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2026 AFL season

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2026 AFL premiership season
Date5 March – 26 September 2026
Teams18
Attendance
Matches played128
Total attendance4,919,795 (38,436 per match)
Highest92,231 (round 7, Essendon v Collingwood)
Updated to the end of round 15.
← 2025

The 2026 AFL season is the 130th season of the Australian Football League (AFL), the highest-level senior men's Australian rules football competition in Australia. The season features 18 clubs and will run from 5 March to 26 September, comprising a 23-match home-and-away season over 25 rounds, with a five-week finals series featuring the top ten clubs to occur for the first time.

Background

In October 2025, the AFL announced two major changes to be brought into the competition for the 2026 season: the substitute rule was removed in favour of a five-player interchange; and the ball would no longer be bounced in the centre of the ground by a field umpire at the start of quarters and after goals, and would be thrown up instead.[1] The removal of the centre bounce ended a tradition dating back to 1887, with AFL executive general manager of football performance Greg Swann explaining that the skill of bouncing the ball was hindering the development of umpires and that the change would allow umpires to focus more on decision-making and reduce the likelihood of players making accidental umpire contact.[1] The AFL announced seven rule changes to reduce game length by approximately three minutes:[2]

  • The 6–6–6 rule would no longer require at least one player from each team to be in the goalsquare for centre ball-ups.
  • A 'last disposal' free kick would be awarded if the ball crossed the boundary line from a disposal between the 50-metre arcs, unless a nearby player does not attempt to play the ball or blocks an opponent.[a]
  • Ruckmen would no longer be allowed to cross the centre line during centre ball-ups, intended to increase the frequency of jumping ruck contests.
  • Players taking kick-ins would only be given eight seconds to restart play, down from approximately twelve seconds.
  • Field umpires could immediately restart play at around-the-ground ball-ups if a nominated ruckman was too far away or no nomination was made, however the 'third man up' was still not allowed.[b]
  • Players who shrug a tackle would be deemed to have had prior opportunity when considering holding the ball free kicks.
  • Players inside the five-metre protected area after a mark or free kick to an opponent would be required to stand the mark and would no longer be allowed to move out of the area.

Last disposal out of bounds decisions fell within the purview of decisions reviewable by the AFL Review Centre (ARC),[3] as had all out of bounds decisions since the 2025 finals series.[4] There was a key error late in the Geelong v Adelaide match in round 3: the boundary umpire incorrectly paid a last disposal free kick to Geelong instead of Adelaide, and Geelong restarted play before ARC had a chance to intervene, ultimately resulting in a goal to Geelong who won by eight points.[5] The AFL admitted the error the following day and announced a review of its ARC review processes.[3]

The AFL introduced a wildcard finals round, adding an extra week to the existing finals series and increasing the number of finalists from eight to ten; at the end of the home-and-away season, the seventh-placed team would host the tenth-placed team and eighth would host ninth in wildcard finals, before the remainder of the finals series would continue as per the previous final eight system.[6] The change was the first change to the AFL finals system since 2000.[7] The change was negatively received by the AFL Fans Association;[6] however, sports rights analyst Colin Smith explained that the league was protecting the value of the current $4.5 billion broadcast right deal by implementing the new system, with more finalists meaning fewer dead rubber matches later in the home-and-away season.[8]

A State of Origin match took place for the first time since 1999, with Western Australia playing Victoria at Optus Stadium in February 2026;[9] Victoria won the match by 24 points.[10]

Rules governing voting for the Brownlow Medal were changed, to provide umpires a set of player statistics prior to the lodging of votes.[11]

Coach appointments

New coach Club Date of appointment Previous coach Ref.
Josh Carr Port Adelaide 12 February 2025[c] Ken Hinkley [12]
Steven King Melbourne 12 September 2025 Simon Goodwin [13]

Club leadership

Club Coach Leadership group
Captain(s) Vice-captain(s) Other leader(s) Ref.
Adelaide Matthew Nicks[14] Jordan Dawson Ben Keays, Alex Neal-Bullen Isaac Cumming, Darcy Fogarty, Reilly O'Brien, Riley Thilthorpe [15]
Brisbane Lions Chris Fagan[14] Harris Andrews, Josh Dunkley,
Hugh McCluggage
Oscar Allen, Will Ashcroft, Jarrod Berry, Jaspa Fletcher, Cam Rayner [16]
Carlton Michael Voss[17] Patrick Cripps Sam Walsh, Jacob Weitering [18]
Collingwood Craig McRae[14] Darcy Moore Nick Daicos, Brayden Maynard Darcy Cameron, Jamie Elliott, Isaac Quaynor, Lachie Schultz [19]
Essendon Brad Scott[20] Andrew McGrath Jye Caldwell, Sam Durham, Brayden Fiorini, Kyle Langford, Nic Martin, Mason Redman [21]
Fremantle Justin Longmuir[22] Alex Pearce Andrew Brayshaw, Caleb Serong Jordan Clark, Jaeger O'Meara, Sam Switkowski, Josh Treacy, Hayden Young [23]
Geelong Chris Scott[14] Patrick Dangerfield Tom Stewart [24]
Gold Coast Damien Hardwick[14] Noah Anderson Sam Collins, Touk Miller Ben King, Wil Powell, Matt Rowell [25]
Greater Western Sydney Adam Kingsley[14] Toby Greene Jack Buckley, Tom Green, Connor Idun [26]
Hawthorn Sam Mitchell[27] Jai Newcombe, James Sicily [28]
Melbourne Steven King[29] Max Gawn Jack Viney [30]
North Melbourne Alastair Clarkson[31] Nick Larkey Harry Sheezel Charlie Comben, Luke Davies-Uniacke, Tristan Xerri, Cameron Zurhaar [32]
Port Adelaide Josh Carr[33] Connor Rozee Zak Butters, Willem Drew Aliir Aliir, Miles Bergman, Mitch Georgiades, Jack Lukosius [34]
Richmond Adem Yze Toby Nankervis Tim Taranto Nathan Broad, Tom Lynch, Jack Ross, Jayden Short [35]
St Kilda Ross Lyon[14] Jack Sinclair, Callum Wilkie Mitch Owens, Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, Marcus Windhager, Mason Wood [36]
Sydney Dean Cox[14] Callum Mills Isaac Heeney [37]
West Coast Andrew McQualter[14] Liam Baker, Liam Duggan Matt Flynn, Reuben Ginbey, Jack Graham, Brandon Starcevich, Jake Waterman [38]
Western Bulldogs Luke Beveridge[14] Marcus Bontempelli Aaron Naughton, Ed Richards Bailey Dale, Matthew Kennedy, Tom Liberatore, Cody Weightman, Rhylee West [39]

Pre-season

State of Origin

Starting time is local time. Source: afl.com.au

2026 AFL Origin
Saturday, 14 February (4:40 pm) Western Australia 15.11 (101) def. by Victoria 18.17 (125) Optus Stadium (crowd: 58,141)
3.1 (19)
8.4 (52)
11.6 (72)
15.11 (101)
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
6.3 (39)
11.8 (74)
15.11 (101)
18.17 (125)
Graham Moss Medal: Jesse Hogan
E. J. Whitten Medal: Lachie Ash
Hogan 5, C. Cameron 3, Jackson 2, Waterman 2, Bolton, Hill, Warner Goals King 4, Dangerfield 2, Greene 2, McCluggage 2, Merrett 2, Bontempelli, Butters, Daicos, Serong, Smith, Xerri
Hogan, Warner, Barrass, Hill, Baker, Bolton Best Daicos, Bontempelli, Serong, King, Butters, Ash, Stewart

