The 1997 AFL season was the 101st 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 ran from 27 March until 27 September, and comprised a 22-game home-and-away season followed by a finals series featuring the top eight clubs.
Port Adelaide endured a disappointing AFL debut at the MCG in front of over 50,000 spectators, with Collingwood jumping out to a 22-point lead at quarter time and extending the lead at each change to run out comfortable 79-point winners. Speedy midfielder Paul Williams was considered best-on-ground with 30 touches and 4 goals, while Nathan Buckley (who won a Magarey with Port in the SANFL) racked up 23 kicks and Saverio Rocca made the most of limited opportunities to kick six goals. For Port, Donald Dickie (26 touches), Fabian Francis (20 touches, 2 goals) and eventual Rising Star winner Michael Wilson were among Port's better players.
The Easter Monday clash between Essendon and Carlton is best remembered not for its close finish but for what happened after the game. The ongoing feud between Sean Denham and Greg Williams (which had stemmed from the 1993 Grand final) had reached a critical point, with both players engaged in a heated argument before umpire Andrew Coates tried to intervene, only to be pushed away by Williams. Despite the innocuous nature of the contact, the AFL Tribunal suspended Williams for nine matches.[1] The incident was one of football's major talking points that year, leading to a Supreme Court battle between Carlton and the AFL, and eventually the establishment of the AFL Appeals Board.
Field umpire Grant Vernon came into intense criticism for failing to award a clear mark to Geelong's Leigh Colbert in goalscoring range during a critical stage of the third quarter of the second semi final, which was later confirmed as a significant error by the AFL umpiring association.[2]
St Kilda finished on top of the ladder (prior to the finals) to claim the minor premiership, despite losing 7 matches in the home and away season. No team before or since has finished on top with that many losses, which highlights the evenness of the 1997 season. St Kilda would also play in their first preliminary final since 1972 and reach their first grand final since 1971.
The first qualifying final between Adelaide and West Coast was rescheduled from Saturday evening to Sunday afternoon to allow the Seven Network to screen the funeral of Princess Diana live across Australia.[3] This meant that it was played at the same time as the fourth qualifying final between minor premiers St Kilda and the Brisbane Lions, who were competing in their first season as a merged entity. The game is also notable for being the first ever final between two non-Victorian teams.
A finals abnormality in the second week saw Adelaide and North Melbourne host their semi final matches at their home venues, despite both playing against higher ranked opponents. The finals system was reviewed and altered in season 2000, preventing this from occurring again in week 2.
Gary Ablett Sr., arguably one of the games best and most well known players, officially announced his retirement during the Preliminary Final weekend. Ablett failed to play a game in 1997 due to a knee injury.
References
^"Eight of the longest AFL suspensions". Zero Hanger. 7 August 2018.
