2021 AFL season#Round 1

The season was played during the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic, with the country's vaccination roll-outs commencing around the beginning of the season. The country had largely settled into a paradigm of most states maintaining zero COVID-19 cases outside of their international travel quarantine systems; and when this was the case, it allowed matches to be played in front of crowds (albeit with reduced capacity) and unhindered interstate travel was permitted without quarantine. However, the different state governments often responded quickly to small numbers or even single virus cases being discovered in the community; this meant that border restrictions or quarantine periods were often re-imposed at short notice, impacting interstate travel for matches; and, in some cases, that city- or state-wide lockdowns were imposed within the impacted states, precluding football activities altogether.{{cite web|url=https://www.traveller.com.au/australia-state-border-closures-closing-due-to-a-single-case-feels-like-security-theatre-h1ttp0|title=Australia state border closures: Closing due to a single case feels like 'security theatre'|date=8 February 2021|access-date=9 February 2021|author=Tim Richards|publisher=Traveller.com.au}} Short 'snap lockdowns', lasting between three and seven days in a given city, became a common response to the first few cases in the community as governments adopted 'Zero-COVID' policies.

The impact of the pandemic to the season's scheduled fixture was mostly limited to venue changes and matches being played behind closed doors; the dates of some fixtured games were adjusted, but none by more than a week from its original date. Unlike the 2020 season, the league sought to avoid putting clubs into long-term interstate hubs, and players were instead promised that only medium-term interstate trips would occur, with a maximum duration of three weeks before returning home. This worked across most of the league, but a months-long period of lockdown and border restrictions in Sydney during the latter part of the season meant that {{AFL Syd}} and {{AFL GWS}} were unable to return home after Round 15, the latter spending more than ten weeks interstate in more than six different locations between then and its season ending;{{cite web|url=https://www.gwsgiants.com.au/news/1012032/71-days-and-counting-giants-long-road-from-sydney-to-perth|title=71 Days and Counting: The GIANTS' Long Road from Sydney to Perth|author=Martin Pegan|date=1 September 2021|accessdate=18 September 2021}} families and partners were able to join the players interstate after six weeks.{{cite news|newspaper=Herald Sun|url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/afl-fixture-latest-round-21-draw-announced-with-essendon-granted-friday-night-slot/news-story/6e3e9b2202ec4e8d9cb945aa866abd5c|title=AFL 2021: Stranded loved ones of the Swans and Giants to be reunited in Victoria|date=4 August 2021|access-date=7 August 2021|author1=Marc McGowan|author2=Jon Ralph|author3=Jay Clark}} The completion of the season was assisted by special "sterile corridor" arrangements made with several state governments, allowing clubs to fly in and out of those states from some hot zones without quarantine if the travelling party was subjected to isolation and testing requirements in their home states in the week leading up to the match.{{cite news|newspaper=Newscorp|author1=Jon Ralph|author2=Glenn McFarlane|author3=Sam Landsberger|author4=Chris Cavanagh|url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/news/afl-2021-latest-updates-news-on-how-victorias-covid19-crisis-will-impact-the-season/news-story/f14745c0800d7ad47a46601a5632cfc2 |title=Latest Updates on how Victoria's COVID-19 Crisis will Impact the Season |date=6 June 2021|access-date=14 June 2021 |url-access=subscription}} In the end, the biggest impact to the fixtured season was that the pre-finals bye week, which had been conventional since 2016, was dropped at less than two weeks' notice, and the first week of finals was brought forward, as a contingency to allow the league to respond to any unforeseen changes to border or societal restrictions during finals; at the time of the announcement, the grand final remained scheduled for its original date of Saturday 25 September, and the bye week was ultimately scheduled in the week between the preliminary finals and the grand final.{{cite web|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/666123/pre-finals-bye-scrapped-but-clubs-brace-for-september-break|title=Pre-finals bye scrapped but clubs brace for September break|date=16 August 2021|access-date=16 August 2021|publisher=Australian Football League|author=Mitch Cleary}}

The league saw relatively few impacts through the first half of the season, with only occasional games relocated; but, as more virus cases and outbreaks occurred through winter, the second half of the season was more heavily affected with relocated games. In particular:

• Rounds 11 to 14: an outbreak in Victoria resulted in lockdown and border restrictions on Victorian clubs, precluding free entry to any state except New South Wales. Many clubs shifted games to Sydney and remained there between rounds during that period.
• Rounds 15 and 16: nationwide outbreaks in all states except Tasmania at one stage locked down all capital cities in those states, and precluded most free interstate travel in the country. All non-Victorian clubs relocated their training bases and most matches to Victoria, with only select matches able to be played interstate.{{cite news|newspaper=Herald Sun|url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/latest-news-on-how-the-afl-is-dealing-with-the-nations-escalating-covid-crisis/news-story/939e29c4a60a6394e04c92256d849b08|title=Latest news on how the AFL is dealing with the nation's escalating Covid crisis|date=30 June 2021|access-date=4 July 2021|author1=Mark Robinson|author2=Sam Landsberger|author3=Marc McGowan}}
• Round 15 until the end of the season: a long period of restrictions in Sydney saw both clubs based outside New South Wales long term.
• No finals were held in Victoria. The Victorian venues were available despite a smaller outbreak in the state, having hosted home-and-away matches behind closed doors right up to the end of the season while 'sterile corridor' arrangements were in place to enable interstate travel. However, the league preferred to schedule finals which could be attended in a neutral state rather than behind closed doors in a home state.{{cite web|url=https://thenewdaily.com.au/sport/2021/08/22/tasmania-afl-finals/|title=AFL rewards Tasmania with right to host maiden finals games|date=22 August 2021|publisher=The New Daily|accessdate=25 August 2021}}

While most matches in the season saw some level of attendance restrictions, there was a steady return to larger crowds compared to the restrictions imposed in 2020. The openness of Australia's society compared with others around the world in the first half of the season meant that the AFL was on the leading edge of a return to typical sports attendances; and at the time it was played, the attendance of 78,113 for the match between {{AFL Col}} and {{AFL Ess}} on Anzac Day was a world record highest attendance for a sporting event since the beginning of the pandemic.{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-04-25/mcg-biggest-crowd-covid-pandemic-anzac-day-afl/100094508|title=MCG hosts biggest crowd since COVID-19 outbreak for Anzac Day AFL clash between Collingwood and Essendon|website=abc.net.au|publisher=AFL|date=26 April 2021|access-date=26 April 2021}} This was reversed in the second half of the season, with a return to matches being played with no spectators in many states.

The following rule changes were made in the 2021 season:{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-rule-changes-zones-interchange-cap-new-rules-2021-steve-hocking-afl-announcements-laws-of-the-game/news-story/4190431dbafe1c9dc5650719499c89fe|title=Revealed: AFL's sweeping changes for 2021 season|date=18 November 2021|access-date=17 January 2021|work=Fox Sports|author=David Zita}}

• The maximum number of interchanges allowed was reduced from 90 to 75 per team. Like previous steps taken to reduce interchange numbers, this was designed to alleviate congested play by giving teams less fatigue management.
• The interchange bench was increased from four to five, with the fifth designated a medical substitute allowed to take the field only to replace a player deemed medically unfit to continue. Except with permission from the AFL Medical Officer, a player thus substituted off would be ineligible to play again until at least twelve days later.{{cite web|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/563046/new-rule-reveal-afl-brings-in-medical-sub-ahead-of-r1|date=17 March 2021|access-date=17 March 2021|title=New rule reveal: AFL BLngs in 'medical sub' ahead of R1|author=Mitch Cleary}} To be granted permission to play the injury must not be concussion, which has its own mandatory 12 day rule.
• The distance between man on the mark and the kick-off line at a kick-in was increased from 10m to 15m.{{cite web|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/524804/afl-rule-changes-reveal-rotations-slashed-man-on-mark-on-notice|title=AFL rule changes reveal: Rotations slashed, 'man on mark' on notice|website=AFL.com.au|last1=Barrett|first1=Damian|author-link=Damian Barrett|date=November 18, 2020|access-date=March 18, 2021}}
• The duration of each quarter of play was returned to 20 minutes plus time-on, as it had been since 1994. Quarters had been played at a reduced 16 minutes plus time-on in 2020, specifically as a fatigue and injury management strategy to cope with pandemic-related interruptions to the season.{{cite web|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/528623/full-time-footy-is-back-20-min-quarters-afl-to-reveal-floating-fixture|title=Full-time footy is back: 20-min quarters, AFL to reveal floating fixture|date=10 December 2020|access-date=17 January 2021|author=Mitch Cleary|publisher=Australian Football League}}

