2016 Melbourne Football Club season#Round 20

{{Infobox AFL club season

| club = Melbourne Football Club

| season = 2016

| image =

| imagesize =

| caption =

| president = Glen Bartlett
^{(3rd season)}

| coach = Paul Roos
^{(3rd season)}

| captain = Nathan Jones
^{(3rd season)}

| home ground = MCG
^{(100,024 capacity)}

| preseason comp = Pre-season

| preseason result = 3 wins, 0 losses

| regularseason comp = AFL season

| regularseason result = 11th

| finals series = Finals series

| finals result = DNQ

| club b&f = Best and fairest

| best and fairest = Jack Viney

| leading goalscorer = Jesse Hogan
^{(41 goals)}

| highest attendance = 60,158
^{(round 12 vs. {{AFL Col}})}

| lowest attendance = 5,146
^{(round 10 vs. {{AFL PA}})}

| average attendance = 31,326

| club membership = 39,146
^{({{increase}} 3,193 / {{increase}} 8.88%)}

| prevseason = 2015

| nextseason = 2017

}}

The 2016 Melbourne Football Club season was the club's 117th year in the VFL/AFL since it began in 1897. In Paul Roos' final season as senior coach before succession coach, Simon Goodwin took over, the club won ten matches out of twenty-two to finish eleventh on the ladder out of eighteen teams and finished on 97.6 percent. It was the club's best season on the field since the 2011 season in which the club finished with eight wins, thirteen losses and a draw, to finish with a percentage of 85.3.

Senior personnel

Nathan Jones was retained as captain for the third consecutive season.{{cite news|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/teams/melbourne/nathan-jones-to-continue-as-melbourne-captain-in-2016/news-story/f0b7ad6e5fe5534f7c17cc19287f34d5|title=Nathan Jones to continue as Melbourne captain in 2016|last=Wood|first=Lauren|date=11 December 2015|work=Herald Sun|publisher=News Corp Australia|accessdate=17 August 2016}} The leadership group was overhauled where none of the leaders, aside from Jones, were retained in the group from 2015 and the club elected to have no vice-captain.{{cite news|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-03-09/demons-overhaul-leadership-group-with-jack-viney-one-of-five-new-faces|title=Demons overhaul leadership group with Viney one of five new faces|date=9 March 2016|work=AFL.com.au|publisher=Telstra Media|accessdate=17 August 2016}} The leadership group included Colin Garland, Max Gawn, Nathan Jones, Tom McDonald, Bernie Vince, and Jack Viney.{{cite news|url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/melbourne-announces-entire-2015-leadership-group-except-for-skipper-nathan-jones-has-changed/news-story/e60d58ce13077a80f7f945b84f3c1ca3|title=Melbourne announces entire 2015 leadership group, except for skipper Nathan Jones, has changed|last=Morris|first=Tom|date=9 March 2016|work=Fox Sports (Australia)|publisher=News Corp Australia|accessdate=17 August 2016}}

Due to Paul Roos entering his final year as senior coach, there was a reshuffle in coaching, whereby Roos' role shifted towards a focus on culture, so the transition to coach-in-waiting, Simon Goodwin, was as smooth as possible for 2017.{{cite news|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-10-10/coaching-restructure-at-demons-as-roos-aims-for-better-culture|title=Coaching restructure at Demons as Roos aims for better culture|last=Phelan|first=Jennifer|date=10 October 2015|work=AFL.com.au|publisher=Telstra Media|accessdate=18 October 2015}} Goodwin increased his responsibilities for the 2016 season,{{cite news|url=http://www.triplem.com.au/melbourne/sport/afl/news/2015/8/simon-goodwin-to-take-on-an-increased-role-at-melbourne-next-season/|title=Simon Goodwin To Take On Bigger Role In 2016—Melbourne assistant to increase load ahead of taking over from Paul Roos|date=23 August 2015|work=Triple M|accessdate=18 October 2015|archive-date=22 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222155311/http://www.triplem.com.au/melbourne/sport/afl/news/2015/8/simon-goodwin-to-take-on-an-increased-role-at-melbourne-next-season/|url-status=dead}} including being the senior coach for the three matches against {{AFL PA}}, {{AFL WB}}, and {{AFL|StK}} during the 2016 NAB Challenge.{{cite news|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/simon-goodwin-to-coach-melbourne-during-nab-challenge-before-taking-over-from-paul-roos-in-2017/news-story/12c0c34638104fc4212b1d539c884001|title=Simon Goodwin to coach Melbourne during NAB Challenge before taking over from Paul Roos in 2017|last=Ralph|first=Jon|date=6 December 2015|work=Herald Sun|publisher=News Corp Australia|accessdate=18 December 2015}} In addition there was increased responsibility for development and strategy coach, Brendan McCartney, as the club increased its focus on development. After the departure of development coach and game-day runner, Brad Miller,{{cite news|url=http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2015-09-18/miller-calls-time-at-melbourne|title=Miller calls time at Melbourne|last=Burgan|first=Matt|date=18 September 2015|work=MelbourneFC.com.au|publisher=Telstra Media|accessdate=18 October 2015}} to {{AFL GWS}} to coach their NEAFL side,{{cite news|url=http://www.gwsgiants.com.au/news/2015-10-12/miller-named-neafl-coach|title=Miller Named NEAFL Coach|date=12 October 2015|work=GWSgiants.com.au|publisher=Telstra Media|accessdate=18 October 2015}} 2015 retiree, Daniel Cross filled his position as development and rehabilitation coach, and game-day runner.{{cite news|url=http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2015-10-06/cross-remains-with-club-in-offfield-role|title=Cross remains with club in off-field role|last=Burgan|first=Matt|date=6 October 2015|work=MelbourneFC.com.au|publisher=Telstra Media|accessdate=18 October 2015}} Craig Jennings was recruited from the {{AFL WB}} in September 2015 in a newly created position, the game analyst and education coordinator.{{cite news|url=http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2015-09-23/jennings-joins-melbourne-in-new-role|title=Jennings joins Melbourne in new role|last=Burgan|first=Matt|date=23 September 2015|work=MelbourneFC.com.au|publisher=Telstra Media|accessdate=17 August 2016}}{{cite news|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/teams/melbourne/melbourne-snares-craig-jennings-from-the-western-bulldogs-as-their-game-analyst/news-story/091215fcbc9b761805bd5368bffb6532|title=Melbourne snares Craig Jennings from the Western Bulldogs as their game analyst|last=Clark|first=Jay|date=9 February 2016|work=Herald Sun|publisher=News Corp Australia|accessdate=17 August 2016}} Michelle Cowan continued in her role as the coach of Melbourne's women's team and in February, she became the first female assistant coach in Melbourne's history and the second in AFL history serving as the player development and welfare coach.{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/afl/melbourne-demons/michelle-cowan-appointed-to-melbournes-coaching-staff-20160203-gmkpkt.html|title=Michelle Cowan appointed to Melbourne's coaching staff|last=Lane|first=Samantha|date=4 February 2016|work=The Age|publisher=Fairfax Media|accessdate=17 August 2016}} Due to family reasons she left the club in July and returned to Western Australia to work with the Fremantle Football Club.{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/melbournes-michelle-cowan-leaves-demons-for-fremantle-20160701-gpw8hz.html|title=Coach coup: Melbourne's loss, Docker gain with pioneer Michelle Cowan crossing to Freo|last=Lane|first=Samantha|date=1 July 2016|work=The Age|publisher=Fairfax Media|accessdate=17 August 2016}} Glen Bartlett continued in his role as club president, a role he has held since August 2013.{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/bartlett-gets-top-role-at-demons-20130816-2s1j0.html|title=Bartlett gets top role at Demons|last=Pierik|first=Jon|date=17 August 2013|work=The Age|publisher=Fairfax Media|accessdate=17 August 2016}} Chief Executive Officer, Peter Jackson, continued with the club after signing a contract extension to the end of the 2017 season.{{cite news|url=http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2015-11-19/peter-jackson|title=Jackson signs on until end of 2017|last=Burgan|first=Matt|date=19 November 2015|work=MelbourneFC.com.au|publisher=Telstra Media|accessdate=17 August 2016}}

Fixture summary

A fixture that was described by Chief Executive Officer, Peter Jackson, as "pleasing",{{cite news|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-10-29/fixture-reaction-what-the-clubs-say|title=Fixture reaction: What the clubs said|last1=Phelan|first1=Jennifer|last2=King|first2=Travis|date=29 October 2015|work=AFL.com.au|publisher=Telstra Media|accessdate=21 March 2016}} Melbourne played four out of their first five matches at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, with twelve in total at the MCG.{{cite news|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-10-29/afl-fixture-clubbyclub-reaction|title=AFL fixture: Club-by-club guide|last=Navaratnam|first=Dinny|date=29 October 2015|work=AFL.com.au|publisher=Telstra Media|accessdate=21 March 2016}} Melbourne featured in the only Sunday-night match of the AFL season when they hosted {{AFL Ric}} in the ANZAC Day eve match at the MCG.{{cite news|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-10-29/afl-fixture-top-teams-to-light-up-friday-nights|title=AFL Fixture: Top teams to light up Friday nights|last=Browne|first=Ashley|date=29 October 2015|work=AFL.com.au|publisher=Telstra Media|accessdate=21 March 2016}} They again hosted {{AFL Col}} in the annual Queen's Birthday clash in round 12 at the MCG, and due to an ongoing sponsorship deal with Tourism NT, they again played two home matches in the Northern Territory, the first against {{AFL PA}} at TIO Traeger Park in round 10 and the second against {{AFL Fre}} at TIO Stadium in round 16.{{cite news|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/more-news/afl-fixture-2016-what-your-clubs-says-about-its-homeandaway-draw/news-story/bfb2aa4da6c949763f94a35234a24df7|title=AFL Fixture 2016: What your club says about its home-and-away draw|date=29 October 2015|work=Herald Sun|publisher=News Corp Australia|accessdate=21 March 2016}} Melbourne played for premiership points in Tasmania for the first time when they played {{AFL NM}} in round 3 at Blundstone Arena, they also played a match in Queensland for the first time since round 20, 2013 when they played {{AFL GC}} at Metricon Stadium in round seven, meaning they played in every state and territory in Australia excluding the Australian Capital Territory.{{cite news|url=http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2015-10-29/melbournes-2016-fixture-announced|title=Melbourne's 2016 fixture announced|last=Burgan|first=Matt|date=29 October 2015|work=MelbourneFC.com.au|publisher=Telstra Media|accessdate=21 March 2016}}

The teams Melbourne played twice were {{AFL Haw}}, Port Adelaide, Collingwood, {{AFL|StK}}, and Gold Coast, with Hawthorn the only team that made the final eight the previous season. Due to finishing in the bottom six in 2015, Melbourne did not play in many prime-time matches with no Thursday and Friday night matches and they played in only two Saturday night matches, both outside of Victoria. Based on analysis by AFL Media and The Age, Melbourne's draw difficulty was consistent with their bottom six finish in 2015,{{cite news|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-10-30/crows-cop-toughest-draw-but-cats-and-bombers-get-to-take-it-easy|title=Fixture rankings: Crows do it tough, but Cats and Bombers all smiles|last=Ryan|first=Peter|date=30 October 2015|work=AFL.com.au|publisher=Telstra Media|accessdate=21 March 2016}}{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/afl-fixture-release-2016-our-formula-finds-the-real-winners-and-losers-20151030-gkmur1.html|title=AFL fixture 2016: Our formula finds the real winners and losers|last=Connolly|first=Rohan|date=30 October 2015|work=The Age|publisher=Fairfax Media|accessdate=21 March 2016}} however, analysis by the Herald Sun estimated they had the fourth most difficult fixture in the league.{{cite news|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/afl-fixture-2016-geelong-given-dream-draw/news-story/f35b59e45a4d4ac7d5adb1e78da7d85a|title=AFL fixture 2016: Geelong given dream draw|last=Edmund|first=Sam|date=29 October 2015|work=Herald Sun|publisher=News Corp Australia|accessdate=21 March 2016}}

