1996 AFL season#Qualifying Finals
{{Short description|100th season of the Australian Football League (AFL)}}
{{for|the 1996 season of the Arena Football League|1996 Arena Football League season}}
{{Use Australian English|date=December 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{Infobox Australian rules football season|competition=afl|year=1996|image=AFL1996logo.webp|imagesize=250px|caption=AFL Centenary logo|teams=16|premiers={{AFL NM}}|count=3|minor premiers={{AFL Syd}}|mpcount=7|pre-season cup={{AFL StK}}|pscount=1|matches=185|attendance=5694921|highattend=93,102 (Grand Final, {{AFL NM}} vs. {{AFL Syd}})|top goal scorer=Tony Lockett ({{AFL Syd}})|brownlow medal=James Hird ({{AFL Ess}})
Michael Voss ({{AFL BB}})|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, comprising a 22-game home-and-away season followed by a finals series.
{{AFL NM}} won the premiership for the third time, after it defeated {{AFL Syd}} by 43 points in the 1996 AFL Grand Final.
The season was notable as the final for {{AFL Fit}}, a founding member of the VFL/AFL in 1897, as well as for several celebrations of the league's centenary throughout the year.
Pre-season
=AFL Draft=
{{main|1996 AFL Draft}}
=Lightning Premiership=
{{main|1996 AFL Lightning Premiership}}
In the 1996 AFL Lightning Premiership final, {{AFL Ess}} defeated the {{AFL BB}} 6.2 (38) to 2.9 (21) at Waverley Park.
=Ansett Australia Cup=
{{main|1996 Ansett Australia Cup}}
In the 1996 Ansett Australia Cup final, {{AFL StK}} defeated {{AFL Car}} 20.10 (130) to 10.12 (72) at Waverley Park.
Home-and-away season
=Round 1=
{{s-start}}
|- bgcolor="#CCCCFF"
| Home team
| Score
| Away team
| Score
| Venue
| Attendance
| Date
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Mel}}
| 8.8 (56)
| {{AFL Gee}}
| 27.21 (183)
| MCG
| 46,832
| Friday, 29 March
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Ric}}
| 15.14 (104)
| {{AFL Ess}}
| 19.8 (122)
| MCG
| 52,271
| Saturday, 30 March
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL StK}}
| 12.13 (85)
| {{AFL NM}}
| 15.19 (109)
| 23,434
| Saturday, 30 March
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Fit}}
| 11.5 (71)
| {{AFL Haw}}
| 13.14 (92)
| 10,239
| Saturday, 30 March
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL BB}}
| 21.15 (141)
| {{AFL Foo}}
| 7.12 (54)
| Gabba
| 14,222
| Saturday, 30 March
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Car}}
| 16.13 (109)
| {{AFL Col}}
| 12.15 (87)
| MCG
| 70,152
| Sunday, 31 March
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Fre}}
| 6.9 (45)
| {{AFL WC}}
| 9.13 (67)
| 33,041
| Sunday, 31 March
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Ade}}
| 20.10 (130)
| {{AFL Syd}}
| 6.4 (40)
| 40,665
| Sunday, 31 March
{{s-end}}
=Round 2=
{{s-start}}
|- bgcolor="#CCCCFF"
| Home team
| Score
| Away team
| Score
| Venue
| Attendance
| Date
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL NM}}
| 26.12 (168)
| {{AFL Foo}}
| 5.7 (37)
| MCG
| 30,873
| Saturday, 6 April
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Gee}}
| 26.8 (164)
| {{AFL StK}}
| 20.14 (134)
| 25,950
| Saturday, 6 April
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Haw}}
| 6.15 (51)
| {{AFL Ric}}
| 14.14 (98)
| 38,263
| Saturday, 6 April
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Fit}}
| 15.11 (101)
| {{AFL Ade}}
| 21.7 (133)
| 8,685
| Saturday, 6 April
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL WC}}
| 11.11 (77)
| {{AFL BB}}
| 16.7 (103)
| WACA
| 29,213
| Saturday, 6 April
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Ess}}
| 10.12 (72)
| {{AFL Car}}
| 15.11 (101)
| MCG
| 62,207
| Sunday, 7 April
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Syd}}
| 9.17 (71)
| {{AFL Fre}}
| 13.22 (100)
| SCG
| 10,965
| Sunday, 7 April
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Col}}
| 27.11 (173)
| {{AFL Mel}}
| 11.13 (79)
| MCG
| 53,268
| Monday, 8 April
{{s-end}}
=Round 3=
{{s-start}}
|- bgcolor="#CCCCFF"
| Home team
| Score
| Away team
| Score
| Venue
| Attendance
| Date
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Ade}}
| 21.16 (142)
| {{AFL Gee}}
| 12.6 (78)
| 43,766
| Friday, 12 April
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Foo}}
| 17.19 (121)
| {{AFL Fit}}
| 10.10 (70)
| 14,345
| Saturday, 13 April
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Haw}}
| 12.8 (80)
| {{AFL NM}}
| 22.21 (153)
| 20,331
| Saturday, 13 April
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL BB}}
| 13.12 (90)
| {{AFL Ric}}
| 15.18 (108)
| Gabba
| 20,635
| Saturday, 13 April