Practice matches

All starting times are local time. Source: afl.com.au

Official practice matches
Wednesday, 25 February (7:10 pm) Carlton 13.8 (86) def. Geelong 11.5 (71) Ikon Park
Thursday, 26 February (4:10 pm) Sydney 14.13 (97) def. Greater Western Sydney 8.11 (59) Henson Park
Thursday, 26 February (6:10 pm) Brisbane Lions 19.12 (126) def. Gold Coast 15.11 (101) Brighton Homes Arena
Friday, 27 February (4:10 pm) Melbourne 12.6 (78) def. Richmond 6.7 (43) Mars Stadium
Friday, 27 February (7:10 pm) Western Bulldogs 18.9 (117) def. Hawthorn 11.7 (73) Mission Whitten Oval
Saturday, 28 February (3:10 pm) St Kilda 17.13 (115) def. Essendon 10.12 (72) Mars Stadium
Saturday, 28 February (3:10 pm) Fremantle 12.12 (84) def. Adelaide 9.14 (68) Lane Group Stadium
Sunday, 1 March (3:10 pm) North Melbourne 12.18 (90) def. Collingwood 14.5 (89) Mars Stadium
Sunday, 1 March (3:10 pm) West Coast 9.13 (67) def. by Port Adelaide 22.8 (140) Mineral Resources Park
  • The Melbourne v Richmond match was abandoned with 14 minutes remaining in the third quarter after play was halted twice due to nearby lightning strikes.[40]

Home-and-away season

All starting times are local time. Source: afl.com.au

Opening Round

Opening Round
Thursday, 5 March (7:30 pm) Sydney 20.12 (132) def. Carlton 10.9 (69) Sydney Cricket Ground (crowd: 40,372)
Friday, 6 March (7:05 pm) Gold Coast 19.11 (125) def. Geelong 10.9 (69) People First Stadium (crowd: 19,859)
Saturday, 7 March (4:15 pm) Greater Western Sydney 19.8 (122) def. Hawthorn 14.11 (95) Engie Stadium (crowd: 16,157)
Saturday, 7 March (6:35 pm) Brisbane Lions 15.16 (106) def. by Western Bulldogs 16.15 (111) The Gabba (crowd: 31,606)
Sunday, 8 March (7:20 pm) St Kilda 9.12 (66) def. by Collingwood 11.12 (78) Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 82,528)
Bye
  • The crowd of 82,528 for the St Kilda v Collingwood match was the largest crowd for a home-and-away match involving St Kilda.[41]

Round 1

Round 1
Thursday, 12 March (7:30 pm) Carlton 10.15 (75) def. Richmond 9.17 (71) Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 74,313)
Friday, 13 March (7:40 pm) Essendon 13.5 (83) def. by Hawthorn 21.19 (145) Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 71,384)
Saturday, 14 March (1:15 pm) Western Bulldogs 21.8 (134) def. Greater Western Sydney 7.11 (53) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 28,318)
Saturday, 14 March (4:15 pm) Geelong 16.14 (110) def. Fremantle 14.16 (100) GMHBA Stadium (crowd: 28,715)
Saturday, 14 March (7:10 pm) Sydney 15.14 (104) def. Brisbane Lions 8.12 (60) Sydney Cricket Ground (crowd: 38,128)
Saturday, 14 March (7:35 pm) Collingwood 11.13 (79) def. by Adelaide 13.15 (93) Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 62,482)
Sunday, 15 March (1:10 pm) North Melbourne 17.11 (113) def. Port Adelaide 9.13 (67) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 23,318)
Sunday, 15 March (3:15 pm) Melbourne 18.12 (120) def. St Kilda 15.17 (107) Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 44,577)
Sunday, 15 March (5:10 pm) Gold Coast 20.11 (131) def. West Coast 10.12 (72) People First Stadium (crowd: 13,309)
  • Fremantle's quarter-time score of 8.4 (52) was its highest in a match outside of Western Australia,[42] the equal-highest conceded by Geelong since 1983 and the highest conceded by Geelong at GMHBA Stadium.[43]

Round 2

Round 2
Thursday, 19 March (7:30 pm) Hawthorn 14.15 (99) def. Sydney 13.4 (82) Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 47,945)
Friday, 20 March (7:10 pm) Adelaide 13.10 (88) def. by Western Bulldogs 14.10 (94) Adelaide Oval (crowd: 49,185)
Saturday, 21 March (1:15 pm) Richmond 9.6 (60) def. by Gold Coast 19.14 (128) Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 30,468)
Saturday, 21 March (4:15 pm) Greater Western Sydney 10.14 (74) def. by St Kilda 11.12 (78) Engie Stadium (crowd: 9,149)
Saturday, 21 March (4:35 pm) Fremantle 17.16 (118) def. Melbourne 10.10 (70) Optus Stadium (crowd: 44,736)
Sunday, 22 March (2:45 pm) Port Adelaide 20.13 (133) def. Essendon 10.10 (70) Adelaide Oval (crowd: 36,049)
Sunday, 22 March (3:10 pm) West Coast 17.9 (111) def. North Melbourne 15.4 (94) Optus Stadium (crowd: 47,083)
Bye
  • The crowd of 49,185 for the Adelaide v Western Bulldogs match was the largest crowd for a home-and-away match between the two clubs.[44]
  • The start of the Greater Western Sydney v St Kilda match was delayed by 50 minutes due to nearby lightning.[45] During the match, which St Kilda won by four points, the second quarter ended with the final 29 seconds wiped from the timeclock due to a technical issue that occurred during a software update, with timekeepers unaware of the issue at the time.[46]
  • West Coast's win over North Melbourne ended a 14-match losing streak.[47]

Round 3

Round 3
Thursday, 26 March (7:30 pm) Geelong 9.14 (68) def. Adelaide 9.6 (60) GMHBA Stadium (crowd: 20,403)
Friday, 27 March (7:40 pm) Collingwood 13.9 (87) def. Greater Western Sydney 7.12 (54) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 41,607)
Saturday, 28 March (12:35 pm) St Kilda 11.14 (80) def. by Brisbane Lions 17.11 (113) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 31,854)
Saturday, 28 March (1:15 pm) Fremantle 13.25 (103) def. Richmond 6.7 (43) Optus Stadium (crowd: 35,245)
Saturday, 28 March (7:35 pm) Essendon 9.15 (69) def. by North Melbourne 12.9 (81) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 40,154)
Sunday, 29 March (12:00 pm) Port Adelaide 13.12 (90) def. by West Coast 13.14 (92) Adelaide Oval (crowd: 33,754)
Sunday, 29 March (3:15 pm) Carlton 11.11 (77) def. by Melbourne 15.10 (100) Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 67,763)
Bye
  • North Melbourne's win was its first over Essendon since 2016, ending a twelve-match losing streak.[48]