2016 list changes

=2015 trades=

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:100%; width:60%;"
style="color:#FFFFFF;" ! style="background:#0F1131; border: solid black 1px;"\|Date ! style="background:#0F1131; border: solid black 1px;"\|Trade gained ! style="background:#0F1131; border: solid black 1px;"\|Traded from ! style="background:#0F1131; border: solid black 1px;"\|Trade lost ! style="background:#0F1131; border: solid black 1px;"\|Ref
Jake Melksham	15 October	{{AFL Ess}}	Pick 25	{{cite news\|title=Demons land Jake Melksham for second-round pick\|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-10-15/demons-land-jake-melksham-for-secondround-pick\|last=Schmook\|first=Nathan\|date=15 October 2015\|work=AFL.com.au\|publisher=Telstra Media\|accessdate=15 October 2015}}
rowspan=2\|Ben Kennedy Pick 29 Pick 50 \| rowspan=2\|19 October \| {{AFL Col}} \| Jeremy Howe \| rowspan=2\|{{cite news\|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-10-19/mega-trade-howe-seedsman-toumpas-and-kennedy-all-swap-clubs\|title=Mega-trade: Howe, Seedsman, Toumpas and Kennedy all swap clubs\|last=Bowen\|first=Nick\|date=19 October 2015\|work=AFL.com.au\|publisher=Telstra Media\|accessdate=19 October 2015}}
{{AFL PA}} \| Jimmy Toumpas
Pick 3 Pick 10 Pick 43	21 October	{{AFL GC}}	Pick 6 Pick 29 1st round pick (2016)	{{cite news\|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-10-21/melbourne-to-take-two-top10-picks-into-this-years-draft-after-deal-with-gold-coast\|title=Melbourne to take two top-10 picks into this year's draft after deal with Gold Coast\|last=Ryan\|first=Peter\|date=21 October 2015\|work=AFL.com.au\|publisher=Telstra Media\|accessdate=21 October 2015}}
Pick 94	21 October	{{AFL Haw}}	Jack Fitzpatrick	{{cite news\|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-10-21/hawks-nab-tall-demon-fitzpatrick-for-pick-no94\|title=Hawks nab tall Demon Fitzpatrick for pick No.94\|last=Ryan\|first=Peter\|date=21 October 2015\|work=AFL.com.au\|publisher=Telstra Media\|accessdate=21 October 2015}}
Tomas Bugg Pick 7	21 October	{{AFL GWS}}	Pick 10 Pick 43 Pick 64	{{cite news\|url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-premiership/afl-trades-melbourne-enhances-draft-position-secures-tomas-bugg-in-deals-with-gold-coast-and-gws/story-e6frf3e3-1227576792776\|title=AFL trades: Melbourne enhances draft position, secures Tomas Bugg in deals with Gold Coast and GWS\|last=Beveridge\|first=Riley\|date=21 October 2015\|work=Fox Sports (Australia)\|publisher=News Corp Australia\|accessdate=21 October 2015}}

=Retirements and delistings=

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:100%; width:60%"
style="color:#FFFFFF;" ! style="background:#0F1131; border: solid black 1px; width: 15%"\|Player ! style="background:#0F1131; border: solid black 1px; width: 15%"\|New club ! style="background:#0F1131; border: solid black 1px; width: 15%"\|League ! style="background:#0F1131; border: solid black 1px; width: 10%"\|Reason ! style="background:#0F1131; border: solid black 1px; width: 5%"\|Ref
Daniel Cross	{{AFL Mel}}	AFL	Retired, but stayed as an assistant coach	{{cite news\|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-09-02/veteran-demon-cross-calls-it-a-day-will-play-farewell-match-against-giants\|title=Veteran Demon Cross calls it a day, will play farewell match against Giants\|last=Ryan\|first=Peter\|date=2 September 2015\|work=AFL.com.au\|publisher=Telstra Media\|accessdate=8 October 2015}}
Viv Michie	{{AFL Mel}}	AFL	Delisted, but re-drafted as a rookie	{{cite news\|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-11-10/demons-delist-midfielder-michie-with-rookie-plans\|title=Dees delist midfielder Michie, with rookie plans\|last=Phelan\|first=Jennifer\|date=10 November 2015\|work=AFL.com.au\|publisher=Telstra Media\|accessdate=11 November 2015}}{{cite news\|url=http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2015-11-27/melbourne-redrafts-midfielder-michie\|title=Melbourne redrafts midfielder Michie\|last=Burgan\|first=Matt\|date=27 November 2015\|work=MelbourneFC.com.au\|publisher=Telstra Media\|accessdate=28 November 2015}}
Rohan Bail	St Kevins	VAFA	Delisted	{{cite news\|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-09-18/fitzpatrick-among-four-axed-by-demons\|title=Fitzpatrick among four axed by Demons\|last=Guthrie\|first=Ben\|date=18 September 2015\|work=AFL.com.au\|publisher=Telstra Media\|accessdate=8 October 2015}}{{cite news\|url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-players-where-are-they-now-retired-delisted-footballers-find-new-clubs/news-story/f08fd194fa7a1468a482b041e12e913b\|title=AFL players: Where are they now? Retired, delisted footballers find new clubs\|date=3 February 2016\|work=Fox Sports (Australia)\|publisher=News Corp Australia\|accessdate=3 February 2016}}
Jack Fitzpatrick	{{AFL Haw}}	AFL	Delisted
Mark Jamar	{{AFL Ess}}	AFL	Delisted	{{cite news\|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-09-11/demons-farewell-jamar-but-will-he-play-on\|title=Demons farewell Jamar, but will he play on?\|last=Thring\|first=Harry\|date=11 September 2015\|work=AFL.com.au\|publisher=Telstra Media\|accessdate=8 October 2015}}{{cite news\|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/teams/melbourne/former-demon-mark-jamar-lives-dream-by-playing-footy-in-the-northern-territory/news-story/01293dc0a7ff8664dc01d4f7d9aa2b30\|title=Former Demon Mark Jamar living dream of playing footy with mates in Northern Territory\|last=Narvaez\|first=Luis\|date=16 November 2015\|work=Herald Sun\|publisher=News Corp Australia\|accessdate=16 November 2015}}{{cite news\|url=http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/mark-jamar-is-the-latest-essendon-bombers-topup-player-20160201-gmj9fi.html\|title=Mark Jamar is the latest Essendon Bombers top-up player\|last=Lerner\|first=Ronny\|date=2 February 2016\|work=The Age\|publisher=Fairfax Media\|accessdate=3 February 2016}}
Jordie McKenzie	North Adelaide	SANFL	Delisted	{{cite news\|url=http://www.sanfl.com.au/news/sanfl_news/3268/\|title=North Sign Former Demon\|last=Milbank\|first=Zac\|date=17 November 2015\|work=SANFL.com.au\|accessdate=17 November 2015\|archive-date=17 November 2015\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117233701/http://www.sanfl.com.au/news/sanfl_news/3268/\|url-status=dead}}
Aidan Riley	Sturt	SANFL	Delisted	{{cite news\|url=http://www.sturtfc.com.au/sturtfc-news/blues-signings\|title=Blues Signings\|date=6 November 2015\|publisher=SturtFC.com.au\|accessdate=7 November 2015\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151110042018/http://www.sturtfc.com.au/sturtfc-news/blues-signings\|archive-date=10 November 2015\|url-status=dead\|df=dmy-all}}

= National draft =

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:100%; width:60%;"
style="color:#FFFFFF;" ! style="background:#0F1131; border: solid black 1px;"\|Round ! style="background:#0F1131; border: solid black 1px;"\|Overall pick ! style="background:#0F1131; border: solid black 1px;"\|Player ! style="background:#0F1131; border: solid black 1px;"\|State ! style="background:#0F1131; border: solid black 1px;"\|Position ! style="background:#0F1131; border: solid black 1px;"\|Team from ! style="background:#0F1131; border: solid black 1px;"\|League from ! style="background:#0F1131; border: solid black 1px;"\|Ref
1	4	Clayton Oliver	VIC	Midfielder	Murray Bushrangers	TAC Cup	{{cite news\|url=http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2015-11-24/oliver-claimed-with-melbournes-first-pick\|title=Oliver claimed with Melbourne's first pick\|last=Burgan\|first=Matt\|date=24 November 2015\|work=MelbourneFC.com.au\|publisher=Telstra Media\|accessdate=28 November 2015}}
1	9	Sam Weideman	VIC	Forward	Eastern Ranges	TAC Cup	{{cite news\|url=http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2015-11-24/weideman-selected-by-demons\|title=Weideman selected by Demons\|last=Burgan\|first=Matt\|date=24 November 2015\|work=MelbourneFC.com.au\|publisher=Telstra Media\|accessdate=28 November 2015}}
3	42	Mitch King	VIC	Ruck	Murray Bushrangers	TAC Cup	{{cite news\|url=http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2015-11-24/dees-pick-king-at-no42\|title=Demons pick King at No.42\|last=Burgan\|first=Matt\|date=24 November 2015\|work=MelbourneFC.com.au\|publisher=Telstra Media\|accessdate=28 November 2015}}
3	46	Liam Hulett	VIC	Forward	Dandenong Stingrays	TAC Cup	{{cite news\|url=http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2015-11-24/dees-finalise-senior-list-with-hulett\|title=Dees finalise senior list with Hulett\|last=Burgan\|first=Matt\|date=24 November 2015\|work=MelbourneFC.com.au\|publisher=Telstra Media\|accessdate=28 November 2015}}

=Rookie draft=

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:100%; width:60%;"
style="color:#FFFFFF;" ! style="background:#0F1131; border: solid black 1px;"\|Round ! style="background:#0F1131; border: solid black 1px;"\|Overall pick ! style="background:#0F1131; border: solid black 1px;"\|Player ! style="background:#0F1131; border: solid black 1px;"\|State ! style="background:#0F1131; border: solid black 1px;"\|Position ! style="background:#0F1131; border: solid black 1px;"\|Team from ! style="background:#0F1131; border: solid black 1px;"\|League from ! style="background:#0F1131; border: solid black 1px;"\|Ref
1	6	Josh Wagner	QLD	Defender	Aspley	NEAFL	{{cite news\|url=http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2015-11-27/wagner-joins-melbourne-via-rookie-draft\|title=Wagner joins Melbourne via Rookie Draft\|last=Burgan\|first=Matt\|date=27 November 2015\|work=MelbourneFC.com.au\|publisher=Telstra Media\|accessdate=28 November 2015}}
2	24	Viv Michie	VIC	Midfielder	{{AFL Mel}}	AFL
3	41	Joel Smith	VIC	Forward	colspan=2\|3-year non-registered player	{{cite news\|url=http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2015-10-22/dees-sign-sos-aka-son-of-smith\|title=Dees sign SOS: aka Son of Smith\|last=Burgan\|first=Matt\|date=22 October 2015\|work=MelbourneFC.com.au\|publisher=Telstra Media\|accessdate=28 November 2015}}

2016 squad

{{Rugby league squad

|squadname=Melbourne Football Club

|BC1 =#0F1131

|FC1 =#FFFFFF

|BC2 =#0F1131

|FC2 =#FFFFFF

|source =[http://www.melbournefc.com.au/team/players/senior Players], [http://www.melbournefc.com.au/team/coaches Coaches]

|date =18 August 2016

|column1_title=Senior list

|list1a={{Rugby league squad player|no= 1|name=Jesse Hogan}}

{{Rugby league squad player|no= 2|name=Nathan Jones (c)}}
{{Rugby league squad player|no= 3|name=Christian Salem}}
{{Rugby league squad player|no= 4|name=Jack Watts}}
{{Rugby league squad player|no= 5|name=Christian Petracca}}
{{Rugby league squad player|no= 6|name=Chris Dawes}}
{{Rugby league squad player|no= 7|name=Jack Viney}}
{{Rugby league squad player|no= 8|name=Heritier Lumumba 8px}}
{{Rugby league squad player|no= 9|name=Jack Trengove}}
{{Rugby league squad player|no=10|name=Angus Brayshaw}}
{{Rugby league squad player|no=11|name=Max Gawn}}
{{Rugby league squad player|no=12|name=Dom Tyson}}
{{Rugby league squad player|no=13|name=Clayton Oliver}}
{{Rugby league squad player|no=14|name=Lynden Dunn (vet)}}
{{Rugby league squad player|no=15|name=Billy Stretch}}
{{Rugby league squad player|no=16|name=Dean Kent}}
{{Rugby league squad player|no=17|name=Sam Frost}}
{{Rugby league squad player|no=18|name=Jake Melksham}}*
{{Rugby league squad player|no=19|name=Ben Newton}}
{{Rugby league squad player|no=20|name=Colin Garland}}

|list2a={{Rugby league squad player|no=21|name=Cameron Pedersen}}

{{Rugby league squad player|no=23|name=Bernie Vince}}
{{Rugby league squad player|no=24|name=Jay Kennedy -Harris}}
{{Rugby league squad player|no=25|name=Tom McDonald}}
{{Rugby league squad player|no=26|name=Sam Weideman}}
{{Rugby league squad player|no=27|name=Liam Hulett}}
{{Rugby league squad player|no=28|name=Oscar McDonald}}
{{Rugby league squad player|no=29|name=Jayden Hunt}}
{{Rugby league squad player|no=30|name=Alex Neal-Bullen}}
{{Rugby league squad player|no=31|name=Jack Grimes}}
{{Rugby league squad player|no=32|name=Tomas Bugg}}
{{Rugby league squad player|no=33|name=Jake Spencer}}
{{Rugby league squad player|no=34|name=Mitch King 8px}}
{{Rugby league squad player|no=35|name=Ben Kennedy}}
{{Rugby league squad player|no=36|name=Jeff Garlett}}
{{Rugby league squad player|no=37|name=Aaron vandenBerg}}
{{Rugby league squad player|no=39|name=Neville Jetta}}
{{Rugby league squad player|no=43|name=James Harmes}}
{{Rugby league squad player|no=45|name=Matt Jones}}
{{Rugby league squad player|no=46|name=Dean Terlich}}