1997, season, 1997, season, arena, football, league, 1997, arena, football, league, season, 101st, season, australian, football, league, highest, level, senior, australian, rules, football, competition, australia, which, known, victorian, football, league, unt. For the 1997 season of the Arena Football League see 1997 Arena Football League season The 1997 AFL season was the 101st 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 ran from 27 March until 27 September and comprised a 22 game home and away season followed by a finals series featuring the top eight clubs 1997 AFL premiership seasonTeams16PremiersAdelaide1st premiershipMinor premiersSt Kilda2nd minor premiershipPre season cupCarlton1st pre season cup winBrownlow MedallistRobert Harvey St Kilda Leading goalkickerTony Modra Adelaide AttendanceMatches played185Total attendance6 402 997 34 611 per match Highest99 645 Grand Final Adelaide vs St Kilda 19961998 Before the season the Port Adelaide Football Club SANFL was admitted to the league increasing the South Australian membership to two clubs Foundation club Fitzroy which had gone into administration in 1996 merged with the Brisbane Bears to form a new Queensland based club known as the Brisbane Lions The Footscray Football Club changed its name to the Western Bulldogs With these changes the league s size remained at sixteen clubs The premiership was won by the Adelaide Football Club for the first time after it defeated St Kilda by 31 points in the 1997 AFL Grand Final Contents 1 Premiership season 1 1 Round 1 1 2 Round 2 1 3 Round 3 1 4 Round 4 1 5 Round 5 1 6 Round 6 1 7 Round 7 1 8 Round 8 1 9 Round 9 1 10 Round 10 1 11 Round 11 1 12 Round 12 1 13 Round 13 1 14 Round 14 1 15 Round 15 1 16 Round 16 1 17 Round 17 1 18 Round 18 1 19 Round 19 1 20 Round 20 1 21 Round 21 1 22 Round 22 2 Ladder 2 1 Ladder progression 3 Finals series 3 1 Week one 3 2 Week two 3 3 Week three 3 4 Week four 4 Attendance 5 Notable events 6 References 7 External links 8 See alsoPremiership season EditRound 1 Edit Round 1Thursday 27 March 7 40 pm North Melbourne 7 13 55 def by Melbourne 10 10 70 MCG crowd 35 802 ReportSaturday 29 March 2 10 pm Collingwood 26 10 166 def Port Adelaide 13 9 87 MCG crowd 51 883 ReportSaturday 29 March 2 10 pm Western Bulldogs 11 10 76 def by Fremantle 10 20 80 Optus Oval crowd 8 664 ReportSaturday 29 March 7 40 pm St Kilda 10 11 71 def by Hawthorn 11 11 77 Waverley Park crowd 35 732 ReportSaturday 29 March 6 40 pm West Coast 12 6 78 def Sydney 5 7 37 Subiaco Oval crowd 29 965 ReportSunday 30 March 1 40 pm Adelaide 20 12 132 def Brisbane Lions 14 12 96 Football Park crowd 36 602 ReportSunday 30 March 2 10 pm Richmond 15 14 104 def Geelong 13 17 95 MCG crowd 48 358 ReportMonday 31 March 2 10 pm Essendon 16 10 106 def Carlton 15 9 99 MCG crowd 82 363 ReportPort Adelaide endured a disappointing AFL debut at the MCG in front of over 50 000 spectators with Collingwood jumping out to a 22 point lead at quarter time and extending the lead at each change to run out comfortable 79 point winners Speedy midfielder Paul Williams was considered best on ground with 30 touches and 4 goals while Nathan Buckley who won a Magarey with Port in the SANFL racked up 23 kicks and Saverio Rocca made the most of limited opportunities to kick six goals For Port Donald Dickie 26 touches Fabian Francis 20 touches 2 goals and eventual Rising Star winner Michael Wilson were among Port s better players The Easter Monday clash between Essendon and Carlton is best remembered not for its close finish but for what happened after the game The ongoing feud between Sean Denham and Greg