Round 4

Round 4
Thursday, 2 April (6:30 pm) Brisbane Lions 17.17 (119) def. Collingwood 10.5 (65) The Gabba (crowd: 34,648)
Friday, 3 April (3:15 pm) North Melbourne 14.12 (96) def. Carlton 13.8 (86) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 45,919)
Friday, 3 April (6:45 pm) Adelaide 11.10 (76) def. by Fremantle 11.12 (78) Adelaide Oval (crowd: 48,627)
Saturday, 4 April (4:15 pm) Richmond 6.12 (48) def. by Port Adelaide 13.12 (90) Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 34,471)
Saturday, 4 April (4:35 pm) West Coast 4.11 (35) def. by Sydney 24.19 (163) Optus Stadium (crowd: 50,723)
Sunday, 5 April (3:15 pm) Melbourne 16.13 (109) def. Gold Coast 14.5 (89) Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 24,287)
Sunday, 5 April (7:20 pm) Western Bulldogs 14.15 (99) def. Essendon 9.11 (65) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 38,786)
Monday, 6 April (3:15 pm) Hawthorn 13.14 (92) def. Geelong 14.7 (91) Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 84,712)
Bye
  • Sydney's 128-point win over West Coast was its biggest win in an away match.[49]

Round 5

Round 5 (Gather Round)
Thursday, 9 April (7:10 pm) Adelaide 17.12 (114) def. Carlton 12.14 (86) Adelaide Oval (crowd: 49,184)
Friday, 10 April (7:10 pm) Collingwood 5.9 (39) def. by Fremantle 7.3 (45) Adelaide Oval (crowd: 47,275)
Saturday, 11 April (12:05 pm) North Melbourne 9.12 (66) def. by Brisbane Lions 13.14 (92) Barossa Park (crowd: 10,613)
Saturday, 11 April (12:45 pm) Essendon 17.11 (113) def. Melbourne 10.8 (68) Adelaide Oval (crowd: 38,006)
Saturday, 11 April (3:45 pm) Sydney 14.16 (100) def. Gold Coast 9.14 (68) Norwood Oval (crowd: 9,228)
Saturday, 11 April (7:05 pm) Hawthorn 15.14 (104) def. Western Bulldogs 8.16 (64) Adelaide Oval (crowd: 48,451)
Sunday, 12 April (12:00 pm) Geelong 17.20 (122) def. West Coast 11.10 (76) Norwood Oval (crowd: 9,434)
Sunday, 12 April (2:45 pm) Greater Western Sydney 20.11 (131) def. Richmond 11.9 (75) Barossa Park (crowd: 10,508)
Sunday, 12 April (6:45 pm) Port Adelaide 9.13 (67) def. by St Kilda 12.9 (81) Adelaide Oval (crowd: 47,319)
  • Fremantle's score of 7.3 (45) against Collingwood was the lowest winning score in the club's history,[50] and its total of ten scores was the fewest by any winning team since 1968.[51]
  • Essendon's win over Melbourne ended an equal club-record 17-match losing streak.[52]

Round 6

Round 6
Thursday, 16 April (7:30 pm) Carlton 12.11 (83) def. by Collingwood 13.10 (88) Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 78,058)
Friday, 17 April (7:20 pm) Geelong 19.17 (131) def. Western Bulldogs 8.8 (56) GMHBA Stadium (crowd: 33,200)
Friday, 17 April (7:50 pm) Sydney 17.5 (107) def. Greater Western Sydney 8.18 (66) Sydney Cricket Ground (crowd: 43,986)
Saturday, 18 April (1:15 pm) Gold Coast 17.17 (119) def. Essendon 17.8 (110) People First Stadium (crowd: 19,039)
Saturday, 18 April (4:15 pm) Hawthorn 13.11 (89) def. Port Adelaide 13.8 (86) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 37,070)
Saturday, 18 April (7:05 pm) Adelaide 15.13 (103) def. St Kilda 15.12 (102) Adelaide Oval (crowd: 45,854)
Sunday, 19 April (1:10 pm) North Melbourne 20.10 (130) def. Richmond 7.13 (55) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 36,584)
Sunday, 19 April (3:15 pm) Melbourne 16.8 (104) def. Brisbane Lions 15.12 (102) Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 41,629)
Sunday, 19 April (3:10 pm) West Coast 5.11 (41) def. by Fremantle 14.13 (97) Optus Stadium (crowd: 54,232)
  • Talor Byrne (Carlton) had a shot at goal after the final siren to draw the match against Collingwood, but kicked a behind.[53]
  • Due to nearby lightning, the start of the third quarter of the Sydney v Greater Western Sydney match was delayed by 40 minutes under the AFL's lightning protocols.[54]
  • The crowd of 43,986 for the Sydney v Greater Western Sydney match was the largest crowd for a home-and-away Sydney Derby and the largest between the two clubs at the Sydney Cricket Ground.[55]

Round 7

Round 7 (Anzac Appeal Round)
Thursday, 23 April (7:30 pm) Western Bulldogs 9.6 (60) def. by Sydney 18.18 (126) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 29,523)
Friday, 24 April (7:40 pm) Richmond 11.6 (72) def. by Melbourne 19.12 (126) Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 67,364)
Saturday, 25 April (12:30 pm) Hawthorn 16.16 (112) def. Gold Coast 9.9 (63) University of Tasmania Stadium (crowd: 8,263)
Saturday, 25 April (3:20 pm) Essendon 9.6 (60) def. by Collingwood 20.17 (137) Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 92,231)
Saturday, 25 April (6:05 pm) Port Adelaide 13.17 (95) def. Geelong 10.5 (65) Adelaide Oval (crowd: 41,164)
Saturday, 25 April (6:15 pm) Fremantle 16.7 (103) def. Carlton 13.11 (89) Optus Stadium (crowd: 54,100)
Sunday, 26 April (1:10 pm) St Kilda 22.11 (143) def. West Coast 5.12 (42) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 29,070)
Sunday, 26 April (3:15 pm) Brisbane Lions 19.13 (127) def. Adelaide 11.9 (75) The Gabba (crowd: 32,629)
Sunday, 26 April (4:40 pm) Greater Western Sydney 15.15 (105) def. North Melbourne 14.14 (98) Corroboree Group Oval (crowd: 12,597)
  • The Hawthorn v Gold Coast match was moved back from 12:15pm to 12:30pm after having mistakenly been scheduled in violation of Tasmanian law prohibiting sporting events from commencing before 12:30pm on Anzac Day; consequently, the Essendon v Collingwood match was moved back by five minutes to minimise overlap between the two matches.[56]
  • The crowd of 54,100 for the Fremantle v Carlton match was the largest crowd for a match between the two clubs.[57]