|column2_title=Rookie list

|list4a={{Rugby league squad player|no=22|name=Viv Michie 8px}}

{{Rugby league squad player|no=41|name=Mitch White 8px}}
{{Rugby league squad player|no=42|name=Josh Wagner 8px}}
{{Rugby league squad player|no=44|name=Joel Smith}} (B)
{{Rugby league squad player|no=47|name=Max King}}

|coach=Paul Roos

|assistant=Simon Goodwin (senior assistant)

|assistant2=Brendan McCartney (development and strategy)

|assistant3=Ben Mathews (stoppages)

|assistant4=Jade Rawlings (defence)

|assistant5=Greg Stafford (ruck)

|assistant6=Daniel McPherson (senior development)

|assistant7=Brett Allison (head of development)

|assistant8=Shannon Byrnes (welfare and development)

|assistant9=Daniel Cross (rehab and development)

|legend1=8px Long-term injury list

|legend2=8px Upgraded rookie(s)

|legend3=(vet) Veterans list

|legend4=(B) Category B rookie

|legend5=(*) Suspended for 2016 season

}}

2016 season

=Pre-season=

The 2016 NAB Challenge saw the senior assistant coach, Simon Goodwin take over as coach in preparation for him becoming the senior coach of the club from the 2017 season. Melbourne was one of three teams to finish undefeated during the pre-season competition{{cite news|url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/nab-challenge-report-card-every-clubs-preseason-campaign-rated/news-story/6742f8027a89a2197d8ea8ab1fe86021|title=NAB Challenge Report Card: Every club’s pre-season campaign rated|date=14 March 2016|work=Fox Sports (Australia)|publisher=News Corp Australia|accessdate=6 October 2016}} with a nineteen-point win against {{AFL PA}},{{cite news|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/teams/melbourne/melbourne-defeats-port-adelaide-by-19-points-nab-challenge-at-playford-alive-oval-elizabeth/news-story/325bbe374545a7a403a3556e5278faca|title=Melbourne defeats Port Adelaide by 19 points, NAB Challenge at Playford Alive Oval, Elizabeth|last=Fjeldstad|first=Jesper|date=27 February 2016|work=The Advertiser|publisher=News Corp Australia|accessdate=6 October 2016}} a twelve-point win against {{AFL WB}}{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-match-report/nab-challenge-nathan-jones-helps-demons-past-young-bulldogs-20160306-gnbv43.html|title=NAB Challenge: Nathan Jones helps Demons past young Bulldogs|last=Phelan|first=Jason|date=6 March 2016|work=The Age|publisher=Fairfax Media|accessdate=6 October 2016}} and a twenty five point win against {{AFL|StK}}.{{cite news|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-03-13/dees-stay-undefeated|title=Dees' belief building as win over Saints maintains perfect record|last=King|first=Travis|date=13 March 2016|work=AFL.com.au|publisher=Telstra Media|accessdate=6 October 2016}} The list headed into the main season with very little injuries{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/healthy-melbourne-demons-are-ready-for-round-one-20160313-gnhy4m.html|title=Healthy Melbourne Demons are ready for round one|last=Quayle|first=Emma|date=13 March 2016|work=The Age|publisher=Fairfax Media|accessdate=6 October 2016}} apart from young midfielder, Angus Brayshaw who suffered a knee injury five seconds into the first match of the NAB Challenge,{{cite news|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/teams/melbourne/angus-brayshaw-injures-knee-in-port-adelaide-v-melbourne-afl-nab-challenge-2016-clash/news-story/54679e8d160b306dc347c5ff6237599d|title=Angus Brayshaw injures knee in Port Adelaide v Melbourne AFL NAB Challenge 2016 clash|last=Waterworth|first=Ben|date=27 February 2016|work=Herald Sun|publisher=News Corp Australia|accessdate=6 October 2016}} which forced him to miss the remainder of the pre-season and round one against {{AFL GWS}}.{{cite news|url=http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2016-03-02/club-confirms-lowgrade-strain|title=Club confirms low-grade strain|last=Burgan|first=Matt|date=2 March 2016|work=MelbourneFC.com.au|publisher=Telstra Media|accessdate=6 October 2016}}

==Week 1==

{{AFLGameDetailed

|title = Round 1

|date = Saturday, 27 February (1:35 pm)

|home team = {{AFL|PA}}

|home Q1 = 1.3.3 (30)

|home Q2 = 1.6.5 (50)

|home Q3 = 1.6.5 (50)

|home final = 1.10.7 (76)

|home goals = Broadbent (SG), Westhoff 3, Boak 3, Schulz, White, R. Gray, Young

|home best = Boak, Westhoff, Hartlett, Toumpas, S. Gray, Pittard

|home injuries= Nil

|home reports = Nil

|winner = A

|away team = {{AFL Mel}}

|away Q1 = 0.2.2 (14)

|away Q2 = 0.4.3 (27)

|away Q3 = 0.10.5 (65)

|away final = 0.15.5 (95)

|away goals = Garlett 3, Kent 2, vandenBerg 2, Pedersen 2, Salem, Kennedy, M. Jones, Hogan, Harmes, Tyson

|away best = Gawn, Viney, vandenBerg, Garlett, Kennedy, Tyson

|away injuries= Brayshaw (knee)

|away reports = Nil

|venue = Playford Alive Oval

|crowd = 4,981

|report = [http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-02-27/secondhalf-blitz-helps-demons-run-over-power Report]

|umpires =

|broadcast = Fox Footy

|notes =

}}

==Week 2==

{{AFLGameDetailed

|title = Round 2

|date = Sunday, 6 March (2:05 pm)

|home team = {{AFL WB}}

|home Q1 = 0.4.3 (27)

|home Q2 = 0.4.5 (29)

|home Q3 = 1.7.8 (59)

|home final = 1.7.9 (60)

|home goals = Webb (SG), Hrovat, Roughead, Minson, Redpath, Williams, Honeychurch, Jong

|home best = Jong, Hrovat, Honeychurch, Liberatore, Daniel

|home injuries= Nil

|home reports = Nil

|winner = A

|away team = {{AFL Mel}}

|away Q1 = 0.1.2 (8)

|away Q2 = 0.4.4 (28)

|away Q3 = 0.6.5 (35)

|away final = 0.10.12 (72)

|away goals = Watts 3, Pedersen, Garlett, vandenBerg, Tyson, Harmes, N. Jones, Frost

|away best = Viney, N. Jones, Watts, Vince, Bugg

|away injuries= Nil

|away reports = Nil

|venue = Highgate Recreational Reserve

|crowd = 4,189

|report = [http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-03-06/determined-demons-outlast-young-bulldogs-side Report]

|umpires =

|broadcast = Fox Footy

|notes =

}}

==Week 3==

{{AFLGameDetailed

|title = Round 3

|date = Sunday, 13 March (4:10 pm)

|home team = {{AFL Mel}}

|home Q1 = 0.4.1 (25)

|home Q2 = 0.8.5 (53)

|home Q3 = 0.11.12 (78)

|home final = 1.14.14 (107)

|home goals = Salem (SG), Garlett 3, Watts 2, Oliver 2, Kent 2, Hogan 2, Kennedy, Pedersen, Bugg

|home best = Bugg, N. Jones, Gawn, T. McDonald, Garlett, Tyson, Salem

|home injuries= Jetta (leg), M. Jones (concussion)

|home reports = Nil

|winner = H

|away team = {{AFL|StK}}

|away Q1 = 0.4.5 (29)

|away Q2 = 0.6.7 (43)

|away Q3 = 9.10.0 (64)

|away final = 0.12.11 (83)

|away goals = Billings 3, Bruce 2, Armitage, Montagna, Hickey, Steven, Newnes, Weller, Dunstan

|away best = Steven, Billings, Armitage, Montagna, Newnes, Fisher, Geary

|away injuries= Riewoldt (calf)

|away reports = Nil

|venue = Etihad Stadium

|crowd = 8,621

|report = [https://web.archive.org/web/20160202194226/http://www.afl.com.au/match-centre/nab-challenge/2016/1/melb-v-stk Report]

|umpires =

|broadcast = Fox Footy

|notes =

}}

=Home and away season=

The opening round saw Melbourne defeat {{AFL GWS}} by two points at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in a come from behind victory in which Melbourne scored six final quarter goals to two.{{cite news|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/afl-2016-melbourne-defeats-gws-giants-by-2-points-at-the-mcg-in-round-1/news-story/a45e6a67a41642371750decdb6bc3e01|title=AFL 2016: Melbourne defeats GWS Giants by 2 points at the MCG in Round 1|last=McFarlane|first=Glenn|date=26 March 2016|work=Herald Sun|publisher=News Corp Australia|accessdate=14 October 2016}} Clayton Oliver made his AFL debut in the match,{{cite news|url=http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2016-03-24/clayton-oliver-to-debut-in-round-one|title=Clayton Oliver to debut in round one|last=Harrington|first=Anna|date=24 March 2016|work=MelbourneFC.com.au|publisher=Telstra Media|accessdate=14 October 2016}} with Tomas Bugg and Ben Kennedy playing their first match for Melbourne after being traded from Greater Western Sydney and {{AFL Col}} respectively.{{cite news|url=http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2016-03-24/round-one-team|title=Round one team selection|last=Harrington|first=Anna|date=24 March 2016|work=MelbourneFC.com.au|publisher=Telstra Media|accessdate=14 October 2016}} The club entered the round two match against {{AFL Ess}} as heavy favourites;{{cite news|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-03-29/match-preview-essendon-v-melbourne-|title=Match preview: Essendon v Melbourne|last=Twomey|first=Callum|date=29 March 2016|work=AFL.com.au|publisher=Telstra Media|accessdate=14 October 2016}} Melbourne ultimately lost the match by thirteen points,{{cite news|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-04-02/bombers-down-dismal-demons-for-first-win-of-the-season|title=Inspired Bombers down dismal Demons for first win of the season|last=Twomey|first=Callum|date=2 April 2016|work=AFL.com.au|publisher=Telstra Media|accessdate=14 October 2016}} with Jack Viney admitting after the match they "lacked respect" for Essendon due to the numerous top-up signings from the supplements saga and the players "got ahead of themselves".{{cite news|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/teams/melbourne/jack-viney-says-melbourne-lacked-respect-for-essendon-in-shock-loss/news-story/2bde7095c42142f2268d388c96bd8a2c|title=Jack Viney says Melbourne lacked respect for Essendon in shock loss|last=Ralph|first=Jon|date=3 April 2016|work=Herald Sun|publisher=News Corp Australia|accessdate=14 October 2016}} The next three matches saw Melbourne play consistently for the first time during the season with a narrow three point loss to {{AFL NM}},{{cite news|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-04-10/match-report-north-melbourne-v-melbourne|title=Match report: Kangaroos scrape past Demons in a classic|last=Warren|first=Stu|date=10 April 2016|work=AFL.com.au|publisher=Telstra Media|accessdate=14 October 2016}} a thirty-five point win against Collingwood,{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-match-report/afl-season-2016-demons-send-pies-deeper-into-the-mire-20160417-go8epb.html|title=AFL season 2016: Demons send Pies deeper into the mire|last=Hanlon|first=Peter|date=17 April 2016|work=The Age|publisher=Fairfax Media|accessdate=14 October 2016}} and a thirty-three point win against {{AFL Ric}} in the Anzac Day eve match,{{cite news|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/melbourne-demons-defeat-richmond-tigers-by-33-points-at-the-mcg-in-round-5/news-story/4ca8add7c327cbcd81d9a5c6bdb4a21f|title=Melbourne Demons defeat Richmond Tigers by 33 points at the MCG, in Round 5|last=Landsberger|first=Sam|date=24 April 2016|work=Herald Sun|publisher=News Corp Australia|accessdate=14 October 2016}} which saw Melbourne win two matches in a row for the first time since 2011.{{cite news|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-04-24/match-report-melbourne-v-richmond|title=Demons snap unwanted five-year streak to inflict further pain for Tigers|last=Guthrie|first=Ben|date=24 April 2016|work=AFL.com.au|publisher=Telstra Media|accessdate=14 October 2016}} Josh Wagner and Jayden Hunt made their AFL debuts in rounds three and four respectively.{{cite news|url=http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2016-04-07/wagner-to-make-afl-debut-in-tassie|title=Wagner to make AFL debut in Tassie|last=Burgan|first=Matt|date=7 April 2016|work=MelbourneFC.com.au|publisher=Telstra Media|accessdate=14 October 2016}}{{cite news|url=http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2016-04-14/hunt-set-to-debut-against-pies|title=Hunt set to debut against Pies|last=Burgan|first=Matt|date=14 April 2016|work=MelbourneFC.com.au|publisher=Telstra Media|accessdate=14 October 2016}} Melbourne played their first match at Etihad Stadium for the season in a home match against {{AFL|StK}}, even though St Kilda are a tenant of Etihad Stadium. Melbourne lost the match by thirty-nine points,{{cite news|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/st-kilda-defeats-melbourne-by-39-points-at-the-etihad-stadium-in-round-6/news-story/adbce9c3a94598c3acf1b613317bd22d|title=St Kilda defeats Melbourne by 39 points at the Etihad Stadium in Round 6|last=McFarlane|first=Glenn|date=30 April 2016|work=Herald Sun|publisher=News Corp Australia|accessdate=14 October 2016}} however the match saw the highly hyped Christian Petracca make his long-awaited AFL debut{{cite news|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/teams/melbourne/christian-petracca-is-set-to-debut-for-melbourne-after-injuryplagued-start-to-career/news-story/4f1806220722ef9eca5c2197cde4b488|title=Christian Petracca is set to debut for Melbourne after injury-plagued start to career|last=Higgins|first=Ben|date=27 April 2016|work=Herald Sun|publisher=News Corp Australia|accessdate=14 October 2016}} and Jesse Hogan kicked a career-high seven goals.{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-match-report/melbourne-demons-v-st-kilda-saints-saints-yet-again-a-nemesis-for-upanddown-demons-20160430-goizdw.html|title=Melbourne v St Kilda: Saints yet again a nemesis for up-and-down Demons|last=Connolly|first=Rohan|date=30 April 2016|work=The Age|publisher=Fairfax Media|accessdate=14 October 2016}}