Williams which had stemmed from the 1993 Grand final had reached a critical point with both players engaged in a heated argument before umpire Andrew Coates tried to intervene only to be pushed away by Williams Despite the innocuous nature of the contact the AFL Tribunal suspended Williams for nine matches 1 The incident was one of football s major talking points that year leading to a Supreme Court battle between Carlton and the AFL and eventually the establishment of the AFL Appeals Board Round 2 Edit Home team Home team score Away team Away team score Ground Crowd DateMelbourne 7 14 56 Collingwood 24 19 163 MCG 61 138 Friday 4 AprilRichmond 19 14 128 Adelaide 15 10 100 MCG 32 880 Saturday 5 AprilGeelong 11 12 78 West Coast 11 6 72 Kardinia Park 17 988 Saturday 5 AprilWestern Bulldogs 13 12 90 Sydney 12 11 83 Princes Park 12 604 Saturday 5 AprilBrisbane Lions 23 16 154 St Kilda 7 15 57 Gabba 17 123 Sunday 6 AprilPort Adelaide 8 12 60 Essendon 14 9 93 Football Park 32 747 Sunday 6 AprilFremantle 13 9 87 Hawthorn 10 13 73 Subiaco Oval 19 057 Sunday 6 AprilNorth Melbourne 12 14 86 Carlton 8 12 60 MCG 38 170 Monday 7 AprilRound 3 Edit Home team Home team score Away team Away team score Ground Crowd DateSydney 15 9 99 Melbourne 14 7 91 SCG 23 598 Friday 11 AprilWestern Bulldogs 16 9 105 Richmond 12 14 86 MCG 35 438 Saturday 12 AprilSt Kilda 19 11 125 Collingwood 17 16 118 Waverley Park 54 699 Saturday 12 AprilPort Adelaide 18 21 129 Geelong 14 6 90 Football Park 32 074 Saturday 12 AprilEssendon 18 14 122 North Melbourne 12 8 80 MCG 57 978 Sunday 13 AprilCarlton 15 18 108 Adelaide 12 8 80 Princes Park 25 966 Sunday 13 AprilHawthorn 12 15 87 Brisbane Lions 11 9 75 Waverley Park 27 947 Sunday 13 AprilWest Coast 16 15 111 Fremantle 9 17 71 Subiaco Oval 39 294 Sunday 13 AprilRound 4 Edit Home team Home team score Away team Away team score Ground Crowd DateMelbourne 13 9 87 Western Bulldogs 13 11 89 MCG 28 043 Friday 18 AprilCollingwood 12 12 84 Carlton 15 11 101 MCG 78 704 Saturday 19 AprilRichmond 10 12 72 Fremantle 10 7 67 Princes Park 15 461 Saturday 19 AprilWest Coast 17 10 112 Hawthorn 13 10 88 Subiaco Oval 38 222 Saturday 19 AprilSt Kilda 12 9 81 Sydney 18 19 127 Waverley Park 35 061 Saturday 19 AprilBrisbane Lions 15 19 109 North Melbourne 12 11 83 Gabba 18 575 Sunday 20 AprilAdelaide 11 6 72 Port Adelaide 11 17 83 Football Park 47 256 Sunday 20 AprilGeelong 11 19 85 Essendon 11 12 78 MCG 54 922 Sunday 20 AprilRound 5 Edit Home team Home team score Away team Away team score Ground Crowd DateEssendon 10 10 70 Collingwood 14 15 99 MCG 83 271 Friday 25 AprilFremantle 16 11 107 St Kilda 15 11 101 Subiaco Oval 23 504 Friday 25 AprilMelbourne 12 6 78 West Coast 19 12 126 MCG 19 655 Saturday 26 AprilWestern Bulldogs 9 17 71 Adelaide 19 7 121 Princes Park 12 694 Saturday 26 AprilHawthorn 15 9 99 Sydney 11 8 74 Waverley Park 37 576 Saturday 26 AprilPort Adelaide 10 13 73 Brisbane Lions 10 11 71 Football Park 31 757 Sunday 27 AprilNorth Melbourne 21 15 141 Richmond 7 4 46 MCG 44 449 Sunday 27 AprilCarlton 12 14 86 Geelong 13 16 94 Princes Park 25 801 Sunday 27 AprilRound 6 Edit Home team Home team score Away team Away team score Ground Crowd DateWest Coast 14 15 99 Western Bulldogs 17 11 113 WACA 29 838 Friday 2 MayEssendon 15 12 102 Brisbane Lions 9 17 71 MCG 37 642 Saturday 3 MayCollingwood 13 6 84 Adelaide 11 17 83 Victoria Park 24 663 Saturday 3 MayGeelong 14 13 97 Fremantle 6 7 43 Kardinia Park 16 467 