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Syd}}
| 15.17 (107)
| {{AFL Col}}
| 10.13 (73)
| SCG
| 17,674
| Sunday, 14 April
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Fre}}
| 15.12 (102)
| {{AFL Car}}
| 6.13 (49)
| 22,652
| Sunday, 14 April
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Ess}}
| 16.13 (109)
| {{AFL WC}}
| 6.14 (50)
| 20,852
| Sunday, 14 April
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Mel}}
| 14.14 (98)
| {{AFL StK}}
| 13.10 (88)
| 11,881
| Sunday, 14 April
{{s-end}}
=Round 4=
{{s-start}}
|- bgcolor="#CCCCFF"
| Home team
| Score
| Away team
| Score
| Venue
| Attendance
| Date
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL BB}}
| 18.17 (125)
| {{AFL NM}}
| 14.11 (95)
| Gabba
| 17,469
| Friday, 19 April
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Car}}
| 21.7 (133)
| {{AFL Mel}}
| 12.14 (86)
| 19,051
| Saturday, 20 April
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Col}}
| 14.14 (98)
| {{AFL Fre}}
| 8.13 (61)
| 23,170
| Saturday, 20 April
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL StK}}
| 24.16 (160)
| {{AFL Fit}}
| 11.9 (75)
| 17,625
| Saturday, 20 April
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Foo}}
| 8.9 (57)
| {{AFL Haw}}
| 8.9 (57)
| 16,804
| Saturday, 20 April
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Ade}}
| 23.23 (161)
| {{AFL Ess}}
| 9.11 (65)
| 45,266
| Saturday, 20 April
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Ric}}
| 9.16 (70)
| {{AFL Syd}}
| 10.11 (71)
| 33,847
| Sunday, 21 April
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL WC}}
| 12.16 (88)
| {{AFL Gee}}
| 16.10 (106)
| 30,837
| Sunday, 21 April
{{s-end}}
=Round 5=
{{s-start}}
|- bgcolor="#CCCCFF"
| Home team
| Score
| Away team
| Score
| Venue
| Attendance
| Date
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Ess}}
| 16.9 (105)
| {{AFL Col}}
| 17.15 (117)
| MCG
| 87,549
| Thursday, 25 April
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Fre}}
| 13.18 (96)
| {{AFL Mel}}
| 8.11 (59)
| WACA
| 26,618
| Friday, 26 April
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Car}}
| 12.14 (86)
| {{AFL WC}}
| 12.13 (85)
| 19,927
| Saturday, 27 April
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Gee}}
| 13.13 (91)
| {{AFL Ric}}
| 12.16 (88)
| 26,016
| Saturday, 27 April
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL NM}}
| 23.14 (152)
| {{AFL Ade}}
| 17.11 (113)
| MCG
| 32,215
| Saturday, 27 April
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Syd}}
| 13.10 (88)
| {{AFL Haw}}
| 11.10 (76)
| SCG
| 20,227
| Saturday, 27 April
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL BB}}
| 24.14 (158)
| {{AFL Fit}}
| 6.13 (49)
| Gabba
| 14,495
| Sunday, 28 April
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL StK}}
| 16.20 (116)
| {{AFL Foo}}
| 13.12 (90)
| 27,094
| Sunday, 28 April
{{s-end}}
=Round 6=
{{s-start}}
|- bgcolor="#CCCCFF"
| Home team
| Score
| Away team
| Score
| Venue
| Attendance
| Date
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Syd}}
| 14.6 (90)
| {{AFL Ess}}
| 12.18 (90)
| SCG
| 22,088
| Friday, 3 May
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Gee}}
| 13.15 (93)
| {{AFL NM}}
| 15.14 (104)
| MCG
| 50,074
| Friday, 3 May
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Col}}
| 23.14 (152)
| {{AFL Ade}}
| 12.8 (80)
| 26,459
| Saturday, 4 May
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Mel}}
| 7.8 (50)
| {{AFL WC}}
| 24.12 (156)
| 8,747
| Saturday, 4 May
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Fit}}
| 9.8 (62)
| {{AFL Ric}}
| 23.16 (154)
| 13,497
| Saturday, 4 May
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Haw}}
| 9.11 (65)
| {{AFL StK}}
| 13.8 (86)
| 30,225
| Saturday, 4 May
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Foo}}
| 9.10 (64)
| {{AFL Car}}
| 12.8 (80)
| MCG
| 31,024
| Sunday, 5 May
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Fre}}
| 12.13 (85)
| {{AFL BB}}
| 17.8 (110)
| 24,591
| Sunday, 5 May
{{s-end}}
=Round 7=
{{s-start}}
|- bgcolor="#CCCCFF"
| Home team
| Score
| Away team
| Score
| Venue
| Attendance
| Date
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Ess}}
| 22.11 (143)
| {{AFL Gee}}
| 17.12 (114)
| MCG
| 75,632
| Wednesday, 8 May
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Col}}
| 14.11 (95)
| {{AFL StK}}
| 18.10 (118)
| MCG
| 71,663
| Friday, 10 May
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Car}}
| 18.17 (125)
| {{AFL Fit}}
| 8.14 (62)
| 16,176
| Saturday, 11 May
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Mel}}
| 5.8 (38)
