challenge
The pre-season series of matches, known as the 2015 NAB Challenge, featured 27 practice matches played over 25 days, beginning 26 February and ending 22 March. The matches were stand-alone in nature, with no overall winner crowned for the series.[5] Each team played three pre-season games, many of which were played at suburban or regional venues, with most games televised on Fox Footy. The nine-point super goal was used in these matches.
| Week 1 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday, 26 February 7:10 pm | Hawthorn 2.8.6 (72) | def. by | Collingwood 0.17.14 (116) | Aurora Stadium (crowd: 15,422) | Report |
| Friday, 27 February 4:10 pm | West Coast 1.9.15 (78) | def. | Carlton 2.4.5 (47) | Rushton Park (crowd: 10,000) | Report |
| Saturday, 28 February 3:10 pm | Brisbane Lions 0.7.16 (58) | def. | St Kilda 0.8.7 (55) | Moreton Bay Central Sports Complex (crowd: 6,200) | Report |
| Saturday, 28 February 4:40 pm | Western Bulldogs 0.12.17 (89) | def. | Richmond 1.9.4 (67) | Whitten Oval (crowd: 9,513) | Report |
| Sunday, 1 March 4:10 pm | Adelaide 1.12.9 (90) | def. | North Melbourne 0.11.14 (80) | Centenary Oval (crowd: 6,000) | Report |
| Sunday, 1 March 3:40 pm | Gold Coast 0.10.19 (79) | def. | Geelong 1.9.8 (71) | Tony Ireland Stadium (crowd: 4,431) | Report |
| Week 2 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday, 5 March 4:10 pm | Fremantle 0.9.7 (61) | def. | Melbourne 0.6.7 (43) | Fremantle Oval (crowd: 8,000) | Report |
| Friday, 6 March 7:10 pm | Sydney 1.4.6 (39) | def. by | Brisbane Lions 0.10.15 (75) | Coffs Harbour International Stadium (crowd: 4,077) | Report |
| Saturday, 7 March 4:10 pm | Greater Western Sydney 0.14.10 (94) | def. | Gold Coast 2.6.4 (58) | Blacktown International Sportspark (crowd: 1,787) | Report |
| Saturday, 7 March 4:10 pm | Essendon 0.8.3 (51) | def. by | St Kilda 0.15.11 (101) | Morwell Recreation Reserve (crowd: 5,542) | Report |
| Sunday, 8 March 4:10 pm | Port Adelaide 1.11.14 (89) | def. | West Coast 0.7.7 (49) | Norwood Oval (crowd: 9,212) | Report |
| Sunday, 8 March 4:10 pm | North Melbourne 2.9.13 (85) | def. | Hawthorn 1.9.9 (72) | Deakin Reserve (crowd: 7,591) | Report |
| Week 3 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday, 12 March 7:10 pm | Geelong 1.12.6 (87) | def. | Adelaide 0.9.14 (68) | Simonds Stadium (crowd: 8,019) | Report |
| Friday, 13 March 7:10 pm | Greater Western Sydney 0.14.13 (97) | def. | Essendon 0.8.4 (52) | Spotless Stadium (crowd: 2,505) | Report |
| Saturday, 14 March 4:10 pm | Western Bulldogs 0.9.8 (62) | def. by | Melbourne 0.10.9 (69) | Eureka Stadium (crowd: 6,000) | Report |
| Saturday, 14 March 4:40 pm | Richmond 1.14.10 (103) | def. | Port Adelaide 0.5.7 (37) | Lavington Sports Ground (crowd: 8,451) | Report |
| Sunday, 15 March 4:10 pm | Sydney 1.7.14 (65) | def. | Fremantle 1.6.11 (56) | Drummoyne Oval (crowd: 4,343) | Report |
| Sunday, 15 March 4:40 pm | Collingwood 1.7.13 (64) | def. by | Carlton 1.9.8 (71) | Queen Elizabeth Oval (crowd: 9,542) | Report |
| Week 4 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday, 19 March 7:10 pm | St Kilda 1.4.6 (30) | def. by | Hawthorn 0.22.13 (145) | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 7,077) | Report |
| Friday, 20 March 5:50 pm | Melbourne 0.11.9 (75) | def. by | Essendon 0.11.11 (77) | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 7,558) | Report |
| Friday, 20 March 7:40 pm | Gold Coast 0.8.15 (63) | drew with | Brisbane Lions 1.7.12 (63) | Metricon Stadium (crowd: 5,581) | Report |
| Saturday, 21 March 1:10 pm | Richmond 2.12.16 (106) | def. by | North Melbourne 3.13.15 (120) | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 9,327) | Report |
| Saturday, 21 March 3:40 pm | Port Adelaide 0.13.15 (93) | def. by | Adelaide 3.13.12 (117) | AAMI Stadium (crowd: 13,971) | Report |
| Saturday, 21 March 7:10 pm | Western Bulldogs 0.18.7 (115) | def. | Collingwood 0.8.6 (54) | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 10,457) | Report |
| Sunday, 22 March 1:10 pm | Greater Western Sydney 0.9.13 (67) | def. by | Sydney 0.11.7 (73) | StarTrack Oval (crowd: 7,222) | Report |
| Sunday, 22 March 4:10 pm | Carlton 2.10.14 (92) | def. by | Geelong 0.17.9 (111) | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 10,361) | Report |
| Sunday, 22 March 4:10 pm | West Coast 1.11.10 (85) | def. by | Fremantle 1.13.17 (104) | Patersons Stadium (crowd: 16,032) | Report |
Premiership season
Notable features of the draw include:
- To address poor attendances and late-finishing matches, all Saturday night matches on the east coast were brought forward by 20 minutes, with matches in this timeslot now starting at 7:20 pm and Saturday twilight matches were brought forward by five minutes to start at 4:35 pm. Matches in Adelaide and Perth retained their respective local starting times of 7:10 pm and 5:40 pm.[6]
- Many of the grounds used by the AFL hosted games in the 2015 Cricket World Cup, which ended on 29 March. Consequently, the season started and finished slightly later than in previous years, with the Grand Final scheduled for the first Saturday in October instead of the customary last Saturday in September.
- Due to the Sydney Royal Easter Show, Greater Western Sydney's primary home ground (Spotless Stadium) was unavailable until round 6, therefore the club's first two home games were at its secondary home ground, StarTrack Oval, in rounds 2 and 4.[7]
- Mother's Day Round (Round 6) saw six matches played on Saturday instead of the usual five, with only two matches played on Mother's Day itself.[8] This was repeated in round 23, with no twilight game on the Sunday.[9]
- The Friday before the Grand Final became a public holiday in Victoria, following an election promise by the incoming state government, under the premiership of Daniel Andrews.
- All starting times are local.