Additionally, umpires were directed to use a more stringent interpretation of existing rules related to the man on the mark: the man on the mark had previously been given freedom to move laterally or make a run towards the mark, provided they did not step over the mark; but now, the player would be directed to 'stand' upon taking up the mark position, and would concede a 50-metre penalty if he left that position; he could also choose not to take up the mark, leaving him free to move provided he remained at least five metres behind the mark. This new interpretation made it more difficult for the man on the mark to influence a subsequent sequence of quick-running play, opening up freer ball movement.{{cite web|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/554522/behind-the-whistle-new-stand-the-mark-rule-in-the-spotlight|title=Behind the whistle: New 'stand the mark' rule in the spotlight|date=1 March 2021|access-date=19 March 2021|publisher=Australian Football League|author=Callum Twomey}}{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-03-18/richmond-carlton-afl-new-rules-get-first-run-out/100017346|title=AFL's new rules debut in Richmond's win over Carlton at MCG, and some pros and cons are already on display|date=18 March 2021|access-date=19 March 2021|publisher=ABC|author=Dean Bilton}}

The 2021 AAMI Community Series was played before the home and away season. The competition did not have a grand final or overall winner. All matches were televised live on Fox Footy as well as on the Kayo Sports app.{{cite news |title=AFL Community Series 2021 fixture {{!}} AFL pre season matches, competition, Community Series games |url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-marsh-series-2021-fixture-afl-pre-season-competition-marsh-community-series-games/news-story/05d9f7da19efcf7c423295526b4d99d1 |access-date=24 December 2020 |work=Fox Sports |date=17 December 2020 |language=en-AU}}{{cite web |title=2021 AFL Community Series Fixture Released |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/534456/2021-afl-community-series-fixture-released |website=www.afl.com.au |access-date=24 December 2020}}

The series was originally set to feature 18 matches across three weekends, with each team playing twice. However in light of changing domestic border restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the series was reduced to one weekend in March 2021. Victorian clubs played each other, while non-Victorian clubs were originally scheduled to play opponents from neighbouring states. Clubs were free to schedule practice matches with other clubs from their own state beforehand with AFL approval.{{cite web |title=Blues, Saints to open updated AAMI Community Series fixture |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/544094/blues-saints-to-open-updated-aami-community-series-fixture |website=www.afl.com.au |access-date=31 January 2021}} The schedule was revised for a third time on February 25, 2021. All teams played pre-season games within their home states, to minimise travel before the season began.{{cite web |title=No travel: AFL shuffles fixture, venues for pre-season comp|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/552784/no-travel-afl-shuffles-fixture-venues-for-pre-season-comp|website=www.afl.com.au |access-date=25 February 2021}}

{{AFLGameHeader|title=2021 AAMI Community Series}}

{{AFLGame|Thursday, 4 March (7:10 pm)|{{AFL Car}}|15.9 (99)|A|{{AFL StK}}|19.11 (125)|Marvel Stadium|10,228|[https://www.afl.com.au/news/556099/carlton-carnage-injuries-mro-worry-sours-shootout-loss-to-saints Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Friday, 5 March (7:10 pm)|{{AFL Col}}|11.8 (74)|A|{{AFL Ric}}|11.14 (80)|Marvel Stadium|10,308|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/2977#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Saturday, 6 March (4:10 pm)|{{AFL NM}}|12.9 (81)|A|{{AFL Haw}}|17.18 (120)|Arden Street Oval|1,656|[https://www.afl.com.au/news/557038/hard-not-to-pick-him-hawks-roos-faced-with-pleasant-selection-headaches Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Saturday, 6 March (7:10 pm)|{{AFL Gee}}|12.7 (79)|H|{{AFL Ess}}|9.18 (72)|GMHBA Stadium|11,121|[https://www.afl.com.au/news/557039/gun-recruits-make-their-mark-as-cats-hold-off-wayward-dons Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Sunday, 7 March (1:10 pm)|{{AFL GWS}}|18.6 (114)|H|{{AFL Syd}}|12.14 (86)|Giants Stadium|3,164|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3184#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Sunday, 7 March (3:40 pm)|{{AFL Ade}}|6.9 (45)|A|{{AFL PA}}|17.14 (116)|Flinders University Stadium|3,028{{Cite web|date=2021-03-07|title=AFL Pre-Season: Port Adelaide d Adelaide Crows|url=https://www.austadiums.com/sport/event/24482|url-status=live|access-date=2021-03-10|website=Austadiums|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210307141533/https://www.austadiums.com/sport/event/24482 |archive-date=7 March 2021 }}|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3187#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Sunday, 7 March (4:10 pm)|{{AFL WC}}|9.13 (67)|H|{{AFL Fre}}|8.9 (57)|Optus Stadium|20,116|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/2970#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Monday, 8 March (3:10 pm)|{{AFL WB}}|15.16 (106)|H|{{AFL Mel}}|10.7 (67)|Marvel Stadium|7,931|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3185#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Monday, 8 March (6:10 pm)|{{AFL GC}}|13.11 (89)|A|{{AFL BL}}|18.9 (117)|Metricon Stadium|1,962|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3186#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGameFooter|notes=

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A full 23-round fixture for the 2021 season was released in December 2020; but dates, times and broadcasters were initially revealed only for the first six rounds, with the league intending to release the remaining dates in four-to-six weeks blocks with at least a month's notice during the season.

Through the below tables, there were many matches played before no crowd or a heavily restricted attendance, all of which were caused by the local COVID-19 conditions at the time of the match. Where the venue for the match was altered due to COVID-19 restrictions, the original venue is noted; in cases where the competing teams had a return match later in the season, the clubs sometimes swapped home games.

{{AFLGameHeader|title=Round 1}}

{{AFLGame|Thursday, 18 March (7:25 pm)|{{AFL Ric}}|15.15 (105)|H|{{AFL Car}}|11.14 (80)|MCG|49,218|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/2991#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Friday, 19 March (7:40 pm)|{{AFL Col}}|7.11 (53)|A|{{AFL WB}}|10.9 (69)|MCG|46,051|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/2986#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Saturday, 20 March (1:45 pm)|{{AFL Mel}}|11.14 (80)|H|{{AFL Fre}}|8.10 (58)|MCG|21,365|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/2992#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Saturday, 20 March (4:05 pm)|{{AFL Ade}}|15.13 (103)|H|{{AFL Gee}}|13.13 (91)|Adelaide Oval|26,985|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/2993#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Saturday, 20 March (7:25 pm)|{{AFL Ess}}|13.13 (91)|A|{{AFL Haw}}|14.8 (92)|Marvel Stadium|25,128|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/2994#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Saturday, 20 March (6:45 pm)|{{AFL BL}}|14.10 (94)|A|{{AFL Syd}}|19.11 (125)|Gabba|22,762|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/2987#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Sunday, 21 March (1:10 pm)|{{AFL NM}}|9.11 (65)|A|{{AFL|PA}}|17.15 (117)|Marvel Stadium|13,050|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/2990#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Sunday, 21 March (3:20 pm)|{{AFL GWS}}|11.12 (78)|A|{{AFL StK}}|13.8 (86)|Giants Stadium|5,014|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/2989#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Sunday, 21 March (3:10 pm)|{{AFL|WC}}|12.11 (83)|H|{{AFL GC}}|8.10 (58)|Optus Stadium|38,493|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/2988#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGameFooter|notes=}}

{{AFLGameHeader|title=Round 2}}

{{AFLGame|Thursday, 25 March (7:20 pm)|{{AFL Car}}|13.7 (85)|A|{{AFL Col}}|16.10 (106)|MCG|51,723|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/2999#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Friday, 26 March (7:50 pm)|{{AFL Gee}}|12.9 (81)|H|{{AFL BL}}|11.14 (80)|GMHBA Stadium|20,070|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3182#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Saturday, 27 March (1:45 pm)|{{AFL Syd}}|18.13 (121)|H|{{AFL Ade}}|11.22 (88)|SCG|23,946|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/2997#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Saturday, 27 March (4:05 pm)|{{AFL|PA}}|18.11 (119)|H|{{AFL Ess}}|9.11 (65)|Adelaide Oval|29,978|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3004#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Saturday, 27 March (7:30 pm)|{{AFL StK}}|11.7 (73)|A|{{AFL Mel}}|12.19 (91)|Marvel Stadium|25,903|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/2996#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Saturday, 27 March (7:10 pm)|{{AFL GC}}|14.14 (98)|H|{{AFL NM}}|5.9 (39)|Metricon Stadium|6,661|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3183#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Sunday, 28 March (1:10 pm)|{{AFL Haw}}|7.7 (49)|A|{{AFL Ric}}|11.12 (78)|MCG|41,051|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3005#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Sunday, 28 March (3:20 pm)|{{AFL WB}}|14.16 (100)|H|{{AFL|WC}}|14.9 (93)|Marvel Stadium|21,391|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3008#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Sunday, 28 March (3:10 pm)|{{AFL Fre}}|11.21 (87)|H|{{AFL GWS}}|7.14 (56)|Optus Stadium|27,625|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3037#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGameFooter|notes=