The next two out of three matches were large victories by Melbourne with a seventy-three point win against {{AFL GC}} at Metricon Stadium in round seven{{cite news|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-05-07/demons-onslaught-blows-gold-coast-away|title=Match report: Demons' onslaught blows cold Suns away|last=Whiting|first=Michael|date=7 May 2016|work=AFL.com.au|publisher=Telstra Media|accessdate=14 October 2016}} and a sixty-three point win against the {{AFL BL}} at the MCG in round nine.{{cite news|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/more-news/melbourne-crush-brisbane-lions-by-63-points-at-the-mcg-in-afl-round-9/news-story/f41c6977461418386fbebd234c96ba2a|title=Melbourne crush Brisbane Lions by 63 points at the MCG in AFL Round 9|last=Ralph|first=Jon|date=22 May 2016|work=Herald Sun|publisher=News Corp Australia|accessdate=14 October 2016}} The match against Gold Coast saw Melbourne score 161 points, their highest since round six in 2004.{{cite news|url=http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2016-05-09/inside-melbourne-round-seven|title=Inside Melbourne: round seven|last=Burgan|first=Matt|date=9 May 2016|work=MelbourneFC.com.au|publisher=Telstra Media|accessdate=14 October 2016}} The match in between, however, was a thirty-two point loss to eventual premiers, the {{AFL WB}}.{{cite news|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-05-15/dogs-show-class-over-dees|title=Match report: Dogs take a walk over Dees|last=Guthrie|first=Ben|date=15 May 2016|work=AFL.com.au|publisher=Telstra Media|accessdate=14 October 2016}} The club headed to Alice Springs in round ten for their first sold home match of the year as part of a sponsorship with Tourism NT. A disappointing match saw Melbourne lose to {{AFL PA}} by forty-five points{{cite news|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/charlie-dixon-helps-port-adelaide-to-45point-win-over-melbourne-in-alice-springs/news-story/233cec6ec3992e2693a0543f8bfda973|title=Charlie Dixon helps Port Adelaide to 45-point win over Melbourne in Alice Springs|last=Fjeldstad|first=Jesper|date=28 May 2016|work=The Advertiser|publisher=News Corp Australia|accessdate=14 October 2016}} in conjunction with a one-match suspension to the in form, Jack Viney.{{cite news|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-05-31/mrp-jack-viney-cops-one-match-steven-motlop-in-the-clear|title=MRP: Viney cops one match, Motlop in the clear|last=Schmook|first=Nathan|date=31 May 2016|work=AFL.com.au|publisher=Telstra Media|accessdate=14 October 2016}} Jack Trengove made his long-awaited return in round eleven against {{AFL Haw}}, playing his first AFL match since round two in 2014.{{cite news|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/teams/melbourne/jack-trengove-to-resume-afl-career-after-last-game-more-than-two-years-ago/news-story/b33a960967ab95d48a99a8518ac05765|title=Jack Trengove to resume AFL career after last game more than two years ago|last=Buckle|first=Greg|date=2 June 2016|work=Herald Sun|publisher=News Corp Australia|accessdate=14 October 2016}} The match was level at three-quarter time, however three final quarter goals to zero saw Hawthorn win by eighteen points.{{cite news|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-06-04/match-report-hawks-slog-their-way-past-gutsy-demons|title=Match report: Hawks slog their way past gutsy Demons|last=Schmook|first=Nathan|date=4 June 2016|work=AFL.com.au|publisher=Telstra Media|accessdate=14 October 2016}} The next week was the annual Queen's Birthday clash against Collingwood which Melbourne won by forty-six points, their first Queen's Birthday win since 2007.{{cite news|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/teams/melbourne/max-gawn-stars-as-melbourne-breaks-queens-birthday-drought-beating-collingwood-in-round-12/news-story/b2776696ed8221352ee4f2e7042e7957|title=Max Gawn stars as Melbourne breaks Queen's Birthday drought beating Collingwood in Round 12|last=Edmund|first=Sam|date=13 June 2016|work=Herald Sun|publisher=News Corp Australia|accessdate=14 October 2016}} A fifty-five point loss to {{AFL Syd}} in extremely wet conditions at the Sydney Cricket Ground was Melbourne's last match before the mid-season bye.{{cite news|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/lance-franklin-gets-the-job-done-for-sydney-in-wet-conditions-against-melbourne/news-story/3222aba32a255534c55722db35aa46b7|title=Lance Franklin gets the job done for Sydney in wet conditions against Melbourne|last=Cordy|first=Neil|date=20 June 2016|work=The Daily Telegraph|publisher=News Corp Australia|accessdate=14 October 2016}} Melbourne's score of 31 was the lowest score ever recorded at the Sydney Cricket Ground.{{cite web|url=http://afltables.com/afl/venues/scg.html|title=S.C.G.|publisher=AFL Tables|accessdate=14 October 2016}}

Melbourne's first match after the bye was against the in form, {{AFL Ade}} at the MCG, losing by twenty-two points; the match was described as a much closer match than what the scoreboard suggested.{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-match-report/melbourne-v-adelaide-crows-hold-on-to-claim-tough-win-over-demons-20160703-gpxm9k.html|title=Melbourne v Adelaide: Crows hold on to claim tough win over Demons|last=Quayle|first=Emma|date=3 July 2016|work=The Age|publisher=Fairfax Media|accessdate=14 October 2016}} Melbourne returned to the Northern Territory for the second time during the season, this time in a thirty-two point win against {{AFL Fre}} in Darwin; it was also Melbourne's first win in the Northern Territory since 2011.{{cite news|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-07-09/match-report-darwin-delight-as-dees-fire-against-freo|title=Match report: Darwin delight as Dees fire against Freo|last=Phelan|first=Jason|last2=Twomey|first2=Callum|date=9 July 2016|work=AFL.com.au|publisher=Telstra Media|accessdate=14 October 2016}} In round 17, Melbourne returned to Etihad Stadium to play against St Kilda for the second time in the season, it was another disappointing loss and the fourteenth consecutive loss against St Kilda.{{cite news|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/teams/st-kilda/st-kilda-sets-club-record-with-14th-straight-win-over-melbourne-by-36-points-at-etihad-stadium-in-round-17/news-story/348237092d72bc3d24a01bb398f338e1|title=St Kilda sets club record with 14th straight win over Melbourne by 36 points at Etihad Stadium|last=Landsberger|first=Sam|date=17 July 2016|work=Herald Sun|publisher=News Corp Australia|accessdate=14 October 2016}} The chance of playing finals was effectively ruled out by then-coach Paul Roos.{{cite news|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/teams/melbourne/melbourne-coach-paul-roos-rules-out-finals-after-loss-to-st-kilda/news-story/3fcb6b7379ac266a767f54fe250bc274|title=Melbourne coach Paul Roos rules out finals after loss to St Kilda|last=Landsberger|first=Sam|date=17 July 2016|work=Herald Sun|publisher=News Corp Australia|accessdate=14 October 2016}} The next four weeks was the best patch of football for Melbourne, with a narrow six point loss to {{AFL WC}} in Perth,{{cite news|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/west-coast-defeats-wasteful-melbourne-by-one-goal-to-keep-top-four-hopes-alive/news-story/341632a89bdea927d17a9a715b5fa5e3|title=West Coast defeats wasteful Melbourne by one goal to keep top four hopes alive|last=Quartermaine|first=Braden|date=23 July 2016|work=Perth Now|publisher=News Corp Australia|accessdate=14 October 2016}} in which West Coast coach, Adam Simpson declared Melbourne should have won the match.{{cite news|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-07-23/eagles-shouldnt-have-won-says-adam-simpson|title='We shouldn't have won', says Simpson|last=Malcolm|first=Alex|date=23 July 2016|work=AFL.com.au|publisher=Telstra Media|accessdate=14 October 2016}} Three consecutive wins against Gold Coast, Hawthorn and Port Adelaide{{cite news|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/more-news/melbourne-wins-ugly-defeats-gold-coast-suns-in-scrappy-dramatic-clash-at-the-mcg/news-story/4a69d65f59af9c6a6f88481234bd1bb1|title=Melbourne wins ugly, defeats Gold Coast Suns in scrappy, dramatic clash at the MCG|last=Landsberger|first=Sam|date=31 July 2016|work=Herald Sun|publisher=News Corp Australia|accessdate=14 October 2016}}{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-match-report/afl-season-2016-brilliant-melbourne-demons-upset-hawthorn-hawks-20160806-gqmlr7.html|title=AFL season 2016: Brilliant Melbourne Demons upset Hawthorn Hawks|last=Nicholson|first=Larissa|date=6 August 2016|work=The Age|publisher=Fairfax Media|accessdate=14 October 2016}}{{cite news|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-08-13/demons-a-devilish-chance-of-finals-after-downing-port|title=Match report: Demons still a devilish chance of finals action|last=Gaskin|first=Lee|date=13 August 2016|work=AFL.com.au|publisher=Telstra Media|accessdate=14 October 2016}} meant Melbourne were back in the frame to potentially play finals.{{cite news|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/more-news/melbourne-keeps-its-finals-hopes-alive-with-40point-win-over-port-adelaide-at-adelaide-oval-in-round-21/news-story/5a94ec4a30f46b085834a320313ae6fe|title=Melbourne keeps its finals hopes alive with 40-point win over Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval in Round 21|last=Rucci|first=Michelangelo|date=13 August 2016|work=The Advertiser|publisher=News Corp Australia|accessdate=14 October 2016}} The match against Hawthorn, labelled as one of the upsets of the season, drew high media attention as Hawthorn were on a nine-match winning streak, were on top of the ladder and Melbourne hadn't defeated Hawthorn since 2006.{{cite news|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-08-06/match-report-fierce-dees-stun-ladderleading-hawks|title=Match report: Fierce Dees stun ladder-leading Hawks|last=Ryan|first=Peter|date=6 August 2016|work=AFL.com.au|publisher=Telstra Media|accessdate=14 October 2016}} The win against Port Adelaide was also Melbourne's first victory against Port Adelaide in South Australia since 2000.{{cite news|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-08-13/five-talking-points-port-adelaide-v-melbourne|title=Five talking points: Port Adelaide v Melbourne|last=Thring|first=Harry|date=13 August 2016|work=AFL.com.au|publisher=Telstra Media|accessdate=14 October 2016}} Despite having a chance to play finals, Melbourne lost to an out of form {{AFL Car}} who had lost their previous nine matches, Melbourne's performance was described as "dispirited".{{cite news|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-08-21/match-report-carlton-v-melbourne|title=Finally, Demons' top-eight dream is over|last=Guthrie|first=Ben|date=21 August 2016|work=AFL.com.au|publisher=Telstra Media|accessdate=14 October 2016}} The final match of the season saw Melbourne play at Simonds Stadium against {{AFL Gee}}, they suffered a 111-point loss, the worst for the season and outgoing coach, Paul Roos' biggest defeat in his coaching career.{{cite news|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-08-27/match-report-cats-claw-into-top-four-after-demon-demolition|title=Match report: Cats lock in top-two finish after Demon demolition|last=Ryan|first=Peter|date=27 August 2016|work=AFL.com.au|publisher=Telstra Media|accessdate=14 October 2016}}

