1996 AFL season explained

Competition:	afl
Year:	1996
Teams:	16
Count:	3
Mpcount:	7
Pscount:	1
Matches:	185
Attendance:	5694921
Highattend:	93,102 (Grand Final, vs.)
Top Goal Scorer:	Tony Lockett
Brownlow Medal:	James Hird Michael Voss
Prevseason:	1995
Nextseason:	1997

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 centenary.

The premiership was won by the North Melbourne Football Club for the third time, after it defeated by 43 points in the 1996 AFL Grand Final.

AFL Draft

See 1996 AFL Draft.

Lightning Premiership

See main article: 1996 AFL Lightning Premiership. In the 1996 AFL Lightning Premiership final, defeated the 6.2 (38) to 2.9 (21) at Waverley Park.

Ansett Australia Cup

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

Home-and-away season

Round 1

|- bgcolor="#CCCCFF"| Home team| Score| Away team| Score| Venue| Attendance| Date|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 8.8 (56)| | 27.21 (183)| MCG| 46,832| Friday, 29 March|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 15.14 (104)| | 19.8 (122)| MCG| 52,271| Saturday, 30 March|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 12.13 (85)| | 15.19 (109)| Waverley Park| 23,434| Saturday, 30 March|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 11.5 (71)| | 13.14 (92)| Whitten Oval| 10,239| Saturday, 30 March|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 21.15 (141)| | 7.12 (54)| Gabba| 14,222| Saturday, 30 March|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 16.13 (109)| | 12.15 (87)| MCG| 70,152| Sunday, 31 March|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 6.9 (45)| | 9.13 (67)| Subiaco Oval| 33,041| Sunday, 31 March|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 20.10 (130)| | 6.4 (40)| Football Park| 40,665| Sunday, 31 March

Round 2

|- bgcolor="#CCCCFF"| Home team| Score| Away team| Score| Venue| Attendance| Date|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 26.12 (168)| | 5.7 (37)| MCG| 30,873| Saturday, 6 April|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 26.8 (164)| | 20.14 (134)| Kardinia Park| 25,950| Saturday, 6 April|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 6.15 (51)| | 14.14 (98)| Waverley Park| 38,263| Saturday, 6 April|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 15.11 (101)| | 21.7 (133)| Whitten Oval| 8,685| Saturday, 6 April|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 11.11 (77)| | 16.7 (103)| WACA| 29,213| Saturday, 6 April|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 10.12 (72)| | 15.11 (101)| MCG| 62,207| Sunday, 7 April|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 9.17 (71)| | 13.22 (100)| SCG| 10,965| Sunday, 7 April|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 27.11 (173)| | 11.13 (79)| MCG| 53,268| Monday, 8 April

Round 3

|- bgcolor="#CCCCFF"| Home team| Score| Away team| Score| Venue| Attendance| Date|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 21.16 (142)| | 12.6 (78)| Football Park| 43,766| Friday, 12 April|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 17.19 (121)| | 10.10 (70)| Whitten Oval| 14,345| Saturday, 13 April|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 12.8 (80)| | 22.21 (153)| Waverley Park| 20,331| Saturday, 13 April|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 13.12 (90)| | 15.18 (108)| Gabba| 20,635| Saturday, 13 April|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 15.17 (107)| | 10.13 (73)| SCG| 17,674| Sunday, 14 April|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 15.12 (102)| | 6.13 (49)| Subiaco Oval| 22,652| Sunday, 14 April|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 16.13 (109)| | 6.14 (50)| Waverley Park| 20,852| Sunday, 14 April|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 14.14 (98)| | 13.10 (88)| Optus Oval| 11,881| Sunday, 14 April