Round 1
| Round 1 (Opening Round) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday, 2 April (7:20 pm) | Carlton 11.12 (78) | def. by | Richmond 15.15 (105) | MCG (crowd: 83,493) | Report |
| Saturday, 4 April (1:40 pm) | Melbourne 17.13 (115) | def. | Gold Coast 13.11 (89) | MCG (crowd: 27,013) | Report |
| Saturday, 4 April (4:35 pm) | Sydney 10.12 (72) | def. | Essendon 9.6 (60) | ANZ Stadium (crowd: 23,274) | Report |
| Saturday, 4 April (6:20 pm) | Brisbane Lions 11.8 (74) | def. by | Collingwood 12.14 (86) | Gabba (crowd: 31,240) | Report |
| Saturday, 4 April (7:20 pm) | Western Bulldogs 14.13 (97) | def. | West Coast 14.3 (87) | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 22,366) | Report |
| Sunday, 5 April (1:10 pm) | St Kilda 11.12 (78) | def. by | Greater Western Sydney 12.15 (87) | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 18,794) | Report |
| Sunday, 5 April (2:50 pm) | Adelaide 21.14 (140) | def. | North Melbourne 9.9 (63) | Adelaide Oval (crowd: 45,607) | Report |
| Sunday, 5 April (4:40 pm) | Fremantle 11.9 (75) | def. | Port Adelaide 10.8 (68) | Domain Stadium (crowd: 34,099) | Report |
| Monday, 6 April (3:20 pm) | Hawthorn 17.21 (123) | def. | Geelong 8.13 (61) | MCG (crowd: 73,584) | Report |
| |||||
Round 2
| Round 2 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday, 10 April (6:10 pm) | West Coast 20.11 (131) | def. | Carlton 9.8 (62) | Domain Stadium (crowd: 34,588) | Report |
| Saturday, 11 April (1:45 pm) | Richmond 9.12 (66) | def. by | Western Bulldogs 12.13 (85) | MCG (crowd: 49,945) | Report |
| Saturday, 11 April (2:10 pm) | Greater Western Sydney 15.11 (101) | def. | Melbourne 8.8 (56) | StarTrack Oval (crowd: 8,811) | Report[13] |
| Saturday, 11 April (4:35 pm) | Collingwood 9.9 (63) | def. by | Adelaide 12.18 (90) | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 33,771) | Report |
| Saturday, 11 April (7:20 pm) | Gold Coast 10.16 (76) | def. by | St Kilda 16.8 (104) | Metricon Stadium (crowd: 13,649) | Report |
| Saturday, 11 April (7:10 pm) | Port Adelaide 6.8 (44) | def. by | Sydney 14.8 (92) | Adelaide Oval (crowd: 48,907) | Report |
| Sunday, 12 April (1:10 pm) | Geelong 9.6 (60) | def. by | Fremantle 15.14 (104) | Simonds Stadium (crowd: 23,723) | Report |
| Sunday, 12 April (3:20 pm) | Essendon 12.6 (78) | def. | Hawthorn 11.10 (76) | MCG (crowd: 59,866) | Report |
| Sunday, 12 April (4:40 pm) | North Melbourne 20.13 (133) | def. | Brisbane Lions 7.9 (51) | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 22,275) | Report |
| |||||
Round 3
| Round 3 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday, 17 April (7:50 pm) | Collingwood 21.14 (140) | def. | St Kilda 10.6 (66) | MCG (crowd: 45,197) | Report |
| Saturday, 18 April (1:45 pm) | Carlton 11.18 (84) | def. by | Essendon 16.9 (105) | MCG (crowd: 54,854) | Report |
| Saturday, 18 April (1:40 pm) | Adelaide 12.8 (80) | def. | Melbourne 7.13 (55) | Adelaide Oval (crowd: 42,834) | Report |
| Saturday, 18 April (4:35 pm) | Sydney 16.15 (111) | def. | Greater Western Sydney 12.18 (90) | SCG (crowd: 31,966) | Report |
| Saturday, 18 April (7:20 pm) | North Melbourne 16.9 (105) | def. by | Port Adelaide 17.11 (113) | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 22,586) | Report |
| Saturday, 18 April (7:20 pm) | Brisbane Lions 8.10 (58) | def. by | Richmond 21.11 (137) | Gabba (crowd: 22,441) | Report |
| Sunday, 19 April (1:10 pm) | Hawthorn 19.13 (127) | def. | Western Bulldogs 8.9 (57) | Aurora Stadium (crowd: 15,559) | Report |
| Sunday, 19 April (3:20 pm) | Geelong 16.9 (105) | def. | Gold Coast 13.18 (96) | Simonds Stadium (crowd: 20,813) | Report |
| Sunday, 19 April (2:40 pm) | West Coast 12.9 (81) | def. by | Fremantle 17.9 (111) | Domain Stadium (crowd: 39,138) | Report |
Round 4
| Round 4 (ANZAC Round) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday, 24 April (7:50 pm) | Richmond 6.15 (51) | def. by | Melbourne 12.11 (83) | MCG (crowd: 58,175) | Report |
| Saturday, 25 April (1:10 pm) | St Kilda 12.9 (81) | def. by | Carlton 18.13 (121) | Westpac Stadium (crowd: 12,125) | Report |
| Saturday, 25 April (2:40 pm) | Essendon 6.13 (49) | def. by | Collingwood 9.15 (69) | MCG (crowd: 88,395) | Report |
| Saturday, 25 April (5:40 pm) | Greater Western Sydney 16.23 (119) | def. | Gold Coast 7.11 (53) | StarTrack Oval (crowd: 6,917) | Report |
| Saturday, 25 April (7:10 pm) | Port Adelaide 15.9 (99) | def. | Hawthorn 13.13 (91) | Adelaide Oval (crowd: 49,831) | Report |
| Saturday, 25 April (6:45 pm) | Fremantle 11.8 (74) | def. | Sydney 8.12 (60) | Domain Stadium (crowd: 39,009) | Report |
| Sunday, 26 April (1:10 pm) | Brisbane Lions 9.11 (65) | def. by | West Coast 17.16 (118) | Gabba (crowd: 16,632) | Report |
| Sunday, 26 April (3:20 pm) | Geelong 9.13 (67) | def. by | North Melbourne 12.11 (83) | Simonds Stadium (crowd: 23,452) | Report |
| Sunday, 26 April (4:40 pm) | Western Bulldogs 18.17 (125) | def. | Adelaide 10.8 (68) | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 19,915) | Report |
Round 5
| Round 5 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday, 1 May (7:50 pm) | Carlton 6.9 (45) | def. by | Collingwood 18.12 (120) | MCG (crowd: 71,759) | Report |
| Saturday, 2 May (1:45 pm) | Richmond 11.10 (76) | def. by | Geelong 12.13 (85) | MCG (crowd: 45,228) | Report |
| Saturday, 2 May (2:10 pm) | Sydney 10.13 (73) | def. by | Western Bulldogs 11.11 (77) | SCG (crowd: 25,541) | Report |
| Saturday, 2 May (4:35 pm) | Gold Coast 18.10 (118) | def. | Brisbane Lions 7.12 (54) | Metricon Stadium (crowd: 12,464) | Report |
| Saturday, 2 May (7:20 pm) | North Melbourne 10.10 (70) | def. by | Hawthorn 19.16 (130) | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 38,077) | Report |
| Saturday, 2 May (5:40 pm) | West Coast 18.12 (120) | def. | Greater Western Sydney 4.9 (33) | Domain Stadium (crowd: 34,554) | Report |
| Sunday, 3 May (1:10 pm) | Melbourne 6.14 (50) | def. by | Fremantle 18.10 (118) | MCG (crowd: 22,892) | Report |
| Sunday, 3 May (3:20 pm) | St Kilda 11.14 (80) | def. by | Essendon 11.16 (82) | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 29,869) | Report |
| Sunday, 3 May (4:10 pm) | Adelaide 13.13 (91) | def. by | Port Adelaide 18.7 (115) | Adelaide Oval (crowd: 49,617) | Report |
| |||||
Round 6
| Round 6 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday, 8 May (7:50 pm) | Collingwood 8.11 (59) | def. by | Geelong 15.10 (100) | MCG (crowd: 52,152) | Report |
| Saturday, 9 May (1:45 pm) | North Melbourne 16.13 (109) | def. | Richmond 10.14 (74) | Blundstone Arena (crowd: 17,544) | Report |
| Saturday, 9 May (2:10 pm) | Western Bulldogs 13.9 (87) | def. by | St Kilda 14.10 (94) | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 29,619) | Report |
| Saturday, 9 May (4:35 pm) | Greater Western Sydney 16.12 (108) | def. | Hawthorn 14.14 (98) | Spotless Stadium (crowd: 13,556) | Report |
| Saturday, 9 May (5:10 pm) | Gold Coast 11.12 (78) | def. by | Adelaide 18.11 (119) | Metricon Stadium (crowd: 12,464) | Report |
| Saturday, 9 May (7:20 pm) | Melbourne 7.8 (50) | def. by | Sydney 12.16 (88) | MCG (crowd: 26,894) | Report |
| Saturday, 9 May (6:10 pm) | Fremantle 12.8 (80) | def. | Essendon 7.10 (52) | Domain Stadium (crowd: 37,535) | Report |