==Round 1==

{{AFLGameDetailed

|title = Round 1

|date = Saturday, 26 March (1:40 pm)

|home team = {{AFL Mel}}

|home Q1 = 5.0 (30)

|home Q2 = 5.4 (34)

|home Q3 = 6.5 (41)

|home final = 12.8 (80)

|home goals = Hogan 3, Garlett 2, vandenBerg 2, Vince, Kennedy, Harmes, Kent, Watts

|home best = Viney, Kennedy, T. McDonald, Oliver, N. Jones, Watts, Hogan

|home injuries= O. McDonald (ankle)

|home reports = Nil

|winner = H

|away team = {{AFL GWS}}

|away Q1 = 3.4 (22)

|away Q2 = 6.8 (44)

|away Q3 = 8.14 (62)

|away final = 10.18 (78)

|away goals = Ward 2, Lobb 2, Johnson 2, Scully, Smith, Steele, Greene

|away best = Ward, Scully, Shaw, Davis, Shiel, Lobb

|away injuries= Nil

|away reports = Nil

|venue = Melbourne Cricket Ground

|crowd = 28,505

|report = [https://web.archive.org/web/20160319135928/http://www.afl.com.au/match-centre/2016/1/melb-v-gws Report]

|umpires =

|broadcast = Fox Footy

|notes =

Debut(s): Clayton Oliver

Debut(s) for MFC: Tomas Bugg ({{AFL GWS}}), Ben Kennedy ({{AFL Col}})

Milestone(s): Jack Viney (50th AFL game), Clayton Oliver (Rising Star nominee)

Brownlow votes: Jack Viney ({{AFL Mel}}) 3 votes, Clayton Oliver ({{AFL Mel}}) 2 votes, Phil Davis ({{AFL GWS}}) 1 vote

Record: 1 win, 0 losses, 0 draws (102.56%)

Ladder position: 9th

}}

==Round 2==

{{AFLGameDetailed

|title = Round 2

|date = Saturday, 2 April (2:10 pm)

|home team = {{AFL Ess}}

|home Q1 = 2.2 (14)

|home Q2 = 7.7 (49)

|home Q3 = 8.10 (58)

|home final = 11.14 (80)

|home goals = Z. Merrett 2, Brown 2, Daniher 2, Stokes, Hartley, Kommer, Langford, Parish

|home best = Z. Merrett, Daniher, Zaharakis, Parish, J. Merrett, Goddard, Kelly, McDonald-Tipungwuti

|home injuries= Fantasia (knee), Dea (nose)

|home reports = Ambrose (rough conduct)

|winner = H

|away team = {{AFL Mel}}

|away Q1 = 1.4 (10)

|away Q2 = 6.4 (40)

|away Q3 = 7.7 (49)

|away final = 10.7 (67)

|away goals = Kennedy 3, Garlett 2, Brayshaw, Harmes, Oliver, Watts, Hogan

|away best = Kennedy, Vince, N. Jones, M. Jones, Tyson

|away injuries= Nil

|away reports = Nil

|venue = Melbourne Cricket Ground

|crowd = 50,424

|report = [https://web.archive.org/web/20160331094010/http://www.afl.com.au/match-centre/2016/2/ess-v-melb Report]

|umpires =

|broadcast = Fox Footy

|notes =

Milestone(s): Clayton Oliver (1st AFL goal)

Brownlow votes: Zach Merrett ({{AFL Ess}}) 3 votes, David Zaharakis ({{AFL Ess}}) 2 votes, Joe Daniher ({{AFL Ess}}) 1 vote

Record: 1 win, 1 loss, 0 draws (93.04%)

Ladder position: 11th

}}

==Round 3==

{{AFLGameDetailed

|title = Round 3

|date = Sunday, 10 April (1:10 pm)

|home team = {{AFL NM}}

|home Q1 = 8.2 (50)

|home Q2 = 10.4 (64)

|home Q3 = 17.7 (109)

|home final = 21.10 (136)

|home goals = Harvey 6, Goldstein 5, Waite 4, Petrie 2, Gibson 2, Ziebell, Macmillan

|home best = Harvey, Goldstein, Waite, Ziebell, Cunnington

|home injuries= Garner (hamstring)

|home reports = Nil

|winner = H

|away team = {{AFL Mel}}

|away Q1 = 2.2 (14)

|away Q2 = 11.5 (71)

|away Q3 = 14.7 (91)

|away final = 20.11 (131)

|away goals = Kent 4, Watts 3, Hogan 3, Oliver 2, Gawn 2, N. Jones, vandenBerg, Dunn, Tyson, Harmes, Viney

|away best = Vince, Viney, Oliver, Gawn, Hogan, Kent

|away injuries= Nil

|away reports = Nil

|venue = Blundstone Arena

|crowd = 12,607

|report = [https://web.archive.org/web/20160404213215/http://www.afl.com.au/match-centre/2016/3/nmfc-v-melb Report]

|umpires =

|broadcast = Fox Footy

|notes =

Debut(s): Josh Wagner

Brownlow votes: Todd Goldstein ({{AFL NM}}) 3 votes, Brent Harvey ({{AFL NM}}) 2 votes, Jack Viney ({{AFL Mel}}) 1 vote

Record: 1 win, 2 losses, 0 draws (94.56%)

Ladder position: 10th

}}

==Round 4==

{{AFLGameDetailed

|title = Round 4

|date = Sunday, 17 April (3:20 pm)

|home team = {{AFL Col}}

|home Q1 = 1.2 (8)

|home Q2 = 6.5 (35)

|home Q3 = 8.10 (58)

|home final = 9.13 (67)

|home goals = Cloke 2, Sidebottom 2, Varcoe, Treloar, Sinclair, Fasolo, Moore

|home best = Pendlebury, Treloar, Sidebottom, Adams, Langdon

|home injuries= Goldsack (illness) replaced in selected side by White, Reid (knee), Sinclair (concussion), Cloke (elbow)

|home reports = Nil

|winner = A

|away team = {{AFL Mel}}

|away Q1 = 6.2 (38)

|away Q2 = 11.2 (68)

|away Q3 = 14.4 (88)

|away final = 16.6 (102)

|away goals = Watts 4, Tyson 2, Pedersen 2, Hogan 2, Viney, Frost, Kennedy, Brayshaw, Kent, Gawn

|away best = Gawn, Viney, Watts, Wagner, Tyson, N. Jones, Bugg

|away injuries= Brayshaw (concussion)

|away reports = Nil

|venue = Melbourne Cricket Ground

|crowd = 47,558

|report = [https://web.archive.org/web/20160401085107/http://www.afl.com.au/match-centre/2016/4/coll-v-melb Report]

|umpires =

|broadcast = Seven Network

|notes =

Debut(s): Jayden Hunt

Brownlow votes: Jack Watts ({{AFL Mel}}) 3 votes, Nathan Jones ({{AFL Mel}}) 2 votes, Jack Viney ({{AFL Mel}}) 1 vote

Record: 2 wins, 2 losses, 0 draws (105.26%)

Ladder position: 10th

}}

==Round 5==

{{AFLGameDetailed

|title = Round 5

|date = Sunday, 24 April (7:10 pm)

|home team = {{AFL Mel}}

|home Q1 = 5.1 (31)

|home Q2 = 11.3 (69)

|home Q3 = 14.7 (91)

|home final = 20.9 (129)

|home goals = Garlett 4, Vince 3, Watts 3, Tyson 2, Gawn 2, Brayshaw, Bugg, Salem, Harmes, Frost, Kent

|home best = Gawn, Viney, Tyson, Salem, Kent, N. Jones, Garlett

|home injuries= Nil

|home reports = Nil

|winner = H

|away team = {{AFL Ric}}

|away Q1 = 2.3 (15)

|away Q2 = 7.5 (47)

|away Q3 = 11.9 (75)

|away final = 14.12 (96)

|away goals = Riewoldt 3, Lloyd 3, Vickery 3, Edwards, Chaplin, Martin, B. Ellis, Miles

|away best = Cotchin, Miles, Riewoldt, Edwards

|away injuries= Deledio (quad) replaced in the side by Townsend, Riewoldt (ankle)

|away reports = Rance (striking)

|venue = Melbourne Cricket Ground

|crowd = 59,968

|report = [https://web.archive.org/web/20160405191314/http://www.afl.com.au/match-centre/2016/5/melb-v-rich Report]

|umpires =

|broadcast = Seven Network

|notes =

Brownlow votes: Max Gawn ({{AFL Mel}}) 3 votes, Jack Viney ({{AFL Mel}}) 2 votes, Dom Tyson ({{AFL Mel}}) 1 vote

Record: 3 wins, 2 losses, 0 draws (111.38%)

Ladder position: 10th

}}

==Round 6==

{{AFLGameDetailed

|title = Round 6

|date = Saturday, 30 April (1:45 pm)

|home team = {{AFL Mel}}

|home Q1 = 5.3 (33)

|home Q2 = 8.3 (51)

|home Q3 = 11.5 (71)

|home final = 15.6 (96)

|home goals = Hogan 7, Watts 2, Frost 2, Bugg, Tyson, N. Jones, Kent

|home best = Hogan, Viney, N. Jones, Vince

|home injuries= Harmes (corked thigh), Salem (concussion)

|home reports = Nil

|winner = A

|away team = {{AFL|StK}}

|away Q1 = 3.4 (22)

|away Q2 = 9.9 (63)

|away Q3 = 17.11 (113)

|away final = 20.15 (135)

|away goals = Membrey 5, Riewoldt 3, Bruce 3, Acres 2, Sinclair 2, Dunstan, Newnes, Gresham, Weller, Armitage

|away best = Riewoldt, Acres, Steven, Membrey, Sinclair, Armitage

|away injuries= Ross (shoulder), Webster (thumb)

|away reports = Nil

|venue = Etihad Stadium

|crowd = 27,260

|report = [https://web.archive.org/web/20160405164509/http://www.afl.com.au/match-centre/2016/6/melb-v-stk Report]

|umpires =

|broadcast = Seven Network

|notes =

Debut(s): Christian Petracca

Brownlow votes: Nick Riewoldt ({{AFL|StK}}) 3 votes, Jesse Hogan ({{AFL Mel}}) 2 votes, Tim Membrey ({{AFL|StK}}) 1 vote

Record: 3 wins, 3 losses, 0 draws (102.20%)

Ladder position: 9th

}}

==Round 7==

{{AFLGameDetailed

|title = Round 7

|date = Saturday, 7 May (5:10 pm)

|home team = {{AFL GC}}

|home Q1 = 4.2 (26)

|home Q2 = 8.2 (50)

|home Q3 = 11.3 (69)

|home final = 14.3 (87)

|home goals = Lynch 4, Ablett 2, Garlett 2, Wright 2, Currie, Grant, Hall, Macpherson

|home best = Lynch, Day, Saad, Miller, Harbrow

|home injuries= Rosa (hamstring), Sexton (forearm)

|home reports = Nil

|winner = A

|away team = {{AFL Mel}}

|away Q1 = 2.3 (15)

|away Q2 = 8.7 (55)

|away Q3 = 17.11 (113)

|away final = 24.16 (160)

|away goals = Garlett 3, Harmes 3, Pedersen 3, Gawn 2, N. Jones 2, Kennedy 2, Petracca 2, Viney 2, Hogan, Kent, Stretch, Tyson, Vince

|away best = Gawn, Viney, N. Jones, Harmes, Vince, Oliver, Bugg

|away injuries= Nil

|away reports = Nil

|venue = Metricon Stadium

|crowd = 12,780

|report = [http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-05-07/demons-onslaught-blows-gold-coast-away Report]

|umpires =

|broadcast = Fox Footy

|notes =

Milestone(s): Christian Petracca (1st AFL goal), James Harmes (Rising Star nominee)

Brownlow votes: Max Gawn ({{AFL Mel}}) 3 votes, Nathan Jones ({{AFL Mel}}) 2 votes, Jack Viney ({{AFL Mel}}) 1 vote

Record: 4 wins, 3 losses, 0 draws (112.67%)

Ladder position: 9th

}}

==Round 8==

{{AFLGameDetailed

|title = Round 8

|date = Sunday, 15 May (3:20 pm)

|home team = {{AFL Mel}}

|home Q1 = 2.2 (14)

|home Q2 = 5.5 (35)

|home Q3 = 7.9 (51)

|home final = 12.10 (82)

|home goals = Watts 3, Kennedy 2, Garlett 2, Viney, Petracca, Oliver, T. McDonald, Hogan

|home best = Viney, Tyson, Stretch, Kennedy, T. McDonald

|home injuries= Nil

|home reports = Vince (rough conduct)

|winner = A

|away team = {{AFL WB}}

|away Q1 = 5.5 (35)

|away Q2 = 8.9 (57)

|away Q3 = 12.10 (82)

|away final = 17.12 (114)

|away goals = Stringer 5, Redpath 3, Picken 2, Dickson 2, McLean, Liberatore, Wallis, Dale, Hunter

|away best = Bontempelli, Liberatore, Hunter, Dahlhaus, M. Boyd, Picken, Stringer

|away injuries= Stringer (corked calf), Roberts (head), Roughead (shoulder)

|away reports = Nil

|venue = Melbourne Cricket Ground

|crowd = 39,921

|report = [http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-05-15/dogs-show-class-over-dees Report]

|umpires =

|broadcast = Seven Network

|notes =

Milestone(s): Jack Watts (100th AFL goal), Bernie Vince (50th MFC game)

