The 1996 AFL season was the 100th 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 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.
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.
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.
Note: The SCG match was the Swans' first finals win since the 1945 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.
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 that at least one game each week of the finals be played at the MCG.
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.
North Melbourne's Corey McKernan received the same number of Brownlow Medal votes as the joint-winners James Hird and Michael Voss, but was ineligible to receive a medal as McKernan was suspended for one match during the season for kneeing. McKernan went on to win the AFL Players Association MVP, which is not subject to the same eligibility criteria.
The Round 10 game between St Kilda and Essendon was interrupted at the twenty-minute mark of the third quarter when Waverley Park lost power, causing the floodlights to go off. The remaining 24 minutes was played three nights later on Tuesday, 11 June.[1]
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, which was released theatrically the following year.
After their round 17 loss to Collingwood, caretaker coach Terry Wallace infamously sprayed the players during his post-match address.[2]
North Melbourne received a special gold-coloured premiership cup, instead of the typical silver, to signify what the AFL had represented as its Centenary Season throughout 1996. (Note: 1996 was the VFL/AFL's hundredth season, which by strictest definition is not the same as the centenary season, which would have been 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 Sydney and sixth-placed Essendon. With scores level on 10.9 (69), Sydney's Tony Lockett scored a behind with a kick after the siren to win the game, 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
^Tuesday night blockbuster set for 2018 fixture - AFL.com.au
^Sherwood, Anthony (1 October 2016). "This Epic 1996 Coach Spray Is All The Motivation The Bulldogs Need". HuffPost. Retrieved 9 October 2018.
1996 Season - AFL Tables
January 02, 2023
1996, season, 1996, season, arena, football, league, 1996, arena, football, league, season, 100th, season, australian, football, league, highest, level, senior, australian, rules, football, competition, australia, which, known, victorian, football, league, unt. For the 1996 season of the Arena Football League see 1996 Arena Football League season The 1996 AFL season was the 100th 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 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 1996 AFL premiership seasonTeams16PremiersNorth Melbourne 3rd premiership Minor premiersSydney 7th minor premiership Pre season cupSt Kilda 1st pre season cup win Matches played185Attendance5 694 921 30 783 per match Highest attendance93 102 Grand Final North Melbourne vs Sydney Brownlow MedallistJames Hird Essendon Michael Voss Brisbane Bears Coleman MedallistTony