| Sunday, 10 May (3:20 pm) | Carlton 11.9 (75) | def. by | Brisbane Lions 12.12 (84) | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 20,273) | Report |
| Sunday, 10 May (4:10 pm) | Port Adelaide 10.8 (68) | def. by | West Coast 11.12 (78) | Adelaide Oval (crowd: 37,635) | Report |
| |||||
Round 7
| Round 7 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday, 15 May (7:50 pm) | Essendon 12.10 (82) | def. by | North Melbourne 13.15 (93) | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 43,972) | Report |
| Saturday, 16 May (1:15 pm) | Adelaide 18.11 (119) | def. | St Kilda 10.13 (73) | Adelaide Oval (crowd: 42,795) | Report |
| Saturday, 16 May (2:10 pm) | Hawthorn 24.11 (155) | def. | Melbourne 7.8 (50) | MCG (crowd: 41,935) | Report |
| Saturday, 16 May (4:35 pm) | Carlton 9.3 (57) | def. by | Greater Western Sydney 19.21 (135) | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 16,676) | Report |
| Saturday, 16 May (7:20 pm) | Sydney 18.12 (120) | def. | Geelong 11.11 (77) | ANZ Stadium (crowd: 28,063) | Report |
| Saturday, 16 May (5:40 pm) | West Coast 21.9 (135) | def. | Gold Coast 6.7 (43) | Domain Stadium (crowd: 26,964) | Report |
| Sunday, 17 May (1:10 pm) | Western Bulldogs 14.4 (88) | def. by | Fremantle 15.11 (101) | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 18,170) | Report |
| Sunday, 17 May (3:20 pm) | Richmond 16.9 (105) | def. | Collingwood 15.10 (100) | MCG (crowd: 59,034) | Report |
| Sunday, 17 May (4:40 pm) | Brisbane Lions 15.12 (102) | def. | Port Adelaide 8.17 (65) | Gabba (crowd: 15,957) | Report |
| |||||
Round 8
| Round 8 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday, 22 May (7:50 pm) | Geelong 22.8 (140) | def. | Carlton 9.9 (63) | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 32,032) | Report |
| Saturday, 23 May (1:45 pm) | St Kilda 12.6 (78) | def. by | West Coast 20.11 (131) | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 23,598) | Report |
| Saturday, 23 May (2:10 pm) | Greater Western Sydney 16.12 (108) | def. | Adelaide 12.12 (84) | Spotless Stadium (crowd: 9,481) | Report |
| Saturday, 23 May (4:35 pm) | Gold Coast 9.9 (63) | def. by | Collingwood 20.12 (132) | Metricon Stadium (crowd: 16,440) | Report |
| Saturday, 23 May (7:20 pm) | Hawthorn 9.15 (69) | def. by | Sydney 11.7 (73) | MCG (crowd: 63,319) | Report |
| Saturday, 23 May (5:40 pm) | Fremantle 17.13 (115) | def. | North Melbourne 5.12 (42) | Domain Stadium (crowd: 35,836) | Report |
| Sunday, 24 May (1:10 pm) | Essendon 21.10 (136) | def. | Brisbane Lions 12.6 (78) | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 36,857) | Report |
| Sunday, 24 May (3:20 pm) | Melbourne 15.13 (103) | def. | Western Bulldogs 9.10 (64) | MCG (crowd: 29,381) | Report |
| Sunday, 24 May (4:10 pm) | Port Adelaide 5.13 (43) | def. by | Richmond 11.10 (76) | Adelaide Oval (crowd: 44,451) | Report |
Round 9
| Round 9 (Indigenous Round) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday, 29 May (7:50 pm) | Sydney 19.8 (122) | def. | Carlton 9.8 (62) | SCG (crowd: 32,105) | Report |
| Saturday, 30 May (1:45 pm) | Hawthorn 14.9 (93) | def. | Gold Coast 6.4 (40) | Aurora Stadium (crowd: 11,320) | Report |
| Saturday, 30 May (1:40 pm) | Melbourne 8.6 (54) | def. by | Port Adelaide 18.7 (115) | TIO Traeger Park (crowd: 4,866) | Report |
| Saturday, 30 May (4:35 pm) | Western Bulldogs 16.17 (113) | def. | Greater Western Sydney 11.2 (68) | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 16,395) | Report |
| Saturday, 30 May (7:25 pm) | Richmond 10.12 (72) | def. | Essendon 8.11 (59) | MCG (crowd: 83,804) | Report |
| Saturday, 30 May (7:10 pm) | Adelaide 7.15 (57) | def. by | Fremantle 10.8 (68) | Adelaide Oval (crowd: 45,009) | Report |
| Sunday, 31 May (1:10 pm) | Brisbane Lions 13.8 (86) | def. by | St Kilda 16.12 (108) | Gabba (crowd: 16,898) | Report |
| Sunday, 31 May (3:20 pm) | Collingwood 17.10 (112) | def. | North Melbourne 14.11 (95) | MCG (crowd: 43,452) | Report |
| Sunday, 31 May (2:40 pm) | West Coast 16.24 (120) | def. | Geelong 10.4 (64) | Domain Stadium (crowd: 37,676) | Report |
| |||||
Round 10
| Round 10 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday, 5 June (6:10 pm) | Fremantle 10.10 (70) | def. by | Richmond 15.7 (97) | Domain Stadium (crowd: 38,019) | Report |
| Saturday, 6 June (1:40 pm) | Carlton 14.6 (90) | def. by | Adelaide 14.15 (99) | MCG (crowd: 32,035) | Report |
| Saturday, 6 June (4:35 pm) | Gold Coast 5.11 (41) | def. by | Sydney 13.15 (93) | Metricon Stadium (crowd: 13,068) | Report |
| Saturday, 6 June (7:20 pm) | Essendon 7.11 (53) | def. by | Geelong 19.8 (122) | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 40,632) | Report |
| Saturday, 6 June (7:10 pm) | Port Adelaide 16.4 (100) | def. | Western Bulldogs 9.8 (62) | Adelaide Oval (crowd: 40,907) | Report |
| Sunday, 7 June (1:10 pm) | Greater Western Sydney 14.13 (97) | def. | Brisbane Lions 10.7 (67) | Spotless Stadium (crowd: 9,079) | Report |
| Sunday, 7 June (3:20 pm) | North Melbourne 13.7 (85) | def. | West Coast 10.15 (75) | Blundstone Arena (crowd: 12,011) | Report |
| Sunday, 7 June (4:40 pm) | St Kilda 10.9 (69) | def. by | Hawthorn 20.12 (132) | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 33,886) | Report |
| Monday, 8 June (3:20 pm) | Melbourne 13.7 (85) | def. by | Collingwood 17.8 (110) | MCG (crowd: 66,120) | Report |
Round 11
| Round 11 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday, 12 June (7:20 pm) | Port Adelaide 11.3 (69) | def. by | Geelong 14.8 (92) | Adelaide Oval (crowd: 46,140) | Report |
| Saturday, 13 June (1:40 pm) | Gold Coast 7.4 (46) | def. by | Fremantle 6.17 (53) | Metricon Stadium (crowd: 8,911) | Report |
| Saturday, 13 June (2:35 pm) | West Coast 14.12 (96) | def. | Essendon 6.10 (46) | Domain Stadium (crowd: 37,306) | Report |
| Saturday, 13 June (7:20 pm) | North Melbourne 10.15 (75) | def. by | Sydney 14.7 (91) | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 32,127) | Report |
| Sunday, 14 June (1:10 pm) | Collingwood 18.11 (119) | def. | Greater Western Sydney 11.11 (77) | MCG (crowd: 43,390) | Report |
| Sunday, 14 June (4:40 pm) | St Kilda 12.13 (85) | def. | Melbourne 12.11 (83) | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 25,187) | Report |
| Bye Adelaide, Brisbane Lions, Carlton, Hawthorn, Richmond, Western Bulldogs |
|||||
| |||||
Round 12
| Round 12 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday, 18 June (7:20 pm) | Adelaide 12.13 (85) | def. by | Hawthorn 17.12 (114) | Adelaide Oval (crowd: 49,108) | Report |
| Friday, 19 June (7:50 pm) | Richmond 10.10 (70) | def. by | West Coast 13.12 (90) | MCG (crowd: 45,178) | Report |
| Saturday, 20 June (1:40 pm) | Carlton 17.8 (110) | def. | Port Adelaide 16.10 (106) | MCG (crowd: 27,693) | Report |
| Saturday, 20 June (4:35 pm) | Greater Western Sydney 8.13 (61) | def. by | North Melbourne 18.9 (117) | Spotless Stadium (crowd: 7,824) | Report |
| Saturday, 20 June (7:20 pm) | Western Bulldogs 22.14 (146) | def. | Brisbane Lions 11.8 (74) | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 21,129) | Report |
| Sunday, 21 June (3:20 pm) | Geelong 13.11 (89) | def. by | Melbourne 18.5 (113) | Simonds Stadium (crowd: 28,007) | Report |
| Bye Collingwood, Essendon, Fremantle, Gold Coast, St Kilda, Sydney |