| {{AFL Syd}}
| 12.10 (82)
| MCG
| 23,660
| Saturday, 11 May
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL BB}}
| 15.14 (104)
| {{AFL Haw}}
| 5.11 (41)
| Gabba
| 20,053
| Saturday, 11 May
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Ric}}
| 17.11 (113)
| {{AFL Foo}}
| 9.8 (62)
| MCG
| 25,691
| Sunday, 12 May
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL WC}}
| 19.11 (125)
| {{AFL NM}}
| 7.16 (58)
| 32,312
| Sunday, 12 May
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Ade}}
| 20.12 (132)
| {{AFL Fre}}
| 5.6 (36)
| 40,386
| Sunday, 12 May
{{s-end}}
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=
{{s-start}}
|- bgcolor="#CCCCFF"
| Home team
| Score
| Away team
| Score
| Venue
| Attendance
| Date
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL BB}}
| 15.18 (108)
| {{AFL Col}}
| 14.14 (98)
| Gabba
| 21,644
| Friday, 17 May
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Car}}
| 12.14 (86)
| {{AFL Gee}}
| 15.8 (98)
| MCG
| 67,931
| Friday, 17 May
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Haw}}
| 19.8 (122)
| {{AFL Mel}}
| 10.11 (71)
| 20,527
| Saturday, 18 May
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Fit}}
| 16.11 (107)
| {{AFL Fre}}
| 10.16 (76)
| 5,083
| Saturday, 18 May
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL NM}}
| 20.24 (144)
| {{AFL Ric}}
| 14.5 (89)
| MCG
| 49,939
| Saturday, 18 May
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL WC}}
| 14.16 (100)
| {{AFL Syd}}
| 9.10 (64)
| WACA
| 31,411
| Saturday, 18 May
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Ade}}
| 13.19 (97)
| {{AFL StK}}
| 11.7 (73)
| 43,370
| Sunday, 19 May
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Foo}}
| 13.6 (84)
| {{AFL Ess}}
| 23.13 (151)
| MCG
| 36,766
| Sunday, 19 May
{{s-end}}
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=
{{s-start}}
|- bgcolor="#CCCCFF"
| Home team
| Score
| Away team
| Score
| Venue
| Attendance
| Date
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL NM}}
| 25.20 (170)
| {{AFL Fit}}
| 9.11 (65)
| MCG
| 19,964
| Friday, 24 May
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Ess}}
| 11.23 (89)
| {{AFL Mel}}
| 12.5 (77)
| MCG
| 37,288
| Saturday, 25 May
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Foo}}
| 18.11 (119)
| {{AFL Ade}}
| 11.13 (79)
| 11,140
| Saturday, 25 May
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Haw}}
| 8.8 (56)
| {{AFL WC}}
| 14.6 (90)
| 14,286
| Saturday, 25 May
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Syd}}
| 21.6 (132)
| {{AFL BB}}
| 10.14 (74)
| SCG
| 26,537
| Sunday, 26 May
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Fre}}
| 17.18 (120)
| {{AFL Ric}}
| 10.6 (66)
| 20,934
| Sunday, 26 May
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL StK}}
| 9.15 (69)
| {{AFL Car}}
| 13.13 (91)
| 41,023
| Sunday, 26 May
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Col}}
| 11.10 (76)
| {{AFL Gee}}
| 21.13 (139)
| MCG
| 56,609
| Monday, 27 May
{{s-end}}
=Round 10=
{{s-start}}
|- bgcolor="#CCCCFF"
| Home team
| Score
| Away team
| Score
| Venue
| Attendance
| Date
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Foo}}
| 10.9 (69)
| {{AFL NM}}
| 12.17 (89)
| MCG
| 22,416
| Friday, 7 June
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Car}}
| 15.11 (101)
| {{AFL Ric}}
| 13.12 (90)
| MCG
| 59,062
| Saturday, 8 June
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Gee}}
| 14.14 (98)
| {{AFL BB}}
| 15.8 (98)
| 24,800
| Saturday, 8 June
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Fit}}
| 10.7 (67)
| {{AFL Syd}}
| 21.11 (137)
| 9,701
| Saturday, 8 June
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL StK}}
| 9.13 (67)
| {{AFL Ess}}
| 13.11 (89)
| 43,925
| Saturday, 8 June
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Fre}}
| 7.11 (53)
| {{AFL Haw}}
| 17.8 (110)
| 19,350
| Sunday, 9 June
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Ade}}
| 11.10 (76)
| {{AFL WC}}
| 19.16 (130)
| 43,398
| Sunday, 9 June
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Mel}}
| 17.12 (114)
| {{AFL Col}}
| 10.16 (76)
| MCG
| 48,302
| Monday, 10 June
{{s-end}}
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=
{{s-start}}
|- bgcolor="#CCCCFF"
| Home team
| Score
| Away team
| Score
| Venue
| Attendance
| Date
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Gee}}
| 20.9 (129)
| {{AFL Foo}}
| 12.13 (85)
| 21,516
| Saturday, 15 June
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Haw}}
| 16.12 (108)
| {{AFL Ade}}
| 14.15 (99)
| 16,652
| Saturday, 15 June