Lockett Sydney 19951997 The premiership was won by the North Melbourne Football Club for the third time after it defeated Sydney by 43 points in the 1996 AFL Grand Final Contents 1 AFL Draft 2 Lightning Premiership 3 Ansett Australia Cup 4 Premiership season 4 1 Round 1 4 2 Round 2 4 3 Round 3 4 4 Round 4 4 5 Round 5 4 6 Round 6 4 7 Round 7 4 8 Round 8 4 9 Round 9 4 10 Round 10 4 11 Round 11 4 12 Round 12 4 13 Round 13 4 14 Round 14 4 15 Round 15 4 16 Round 16 4 17 Round 17 4 18 Round 18 4 19 Round 19 4 20 Round 20 4 21 Round 21 4 22 Round 22 5 Ladder 5 1 Ladder progression 6 Finals 6 1 Qualifying Finals 6 2 Semi finals 6 3 Preliminary Finals 6 4 Grand Final 7 Attendance 8 Awards 9 Notes 10 ReferencesAFL Draft EditSee 1996 AFL Draft Lightning Premiership EditMain article 1996 AFL Lightning Premiership In the 1996 AFL Lightning Premiership final Essendon defeated the Brisbane Bears 6 2 38 to 2 9 21 at Waverley Park Ansett Australia Cup EditMain article 1996 Ansett Australia Cup In the 1996 Ansett Australia Cup final St Kilda defeated Carlton 20 10 130 to 10 12 72 at Waverley Park Premiership season EditRound 1 Edit Home team Score Away team Score Venue Attendance DateMelbourne 8 8 56 Geelong 27 21 183 MCG 46 832 Friday 29 MarchRichmond 15 14 104 Essendon 19 8 122 MCG 52 271 Saturday 30 MarchSt Kilda 12 13 85 North Melbourne 15 19 109 Waverley Park 23 434 Saturday 30 MarchFitzroy 11 5 71 Hawthorn 13 14 92 Whitten Oval 10 239 Saturday 30 MarchBrisbane Bears 21 15 141 Footscray 7 12 54 Gabba 14 222 Saturday 30 MarchCarlton 16 13 109 Collingwood 12 15 87 MCG 70 152 Sunday 31 MarchFremantle 6 9 45 West Coast 9 13 67 Subiaco Oval 33 041 Sunday 31 MarchAdelaide 20 10 130 Sydney 6 4 40 Football Park 40 665 Sunday 31 MarchRound 2 Edit Home team Score Away team Score Venue Attendance DateNorth Melbourne 26 12 168 Footscray 5 7 37 MCG 30 873 Saturday 6 AprilGeelong 26 8 164 St Kilda 20 14 134 Kardinia Park 25 950 Saturday 6 AprilHawthorn 6 15 51 Richmond 14 14 98 Waverley Park 38 263 Saturday 6 AprilFitzroy 15 11 101 Adelaide 21 7 133 Whitten Oval 8 685 Saturday 6 AprilWest Coast 11 11 77 Brisbane Bears 16 7 103 WACA 29 213 Saturday 6 AprilEssendon 10 12 72 Carlton 15 11 101 MCG 62 207 Sunday 7 AprilSydney 9 17 71 Fremantle 13 22 100 SCG 10 965 Sunday 7 AprilCollingwood 27 11 173 Melbourne 11 13 79 MCG 53 268 Monday 8 AprilRound 3 Edit Home team Score Away team Score Venue Attendance DateAdelaide 21 16 142 Geelong 12 6 78 Football Park 43 766 Friday 12 AprilFootscray 17 19 121 Fitzroy 10 10 70 Whitten Oval 14 345 Saturday 13 AprilHawthorn 12 8 80 North Melbourne 22 21 153 Waverley Park 20 331 Saturday 13 AprilBrisbane Bears 13 12 90 Richmond 15 18 108 Gabba 20 635 Saturday 13 AprilSydney 15 17 107 Collingwood 10 13 73 SCG 17 674 Sunday 14 AprilFremantle 15 12 102 Carlton 6 13 49 Subiaco Oval 22 652 Sunday 14 AprilEssendon 16 13 109 West Coast 6 14 50 Waverley Park 20 852 Sunday 14 AprilMelbourne 14 14 98 St Kilda 13 10 88 Optus Oval 11 881 Sunday 14 AprilRound 4 Edit Home team Score Away team Score Venue Attendance DateBrisbane Bears 18 17 