|||||
| |||||
Round 13
| Round 13 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday, 25 June (6:10 pm) | Fremantle 12.8 (80) | def. | Collingwood 11.7 (73) | Domain Stadium (crowd: 37,145) | Report |
| Friday, 26 June (7:50 pm) | Sydney 11.11 (77) | def. by | Richmond 14.11 (95) | SCG (crowd: 37,579) | Report |
| Saturday, 27 June (1:40 pm) | Hawthorn 16.18 (114) | def. | Essendon 11.10 (76) | MCG (crowd: 62,500) | Report |
| Saturday, 27 June (4:35 pm) | Brisbane Lions 10.9 (69) | def. by | Adelaide 11.16 (82) | Gabba (crowd: 18,146) | Report |
| Saturday, 27 June (7:20 pm) | St Kilda 7.14 (56) | def. by | Western Bulldogs 9.8 (62) | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 26,511) | Report |
| Sunday, 28 June (3:20 pm) | Carlton 14.19 (103) | def. | Gold Coast 9.15 (69) | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 30,207) | Report |
| Bye Geelong, Greater Western Sydney, Melbourne, North Melbourne, Port Adelaide, West Coast |
|||||
Round 14
| Round 14 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday, 2 July (7:20 pm) | Sydney 14.10 (94) | def. | Port Adelaide 12.12 (84) | SCG (crowd: 28,316) | Report |
| Friday, 3 July (7:50 pm) | Collingwood 12.19 (91) | def. by | Hawthorn 15.11 (101) | MCG (crowd: 75,880) | Report |
| Saturday, 4 July (1:40 pm) | Richmond 10.18 (78) | def. | Greater Western Sydney 10.9 (69) | MCG (crowd: 35,968) | Report |
| Saturday, 4 July (4:40 pm) | Gold Coast 19.11 (125) | def. | North Melbourne 10.10 (70) | Metricon Stadium (crowd: 14,444) | Report |
| Saturday, 4 July (7:30 pm) | Western Bulldogs 9.10 (64) | def. | Carlton 7.11 (53) | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 31,445) | Report |
| Saturday, 4 July (7:10 pm) | Melbourne 9.6 (60) | def. by | West Coast 16.18 (114) | TIO Stadium (crowd: 11,873) | Report |
| Sunday, 5 July (1:10 pm) | Essendon 8.4 (52) | def. by | St Kilda 25.12 (162) | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 38,020) | Report |
| Sunday, 5 July (2:40 pm) | Fremantle 13.6 (84) | def. | Brisbane Lions 7.6 (48) | Domain Stadium (crowd: 32,970) | Report |
| Sunday, 5 July (cancelled) | Adelaide | v | Geelong | Adelaide Oval | |
| |||||
Round 15
| Round 15 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday, 9 July (7:20 pm) | Port Adelaide 9.12 (66) | def. | Collingwood 9.9 (63) | Adelaide Oval (crowd: 44,496) | Report |
| Friday, 10 July (7:50 pm) | Richmond 10.11 (71) | def. | Carlton 5.11 (41) | MCG (crowd: 52,564) | Report |
| Saturday, 11 July (1:40 pm) | Essendon 10.9 (69) | def. | Melbourne 7.18 (60) | MCG (crowd: 38,861) | Report |
| Saturday, 11 July (4:35 pm) | Western Bulldogs 14.11 (95) | def. | Gold Coast 11.7 (73) | Cazaly's Stadium (crowd: 9,449) | Report |
| Saturday, 11 July (7:20 pm) | North Melbourne 18.12 (120) | def. | Geelong 11.13 (79) | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 31,270) | Report |
| Saturday, 11 July (5:40 pm) | West Coast 22.15 (147) | def. | Adelaide 14.7 (91) | Domain Stadium (crowd: 38,133) | Report |
| Sunday, 12 July (1:10 pm) | Greater Western Sydney 12.12 (84) | def. | St Kilda 6.13 (49) | Spotless Stadium (crowd: 9,178) | Report |
| Sunday, 12 July (3:20 pm) | Hawthorn 17.13 (115) | def. | Fremantle 6.7 (43) | Aurora Stadium (crowd: 16,792) | Report |
| Sunday, 12 July (4:40 pm) | Brisbane Lions 7.7 (49) | def. by | Sydney 10.10 (70) | Gabba (crowd: 16,936) | Report |
Round 16
| Round 16 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday, 17 July (7:50 pm) | North Melbourne 14.9 (93) | def. | Essendon 9.14 (68) | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 31,025) | Report |
| Saturday, 18 July (1:45 pm) | Geelong 10.12 (72) | def. | Western Bulldogs 9.10 (64) | Simonds Stadium (crowd: 25,041) | Report |
| Saturday, 18 July (2:10 pm) | Gold Coast 12.7 (79) | def. by | Greater Western Sydney 13.16 (94) | Metricon Stadium (crowd: 9,589) | Report |
| Saturday, 18 July (4:35 pm) | Collingwood 7.14 (56) | def. by | West Coast 11.21 (87) | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 36,527) | Report |
| Saturday, 18 July (7:20 pm) | Sydney 7.15 (57) | def. by | Hawthorn 23.8 (146) | ANZ Stadium (crowd: 37,369) | Report |
| Saturday, 18 July (5:40 pm) | Fremantle 13.17 (95) | def. | Carlton 8.5 (53) | Domain Stadium (crowd: 33,581) | Report |
| Sunday, 19 July (1:10 pm) | Melbourne 8.12 (60) | def. | Brisbane Lions 4.12 (36) | MCG (crowd: 25,149) | Report |
| Sunday, 19 July (2:50 pm) | Port Adelaide 17.11 (113) | def. by | Adelaide 18.8 (116) | Adelaide Oval (crowd: 53,518) | Report |
| Sunday, 19 July (4:40 pm) | St Kilda 10.13 (73) | def. by | Richmond 13.11 (89) | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 45,772) | Report |
| |||||
Round 17
| Round 17 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday, 24 July (7:50 pm) | Carlton 4.11 (35) | def. by | Hawthorn 27.11 (173) | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 26,815) | Report |
| Saturday, 25 July (1:45 pm) | Greater Western Sydney 6.6 (42) | def. by | Geelong 9.15 (69) | StarTrack Oval (crowd: 14,667) | Report |
| Saturday, 25 July (1:40 pm) | Adelaide 19.11 (125) | def. | Gold Coast 12.8 (80) | Adelaide Oval (crowd: 41,715) | Report |
| Saturday, 25 July (4:35 pm) | Richmond 10.18 (78) | def. by | Fremantle 12.10 (82) | MCG (crowd: 39,777) | Report |
| Saturday, 25 July (7:20 pm) | Essendon 17.14 (116) | def. by | Port Adelaide 20.9 (129) | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 23,705) | Report |
| Saturday, 25 July (7:20 pm) | Brisbane Lions 5.8 (38) | def. by | North Melbourne 16.14 (110) | Gabba (crowd: 15,563) | Report |
| Sunday, 26 July (1:10 pm) | Western Bulldogs 15.14 (104) | def. | Collingwood 13.8 (86) | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 40,581) | Report |
| Sunday, 26 July (3:20 pm) | Melbourne 6.10 (46) | def. by | St Kilda 12.11 (83) | MCG (crowd: 22,945) | Report |
| Sunday, 26 July (2:40 pm) | West Coast 15.13 (103) | def. | Sydney 7.9 (51) | Domain Stadium (crowd: 38,760) | Report |
| |||||
Round 18
| Round 18 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday, 31 July (7:50 pm) | Hawthorn 7.11 (53) | def. by | Richmond 10.11 (71) | MCG (crowd: 66,305) | Report |
| Saturday, 1 August (1:45 pm) | Geelong 17.11 (113) | def. | Brisbane Lions 8.9 (57) | Simonds Stadium (crowd: 21,914) | Report |
| Saturday, 1 August (2:10 pm) | Collingwood 7.12 (54) | def. by | Melbourne 13.13 (91) | MCG (crowd: 37,894) | Report |
| Saturday, 1 August (4:35 pm) | Sydney 17.15 (117) | def. | Adelaide 9.11 (65) | SCG (crowd: 38,690) | Report |
| Saturday, 1 August (7:20 pm) | Carlton 8.6 (54) | def. by | North Melbourne 18.10 (118) | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 25,251) | Report |
| Saturday, 1 August (7:20 pm) | Gold Coast 12.11 (83) | drew with | West Coast 11.17 (83) | Metricon Stadium (crowd: 9,341) | Report |
| Sunday, 2 August (12:40 pm) | Port Adelaide 17.10 (112) | def. | St Kilda 6.13 (49) | Adelaide Oval (crowd: 35,977) | Report |
| Sunday, 2 August (3:20 pm) | Essendon 5.10 (40) | def. by | Western Bulldogs 19.13 (127) | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 33,466) | Report |
| Sunday, 2 August (2:40 pm) | Fremantle 12.12 (84) | def. | Greater Western Sydney 9.9 (63) | Domain Stadium (crowd: 34,626) | Report |