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL NM}}
| 10.13 (73)
| {{AFL Syd}}
| 24.8 (152)
| 18,644
| Saturday, 15 June
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Ric}}
| 21.13 (139)
| {{AFL StK}}
| 15.15 (105)
| MCG
| 39,029
| Saturday, 15 June
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL BB}}
| 5.8 (38)
| {{AFL Car}}
| 9.8 (62)
| Gabba
| 20,225
| Saturday, 15 June
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL WC}}
| 16.19 (115)
| {{AFL Col}}
| 9.8 (62)
| 34,832
| Sunday, 16 June
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Ess}}
| 13.12 (90)
| {{AFL Fre}}
| 12.17 (89)
| MCG
| 31,383
| Sunday, 16 June
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Fit}}
| 8.8 (56)
| {{AFL Mel}}
| 18.11 (119)
| 10,836
| Sunday, 16 June
{{s-end}}
=Round 12=
{{s-start}}
|- bgcolor="#CCCCFF"
| Home team
| Score
| Away team
| Score
| Venue
| Attendance
| Date
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Ric}}
| 19.14 (128)
| {{AFL Ade}}
| 13.4 (82)
| MCG
| 39,044
| Friday, 21 June
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Col}}
| 14.11 (95)
| {{AFL Car}}
| 17.14 (116)
| MCG
| 61,448
| Saturday, 22 June
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Gee}}
| 17.10 (112)
| {{AFL Fre}}
| 13.15 (93)
| 22,116
| Saturday, 22 June
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Haw}}
| 17.12 (114)
| {{AFL Fit}}
| 12.11 (83)
| 16,217
| Saturday, 22 June
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL BB}}
| 18.15 (123)
| {{AFL Mel}}
| 6.10 (46)
| Gabba
| 14,871
| Saturday, 22 June
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Syd}}
| 18.15 (123)
| {{AFL Foo}}
| 11.11 (77)
| SCG
| 22,689
| Sunday, 23 June
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL NM}}
| 16.11 (107)
| {{AFL Ess}}
| 14.11 (95)
| MCG
| 39,515
| Sunday, 23 June
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL WC}}
| 22.9 (141)
| {{AFL StK}}
| 17.6 (108)
| 29,434
| Sunday, 23 June
{{s-end}}
=Round 13=
{{s-start}}
|- bgcolor="#CCCCFF"
| Home team
| Score
| Away team
| Score
| Venue
| Attendance
| Date
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Col}}
| 10.9 (69)
| {{AFL Ric}}
| 14.8 (92)
| MCG
| 69,072
| Friday, 28 June
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Car}}
| 13.13 (91)
| {{AFL Syd}}
| 15.12 (102)
| 20,030
| Saturday, 29 June
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Fit}}
| 6.3 (39)
| {{AFL Gee}}
| 25.16 (166)
| 10,504
| Saturday, 29 June
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL StK}}
| 14.12 (96)
| {{AFL BB}}
| 7.8 (50)
| 13,824
| Saturday, 29 June
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Ess}}
| 18.13 (121)
| {{AFL Haw}}
| 15.10 (100)
| MCG
| 43,481
| Saturday, 29 June
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Fre}}
| 8.10 (58)
| {{AFL NM}}
| 9.20 (74)
| WACA
| 19,360
| Saturday, 29 June
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Ade}}
| 10.12 (72)
| {{AFL Mel}}
| 19.9 (123)
| 37,557
| Sunday, 30 June
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Foo}}
| 9.5 (59)
| {{AFL WC}}
| 11.5 (71)
| 11,184
| Sunday, 30 June
{{s-end}}
=Round 14=
{{s-start}}
|- bgcolor="#CCCCFF"
| Home team
| Score
| Away team
| Score
| Venue
| Attendance
| Date
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL NM}}
| 21.18 (144)
| {{AFL Car}}
| 13.11 (89)
| MCG
| 68,537
| Friday, 5 July
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Haw}}
| 17.12 (114)
| {{AFL Col}}
| 11.15 (81)
| 30,886
| Saturday, 6 July
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Fit}}
| 7.10 (52)
| {{AFL Ess}}
| 17.16 (118)
| 12,748
| Saturday, 6 July
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Ric}}
| 7.9 (51)
| {{AFL WC}}
| 10.8 (68)
| MCG
| 37,482
| Saturday, 6 July
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Ade}}
| 15.12 (102)
| {{AFL BB}}
| 14.10 (94)
| 34,183
| Saturday, 6 July
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Syd}}
| 18.17 (125)
| {{AFL Gee}}
| 11.8 (74)
| SCG
| 44,047
| Sunday, 7 July
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Mel}}
| 14.10 (94)
| {{AFL Foo}}
| 10.7 (67)
| MCG
| 22,852
| Sunday, 7 July
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Fre}}
| 11.11 (77)
| {{AFL StK}}
| 15.10 (100)
| 17,697
| Sunday, 7 July
{{s-end}}
=Round 15=
{{s-start}}
|- bgcolor="#CCCCFF"
| Home team
| Score
| Away team
| Score
| Venue
| Attendance
| Date
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL WC}}
| 20.11 (131)
| {{AFL Fit}}
| 9.9 (63)
| WACA
| 22,044
| Friday, 12 July
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Car}}