125 North Melbourne 14 11 95 Gabba 17 469 Friday 19 AprilCarlton 21 7 133 Melbourne 12 14 86 Optus Oval 19 051 Saturday 20 AprilCollingwood 14 14 98 Fremantle 8 13 61 Victoria Park 23 170 Saturday 20 AprilSt Kilda 24 16 160 Fitzroy 11 9 75 Waverley Park 17 625 Saturday 20 AprilFootscray 8 9 57 Hawthorn 8 9 57 Whitten Oval 16 804 Saturday 20 AprilAdelaide 23 23 161 Essendon 9 11 65 Football Park 45 266 Saturday 20 AprilRichmond 9 16 70 Sydney 10 11 71 Waverley Park 33 847 Sunday 21 AprilWest Coast 12 16 88 Geelong 16 10 106 Subiaco Oval 30 837 Sunday 21 AprilRound 5 Edit Home team Score Away team Score Venue Attendance DateEssendon 16 9 105 Collingwood 17 15 117 MCG 87 549 Thursday 25 AprilFremantle 13 18 96 Melbourne 8 11 59 WACA 26 618 Friday 26 AprilCarlton 12 14 86 West Coast 12 13 85 Optus Oval 19 927 Saturday 27 AprilGeelong 13 13 91 Richmond 12 16 88 Kardinia Park 26 016 Saturday 27 AprilNorth Melbourne 23 14 152 Adelaide 17 11 113 MCG 32 215 Saturday 27 AprilSydney 13 10 88 Hawthorn 11 10 76 SCG 20 227 Saturday 27 AprilBrisbane Bears 24 14 158 Fitzroy 6 13 49 Gabba 14 495 Sunday 28 AprilSt Kilda 16 20 116 Footscray 13 12 90 Waverley Park 27 094 Sunday 28 AprilRound 6 Edit Home team Score Away team Score Venue Attendance DateSydney 14 6 90 Essendon 12 18 90 SCG 22 088 Friday 3 MayGeelong 13 15 93 North Melbourne 15 14 104 MCG 50 074 Friday 3 MayCollingwood 23 14 152 Adelaide 12 8 80 Victoria Park 26 459 Saturday 4 MayMelbourne 7 8 50 West Coast 24 12 156 Optus Oval 8 747 Saturday 4 MayFitzroy 9 8 62 Richmond 23 16 154 Whitten Oval 13 497 Saturday 4 MayHawthorn 9 11 65 St Kilda 13 8 86 Waverley Park 30 225 Saturday 4 MayFootscray 9 10 64 Carlton 12 8 80 MCG 31 024 Sunday 5 MayFremantle 12 13 85 Brisbane Bears 17 8 110 Subiaco Oval 24 591 Sunday 5 MayRound 7 Edit Home team Score Away team Score Venue Attendance DateEssendon 22 11 143 Geelong 17 12 114 MCG 75 632 Wednesday 8 MayCollingwood 14 11 95 St Kilda 18 10 118 MCG 71 663 Friday 10 MayCarlton 18 17 125 Fitzroy 8 14 62 Optus Oval 16 176 Saturday 11 MayMelbourne 5 8 38 Sydney 12 10 82 MCG 23 660 Saturday 11 MayBrisbane Bears 15 14 104 Hawthorn 5 11 41 Gabba 20 053 Saturday 11 MayRichmond 17 11 113 Footscray 9 8 62 MCG 25 691 Sunday 12 MayWest Coast 19 11 125 North Melbourne 7 16 58 Subiaco Oval 32 312 Sunday 12 MayAdelaide 20 12 132 Fremantle 5 6 36 Football Park 40 386 Sunday 12 MayNote 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 Edit Home team Score Away team Score Venue Attendance DateBrisbane Bears 15 18 108 Collingwood 14 14 98 Gabba 21 644 Friday 17 MayCarlton 12 14 86 Geelong 15 8 98 MCG 67 931 Friday 17 MayHawthorn 19 8 122 Melbourne 10 11 71 Waverley Park 20 527 Saturday 18 MayFitzroy 16 11 107 Fremantle 10 16 76 Whitten Oval 5 083 Saturday 18 MayNorth Melbourne 20 24 144 Richmond 14 5 89 MCG 49 939 Saturday 18 MayWest Coast 14 16 100 Sydney 9 10 64 WACA 31 411 Saturday 18 MayAdelaide 13 19 97 St Kilda 11 7 73 Football Park 43 370 Sunday 19 MayFootscray 13 6 84 Essendon 23 13 151 MCG 36 766 Sunday 19 MayNote 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 