2018 AFL season explained

Competition:	afl
Year:	2018
Date:	22 March – 29 September
Teams:	18
Count:	4
Runners-Up:	(27th runners-up)
Mpcount:	9
Matches:	207
Attendance:	7,595,165
Highattendha:	91,440 (round 5, v)
Highattendfinals:	100,022
Top Goal Scorer:	Jack Riewoldt (– 65 goals)
Brownlow Medal:	Tom Mitchell (– 28 votes)
Prevseason:	2017
Nextseason:	2019

The 2018 AFL season was the 122nd season of the Australian Football League (AFL), the highest level senior men's Australian rules football competition in Australia, which was known as the Victorian Football League until 1989. The season featured eighteen clubs, ran from 22 March until 29 September, and comprised a 22-game home-and-away season followed by a finals series featuring the top eight clubs.

The premiership was won by the West Coast Eagles for the fourth time, after it defeated by five points in the AFL Grand Final.

Pre-season

AFLX

See main article: 2018 AFLX competition. On 17 November 2017, the AFL confirmed that the pre-season would feature an AFLX competition. The game is played on a soccer-sized pitch over two ten minute halves. Each team features seven players on the field and three interchange players. Teams were split into three groups of six, with a grand final to be held for each group. The matches were played from 15–17 February 2018.^[1] The winners of the competition were Adelaide, Melbourne and Brisbane.^{[2] [3] [4]}

JLT Community Series

See main article: 2018 JLT Community Series. The pre-season series of games returned as the 2018 JLT Community Series. The number of games was reduced compared to the previous season, with teams playing two games each. The games were stand-alone, with no overall winner of the series. Each team played two games, many at suburban or regional venues, while all games were televised on Fox Footy.

Premiership season

Season notes

• lost its first seven matches, the longest losing streak to start a season in the club's history.^[5]
• Carlton's total of two wins for the season was the club's fewest wins in a season since 1901.^[6]
• qualified for the finals for the first time since 2006.

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
														X										X	X	X	X	12
													X											X	X	X	X	15
												X												X	X	X	X	18
													X															3
													X											X	X	X	X	11
														X										X	X	X	X	14
														X											X	X	X	8
										X														X	X	X	X	17
													X													X	X	7
												X														X	X	4
													X														X	5
													X											X	X	X	X	9
										X														X	X	X	X	10
														X											X		X	1
														X										X	X	X	X	16
														X											X	X	X	6
												X													X			2 (P)
												X												X	X	X	X	13
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

Bold – Home game
X – Bye
Opponent for round listed above margin

Ladder

Ladder progression

• Numbers highlighted in green indicates the team finished the round inside the top 8.
• Numbers highlighted in blue indicates the team finished in first place 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 indicates the team had a bye during that round.
• Subscript numbers indicate ladder position at round's end.

width=20 abbr="Position"		width=175px	Team	width=20 abbr="Round 1"	1	width=20 abbr="Round 2"	2	width=20 abbr="Round 3"	3	width=20 abbr="Round 4"	4	width=20 abbr="Round 5"	5	width=20 abbr="Round 6"	6	width=20 abbr="Round 7"	7	width=20 abbr="Round 8"	8	width=20 abbr="Round 9"	9	width=20 abbr="Round 10"	10	width=20 abbr="Round 11"	11	width=20 abbr="Round 12"	12	width=20 abbr="Round 13"	13	width=20 abbr="Round 14"	14	width=20 abbr="Round 15"	15	width=20 abbr="Round 16"	16	width=20 abbr="Round 17"	17	width=20 abbr="Round 18"	18	width=20 abbr="Round 19"	19	width=20 abbr="Round 20"	20	width=20 abbr="Round 21"	21	width=20 abbr="Round 22"	22	width=20 abbr="Round 23"	23
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18

Positions of teams round by round

Finals series

See main article: 2018 AFL finals series.

Week four

See main article: 2018 AFL Grand Final.

Finals notes

• qualified for a preliminary final for the first time since 2000, and qualified for the finals for the first time since 2006.
• qualified for the grand final for the first time since 2011, and qualified for the finals for the first time since 2013.