Brownlow votes: Marcus Bontempelli ({{AFL WB}}) 3 votes, Lachie Hunter ({{AFL WB}}) 2 votes, Tom Liberatore ({{AFL WB}}) 1 vote

Record: 4 wins, 4 losses, 0 draws (106.81%)

Ladder position: 9th

}}

==Round 9==

{{AFLGameDetailed

|title = Round 9

|date = Sunday, 22 May (1:10 pm)

|home team = {{AFL Mel}}

|home Q1 = 5.6 (36)

|home Q2 = 10.7 (77)

|home Q3 = 13.10 (88)

|home final = 19.17 (131)

|home goals = Hogan 5, Harmes 4, Garlett 2, Michie, Kent, Kennedy, Newton, N. Jones, Watts, Viney, Stretch

|home best = Hogan, Bugg, Stretch, Petracca, Garlett, Oliver, Watts

|home injuries= Oliver (corked thigh)

|home reports = Nil

|winner = H

|away team = {{AFL BL}}

|away Q1 = 2.3 (15)

|away Q2 = 5.5 (35)

|away Q3 = 6.10 (46)

|away final = 9.14 (68)

|away goals = Bell 3, Lester 2, Zorko, Taylor, Keays, Freeman

|away best = Zorko, Robinson, Bell, Rich

|away injuries= Nil

|away reports = Nil

|venue = Melbourne Cricket Ground

|crowd = 26,892

|report = [http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-05-22/match-report-melbourne-v-brisbane-lions Report]

|umpires =

|broadcast = Fox Footy

|notes =

Milestone(s): Nathan Jones (100th AFL goal), Viv Michie (1st AFL goal), Christian Petracca (Rising Star nominee)

Brownlow votes: Jesse Hogan ({{AFL Mel}}) 3 votes, James Harmes ({{AFL Mel}}) 2 votes, Clayton Oliver ({{AFL Mel}}) 1 vote

Record: 5 wins, 4 losses, 0 draws (113.59%)

Ladder position: 9th

}}

==Round 10==

{{AFLGameDetailed

|title = Round 10

|date = Saturday, 28 May (1:40 pm)

|home team = {{AFL Mel}}

|home Q1 = 2.7 (19)

|home Q2 = 4.9 (33)

|home Q3 = 9.12 (66)

|home final = 10.16 (76)

|home goals = Hogan 3, Watts 2, Gawn 2, Neal-Bullen, Garlett, Kent

|home best = Gawn, N. Jones, Watts, Hogan, Wagner, T. McDonald

|home injuries= Garland (cheekbone)

|home reports = Nil

|winner = A

|away team = {{AFL PA}}

|away Q1 = 2.4 (16)

|away Q2 = 8.6 (54)

|away Q3 = 12.11 (83)

|away final = 18.13 (121)

|away goals = Dixon 5, Young 2, Wingard 2, Impey 2, Hartlett, Boak, Howard, R. Gray, Byrne-Jones, Krakouer, Neade

|away best = Wingard, R. Gray, Ebert, Dixon, Westhoff, Boak, Byrne-Jones

|away injuries= Broadbent (gastro) replaced in selected side by S. Gray, Hombsch (hamstring), Stewart (concussion).

|away reports = Nil

|venue = TIO Traeger Park

|crowd = 5,146

|report = [https://web.archive.org/web/20160405174946/http://www.afl.com.au/match-centre/2016/10/melb-v-port Report]

|umpires =

|broadcast = Fox Footy

|notes =

Brownlow votes: Chad Wingard ({{AFL PA}}) 3 votes, Charlie Dixon ({{AFL PA}}) 2 votes, Robbie Gray ({{AFL PA}}) 1 vote

Record: 5 wins, 5 losses, 0 draws (107.33%)

Ladder position: 9th

}}

==Round 11==

{{AFLGameDetailed

|title = Round 11

|date = Saturday, 4 June (1:45 pm)

|home team = {{AFL Haw}}

|home Q1 = 4.5 (29)

|home Q2 = 6.7 (43)

|home Q3 = 8.14 (62)

|home final = 11.16 (82)

|home goals = Gunston 3, Breust 2, O'Brien 2, Rioli, Hill, Stewart, Puopolo

|home best = Mitchell, Lewis, Gibson, Birchall, Smith, Frawley, Gunston

|home injuries= Gunston (right ankle)

|home reports = Nil

|winner = H

|away team = {{AFL Mel}}

|away Q1 = 2.0 (12)

|away Q2 = 7.2 (44)

|away Q3 = 10.2 (62)

|away final = 10.4 (64)

|away goals = Kent 2, Watts 2, Dawes, Petracca, Hogan, vandenBerg, Tyson, N. Jones

|away best = Tyson, Vince, N. Jones, Watts, T. McDonald, Kent

|away injuries= Nil

|away reports = Vince (striking)

|venue = Melbourne Cricket Ground

|crowd = 41,833

|report = [https://web.archive.org/web/20160405164449/http://www.afl.com.au/match-centre/2016/11/haw-v-melb Report]

|umpires =

|broadcast = Seven Network

|notes =

Milestone(s): Max Gawn (50th AFL game)

Brownlow votes: Bernie Vince ({{AFL Mel}}) 3 votes, Josh Gibson ({{AFL Haw}}) 2 votes, Nathan Jones ({{AFL Mel}}) 1 vote

Record: 5 wins, 6 losses, 0 draws (105.08%)

Ladder position: 11th

}}

==Round 12==

{{AFLGameDetailed

|title = Round 12

|date = Monday, 13 June (3:20 pm)

|home team = {{AFL Mel}}

|home Q1 = 2.4 (16)

|home Q2 = 9.6 (60)

|home Q3 = 11.7 (73)

|home final = 16.8 (104)

|home goals = Hogan 3, Kent 3, Gawn 3, Watts 2, Viney, Trengove, Petracca, N. Jones, Kennedy

|home best = Gawn, Vince, N. Jones, Kent, T. McDonald, Tyson, Hogan, Bugg, Kennedy

|home injuries= vandenBerg (nose)

|home reports = Nil

|winner = H

|away team = {{AFL Col}}

|away Q1 = 4.4 (38)

|away Q2 = 5.4 (34)

|away Q3 = 6.6 (42)

|away final = 8.10 (58)

|away goals = Cox 2, Maynard, White, Sidebottom, Varcoe, Greenwood, Grundy

|away best = Treloar, Pendlebury, Howe, De Goey, Varcoe

|away injuries= Frost (shoulder), Reid (left knee), Pendlebury (left ankle)

|away reports = Nil

|venue = Melbourne Cricket Ground

|crowd = 60,158

|report = [https://web.archive.org/web/20160405191450/http://www.afl.com.au/match-centre/2016/12/melb-v-coll Report]

|umpires =

|broadcast = Seven Network

|notes =

Brownlow votes: Bernie Vince ({{AFL Mel}}) 3 votes, Max Gawn ({{AFL Mel}}) 2 votes, Nathan Jones ({{AFL Mel}}) 1 vote

Record: 6 wins, 6 losses, 0 draws (108.91%)

Ladder position: 10th

}}

==Round 13==

{{AFLGameDetailed

|title = Round 13

|date = Sunday, 19 June (1:10 pm)

|home team = {{AFL Syd}}

|home Q1 = 2.6 (18)

|home Q2 = 4.8 (32)

|home Q3 = 6.13 (49)

|home final = 12.14 (86)

|home goals = Franklin 4, Towers 2, McGlynn 2, Hewett, Kennedy, Nankervis, Lloyd

|home best = McVeigh, Parker, Hannebery, Franklin, Jones, Towers

|home injuries= Nil

|home reports = Nil

|winner = H

|away team = {{AFL Mel}}

|away Q1 = 1.1 (7)

|away Q2 = 2.3 (15)

|away Q3 = 3.6 (24)

|away final = 4.7 (31)

|away goals = Petracca 2, Kent, Hogan

|away best = Vince, N. Jones, Gawn, Petracca, Viney, Wagner

|away injuries= Nil

|away reports = Nil

|venue = Sydney Cricket Ground

|crowd = 19,086

|report = [https://web.archive.org/web/20160405191050/http://www.afl.com.au/match-centre/2016/13/syd-v-melb Report]

|umpires =

|broadcast = Fox Footy

|notes =

Brownlow votes: Luke Parker ({{AFL Syd}}) 3 votes, Lance Franklin ({{AFL Syd}}) 2 votes, Jarrad McVeigh ({{AFL Syd}}) 1 vote

Record: 6 wins, 7 losses, 0 draws (103.73%)

Ladder position: 10th

}}

==Round 14==

{{AFLGameBye|{{AFL Mel}}}}

==Round 15==

{{AFLGameDetailed

|title = Round 15

|date = Sunday, 3 July (3:20 pm)

|home team = {{AFL Mel}}

|home Q1 = 2.3 (15)

|home Q2 = 10.4 (64)

|home Q3 = 14.5 (89)

|home final = 15.8 (98)

|home goals = Gartlett 4, Hogan 3, Watts 3, Kennedy, Hunt, Kent, N. Jones, Harmes

|home best = Watts, Hunt, N. Jones, Hogan, Gartlett, Jetta

|home injuries= Nil

|home reports = Nil

|winner = A

|away team = {{AFL Ade}}

|away Q1 = 5.2 (32)

|away Q2 = 8.5 (43)

|away Q3 = 15.8 (98)

|away final = 18.12 (120)

|away goals = Walker 3, Douglas 3, Betts 3, Jenkins 2, Cameron 2, McGovern 2, Lynch, Atkins, Lyons

|away best = Laird, Walker, M. Crouch, B. Crouch, Cameron, Douglas

|away injuries= Nil

|away reports = Nil

|venue = Melbourne Cricket Ground

|crowd = 29,133

|report = [http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-07-03/match-report-melbourne-v-adelaide Report]

|umpires =

|broadcast = Fox Footy

|notes =

Milestone(s): Dom Tyson (50th MFC game), Jayden Hunt (1st AFL goal)

Brownlow votes: Rory Laird ({{AFL Ade}}) 3 votes, Nathan Jones ({{AFL Mel}}) 2 votes, Rory Sloane ({{AFL Ade}}) 1 vote

Record: 6 wins, 8 losses, 0 draws (101.73%)

Ladder position: 10th

}}

==Round 16==

{{AFLGameDetailed

|title = Round 16

|date = Saturday, 9 July (7:10 pm)

|home team = {{AFL Mel}}

|home Q1 = 6.5 (41)

|home Q2 = 9.8 (62)

|home Q3 = 11.11 (77)

|home final = 12.15 (87)

|home goals = Hogan 4, Watts 3, Kent 3, vandenBerg, N. Jones

|home best = Hogan, Viney, N. Jones, Watts, Hunt, Tyson, Grimes

|home injuries= O. McDonald (ankle), Vince (shin)

|home reports = Nil

|winner = H

|away team = {{AFL Fre}}

|away Q1 = 2.0 (12)

|away Q2 = 3.1 (19)

|away Q3 = 7.4 (46)

|away final = 8.7 (55)

|away goals = Pavlich 3, Mayne 2, Suban, Taberner, Ballantyne

|away best = Neale, Hill, Sutcliffe, Pavlich, Blakely

|away injuries= Mundy (concussion)

|away reports = Weller (high contact)

|venue = TIO Stadium

|crowd = 8,163

|report = [http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-07-09/match-report-darwin-delight-as-dees-fire-against-freo Report]

|umpires =

|broadcast = Fox Footy

|notes =

Brownlow votes: Nathan Jones ({{AFL Mel}}) 3 votes, Jack Viney ({{AFL Mel}}) 2 votes, Jesse Hogan ({{AFL Mel}}) 1 vote

Record: 7 wins, 8 losses, 0 draws (103.98%)

Ladder position: 10th

}}

==Round 17==

{{AFLGameDetailed

|title = Round 17

|date = Sunday, 17 July (3:20 pm)

|home team = {{AFL|StK}}

|home Q1 = 3.3 (21)

|home Q2 = 8.6 (54)

|home Q3 = 10.12 (72)

|home final = 15.20 (110)

|home goals = Membrey 4, Weller 3, Geary 2, Montagna, Bruce, Riewoldt, Roberton, Dunstan

|home best = Hickey, Membrey, Steven, Weller, Ross, Montagna

|home injuries= Nil

|home reports = Nil

|winner = H

|away team = {{AFL Mel}}

|away Q1 = 6.2 (38)

|away Q2 = 6.5 (41)

|away Q3 = 9.7 (61)

|away final = 11.8 (74)

|away goals = Petracca 2, Garlett 2, Gawn 2, Watts, vandenBerg, Hogan, Viney, Kennedy

|away best = Viney, Vince, T. McDonald, Jetta, Harmes

|away injuries= Hogan (hip), Watts (right ankle)

|away reports = Hogan (striking)

|venue = Etihad Stadium

|crowd = 25,322

|report = [http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-07-17/match-report-saints-extend-streak-over-dees-to-14 Report]

|umpires =

|broadcast = Seven Network

|notes =

Milestone(s): Jack Grimes (100th AFL game)