Round 8

Round 8
Thursday, 30 April (7:30 pm) Collingwood 15.3 (93) drew with Hawthorn 13.15 (93) Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 76,632)
Friday, 1 May (7:30 pm) Western Bulldogs 15.12 (102) def. by Fremantle 17.12 (114) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 23,071)
Friday, 1 May (7:40 pm) Adelaide 11.10 (76) def. Port Adelaide 11.9 (75) Adelaide Oval (crowd: 53,045)
Saturday, 2 May (12:35 pm) Essendon 11.13 (79) def. by Brisbane Lions 22.11 (143) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 31,595)
Saturday, 2 May (2:15 pm) West Coast 13.10 (88) def. by Richmond 15.9 (99) Optus Stadium (crowd: 46,350)
Saturday, 2 May (4:35 pm) Geelong 21.9 (135) def. North Melbourne 13.8 (86) GMHBA Stadium (crowd: 32,485)
Saturday, 2 May (7:35 pm) Carlton 9.15 (69) def. by St Kilda 16.12 (108) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 41,062)
Sunday, 3 May (3:15 pm) Sydney 19.17 (131) def. Melbourne 17.12 (114) Sydney Cricket Ground (crowd: 40,673)
Sunday, 3 May (7:20 pm) Gold Coast 11.17 (83) def. Greater Western Sydney 8.15 (63) People First Stadium (crowd: 13,537)
  • Dylan Moore (Hawthorn) kicked a goal after the final siren to draw the match against Collingwood.[58]
  • Richmond's win over West Coast ended a twelve-match losing streak.[59]

Round 9

Round 9
Thursday, 7 May (6:10 pm) Fremantle 12.16 (88) def. Hawthorn 11.7 (73) Optus Stadium (crowd: 54,140)
Friday, 8 May (7:30 pm) Brisbane Lions 14.16 (100) def. Carlton 13.11 (89) The Gabba (crowd: 31,147)
Friday, 8 May (7:40 pm) Port Adelaide 10.12 (72) def. by Western Bulldogs 10.14 (74) Adelaide Oval (crowd: 33,883)
Saturday, 9 May (12:35 pm) North Melbourne 14.13 (97) def. by Sydney 16.9 (105) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 28,156)
Saturday, 9 May (4:15 pm) Greater Western Sydney 16.7 (103) def. Essendon 13.11 (89) Engie Stadium (crowd: 9,416)
Saturday, 9 May (6:40 pm) Gold Coast 13.11 (89) def. St Kilda 8.12 (60) TIO Stadium (crowd: 10,672)
Saturday, 9 May (7:35 pm) Geelong 18.14 (122) def. Collingwood 9.14 (68) Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 83,166)
Sunday, 10 May (1:10 pm) Melbourne 15.9 (99) def. West Coast 9.13 (67) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 16,650)
Sunday, 10 May (3:15 pm) Richmond 9.7 (61) def. by Adelaide 14.14 (98) Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 22,123)
  • The crowd of 54,140 for the Fremantle v Hawthorn match was the largest crowd for a home-and-away match between the two clubs.[60]

Round 10

Round 10 (Sir Doug Nicholls Round week 1)
Thursday, 14 May (7:30 pm) Brisbane Lions 11.10 (76) def. by Geelong 17.15 (117) The Gabba (crowd: 29,221)
Friday, 15 May (7:30 pm) Sydney 11.15 (81) def. Collingwood 10.15 (75) Sydney Cricket Ground (crowd: 40,627)
Friday, 15 May (7:40 pm) Gold Coast 15.8 (98) def. Port Adelaide 10.13 (73) TIO Stadium (crowd: 11,974)
Saturday, 16 May (12:45 pm) Adelaide 20.13 (133) def. North Melbourne 9.11 (65) Adelaide Oval (crowd: 41,313)
Saturday, 16 May (4:15 pm) Melbourne 18.12 (120) def. Hawthorn 12.9 (81) Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 68,557)
Saturday, 16 May (7:35 pm) Carlton 10.14 (74) def. Western Bulldogs 9.8 (62) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 39,217)
Sunday, 17 May (1:10 pm) Essendon 8.13 (61) def. by Fremantle 16.8 (104) Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 25,100)
Sunday, 17 May (3:15 pm) St Kilda 16.13 (109) def. Richmond 11.7 (73) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 31,230)
Sunday, 17 May (4:15 pm) West Coast 13.10 (88) def. Greater Western Sydney 10.11 (71) Optus Stadium (crowd: 36,781)
  • The crowd of 68,557 for the Melbourne v Hawthorn match was the largest crowd for a home-and-away match between the two clubs.[61]
  • The crowd of 25,100 for the Essendon v Fremantle match was the lowest for a match involving Essendon at the Melbourne Cricket Ground since 1993, excluding matches with restricted crowds during the COVID-19-affected 2020 and 2021 seasons.[62]

Round 11

Round 11 (Sir Doug Nicholls Round week 2)
Thursday, 21 May (7:30 pm) Hawthorn 10.15 (75) def. Adelaide 9.12 (66) University of Tasmania Stadium (crowd: 8,312)
Friday, 22 May (7:45 pm) Richmond 10.14 (74) def. Essendon 7.14 (56) Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 78,815)
Friday, 22 May (6:30 pm) Fremantle 16.8 (104) def. St Kilda 11.8 (74) Optus Stadium (crowd: 53,707)
Saturday, 23 May (1:15 pm) North Melbourne 17.9 (111) def. Gold Coast 16.9 (105) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 16,260)
Saturday, 23 May (4:15 pm) Geelong 15.17 (107) def. Sydney 12.8 (80) GMHBA Stadium (crowd: 35,869)
Saturday, 23 May (4:35 pm) Collingwood 13.14 (92) def. West Coast 12.10 (82) Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 90,028)
Saturday, 23 May (7:05 pm) Port Adelaide 8.10 (58) def. by Carlton 13.14 (92) Adelaide Oval (crowd: 40,597)
Sunday, 24 May (12:30 pm) Greater Western Sydney 26.10 (166) def. Brisbane Lions 13.10 (88) Engie Stadium (crowd: 8,394)
Sunday, 24 May (3:15 pm) Western Bulldogs 14.9 (93) def. Melbourne 13.12 (90) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 29,708)
  • The crowd of 53,707 for the Fremantle v St Kilda match was the largest crowd for a match between the two clubs.[63]
  • Fremantle's win over St Kilda was its tenth consecutive win, a club record.[63]
  • North Melbourne trailed by 43 points in the second quarter of its match against Gold Coast and went on to win, recording its biggest comeback since 1947;[64] Cameron Zurhaar (North Melbourne) kicked the winning goal after the final siren.[65]
  • Scott Pendlebury (Collingwood) played his 433rd AFL match against West Coast, breaking the VFL/AFL games record held by Brent Harvey (North Melbourne);[66] the crowd of 90,028 for the match was the largest crowd for a home-and-away match involving a non-Victorian club.[67]
  • Greater Western Sydney scored 14.2 (86) in the third quarter of its match against the Brisbane Lions; this was the highest-scoring quarter in the club's history,[68] and the highest-scoring quarter against a reigning premier and highest-scoring third quarter in VFL/AFL history.[69]
  • Greater Western Sydney's final score of 26.10 (166) against the Brisbane Lions was its highest ever.[68]

Round 12

Round 12
Thursday, 28 May (7:30 pm) St Kilda 9.13 (67) def. by Hawthorn 18.11 (119) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 33,476)
Friday, 29 May (7:40 pm) Carlton 12.16 (88) def. Geelong 12.12 (84) Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 61,081)
Saturday, 30 May (1:15 pm) Sydney 25.20 (170) def. Richmond 8.8 (56) Sydney Cricket Ground (crowd: 38,013)
Saturday, 30 May (4:15 pm) Brisbane Lions 10.18 (78) def. by Fremantle 15.13 (103) The Gabba (crowd: 32,423)
Saturday, 30 May (7:35 pm) Western Bulldogs 14.13 (97) def. Collingwood 13.15 (93) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 43,430)
Sunday, 31 May (2:45 pm) Melbourne 9.16 (70) def. by Greater Western Sydney 19.5 (119) TIO Traeger Park (crowd: 6,374)
Sunday, 31 May (5:20 pm) West Coast 12.13 (85) def. Essendon 8.7 (55) Optus Stadium (crowd: 37,623)
Bye
  • St Kilda scored 0.5 (5) in the first half of its match against Hawthorn; this was its first goalless opening half since 1987 and its equal-lowest half-time score since 1957.[70]