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{{AFLGameHeader|title=Round 3 (Easter Round)}}

{{AFLGameRelocated|Thursday, 1 April (7:40 pm)|{{AFL Col}}|11.6 (72)|A|{{AFL BL}}|11.7 (73)|The Gabba{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-news-2021-afl-fixture-brisbane-vs-collingwood-round-3-clash-queensland-lockdown-covid19/news-story/64d443ce22d8d1855264439ab60ee403|title=Sydney Swans become third club caught in border chaos as Lions brace for lengthy stay|first1=Matt|last1=Balmer|first2=Max|last2=Laughton|first3=Ben|last3=Waterworth|work=Fox Sports|date=30 March 2021}}|Marvel Stadium|28,057|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/2995#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Friday, 2 April (4:20 pm)|{{AFL NM}}|5.9 (39)|A|{{AFL WB}}|25.17 (167)|Marvel Stadium|28,483|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/2998#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Friday, 2 April (7:20 pm)|{{AFL Ade}}|14.11 (95)|H|{{AFL GC}}|12.13 (85)|Adelaide Oval|30,175|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3026#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Saturday, 3 April (1:45 pm)|{{AFL Ric}}|10.12 (72)|A|{{AFL Syd}}|17.15 (117)|MCG|43,637|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3000#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Saturday, 3 April (4:35 pm)|{{AFL Ess}}|22.11 (143)|H|{{AFL StK}}|9.14 (68)|Marvel Stadium|29,234|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3036#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Saturday, 3 April (5:10 pm)|{{AFL|WC}}|16.12 (108)|H|{{AFL|PA}}|11.5 (71)|Optus Stadium|42,090|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3001#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Sunday, 4 April (3:20 pm)|{{AFL Car}}|16.13 (109)|H|{{AFL Fre}}|9.10 (64)|Marvel Stadium|24,551|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3003#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Sunday, 4 April (6:10 pm)|{{AFL GWS}}|11.2 (68)|A|{{AFL Mel}}|15.12 (102)|Manuka Oval|9,563|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3022#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Monday, 5 April (3:20 pm)|{{AFL Gee}}|10.9 (69)|H|{{AFL Haw}}|9.10 (64)|MCG|50,030|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3024#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGameFooter|notes=

• Zac Bailey (Brisbane Lions) kicked a goal after the siren to win the match against Collingwood.{{cite web|url=https://wwos.nine.com.au/afl/zac-bailey-drills-goal-after-the-siren-brisbane-lions-beat-collingwood/bcc25d26-012c-4f40-87b9-08b16de2bfd9|title='That's footy karma for you': Zac Bailey drills post-siren goal as Brisbane Lions sink Collingwood|first=Chris|last=De Silva|publisher=Nine Network|website=Wide World of Sports|date=1 April 2021}}
• {{AFL WB}} set a new record for its greatest winning margin in a VFL/AFL match, winning by 128 points against {{AFL NM}}.{{cite web|title=Bruce boots massive bag in brutal demolition of dismal Roos|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/575264/bruce-boots-massive-bag-in-brutal-demolition-of-dismal-roos|last1=Cleary|first1=Mitch|work=AFL Media|access-date=2 April 2021|date=2 April 2021}}

}}

{{AFLGameHeader|title=Round 4}}

{{AFLGame|Thursday, 8 April (7:20 pm)|{{AFL Syd}}|11.17 (83)|H|{{AFL Ess}}|12.8 (80)|SCG|28,039|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3010#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Friday, 9 April (7:20 pm)|{{AFL|PA}}|11.13 (79)|H|{{AFL Ric}}|11.11 (77)|Adelaide Oval|33,742|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3002#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Saturday, 10 April (1:45 pm)|{{AFL WB}}|10.13 (73)|H|{{AFL BL}}|8.6 (54)|Mars Stadium|7,387|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3023#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Saturday, 10 April (4:35 pm)|{{AFL StK}}|15.12 (102)|H|{{AFL|WC}}|13.4 (82)|Marvel Stadium|16,710|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3011#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Saturday, 10 April (7:25 pm)|{{AFL GC}}|8.11 (59)|A|{{AFL Car}}|9.16 (70)|Metricon Stadium|11,618|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3012#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Saturday, 10 April (7:25 pm)|{{AFL Col}}|9.6 (60)|A|{{AFL GWS}}|14.6 (90)|MCG|29,866|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3040#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Sunday, 11 April (1:10 pm)|{{AFL NM}}|10.8 (68)|A|{{AFL Ade}}|16.13 (109)|Marvel Stadium|13,479|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3006#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Sunday, 11 April (3:20 pm)|{{AFL Mel}}|12.13 (85)|H|{{AFL Gee}}|9.6 (60)|MCG|33,728|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3025#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Sunday, 11 April (2:40 pm)|{{AFL Fre}}|13.18 (96)|H|{{AFL Haw}}|12.9 (81)|Optus Stadium|29,490|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3009#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGameFooter|notes=

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{{AFLGameHeader|title=Round 5}}

{{AFLGame|Thursday, 15 April (7:20 pm)|{{AFL StK}}|7.6 (48)|A|{{AFL Ric}}|20.14 (134)|Marvel Stadium|32,056|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3013#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Friday, 16 April (6:10 pm)|{{AFL|WC}}|16.7 (103)|H|{{AFL Col}}|11.10 (76)|Optus Stadium|54,159|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3007#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Saturday, 17 April (4:35 pm)|{{AFL WB}}|17.16 (118) |H|{{AFL GC}}|8.8 (56)|Marvel Stadium|18,920|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3029#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Saturday, 17 April (4:35 pm)|{{AFL Syd}}|10.9 (69)|A|{{AFL GWS}}|9.17 (71)|SCG|33,541|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3027#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Saturday, 17 April (7:25 pm)|{{AFL Car}}|9.14 (68)|A|{{AFL|PA}}|15.6 (96)|MCG|32,893|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3018#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Saturday, 17 April (7:25 pm)|{{AFL BL}}|15.12 (102)|H|{{AFL Ess}}|6.9 (45)|Gabba|23,544|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3017#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Sunday, 18 April (12:40 pm)|{{AFL Ade}}|11.6 (72)|A|{{AFL Fre}}|12.12 (84)|Adelaide Oval|31,454|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3015#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Sunday, 18 April (3:20 pm)|{{AFL Haw}}|8.6 (54)|A|{{AFL Mel}}|15.14 (104)|MCG|36,337|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3028#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Sunday, 18 April (4:40 pm)|{{AFL Gee}}|10.17 (77)|H|{{AFL NM}}|7.5 (47)|GMHBA Stadium|21,282|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3014#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGameFooter|notes=}}

{{AFLGameHeader|title=Round 6 (ANZAC Round)}}

{{AFLGame|Friday, 23 April (7:50 pm)|{{AFL GWS}}|9.11 (65)|A|{{AFL WB}}|15.14 (104)|Manuka Oval|10,064|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3016#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Saturday, 24 April (1:45 pm)|{{AFL Gee}}|21.10 (136)|H|{{AFL|WC}}|5.9 (39)|GMHBA Stadium|21,282|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3061#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Saturday, 24 April (1:45 pm)|{{AFL GC}}|15.10 (100)|H|{{AFL Syd}}|9.6 (60)|Metricon Stadium|9,819|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3030#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Saturday, 24 April (4:35 pm)|{{AFL Car}}|12.13 (85)|A|{{AFL BL}}|15.13 (103)|Marvel Stadium|29,576|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3031#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Saturday, 24 April (7:25 pm)|{{AFL Mel}}|12.10 (82)|H|{{AFL Ric}}|6.12 (48)|MCG|56,418|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3020#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Saturday, 24 April (6:10 pm)|{{AFL Fre}}|14.15 (99)|H|{{AFL NM}}|6.12 (48)|Optus Stadium|0|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3021#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Sunday, 25 April (12:30 pm)|{{AFL Haw}}|15.12 (102)|H|{{AFL Ade}}|16.3 (99)|University of Tasmania Stadium|9,007|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3019#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Sunday, 25 April (3:20 pm)|{{AFL Col}}|13.7 (85)|A|{{AFL Ess}}|16.13 (109)|MCG|78,113|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3044#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Sunday, 25 April (6:10 pm)|{{AFL|PA}}|14.9 (93)|H|{{AFL StK}}|5.9 (39)|Adelaide Oval|33,125|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3034#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGameFooter|notes=