| 19.17 (131)
| {{AFL Ade}}
| 9.10 (64)
| 20,102
| Saturday, 13 July
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Col}}
| 22.12 (144)
| {{AFL NM}}
| 12.11 (83)
| MCG
| 34,514
| Saturday, 13 July
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Gee}}
| 10.12 (72)
| {{AFL Haw}}
| 11.8 (74)
| 22,207
| Saturday, 13 July
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL StK}}
| 11.13 (79)
| {{AFL Syd}}
| 14.12 (96)
| 34,337
| Saturday, 13 July
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL BB}}
| 15.13 (103)
| {{AFL Ess}}
| 10.8 (68)
| Gabba
| 20,378
| Sunday, 14 July
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Mel}}
| 12.9 (81)
| {{AFL Ric}}
| 18.19 (127)
| MCG
| 41,380
| Sunday, 14 July
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Foo}}
| 18.9 (117)
| {{AFL Fre}}
| 15.9 (99)
| 8,674
| Sunday, 14 July
{{s-end}}
=Round 16=
{{s-start}}
|- bgcolor="#CCCCFF"
| Home team
| Score
| Away team
| Score
| Venue
| Attendance
| Date
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL NM}}
| 17.16 (118)
| {{AFL StK}}
| 4.5 (29)
| MCG
| 24,778
| Friday, 19 July
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Ess}}
| 15.18 (108)
| {{AFL Ric}}
| 13.10 (88)
| MCG
| 58,768
| Saturday, 20 July
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Foo}}
| 3.4 (22)
| {{AFL BB}}
| 4.12 (36)
| 9,994
| Saturday, 20 July
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Gee}}
| 13.10 (88)
| {{AFL Mel}}
| 4.6 (30)
| 17,538
| Saturday, 20 July
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Haw}}
| 15.8 (98)
| {{AFL Car}}
| 7.7 (49)
| 28,670
| Saturday, 20 July
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Syd}}
| 16.14 (110)
| {{AFL Ade}}
| 12.16 (88)
| SCG
| 29,174
| Sunday, 21 July
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL WC}}
| 12.10 (82)
| {{AFL Fre}}
| 7.6 (48)
| 35,406
| Sunday, 21 July
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Col}}
| 17.14 (116)
| {{AFL Fit}}
| 10.16 (76)
| 23,567
| Sunday, 21 July
{{s-end}}
=Round 17=
{{s-start}}
|- bgcolor="#CCCCFF"
| Home team
| Score
| Away team
| Score
| Venue
| Attendance
| Date
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Mel}}
| 11.4 (70)
| {{AFL NM}}
| 28.15 (183)
| MCG
| 20,955
| Friday, 26 July
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Car}}
| 13.13 (91)
| {{AFL Ess}}
| 11.16 (82)
| MCG
| 65,420
| Saturday, 27 July
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL StK}}
| 14.16 (100)
| {{AFL Gee}}
| 11.10 (76)
| 24,289
| Saturday, 27 July
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Ric}}
| 17.12 (114)
| {{AFL Haw}}
| 11.7 (73)
| 19,081
| Saturday, 27 July
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL BB}}
| 25.13 (163)
| {{AFL WC}}
| 17.14 (116)
| Gabba
| 15,772
| Saturday, 27 July
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Foo}}
| 16.12 (108)
| {{AFL Col}}
| 17.12 (114)
| MCG
| 28,776
| Sunday, 28 July
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Fre}}
| 15.14 (104)
| {{AFL Syd}}
| 12.6 (78)
| 17,513
| Sunday, 28 July
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Ade}}
| 26.10 (166)
| {{AFL Fit}}
| 9.13 (67)
| 31,880
| Sunday, 28 July
{{s-end}}
=Round 18=
{{s-start}}
|- bgcolor="#CCCCFF"
| Home team
| Score
| Away team
| Score
| Venue
| Attendance
| Date
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL NM}}
| 19.16 (130)
| {{AFL Haw}}
| 15.9 (99)
| MCG
| 28,555
| Friday, 2 August
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Car}}
| 23.7 (145)
| {{AFL Fre}}
| 11.18 (84)
| 15,277
| Saturday, 3 August
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL StK}}
| 13.10 (88)
| {{AFL Col}}
| 11.12 (78)
| 30,065
| Saturday, 3 August
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Gee}}
| 15.14 (104)
| {{AFL Ade}}
| 10.9 (69)
| 17,818
| Saturday, 3 August
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Syd}}
| 17.13 (115)
| {{AFL Mel}}
| 6.16 (52)
| SCG
| 18,850
| Sunday, 4 August
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL WC}}
| 14.15 (99)
| {{AFL Ess}}
| 14.9 (93)
| 37,669
| Sunday, 4 August
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Fit}}
| 6.9 (45)
| {{AFL Foo}}
| 8.12 (60)
| 8,757
| Sunday, 4 August
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Ric}}
| 7.11 (53)
| {{AFL BB}}
| 9.16 (70)
| 17,157
| Sunday, 4 August
{{s-end}}
=Round 19=
{{s-start}}
|- bgcolor="#CCCCFF"
| Home team
| Score
| Away team
| Score
| Venue
| Attendance
| Date
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Fre}}
| 15.16 (106)
| {{AFL Col}}
| 11.16 (82)
| WACA
| 22,874