Saturday 3 MayHawthorn 14 9 93 North Melbourne 16 7 103 Waverley Park 38 953 Saturday 3 MaySydney 21 16 142 Carlton 11 17 83 SCG 37 933 Sunday 4 MaySt Kilda 17 19 121 Melbourne 4 11 35 Waverley Park 21 104 Sunday 4 MayPort Adelaide 19 8 122 Richmond 8 10 58 Football Park 36 090 Sunday 4 MayRound 7 Edit Home team Home team score Away team Away team score Ground Crowd DateNorth Melbourne 9 14 68 Collingwood 17 9 111 MCG 54 901 Friday 9 MayRichmond 10 16 76 Carlton 14 14 98 MCG 48 833 Saturday 10 MayWestern Bulldogs 19 19 133 Hawthorn 13 10 88 Princes Park 18 860 Saturday 10 MayGeelong 11 10 76 Sydney 6 8 44 Kardinia Park 22 151 Saturday 10 MayFremantle 17 22 124 Melbourne 10 9 69 WACA 18 198 Saturday 10 MaySt Kilda 20 6 126 Port Adelaide 8 13 61 Waverley Park 17 752 Saturday 10 MayBrisbane Lions 8 12 60 West Coast 21 13 139 Gabba 17 524 Sunday 11 MayAdelaide 18 18 126 Essendon 11 7 73 Football Park 39 275 Sunday 11 MayRound 8 Edit Home team Home team score Away team Away team score Ground Crowd DateCollingwood 19 15 129 Western Bulldogs 11 17 83 MCG 61 014 Friday 16 MayMelbourne 7 7 49 Geelong 19 14 128 MCG 28 989 Saturday 17 MayNorth Melbourne 19 14 128 Port Adelaide 15 10 100 Princes Park 13 056 Saturday 17 MayAdelaide 22 12 144 Sydney 8 7 55 Football Park 40 147 Saturday 17 MayEssendon 14 16 100 St Kilda 18 16 124 MCG 51 928 Sunday 18 MayCarlton 15 16 106 Hawthorn 12 9 81 Princes Park 29 783 Sunday 18 MayFremantle 14 14 98 Brisbane Lions 15 3 93 Subiaco Oval 14 721 Sunday 18 MayRichmond 18 11 119 West Coast 9 13 67 MCG 26 721 Monday 19 MayRound 9 Edit Home team Home team score Away team Away team score Ground Crowd DatePort Adelaide 10 18 78 Melbourne 3 9 27 Football Park 32 958 Friday 23 MayCarlton 16 9 105 Fremantle 14 4 88 Princes Park 18 187 Saturday 24 MayHawthorn 13 10 88 Adelaide 14 18 102 Waverley Park 23 463 Saturday 24 MaySydney 16 15 111 Collingwood 11 8 74 SCG 39 780 Saturday 24 MayBrisbane Lions 19 12 126 Geelong 15 8 98 Gabba 19 828 Sunday 25 MayWest Coast 16 14 110 Essendon 13 7 85 Subiaco Oval 38 984 Sunday 25 MayWestern Bulldogs 16 7 103 North Melbourne 10 11 71 MCG 29 307 Sunday 25 MaySt Kilda 22 9 141 Richmond 14 10 94 Waverley Park 52 257 Sunday 25 MayRound 10 Edit Home team Home team score Away team Away team score Ground Crowd DatePort Adelaide 14 9 93 Carlton 7 13 55 Football Park 40 116 Friday 30 MayNorth Melbourne 15 13 103 West Coast 9 4 58 Princes Park 13 614 Saturday 31 MayHawthorn 16 12 108 Collingwood 8 7 55 Waverley Park 51 494 Saturday 31 MayGeelong 16 11 107 St Kilda 11 13 79 Kardinia Park 22 731 Saturday 31 MayRichmond 9 13 67 Melbourne 14 8 92 MCG 28 879 Saturday 31 MayEssendon 17 12 114 Western Bulldogs 20 16 136 MCG 50 138 Sunday 1 JuneBrisbane Lions 13 14 92 Sydney 13 11 89 Gabba 20 403 Sunday 1 JuneFremantle 10 12 72 Adelaide 16 9 105 Subiaco Oval 22 464 Monday 2 JuneRound 11 Edit Home team Home team score Away team Away team score Ground Crowd DateCollingwood 10 11 71 Richmond 11 11 77 MCG 70 350 Friday 6 JuneEssendon 13 13 91 Hawthorn 17 22 124 MCG 60 594 Saturday 7 JuneWestern Bulldogs 14 12 96 Geelong 11 9 75 Princes Park 24 897 Saturday 7 JunePort Adelaide 4 17 41 Sydney 10 16 76 Football Park 35 669 Saturday 7 JuneMelbourne 5 15 45 Adelaide 14 13 97 MCG 27 463 Sunday 8 JuneWest Coast 11 7 73 St Kilda 13 11 89 Subiaco Oval 29 390 Sunday 8 JuneNorth Melbourne 15 15 105 Fremantle 12 7 79 MCG 20 585 Monday 9 JuneCarlton 12 12 84 Brisbane Lions 9 9 63 Princes Park 27 