| |||||
Round 19
| Round 19 (Multicultural Round) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday, 7 August (7:20 pm) | Adelaide 11.22 (88) | def. | Richmond 8.4 (52) | Adelaide Oval (crowd: 49,116) | Report |
| Saturday, 8 August (1:45 pm) | Collingwood 16.9 (105) | def. | Carlton 13.9 (87) | MCG (crowd: 48,133) | Report |
| Saturday, 8 August (2:10 pm) | Western Bulldogs 19.14 (128) | def. | Port Adelaide 9.10 (64) | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 20,590) | Report |
| Saturday, 8 August (4:35 pm) | Brisbane Lions 14.16 (100) | def. by | Gold Coast 17.12 (114) | Gabba (crowd: 20,025) | Report |
| Saturday, 8 August (7:20 pm) | Geelong 14.11 (95) | def. | Sydney 9.9 (63) | Simonds Stadium (crowd: 27,901) | Report |
| Saturday, 8 August (5:40 pm) | West Coast 11.8 (74) | def. by | Hawthorn 13.10 (88) | Domain Stadium (crowd: 34,843) | Report |
| Sunday, 9 August (1:10 pm) | Melbourne 14.8 (92) | def. by | North Melbourne 19.13 (127) | MCG (crowd: 30,695) | Report |
| Sunday, 9 August (3:20 pm) | Greater Western Sydney 14.9 (93) | def. | Essendon 8.13 (61) | Spotless Stadium (crowd: 10,093) | Report |
| Sunday, 9 August (4:40 pm) | St Kilda 8.11 (59) | def. by | Fremantle 15.6 (96) | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 16,419) | Report |
| |||||
Round 20
| Round 20 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday, 14 August (7:50 pm) | Sydney 13.9 (87) | def. | Collingwood 10.16 (76) | SCG (crowd: 38,408) | Report |
| Saturday, 15 August (1:45 pm) | Essendon 8.11 (59) | def. by | Adelaide 27.9 (171) | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 25,914) | Report |
| Saturday, 15 August (2:10 pm) | North Melbourne 18.12 (120) | def. | St Kilda 11.17 (83) | Blundstone Arena (crowd: 14,346) | Report |
| Saturday, 15 August (4:05 pm) | Port Adelaide 16.15 (111) | def. | Greater Western Sydney 13.12 (90) | Adelaide Oval (crowd: 32,436) | Report |
| Saturday, 15 August (7:20 pm) | Geelong 12.13 (85) | def. by | Hawthorn 19.7 (121) | MCG (crowd: 55,802) | Report |
| Saturday, 15 August (7:20 pm) | Brisbane Lions 20.11 (131) | def. | Carlton 9.13 (67) | Gabba (crowd: 17,744) | Report |
| Sunday, 16 August (1:10 pm) | Richmond 22.6 (138) | def. | Gold Coast 8.7 (55) | MCG (crowd: 38,508) | Report |
| Sunday, 16 August (3:20 pm) | Western Bulldogs 24.9 (153) | def. | Melbourne 8.7 (55) | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 27,805) | Report |
| Sunday, 16 August (2:40 pm) | Fremantle 11.14 (80) | def. by | West Coast 15.14 (104) | Domain Stadium (crowd: 41,959) | Report |
Round 21
| Round 21 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday, 21 August (7:50 pm) | Hawthorn 13.8 (86) | def. by | Port Adelaide 16.12 (108) | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 28,657) | Report |
| Saturday, 22 August (1:45 pm) | Collingwood 7.14 (56) | def. by | Richmond 23.9 (147) | MCG (crowd: 63,178) | Report |
| Saturday, 22 August (2:10 pm) | Greater Western Sydney 6.8 (44) | def. by | Sydney 20.13 (133) | Spotless Stadium (crowd: 19,507) | Report |
| Saturday, 22 August (4:35 pm) | Gold Coast 14.13 (97) | def. | Essendon 14.11 (95) | Metricon Stadium (crowd: 16,253) | Report |
| Saturday, 22 August (7:20 pm) | St Kilda 14.13 (97) | drew with | Geelong 15.7 (97) | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 25,245) | Report |
| Saturday, 22 August (7:10 pm) | Adelaide 20.11 (131) | def. | Brisbane Lions 6.8 (44) | Adelaide Oval (crowd: 46,609) | Report |
| Sunday, 23 August (1:10 pm) | North Melbourne 14.10 (94) | def. | Fremantle 12.11 (83) | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 23,857) | Report |
| Sunday, 23 August (3:20 pm) | Carlton 12.6 (78) | def. | Melbourne 7.13 (55) | MCG (crowd: 33,962) | Report |
| Sunday, 23 August (2:40 pm) | West Coast 25.12 (162) | def. | Western Bulldogs 13.7 (85) | Domain Stadium (crowd: 37,733) | Report |
| |||||
Round 22
| Round 22 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday, 28 August (7:50 pm) | Geelong 9.8 (62) | def. by | Collingwood 17.8 (110) | MCG (crowd: 40,582) | Report |
| Saturday, 29 August (1:45 pm) | Greater Western Sydney 20.12 (132) | def. | Carlton 7.9 (51) | Spotless Stadium (crowd: 9,538) | Report |
| Saturday, 29 August (2:10 pm) | Hawthorn 21.8 (134) | def. | Brisbane Lions 9.8 (62) | Aurora Stadium (crowd: 11,731) | Report |
| Saturday, 29 August (4:35 pm) | North Melbourne 10.13 (73) | def. by | Western Bulldogs 14.12 (96) | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 37,299) | Report |
| Saturday, 29 August (7:20 pm) | Essendon 7.5 (47) | def. by | Richmond 10.14 (74) | MCG (crowd: 37,864) | Report |
| Saturday, 29 August (7:20 pm) | Gold Coast 7.9 (51) | def. by | Port Adelaide 12.16 (88) | Metricon Stadium (crowd: 9,343) | Report |
| Sunday, 30 August (1:10 pm) | Adelaide 19.12 (126) | def. | West Coast 10.9 (69) | Adelaide Oval (crowd: 52,460) | Report |
| Sunday, 30 August (3:20 pm) | St Kilda 4.14 (38) | def. by | Sydney 20.15 (135) | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 27,856) | Report |
| Sunday, 30 August (2:40 pm) | Fremantle 17.6 (108) | def. | Melbourne 8.6 (54) | Domain Stadium (crowd: 33,529) | Report |
Round 23
| Round 23 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday, 4 September (7:50 pm) | Richmond 16.12 (108) | def. | North Melbourne 10.7 (67) | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 40,461) | Report |
| Saturday, 5 September (1:05 pm) | Geelong 17.17 (119) | def. | Adelaide 11.14 (80) | Simonds Stadium (crowd: 26,128) | Report |
| Saturday, 5 September (1:45 pm) | Brisbane Lions 19.16 (130) | def. | Western Bulldogs 19.8 (122) | Gabba (crowd: 15,434) | Report |
| Saturday, 5 September (3:20 pm) | Port Adelaide 18.14 (122) | def. | Fremantle 8.5 (53) | Adelaide Oval (crowd: 37,922) | Report |
| Saturday, 5 September (4:40 pm) | Hawthorn 17.11 (113) | def. | Carlton 8.8 (56) | MCG (crowd: 33,182) | Report |
| Saturday, 5 September (7:25 pm) | Sydney 19.13 (127) | def. | Gold Coast 9.10 (64) | SCG (crowd: 25,424) | Report |
| Saturday, 5 September (5:40 pm) | West Coast 18.17 (125) | def. | St Kilda 4.6 (30) | Domain Stadium (crowd: 36,165) | Report |
| Sunday, 6 September (1:10 pm) | Melbourne 15.13 (103) | def. | Greater Western Sydney 11.11 (77) | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 8,974) | Report |
| Sunday, 6 September (3:20 pm) | Collingwood 14.8 (92) | def. by | Essendon 14.11 (95) | MCG (crowd: 40,270) | Report |
| |||||
Season notes
- Fremantle secured the minor premiership for the first time in its history.[42]
- Fremantle and West Coast finished first and second on the ladder respectively, the first time two teams from the same state outside of Victoria had finished in the top two positions.[43]
- Geelong missed the finals for the first time since 2006.[44]
- Fremantle was the first minor premier to fail to reach the Grand Final since Adelaide in 2005.[45]
- North Melbourne became the first team in history to finish the home-and-away season in eighth position and qualify for a preliminary final.[46]
- Hawthorn's score of 27.11 (173) against Carlton in round 17 was the highest score posted by any side, while St Kilda's score of 4.6 (30) against West Coast in round 23 was the lowest.