• {{AFL Ade}} kicked an AFL record of 15 goals straight (14 of which were kicked before half time, also a record) before registering its first behind in its loss to {{AFL Haw}}.{{cite web|url=https://www.sen.com.au/news/2021/04/25/hawthorn-outlast-record-breaking-crows-in-launceston-thriller/|title = Hawthorn outlast record-breaking Crows in Launceston thriller}}

}}

{{AFLGameHeader|title=Round 7}}

{{AFLGame|Friday, 30 April (7:50 pm)|{{AFL Ric}}|11.11 (77)|H|{{AFL WB}}|7.13 (55)|MCG|52,402|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3069#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Saturday, 1 May (1:40 pm)|{{AFL Ade}}|4.15 (39)|A|{{AFL GWS}}|15.16 (106)|Adelaide Oval|28,853|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3035#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Saturday, 1 May (1:45 pm)|{{AFL Col}}|7.13 (55)|A|{{AFL GC}}|12.7 (79)|MCG|24,397|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3068#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Saturday, 1 May (4:35 pm)|{{AFL StK}}|19.14 (128)|H|{{AFL Haw}}|9.5 (59)|Marvel Stadium|26,433|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3032#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Saturday, 1 May (7:25 pm)|{{AFL Syd}}|14.6 (90)|H|{{AFL Gee}}|12.16 (88)|SCG|29,123|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3043#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Saturday, 1 May (7:25 pm)|{{AFL BL}}|13.15 (93)|H|{{AFL|PA}}|5.14 (44)|Gabba|20,007|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3033#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Sunday, 2 May (1:10 pm)|{{AFL NM}}|11.7 (73)|A|{{AFL Mel}}|16.7 (103)|Blundstone Arena|6,009|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3042#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Sunday, 2 May (3:20 pm)|{{AFL Ess}}|16.11 (107)|A|{{AFL Car}}|19.9 (123)|MCG|57,447|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3066#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Sunday, 2 May (2:40 pm)|{{AFL|WC}}|20.12 (132)|H|{{AFL Fre}}|11.7 (73)|Optus Stadium|0|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3062#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGameFooter|notes=

}}

{{AFLGameHeader|title=Round 8}}

{{AFLGame|Friday, 7 May (7:50 pm)|{{AFL Ric}}|9.9 (63)|A|{{AFL Gee}}|19.12 (126)|MCG|54,857|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3082#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Saturday, 8 May (1:45 pm)|{{AFL GC}}|7.12 (54)|A|{{AFL StK}}|8.15 (63)|Metricon Stadium|9,271|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3049#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Saturday, 8 May (2:10 pm)|{{AFL GWS}}|16.11 (107)|H|{{AFL Ess}}|16.9 (105)|GIANTS Stadium|8,526|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3038#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Saturday, 8 May (4:35 pm)|{{AFL NM}}|11.10 (76)|A|{{AFL Col}}|14.10 (94)|Marvel Stadium|22,329|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3039#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Saturday, 8 May (7:25 pm)|{{AFL Mel}}|10.7 (67)|H|{{AFL Syd}}|8.10 (58)|MCG|35,567|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3064#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Saturday, 8 May (7:10 pm)|{{AFL|PA}}|12.15 (87)|H|{{AFL Ade}}|5.8 (38)|Adelaide Oval|43,069|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3046#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Sunday, 9 May (1:10 pm)|{{AFL Haw}}|8.12 (60)|A|{{AFL|WC}}|14.14 (98)|MCG|15,277|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3071#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Sunday, 9 May (3:20 pm)|{{AFL WB}}|16.11 (107)|H|{{AFL Car}}|13.13 (91)|Marvel Stadium|27,663|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3045#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGameRelocated|Sunday, 9 May (4:40 pm)|{{AFL BL}}|14.11 (95)|H|{{AFL Fre}}|10.11 (71)|Optus Stadium{{cite news|url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/afl/the-covid-scares-in-perth-have-forced-two-afl-fixture-changes-and-fremantle-on-the-road/news-story/c59a7a6dac8745447be61ba305c992d7|title=The COVID scares in Perth have forced two AFL fixture changes and Fremantle on the road|first=Russell|last=Gould|newspaper=The Australian|date=4 May 2021}}|The Gabba|15,403|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3087#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGameFooter|notes=

}}

{{AFLGameHeader|title=Round 9}}

{{AFLGame|Friday, 14 May (7:50 pm)|{{AFL StK}}|5.17 (47)|A|{{AFL Gee}}|10.8 (68)|Marvel Stadium|26,712|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3053#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Saturday, 15 May (1:45 pm)|{{AFL Syd}}|10.12 (72)|H|{{AFL Col}}|5.12 (42)|SCG|31,448|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3041#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Saturday, 15 May (2:10 pm)|{{AFL Haw}}|12.8 (80)|A|{{AFL NM}}|13.9 (87)|University of Tasmania Stadium|9,121|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3085#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Saturday, 15 May (4:35 pm)|{{AFL GC}}|7.9 (51)|A|{{AFL BL}}|19.10 (124)|Metricon Stadium|12,636|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3050#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Saturday, 15 May (7:25 pm)|{{AFL Ric}}|13.9 (87)|H|{{AFL GWS}}|12.11 (83)|Marvel Stadium|18,798|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3084#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Saturday, 15 May (7:10 pm)|{{AFL|PA}}|12.5 (77)|A|{{AFL WB}}|15.6 (96)|Adelaide Oval|32,787|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3080#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Sunday, 16 May (1:10 pm)|{{AFL Ess}}|10.8 (68)|H|{{AFL Fre}}|8.13 (61)|Marvel Stadium|26,357|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3051#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Sunday, 16 May (3:20 pm)|{{AFL Mel}}|13.16 (94)|H|{{AFL Car}}|10.8 (68)|MCG|38,581|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3047#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Sunday, 16 May (2:40 pm)|{{AFL|WC}}|16.10 (106)|H|{{AFL Ade}}|11.10 (76)|Optus Stadium|43,427|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3081#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGameFooter|notes=

• {{AFL NM}}'s win was its first since Round 9, 2020, ending a 16 game losing streak. It was North Melbourne's longest losing streak since 1971–72.{{cite web|url=https://afltables.com/afl/teams/kangaroos/streaks.html#08|access-date=30 May 2021|publisher=AFL Tables|title=Streaks - North Melbourne}}

}}

{{AFLGameHeader|title=Round 10}}

{{AFLGame|Friday, 21 May (7:50 pm)|{{AFL BL}}|15.12 (102)|H|{{AFL Ric}}|11.8 (74)|Gabba|31,127|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3054#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Saturday, 22 May (1:45 pm)|{{AFL Car}}|13.8 (86)|H|{{AFL Haw}}|9.9 (63)|MCG|45,741|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3067#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Saturday, 22 May (2:10 pm)|{{AFL Gee}}|14.7 (91)|H|{{AFL GC}}|8.9 (57)|GMHBA Stadium|22,055|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3089#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Saturday, 22 May (4:05 pm)|{{AFL Ade}}|15.6 (96)|H|{{AFL Mel}}|14.11 (95)|Adelaide Oval|31,373|

[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3055#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Saturday, 22 May (7:25 pm)|{{AFL WB}}|21.18 (144)|H|{{AFL StK}}|5.3 (33)|Marvel Stadium|28,720|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3056#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Saturday, 22 May (5:40 pm)|{{AFL Fre}}|12.14 (86)|H|{{AFL Syd}}|13.6 (84)|Optus Stadium|29,134|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3117#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Sunday, 23 May (1:10 pm)|{{AFL GWS}}|13.15 (93)|H|{{AFL|WC}}|11.11 (77)|GIANTS Stadium|9,046|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3048#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Sunday, 23 May (3:20 pm)|{{AFL Col}}|8.10 (58)|A|{{AFL|PA}}|8.11 (59)|MCG|23,415|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3052#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Sunday, 23 May (4:40 pm)|{{AFL Ess}}|22.9 (141)|H|{{AFL NM}}|10.9 (69)|Marvel Stadium|33,121|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3059#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGameFooter|notes=

• {{AFL Mel}} suffered its first loss since Round 16, 2020, ending an 11 game winning streak.{{cite news|url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/adelaide-end-melbourne-s-winning-streak-in-one-point-thriller-20210522-p57u7p.html|title=Adelaide end Melbourne's winning streak in one-point thriller|first=Steve|last=Barrett|newspaper=The Age|date=22 May 2021}}
• {{AFL StK}} suffered its worst ever defeat against the {{AFL WB}}, losing by 111 points.{{cite news|url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/dominant-bulldogs-march-over-saints-20210522-p57ua5.html|title=Dominant Bulldogs march over Saints|first=Owen|last=Leonard|newspaper=The Age|date=22 May 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://australianfootball.com/clubs/biggest_losses/st.%2Bkilda/12#|title=St. Kilda - Biggest Losses|publisher=Australian Football|access-date=4 July 2021}}
• {{AFL|WC}}'s Shannon Hurn played his 290th game, surpassing the club's games record previously held by Dean Cox.