904 Monday 9 JuneRound 12 Edit Home team Home team score Away team Away team score Ground Crowd DateSydney 26 8 164 Richmond 16 14 110 SCG 35 033 Friday 13 JuneWestern Bulldogs 12 10 82 Port Adelaide 14 10 94 Princes Park 14 025 Saturday 14 JuneCollingwood 7 13 55 West Coast 11 5 71 Victoria Park 25 323 Saturday 14 JuneGeelong 12 10 82 Hawthorn 13 10 88 Kardinia Park 22 871 Saturday 14 JuneSt Kilda 16 20 116 Carlton 12 13 85 Waverley Park 44 883 Sunday 15 JuneAdelaide 12 11 83 North Melbourne 16 9 105 Football Park 43 345 Sunday 15 JuneMelbourne 7 8 50 Brisbane Lions 21 9 135 MCG 13 392 Sunday 15 JuneFremantle 24 13 157 Essendon 9 6 60 Subiaco Oval 21 956 Sunday 15 JuneRound 13 Edit Home team Home team score Away team Away team score Ground Crowd DateWest Coast 11 13 79 Carlton 12 14 86 Subiaco Oval 37 854 Friday 27 JuneRichmond 4 10 34 Essendon 19 13 127 MCG 58 812 Saturday 28 JuneSt Kilda 11 18 84 Western Bulldogs 15 11 101 Waverley Park 32 370 Saturday 28 JuneGeelong 17 8 110 Adelaide 7 12 54 Kardinia Park 20 236 Saturday 28 JuneBrisbane Lions 11 22 88 Collingwood 11 7 73 Gabba 19 560 Saturday 28 JunePort Adelaide 10 9 69 Fremantle 7 12 54 Football Park 30 827 Saturday 28 JuneHawthorn 17 16 118 Melbourne 7 13 55 Waverley Park 31 517 Sunday 29 JuneSydney 8 17 65 North Melbourne 7 13 55 SCG 30 160 Sunday 29 JuneRound 14 Edit Home team Home team score Away team Away team score Ground Crowd DateAdelaide 16 10 106 West Coast 4 7 31 Football Park 39 221 Friday 4 JulyGeelong 9 26 80 Collingwood 10 12 72 MCG 65 228 Saturday 5 JulyCarlton 11 8 74 Western Bulldogs 16 14 110 Princes Park 32 183 Saturday 5 JulySt Kilda 20 13 133 North Melbourne 11 13 79 Waverley Park 32 635 Saturday 5 JulyFremantle 6 12 48 Sydney 3 15 33 WACA 19 290 Saturday 5 JulyEssendon 18 12 120 Melbourne 8 9 57 MCG 44 803 Sunday 6 JulyHawthorn 18 16 124 Port Adelaide 13 14 92 Waverley Park 29 886 Sunday 6 JulyBrisbane Lions 7 26 68 Richmond 7 8 50 Gabba 19 155 Sunday 6 JulyRound 15 Edit Home team Home team score Away team Away team score Ground Crowd DateNorth Melbourne 14 8 92 Geelong 15 12 102 MCG 45 120 Friday 11 JulyMelbourne 18 11 119 Carlton 15 10 100 MCG 27 992 Saturday 12 JulyWestern Bulldogs 11 7 73 Brisbane Lions 21 11 137 Princes Park 16 430 Saturday 12 JulyCollingwood 25 10 160 Fremantle 9 6 60 Victoria Park 23 433 Saturday 12 JulyAdelaide 10 16 76 St Kilda 9 12 66 Football Park 39 921 Saturday 12 JulySydney 11 13 79 Essendon 11 12 78 SCG 36 077 Sunday 13 JulyWest Coast 12 13 85 Port Adelaide 9 13 67 Subiaco Oval 29 723 Sunday 13 JulyRichmond 22 13 145 Hawthorn 10 9 69 MCG 49 217 Sunday 13 JulyRound 16 Edit Home team Home team score Away team Away team score Ground Crowd DateBrisbane Lions 17 16 118 Adelaide 13 9 87 Gabba 21 348 Friday 18 JulyCarlton 25 15 165 Essendon 13 9 87 MCG 58 512 Saturday 19 JulyHawthorn 9 8 62 St Kilda 20 21 141 Waverley Park 43 181 Saturday 19 JulyGeelong 16 14 110 Richmond 12 6 78 Kardinia Park 24 099 Saturday 19 JulySydney 15 22 112 West Coast 11 9 75 SCG 39 318 Saturday 19 JulyPort Adelaide 17 9 111 Collingwood 8 10 58 Football Park 37 790 Saturday 19 JulyMelbourne 7 16 58 North Melbourne 17 12 114 MCG 23 309 Sunday 20 JulyFremantle 15 7 97 Western Bulldogs 13 13 91 Subiaco Oval 18 392 Sunday 20 JulyRound 17 Edit Home team Home team score Away team Away team score Ground Crowd DateEssendon 10 12 72 Port Adelaide 18 14 122 MCG 33 076 Friday 25 JulyCarlton 7 16 58 North Melbourne 14 12 96 Princes