- Matt Priddis (West Coast) set a new record for most handpasses in a season. Priddis reached a total of 472 handpasses, surpassing the previous record of 445 set by Gary Ablett, Jr. in 2009.[47]
- Todd Goldstein (North Melbourne) set a new record for most hit-outs in a season. Goldstein's final tally of 1,058 surpassed the previous record of 952 set by Gary Dempsey (North Melbourne) in 1982. Aaron Sandilands (Fremantle), who had 998 hit-outs for the season, also passed Dempsey's old record.[47]
Win/loss table
| 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 | NM +77 |
Coll +27 |
Melb +25 |
WB −57 |
PA −24 |
GCS +41 |
StK +46 |
GWS −24 |
Frem −11 |
Carl +9 |
X | Haw −29 |
BL +13 |
Geel C |
WCE −56 |
PA +3 |
GCS +45 |
Syd −52 |
Rich +36 |
Ess +112 |
BL +87 |
WCE +57 |
Geel −39 |
WB +7 |
Haw −74 |
X | X | 7 |
| Brisbane Lions | Coll −12 |
NM −82 |
Rich −79 |
WCE −53 |
GCS −64 |
Carl +9 |
PA +37 |
Ess −58 |
StK −22 |
GWS −30 |
X | WB −72 |
Adel −13 |
Frem −36 |
Syd −21 |
Melb −24 |
NM −72 |
Geel −56 |
GCS −14 |
Carl +64 |
Adel −87 |
Haw −72 |
WB +8 |
X | X | X | X | 17 |
| Carlton | Rich −27 |
WCE −69 |
Ess −21 |
StK +40 |
Coll −75 |
BL −9 |
GWS −78 |
Geel −77 |
Syd −60 |
Adel −9 |
X | PA +4 |
GCS +34 |
WB −11 |
Rich −30 |
Frem −42 |
Haw −138 |
NM −64 |
Coll −18 |
BL −64 |
Melb +23 |
GWS −81 |
Haw −57 |
X | X | X | X | 18 |
| Collingwood | BL +12 |
Adel −27 |
StK +74 |
Ess +20 |
Carl +75 |
Geel −41 |
Rich −5 |
GCS +69 |
NM +17 |
Melb +25 |
GWS +42 |
X | Frem −7 |
Haw −10 |
PA −3 |
WCE −31 |
WB −18 |
Melb −37 |
Carl +18 |
Syd −11 |
Rich −91 |
Geel +48 |
Ess −3 |
X | X | X | X | 12 |
| Essendon | Syd −12 |
Haw +2 |
Carl +21 |
Coll −20 |
StK +2 |
Frem −28 |
NM −11 |
BL +58 |
Rich −13 |
Geel −69 |
WCE −50 |
X | Haw −38 |
StK −110 |
Melb +9 |
NM −25 |
PA −13 |
WB −87 |
GWS −32 |
Adel −112 |
GCS −2 |
Rich −27 |
Coll +3 |
X | X | X | X | 15 |
| Fremantle | PA +7 |
Geel +44 |
WCE +30 |
Syd +14 |
Melb +68 |
Ess +28 |
WB +13 |
NM +73 |
Adel +11 |
Rich −27 |
GCS +7 |
X | Coll +7 |
BL +36 |
Haw −72 |
Carl +42 |
Rich +4 |
GWS +21 |
StK +37 |
WCE −24 |
NM −11 |
Melb +54 |
PA −69 |
Syd +9 |
X | Haw −27 |
X | 1 |
| Geelong | Haw 62 |
Frem −44 |
GCS +9 |
NM −16 |
Rich +9 |
Coll +41 |
Syd −43 |
Carl +77 |
WCE −56 |
Ess +69 |
PA +23 |
Melb −24 |
X | Adel C |
NM −41 |
WB +8 |
GWS +27 |
BL +56 |
Syd +32 |
Haw −36 |
StK 0 |
Coll −48 |
Adel +39 |
X | X | X | X | 10 |
| Gold Coast | Melb −26 |
StK −28 |
Geel −9 |
GWS −66 |
BL +64 |
Adel −41 |
WCE −92 |
Coll −69 |
Haw −53 |
Syd −52 |
Frem −7 |
X | Carl −34 |
NM +55 |
WB −22 |
GWS −15 |
Adel −45 |
WCE 0 |
BL +14 |
Rich −83 |
Ess +2 |
PA −37 |
Syd −63 |
X | X | X | X | 16 |
| Greater Western Sydney | StK +9 |
Melb +45 |
Syd −21 |
GCS +66 |
WCE −87 |
Haw +10 |
Carl +78 |
Adel +24 |
WB −45 |
BL +30 |
Coll −42 |
NM −56 |
X | Rich −9 |
StK +35 |
GCS +15 |
Geel −27 |
Frem −21 |
Ess +32 |
PA −21 |
Syd −89 |
Carl +81 |
Melb −26 |
X | X | X | X | 11 |
| Hawthorn | Geel +62 |
Ess −2 |
WB +70 |
PA −8 |
NM +60 |
GWS −10 |
Melb +105 |
Syd −4 |
GCS +53 |
StK +63 |
X | Adel +29 |
Ess +38 |
Coll +10 |
Frem +72 |
Syd +89 |
Carl +138 |
Rich −18 |
WCE +14 |
Geel +36 |
PA −22 |
BL +72 |
Carl +57 |
WCE −32 |
Adel +74 |
Frem +27 |
WCE +46 |
3 |
| Melbourne | GCS +26 |
GWS −45 |
Adel −25 |
Rich +32 |
Frem −68 |
Syd −38 |
Haw −105 |
WB +39 |
PA −61 |
Coll −25 |
StK −2 |
Geel +24 |
X | WCE −54 |
Ess −9 |
BL +24 |
StK −37 |
Coll +37 |
NM −35 |
WB −98 |
Carl −23 |
Frem −54 |
GWS +26 |
X | X | X | X | 13 |
| North Melbourne | Adel −77 |
BL +82 |
PA −8 |
Geel +16 |
Haw −60 |
Rich +35 |
Ess +11 |
Frem −73 |
Coll −17 |
WCE +10 |
Syd −16 |
GWS +56 |
X | GCS −55 |
Geel +41 |
Ess +25 |
BL +72 |
Carl +64 |
Melb +35 |
StK +37 |
Frem +11 |
WB −23 |
Rich −41 |
Rich +17 |
Syd +26 |
WCE −25 |
X | 8 |
| Port Adelaide | Frem −7 |
Syd −48 |
NM +8 |
Haw +8 |
Adel +24 |
WCE −10 |
BL −37 |
Rich −33 |
Melb +61 |
WB +38 |
Geel −23 |
Carl −4 |
X | Syd −10 |
Coll +3 |
Adel −3 |
Ess +13 |
StK +63 |
WB −64 |
GWS +21 |
Haw +22 |
GCS +37 |
Frem +69 |
X | X | X | X | 9 |
| Richmond | Carl +27 |
WB −19 |
BL +79 |
Melb −32 |
Geel −9 |
NM −35 |
Coll +5 |
PA +33 |
Ess +13 |
Frem +27 |
X | WCE −20 |
Syd +18 |
GWS +9 |
Carl +30 |
StK +16 |
Frem −4 |
Haw +18 |
Adel −36 |
GCS +83 |
Coll +91 |
Ess +27 |
NM +41 |
NM −17 |
X | X | X | 5 |
| St Kilda | GWS −9 |
GCS +28 |
Coll −74 |
Carl −40 |
Ess −2 |
WB +7 |
Adel −46 |
WCE −53 |
BL +22 |
Haw −63 |
Melb +2 |
X | WB −6 |
Ess +110 |
GWS −35 |
Rich −16 |
Melb +37 |
PA −63 |
Frem −37 |
NM −37 |
Geel 0 |
Syd −97 |
WCE −95 |
X | X | X | X | 14 |
| Sydney | Ess +12 |
PA +48 |
GWS +21 |
Frem −14 |
WB −4 |
Melb +38 |
Geel +43 |
Haw +4 |
Carl +60 |
GCS +52 |
NM +16 |
X | Rich −18 |
PA +10 |
BL +21 |
Haw −89 |
WCE −52 |
Adel +52 |
Geel −32 |
Coll +11 |
GWS +89 |
StK +97 |
GCS +63 |
Frem −9 |
NM −26 |
X | X | 4 |
| West Coast | WB −10 |
Carl +69 |
Frem −30 |
BL +53 |
GWS +87 |
PA +10 |
GCS +92 |
StK +53 |
Geel +56 |
NM −10 |
Ess +50 |
Rich +20 |
X | Melb +54 |
Adel +56 |
Coll +31 |
Syd +52 |
GCS 0 |
Haw −14 |
Frem +24 |
WB +77 |
Adel −57 |
StK +95 |
Haw +32 |
X | NM +25 |
Haw −46 |
2 |
| Western Bulldogs | WCE +10 |
Rich +19 |
Haw −70 |
Adel +57 |
Syd +4 |
StK −7 |
Frem −13 |
Melb −39 |
GWS +45 |
PA −38 |
X | BL +72 |
StK +6 |
Carl +11 |
GCS +22 |
Geel −8 |
Coll +18 |
Ess +87 |
PA +64 |
Melb +98 |
WCE −77 |
NM +23 |
BL −8 |
Adel −7 |
X | X | X | 6 |
| 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 | Eliminated |
Bold – Home game
X – Bye
C – Cancelled[a]
Opponent for round listed above margin
Ladder
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | D | PF | PA | PP | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fremantle | 22 | 17 | 5 | 0 | 1857 | 1564 | 118.7 | 68 | Finals series |
| 2 | West Coast | 22 | 16 | 5 | 1 | 2330 | 1572 | 148.2 | 66 | |
| 3 | Hawthorn (P) | 22 | 16 | 6 | 0 | 2452 | 1548 | 158.4 | 64 | |
| 4 | Sydney | 22 | 16 | 6 | 0 | 2006 | 1578 | 127.1 | 64 | |
| 5 | Richmond | 22 | 15 | 7 | 0 | 1930 | 1568 | 123.1 | 60 | |
| 6 | Western Bulldogs | 22 | 14 | 8 | 0 | 2101 | 1825 | 115.1 | 56 | |
| 7 | Adelaide | 21 | 13 | 8 | 0 | 2107 | 1821 | 115.7 | 54[b] | |
| 8 | North Melbourne | 22 | 13 | 9 | 0 | 2062 | 1937 | 106.5 | 52 | |
| 9 | Port Adelaide | 22 | 12 | 10 | 0 | 2002 | 1874 | 106.8 | 48 | |
| 10 | Geelong | 21 | 11 | 9 | 1 | 1853 | 1833 | 101.1 | 48[b] | |
| 11 | Greater Western Sydney | 22 | 11 | 11 | 0 | 1872 | 1891 | 99.0 | 44 | |
| 12 | Collingwood | 22 | 10 | 12 | 0 | 1972 | 1856 | 106.3 | 40 | |
| 13 | Melbourne | 22 | 7 | 15 | 0 | 1573 | 2044 | 77.0 | 28 | |
| 14 | St Kilda | 22 | 6 | 15 | 1 | 1695 | 2162 | 78.4 | 26 | |
| 15 | Essendon | 22 | 6 | 16 | 0 | 1580 | 2134 | 74.0 | 24 | |
| 16 | Gold Coast | 22 | 4 | 17 | 1 | 1633 | 2240 | 72.9 | 18 | |
| 17 | Brisbane Lions | 22 | 4 | 18 | 0 | 1557 | 2306 | 67.5 | 16 | |
| 18 | Carlton | 22 | 4 | 18 | 0 | 1525 | 2354 | 64.8 | 16 |
Source: [48]
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) percentage; 3) number of points for.