Edit Home team Score Away team Score Venue Attendance DateNorth Melbourne 25 20 170 Fitzroy 9 11 65 MCG 19 964 Friday 24 MayEssendon 11 23 89 Melbourne 12 5 77 MCG 37 288 Saturday 25 MayFootscray 18 11 119 Adelaide 11 13 79 Whitten Oval 11 140 Saturday 25 MayHawthorn 8 8 56 West Coast 14 6 90 Waverley Park 14 286 Saturday 25 MaySydney 21 6 132 Brisbane Bears 10 14 74 SCG 26 537 Sunday 26 MayFremantle 17 18 120 Richmond 10 6 66 Subiaco Oval 20 934 Sunday 26 MaySt Kilda 9 15 69 Carlton 13 13 91 Waverley Park 41 023 Sunday 26 MayCollingwood 11 10 76 Geelong 21 13 139 MCG 56 609 Monday 27 MayRound 10 Edit Home team Score Away team Score Venue Attendance DateFootscray 10 9 69 North Melbourne 12 17 89 MCG 22 416 Friday 7 JuneCarlton 15 11 101 Richmond 13 12 90 MCG 59 062 Saturday 8 JuneGeelong 14 14 98 Brisbane Bears 15 8 98 Kardinia Park 24 800 Saturday 8 JuneFitzroy 10 7 67 Sydney 21 11 137 Whitten Oval 9 701 Saturday 8 JuneSt Kilda 9 13 67 Essendon 13 11 89 Waverley Park 43 925 Saturday 8 JuneFremantle 7 11 53 Hawthorn 17 8 110 Subiaco Oval 19 350 Sunday 9 JuneAdelaide 11 10 76 West Coast 19 16 130 Football Park 43 398 Sunday 9 JuneMelbourne 17 12 114 Collingwood 10 16 76 MCG 48 302 Monday 10 JuneRound 11 Edit Home team Score Away team Score Venue Attendance DateGeelong 20 9 129 Footscray 12 13 85 Kardinia Park 21 516 Saturday 15 JuneHawthorn 16 12 108 Adelaide 14 15 99 Waverley Park 16 652 Saturday 15 JuneNorth Melbourne 10 13 73 Sydney 24 8 152 Optus Oval 18 644 Saturday 15 JuneRichmond 21 13 139 St Kilda 15 15 105 MCG 39 029 Saturday 15 JuneBrisbane Bears 5 8 38 Carlton 9 8 62 Gabba 20 225 Saturday 15 JuneWest Coast 16 19 115 Collingwood 9 8 62 Subiaco Oval 34 832 Sunday 16 JuneEssendon 13 12 90 Fremantle 12 17 89 MCG 31 383 Sunday 16 JuneFitzroy 8 8 56 Melbourne 18 11 119 Whitten Oval 10 836 Sunday 16 JuneRound 12 Edit Home team Score Away team Score Venue Attendance DateRichmond 19 14 128 Adelaide 13 4 82 MCG 39 044 Friday 21 JuneCollingwood 14 11 95 Carlton 17 14 116 MCG 61 448 Saturday 22 JuneGeelong 17 10 112 Fremantle 13 15 93 Kardinia Park 22 116 Saturday 22 JuneHawthorn 17 12 114 Fitzroy 12 11 83 Waverley Park 16 217 Saturday 22 JuneBrisbane Bears 18 15 123 Melbourne 6 10 46 Gabba 14 871 Saturday 22 JuneSydney 18 15 123 Footscray 11 11 77 SCG 22 689 Sunday 23 JuneNorth Melbourne 16 11 107 Essendon 14 11 95 MCG 39 515 Sunday 23 JuneWest Coast 22 9 141 St Kilda 17 6 108 Subiaco Oval 29 434 Sunday 23 JuneRound 13 Edit Home team Score Away team Score Venue Attendance DateCollingwood 10 9 69 Richmond 14 8 92 MCG 69 072 Friday 28 JuneCarlton 13 13 91 Sydney 15 12 102 Optus Oval 20 030 Saturday 29 JuneFitzroy 6 3 39 Geelong 25 16 166 Whitten Oval 10 504 Saturday 29 JuneSt Kilda 14 12 96 Brisbane Bears 7 8 50 Waverley Park 13 824 Saturday 29 JuneEssendon 18 13 121 Hawthorn 15 10 100 MCG 43 481 Saturday 29 JuneFremantle 8 10 58 North Melbourne 9 20 74 WACA 19 360 Saturday 29 JuneAdelaide 10 12 72 Melbourne 19 9 123 Football Park 37 557 Sunday 30 JuneFootscray 9 5 59 West Coast 11 5 71 Whitten Oval 11 184 Sunday 30 JuneRound 