Brownlow votes: Tim Membrey ({{AFL|StK}}) 3 votes, Maverick Weller ({{AFL|StK}}) 2 votes, Jack Viney ({{AFL Mel}}) 1 vote

Record: 7 wins, 9 losses, 0 draws (101.27%)

Ladder position: 11th

}}

==Round 18==

{{AFLGameDetailed

|title = Round 18

|date = Saturday, 23 July (2:35 pm)

|home team = {{AFL|WC}}

|home Q1 = 2.1 (13)

|home Q2 = 5.2 (32)

|home Q3 = 8.4 (52)

|home final = 10.6 (66)

|home goals = Kennedy 3, Priddis, Darling, Duggan, Lycett, Cripps, Gaff, Hill

|home best = Priddis, Shuey, Gaff, Kennedy, Hurn, Lycett

|home injuries= Nil

|home reports = Nil

|winner = H

|away team = {{AFL Mel}}

|away Q1 = 2.2 (14)

|away Q2 = 5.4 (34)

|away Q3 = 8.10 (58)

|away final = 8.12 (60)

|away goals = Garlett 3, Dawes 2, M Jones, Petracca, Kent

|away best = N Jones, Tyson, Viney, Garlett, Kent, Gawn

|away injuries= Jetta (left knee)

|away reports = Nil

|venue = Domain Stadium

|crowd = 33,908

|report = [http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-07-23/match-report-eagles-rally-late-to-snatch-thriller-over-dees Report]

|umpires =

|broadcast = Fox Footy

|notes =

Brownlow votes: Matt Priddis ({{AFL WC}}) 3 votes, Dom Tyson ({{AFL Mel}}) 2 votes, Dean Kent ({{AFL Mel}}) 1 vote

Record: 7 wins, 10 losses, 0 draws (100.83%)

Ladder position: 11th

}}

==Round 19==

{{AFLGameDetailed

|title = Round 19

|date = Sunday, 31 July (1:10 pm)

|home team = {{AFL Mel}}

|home Q1 = 1.3 (9)

|home Q2 = 6.6 (42)

|home Q3 = 7.10 (52)

|home final = 9.12 (66)

|home goals = vandenBerg 3, Watts 3, Dawes, Kent, Petracca

|home best = Tyson, Watts, Harmes, vandenBerg, O. McDonald, Gawn

|home injuries= Hogan (knee)

|home reports = Nil

|winner = H

|away team = {{AFL GC}}

|away Q1 = 3.3 (21)

|away Q2 = 4.6 (30)

|away Q3 = 6.8 (44)

|away final = 9.10 (64)

|away goals = Lynch 2, Garlett 2, Matera 2, Malceski, Shaw, Grant

|away best = Miller, Rosa, Lynch, Harbrow, Shaw

|away injuries= Shaw (ankle)

|away reports = Nil

|venue = Melbourne Cricket Ground

|crowd = 20,627

|report = [http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-07-31/match-report-melbourne-v-gold-coast Report]

|umpires =

|broadcast = Fox Footy

|notes =

Milestone(s): Tom McDonald (100th AFL game), Chris Dawes (50th MFC game)

Brownlow votes: Max Gawn ({{AFL Mel}}) 3 votes, Jack Watts ({{AFL Mel}}) 2 votes, Dom Tyson ({{AFL Mel}}) 1 vote

Record: 8 wins, 10 losses, 0 draws (100.92%)

Ladder position: 11th

}}

==Round 20==

{{AFLGameDetailed

|title = Round 20

|date = Saturday, 6 August (2:10 pm)

|home team = {{AFL Mel}}

|home Q1 = 5.2 (32)

|home Q2 = 9.2 (56)

|home Q3 = 12.6 (78)

|home final = 17.8 (110)

|home goals = Watts 3, Weideman 2, Bugg 2, Tyson 2, Petracca, Gawn, Hunt, Kent, Brayshaw, vandenBerg, Stretch, Pedersen

|home best = N. Jones, Gawn, Viney, Tyson, Watts, Vince, T. McDonald, Oliver

|home injuries= Nil

|home reports = Nil

|winner = H

|away team = {{AFL Haw}}

|away Q1 = 3.3 (21)

|away Q2 = 7.9 (51)

|away Q3 = 10.12 (72)

|away final = 11.15 (81)

|away goals = Rioli 4, Gunston 2, Ceglar 2, Smith 2, O'Brien

|away best = Rioli, Smith, Hodge, Lewis, Mitchell

|away injuries= Stratton (pectoral muscle)

|away reports = Nil

|venue = Melbourne Cricket Ground

|crowd = 38,818

|report = [http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-08-06/match-report-fierce-dees-stun-ladderleading-hawks Report]

|umpires =

|broadcast = Fox Footy

|notes =

Debut(s): Sam Weideman

Milestone(s): Dean Kent (50th AFL game), Sam Weideman (1st AFL goal)

Brownlow votes: Jack Viney ({{AFL Mel}}) 3 votes, Max Gawn ({{AFL Mel}}) 2 votes, Cyril Rioli ({{AFL Haw}}) 1 vote

Record: 9 wins, 10 losses, 0 draws (102.58%)

Ladder position: 11th

}}

==Round 21==

{{AFLGameDetailed

|title = Round 21

|date = Saturday, 13 August (7:10 pm)

|home team = {{AFL PA}}

|home Q1 = 1.2 (8)

|home Q2 = 2.4 (16)

|home Q3 = 6.5 (35)

|home final = 8.6 (54)

|home goals = Polec 2, Young 2, Wingard, Krakouer, Wines, S. Gray

|home best = S. Gray, Polec, R. Gray, Pittard, Wines

|home injuries= Wingard (hamstring)

|home reports = Nil

|winner = A

|away team = {{AFL Mel}}

|away Q1 = 4.3 (27)

|away Q2 = 8.5 (53)

|away Q3 = 9.9 (63)

|away final = 13.16 (94)

|away goals = Brayshaw 2, Bugg 2, Garlett 2, Frost, Kent, Oliver, Vince, Tyson, Watts, N. Jones

|away best = Tyson, Vince, Gawn, Oliver, Hunt

|away injuries= Nil

|away reports = Nil

|venue = Adelaide Oval

|crowd = 33,426

|report = [http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-08-13/demons-a-devilish-chance-of-finals-after-downing-port Report]

|umpires =

|broadcast = Fox Footy

|notes =

Milestone(s): Oscar McDonald (Rising Star nominee)

Brownlow votes: Max Gawn ({{AFL Mel}}) 3 votes, Dom Tyson ({{AFL Mel}}) 2 votes, Jayden Hunt ({{AFL Mel}}) 1 vote

Record: 10 wins, 10 losses, 0 draws (104.78%)

Ladder position: 9th

}}

==Round 22==

{{AFLGameDetailed

|title = Round 22

|date = Sunday, 21 August (1:10 pm)

|home team = {{AFL Car}}

|home Q1 = 4.5 (29)

|home Q2 = 7.8 (50)

|home Q3 = 10.10 (70)

|home final = 11.12 (78)

|home goals = Buckley 3, Graham 2, Wright, Everitt, Cripps, Sumner, Jones, Phillips

|home best = Cripps, Gibbs, Buckley, Docherty, Simpson

|home injuries= Silvagni (soreness) replaced in the selected side by Graham, Kerridge (illness) replaced in the selected side by Everitt, Buckley (head), C. Curnow (knee)

|home reports = Nil

|winner = H

|away team = {{AFL Mel}}

|away Q1 = 2.2 (14)

|away Q2 = 4.8 (32)

|away Q3 = 6.10 (46)

|away final = 7.16 (58)

|away goals = VandenBerg, Hunt, Hogan, Oliver, Bugg, Neal-Bullen, Gawn

|away best = Tyson, Viney, Hunt, N. Jones, Oliver

|away injuries= Watts (eye), Kent (leg)

|away reports = Nil

|venue = Melbourne Cricket Ground

|crowd = 40,693

|report = [http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-08-21/match-report-carlton-v-melbourne Report]

|umpires =

|broadcast = Fox Footy

|notes =

Brownlow votes: Patrick Cripps ({{AFL Car}}) 3 votes, Bryce Gibbs ({{AFL Car}}) 2 votes, Kade Simpson ({{AFL Car}}) 1 vote

Record: 10 wins, 11 losses, 0 draws (103.49%)

Ladder position: 10th

}}

==Round 23==

{{AFLGameDetailed

|title = Round 23

|date = Saturday, 27 August (1:45 pm)

|home team = {{AFL Gee}}

|home Q1 = 8.2 (50)

|home Q2 = 11.6 (72)

|home Q3 = 14.10 (94)

|home final = 24.11 (155)

|home goals = Hawkins 6, Menzel 4, Menegola 3, Bartel 3, Motlop 2, Caddy 2, McCarthy, Selwood, Duncan, Taylor

|home best = Dangerfield, Caddy, Hawkins, Guthrie, Selwood, Taylor, Menzel

|home injuries= Kolodjashnij (calf)

|home reports = Nil

|winner = H

|away team = {{AFL Mel}}

|away Q1 = 2.0 (12)

|away Q2 = 3.2 (20)

|away Q3 = 3.6 (24)

|away final = 6.8 (44)

|away goals = Garlett 2, vandenBerg, Weideman, Brayshaw, Hogan

|away best = Tyson, Petracca, Hunt, Salem

|away injuries= Kent (corked thigh), replaced in selected side by M. Jones

|away reports = Nil

|venue = Simonds Stadium

|crowd = 24,413

|report = [http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-08-27/match-report-cats-claw-into-top-four-after-demon-demolition Report]

|umpires =

|broadcast = Seven Network

|notes =

Brownlow votes: Patrick Dangerfield ({{AFL Gee}}) 3 votes, Joel Selwood ({{AFL Gee}}) 2 votes, Sam Menegola ({{AFL Gee}}) 1 vote

Record: 10 wins, 12 losses, 0 draws (97.64%)

Ladder position: 11th

}}

Ladder

=Ladder breakdown by opposition=

Opponent	Played	Won	Lost	Drew	Premiership points	Points for	Points against	Percentage (%)
class="wikitable"
{{AFL Col}}	2	2	0	0	8	206	125	164.80%
{{AFL GC}}	2	2	0	0	8	226	151	149.67%
{{AFL BL}}	1	1	0	0	4	131	68	192.65%
{{AFL Fre}}	1	1	0	0	4	87	55	158.18%
{{AFL Ric}}	1	1	0	0	4	129	96	134.38%
{{AFL Haw}}	2	1	1	0	4	174	163	106.75%
{{AFL GWS}}	1	1	0	0	4	80	78	102.56%
{{AFL PA}}	2	1	1	0	4	170	175	97.14%
{{AFL NM}}	1	0	1	0	0	131	136	96.32%
{{AFL WC}}	1	0	1	0	0	60	66	90.91%
{{AFL Ess}}	1	0	1	0	0	67	80	83.75%
{{AFL Ade}}	1	0	1	0	0	98	120	81.67%
{{AFL Car}}	1	0	1	0	0	58	78	74.56%
{{AFL WB}}	1	0	1	0	0	82	114	71.93%
{{AFL\|StK}}	2	0	2	0	0	170	245	69.39%
{{AFL Syd}}	1	0	1	0	0	31	86	36.05%
{{AFL Gee}}	1	0	1	0	0	44	155	28.39%
Total	22	10	12	0	40	1944	1998	97.64%

Tribunal and match review panel cases

class="wikitable sortable" style="width:100%;"

style="background:#efefef;"