Round 4

|- bgcolor="#CCCCFF"| Home team| Score| Away team| Score| Venue| Attendance| Date|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 18.17 (125)| | 14.11 (95)| Gabba| 17,469| Friday, 19 April|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 21.7 (133)| | 12.14 (86)| Optus Oval| 19,051| Saturday, 20 April|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 14.14 (98)| | 8.13 (61)| Victoria Park| 23,170| Saturday, 20 April|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 24.16 (160)| | 11.9 (75)| Waverley Park| 17,625| Saturday, 20 April|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 8.9 (57)| | 8.9 (57)| Whitten Oval| 16,804| Saturday, 20 April|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 23.23 (161)| | 9.11 (65)| Football Park| 45,266| Saturday, 20 April|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 9.16 (70)| | 10.11 (71)| Waverley Park| 33,847| Sunday, 21 April|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 12.16 (88)| | 16.10 (106)| Subiaco Oval| 30,837| Sunday, 21 April

Round 5

|- bgcolor="#CCCCFF"| Home team| Score| Away team| Score| Venue| Attendance| Date|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 16.9 (105)| | 17.15 (117)| MCG| 87,549| Thursday, 25 April|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 13.18 (96)| | 8.11 (59)| WACA| 26,618| Friday, 26 April|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 12.14 (86)| | 12.13 (85)| Optus Oval| 19,927| Saturday, 27 April|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 13.13 (91)| | 12.16 (88)| Kardinia Park| 26,016| Saturday, 27 April|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 23.14 (152)| | 17.11 (113)| MCG| 32,215| Saturday, 27 April|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 13.10 (88)| | 11.10 (76)| SCG| 20,227| Saturday, 27 April|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 24.14 (158)| | 6.13 (49)| Gabba| 14,495| Sunday, 28 April|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 16.20 (116)| | 13.12 (90)| Waverley Park| 27,094| Sunday, 28 April

Round 6

|- bgcolor="#CCCCFF"| Home team| Score| Away team| Score| Venue| Attendance| Date|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 14.6 (90)| | 12.18 (90)| SCG| 22,088| Friday, 3 May|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 13.15 (93)| | 15.14 (104)| MCG| 50,074| Friday, 3 May|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 23.14 (152)| | 12.8 (80)| Victoria Park| 26,459| Saturday, 4 May|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 7.8 (50)| | 24.12 (156)| Optus Oval| 8,747| Saturday, 4 May|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 9.8 (62)| | 23.16 (154)| Whitten Oval| 13,497| Saturday, 4 May|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 9.11 (65)| | 13.8 (86)| Waverley Park| 30,225| Saturday, 4 May|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 9.10 (64)| | 12.8 (80)| MCG| 31,024| Sunday, 5 May|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 12.13 (85)| | 17.8 (110)| Subiaco Oval| 24,591| Sunday, 5 May

Round 7

|- bgcolor="#CCCCFF"| Home team| Score| Away team| Score| Venue| Attendance| Date|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 22.11 (143)| | 17.12 (114)| MCG| 75,632| Wednesday, 8 May|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 14.11 (95)| | 18.10 (118)| MCG| 71,663| Friday, 10 May|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 18.17 (125)| | 8.14 (62)| Optus Oval| 16,176| Saturday, 11 May|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 5.8 (38)| | 12.10 (82)| MCG| 23,660| Saturday, 11 May|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 15.14 (104)| | 5.11 (41)| Gabba| 20,053| Saturday, 11 May|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 17.11 (113)| | 9.8 (62)| MCG| 25,691| Sunday, 12 May|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 19.11 (125)| | 7.16 (58)| Subiaco Oval| 32,312| Sunday, 12 May|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 20.12 (132)| | 5.6 (36)| Football Park| 40,386| Sunday, 12 May

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

Round 8

|- bgcolor="#CCCCFF"| Home team| Score| Away team| Score| Venue| Attendance| Date|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 15.18 (108)| | 14.14 (98)| Gabba| 21,644| Friday, 17 May|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 12.14 (86)| | 15.8 (98)| MCG| 67,931| Friday, 17 May|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 19.8 (122)| | 10.11 (71)| Waverley Park| 20,527| Saturday, 18 May|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 16.11 (107)| | 10.16 (76)| Whitten Oval| 5,083| Saturday, 18 May|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 20.24 (144)| | 14.5 (89)| MCG| 49,939| Saturday, 18 May|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 14.16 (100)| | 9.10 (64)| WACA| 31,411| Saturday, 18 May|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 13.19 (97)| | 11.7 (73)| Football Park| 43,370| Sunday, 19 May|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 13.6 (84)| | 23.13 (151)| MCG| 36,766| Sunday, 19 May