}}

{{AFLGameHeader|title=Round 11 (Sir Doug Nicholls Round Week 1)}}

{{AFLGame|Friday, 28 May (7:50 pm)|{{AFL WB}}|8.11 (59)|A|{{AFL Mel}}|13.9 (87)|Marvel Stadium|0|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3063#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Saturday, 29 May (1:45 pm)|{{AFL Col}}|6.15 (51)|A|{{AFL Gee}}|8.13 (61)|MCG|0|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3057#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Saturday, 29 May (2:10 pm)|{{AFL BL}}|19.15 (129)|H|{{AFL GWS}}|10.5 (65)|Gabba|22,038|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3060#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Saturday, 29 May (4:35 pm)|{{AFL StK}}|12.16 (88)|H|{{AFL NM}}|10.8 (68)|Marvel Stadium|0|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3065#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGameRelocated|Saturday, 29 May (7:40 pm)|{{AFL GC}}|17.11 (113)|H|{{AFL Haw}}|11.10 (76)|TIO Stadium{{cite web|url=https://www.hawthornfc.com.au/news/945944/hawthorn-v-gold-coast-clash-to-be-played-at-the-scg|title=Hawthorn v Gold Coast clash moved to the SCG|publisher=Telstra|work=Hawthorn|date=27 May 2021}}|SCG|1,241|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3079#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Saturday, 29 May (5:40 pm)|{{AFL|WC}}|11.5 (71)|A|{{AFL Ess}}|12.15 (87)|Optus Stadium|41,883|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3120#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGameRelocated|Sunday, 30 May (2:10 pm)|{{AFL Ric}}|17.9 (111)|H|{{AFL Ade}}|12.11 (83)|MCG{{cite news|url=https://7news.com.au/sport/afl/tigers-crows-afl-game-set-to-be-moved-c-2943864|title=AFL match moved interstate as COVID kicks emergency plans into gear|first=Oliver|last=Caffrey|newspaper=Seven News|date=27 May 2021}}|GIANTS Stadium|4,236|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3119#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Sunday, 30 May (3:20 pm)|{{AFL Syd}}|15.10 (100)|H|{{AFL Car}}|11.12 (78)|SCG|29,882|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3058#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Sunday, 30 May (4:50 pm)|{{AFL|PA}}|18.7 (115)|H|{{AFL Fre}}|9.15 (69)|Adelaide Oval|26,759|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3074#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGameFooter|notes=

}}

{{AFLGameHeader|title=Round 12 (Sir Doug Nicholls Round Week 2)}}

{{AFLGameRelocated|Friday, 4 June (7:20 pm)|{{AFL Mel}}|14.13 (97)|H|{{AFL BL}}|11.9 (75)|TIO Traeger Park|GIANTS Stadium|3,772|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3083#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGameRelocated|Saturday, 5 June (1:45 pm)|{{AFL Syd}}|13.14 (92)|H|{{AFL StK}}|12.11 (83)|Marvel Stadium{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-news-2021-latest-covid-news-victoria-new-cases-round-12-fixture-lockdown-length-jeff-kennett-comments/news-story/711b60aa34ddefc423f0e31de5124659|title=Magpies, AFL must accept SA govt's rules as final hurdle for this weekend's fixture|first1=David|last1=Zita|first2=Max|last2=Laughton|work=Fox Sports|date=1 June 2021}}|SCG|19,020|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3086#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Saturday, 5 June (4:05 pm)|{{AFL Ade}}|10.13 (73)|A|{{AFL Col}}|12.6 (78)|Adelaide Oval|30,446|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3076#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGameRelocated|Saturday, 5 June (5:40 pm)|{{AFL Ess}}|12.12 (84)|A|{{AFL Ric}}|19.9 (123)|MCG|Optus Stadium|55,656|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3070#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGameRelocated|Sunday, 6 June (3:20 pm)|{{AFL Car}}|10.13 (73)|A|{{AFL|WC}}|14.11 (95)|MCG|SCG|5,137|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3073#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Sunday, 6 June (4:40 pm)|{{AFL Fre}}|9.11 (65)|A|{{AFL WB}}|13.15 (93)|Optus Stadium|32,875|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3113#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGameBye|{{AFL Gee}}, {{AFL GC}}, {{AFL GWS}}, {{AFL Haw}}, {{AFL NM}}, {{AFL|PA}}}}

{{AFLGameFooter|notes=

}}

{{AFLGameHeader|title=Round 13}}

{{AFLGame|Thursday, 10 June (7:10 pm)|{{AFL|PA}}|14.7 (91)|A|{{AFL Gee}}|17.10 (112)|Adelaide Oval|28,718|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3075#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Friday, 11 June (7:50 pm)|{{AFL Syd}}|7.9 (51)|A|{{AFL Haw}}|14.5 (89)|SCG|25,904|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3098#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Saturday, 12 June (2:15 pm)|{{AFL Fre}}|11.10 (76)|H|{{AFL GC}}|6.13 (49)|Optus Stadium|27,318|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3097#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Saturday, 12 June (7:25 pm)|{{AFL StK}}|8.12 (60)|A|{{AFL Ade}}|9.12 (66)|Cazalys Stadium|5,969|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3116#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Sunday, 13 June (3:20 pm)|{{AFL NM}}|14.10 (94)|D|{{AFL GWS}}|14.10 (94)|Blundstone Arena|3,462|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3078#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Sunday, 13 June (5:20 pm)|{{AFL|WC}}|13.7 (85)|H|{{AFL Ric}}|12.9 (81)|Optus Stadium|50,834|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3705#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGameRelocated|Monday, 14 June (3:20 pm)|{{AFL Mel}}|9.9 (63)|A|{{AFL Col}}|11.14 (80)|MCG{{cite web|url=https://wwos.nine.com.au/afl/melbourne-vs-collingwood-queens-birthday-match-moved-to-scg/36634cfc-9a30-4a71-a432-fb5124607ec0|title=Annual Queen's Birthday clash between Melbourne and Collingwood moved to SCG|first=Chris|last=De Silva|publisher=Nine Network|website=Wide World of Sports|date=4 June 2021}}|SCG|16,453|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3072#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGameBye|{{AFL BL}}, {{AFL Car}}, {{AFL Ess}}, {{AFL WB}}}}

{{AFLGameFooter|notes=

• The game between {{AFL|WC}} and {{AFL Ric}} was brought forward from Round 14 to Round 13, which had been both teams' originally fixtured bye; this allowed Richmond, whose players had remained interstate since Round 11, to visit Western Australia without quarantine and then return to Victoria five days earlier than the original fixture would have allowed.{{cite web|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/628195/r13-fixture-update-saints-crows-in-cairns-is-on|title=R13 fixture update: Saints-Crows in Cairns is on|publisher=Australian Football League|date=8 June 2021|access-date=9 June 2021}}
• The attendance of 3,462 at the {{AFL NM}} and {{AFL GWS}} match is the lowest ever figure for a VFL/AFL fixture in Tasmania.{{cite web|url=https://www.examiner.com.au/story/7296425/crowd-crash-not-a-concern-for-afl/|title = Crowd crash not a concern for AFL|date = 14 June 2021}}

}}

{{AFLGameHeader|title=Round 14}}

{{AFLGame|Friday, 18 June (7:50 pm)|{{AFL Gee}}|12.11 (83)|H|{{AFL WB}}|11.12 (78)|GMHBA Stadium|6,583|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3111#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Saturday, 19 June (1:45 pm)|{{AFL GC}}|4.7 (31)|A|{{AFL|PA}}|12.9 (81)|Metricon Stadium|7,117|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3092#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGameRelocated|Saturday, 19 June (4:35 pm)|{{AFL NM}}|6.9 (45)|A|{{AFL BL}}|9.14 (68)|Marvel Stadium{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-06-14/afl-shifts-melbourne-games-to-tasmania-covid-bellerive-oval/100214826|title=AFL shifts Melbourne games to Tasmania amid COVID-19 lockdown, city to go three weeks without AFL match|newspaper=ABC News|date=14 June 2021}}|Blundstone Arena|5,060|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3090#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Saturday, 19 June (7:25 pm)|{{AFL GWS}}|16.6 (102)|H|{{AFL Car}}|9.12 (66)|GIANTS Stadium|7,035|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3088#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGameRelocated|Sunday, 20 June (3:20 pm)|{{AFL Haw}}|10.13 (73)|A|{{AFL Ess}}|13.8 (86)|MCG|University of Tasmania Stadium|14,834|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3077#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGameBye|{{AFL Ade}}, {{AFL Col}}, {{AFL Fre}}, {{AFL Mel}}, {{AFL Ric}}, {{AFL StK}}, {{AFL Syd}}, {{AFL|WC}}}}