14 Edit Home team Score Away team Score Venue Attendance DateNorth Melbourne 21 18 144 Carlton 13 11 89 MCG 68 537 Friday 5 JulyHawthorn 17 12 114 Collingwood 11 15 81 Waverley Park 30 886 Saturday 6 JulyFitzroy 7 10 52 Essendon 17 16 118 Optus Oval 12 748 Saturday 6 JulyRichmond 7 9 51 West Coast 10 8 68 MCG 37 482 Saturday 6 JulyAdelaide 15 12 102 Brisbane Bears 14 10 94 Football Park 34 183 Saturday 6 JulySydney 18 17 125 Geelong 11 8 74 SCG 44 047 Sunday 7 JulyMelbourne 14 10 94 Footscray 10 7 67 MCG 22 852 Sunday 7 JulyFremantle 11 11 77 St Kilda 15 10 100 Subiaco Oval 17 697 Sunday 7 JulyRound 15 Edit Home team Score Away team Score Venue Attendance DateWest Coast 20 11 131 Fitzroy 9 9 63 WACA 22 044 Friday 12 JulyCarlton 19 17 131 Adelaide 9 10 64 Optus Oval 20 102 Saturday 13 JulyCollingwood 22 12 144 North Melbourne 12 11 83 MCG 34 514 Saturday 13 JulyGeelong 10 12 72 Hawthorn 11 8 74 Kardinia Park 22 207 Saturday 13 JulySt Kilda 11 13 79 Sydney 14 12 96 Waverley Park 34 337 Saturday 13 JulyBrisbane Bears 15 13 103 Essendon 10 8 68 Gabba 20 378 Sunday 14 JulyMelbourne 12 9 81 Richmond 18 19 127 MCG 41 380 Sunday 14 JulyFootscray 18 9 117 Fremantle 15 9 99 Whitten Oval 8 674 Sunday 14 JulyRound 16 Edit Home team Score Away team Score Venue Attendance DateNorth Melbourne 17 16 118 St Kilda 4 5 29 MCG 24 778 Friday 19 JulyEssendon 15 18 108 Richmond 13 10 88 MCG 58 768 Saturday 20 JulyFootscray 3 4 22 Brisbane Bears 4 12 36 Whitten Oval 9 994 Saturday 20 JulyGeelong 13 10 88 Melbourne 4 6 30 Kardinia Park 17 538 Saturday 20 JulyHawthorn 15 8 98 Carlton 7 7 49 Waverley Park 28 670 Saturday 20 JulySydney 16 14 110 Adelaide 12 16 88 SCG 29 174 Sunday 21 JulyWest Coast 12 10 82 Fremantle 7 6 48 Subiaco Oval 35 406 Sunday 21 JulyCollingwood 17 14 116 Fitzroy 10 16 76 Victoria Park 23 567 Sunday 21 JulyRound 17 Edit Home team Score Away team Score Venue Attendance DateMelbourne 11 4 70 North Melbourne 28 15 183 MCG 20 955 Friday 26 JulyCarlton 13 13 91 Essendon 11 16 82 MCG 65 420 Saturday 27 JulySt Kilda 14 16 100 Geelong 11 10 76 Waverley Park 24 289 Saturday 27 JulyRichmond 17 12 114 Hawthorn 11 7 73 Optus Oval 19 081 Saturday 27 JulyBrisbane Bears 25 13 163 West Coast 17 14 116 Gabba 15 772 Saturday 27 JulyFootscray 16 12 108 Collingwood 17 12 114 MCG 28 776 Sunday 28 JulyFremantle 15 14 104 Sydney 12 6 78 Subiaco Oval 17 513 Sunday 28 JulyAdelaide 26 10 166 Fitzroy 9 13 67 Football Park 31 880 Sunday 28 JulyRound 18 Edit Home team Score Away team Score Venue Attendance DateNorth Melbourne 19 16 130 Hawthorn 15 9 99 MCG 28 555 Friday 2 AugustCarlton 23 7 145 Fremantle 11 18 84 Optus Oval 15 277 Saturday 3 AugustSt Kilda 13 10 88 Collingwood 11 12 78 Waverley Park 30 065 Saturday 3 AugustGeelong 15 14 104 Adelaide 10 9 69 Kardinia Park 17 818 Saturday 3 AugustSydney 17 13 115 Melbourne 6 16 52 SCG 18 850 Sunday 4 AugustWest Coast 14 15 99 Essendon 14 9 93 Subiaco Oval 37 669 Sunday 4 AugustFitzroy 6 9 45 Footscray 8 12 60 Whitten Oval 8 757 Sunday 4 AugustRichmond 7 11 53 Brisbane Bears 9 16 70 Optus Oval 17 157 Sunday 4 