| Friday, 9 August
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Mel}}
| 20.9 (129)
| {{AFL Car}}
| 17.8 (110)
| MCG
| 30,166
| Saturday, 10 August
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Ess}}
| 21.17 (143)
| {{AFL Ade}}
| 16.11 (107)
| 15,794
| Saturday, 10 August
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Gee}}
| 18.19 (127)
| {{AFL WC}}
| 12.10 (82)
| 21,081
| Saturday, 10 August
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Fit}}
| 5.5 (35)
| {{AFL StK}}
| 13.10 (88)
| 7,781
| Saturday, 10 August
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Haw}}
| 20.12 (132)
| {{AFL Foo}}
| 10.5 (65)
| 14,914
| Saturday, 10 August
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Syd}}
| 20.10 (130)
| {{AFL Ric}}
| 12.10 (82)
| SCG
| 28,541
| Sunday, 11 August
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL NM}}
| 8.11 (59)
| {{AFL BB}}
| 11.11 (77)
| 15,453
| Sunday, 11 August
{{s-end}}
=Round 20=
{{s-start}}
|- bgcolor="#CCCCFF"
| Home team
| Score
| Away team
| Score
| Venue
| Attendance
| Date
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Mel}}
| 13.14 (92)
| {{AFL Fre}}
| 10.11 (71)
| MCG
| 15,494
| Friday, 16 August
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Ric}}
| 19.18 (132)
| {{AFL Gee}}
| 9.13 (67)
| MCG
| 50,633
| Saturday, 17 August
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Haw}}
| 7.7 (49)
| {{AFL Syd}}
| 9.18 (72)
| 28,897
| Saturday, 17 August
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Fit}}
| 14.16 (100)
| {{AFL BB}}
| 29.13 (187)
| 6,469
| Saturday, 17 August
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Ade}}
| 10.10 (70)
| {{AFL NM}}
| 10.16 (76)
| 33,030
| Saturday, 17 August
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Foo}}
| 14.11 (95)
| {{AFL StK}}
| 8.9 (57)
| 7,677
| Sunday, 18 August
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Col}}
| 9.10 (64)
| {{AFL Ess}}
| 11.11 (77)
| MCG
| 51,057
| Sunday, 18 August
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL WC}}
| 19.13 (127)
| {{AFL Car}}
| 10.8 (68)
| 40,085
| Sunday, 18 August
{{s-end}}
=Round 21=
{{s-start}}
|- bgcolor="#CCCCFF"
| Home team
| Score
| Away team
| Score
| Venue
| Attendance
| Date
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL NM}}
| 14.12 (96)
| {{AFL Gee}}
| 16.13 (109)
| MCG
| 52,426
| Friday, 23 August
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Car}}
| 13.18 (96)
| {{AFL Foo}}
| 9.12 (66)
| 21,674
| Saturday, 24 August
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Ess}}
| 14.16 (100)
| {{AFL Syd}}
| 12.10 (82)
| MCG
| 69,237
| Saturday, 24 August
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL StK}}
| 9.9 (63)
| {{AFL Haw}}
| 12.8 (80)
| 28,118
| Saturday, 24 August
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL BB}}
| 10.11 (71)
| {{AFL Fre}}
| 10.10 (70)
| Gabba
| 19,204
| Saturday, 24 August
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Ric}}
| 28.19 (187)
| {{AFL Fit}}
| 5.6 (36)
| MCG
| 48,884
| Sunday, 25 August
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL WC}}
| 24.7 (151)
| {{AFL Mel}}
| 11.12 (78)
| 33,689
| Sunday, 25 August
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Ade}}
| 14.12 (96)
| {{AFL Col}}
| 24.9 (153)
| 40,212
| Sunday, 25 August
{{s-end}}
=Round 22=
{{s-start}}
|- bgcolor="#CCCCFF"
| Home team
| Score
| Away team
| Score
| Venue
| Attendance
| Date
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Ess}}
| 11.13 (79)
| {{AFL Foo}}
| 11.10 (76)
| MCG
| 42,598
| Friday, 30 August
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Gee}}
| 9.11 (65)
| {{AFL Car}}
| 16.11 (107)
| 27,659
| Saturday, 31 August
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Col}}
| 15.10 (100)
| {{AFL BB}}
| 6.15 (51)
| 21,126
| Saturday, 31 August
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL StK}}
| 20.24 (144)
| {{AFL Ade}}
| 11.9 (75)
| 14,778
| Saturday, 31 August
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Mel}}
| 15.11 (101)
| {{AFL Haw}}
| 15.12 (102)
| MCG
| 63,196
| Saturday, 31 August
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Syd}}
| 12.13 (85)
| {{AFL WC}}
| 6.14 (50)
| SCG
| 29,517
| Saturday, 31 August
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Ric}}
| 16.13 (109)
| {{AFL NM}}
| 21.15 (141)
| MCG
| 61,740
| Sunday, 1 September
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Fre}}
| 24.13 (157)
| {{AFL Fit}}
| 10.11 (71)
| 22,574
| Sunday, 1 September
{{s-end}}
Note: Last game of Fitzroy Lions before merger with Brisbane Bears to become Brisbane Lions.