Park 27 689 Saturday 26 JulyHawthorn 9 8 62 Fremantle 10 11 71 Waverley Park 15 939 Saturday 26 JulySydney 22 17 149 Western Bulldogs 7 10 52 SCG 32 534 Saturday 26 JulyAdelaide 29 11 185 Richmond 7 6 48 Football Park 36 297 Saturday 26 JulySt Kilda 12 20 92 Brisbane Lions 5 14 44 Waverley Park 34 859 Sunday 27 JulyCollingwood 20 14 134 Melbourne 12 10 82 MCG 37 779 Sunday 27 JulyWest Coast 20 9 129 Geelong 12 10 82 Subiaco Oval 34 565 Sunday 27 JulyRound 18 Edit Home team Home team score Away team Away team score Ground Crowd DateNorth Melbourne 11 17 83 Essendon 8 16 64 MCG 38 614 Friday 1 AugustMelbourne 7 11 53 Sydney 25 19 169 MCG 26 901 Saturday 2 AugustRichmond 17 13 115 Western Bulldogs 15 10 100 Princes Park 18 373 Saturday 2 AugustGeelong 25 9 159 Port Adelaide 11 8 74 Kardinia Park 21 867 Saturday 2 AugustBrisbane Lions 21 15 141 Hawthorn 11 5 71 Gabba 19 635 Saturday 2 AugustAdelaide 18 19 127 Carlton 13 8 86 Football Park 42 548 Sunday 3 AugustCollingwood 12 17 89 St Kilda 15 21 111 MCG 68 036 Sunday 3 AugustFremantle 7 7 49 West Coast 13 4 82 Subiaco Oval 39 711 Sunday 3 AugustRound 19 Edit Home team Home team score Away team Away team score Ground Crowd DateNorth Melbourne 17 14 116 Brisbane Lions 9 5 59 MCG 27 021 Friday 8 AugustCarlton 14 23 107 Collingwood 13 13 91 MCG 61 650 Saturday 9 AugustWestern Bulldogs 14 18 102 Melbourne 9 10 64 Princes Park 13 058 Saturday 9 AugustHawthorn 10 6 66 West Coast 13 9 87 Waverley Park 20 517 Saturday 9 AugustFremantle 12 13 85 Richmond 5 12 42 WACA 15 757 Saturday 9 AugustSydney 17 17 119 St Kilda 18 20 128 SCG 39 287 Sunday 10 AugustEssendon 11 7 73 Geelong 9 14 68 MCG 53 901 Sunday 10 AugustPort Adelaide 9 4 58 Adelaide 9 11 65 Football Park 45 498 Sunday 10 AugustRound 20 Edit Home team Home team score Away team Away team score Ground Crowd DateWest Coast 15 7 97 Melbourne 7 17 59 WACA 21 164 Friday 15 AugustCollingwood 13 13 91 Essendon 12 9 81 MCG 50 944 Saturday 16 AugustSt Kilda 12 5 77 Fremantle 9 10 64 Waverley Park 26 201 Saturday 16 AugustGeelong 13 17 95 Carlton 9 13 67 Kardinia Park 23 007 Saturday 16 AugustBrisbane Lions 13 15 93 Port Adelaide 13 15 93 Gabba 20 835 Saturday 16 AugustSydney 20 15 135 Hawthorn 11 11 77 SCG 34 111 Sunday 17 AugustRichmond 14 13 97 North Melbourne 14 12 96 MCG 29 620 Sunday 17 AugustAdelaide 7 18 60 Western Bulldogs 16 7 103 Football Park 39 632 Sunday 17 AugustRound 21 Edit Home team Home team score Away team Away team score Ground Crowd DateMelbourne 8 14 62 St Kilda 17 12 114 MCG 32 935 Friday 22 AugustNorth Melbourne 10 21 81 Hawthorn 6 7 43 MCG 26 393 Saturday 23 AugustCarlton 11 10 76 Sydney 5 11 41 Princes Park 27 375 Saturday 23 AugustWestern Bulldogs 12 14 86 West Coast 10 8 68 Whitten Oval 26 704 Saturday 23 AugustBrisbane Lions 15 12 102 Essendon 16 10 106 Gabba 21 065 Saturday 23 AugustRichmond 22 14 146 Port Adelaide 8 13 61 MCG 22 516 Sunday 24 AugustFremantle 9 14 68 Geelong 14 16 100 Subiaco Oval 28 751 Sunday 24 AugustAdelaide 6 12 48 Collingwood 5 9 39 Football Park 37 661 Monday 25 AugustRound 22 Edit Home team Home team score Away team Away team score Ground Crowd DateWest Coast 18 12 120 Brisbane Lions 11 15 81 WACA 29 402 Friday 29 AugustMelbourne 18 11 119 Fremantle 11 13 79 MCG 15 036 Saturday 30 AugustCarlton 13 11 89 Richmond 13 13 91 Princes Park 34 922 Saturday 30 AugustHawthorn 13 9 87 Western Bulldogs 15 15 105 Waverley Park 35 706 Saturday 30 AugustSydney 13 12 90 Geelong 15 