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

Round 9

|- bgcolor="#CCCCFF"| Home team| Score| Away team| Score| Venue| Attendance| Date|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 25.20 (170)| | 9.11 (65)| MCG| 19,964| Friday, 24 May|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 11.23 (89)| | 12.5 (77)| MCG| 37,288| Saturday, 25 May|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 18.11 (119)| | 11.13 (79)| Whitten Oval| 11,140| Saturday, 25 May|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 8.8 (56)| | 14.6 (90)| Waverley Park| 14,286| Saturday, 25 May|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 21.6 (132)| | 10.14 (74)| SCG| 26,537| Sunday, 26 May|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 17.18 (120)| | 10.6 (66)| Subiaco Oval| 20,934| Sunday, 26 May|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 9.15 (69)| | 13.13 (91)| Waverley Park| 41,023| Sunday, 26 May|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 11.10 (76)| | 21.13 (139)| MCG| 56,609| Monday, 27 May

Round 10

|- bgcolor="#CCCCFF"| Home team| Score| Away team| Score| Venue| Attendance| Date|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 10.9 (69)| | 12.17 (89)| MCG| 22,416| Friday, 7 June|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 15.11 (101)| | 13.12 (90)| MCG| 59,062| Saturday, 8 June|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 14.14 (98)| | 15.8 (98)| Kardinia Park| 24,800| Saturday, 8 June|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 10.7 (67)| | 21.11 (137)| Whitten Oval| 9,701| Saturday, 8 June|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 9.13 (67)| | 13.11 (89)| Waverley Park| 43,925| Saturday, 8 June|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 7.11 (53)| | 17.8 (110)| Subiaco Oval| 19,350| Sunday, 9 June|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 11.10 (76)| | 19.16 (130)| Football Park| 43,398| Sunday, 9 June|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 17.12 (114)| | 10.16 (76)| MCG| 48,302| Monday, 10 June

NOTE: St Kilda vs Essendon match on Saturday night was disrupted by a power failure during the third quarter, resulting the match being completed the following week on the Tuesday night with 2 12-minutes halves.

Round 11

|- bgcolor="#CCCCFF"| Home team| Score| Away team| Score| Venue| Attendance| Date|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 20.9 (129)| | 12.13 (85)| Kardinia Park| 21,516| Saturday, 15 June|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 16.12 (108)| | 14.15 (99)| Waverley Park| 16,652| Saturday, 15 June|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 10.13 (73)| | 24.8 (152)| Optus Oval| 18,644| Saturday, 15 June|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 21.13 (139)| | 15.15 (105)| MCG| 39,029| Saturday, 15 June|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 5.8 (38)| | 9.8 (62)| Gabba| 20,225| Saturday, 15 June|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 16.19 (115)| | 9.8 (62)| Subiaco Oval| 34,832| Sunday, 16 June|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 13.12 (90)| | 12.17 (89)| MCG| 31,383| Sunday, 16 June|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 8.8 (56)| | 18.11 (119)| Whitten Oval| 10,836| Sunday, 16 June

Round 12

|- bgcolor="#CCCCFF"| Home team| Score| Away team| Score| Venue| Attendance| Date|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 19.14 (128)| | 13.4 (82)| MCG| 39,044| Friday, 21 June|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 14.11 (95)| | 17.14 (116)| MCG| 61,448| Saturday, 22 June|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 17.10 (112)| | 13.15 (93)| Kardinia Park| 22,116| Saturday, 22 June|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 17.12 (114)| | 12.11 (83)| Waverley Park| 16,217| Saturday, 22 June|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 18.15 (123)| | 6.10 (46)| Gabba| 14,871| Saturday, 22 June|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 18.15 (123)| | 11.11 (77)| SCG| 22,689| Sunday, 23 June|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 16.11 (107)| | 14.11 (95)| MCG| 39,515| Sunday, 23 June|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 22.9 (141)| | 17.6 (108)| Subiaco Oval| 29,434| Sunday, 23 June