(P) Premiers
Notes:
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) percentage; 3) number of points for.
(P) Premiers
Notes:
- The round 14 Adelaide vs. Geelong match was cancelled due to the death of Adelaide coach, Phil Walsh, both clubs received two premiership points each, with no change to their percentages.
- The round 14 match between Adelaide and Geelong was cancelled due to the death of Adelaide coach Phil Walsh, and both teams were awarded two premiership points each.
Ladder progression
Numbers highlighted in green indicate that the team finished the round inside the top 8.
Numbers highlighted in blue indicates the team finished first on the ladder in that round.
Numbers highlighted in red indicates the team finished in last place on the ladder in that round.
Underlined numbers indicate that the team had a bye during that round.
Finals series
| Qualifying and elimination finals | Semi-finals | Preliminary finals | Grand final | ||||||||||||||||
| 12 Sep, Domain Stadium | |||||||||||||||||||
| 1 | Fremantle | 10.9 (69) | |||||||||||||||||
| 4 | Sydney | 7.18 (60) | 19 Sep, ANZ Stadium | ||||||||||||||||
| Sydney | 7.9 (51) | ||||||||||||||||||
| 13 Sep, MCG | North Melbourne | 11.11 (77) | 25 Sep, Domain Stadium | ||||||||||||||||
| 5 | Richmond | 14.4 (88) | Fremantle | 10.7 (67) | |||||||||||||||
| 8 | North Melbourne | 15.15 (105) | Hawthorn | 15.4 (94) | 3 Oct, MCG | ||||||||||||||
| Hawthorn | 16.11 (107) | ||||||||||||||||||
| 12 Sep, MCG | 26 Sep, Domain Stadium | West Coast | 8.13 (61) | ||||||||||||||||
| 6 | Western Bulldogs | 14.18 (102) | West Coast | 10.20 (80) | |||||||||||||||
| 7 | Adelaide | 16.13 (109) | 18 Sep, MCG | North Melbourne | 7.13 (55) | ||||||||||||||
| Hawthorn | 21.9 (135) | ||||||||||||||||||
| 11 Sep, Domain Stadium | Adelaide | 8.13 (61) | |||||||||||||||||
| 2 | West Coast | 14.12 (96) | |||||||||||||||||
| 3 | Hawthorn | 9.10 (64) | |||||||||||||||||
Week one
| Qualifying Finals | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| QF2: Friday, 11 September (6:20 pm) | West Coast 14.12 (96) | def. | Hawthorn 9.10 (64) | Domain Stadium (crowd: 42,663) | Report |
| QF1: Saturday, 12 September (1:20 pm) | Fremantle 10.9 (69) | def. | Sydney 7.18 (60) | Domain Stadium (crowd: 40,071) | Report |
| Elimination Finals | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EF2: Saturday, 12 September (7:20 pm) | Western Bulldogs 14.18 (102) | def. by | Adelaide 16.13 (109) | MCG (crowd: 60,782) | Report |
| EF1: Sunday, 13 September (3:20 pm) | Richmond 14.4 (88) | def. by | North Melbourne 15.15 (105) | MCG (crowd: 90,186) | Report |
Week two
| Semi-finals | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SF2: Friday, 18 September (7:50 pm) | Hawthorn 21.9 (135) | def. | Adelaide 8.13 (61) | MCG (crowd: 70,879) | Report |
| SF1: Saturday, 19 September (7:20 pm) | Sydney 7.9 (51) | def. by | North Melbourne 11.11 (77) | ANZ Stadium (crowd: 31,162) | Report |
Week three
| Preliminary Finals | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PF1: Friday, 25 September (6:20 pm) | Fremantle 10.7 (67) | def. by | Hawthorn 15.4 (94) | Domain Stadium (crowd: 41,508) | Report |
| PF2: Saturday, 26 September (5:45 pm) | West Coast 10.20 (80) | def. | North Melbourne 7.13 (55) | Domain Stadium (crowd: 43,080) | Report |
Week four
| Grand Final | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GF: Saturday, 3 October (2:30 pm) | Hawthorn 16.11 (107) | def. | West Coast 8.13 (61) | MCG (crowd: 98,633) | Report |
| |||||
Attendances
By club
| Club | Total | Games | Avg. Per Game | Home Total | Home Games | Home Avg. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adelaide | 904726 | 23 | 39336 | 464868 | 10 | 46487 |
| Brisbane Lions | 467466 | 22 | 21248 | 207016 | 11 | 18820 |
| Carlton | 760055 | 22 | 34548 | 423018 | 11 | 38456 |
| Collingwood | 1054044 | 22 | 47911 | 519844 | 11 | 47259 |
| Essendon | 894335 | 22 | 40652 | 467552 | 11 | 42505 |
| Fremantle | 772497 | 24 | 32187 | 398308 | 11 | 36210 |
| Geelong | 720052 | 21 | 34288 | 325395 | 11 | 29581 |
| Gold Coast | 394321 | 22 | 17924 | 135966 | 11 | 12361 |
| Greater Western Sydney | 402019 | 22 | 18274 | 118651 | 11 | 10786 |
| Hawthorn | 1153600 | 26 | 44369 | 424884 | 11 | 38626 |
| Melbourne | 653802 | 22 | 29718 | 276802 | 11 | 25164 |
| North Melbourne | 773402 | 25 | 30936 | 282417 | 11 | 25674 |
| Port Adelaide | 737269 | 22 | 33512 | 471840 | 11 | 42895 |
| Richmond | 1144590 | 23 | 49764 | 548642 | 11 | 49877 |
| St Kilda | 590051 | 22 | 26821 | 285262 | 11 | 25933 |
| Sydney | 772252 | 24 | 32177 | 346735 | 11 | 31521 |
| West Coast | 889816 | 25 | 35593 | 395860 | 11 | 35987 |
| Western Bulldogs | 655063 | 23 | 28481 | 257464 | 11 | 23406 |
By ground
| Ground | Total | Games | Avg. Per Game |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adelaide Oval | 936890 | 21 | 44614 |
| ANZ Stadium | 119868 | 4 | 29967 |
| Aurora Stadium | 55402 | 4 | 13851 |
| Blundstone Arena | 43901 | 3 | 14634 |
| Cazaly's Stadium | 9449 | 1 | 9449 |
| Domain Stadium | 961490 | 26 | 36980 |
| Etihad Stadium | 1301878 | 46 | 28302 |
| Gabba | 207016 | 11 | 18820 |
| MCG | 2495287 | 50 | 49906 |
| Metricon Stadium | 135966 | 11 | 12361 |
| SCG | 258029 | 8 | 32254 |
| Simonds Stadium | 196979 | 8 | 24622 |
| Spotless Stadium | 88256 | 8 | 11032 |
| StarTrack Oval | 30395 | 3 | 10132 |
| TIO Stadium | 11873 | 1 | 11873 |
| TIO Traeger Park | 4866 | 1 | 4866 |
| Westpac Stadium | 12125 | 1 | 12125 |
Awards
- The Brownlow Medal was awarded to Nat Fyfe of Fremantle, who received 31 votes.[52]
- The Coleman Medal was awarded to Josh Kennedy of West Coast, who kicked 75 goals during the home and away season.[53]
- The Ron Evans Medal was awarded to Jesse Hogan of Melbourne, who received 49 votes.[54]
- The Norm Smith Medal was awarded to Cyril Rioli of Hawthorn.[55]
- The AFL Goal of the Year was awarded to Eddie Betts of Adelaide.[56]
- The AFL Mark of the Year was awarded to Nic Naitanui of West Coast.[56]
- The McClelland Trophy was awarded to Fremantle for the first time in their history.[57]
- The wooden spoon was "awarded" to Carlton for the first time since 2006.[58]
- The AFL Players Association awards
- The Leigh Matthews Trophy was awarded to Nat Fyfe of Fremantle for the second consecutive year.[59]
- The Robert Rose Award was awarded to Luke Parker of Sydney.[60]
- The Best Captain was awarded to Robert Murphy of the Western Bulldogs.[61]
- The Best First-Year Player was awarded to Isaac Heeney of Sydney.[62]
- The 22under22 Team captaincy was awarded to Jake Stringer of the Western Bulldogs.[63]
- The AFL Coaches Association Awards[64]
- The AFL Coaches Association Player of the Year Award was awarded to Dan Hannebery of Sydney, who received 101 votes.[65]
- The Allan Jeans Senior Coach of the Year Award was awarded to Luke Beveridge of the Western Bulldogs.[66]
- The Assistant Coach of the Year Award was awarded to Adam Kingsley of St Kilda.