! Player

! Round

! Charge category

! Verdict

! Early plea

! Result

! Victim

! Club

! Ref(s)

| NAB Challenge

| Rough conduct

| style="background:#FFCFCF;"| Guilty

| Yes

| $1000

| {{sortname|Aaron|Young|dab=footballer}}

| {{AFL PA}}

|{{cite news|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-02-29/mrp-full-statement-nab-challenge-week-two|title=MRP full statement: NAB Challenge week two|date=29 February 2016|work=AFL.com.au|publisher=Telstra Media|accessdate=6 March 2016}}{{cite news|url=http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2016-03-01/oliver-accepts-mrp-sanction|title=Oliver accepts MRP sanction|last=Burgan|first=Matt|date=1 March 2016|work=MelbourneFC.com.au|publisher=Telstra Media|accessdate=15 March 2016}}

| NAB Challenge

| Rough conduct

| style="background:#FFCFCF;"| Guilty

| Yes

| $1000

| {{sortname|Nathan|Wright|dab=footballer}}

| {{AFL|StK}}

|{{cite news|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-03-14/match-review-panel-full-statement|title=Match Review Panel: full statement|date=14 March 2016|work=AFL.com.au|publisher=Telstra Media|accessdate=15 March 2016}}{{cite news|url=http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2016-03-15/pedersen-accepts-sanction|title=Pedersen accepts sanction|date=15 March 2016|work=MelbourneFC.com.au|publisher=Telstra Media|accessdate=15 March 2016}}

| Round 1

| Striking

| style="background:#FFCFCF;"| Guilty

| Yes

| $1000

| {{sortname|Phil|Davis|dab=Australian footballer}}

| {{AFL GWS}}

|{{cite news|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-03-28/match-review-panel-full-statement-round-one|title=Match Review Panel full statement: round one|date=28 March 2016|work=AFL.com.au|publisher=Telstra Media|accessdate=1 April 2016}}{{cite news|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-03-29/sidebottom-accepts-twoweek-ban-three-accept-fines|title=Sidebottom accepts two-week ban, Cats cleared|last=King|first=Travis|date=29 March 2016|work=AFL.com.au|publisher=Telstra Media|accessdate=1 April 2016}}

| Round 3

| Striking

| style="background:#FFCFCF;"| Guilty

| Yes

| 1 match

| {{sortname|Jamie|Macmillan}}

| {{AFL NM}}

|{{cite news|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-04-11/match-review-panel-full-statement-round-three|title=Match Review Panel full statement: round three|date=11 April 2016|work=AFL.com.au|publisher=Telstra Media|accessdate=5 May 2016}}{{cite news|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-04-12/bernie-vince-offered-one-week-mitch-robinson-cleared|title=Bernie Vince accepts one week, Mitch Robinson cleared|last=Schmook|first=Nathan|date=12 April 2016|work=AFL.com.au|publisher=Telstra Media|accessdate=5 May 2016}}

| Round 5

| Involved in a melee (first offence)

| style="background:#FFCFCF;"| Guilty

| Yes

| $1000

| N/A

| {{AFL Ric}}

|{{cite news|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-04-26/mrp-full-statement-round-five|title=Match Review Panel full statement: round five|date=26 April 2016|work=AFL.com.au|publisher=Telstra Media|accessdate=5 May 2016}}{{cite news|url=http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2016-04-26/a-host-of-players-accept-mrp-sanctions|title=A host of players accept MRP sanctions|date=12 April 2016|work=MelbourneFC.com.au|publisher=Telstra Media|accessdate=5 May 2016}}

| Round 5

| Involved in a melee (first offence)

| style="background:#FFCFCF;"| Guilty

| Yes

| $1000

| N/A

| {{AFL Ric}}

| Round 5

| Involved in a melee (first offence)

| style="background:#FFCFCF;"| Guilty

| Yes

| $1000

| N/A

| {{AFL Ric}}

| Round 5

| Involved in a melee (first offence)

| style="background:#FFCFCF;"| Guilty

| Yes

| $1000

| N/A

| {{AFL Ric}}

| Round 5

| Wrestling (second offence)

| style="background:#FFCFCF;"| Guilty

| Yes

| $1500

| {{sortname|Anthony|Miles|dab=Australian footballer}}

| {{AFL Ric}}

| Round 5

| Making contact with an injured player

| style="background:#FFCFCF;"| Guilty

| Yes

| $1000

| {{sortname|Jack|Riewoldt}}

| {{AFL Ric}}

| Round 8

| Rough conduct

| style="background:#FFCFCF;"| Guilty

| Yes

| 1 match

| {{sortname|Marcus|Bontempelli}}

| {{AFL WB}}

|{{cite news|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-05-16/match-review-panel-full-statement-round-eight|title=Match Review Panel full statement: round eight|date=16 May 2016|work=AFL.com.au|publisher=Telstra Media|accessdate=24 May 2016}}{{cite news|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-05-17/double-mrp-blow-for-dogs-boyd-and-redpath-offered-bans|title=Double MRP blow for Dogs: Boyd and Redpath accept bans|last=Schmook|first=Nathan|date=17 May 2016|work=AFL.com.au|publisher=Telstra Media|accessdate=24 May 2016}}

| Round 8

| Rough conduct

| style="background:#FFCFCF;"| Guilty

| Yes

| $1500

| {{sortname|Fletcher|Roberts}}

| {{AFL WB}}

| Round 8

| Rough conduct

| style="background:#cfc;"|Not guilty

| N/A

| {{sortname|Mitch|Wallis}}

| {{AFL WB}}

| Round 9

| Wrestling (third offence)

| style="background:#FFCFCF;"| Guilty

| Yes

| $2500

| {{sortname|Daniel|Merrett}}

| {{AFL BL}}

|{{cite news|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-05-23/match-review-panel-full-statement-round-nine|title=Match Review Panel full statement: round nine|date=23 May 2016|work=AFL.com.au|publisher=Telstra Media|accessdate=24 May 2016}}{{cite news|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-05-24/jonas-sent-to-tribunal|title=Jonas sent to Tribunal, Lin Jong takes two|last=Schmook|first=Nathan|date=24 May 2016|work=AFL.com.au|publisher=Telstra Media|accessdate=24 May 2016}}

| Round 10

| Striking

| style="background:#FFCFCF;"| Guilty

| Yes

| 1 match

| {{sortname|Brad|Ebert}}

| {{AFL PA}}

|{{cite news|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-05-30/match-review-panel-full-statement-round-10|title=Match Review Panel full statement: round 10|date=30 May 2016|work=AFL.com.au|publisher=Telstra Media|accessdate=19 June 2016}}{{cite news|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-05-31/mrp-jack-viney-cops-one-match-steven-motlop-in-the-clear|title=MRP: Viney cops one match, Motlop in the clear|last=Schmook|first=Nathan|date=31 May 2016|work=AFL.com.au|publisher=Telstra Media|accessdate=19 June 2016}}

| Round 11

| Wrestling (third offence)

| style="background:#FFCFCF;"| Guilty

| Yes

| $2500

| {{sortname|Liam|Shiels}}

| {{AFL Haw}}

|{{cite news|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-06-06/match-review-panel-full-statement-round-11|title=Match Review Panel full statement: round 11|date=6 June 2016|work=AFL.com.au|publisher=Telstra Media|accessdate=19 June 2016}}{{cite news|url=http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2016-06-07/jones-accepts-mrp-sanction|title=Jones accepts MRP sanction|date=7 June 2016|work=MelbourneFC.com.au|publisher=Telstra Media|accessdate=19 June 2016}}

| Round 11

| Striking

| style="background:#cfc;"|Not guilty

| N/A

| {{sortname|Isaac|Smith|dab=footballer}}

| {{AFL Haw}}

| Round 13

| Rough conduct

| style="background:#FFCFCF;"| Guilty

| Yes

| $1000

| {{sortname|Luke|Parker|dab=Australian footballer}}

| {{AFL Syd}}

|{{cite news|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-06-20/match-review-panel-full-statement-round-13|title=Match Review Panel full statement: round 13|date=20 June 2016|work=AFL.com.au|publisher=Telstra Media|accessdate=21 June 2016}}{{cite news|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-06-21/ziebell-cleared-vince-fined|title=Rockliff to fight fine, Ziebell cleared over Mitchell hit|last=Schmook|first=Nathan|date=21 June 2016|work=AFL.com.au|publisher=Telstra Media|accessdate=21 June 2016}}

| Round 17

| Striking

| style="background:#FFCFCF;"| Guilty

| Yes

| $1000

| {{sortname|Jarryn|Geary}}

| {{AFL|StK}}

|{{cite news|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-07-18/match-review-panel-full-statement-round-17|title=Match Review Panel full statement: round 17|date=18 July 2016|work=AFL.com.au|publisher=Telstra Media|accessdate=19 July 2016}}{{cite news|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-07-19/hogan-free-to-play-hodge-fined-for-dangerous-tackle|title=Hogan free to play, Hodge fined for dangerous tackle|last=Bowen|first=Nick|date=19 July 2016|work=AFL.com.au|publisher=Telstra Media|accessdate=19 July 2016}}

Awards

=Brownlow Medal tally=

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
Player	3 vote games	2 vote games	1 vote games	Total votes
align=left\| Max Gawn \| 4 \| 2 \| 0 \| 16
align=left\| Jack Viney \| 2 \| 2 \| 4 \| 14
align=left\| Nathan Jones \| 1 \| 3 \| 2 \| 11
align=left\| Jesse Hogan \| 1 \| 1 \| 1 \| 6
align=left\| Dom Tyson \| 0 \| 2 \| 2 \| 6
align=left\| Bernie Vince \| 2 \| 0 \| 0 \| 6
align=left\| Jack Watts \| 1 \| 1 \| 0 \| 5
align=left\| Clayton Oliver \| 0 \| 1 \| 1 \| 3
align=left\| James Harmes \| 0 \| 2 \| 0 \| 2
align=left\| Jayden Hunt \| 0 \| 0 \| 1 \| 1
align=left\| Dean Kent \| 0 \| 0 \| 1 \| 1
Total \| 11 \| 14 \| 12 \| 71

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"

Player

3 vote games

2 vote games

1 vote games

Total votes

align=left| Max Gawn

| 4

| 2

| 0

| 16

align=left| Jack Viney

| 2

| 4

| 14

align=left| Nathan Jones

| 1

| 3

| 2

| 11

align=left| Jesse Hogan

| 1

| 6

align=left| Dom Tyson

| 0

| 2

| 6

align=left| Bernie Vince

| 2

| 0

| 6

align=left| Jack Watts

| 1

| 0

| 5

align=left| Clayton Oliver

| 0

| 1

| 3

align=left| James Harmes

| 0

| 2

| 0

| 2

align=left| Jayden Hunt

| 0

| 1

align=left| Dean Kent

| 0

| 1

Total

| 11

| 14

| 12

| 71

=Keith 'Bluey' Truscott Medal tally (top 10)=

class="wikitable"
Position	Player{{cite news\|url=http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2016-09-06/viney-edges-jones-to-win-first-bluey\|title=Viney edges Jones to win first ‘Bluey’\|last=Burgan\|first=Matt\|date=6 September 2016\|work=MelbourneFC.com.au\|publisher=Telstra Media\|accessdate=16 September 2016}}	Votes
1st \| Jack Viney \| 407
2nd \| Nathan Jones \| 399
3rd \| Max Gawn \| 374
4th \| Dom Tyson \| 357
5th \| Jack Watts \| 308
6th \| Tom McDonald \| 306
7th \| Bernie Vince \| 287
8th \| Jesse Hogan \| 261
9th \| Neville Jetta \| 260
10th \| Dean Kent \| 235

class="wikitable"

Position

Player{{cite news|url=http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2016-09-06/viney-edges-jones-to-win-first-bluey|title=Viney edges Jones to win first ‘Bluey’|last=Burgan|first=Matt|date=6 September 2016|work=MelbourneFC.com.au|publisher=Telstra Media|accessdate=16 September 2016}}

Votes

1st

| Jack Viney

| 407

2nd

| Nathan Jones

| 399

3rd

| Max Gawn

| 374

4th

| Dom Tyson

| 357

5th

| Jack Watts

| 308

6th

| Tom McDonald

| 306

7th

| Bernie Vince

| 287

8th

| Jesse Hogan

| 261

9th

| Neville Jetta

| 260

10th

| Dean Kent

| 235

Keith 'Bluey' Truscott Trophy – Jack Viney{{cite news|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-09-06/top-demon-jack-viney-follows-in-dads-footsteps|title=Top Demon Jack Viney follows in dad's footsteps|last=Guthrie|first=Ben|date=6 September 2016|work=AFL.com.au|publisher=Telstra Media|accessdate=16 September 2016}}

Sid Anderson Memorial Trophy (second in the best and fairest) – Nathan Jones

Ron Barassi Snr Memorial Trophy (third in the best and fairest) – Max Gawn

Ivor Warne-Smith Memorial Trophy (fourth in the best and fairest) – Dom Tyson

Dick Taylor Memorial Trophy (fifth in the best and fairest) – Jack Watts

Harold Ball Memorial Trophy (best young player) – Jayden Hunt{{cite news|url=http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2016-09-06/gawn-claims-two-awards-on-bf-night|title=Gawn claims two awards on B&F night|last=Burgan|first=Matt|date=6 September 2016|work=MelbourneFC.com.au|publisher=Telstra Media|accessdate=16 September 2016}}

Troy Broadbridge Trophy (best Melbourne-listed player in the VFL) – Jack Grimes

Ron Barassi Jnr Trophy (leadership award) – Jack Viney

Ian Ridley Trophy (club ambassador award) – Neville Jetta

Norm Smith Memorial Trophy (coach's award) – Max Gawn

James McDonald Trophy (heart and spirit award) – Max Gawn

Leading goalkicker award – Jesse Hogan (41 goals){{cite web|url=http://afltables.com/afl/teams/melbourne/leadinggk.html|title=Melbourne Goalkicking Records|publisher=AFL Tables|accessdate=26 September 2016}}

References

External links

[http://melbournefc.com.au/ Official Website of the Melbourne Football Club]
[http://www.afl.com.au/ Official Website of the AFL]

2016

Melbourne Football Club

Category:2016 in Victoria (state)