Round 13

|- bgcolor="#CCCCFF"| Home team| Score| Away team| Score| Venue| Attendance| Date|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 10.9 (69)| | 14.8 (92)| MCG| 69,072| Friday, 28 June|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 13.13 (91)| | 15.12 (102)| Optus Oval| 20,030| Saturday, 29 June|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 6.3 (39)| | 25.16 (166)| Whitten Oval| 10,504| Saturday, 29 June|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 14.12 (96)| | 7.8 (50)| Waverley Park| 13,824| Saturday, 29 June|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 18.13 (121)| | 15.10 (100)| MCG| 43,481| Saturday, 29 June|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 8.10 (58)| | 9.20 (74)| WACA| 19,360| Saturday, 29 June|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 10.12 (72)| | 19.9 (123)| Football Park| 37,557| Sunday, 30 June|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 9.5 (59)| | 11.5 (71)| Whitten Oval| 11,184| Sunday, 30 June

Round 14

|- bgcolor="#CCCCFF"| Home team| Score| Away team| Score| Venue| Attendance| Date|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 21.18 (144)| | 13.11 (89)| MCG| 68,537| Friday, 5 July|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 17.12 (114)| | 11.15 (81)| Waverley Park| 30,886| Saturday, 6 July|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 7.10 (52)| | 17.16 (118)| Optus Oval| 12,748| Saturday, 6 July|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 7.9 (51)| | 10.8 (68)| MCG| 37,482| Saturday, 6 July|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 15.12 (102)| | 14.10 (94)| Football Park| 34,183| Saturday, 6 July|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 18.17 (125)| | 11.8 (74)| SCG| 44,047| Sunday, 7 July|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 14.10 (94)| | 10.7 (67)| MCG| 22,852| Sunday, 7 July|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 11.11 (77)| | 15.10 (100)| Subiaco Oval| 17,697| Sunday, 7 July

Round 15

|- bgcolor="#CCCCFF"| Home team| Score| Away team| Score| Venue| Attendance| Date|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 20.11 (131)| | 9.9 (63)| WACA| 22,044| Friday, 12 July|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 19.17 (131)| | 9.10 (64)| Optus Oval| 20,102| Saturday, 13 July|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 22.12 (144)| | 12.11 (83)| MCG| 34,514| Saturday, 13 July|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 10.12 (72)| | 11.8 (74)| Kardinia Park| 22,207| Saturday, 13 July|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 11.13 (79)| | 14.12 (96)| Waverley Park| 34,337| Saturday, 13 July|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 15.13 (103)| | 10.8 (68)| Gabba| 20,378| Sunday, 14 July|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 12.9 (81)| | 18.19 (127)| MCG| 41,380| Sunday, 14 July|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 18.9 (117)| | 15.9 (99)| Whitten Oval| 8,674| Sunday, 14 July

Round 16

|- bgcolor="#CCCCFF"| Home team| Score| Away team| Score| Venue| Attendance| Date|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 17.16 (118)| | 4.5 (29)| MCG| 24,778| Friday, 19 July|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 15.18 (108)| | 13.10 (88)| MCG| 58,768| Saturday, 20 July|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 3.4 (22)| | 4.12 (36)| Whitten Oval| 9,994| Saturday, 20 July|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 13.10 (88)| | 4.6 (30)| Kardinia Park| 17,538| Saturday, 20 July|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 15.8 (98)| | 7.7 (49)| Waverley Park| 28,670| Saturday, 20 July|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 16.14 (110)| | 12.16 (88)| SCG| 29,174| Sunday, 21 July|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 12.10 (82)| | 7.6 (48)| Subiaco Oval| 35,406| Sunday, 21 July|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 17.14 (116)| | 10.16 (76)| Victoria Park| 23,567| Sunday, 21 July