Attendances

By club

2018 AFL attendances

Club	Total	Games	Avg. per game	Home total	Home games	Home avg.
		22			11
		22			11
		22			11
		26			11
		22			11
		22			11
		23			11
		22			11
		24			11
		24			11
		25			11
		22			11
		22			11
		24			11
		22			11
		23			11
		25			11
		22			11

By ground

2018 ground attendances

Ground	Total	Games	Avg. per game
Adelaide Arena at Jiangwan Stadium		1
Adelaide Oval		22
Blundstone Arena		3
Cazalys Stadium		1
Etihad Stadium		45
Gabba		12
GMHBA Stadium		9
Mars Stadium		2
MCG		50
Metricon Stadium		7
Optus Stadium		25
SCG		12
Spotless Stadium		8
TIO Stadium		1
TIO Traeger Park		1
University of Tasmania Stadium		4
UNSW Canberra Oval		3

Awards

• The Brownlow Medal was awarded to Tom Mitchell of who polled 28 votes.^[7]
• The Coleman Medal was awarded to Jack Riewoldt of, who kicked 65 goals during the home and away season. It was the third time Riewoldt has won the award.^[8]
• The Ron Evans Medal was awarded to Jaidyn Stephenson of, who received 52 votes.^[9]
• The Norm Smith Medal was awarded to Luke Shuey of .^[10]
• The AFL Goal of the Year was awarded to Jack Higgins of for his goal against in round 19.^[11]
• The AFL Mark of the Year was awarded to Isaac Heeney of for his mark against in round 21.^[12]
• The McClelland Trophy was awarded to for the first time since 1982.^[13]
• The wooden spoon was "awarded" to for the first time since 2015 after obtaining a club low two wins during the season.^[14]
• The AFL Players Association Awards:
  • The Leigh Matthews Trophy was awarded to Tom Mitchell of polling 773 votes ahead of Patrick Cripps who polled 529.^[15]
  • The Robert Rose Award was awarded to Callan Ward of .^[15]
  • The best captain was awarded to Trent Cotchin of .^[15]
  • The best first year player was awarded to Tim Kelly of .^[15]
  • The 22under22 team captaincy was awarded to Marcus Bontempelli of the for the third year in a row.^[15]
• The AFL Coaches Association Awards:
  • The AFL Coaches Association Player of the Year Award was awarded to Max Gawn of who received 97 votes ahead of Patrick Cripps who received 91.^[16]
  • The Gary Ayres Award for the best player in the finals series was awarded to Steele Sidebottom of who polled 23 votes ahead of teammate Taylor Adams on 18.^[17]
  • The Allan Jeans Senior Coach of the Year Award was awarded to coach Nathan Buckley.^[18]
  • The Assistant Coach of the Year Award was awarded to assistant Rhyce Shaw for the second year in a row.^[18]
  • The Lifetime Achievement Award was awarded to Alan Stewart for his contribution to football in South Australia.^[18]
  • The Best Young Player Award was awarded to Tom Stewart of who received 40 votes.^[19]
  • The Media Award was awarded to Gerard Whateley for the fifth consecutive year.^[18]
• The Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award was awarded to Neville Jetta of .^[20]

Milestones

Name	Club	Milestone	Round	class=unsortable	Ref.
				^[21]
				^[22]
				^[23]
				^[24]
				^[25]
				^[26]
				^[27]
				^[28]
				^[29]
				^[30]
				^[31]
				^[32]
				^[33]
				^[34]
				^[35]
				^[36]
				^[37]
				^[38]
				^[39]
				^[40]
				^[41]
				^[42]
				^[43]
				^[44]
				^[45]

Coleman Medal

• Numbers highlighted in blue indicates the player led the Coleman Medal at the end of that round.
• Numbers underlined indicates the player did not play in 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	Jack Riewoldt	44	04	48	19	211	314	317	219	524	024	125	328	230	030	333	235	237	441	344	448	1058	260	565	65
2	Ben Brown	00	66	410	515	419	423	124	226	531	233	235	035	035	540	242	446	450	252	153	154	458	058	361	61
3		00	11	34	04	04	26	410	010	313	316	319	322	325	025	328	533	437	744	751	152	153	659	261	61
4	Lance Franklin	88	412	214	317	118	018	018	018	321	122	325	429	231	031	435	439	342	042	244	650	252	557	057	57
5		44	04	37	411	516	319	120	323	023	023	124	024	125	227	330	636	036	541	445	348	250	252	153	53
6	Jack Gunston	22	24	04	26	28	311	112	517	421	021	021	021	122	325	025	429	231	233	235	540	242	446	248	51
	7	Tom McDonald	00	00	00	00	00	22	24	59	413	215	419	625	025	328	129	130	333	437	340	040	242	345		348
8		Jesse Hogan	33	58	19	110	212	214	317	320	121	526	531	031	031	031	334	236	440	141	142	446	147	047	047	47
9	Josh Jenkins	22	57	18	08	311	011	314	115	116	117	118	220	121	021	223	326	228	230	030	333	336	339	746	46
10	Josh Caddy	33	36	06	17	07	411	112	416	117	623	427	027	128	028	129	231	132	233	135	035	439	443	144	44