Ladder
| class=wikitable
| (P) | Premiers |
| bgcolor=FFFFBB | | Qualified for finals |
{{Australian rules football ladder start}}
|- style=background:#FFFFBB
| 1 || align=left | {{AFL Syd}} || 22 || 16 || 5 || 1 || 2152 || 1737 || 123.9 || 66
|- style=background:#FFFFBB
| 2 || align=left | {{AFL NM}} (P) || 22 || 16 || 6 || 0 || 2526 || 1982 || 127.4 || 64
|- style=background:#FFFFBB
| 3 || align=left | {{AFL BB}} || 22 || 15 || 6 || 1 || 2174 || 1731 || 125.6 || 62
|- style=background:#FFFFBB
| 4 || align=left | {{AFL WC}} || 22 || 15 || 7 || 0 || 2201 || 1758 || 125.2 || 60
|- style=background:#FFFFBB
| 5 || align=left | {{AFL Car}} || 22 || 15 || 7 || 0 || 2116 || 1909 || 110.8 || 60
|- style=background:#FFFFBB
| 6 || align=left | {{AFL Ess}} || 22 || 14 || 7 || 1 || 2209 || 2023 || 109.2 || 58
|- style=background:#FFFFBB
| 7 || align=left | {{AFL Gee}} || 22 || 13 || 8 || 1 || 2353 || 2047 || 114.9 || 54
|- style=background:#FFFFBB
| 8 || align=left | {{AFL Haw}} || 22 || 11 || 10 || 1 || 1893 || 1921 || 98.5 || 46
|-
| 9 || align=left | {{AFL Ric}} || 22 || 11 || 11 || 0 || 2282 || 1944 || 117.4 || 44
|-
| 10 || align=left | {{AFL StK}} || 22 || 10 || 12 || 0 || 2053 || 2033 || 101.0 || 40
|-
| 11 || align=left | {{AFL Col}} || 22 || 9 || 13 || 0 || 2203 || 2142 || 102.8 || 36
|-
| 12 || align=left | {{AFL Ade}} || 22 || 8 || 14 || 0 || 2233 || 2327 || 96.0 || 32
|-
| 13 || align=left | {{AFL Fre}} || 22 || 7 || 15 || 0 || 1830 || 1983 || 92.3 || 28
|-
| 14 || align=left | {{AFL Mel}} || 22 || 7 || 15 || 0 || 1743 || 2463 || 70.8 || 28
|-
| 15 || align=left | {{AFL Foo}} || 22 || 5 || 16 || 1 || 1654 || 2139 || 77.3 || 22
|-
| 16 || align=left | {{AFL Fit}} || 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: [https://afltables.com/afl/seas/1996.html#lad AFL Tables]
Progression by round
{{#invoke:sports rbr table|table|sortable=y
|toptext=
{{legend|#ccffcc|outline=#aaa|Numbers highlighted in green indicate that the team finished the round inside the top 8.}}
{{legend|#99ccff|outline=#aaa|Numbers highlighted in blue indicates the team finished first on the ladder in that round.}}
{{legend|#ffcccc|outline=#aaa|Numbers highlighted in red indicates the team finished in last place on the ladder in that round.}}
|color_B=#99ccff|color_F=#ccffcc|color_R=#ffcccc
|update=complete
|source=
|team1=Sydney
|res1=0/0/4/8/12F/14F/18F/18F/22F/26F/30F/34F/38F/42F/46B/50B/50F/54F/58B/62B/62F/66B
|team2=North Melbourne (P)
|res2=4F/8B/12B/12F/16F/20F/20F/24F/28B/32B/32F/36F/40B/44B/44F/48F/52B/56B/56F/60F/60F/64F
|team3=Brisbane Bears
|res3=4F/8F/8F/12F/16B/20B/24B/28B/28F/30F/30F/34F/34F/34F/38F/42F/46F/50F/54F/58F/62B/62F
|team4=West Coast Eagles
|res4=4F/4/4/4/4/8/12/16F/20F/24F/28F/32F/36F/40F/44F/48F/48F/52F/52F/56F/60F/60F
|team5=Carlton
|res5=4F/8F/8F/12F/16F/20F/24F/24F/28F/32F/36B/40B/40F/40F/44F/44F/48F/52F/52F/52F/56F/60F
|team6=Essendon
|res6=4F/4/8F/8/8/10/14/18F/22F/26F/30F/30F/34F/38F/38F/42F/42F/42F/46F/50F/54F/58F
|team7=Geelong
|res7=4B/8F/8F/12F/16F/16F/16/20F/24F/26F/30F/34F/38F/38F/38F/42F/42F/46F/50F/50F/54F/54F
|team8=Hawthorn
|res8=4F/4/4/6/6/6/6/10/10/14/18/22/22/26/30/34F/34/34/38F/38/42/46F
|team9=Richmond
|res9=0/4F/8F/8F/8/12F/16F/16/16/16/20/24F/28F/28F/32F/32/36F/36F/36/40F/44F/44
|team10=St Kilda
|res10=0/0/0/4/8/12/16F/16/16/16/16/16/20/24/24/24/28/32/36/36/36/40
|team11=Collingwood
|res11=0/4F/4/8F/12F/16F/16F/16/16/16/16/16/16/16/20/24/28/28/28/28/32/36
|team12=Adelaide
|res12=4F/8F/12F/16B/16F/16F/20F/24F/24F/24F/24F/24/24/28/28/28/32/32/32/32/32/32
|team13=Fremantle
|res13=0/4F/8F/8F/12F/12/12/12/16/16/16/16/16/16/16/16/20/20/24/24/24/28
|team14=Melbourne
|res14=0R/0/4/4/4/4/4/4R/4R/8/12/12/16/20/20/20/20/20/24/28/28/28
|team15=Footscray
|res15=0/0R/4/6/6/6/6/6/10/10/10/10/10/10/14/14/14/18/18/22/22/22
|team16=Fitzroy
|res16=0/0/0R/0R/0R/0R/0R/4/4/4R/4R/4R/4R/4R/4R/4R/4R/4R/4R/4R/4R/4R
}}
Finals
=Qualifying Finals=
{{s-start}}
|- bgcolor="#CCCCFF"
| Home team