Round 17

|- bgcolor="#CCCCFF"| Home team| Score| Away team| Score| Venue| Attendance| Date|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 11.4 (70)| | 28.15 (183)| MCG| 20,955| Friday, 26 July|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 13.13 (91)| | 11.16 (82)| MCG| 65,420| Saturday, 27 July|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 14.16 (100)| | 11.10 (76)| Waverley Park| 24,289| Saturday, 27 July|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 17.12 (114)| | 11.7 (73)| Optus Oval| 19,081| Saturday, 27 July|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 25.13 (163)| | 17.14 (116)| Gabba| 15,772| Saturday, 27 July|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 16.12 (108)| | 17.12 (114)| MCG| 28,776| Sunday, 28 July|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 15.14 (104)| | 12.6 (78)| Subiaco Oval| 17,513| Sunday, 28 July|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 26.10 (166)| | 9.13 (67)| Football Park| 31,880| Sunday, 28 July

Round 18

|- bgcolor="#CCCCFF"| Home team| Score| Away team| Score| Venue| Attendance| Date|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 19.16 (130)| | 15.9 (99)| MCG| 28,555| Friday, 2 August|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 23.7 (145)| | 11.18 (84)| Optus Oval| 15,277| Saturday, 3 August|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 13.10 (88)| | 11.12 (78)| Waverley Park| 30,065| Saturday, 3 August|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 15.14 (104)| | 10.9 (69)| Kardinia Park| 17,818| Saturday, 3 August|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 17.13 (115)| | 6.16 (52)| SCG| 18,850| Sunday, 4 August|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 14.15 (99)| | 14.9 (93)| Subiaco Oval| 37,669| Sunday, 4 August|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 6.9 (45)| | 8.12 (60)| Whitten Oval| 8,757| Sunday, 4 August|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 7.11 (53)| | 9.16 (70)| Optus Oval| 17,157| Sunday, 4 August

Round 19

|- bgcolor="#CCCCFF"| Home team| Score| Away team| Score| Venue| Attendance| Date|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 15.16 (106)| | 11.16 (82)| WACA| 22,874| Friday, 9 August|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 20.9 (129)| | 17.8 (110)| MCG| 30,166| Saturday, 10 August|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 21.17 (143)| | 16.11 (107)| Optus Oval| 15,794| Saturday, 10 August|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 18.19 (127)| | 12.10 (82)| Kardinia Park| 21,081| Saturday, 10 August|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 5.5 (35)| | 13.10 (88)| Whitten Oval| 7,781| Saturday, 10 August|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 20.12 (132)| | 10.5 (65)| Waverley Park| 14,914| Saturday, 10 August|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 20.10 (130)| | 12.10 (82)| SCG| 28,541| Sunday, 11 August|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 8.11 (59)| | 11.11 (77)| Optus Oval| 15,453| Sunday, 11 August

Round 20

|- bgcolor="#CCCCFF"| Home team| Score| Away team| Score| Venue| Attendance| Date|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 13.14 (92)| | 10.11 (71)| MCG| 15,494| Friday, 16 August|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 19.18 (132)| | 9.13 (67)| MCG| 50,633| Saturday, 17 August|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 7.7 (49)| | 9.18 (72)| Waverley Park| 28,897| Saturday, 17 August|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 14.16 (100)| | 29.13 (187)| Optus Oval| 6,469| Saturday, 17 August|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 10.10 (70)| | 10.16 (76)| Football Park| 33,030| Saturday, 17 August|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 14.11 (95)| | 8.9 (57)| Optus Oval| 7,677| Sunday, 18 August|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 9.10 (64)| | 11.11 (77)| MCG| 51,057| Sunday, 18 August|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 19.13 (127)| | 10.8 (68)| Subiaco Oval| 40,085| Sunday, 18 August