Round 13

Round 13
Thursday, 4 June (7:00 pm) Adelaide 11.9 (75) def. Geelong 10.14 (74) Adelaide Oval (crowd: 42,340)
Friday, 5 June (7:40 pm) Hawthorn 9.17 (71) def. by Western Bulldogs 12.5 (77) Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 59,556)
Saturday, 6 June (12:15 pm) North Melbourne 4.7 (31) def. by Fremantle 24.11 (155) Hands Oval (crowd: 13,331)
Saturday, 6 June (5:15 pm) Gold Coast 11.9 (75) def. by Brisbane Lions 15.16 (106) People First Stadium (crowd: 21,139)
Saturday, 6 June (6:15 pm) West Coast 10.11 (71) def. by Port Adelaide 11.11 (77) Optus Stadium (crowd: 47,479)
Sunday, 7 June (3:15 pm) Sydney 15.14 (104) def. St Kilda 15.12 (102) Sydney Cricket Ground (crowd: 42,143)
Sunday, 7 June (7:20 pm) Essendon 10.7 (67) def. by Carlton 10.12 (72) Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 76,745)
Monday, 8 June (3:15 pm) Collingwood 11.9 (75) def. by Melbourne 12.11 (83) Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 88,019)
Bye
  • The crowd of 59,556 for the Hawthorn v Western Bulldogs match was the largest crowd for a home-and-away match between the two clubs.[71]
  • The margin of 124 points in the North Melbourne v Fremantle match was Fremantle's biggest ever win[72] and the biggest loss of North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson's coaching career.[73]
  • Fremantle kicked the last 19 goals in its win over North Melbourne, the longest unanswered sequence of goals in its history.[72]
  • The crowd of 21,139 for the Gold Coast v Brisbane Lions match was the largest crowd for a QClash at People First Stadium.[74]
  • The crowd of 88,019 for the Collingwood v Melbourne match was the largest crowd for a home-and-away match between the two clubs since 1958.[75]
  • Six matches in round 13 were decided by margins under ten points, the most in a home-and-away round in VFL/AFL history.[76]

Round 14

Round 14
Thursday, 11 June (7:30 pm) Western Bulldogs 9.10 (64) def. by Adelaide 19.7 (121) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 22,761)
Friday, 12 June (7:40 pm) Geelong 15.15 (105) def. Gold Coast 8.12 (60) GMHBA Stadium (crowd: 30,276)
Saturday, 13 June (1:15 pm) Melbourne 13.17 (95) def. Essendon 6.14 (50) Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 41,438)
Saturday, 13 June (2:15 pm) North Melbourne 10.14 (74) def. West Coast 10.13 (73) Optus Stadium (crowd: 42,409)
Saturday, 13 June (7:05 pm) Port Adelaide 13.12 (90) def. by Sydney 14.9 (93) Adelaide Oval (crowd: 31,350)
Sunday, 14 June (1:10 pm) Richmond 12.8 (80) def. by Brisbane Lions 17.13 (115) Ninja Stadium (crowd: 10,200)
Sunday, 14 June (3:15 pm) St Kilda 14.12 (96) def. Greater Western Sydney 13.10 (88) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 17,748)
Bye

Round 15

Round 15
Thursday, 18 June (6:10 pm) Fremantle 14.15 (99) def. Geelong 14.6 (90) Optus Stadium (crowd: 55,201) Report
Friday, 19 June (7:40 pm) Gold Coast 14.13 (97) def. by Hawthorn 17.11 (113) People First Stadium (crowd: 19,576) Report
Saturday, 20 June (12:45 pm) Adelaide 11.13 (79) def. Melbourne 9.8 (62) Adelaide Oval (crowd: 46,337) Report
Saturday, 20 June (4:15 pm) Greater Western Sydney 9.11 (65) def. by Carlton 12.16 (88) Engie Stadium (crowd: 13,709) Report
Saturday, 20 June (7:35 pm) Collingwood 11.12 (78) def. Port Adelaide 6.16 (52) Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 40,860) Report
Sunday, 21 June (1:10 pm) Richmond 6.12 (48) def. by North Melbourne 10.13 (73) Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 41,806) Report
Sunday, 21 June (3:15 pm) St Kilda 8.13 (61) def. by Western Bulldogs 12.11 (83) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 30,194) Report
Bye
  • The crowd of 55,201 for the Fremantle v Geelong match was Fremantle's largest home crowd for a home-and-away match outside of a Western Derby.[77]

Round 16

Round 16
Thursday, 25 June (7:30 pm) Brisbane Lions v Sydney The Gabba
Friday, 26 June (7:40 pm) Hawthorn v Greater Western Sydney Melbourne Cricket Ground
Saturday, 27 June (1:15 pm) Carlton v West Coast Marvel Stadium
Saturday, 27 June (4:15 pm) Collingwood v Richmond Melbourne Cricket Ground
Saturday, 27 June (7:05 pm) Port Adelaide v Adelaide Adelaide Oval
Sunday, 28 June (3:15 pm) North Melbourne v Essendon Marvel Stadium
Sunday, 28 June (3:10 pm) Fremantle v Gold Coast Optus Stadium
Bye

Round 17

Round 17
Thursday, 2 July (7:30 pm) Geelong v Brisbane Lions GMHBA Stadium
Friday, 3 July (7:40 pm) Sydney v Western Bulldogs Sydney Cricket Ground
Friday, 3 July (6:10 pm) West Coast v Adelaide Optus Stadium
Saturday, 4 July (1:15 pm) Hawthorn v Melbourne University of Tasmania Stadium
Saturday, 4 July (1:35 pm) Greater Western Sydney v Fremantle Corroboree Group Oval
Saturday, 4 July (4:15 pm) Gold Coast v Collingwood People First Stadium
Saturday, 4 July (7:35 pm) Richmond v Carlton Melbourne Cricket Ground
Sunday, 5 July (3:15 pm) Essendon v St Kilda Marvel Stadium
Sunday, 5 July (4:10 pm) Port Adelaide v North Melbourne Adelaide Oval

Round 18

Round 18
Thursday, 9 July (6:10 pm) Fremantle v Sydney Optus Stadium
Friday, 10 July (7:40 pm) Collingwood v North Melbourne Marvel Stadium
Saturday, 11 July (1:15 pm) St Kilda v Port Adelaide Marvel Stadium
Saturday, 11 July (4:15 pm) Greater Western Sydney v Geelong Engie Stadium
Saturday, 11 July (7:35 pm) Carlton v Hawthorn Melbourne Cricket Ground
Saturday, 11 July (7:40 pm) Adelaide v Gold Coast Adelaide Oval
Sunday, 12 July (1:10 pm) Western Bulldogs v West Coast Marvel Stadium
Sunday, 12 July (3:15 pm) Melbourne v Richmond Melbourne Cricket Ground
Sunday, 12 July (4:40 pm) Brisbane Lions v Essendon The Gabba