10 100 SCG 46 168 Saturday 30 AugustCollingwood 18 14 122 North Melbourne 15 21 111 MCG 43 660 Sunday 31 AugustEssendon 16 6 102 Adelaide 14 14 98 Princes Park 25 636 Sunday 31 AugustPort Adelaide 12 12 84 St Kilda 17 15 117 Football Park 38 589 Sunday 31 AugustLadder Edit1997 AFL ladder Pos Team Pld W L D PF PA PP Pts1 St Kilda 22 15 7 0 2294 1918 119 6 60 Finals2 Geelong 22 15 7 0 2111 1791 117 9 603 Western Bulldogs 22 14 8 0 2100 2062 101 8 564 Adelaide P 22 13 9 0 2151 1769 121 6 525 West Coast 22 13 9 0 1969 1770 111 2 526 Sydney 22 12 10 0 2093 1801 116 2 487 North Melbourne 22 12 10 0 2051 1835 111 8 488 Brisbane Lions 22 10 11 1 2076 1973 105 2 429 Port Adelaide 22 10 11 1 1852 2017 91 8 4210 Collingwood 22 10 12 0 2138 1919 111 4 4011 Carlton 22 10 12 0 1978 2045 96 7 4012 Fremantle 22 10 12 0 1748 1902 91 9 4013 Richmond 22 10 12 0 1883 2253 83 6 4014 Essendon 22 9 13 0 2004 2170 92 4 3615 Hawthorn 22 8 14 0 1873 2144 87 4 3216 Melbourne 22 4 18 0 1477 2429 60 8 16Source 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 Round12345678910111213141516171819202122St Kilda00444812162020242828323236404448525660Geelong0448121620242428282832364044444848525660Western Bulldogs04812121620202428323236404040404044485256Adelaide44448812162024282828323636404448485252West Coast44812161620202424242828283232364044484852Sydney004881212121616202428283236404444484848North Melbourne044481212161620242828282832364044444848Brisbane Lions044888881216162024283236364040424242Port Adelaide0048121616162024242832323236404040424242Collingwood4888121620242424242424242828323232363640Carlton00488812162020242428282832323236364040Fremantle4888121216202020202424282832363640404040Richmond48812121212161616202020202424242828323640Essendon481212121616161616161620242424242428283236Hawthorn4488121212121216202428323232323232323232Melbourne444444444888881212121212121216Source citation needed Finals series EditWeek one Edit Qualifying finalsQF2 Saturday 6 September 2 30 pm Western Bulldogs 18 11 119 def Sydney 12 12 84 MCG crowd 62 432 ReportQF1 Sunday 7 September 2 30 pm Adelaide 14 15 99 def West Coast 9 12 66 Football Park crowd 43 761 ReportQF4 Sunday 7 September 2 30 pm St Kilda 20 15 135 def Brisbane Lions 13 11 89 Waverley Park crowd 50 035 ReportQF3 Sunday 7 September 7 00 pm Geelong 9 7 61 def by North Melbourne 11 13 79 MCG crowd 55 561 ReportWeek two Edit Semi finalsSF1 Saturday 13 September 2 30 pm North Melbourne 15 8 98 def West Coast 12 13 85 MCG crowd 55 781 ReportSF2 Saturday 13 September 7 45 pm Adelaide 11 10 76 def Geelong 9 14 68 Football Park crowd 46 319 ReportField umpire Grant Vernon came into intense criticism for failing to award a clear mark to Geelong s Leigh Colbert in goalscoring range during a critical stage of the third quarter of the second semi final which was later confirmed as a significant error by the AFL umpiring association 2 Week three Edit Preliminary finalsPF2 Friday 19 September 7 45 pm St Kilda 15 14 104 def North Melbourne 11 7 73 MCG crowd 77 531 ReportPF1 Saturday 20 September 2 30 pm Western Bulldogs 13 13 91 def by Adelaide 12 21 93 MCG crowd 70 088 ReportWeek four Edit Main article 1997 AFL Grand Final Grand finalSaturday 27 September 2 45 pm St Kilda 13 16 94 def by Adelaide 19 11 125 MCG crowd 99 645 ReportThis was the first appearance in a grand final for Adelaide Attendance EditTeam Hosted Average Highest Lowest Total Last Season Essendon 11 52 848 83 271 25 636 581 330 49 526 