AugustRound 19 Edit Home team Score Away team Score Venue Attendance DateFremantle 15 16 106 Collingwood 11 16 82 WACA 22 874 Friday 9 AugustMelbourne 20 9 129 Carlton 17 8 110 MCG 30 166 Saturday 10 AugustEssendon 21 17 143 Adelaide 16 11 107 Optus Oval 15 794 Saturday 10 AugustGeelong 18 19 127 West Coast 12 10 82 Kardinia Park 21 081 Saturday 10 AugustFitzroy 5 5 35 St Kilda 13 10 88 Whitten Oval 7 781 Saturday 10 AugustHawthorn 20 12 132 Footscray 10 5 65 Waverley Park 14 914 Saturday 10 AugustSydney 20 10 130 Richmond 12 10 82 SCG 28 541 Sunday 11 AugustNorth Melbourne 8 11 59 Brisbane Bears 11 11 77 Optus Oval 15 453 Sunday 11 AugustRound 20 Edit Home team Score Away team Score Venue Attendance DateMelbourne 13 14 92 Fremantle 10 11 71 MCG 15 494 Friday 16 AugustRichmond 19 18 132 Geelong 9 13 67 MCG 50 633 Saturday 17 AugustHawthorn 7 7 49 Sydney 9 18 72 Waverley Park 28 897 Saturday 17 AugustFitzroy 14 16 100 Brisbane Bears 29 13 187 Optus Oval 6 469 Saturday 17 AugustAdelaide 10 10 70 North Melbourne 10 16 76 Football Park 33 030 Saturday 17 AugustFootscray 14 11 95 St Kilda 8 9 57 Optus Oval 7 677 Sunday 18 AugustCollingwood 9 10 64 Essendon 11 11 77 MCG 51 057 Sunday 18 AugustWest Coast 19 13 127 Carlton 10 8 68 Subiaco Oval 40 085 Sunday 18 AugustRound 21 Edit Home team Score Away team Score Venue Attendance DateNorth Melbourne 14 12 96 Geelong 16 13 109 MCG 52 426 Friday 23 AugustCarlton 13 18 96 Footscray 9 12 66 Optus Oval 21 674 Saturday 24 AugustEssendon 14 16 100 Sydney 12 10 82 MCG 69 237 Saturday 24 AugustSt Kilda 9 9 63 Hawthorn 12 8 80 Waverley Park 28 118 Saturday 24 AugustBrisbane Bears 10 11 71 Fremantle 10 10 70 Gabba 19 204 Saturday 24 AugustRichmond 28 19 187 Fitzroy 5 6 36 MCG 48 884 Sunday 25 AugustWest Coast 24 7 151 Melbourne 11 12 78 Subiaco Oval 33 689 Sunday 25 AugustAdelaide 14 12 96 Collingwood 24 9 153 Football Park 40 212 Sunday 25 AugustRound 22 Edit Home team Score Away team Score Venue Attendance DateEssendon 11 13 79 Footscray 11 10 76 MCG 42 598 Friday 30 AugustGeelong 9 11 65 Carlton 16 11 107 Kardinia Park 27 659 Saturday 31 AugustCollingwood 15 10 100 Brisbane Bears 6 15 51 Victoria Park 21 126 Saturday 31 AugustSt Kilda 20 24 144 Adelaide 11 9 75 Waverley Park 14 778 Saturday 31 AugustMelbourne 15 11 101 Hawthorn 15 12 102 MCG 63 196 Saturday 31 AugustSydney 12 13 85 West Coast 6 14 50 SCG 29 517 Saturday 31 AugustRichmond 16 13 109 North Melbourne 21 15 141 MCG 61 740 Sunday 1 SeptemberFremantle 24 13 157 Fitzroy 10 11 71 Subiaco Oval 22 574 Sunday 1 SeptemberNote Last game of Fitzroy Lions before merger with Brisbane Bears to become Brisbane Lions Ladder Edit1996 AFL ladder Pos Team Pld W L D PF PA PP Pts1 Sydney 22 16 5 1 2152 1737 123 9 66 Finals2 North Melbourne P 22 16 6 0 2526 1982 127 4 643 Brisbane Bears 22 15 6 1 2174 1731 125 6 624 West Coast 22 15 7 0 2201 1758 125 2 605 Carlton 22 15 7 0 2116 1909 110 8 606 Essendon 22 14 7 1 2209 2023 109 2 587 Geelong 22 13 8 1 2353 2047 114 9 548 Hawthorn 22 11 10 1 1893 1921 98 5 469 Richmond 22 11 11 0 2282 1944 117 4 4410 St Kilda 22 10 