Round 19

Round 19
Thursday, 16 July (7:30 pm) Geelong v St Kilda GMHBA Stadium
Friday, 17 July (7:40 pm) Sydney v Adelaide Sydney Cricket Ground
Saturday, 18 July (12:45 pm) Port Adelaide v Fremantle Adelaide Oval
Saturday, 18 July (4:15 pm) North Melbourne v Melbourne Marvel Stadium
Saturday, 18 July (7:35 pm) Collingwood v Carlton Melbourne Cricket Ground
Saturday, 18 July (6:10 pm) West Coast v Brisbane Lions Optus Stadium
Sunday, 19 July (1:10 pm) Richmond v Hawthorn Melbourne Cricket Ground
Sunday, 19 July (3:15 pm) Gold Coast v Western Bulldogs People First Stadium
Sunday, 19 July (4:40 pm) Essendon v Greater Western Sydney Marvel Stadium

Round 20

Round 20
Thursday, 23 July (7:00 pm) Adelaide v Collingwood Adelaide Oval
Friday, 24 July (7:40 pm) Melbourne v Geelong Melbourne Cricket Ground
Friday, 24 July (6:10 pm) Fremantle v West Coast Optus Stadium
Saturday, 25 July (1:05 pm) Carlton v Gold Coast Marvel Stadium
Saturday, 25 July (4:15 pm) Hawthorn v Essendon Melbourne Cricket Ground
Saturday, 25 July (4:35 pm) Greater Western Sydney v Sydney Engie Stadium
Saturday, 25 July (7:40 pm) Western Bulldogs v Richmond Marvel Stadium
Sunday, 26 July (1:10 pm) Brisbane Lions v Port Adelaide The Gabba
Sunday, 26 July (3:15 pm) North Melbourne v St Kilda Marvel Stadium

Round 21

Round 21
Thursday, 30 July (7:30 pm) Collingwood v Geelong Melbourne Cricket Ground
Friday, 31 July (6:10 pm) Fremantle v Western Bulldogs Optus Stadium
Saturday, 1 August (1:05 pm) St Kilda v Sydney Marvel Stadium
Saturday, 1 August (1:35 pm) Hawthorn v North Melbourne University of Tasmania Stadium
Saturday, 1 August (6:05 pm) Port Adelaide v Greater Western Sydney Adelaide Oval
Saturday, 1 August (7:40 pm) Carlton v Brisbane Lions Marvel Stadium
Sunday, 2 August (1:10 pm) Richmond v West Coast Melbourne Cricket Ground
Sunday, 2 August (3:15 pm) Gold Coast v Melbourne People First Stadium
Sunday, 2 August (4:40 pm) Essendon v Adelaide Marvel Stadium

Round 22

Round 22
Thursday, 6 August (7:30 pm) Western Bulldogs v North Melbourne Marvel Stadium
Friday, 7 August (7:40 pm) Brisbane Lions v Hawthorn The Gabba
Saturday, 8 August (1:15 pm) Melbourne v Fremantle Melbourne Cricket Ground
Saturday, 8 August (4:15 pm) Sydney v Port Adelaide Sydney Cricket Ground
Saturday, 8 August (4:35 pm) Geelong v Essendon GMHBA Stadium
Saturday, 8 August (7:05 pm) Adelaide v Richmond Adelaide Oval
Sunday, 9 August (1:10 pm) Greater Western Sydney v Gold Coast Corroboree Group Oval
Sunday, 9 August (2:10 pm) West Coast v Collingwood Optus Stadium
Sunday, 9 August (7:20 pm) St Kilda v Carlton Marvel Stadium

Round 23

Round 23
Dates and times TBC Brisbane Lions v Gold Coast The Gabba
Essendon v Sydney Melbourne Cricket Ground
Fremantle v Adelaide Optus Stadium
Greater Western Sydney v West Coast Engie Stadium
Hawthorn v Collingwood Melbourne Cricket Ground
North Melbourne v Geelong Marvel Stadium
Port Adelaide v Melbourne Adelaide Oval
Richmond v St Kilda Melbourne Cricket Ground
Western Bulldogs v Carlton Marvel Stadium

Round 24

Round 24
Dates and times TBC Adelaide v Greater Western Sydney Adelaide Oval
Carlton v Fremantle Marvel Stadium
Collingwood v Brisbane Lions Melbourne Cricket Ground
Essendon v Port Adelaide Marvel Stadium
Geelong v Richmond GMHBA Stadium
Melbourne v Western Bulldogs Melbourne Cricket Ground
St Kilda v Gold Coast Marvel Stadium
Sydney v North Melbourne Sydney Cricket Ground
West Coast v Hawthorn Optus Stadium

Ladder

Updated to the end of round 15.

Pos Team Pld W L D PF PA PP Pts Qualification
1 Fremantle 14 13 1 0 1411 977 144.4 52 Finals series
2 Sydney 14 12 2 0 1578 1098 143.7 48
3 Hawthorn 14 9 4 1 1361 1199 113.5 38
4 Geelong 15 9 6 0 1490 1236 120.6 36
5 Adelaide 14 9 5 0 1257 1110 113.2 36
6 Melbourne 15 9 6 0 1430 1373 104.2 36
7 Western Bulldogs 15 9 6 0 1270 1369 92.8 36
8 Brisbane Lions 14 8 6 0 1425 1314 108.4 32
9 Gold Coast 14 7 7 0 1330 1263 105.3 28
10 North Melbourne 14 7 7 0 1215 1339 90.7 28
11 Collingwood 14 6 7 1 1147 1130 101.5 26
12 St Kilda 15 6 9 0 1334 1326 100.6 24
13 Greater Western Sydney 14 6 8 0 1280 1276 100.3 24
14 Carlton 14 6 8 0 1137 1248 91.1 24
15 Port Adelaide 14 4 10 0 1125 1140 98.7 16
16 West Coast 14 4 10 0 1023 1407 72.7 16
17 Richmond 14 2 12 0 915 1492 61.3 8
18 Essendon 14 1 13 0 1027 1458 70.4 4
Source: afl.com.au
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) percentage; 3) number of points for

Progression by round

Updated to the end of round 15.