Round 21

|- bgcolor="#CCCCFF"| Home team| Score| Away team| Score| Venue| Attendance| Date|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 14.12 (96)| | 16.13 (109)| MCG| 52,426| Friday, 23 August|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 13.18 (96)| | 9.12 (66)| Optus Oval| 21,674| Saturday, 24 August|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 14.16 (100)| | 12.10 (82)| MCG| 69,237| Saturday, 24 August|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 9.9 (63)| | 12.8 (80)| Waverley Park| 28,118| Saturday, 24 August|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 10.11 (71)| | 10.10 (70)| Gabba| 19,204| Saturday, 24 August|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 28.19 (187)| | 5.6 (36)| MCG| 48,884| Sunday, 25 August|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 24.7 (151)| | 11.12 (78)| Subiaco Oval| 33,689| Sunday, 25 August|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 14.12 (96)| | 24.9 (153)| Football Park| 40,212| Sunday, 25 August

Round 22

|- bgcolor="#CCCCFF"| Home team| Score| Away team| Score| Venue| Attendance| Date|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 11.13 (79)| | 11.10 (76)| MCG| 42,598| Friday, 30 August|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 9.11 (65)| | 16.11 (107)| Kardinia Park| 27,659| Saturday, 31 August|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 15.10 (100)| | 6.15 (51)| Victoria Park| 21,126| Saturday, 31 August|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 20.24 (144)| | 11.9 (75)| Waverley Park| 14,778| Saturday, 31 August|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 15.11 (101)| | 15.12 (102)| MCG| 63,196| Saturday, 31 August|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 12.13 (85)| | 6.14 (50)| SCG| 29,517| Saturday, 31 August|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 16.13 (109)| | 21.15 (141)| MCG| 61,740| Sunday, 1 September|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 24.13 (157)| | 10.11 (71)| Subiaco Oval| 22,574| Sunday, 1 September

Note: Last game of Fitzroy Lions before merger with Brisbane Bears to become Brisbane Lions.

Ladder

(P)	Premiers
bgcolor=FFFFBB		Qualified for finals

|- style=background:#FFFFBB| 1 || align=left | || 22 || 16 || 5 || 1 || 2152 || 1737 || 123.9 || 66|- style=background:#FFFFBB| 2 || align=left | (P) || 22 || 16 || 6 || 0 || 2526 || 1982 || 127.4 || 64|- style=background:#FFFFBB| 3 || align=left | || 22 || 15 || 6 || 1 || 2174 || 1731 || 125.6 || 62|- style=background:#FFFFBB| 4 || align=left | || 22 || 15 || 7 || 0 || 2201 || 1758 || 125.2 || 60|- style=background:#FFFFBB| 5 || align=left | || 22 || 15 || 7 || 0 || 2116 || 1909 || 110.8 || 60|- style=background:#FFFFBB| 6 || align=left | || 22 || 14 || 7 || 1 || 2209 || 2023 || 109.2 || 58|- style=background:#FFFFBB| 7 || align=left | || 22 || 13 || 8 || 1 || 2353 || 2047 || 114.9 || 54|- style=background:#FFFFBB| 8 || align=left | || 22 || 11 || 10 || 1 || 1893 || 1921 || 98.5 || 46|-| 9 || align=left | || 22 || 11 || 11 || 0 || 2282 || 1944 || 117.4 || 44|-| 10 || align=left | || 22 || 10 || 12 || 0 || 2053 || 2033 || 101.0 || 40|-| 11 || align=left | || 22 || 9 || 13 || 0 || 2203 || 2142 || 102.8 || 36|-| 12 || align=left | || 22 || 8 || 14 || 0 || 2233 || 2327 || 96.0 || 32|-| 13 || align=left | || 22 || 7 || 15 || 0 || 1830 || 1983 || 92.3 || 28|-| 14 || align=left | || 22 || 7 || 15 || 0 || 1743 || 2463 || 70.8 || 28|-| 15 || align=left | || 22 || 5 || 16 || 1 || 1654 || 2139 || 77.3 || 22|-| 16 || align=left | || 22 || 1 || 21 || 0 || 1452 || 2935 || 49.5 || 4|}