12 0 2053 2033 101 0 4011 Collingwood 22 9 13 0 2203 2142 102 8 3612 Adelaide 22 8 14 0 2233 2327 96 0 3213 Fremantle 22 7 15 0 1830 1983 92 3 2814 Melbourne 22 7 15 0 1743 2463 70 8 2815 Footscray 22 5 16 1 1654 2139 77 3 2216 Fitzroy 22 1 21 0 1452 2935 49 5 4Source AFL ladderRules for classification 1 points 2 percentage 3 number of points for P Premiers Ladder progression Edit 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 Team Round12345678910111213141516171819202122Sydney0048121418182226303438424650505458626266North Melbourne P 481212162020242832323640444448525656606064Brisbane Bears48812162024282830303434343842465054586262West Coast Eagles44444812162024283236404448485252566060Carlton48812162024242832364040404444485252525660Essendon448881014182226303034383842424246505458Geelong48812161616202426303438383842424650505454Hawthorn4446666101014182222263034343438384246Richmond048881216161616202428283232363636404444St Kilda000481216161616161620242424283236363640Collingwood0448121616161616161616162024282828283236Adelaide481216161620242424242424282828323232323232Fremantle0488121212121616161616161616202024242428Melbourne0044444448121216202020202024282828Footscray004666661010101010101414141818222222Fitzroy0000000444444444444444Source citation needed Finals EditQualifying Finals Edit Home team Score Away team Score Venue Attendance DateBrisbane Bears 15 11 101 Essendon 15 10 100 Gabba 21 964 Friday 6 SeptemberWest Coast 18 17 125 Carlton 10 10 70 Subiaco Oval 41 501 Saturday 7 SeptemberSydney 13 12 90 Hawthorn 12 12 84 SCG 37 010 Saturday 7 SeptemberNorth Melbourne 19 17 131 Geelong 9 17 71 MCG 69 323 Sunday 8 SeptemberNote The SCG match was the Swans first finals win since the 1945 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 Edit Home team Score Away team Score Venue Attendance DateWest Coast 8 19 67 Essendon 22 12 144 MCG 85 656 Saturday 14 SeptemberBrisbane Bears 26 14 170 Carlton 10 13 73 Gabba 21 767 Saturday 14 SeptemberNote 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 that at least one game each week of the finals be played at the MCG Preliminary Finals Edit Home team Score Away team Score Venue Attendance DateNorth Melbourne 17 12 114 Brisbane Bears 11 10 76 MCG 66 719 Saturday 21 SeptemberSydney 10 10 70 Essendon 10 9 69 SCG 41 731 Saturday 21 SeptemberNote 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 Edit Main article 1996 AFL Grand Final Home team Score Away team Score Venue Attendance DateNorth Melbourne 19 17 131 Sydney 13 10 88 MCG 93 102 Saturday 28 SeptemberAttendance EditTeam Hosted Average Highest Lowest TotalEssendon 11 49 526 87 549 15 794 544 789Collingwood 11 44 723 71 663 21 126 491 953Adelaide 11 39 428 45 266 31 880 433 713Richmond 11 38 624 61 740 17 157 424 859Carlton 11 35 891 70 152 15 277 394 802North Melbourne 11 34 627 68 537 15 453 380 899West Coast 11 32 448 40 085 22 044 356 932Melbourne 11 30 315 63 196 8747 333 465St Kilda 11 27 137 43 925 13 824 298 512Geelong 11 25 161 50 074 17 538 276 775Sydney 11 24 574 44 047 10 965 270 309Hawthorn 11 23 624 38 263 14 286 259 