4 Finished the round in first place 0 Finished the round in last place
4 Finished the round inside the top ten
41 Subscript indicates the ladder position at the end of the round
41 Underlined points indicate the team had a bye that round
Team O 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
Fremantle 0 013 45 83 124 162 202 242 282 322 362 401 441 481 481 521
Sydney 41 81 83 84 122 161 201 241 281 321 361 362 402 442 482 482
Hawthorn 08 46 84 85 126 163 203 243 263 263 266 304 343 343 345 383
Geelong 09 49 414 810 811 128 166 169 206 245 283 323 324 324 363 364
Adelaide 0 45 48 412 413 811 1210 1213 1611 208 248 247 248 288 326 365
Melbourne 0 47 411 88 127 129 168 204 207 247 285 286 286 325 364 366
Western Bulldogs 45 83 122 122 161 164 167 1610 1612 209 2010 249 287 326 328 367
Brisbane Lions 06 015 016 413 89 126 129 165 204 244 247 248 249 289 327 328
Gold Coast 42 82 121 121 123 125 164 167 205 246 284 285 285 287 289 289
North Melbourne 0 44 46 86 125 127 165 166 1610 1612 1612 2013 2013 2014 2412 2810
Collingwood 44 48 49 87 810 813 1211 168 188 1810 1811 2210 2211 2211 2213 2611
St Kilda 07 014 410 414 414 814 813 1212 169 1611 209 2011 2012 2012 2410 2412
Greater Western Sydney 43 410 413 415 416 812 814 1214 1214 1613 1613 2012 2410 2410 2411 2413
Carlton 010 411 415 416 415 416 416 416 416 416 816 1215 1614 2013 2014 2414
Port Adelaide 0 016 47 411 88 810 812 1211 1213 1214 1214 1214 1216 1615 1615 1615
West Coast 0 018 412 89 812 815 815 815 815 815 1215 1216 1615 1616 1616 1616
Richmond 0 012 017 018 018 018 018 018 418 418 418 817 817 817 817 817
Essendon 0 017 018 017 017 417 417 417 417 417 417 418 418 418 418 418

Source: AFL Tables

Home matches and membership

Updated to the end of round 15.

The following table includes all home match attendance figures from the home-and-away season, excluding neutral matches (Gather Round).

Team Home match attendance Membership
Hosted Total Highest Lowest Average 2025[78] 2026 Change
2025[79] 2026[80] Change
Adelaide 7 326,701 53,045 41,313 45,120 46,672 Increase 1,552 81,067
Brisbane Lions 6 191,674 34,648 29,221 30,598 31,946 Increase 1,348 75,115
Carlton 6 361,494 78,058 39,217 49,182 60,249 Increase 11,067 100,743
Collingwood 6 358,768 90,028 40,860 68,873 66,605 Decrease 2,268 112,491
Essendon 6 337,209 92,231 25,100 40,034 56,202 Increase 16,168 85,568
Fremantle 6 297,129 55,201 35,245 45,758 49,522 Increase 3,764 66,179
Geelong 7 264,114 83,166 20,403 35,439 37,731 Increase 2,292 92,379
Gold Coast 8 129,105 21,139 10,672 15,679 16,138 Increase 459 30,107
Greater Western Sydney 6 69,422 16,157 8,394 12,026 11,570 Decrease 456 37,705
Hawthorn 6 245,858 84,712 8,263 41,484 40,976 Decrease 508 87,204
Melbourne 7 243,512 68,557 6,374 36,805 34,787 Decrease 2,018 58,563
North Melbourne 7 205,978 45,919 13,332 25,266 29,425 Increase 4,159 56,283
Port Adelaide 6 216,797 41,164 31,350 35,556 36,133 Increase 577 72,656
Richmond 7 285,247 78,815 10,200 44,398 40,750 Decrease 3,648 92,531
St Kilda 7 256,100 82,528 17,748 31,644 36,586 Increase 4,942 65,509
Sydney 7 283,942 43,986 38,013 34,277 40,563 Increase 6,286 76,674
West Coast 7 320,271 54,232 36,781 42,576 45,753 Increase 3,177 107,079
Western Bulldogs 7 215,597 43,430 22,761 36,764 30,800 Decrease 4,625 65,584
Total/overall 119 4,649,778 92,231 6,374 37,306 39,074 Increase 1,768 1,363,437

Source: AFL Tables

Win–loss table

Updated to Collingwood v Port Adelaide (round 15).

The following table can be sorted from biggest winning margin to biggest losing margin for each round. If multiple matches in a round are decided by the same margin, these margins are sorted by percentage (i.e. the lowest-scoring winning team is ranked highest and the lowest-scoring losing team is ranked lowest).[d] Home matches are in bold, neutral matches (Gather Round) are underlined and opponents are listed above the margins.

+ Win Qualified for finals
Loss Eliminated
Draw
X
Bye
Team Home-and-away season Ladder Finals series
O 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 F1 F2 F3 F4 GF
Adelaide X COL
+14
WB
–6
GEE
–8
FRE
–2
CAR
+28
STK
+1
BL
–52
PA
+1
RIC
+37
NM
+68
HAW
–9
X GEE
+1
WB
+57
MEL
+17
PA WC GC SYD COL ESS RIC FRE GWS 5
(9–5–0)
Brisbane Lions WB
–5
SYD
–44
X STK
+33
COL
+54
NM
+26
MEL
–2
ADE
+52
ESS
+64
CAR
+11
GEE
–41
GWS
–78
FRE
–25
GC
+31
RIC
+35
X SYD GEE ESS WC PA CAR HAW GC COL 7
(8–6–0)
Carlton SYD
–63
RIC
+4
X MEL
–23
NM
–10
ADE
–28
COL
–5
FRE
–14
STK
–39
BL
–11
WB
+12
PA
+34
GEE
+4
ESS
+5
X GWS
+23
WC RIC HAW COL GC BL STK WB FRE 13
(6–8–0)
Collingwood STK
+12
ADE
–14
X GWS
+33
BL
–54
FRE
–6
CAR
+5
ESS
+77
HAW
0
GEE
–54
SYD
–6
WC
+10
WB
–4
MEL
–8
X PA
+26
RIC GC NM CAR ADE GEE WC HAW BL 10
(6–7–1)
Essendon X HAW
–62
PA
–63
NM
–12
WB
–34
MEL
+45
GC
–9
COL
–77
BL
–64
GWS
–14
FRE
–43
RIC
–18
WC
–30
CAR
–5
MEL
–45
X NM STK BL GWS HAW ADE GEE SYD PA 18
(1–13–0)
Fremantle X GEE
–10
MEL
+48
RIC
+60
ADE
+2
COL
+6
WC
+56
CAR
+14
WB
+12
HAW
+15
ESS
+43
STK
+30
BL
+25
NM
+124
X GEE
+9
GC GWS SYD PA WC WB MEL ADE CAR 1
(13–1–0)
Geelong GC
–56
FRE
+10
X ADE
+8
HAW
–1
WC
+46
WB
+75
PA
–30
NM
+49
COL
+54
BL
+41
SYD
+27
CAR
–4
ADE
–1
GC
+45
FRE
–9
X BL GWS STK MEL COL ESS NM RIC 4
(9–6–0)
Gold Coast GEE
+56
WC
+59
RIC
+68
X MEL
–20
SYD
–32
ESS
+9
HAW
–49
GWS
+20
STK
+29
PA
+25
NM
–6
X BL
–31
GEE
–45
HAW
–16
FRE COL ADE WB CAR MEL GWS BL STK 9
(7–7–0)
Greater Western Sydney HAW
+27
WB
–81
STK
–4
COL
–33
X RIC
+56
SYD
–41
NM
+7
GC
–20
ESS
+14
WC
–17
BL
+78
MEL
+49
X STK
–8
CAR
–23
HAW FRE GEE ESS SYD PA GC WC ADE 12
(6–8–0)
Hawthorn GWS
–27
ESS
+62
SYD
+17
X GEE
+1
WB
+40
PA
+3
GC
+49
COL
0
FRE
–15
MEL
–39
ADE
+9
STK
+52
WB
–6
X GC
+16
GWS MEL CAR RIC ESS NM BL COL WC 3
(9–4–1)
Melbourne X STK
+13
FRE
–48
CAR
+23
GC
+20
ESS
–45
BL
+2
RIC
+54
SYD
–17
WC
+32
HAW
+39
WB
–3
GWS
–49
COL
+8
ESS
+45
ADE
–17
X HAW RIC NM GEE GC FRE PA WB 6
(9–6–0)
North Melbourne X PA
+46
WC
–17
ESS
+12
CAR
+10
BL
–26
RIC
+75
GWS
–7
GEE
–49
SYD
–8
ADE
–68
GC
+6
X FRE
–124
WC
+1
RIC ESS PA COL MEL STK HAW WB GEE SYD 14
(6–7–0)
Port Adelaide X NM
–46
ESS
+63
WC
–2
RIC
+42
STK
–14
HAW
–3
GEE
+30
ADE
–1
WB
–2
GC
–25
CAR
–34
X WC
+6
SYD
–3
COL
–26
ADE NM STK FRE BL GWS SYD MEL ESS 15
(4–10–0)
Richmond X CAR
–4
GC
–68
FRE
–60
PA
–42
GWS
–56
NM
–75
MEL
–54
WC
+11
ADE
–37
STK
–36
ESS
+18
SYD
–114
X BL
–35
NM COL CAR MEL HAW WB WC ADE STK GEE 17
(2–11–0)
St Kilda COL
–12
MEL
–13
GWS
+4
BL
–33
X PA
+14
ADE
–1
WC
+101
CAR
+39
GC
–29
RIC
+36
FRE
–30
HAW
–52
SYD
–2
GWS
+8
WB X ESS PA GEE NM SYD CAR RIC GC 11
(6–8–0)
Sydney CAR
+63
BL
+44
HAW
–17
X WC
+128
GC
+32
GWS
+53
WB
+66
MEL
+17
NM
+8
COL
+6
GEE
–27
RIC
+114
STK
+2
PA
+3
X BL WB FRE ADE GWS STK PA ESS NM 2
(12–2–0)
West Coast X GC
–59
NM
+17
PA
+2
SYD
–128
GEE
–46
FRE
–56
STK
–101
RIC
–11
MEL
–32
GWS
+17
COL
–10
ESS
+30
PA
–6
NM
–1
X CAR ADE WB BL FRE RIC COL GWS HAW 16
(4–10–0)
Western Bulldogs BL
+5
GWS
+81
ADE
+6
X ESS
+34
HAW
–40
GEE
–75
SYD
–66
FRE
–12
PA
+2
CAR
–12
MEL
+3
COL
+4
HAW
+6
ADE
–57
STK X SYD WC GC RIC FRE NM CAR MEL 8
(8–6–0)