Best and fairest

Club	Award name	Player
	Malcolm Blight Medal
	Merrett–Murray Medal
	John Nicholls Medal
	Copeland Trophy	& Brodie Grundy
	W. S. Crichton Medal
	Doig Medal
	Carji Greeves Medal
	Club Champion
	Kevin Sheedy Medal
	Peter Crimmins Medal
	Keith 'Bluey' Truscott Trophy
	Syd Barker Medal
	John Cahill Medal
	Jack Dyer Medal
	Trevor Barker Award
	Bob Skilton Medal
	John Worsfold Medal
	Charles Sutton Medal
Source: Foxsports

Club leadership

Table of clubs' coaches and captains in the 2018 season

Club	Coach	Captain(s)
			^[46]
		(until 23 May)	^[47]
(from 23 May)
			^[48]
			^[49]
			^[50]
			^[51] ^[52]
			^[53]
		(until 2 August)	^[54]
			^[55]
			^[56]
			^[57]
			^[58]
			^[59]
			^[60]
			^[61]
			^[62]
			^[63] ^[64]
			^[65]

Club membership

2018 AFL membership figures

Club	Members^[66]	Change from 2017	% Change from 2017
	64,739
	24,867
	56,005
	75,507
	79,319
	55,639
	63,818
	12,108
	25,243
	80,302
	44,275
	40,789
	54,386
	100,726
	46,301
	60,934
	80,290
	43,246
Total	1,008,494	100,933	11.12%