868Fremantle 11 22 473 33 041 17 513 247 204Brisbane 11 18 088 21 644 14 222 198 968Footscray 11 18 073 36 766 7677 198 800Fitzroy 11 9482 13 497 5083 104 300Totals 176 29 637 87 549 5083 5 216 148Venue Hosted Average Highest Lowest TotalMCG 51 46 114 87 549 15 494 2351 808Football Park 11 39 428 45 266 31 880 433 713Subiaco Oval 16 28 289 40 085 17 513 452 616Waverley Park 24 25 545 43 925 13 824 613 079WACA 6 25 253 31 411 19 360 151 520SCG 11 24 574 44 047 10 965 270 309Victoria Park 4 23 581 26 459 21 126 94 322Kardinia Park 10 22 670 27 659 17 538 226 701Gabba 11 18 088 21 644 14 222 198 968Optus Oval 17 15 641 21 674 6469 265 892Whitten Oval 15 10 482 16 804 5083 157 224Totals 176 29 637 87 549 5083 5 216 148Awards EditThe Brownlow Medal was awarded to Michael Voss of Brisbane Bears and James Hird of Essendon The Leigh Matthews Trophy was awarded to Corey McKernan of North Melbourne The Coleman Medal was awarded to Tony Lockett of Sydney The Norm Smith Medal was awarded to Glenn Archer of North Melbourne The AFL Rising Star award was awarded to Ben Cousins of West Coast The Wooden Spoon was awarded to Fitzroy in their final season before the club merged with the Brisbane Bears The reserves premiership was won by North Melbourne The seniors premiership was won by North MelbourneNotes EditNorth Melbourne s Corey McKernan received the same number of Brownlow Medal votes as the joint winners James Hird and Michael Voss but was ineligible to receive a medal as McKernan was suspended for one match during the season for kneeing McKernan went on to win the AFL Players Association MVP which is not subject to the same eligibility criteria The Round 10 game between St Kilda and Essendon was interrupted at the twenty minute mark of the third quarter when Waverley Park lost power causing the floodlights to go off The remaining 24 minutes was played three nights later on Tuesday 11 June 1 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 which was released theatrically the following year After their round 17 loss to Collingwood caretaker coach Terry Wallace infamously sprayed the players during his post match address 2 North Melbourne received a special gold coloured premiership cup instead of the typical silver to signify what the AFL had represented as its Centenary Season throughout 1996 Note 1996 was the VFL AFL s hundredth season which by strictest definition is not the same as the centenary season which would have been 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 Sydney and sixth placed Essendon With scores level on 10 9 69 Sydney s Tony Lockett scored a behind with a kick after the siren to win the game 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 Edit Tuesday night blockbuster set for 2018 fixture AFL com au Sherwood Anthony 1 October 2016 This Epic 1996 Coach Spray Is All The Motivation The Bulldogs Need HuffPost Retrieved 9 October 2018 1996 Season AFL Tables Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title 1996 AFL season amp oldid 1129823040, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