Source: AFL Tables

Season notes

  • In round 13, the AFL recorded a combined attendance of 390,752, the highest for an eight-match home-and-away round in VFL/AFL history; the round also saw a total television viewership of over 7.2 million, the highest viewership for a home-and-away round in VFL/AFL history despite only eight matches being played.[76]
  • Fremantle won 13 consecutive matches during the season, breaking West Coast's record of 12 in 1991 for the longest winning streak of the Western Australia-based AFL clubs.[81]

Milestones

Round Player/official Club Milestone
OR Isaac Heeney Sydney 300th AFL goal
Jesse Hogan Greater Western Sydney 400th AFL goal
Rory Lobb Western Bulldogs 200th AFL game
1 Blake Hardwick Hawthorn 200th AFL game
Daniel McStay Collingwood 200th AFL game
Darcy Fogarty Adelaide 200th AFL goal
Christian Salem Melbourne 200th AFL game
3 Jake Stringer Greater Western Sydney 400th AFL goal
Max Gawn Melbourne 250th AFL game
Tom McDonald Melbourne 250th AFL game
4 Tom Papley Sydney 200th AFL game
Aaron Naughton Western Bulldogs 300th AFL goal
5 Jake Melksham Melbourne 250th AFL game
6 Mark Blicavs Geelong 300th AFL game
Jake Kolodjashnij Geelong 200th AFL game
Karl Amon Hawthorn 200th AFL game
Josh Dunkley Brisbane Lions 200th AFL game
Lachie Neale Brisbane Lions 300th AFL game
Shai Bolton Fremantle 200th AFL goal
7 Bayley Fritsch Melbourne 300th AFL goal
8 Nick Larkey North Melbourne 300th AFL goal
Brodie Grundy Sydney 250th AFL game
9 Tom Stewart Geelong 200th AFL game
Daniel McStay Collingwood 200th AFL goal
10 Zac Bailey Brisbane Lions 200th AFL goal
11 Jayden Short Richmond 200th AFL game
Dan Houston Collingwood 200th AFL game
13 Jacob Mollison 400th AFL game umpired[82]
14 Harris Andrews Brisbane Lions 250th AFL game
Eric Hipwood Brisbane Lions 200th AFL game

Source: AFL Tables (players); other milestones sourced individually

Coach departures

Outgoing coach Club Manner of departure Date of departure Caretaker coach Incoming coach Date of appointment
Michael Voss Carlton Resigned 12 May 2026[83] Josh Fraser[84]
Brad Scott Essendon Dismissed with year-and-a-half remaining on contract 26 May 2026[85] Dean Solomon[86]

Leading goalkickers

Updated to end of round 14.

1 Led the goalkicking at the end of the round
11 Subscript indicates the player's goal tally to that point of the season
Did not play during that round
X Had a bye during that round
# Player Club Home-and-away season (Coleman Medal) Finals series Total Games Average
O 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 F1 F2 F3 F4 GF
1 Ben King Gold Coast 44 59 716 X16 319 221 324 226 228 432 133 134 X34 438 341 41 13 3.15
2 Jeremy Cameron Geelong 0 33 X3 03 14 37 1017 320 323 124 327 330 434 034 337 37 13 2.85
3 Charlie Curnow Sydney 33 03 25 X5 49 09 312 719 120 121 X21 223 831 233 336 36 13 2.77
4 Jack Gunston Hawthorn 44 59 413 X13 316 319 19 524 024 630 30 30 535 35 X35 35 9 3.89
Logan Morris Brisbane Lions 33 3 X3 25 38 08 311 213 417 421 223 124 125 732 335 35 13 2.69
6 Nick Watson Hawthorn 22 46 17 X7 310 111 516 218 220 323 326 228 230 333 X33 33 13 2.54
7 Jye Amiss Fremantle X0 11 01 23 47 29 514 317 017 320 222 426 430 232 X32 32 13 2.46
Aaron Naughton Western Bulldogs 22 68 311 X11 314 115 318 119 221 223 326 228 129 130 232 32 14 2.29
Josh Treacy Fremantle X0 22 46 410 212 012 113 316 319 221 223 225 328 432 X32 32 13 2.46
10 Jake Waterman West Coast X0 33 14 48 19 110 111 112 315 318 321 122 325 328 331 31 14 2.21

Source: AFL Tables

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Consistent with the rule used in the AFL Women's (AFLW) and South Australian National Football League (SANFL)
  2. ^ Consistent with the rule used in the AFLW
  3. ^ Announcement of succession plan
  4. ^ In the case of round 13, in which two matches produced the same final scores, the winners of those matches are sorted alphabetically.

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