3322Collingwood 11 48 708 78 704 23 433 535 789 44 723 3985Adelaide 11 40 173 47 256 36 297 441 905 39 428 745Port Adelaide 11 35 829 45 498 31 757 394 115 11 017 24812 Sydney 11 35 818 46 168 23 598 393 999 24 574 11244St Kilda 11 35 232 54 699 17 752 387 553 27 137 8095Richmond 11 34 515 58 812 15 461 379 670 38 624 4109Carlton 11 33 634 61 650 18 187 369 972 35 891 2257West Coast 11 32 582 39 294 21 164 358 401 32 448 134North Melbourne 11 32 520 54 901 13 056 357 725 34 627 2107Hawthorn 11 32 380 51 494 15 939 356 179 23 624 8756Geelong 11 28 324 65 228 16 467 311 567 25 161 3163Melbourne 11 27 714 61 138 13 392 304 853 30 315 2601Fremantle 11 21 982 39 711 14 721 241 801 22 473 491Brisbane Lions 11 19 550 21 348 17 123 215 051 N A N AWestern Bulldogs 11 19 335 35 438 8664 212 681 18 073 1262Totals 176 33 197 83 271 8664 5842 591 29 637 3560Venue Hosted Average Highest Lowest Total Last Season MCG 53 43 488 83 271 13 392 2 304 865 46 114 2626Football Park 22 38 001 47 256 31 757 836 020 39 428 1427SCG 11 35 818 46 168 23 598 393 999 24 574 11 244Waverley Park 22 33 806 54 699 15 939 743 732 25 545 8261Subiaco Oval 17 28 371 39 711 14 721 482 310 28 289 82Whitten Oval 1 26 704 26 704 26 704 26 704 10 482 16 222Victoria Park 3 24 473 25 323 23 433 73 419 23 581 892WACA 5 23 578 29 838 18 198 117 892 25 253 1675Kardinia Park 9 21 269 24 099 16 467 191 417 22 670 1401Optus Oval 22 20 781 34 922 8664 457 182 15 641 5140Gabba 11 19 550 21 348 17 123 215 051 18 088 1462Totals 176 33 197 83 271 8664 5842 591 29 637 3560Notable events EditThe last AFL game at Whitten Oval was played St Kilda finished on top of the ladder prior to the finals to claim the minor premiership despite losing 7 matches in the home and away season No team before or since has finished on top with that many losses which highlights the evenness of the 1997 season St Kilda would also play in their first preliminary final since 1972 and reach their first grand final since 1971 The first qualifying final between Adelaide and West Coast was rescheduled from Saturday evening to Sunday afternoon to allow the Seven Network to screen the funeral of Princess Diana live across Australia 3 This meant that it was played at the same time as the fourth qualifying final between minor premiers St Kilda and the Brisbane Lions who were competing in their first season as a merged entity The game is also notable for being the first ever final between two non Victorian teams A finals abnormality in the second week saw Adelaide and North Melbourne host their semi final matches at their home venues despite both playing against higher ranked opponents The finals system was reviewed and altered in season 2000 preventing this from occurring again in week 2 Gary Ablett Sr arguably one of the games best and most well known players officially announced his retirement during the Preliminary Final weekend Ablett failed to play a game in 1997 due to a knee injury References Edit Eight of the longest AFL suspensions Zero Hanger 7 August 2018 https www sbs com au news article colbert non screamer cruelled cats in afl svol6qv4d Warner Michael Ralph Jon Wade Nick 4 July 2015 Cats game cancelled Geelong Advertiser Retrieved 30 October 2015 External links Edit 1997 AFL Season results AFL Tables See also Edit1997 AFL Grand Final Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title 1997 AFL season amp oldid 1134353753, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,