See also

• 2018 AFL Women's season

Notes and References

1. Web site: AFLX revealed: Who your club plays and when. AFL.com.au. 17 November 2017.
2. Web site: AFLX Thursday Wrap. 15 February 2018. AFL.com.au.
3. Web site: AFLX Friday Wrap. 16 February 2018. AFL.com.au.
4. Web site: AFLX Saturday Wrap. 17 February 2018. AFL.com.au.
5. News: Western Bulldogs beat Carlton in AFL clash at Docklands as Blues' struggles continue. 27 April 2018. Australian Associated Press. ABC News. 27 April 2018.
6. News: The Wrap Up: Adelaide crush Carlton to end a forgettable year on a high. 2018-08-25. en.
7. News: Hawthorn's Tom Mitchell wins 2018 Brownlow Medal . 6 October 2018 . ABC News . 24 September 2018 . en-AU.
8. News: Phelan . Jason . Tigers star claims third Coleman Medal . 26 August 2018 . AFL Media . Telstra Media . 26 August 2018.
9. Web site: AFL Rising Star award 2018: Jaidyn Stephenson becomes Collingwood's first winner. Gabelich. Josh. 30 August 2018. Fox Sports. 30 August 2018.
10. News: Shuey wins Norm Smith Medal. Blake. Martin. 29 September 2018. 9 October 2018.
11. News: Higgins wins Goal of the Year. 24 September 2018. 9 October 2018.
12. News: Heeney wins Mark of the Year. 25 September 2018. AFL.com.au. Telstra Media. 9 October 2018.
13. News: Tigers claim minor premiership with win over gallant Bombers. Walsh. Courtney. 18 August 2018. The Australian. 9 October 2018.
14. News: Match report: Dogs hand Blues the spoon. Guthrie. Ben. 19 August 2018. AFL.com.au. Telstra Media. 9 October 2018.
15. News: MITCHELL VOTED 2018 AFL PLAYERS' MVP. 30 August 2018. 9 October 2018.
16. News: Max Gawn wins 2018 AFL Coaches Association Champion Player of the year award ahead of Patrick Cripps. Laughton. Max. 27 August 2018. Fox Sports Australia. 9 October 2018.
17. News: Mr September: Magpie wins Gary Ayres Award. 1 October 2018. AFL.com.au. Telstra Media. 9 October 2018.
18. News: 2018 Shadforth Financial Group AFL Coaches Awards Night. 25 September 2018. 9 October 2018.
19. News: Cats defender named AFLCA's best youngster. Guthrie. Ben. 28 August 2018. Telstra Media. 9 October 2018.
20. News: Indigenous youth supporter wins Jim Stynes award. Gaskin. Lee. 24 September 2018. Telstra Media. 9 October 2018.
21. News: Joel Selwood set to notch 250th AFL game. SBS. AAP. 22 March 2018. 25 March 2018.
22. News: AFL: Trent Cotchin 200th game feature, Richmond captain's telling finals series reflects his leadership. Beveridge. Riley. 28 March 2018. Fox Sports Australia. News Corp Australia. 29 March 2018.
23. News: Mark Duffield: Why West Coast's milestone man Mark Lecras is underrated. Duffield. Mark. 14 April 2018. The West Australian. Seven West Media. 14 April 2018.
24. News: A rocky road, but Gilbert gets to 200. Cherny. Daniel. 26 April 2018. The Age. Fairfax Media. 30 April 2018.
25. News: Ward never wanted to be an AFL captain, now he's one of the best. Buckley. James. 11 May 2018. The Age. Fairfax Media. 13 May 2018.
26. News: 200 games in red and white: Josh Kennedy, Nick Smith notch up significant milestone. Olle. Sarah. 18 May 2018. Fox Sports (Australia). News Corp Australia. 19 May 2018.
27. News: 200-game AFL milestone for former Redan junior Shaun Grigg. 25 May 2018. The Courier. Fairfax Media. 26 May 2018.
28. News: No surface tension for Brad Scott's Kangaroos ahead of Optus Stadium clash with Fremantle. Hope. Shayne. 24 May 2018. The West Australian. Seven West Media. 27 May 2018.
29. News: 'He drove the coaches mad': Dan Hannebery's insatiable hunt to get the best out of himself. Olle. Sarah. 1 June 2018. Fox Sports (Australia). News Corp Australia. 3 June 2018.
30. News: Paul Roos and Graeme Yeats reflect on Nathan Jones' brilliant, loyal journey to 250 games. Harrington. Anna. 1 June 2018. Fox Sports (Australia). News Corp Australia. 2 June 2018.
31. News: Ryan Griffen, the 'chubby country kid' who refused to travel to his AFL draft, reaches 250 games. Forsaith. Rob. 8 June 2018. Fox Sports (Australia). News Corp Australia. 9 June 2018.
32. News: Unheralded Grundy set for 250th AFL game. Australian Associated Press. 14 June 2018. SBS. 15 June 2018.
33. News: Hawthorn's Shaun Burgoyne set for 350-game milestone. Australian Associated Press. 16 June 2018. The Australian. News Corp Australia. 16 June 2018.
34. News: Port Adelaide overrun a spirited Carlton team inspired by Kade Simpson's 300-game milestone. McFarlane. Glenn. 30 June 2018. Herald Sun. News Corp Australia. 30 June 2018.
35. News: Hill brothers reunion looms at Fremantle for Stephen's 200-game milestone. Lacy. Bridget. 4 July 2018. The West Australian. Seven West Media. 8 July 2018.
36. News: Steele Sidebottom plays game 200 on Sunday and some of the people closest to him pay tribute. McFarlane. Glenn. 7 July 2018. Herald Sun. News Corp Australia. 8 July 2018.