{{AFLGameFooter|notes=

• Gary Rohan ({{AFL Gee}}) kicked a goal after the siren to win the game against the {{AFL WB}}.{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-06-18/gary-rohan-the-hero-as-cats-pip-dogs-after-the-siren/100215518|title=Geelong's Gary Rohan goals after the siren for stunning win over Western Bulldogs|newspaper=ABC News|date=18 June 2021}}

}}

{{AFLGameHeader|title=Round 15}}

{{AFLGame|Thursday, 24 June (7:30 pm)|{{AFL BL}}|13.16 (94)|H|{{AFL Gee}}|7.8 (50)|Gabba|29,024|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3115#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Friday, 25 June (7:50 pm)|{{AFL Ric}}|2.10 (22)|A|{{AFL StK}}|9.8 (62)|MCG|14,787|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3107#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Saturday, 26 June (1:45 pm)|{{AFL Col}}|12.7 (79)|A|{{AFL Fre}}|14.7 (91)|Marvel Stadium|11,570|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3096#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Saturday, 26 June (1:45 pm)|{{AFL NM}}|9.18 (72)|H|{{AFL GC}}|9.9 (63)|Blundstone Arena|6,719|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3104#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Saturday, 26 June (4:05 pm)|{{AFL|PA}}|12.9 (81)|H|{{AFL Syd}}|10.11 (71)|Adelaide Oval|29,631|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3094#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Saturday, 26 June (7:25 pm)|{{AFL Ess}}|8.9 (57)|A|{{AFL Mel}}|9.14 (68)|MCG|19,414|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3108#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGameRelocated|Sunday, 27 June (1:10 pm)|{{AFL GWS}}|11.6 (72)|A|{{AFL Haw}}|13.12 (90)|GIANTS Stadium{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-06-22/sport-swans-giants-leave-to-sydney-amid-nsw-covid-outbreak/100235868|title=Sydney Swans, GWS Giants head for Melbourne amid NSW COVID-19 outbreak|newspaper=ABC News|date=22 June 2021}}|MCG|9,897|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3095#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Sunday, 27 June (1:20 pm)|{{AFL|WC}}|6.7 (43)|A|{{AFL WB}}|13.20 (98)|Optus Stadium|0|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3099#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Sunday, 27 June (4:10 pm)|{{AFL Car}}|12.11 (83)|H|{{AFL Ade}}|10.13 (73)|Marvel Stadium|14,930|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3093#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGameFooter|notes=

• The crowd of 9,897 between {{AFL GWS}} and {{AFL Haw}}, under capacity restrictions, was the lowest for an attended AFL premiership match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground since round 21, 1992.{{cite web|url=https://australianfootball.com/leagues/every_match/AFL/138/Premiership+Season/1?season_from=1990&season_to=2021&round=all&club1=All&club2=All&ground=5&limit=5000&order_by=crowd&sort=asc|title=AFL - PREMIERSHIP SEASON - EVERY MATCH|publisher=Australian Football|access-date=28 June 2021}}
• {{AFL Ric}}'s score of 2.10 (22) against {{AFL StK}} was its lowest score since Round 16, 1961, and its lowest score at the MCG since the 1927 Grand Final.{{cite news|url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/richmond-on-the-rocks-after-shock-40-point-loss-20210625-p584f4.html|title=Richmond on the rocks after notching lowest score since 1961|first=Damien|last=Ractliffe|newspaper=The Age|date=25 June 2021}}

}}

{{AFLGameHeader|title=Round 16}}

{{AFLGameRelocated|Thursday, 1 July (7:20 pm)|{{AFL GC}}|10.17 (77)|H|{{AFL Ric}}|10.7 (67)|Metricon Stadium{{cite news|url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/afl/the-mcg-will-host-two-games-on-saturday-as-covid-chaos-keeps-the-afl-scrambling/news-story/ffb101573dc9b216a90ea5a6dbd39aa9|title=AFL Round 16 full fixture: MCG double header as Covid chaos keeps the AFL scrambling|first=Russell|last=Gould|newspaper=The Australian|date=1 July 2021}}|Marvel Stadium|9,327|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3102#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Friday, 2 July (7:50 pm)|{{AFL Gee}}|15.8 (98)|H|{{AFL Ess}}|8.9 (57)|GMHBA Stadium|15,579|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3110#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Saturday, 3 July (1:45 pm)|{{AFL Mel}}|7.13 (55)|A|{{AFL GWS}}|9.10 (64)|MCG|16,963|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3100#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Saturday, 3 July (4:05 pm)|{{AFL Ade}}|8.11 (59)|A|{{AFL BL}}|17.9 (111)|Adelaide Oval|16,178|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3105#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Saturday, 3 July (7:40 pm)|{{AFL Haw}}|7.11 (53)|A|{{AFL|PA}}|13.9 (87)|Marvel Stadium|18,251|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3112#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGameRelocated|Saturday, 3 July (7:40 pm)|{{AFL Fre}}|8.16 (64)|A|{{AFL Car}}|12.8 (80)|Optus Stadium|MCG|12,103|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3101#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGameRelocated|Sunday, 4 July (1:10 pm)|{{AFL Syd}}|18.10 (118)|H|{{AFL|WC}}|3.8 (26)|SCG|GMHBA Stadium|9,520|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3114#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Sunday, 4 July (3:20 pm)|{{AFL Col}}|8.13 (61)|A|{{AFL StK}}|10.10 (70)|MCG|18,082|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3118#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Sunday, 4 July (4:40 pm)|{{AFL WB}}|16.12 (108)|H|{{AFL NM}}|11.13 (79)|Marvel Stadium|18,216|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3132#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGameFooter|notes=

• Shaun Burgoyne of {{AFL Haw}} became the fifth player in VFL/AFL history to play 400 games; his milestone game was played against his former club {{AFL|PA}}.{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-07-02/burgoyne-reaches-400th-milestone/100263678|title=Shaun Burgoyne becomes fifth player in AFL/VFL history to reach 400 games|newspaper=ABC News|date=2 July 2021}}
• {{AFL|WC}} recorded a score of 3.8 (26) against {{AFL Syd}}, its lowest score since Round 23, 1992.{{cite news|url=https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3114#match-report|title=Eagles rocked! Swans dismantle waning West Coast|first=Martin|last=Pegan|publisher=Telstra|website=Australian Football League|date=4 July 2021}}

}}

{{AFLGameHeader|title=Round 17}}

{{AFLGame|Thursday, 8 July (7:10 pm)|{{AFL|PA}}|8.7 (55)|A|{{AFL Mel}}|12.14 (86)|Adelaide Oval|30,908|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3125#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Friday, 9 July (7:50 pm)|{{AFL Ess}}|11.18 (84)|H|{{AFL Ade}}|2.9 (21)|Marvel Stadium|23,604|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3128#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Saturday, 10 July (1:45 pm)|{{AFL Haw}}|6.10 (46)|A|{{AFL Fre}}|16.12 (108)|University of Tasmania Stadium|9,111|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3128#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Saturday, 10 July (4:35 pm)|{{AFL Car}}|5.14 (44)|A|{{AFL Gee}}|10.10 (70)|MCG|31,834|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3127#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGameRelocated|Saturday, 10 July (7:25 pm)|{{AFL BL}}|8.15 (63)|A|{{AFL StK}}|14.11 (95)|The Gabba{{cite news |date= 7 July 2021|title= FIXTURE REVEAL: Round 17 finalised, round 18 locked in|url= https://www.afl.com.au/news/643651/fixture-reveal-round-17-finalised-round-18-locked-in|work= AFL.com.au|location= |access-date=12 July 2021}}|Metricon Stadium|9,075|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3164#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGameRelocated|Sunday, 11 July (12:40 pm)|{{AFL GWS}}|9.10 (64)|A|{{AFL GC}}|10.5 (65)|GIANTS Stadium{{cite news |date= 7 July 2021|title= Off to Mars: AFL confirms venue for Giants-Suns clash|url= https://www.afl.com.au/news/643469/off-to-mars-afl-confirms-venue-for-giants-suns-clash|work= AFL.com.au|location= |access-date=12 July 2021}}|Mars Stadium|2,952|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3106#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Sunday, 11 July (3:20 pm)|{{AFL WB}}|8.12 (60)|A|{{AFL Syd}}|11.13 (79)|Marvel Stadium|24,817|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3160#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Sunday, 11 July (4:10 pm)|{{AFL Ric}}|11.5 (71)|A|{{AFL Col}}|13.9 (87)|MCG|29,437|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3139#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Monday, 12 July (5:40 pm)|{{AFL|WC}}|8.12 (60)|A|{{AFL NM}}|10.10 (70)|Optus Stadium|30,515|}}