Rules for classification: 1. premiership points; 2. percentage; 3. points for
Average score: 94.0
Source: AFL Tables

Finals

Qualifying Finals

|- bgcolor="#CCCCFF"| Home team| Score| Away team| Score| Venue| Attendance| Date|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 15.11 (101)| | 15.10 (100)| Gabba| 21,964| Friday, 6 September|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 18.17 (125)| | 10.10 (70)| Subiaco Oval| 41,501| Saturday, 7 September|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 13.12 (90)| | 12.12 (84)| SCG| 37,010| Saturday, 7 September|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"| | 19.17 (131)| | 9.17 (71)| MCG| 69,323| Sunday, 8 September

Semi-finals

Preliminary Finals

Grand Final

Attendance

Team	Hosted	Average	Highest	Lowest	Total
Essendon	11	49,526	87,549	15,794	544,789
Collingwood	11	44,723	71,663	21,126	491,953
Adelaide	11	39,428	45,266	31,880	433,713
Richmond	11	38,624	61,740	17,157	424,859
Carlton	11	35,891	70,152	15,277	394,802
North Melbourne	11	34,627	68,537	15,453	380,899
West Coast	11	32,448	40,085	22,044	356,932
Melbourne	11	30,315	63,196	8747	333,465
St Kilda	11	27,137	43,925	13,824	298,512
Geelong	11	25,161	50,074	17,538	276,775
Sydney	11	24,574	44,047	10,965	270,309
Hawthorn	11	23,624	38,263	14,286	259,868
Fremantle	11	22,473	33,041	17,513	247,204
Brisbane	11	18,088	21,644	14,222	198,968
Footscray	11	18,073	36,766	7677	198,800
Fitzroy	11	9482	13,497	5083	104,300
Totals	176	29,637	87,549	5083	5,216,148

Venue	Hosted	Average	Highest	Lowest	Total
MCG	51	46,114	87,549	15,494	2351,808
Football Park	11	39,428	45,266	31,880	433,713
Subiaco Oval	16	28,289	40,085	17,513	452,616
Waverley Park	24	25,545	43,925	13,824	613,079
WACA	6	25,253	31,411	19,360	151,520
SCG	11	24,574	44,047	10,965	270,309
Victoria Park	4	23,581	26,459	21,126	94,322
Kardinia Park	10	22,670	27,659	17,538	226,701
Gabba	11	18,088	21,644	14,222	198,968
Optus Oval	17	15,641	21,674	6469	265,892
Whitten Oval	15	10,482	16,804	5083	157,224
Totals	176	29,637	87,549	5083	5,216,148

Awards

The Brownlow Medal was awarded to Michael Voss of and James Hird of .
The Leigh Matthews Trophy was awarded to Corey McKernan of .
The Coleman Medal was awarded to Tony Lockett of .
The Norm Smith Medal was awarded to Glenn Archer of .
The AFL Rising Star award was awarded to Ben Cousins of .
The Wooden Spoon was "awarded" to in their final season before the club merged with the .
The reserves premiership was won by
The seniors premiership was won by

Notes

North Melbourne's 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 and 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 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]
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 year, which would have been in 1997).
Sydney recorded its first finals win since 1945 in the qualifying final against Hawthorn, and reached its first grand final since the same season (as South Melbourne).
The season is perhaps best remembered for its preliminary final between minor premiers and sixth-placed . With scores level on 10.9 (69), Sydney's 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.

Sources

1996 AFL season at AFL Tables
1996 AFL season at Australian Football

Notes and References

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-10-24/tuesday-night-blockbuster-set-for-2018-fixture Tuesday night blockbuster set for 2018 fixture
Web site: This Epic 1996 Coach Spray Is All The Motivation The Bulldogs Need. HuffPost. Anthony. Sherwood. 1 October 2016. 9 October 2018.