37. News: James Frawley brings up 200 games in AFL. 13 July 2018. The Courier. Fairfax Media. 15 July 2018.
38. News: Franklin reaches 900 goals. 15 July 2018. sydneyswans.com.au. 7 August 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180718174230/http://www.sydneyswans.com.au/news/2018-07-15/franklin-reaches-900-goals. 18 July 2018. dead.
39. News: Those closest to Jordan Lewis reveal the man behind the fierce footballer ahead of game 300. Robinson. Mark. 28 July 2018. Herald Sun. News Corp Australia. 29 July 2018.
40. News: Shaun Higgins 200: From injury-ravaged Bulldog to silky Kangaroo. Olle. Sarah. 28 July 2018. Fox Sports (Australia). News Corp Australia. 29 July 2018.
41. News: Adelaide recruit Bryce Gibbs savours first Showdown win in 250th AFL game. Homfray. Reece. 5 August 2018. The Advertiser. News Corp Australia. 2 September 2018.
42. News: 200-game David Mackay is in contract discussions for next season and is confident he still has a lot to contribute. Fjeldstad. Jesper. 8 August 2018. The Advertiser. News Corp Australia. 2 September 2018.
43. News: Dale Morris' journey through the eyes of two of the people closest to him, his wife and club doctor. McFarlane. Glenn. 12 August 2018. Herald Sun. News Corp Australia. 2 September 2018.
44. News: AFL Daily: Travis Varcoe says he's 'forever grateful' to Collingwood for extending his career. Sewell. Eliza. 16 August 2018. Herald Sun. News Corp Australia. 2 September 2018.
45. News: Jack Riewoldt firms for Coleman Medal as Tigers down Dogs. AAP. AAP. 25 August 2018. The Australian. News Corp Australia. 5 September 2018.
46. News: Taylor Walker will captain Adelaide for the fourth consecutive season. Olle. Sarah. 28 February 2018. Fox Sports Australia. News Corp Australia. 28 February 2018.
47. News: Dayne Beams to captain Brisbane Lions again in 2018, Luke Hodge not added to leadership group. Arnold. Rickie-Lee. 7 February 2018. Fox Sports Australia. News Corp Australia. 7 February 2018.
48. News: Blues back Murphy as skipper. Ryan. Peter. 31 January 2018. The Age. Fairfax Media. 31 January 2018.
49. News: Scott Pendlebury retains Collingwood captaincy in search for September return. Clark. Jay. 25 January 2018. Herald Sun. News Corp Australia. 25 January 2018.
50. News: Dyson Heppell remains Essendon skipper in 2018. Peter. Ryan. 10 February 2018. The Age. Fairfax Media. 10 February 2018.
51. News: Nat Fyfe to captain Fremantle in 2018 as Dockers announce seven-man leadership group. Salemme. Kate. 1 March 2018. Herald Sun. News Corp Australia. 1 March 2018.
52. Web site: Freo dumps speedster from leadership group. Travis. King. Telstra Media. AFL.com.au. 15 May 2018.
53. News: Selwood to become the Cats' longest-serving captain. Ryan. Peter. 9 March 2018. The Age. Fairfax Media. 9 March 2018.
54. News: Suns stick with guns in eight-man leadership. Whiting. Michael. 21 February 2018. AFL.com.au. Telstra Media. 21 February 2018.
55. News: Callan Ward, Phil Davis named GWS Giants co-captains for 2018, Matt de Boer promoted to leadership group. Cordy. Neil. 5 March 2018. The Daily Telegraph. 6 March 2018.
56. News: Jarryd Roughead to captain Hawthorn for second season as Hawks announce leadership group. Salemme. Kate. 1 February 2018. Herald Sun. News Corp Australia. 1 February 2018.
57. Web site: Demons retain AFL co-captains Jones, Viney. 20 February 2018. SBS News. 20 February 2018.
58. News: Jack Ziebell retains captaincy as North Melbourne looks to blood more youth in 2018. Clark. Jay. 15 January 2018. Herald Sun. News Corp Australia. 15 January 2018.
59. News: Tom Rockliff among Port Adelaide's leadership grou. Larkinp. Steve. 7 February 2018. The Age. Fairfax Media. 7 February 2018.
60. News: Trent Cotchin named Richmond captain for 2017, Jack Riewoldt joins leadership group. Edmund. Sam. 17 March 2017. Herald Sun. News Corp Australia. 26 March 2018.
61. News: St Kilda captain Jarryn Geary relieved not to be competing with Nick Riewoldt in 2018. Lerner. Ronnie. 7 February 2018. The Age. Fairfax Media. 7 February 2018.
62. News: Follow the leader: Your club's men in charge. 28 February 2018. AFL.com.au. Telstra Media. 23 March 2018.
63. News: Shannon Hurn named West Coast captain for fourth consecutive year. 24 January 2018. Perth Now. News Corp Australia. 25 January 2018.
64. News: West Coast Eagles elevate Nic Naitanui to the club's leadership group for 2018 season. 6 February 2018. Perth Now. Fox Sports Australia. 3 March 2018.
65. News: Western Bulldogs leadership group 2018: Easton Wood headlines new-look group of leaders. Waterworth. Ben. 20 November 2017. Fox Sports Australia. News Corp Australia. 20 November 2017.
66. News: AFL 2018 Annual Report. 6 August 2019. AFL.com.au.