[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3103#match-report Report]

{{AFLGameFooter|notes=

• {{AFL Ade}}'s score of 2.9 (21) against {{AFL Ess}} set new records for the lowest score in Adelaide's history, and the lowest score ever by any team at Marvel Stadium, surpassing the previous mark of 3.6 (24) from Round 18, 2011, which was also scored by the Crows.{{cite web|url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/afl-2021-live-updates-essendon-bombers-adelaide-crows-chase-key-win-20210709-p588cc.html|title = As it happened AFL 2021: 'Embarrassed' Crows set new record low with 21 points as Dons dominate|date = 9 July 2021}}

}}

{{AFLGameHeader|title=Round 18}}

{{AFLGame|Thursday, 15 July (6:10 pm)|{{AFL Fre}}|3.13 (31)|A|{{AFL Gee}}|14.16 (100)|Optus Stadium|35,271|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3137#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGameRelocated|Friday, 16 July (8:05 pm)|{{AFL Ric}}|16.10 (106)|H|{{AFL BL}}|13.8 (86)|MCG{{cite news|url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/clubs-on-the-move-as-covid-chaos-hits-afl-20210715-p589v8.html|title=Cats head to Victoria, COVID-19 chaos hits AFL as clubs join exodus to Queensland |first1=Peter|last1=Ryan |first2=Andrew|last2=Wu |first3=Jake|last3=Niall |first4=Daniel|last4=Cherny |newspaper=The Age|date=15 July 2021}}|Metricon Stadium|4,119|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3130#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Saturday, 17 July (1:45 pm)|{{AFL StK}}|8.13 (61)|A|{{AFL|PA}}|10.14 (74)|Marvel Stadium|0|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3109#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Saturday, 17 July (4:35 pm)|{{AFL GC}}|11.13 (79)|A|{{AFL WB}}|14.6 (90)|Metricon Stadium|8,244|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3167#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Saturday, 17 July (7:25 pm)|{{AFL Mel}}|11.13 (79)|D|{{AFL Haw}}|12.7 (79)|MCG|0|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3123#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGameRelocated|Sunday, 18 July (12:35 pm)|{{AFL NM}}|11.8 (74)|A|{{AFL Ess}}|13.14 (92)|Marvel Stadium|Metricon Stadium|5,114|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3133#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Sunday, 18 July (3:20 pm)|{{AFL Col}}|9.8 (62)|A|{{AFL Car}}|13.13 (91)|MCG|0|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3161#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Sunday, 18 July (4:10 pm)|{{AFL Ade}}|8.8 (56)|A|{{AFL|WC}}|14.14 (98)|Adelaide Oval|24,554|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3174#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGameRelocated|Sunday, 18 July (6:10 pm)|{{AFL GWS}}|11.6 (72)|A|{{AFL Syd}}|15.8 (98)|GIANTS Stadium|Metricon Stadium|2,374|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3129#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGameFooter|notes=

}}

{{AFLGameHeader|title=Round 19}}

{{AFLGameRelocated|Friday, 23 July (7:15 pm)|{{AFL|PA}}|14.13 (97)|H|{{AFL Col}}|10.9 (69)|Adelaide Oval|Marvel Stadium|0|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3131#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Saturday, 24 July (1:45 pm)|{{AFL Car}}|11.11 (77)|A|{{AFL NM}}|18.8 (116)|Marvel Stadium|0|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3134#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Saturday, 24 July (3:10 pm)|{{AFL BL}}|17.18 (120)|H|{{AFL GC}}|10.11 (71)|Gabba|16,660|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3126#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Saturday, 24 July (2:35 pm)|{{AFL|WC}}|14.10 (94)|H|{{AFL StK}}|13.8 (86)|Optus Stadium|43,657|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3175#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Saturday, 24 July (7:25 pm)|{{AFL Mel}}|9.11 (65)|A|{{AFL WB}}|13.7 (85)|MCG|0|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3159#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGameRelocated|Saturday, 24 July (7:40 pm)|{{AFL Ade}}|16.6 (102)|H|{{AFL Haw}}|13.5 (83)|Adelaide Oval|Marvel Stadium|0|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3121#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGameRelocated|Sunday, 25 July (12:30 pm)|{{AFL Syd}}|14.14 (98)|H|{{AFL Fre}}|8.10 (58)|SCG|Metricon Stadium|2,875|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3163#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Sunday, 25 July (3:20 pm)|{{AFL Gee}}|15.5 (95)|H|{{AFL Ric}}|8.9 (57)|MCG|0|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3162#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGameRelocated|Sunday, 25 July (6:10 pm)|{{AFL Ess}}|7.11 (53)|A|{{AFL GWS}}|9.12 (66)|Marvel Stadium|Metricon Stadium|2,681|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3122#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGameFooter|notes=

}}

{{AFLGameHeader|title=Round 20}}

{{AFLGame|Friday, 30 July (7:50 pm)|{{AFL StK}}|12.9 (81)|A|{{AFL Car}}|18.4 (112)|Marvel Stadium|0|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3153#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Saturday, 31 July (12:20 pm)|{{AFL WB}}|15.15 (105)|H|{{AFL Ade}}|8.8 (56)|Mars Stadium|0|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3172#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Saturday, 31 July (1:15 pm)|{{AFL NM}}|6.6 (42)|A|{{AFL Gee}}|8.14 (62)|Blundstone Arena|8,083|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3135#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Saturday, 31 July (4:15 pm)|{{AFL Col}}|14.6 (90)|H|{{AFL|WC}}|6.9 (45)|MCG|0|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3136#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGameRelocated|Sunday, 1 August (12:10 pm)|{{AFL GC}}|4.6 (30)|A|{{AFL Mel}}|18.20 (128)|Metricon Stadium|Marvel Stadium|0|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3166#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGameRelocated|Sunday, 1 August (2:10 pm)|{{AFL Haw}}|14.8 (92)|H|{{AFL BL}}|12.8 (80)|MCG|University of Tasmania Stadium|5,381|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3171#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGameRelocated|Sunday, 1 August (3:10 pm)|{{AFL Ess}}|16.6 (102)|A|{{AFL Syd}}|17.7 (109)|Marvel Stadium|MCG|0|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3146#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Sunday, 1 August (3:10 pm)|{{AFL Fre}}|7.13 (55)|H|{{AFL Ric}}|6.15 (51)|Optus Stadium|24,979|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3165#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGameRelocated|Sunday, 1 August (6:10 pm)|{{AFL GWS}}|11.7 (73)|A|{{AFL|PA}}|15.10 (100)|UNSW Canberra Oval|Marvel Stadium|0|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3145#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGameFooter|notes=

• A snap COVID-19 lockdown in Queensland, announced on the morning of Saturday 31 July and commencing the same afternoon, saw two matches – {{AFL GC}} vs {{AFL Mel}} and {{AFL Ess}} vs {{AFL Syd}} (which had previously been relocated to Queensland from Marvel Stadium) – postponed at less than a day's notice from Saturday to Sunday. Both matches were relocated to Melbourne, as was the {{AFL GWS}} vs {{AFL|PA}} match (which had previously been relocated to Queensland from UNSW Canberra Oval), which was already fixtured for Sunday.{{cite web|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/655676/postponed-matches-in-queensland-called-off-after-snap-lockdown|date=31 July 2021|access-date=2 August 2021|title=MEGA SUNDAY IS HERE: Postponed matches rescheduled, double-header at Marvel|author=Mitch Cleary|publisher=Australian Football League}}

}}

{{AFLGameHeader|title=Round 21}}

{{AFLGame|Friday, 6 August (7:50 pm)|{{AFL Gee}}|8.17 (65)|A|{{AFL GWS}}|13.6 (84)|GMHBA Stadium|0|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3179#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Saturday, 7 August (1:45 pm)|{{AFL Car}}|8.9 (57)|A|{{AFL GC}}|11.10 (76)|Marvel Stadium|0|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3148#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Saturday, 7 August (4:35 pm)|{{AFL Ric}}|13.11 (89)|H|{{AFL NM}}|8.8 (56)|MCG|0|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3147#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Saturday, 7 August (7:10 pm)|{{AFL Ade}}|7.9 (51)|A|{{AFL|PA}}|7.13 (55)|Adelaide Oval|14,376|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3150#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGameRelocated|Saturday, 7 August (7:40 pm)|{{AFL StK}}|14.9 (93)|H|{{AFL Syd}}|10.4 (64)|SCG|Marvel Stadium|0|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3142#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Sunday, 8 August (2:10 pm)|{{AFL Haw}}|15.7 (97)|H|{{AFL Col}}|12.6 (78)|MCG|0|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3138 Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Sunday, 8 August (3:20 pm)|{{AFL WB}}|12.12 (84)|A|{{AFL Ess}}|15.7 (97)|Marvel Stadium|0|[https://www.afl.com.au/news/661203/don-like-a-dog-s-dinner-out-of-sight-wright-feasts-on-league-leaders Report]}}