- The Development Coach of the Year Award was awarded to Paul Hudson of St Kilda.
- The Lifetime Achievement Award was awarded to David Wheadon.
- The Best Young Player Award was awarded to Marcus Bontempelli of the Western Bulldogs.
- The Media Award was awarded to Gerard Whateley for his work on Fox Footy and ABC.
- The Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award was awarded to Dennis Armfield of Carlton.[67]
Milestones
Coleman Medal
- Numbers highlighted in blue indicates the player led the Coleman that round.
- Underlined numbers indicates the player did not play 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 | Josh J. Kennedy | 22 | 1012 | 113 | 316 | 622 | 123 | 427 | 431 | 637 | 340 | 343 | 346 | 046 | 248 | 250 | 353 | 356 | 258 | 462 | 264 | 771 | 172 | 375 | 75 |
| 2 | Jeremy Cameron | 44 | 15 | 27 | 411 | 112 | 719 | 524 | 226 | 329 | 332 | 234 | 135 | 035 | 237 | 542 | 244 | 044 | 246 | 248 | 351 | 354 | 761 | 263 | 63 |
| 3 | Eddie Betts | 44 | 15 | 16 | 410 | 515 | 520 | 626 | 329 | 231 | 132 | 032 | 133 | 235 | 035 | 237 | 138 | 341 | 142 | 244 | 549 | 352 | 254 | 458 | 58 |
| 4 | Taylor Walker | 66 | 28 | 311 | 112 | 214 | 418 | 321 | 425 | 025 | 126 | 026 | 127 | 229 | 029 | 332 | 335 | 237 | 239 | 241 | 344 | 751 | 354 | 155 | 55 |
| 5 | Jake Stringer | 33 | 25 | 05 | 611 | 112 | 416 | 016 | 218 | 018 | 220 | 020 | 525 | 025 | 328 | 230 | 131 | 132 | 436 | 440 | 444 | 549 | 150 | 454 | 54 |
| 6 | Chad Wingard | 22 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 27 | 29 | 110 | 212 | 214 | 317 | 421 | 526 | 026 | 329 | 332 | 335 | 338 | 442 | 244 | 347 | 451 | 253 | 053 | 53 |
| 7 | Jack Gunston | 11 | 34 | 26 | 39 | 413 | 215 | 116 | 117 | 219 | 322 | 022 | 022 | 325 | 227 | 027 | 431 | 637 | 340 | 040 | 141 | 344 | 448 | 452 | 52 |
| 8 | Josh Bruce | 22 | 68 | 210 | 212 | 517 | 118 | 523 | 225 | 126 | 228 | 129 | 029 | 332 | 537 | 239 | 140 | 141 | 142 | 143 | 245 | 348 | 048 | 250 | 50 |
| Jack Riewoldt | 44 | 26 | 410 | 010 | 313 | 316 | 420 | 424 | 125 | 227 | 027 | 128 | 634 | 236 | 339 | 241 | 142 | 143 | 144 | 246 | 248 | 048 | 250 | 50 | |
| 10 | Lance Franklin | 33 | 36 | 511 | 213 | 316 | 016 | 420 | 020 | 727 | 330 | 434 | 034 | 236 | 036 | 339 | 342 | 042 | 345 | 045 | 045 | 045 | 146 | 147 | 47 |
Best and fairest
Club leadership
Coach changes
| Coach | Club | Date | Notes | Caretaker | New coach |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mick Malthouse | Carlton | 26 May 2015 | Sacked after the Carlton board lost trust in Malthouse and the club and coach were not aligned, in addition to the club suffering from poor results on the field.[141][142] | John Barker | Brendon Bolton[143] |
| Phil Walsh | Adelaide | 3 July 2015 | Deceased | Scott Camporeale | Don Pyke[144] |
| James Hird | Essendon | 18 August 2015 | Resigned due to poor on-field performances[124] | Matthew Egan | John Worsfold[145] |
Club financials
| Club | Members[146] | Change from 2014 | % Change from 2014 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adelaide | 52,920 |  1,329 |
2.45% |
| Brisbane Lions | 25,408 |  1,396 |
5.81% |
| Carlton | 47,305 | 180 |
0.38% |
| Collingwood | 75,037 | 2,850 |
5.43% |
| Essendon | 60,818 | 172 |
0.28% |
| Fremantle | 51,433 | 2,656 |
5.45% |
| Geelong | 44,312 | 509 |
1.16% |
| Gold Coast | 13,643 | 165 |
1.22% |
| Greater Western Sydney | 13,480 | 440 |
3.37% |
| Hawthorn | 72,924 | 4,274 |
6.23% |
| Melbourne | 35,953 | 42 |
0.12% |
| North Melbourne | 41,012 | 2425 |
6.15% |
| Port Adelaide | 54,057 | 5,089 |
10.39% |
| Richmond | 70,809 | 4,687 |
7.09% |
| St Kilda | 32,746 | 2,007 |
6.53% |
| Sydney | 48,836 | 8,710 |
21.71% |
| West Coast | 60,221 | 1,692 |
2.89% |
| Western Bulldogs | 35,222 | 3,684 |
11.68% |
| Total | 836,136 | 31,656 |
3.93% |
Post-season
International Rules Series
The International Rules Series returned in November 2015, with Ireland entitled to the hosting rights. The match was played on Saturday, 21 November 2015 at Dublin's Croke Park. A highly qualified Australian side, who were looking for back-to-back series wins, fell to a classy Irish team by 4 points.[147]
| 2015 International Rules Test | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday, 21 November (7:00pm IST) | Ireland 3.11.5 (56) | def. | Australia 1.13.7 (52) | Croke Park, Dublin (crowd: 38,386) | Report |
Notable events and controversies
Doping and drugs
The AFL suffered significant bad publicity during 2015 related to four cases of illicit substance abuse in AFL clubs – three related to doping and one related to recreational drugs:
- The Essendon Football Club supplements controversy – relating to the supplements program operating at the Essendon Football Club during the 2011/12 offseason – continued to be heard during the 2015 season. The 34 players implicated in the controversy were served with infraction notices in November 2014, and were provisionally suspended until their hearings at the AFL anti-doping tribunal were complete.[148] In the week before the start of the AFL season, the players were found not guilty and their suspensions were lifted.[149] In May 2015, the World Anti-Doping Agency announced an appeal of the not guilty verdicts to the Court of Arbitration for Sport;[150] this was ultimately heard in early 2016, and resulted in the not guilty verdicts being overturned and many players being suspended for the 2016 season.
- Ryan Crowley (Fremantle) faced the AFL anti-doping tribunal after having tested positive to a banned substance in a drug test after Fremantle's round 17, 2014 win against Greater Western Sydney. He commenced a provisional suspension commenced after a positive confirmation tests (also known as B-sample) mid September 2014. He appeared before the AFL Tribunal in May 2015, and was found guilty suspended for twelve months, backdated to the beginning of his provisional suspension; he became eligible to play again on 25 September 2015. The banned substance has not been identified, but is understood to have been present in a painkiller which Crowley had taken but which was not prescribed by the club doctor.[151]
- Lachlan Keeffe and Josh Thomas (both of Collingwood) tested positive to the banned substance clenbuterol in drug tests taken in February 2015. Both accepted provisional suspensions in March and returned positive B-samples in May.[152] Both were handed infraction notices in July[153] and accepted two-year bans in August (backdated to March), in addition they were delisted and fined $50,000 each by Collingwood.[154]
- In late June, former Gold Coast player Karmichael Hunt, who was being investigated by the Queensland Crime and Corruption Commission over allegations of cocaine supply and possession, named several current Gold Coast players as having taken illicit recreational drugs during his time at the club.[155] Although nothing further came from Hunt's allegations, days later, photographs from early 2013 emerged showing Gold Coast's Harley Bennell using speed; and a teammate, whose anonymity is protected under the AFL's drugs policy, self-reported shortly afterwards that he had also been present and taken the drug.[156] Bennell was fined $5000 and suspended for three matches.[157]
Death of Phil Walsh
In the early hours of Friday 3 July 2015, Adelaide coach Phil Walsh was found dead at his Adelaide residency following a domestic violence incident; he was killed by his son, Cy, who was charged with his murder, and ultimately found not guilty due to mental incompetence, meaning he is now subject to a lifetime psychiatric supervision order and is permanently detained at the James Nash House forensic Mental Health Facility.[158] Walsh's wife Meredith also suffered injuries in the incident.[1] In the immediate aftermath, the match between Adelaide and Geelong, which was to have been played on Sunday 5 July, was cancelled, with the clubs sharing two premiership points each.[27] At the remaining seven matches of the round (Sydney and Port Adelaide had already played on Thursday night), respect was paid to Walsh by observing moments of silence both before and after the match; and pre- and post-match celebrations or promotions, including the playing of club songs and running through banners, were not carried out.[159]