| Score
| Away team
| Score
| Venue
| Attendance
| Date
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL BB}}
| 15.11 (101)
| {{AFL Ess}}
| 15.10 (100)
| Gabba
| 21,964
| Friday, 6 September
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL WC}}
| 18.17 (125)
| {{AFL Car}}
| 10.10 (70)
| 41,501
| Saturday, 7 September
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Syd}}
| 13.12 (90)
| {{AFL Haw}}
| 12.12 (84)
| SCG
| 37,010
| Saturday, 7 September
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL NM}}
| 19.17 (131)
| {{AFL Gee}}
| 9.17 (71)
| MCG
| 69,323
| Sunday, 8 September
{{s-end}}
=Semi-finals=
{{s-start}}
|- bgcolor="#CCCCFF"
| Home team
| Score
| Away team
| Score
| Venue
| Attendance
| Date
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL WC}}
| 8.19 (67)
| {{AFL Ess}}
| 22.12 (144)
| MCG
| 85,656
| Saturday, 14 September
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL BB}}
| 26.14 (170)
| {{AFL Car}}
| 10.13 (73)
| Gabba
| 21,767
| Saturday, 14 September
{{s-end}}
=Preliminary Finals=
{{s-start}}
|- bgcolor="#CCCCFF"
| Home team
| Score
| Away team
| Score
| Venue
| Attendance
| Date
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL NM}}
| 17.12 (114)
| {{AFL BB}}
| 11.10 (76)
| MCG
| 66,719
| Saturday, 21 September
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL Syd}}
| 10.10 (70)
| {{AFL Ess}}
| 10.9 (69)
| SCG
| 41,731
| Saturday, 21 September
{{s-end}}
=Grand Final=
{{main|1996 AFL Grand Final}}
{{s-start}}
|- bgcolor="#CCCCFF"
| Home team
| Score
| Away team
| Score
| Venue
| Attendance
| Date
|- bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
| {{AFL NM}}
| 19.17 (131)
| {{AFL Syd}}
| 13.10 (88)
| MCG
| 93,102
| Saturday, 28 September
{{s-end}}
Attendance
| class="wikitable sortable" | |||||
| 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 |
| class="wikitable sortable" | |||||
| 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 {{AFL BB}} and James Hird of {{AFL Ess}}.
- The Leigh Matthews Trophy was awarded to Corey McKernan of {{AFL NM}}.
- The Coleman Medal was awarded to Tony Lockett of {{AFL Syd}}.
- The Norm Smith Medal was awarded to Glenn Archer of {{AFL NM}}.
- The AFL Rising Star award was awarded to Ben Cousins of {{AFL WC}}.
- The Wooden Spoon was "awarded" to {{AFL Fit}} in their final season before the club merged with the {{AFL BB}}.
- The reserves premiership was won by {{AFL NM}}
- The seniors premiership was won by {{AFL NM}}
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 {{AFL StK}} and {{AFL Ess}} 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.[http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-10-24/tuesday-night-blockbuster-set-for-2018-fixture Tuesday night blockbuster set for 2018 fixture] - AFL.com.au
- 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.{{cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com.au/2016/09/30/this-epic-1996-coach-spray-is-all-the-motivation-the-bulldogs-ne_a_21482910/|title=This Epic 1996 Coach Spray Is All The Motivation The Bulldogs Need|work=HuffPost|first=Anthony|last=Sherwood|date=1 October 2016|access-date=9 October 2018}}
- {{AFL NM}} 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 {{AFL Syd}} and sixth-placed {{AFL Ess}}. With scores level on 10.9 (69), Sydney's Tony Lockett scored a behind with a kick after the siren to win the game, and sent the Swans into their first Grand Final since 1945.
- Lockett had been under an injury cloud with a groin problem during the preceding week, and there was some doubt whether he would play.
References
{{Reflist}}
Sources
- [https://afltables.com/afl/seas/1996.html 1996 AFL season] at AFL Tables
- [https://www.australianfootball.com/seasons/season/afl/138/premiership%2Bseason/1/1/1996 1996 AFL season] at Australian Football
{{Australian Football League}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:1996 AFL season}}
Category:1996 Australian Football League season