{{AFLGameRelocated|Sunday, 8 August (3:10 pm)|{{AFL Fre}}|8.6 (54)|A|{{AFL BL}}|18.10 (118)|The Gabba|Optus Stadium|29,589|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3168#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Monday, 9 August (6:10 pm)|{{AFL|WC}}|9.9 (63)|A|{{AFL Mel}}|10.12 (72)|Optus Stadium|31,584|}}

[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3140#match-report Report]

{{AFLGameFooter|notes=

• The match between {{AFL Haw}} and {{AFL Col}} was originally moved from the MCG to University of Tasmania Stadium to allow spectators to attend; but was returned to its original venue after a COVID-19 case was detected in Tasmania.{{cite web|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/659377/game-on-the-move-again-after-new-tasmania-covid-case|title=Game on the move again after new Tasmania COVID case|date=5 August 2021 }}
• The match between {{AFL|WC}} and {{AFL Mel}} was originally scheduled to be played on August 7, but was pushed back to August 9 to allow Melbourne to complete seven days of quarantine in Western Australia.{{cite web|url=https://thewest.com.au/sport/afl/west-coast-eagles-clash-with-melbourne-demons-to-be-moved-to-monday-night--c-3571191|title=CONFIRMED! Eagles face Demons under Monday night lights|date=2 August 2021}}
• The match between {{AFL|WC}} and {{AFL Mel}} was suspended early in the final quarter under the lightning policy, and when the game resumed 29 minutes later, it was played to its full length.

}}

{{AFLGameHeader|title=Round 22}}

{{AFLGameRelocated|Friday, 13 August (7:50 pm)|{{AFL GWS}}|16.10 (106)|H|{{AFL Ric}}|10.7 (67)|GIANTS Stadium|Marvel Stadium|0|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3141#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Saturday, 14 August (1:45 pm)|{{AFL Haw}}|9.10 (64)|H|{{AFL WB}}|5.7 (37)|University of Tasmania Stadium|7,822|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3152#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Saturday, 14 August (4:05 pm)|{{AFL|PA}}|21.14 (140)|H|{{AFL Car}}|5.15 (45)|Adelaide Oval|13,943|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3154#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Saturday, 14 August (4:35 pm)|{{AFL Gee}}|13.7 (85)|H|{{AFL StK}}|11.5 (71)|GMHBA Stadium|0|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3177#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGameRelocated|Saturday, 14 August (7:25 pm)|{{AFL BL}}|22.10 (142)|H|{{AFL Col}}|8.9 (57)|Marvel Stadium|Gabba|15,146|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3144#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Saturday, 14 August (7:40 pm)|{{AFL NM}}|12.5 (77)|A|{{AFL Syd}}|13.13 (91)|Marvel Stadium|0|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3149#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Sunday, 15 August (2:10 pm)|{{AFL Mel}}|16.8 (104)|H|{{AFL Ade}}|9.9 (63)|MCG|0|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3176#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGameRelocated|Sunday, 15 August (3:20 pm)|{{AFL GC}}|4.6 (30)|A|{{AFL Ess}}|14.14 (98)|Metricon Stadium|GMHBA Stadium|0|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3151#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Sunday, 15 August (3:10 pm)|{{AFL Fre}}|12.7 (79)|H|{{AFL|WC}}|9.10 (64)|Optus Stadium|51,692|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3155#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGameFooter|notes=

• {{AFL Fre}} ended an 11-game Western Derby losing streak against {{AFL|WC}}.

}}

{{AFLGameHeader|title=Round 23}}

{{AFLGame|Friday, 20 August (7:50 pm)|{{AFL WB}}|10.4 (64)|A|{{AFL|PA}}|9.12 (66)|Marvel Stadium|0|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3181#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Saturday, 21 August (1:35 pm)|{{AFL Ric}}|12.11 (83)|D|{{AFL Haw}}|12.11 (83)|MCG|0|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3178#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGameRelocated|Saturday, 21 August (1:45 pm)|{{AFL Syd}}|21.10 (136)|H|{{AFL GC}}|6.13 (49)|SCG|Marvel Stadium|0|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3173#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Saturday, 21 August (4:35 pm)|{{AFL BL}}|19.11 (125)|H|{{AFL|WC}}|13.9 (87)|Gabba|21,845|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3158#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Saturday, 21 August (7:25 pm)|{{AFL Gee}}|12.5 (77)|A|{{AFL Mel}}|12.9 (81)|GMHBA Stadium|0|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3157#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Saturday, 21 August (7:40 pm)|{{AFL Car}}|11.9 (75)|A|{{AFL GWS}}|12.17 (89)|Marvel Stadium|0|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3156#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGameRelocated|Sunday, 22 August (12:15 pm)|{{AFL StK}}|17.5 (107)|H|{{AFL Fre}}|6.13 (49)|Marvel Stadium|Blundstone Arena|3,082|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3170#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Sunday, 22 August (3:20 pm)|{{AFL Ess}}|16.6 (102)|H|{{AFL Col}}|9.10 (64)|MCG|0|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3169#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Sunday, 22 August (4:10 pm)|{{AFL Ade}}|13.20 (98)|H|{{AFL NM}}|8.6 (54)|Adelaide Oval|13,103|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3180#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGameFooter|notes=* Max Gawn kicked a goal after the siren to win the game for {{AFL Mel}} against {{AFL Gee}}, after trailing by 44 points midway through the third quarter. In doing so, Melbourne secured the minor premiership. It was the first time that the minor premiership was not confirmed until after the siren in the final round since Round 22, 1987. It was also the first time Melbourne had kicked a goal after the siren to win a game.{{citation needed|date=August 2021}}}}

• {{AFL Mel}} won its first nine games of the season, its best unbeaten start to a season since 1956.{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/live-afl-2021-melbourne-demons-vs-carlton-blues-round-9-live-scores-updates-video-stream-stats-live-blog/news-story/f52f66d844984b0c32f104667e4b8305|title = Historic stat gives Dees fans confidence; gutsy effort from AFL's leading goalkicker: The 3-2-1|date = 16 May 2021}}
• {{AFL NM}} 'won' the wooden spoon, their 14th total and their first since 1972. They were only the 8th team in VFL/AFL history to finish last on the ladder after every round of the home-and-away season (and the first since 2008).{{cite web|url=https://afltables.com/afl/seas/ladders/ladders.html|title = Round by Round Ladder Positions}}
• {{AFL Mel}} won the minor premiership for the first time since 1964. Melbourne also won the McClelland Trophy for the first time since 1990 for finishing first.
• {{AFL|WC}} missed the AFL finals for the first time since 2014.

{{AFL win loss table legend}}

Bold – Home game

X – Bye

Opponent for round listed above margin

{{#invoke:Sports table|main|style=WDL

|loss_before_draw=true|for_against_style=points|use_goal_percentage=yes

|winpoints=4|drawpoints=2

|source=[http://www.afl.com.au/ladder AFL]

|update=21 August 2021

|team_order = MEL, POR, GEE, BRI, WEB, SYD, GWS, ESS, WCE, STK, FRE, RIC, CAR, HAW, ADE, GCS, COL, NOR

|win_ADE=7 |loss_ADE=15|draw_ADE=0 |pf_ADE=1616 |pa_ADE=1971

|win_BRI=15|loss_BRI=7 |draw_BRI=0 |pf_BRI=2131 |pa_BRI=1599

|win_CAR=8 |loss_CAR=14|draw_CAR=0 |pf_CAR=1746 |pa_CAR=1972

|win_COL=6 |loss_COL=16|draw_COL=0 |pf_COL=1557 |pa_COL=1818

|win_ESS=11|loss_ESS=11|draw_ESS=0 |pf_ESS=1953 |pa_ESS=1790

|win_FRE=10|loss_FRE=12|draw_FRE=0 |pf_FRE=1578 |pa_FRE=1825

|win_GEE=16|loss_GEE=6 |draw_GEE=0 |pf_GEE=1845 |pa_GEE=1456

|win_GCS=7 |loss_GCS=15|draw_GCS=0 |pf_GCS=1430 |pa_GCS=1863

|win_GWS=11|loss_GWS=10|draw_GWS=1 |pf_GWS=1768 |pa_GWS=1773

|win_HAW=7 |loss_HAW=13|draw_HAW=2 |pf_HAW=1629 |pa_HAW=1912

|win_MEL=17|loss_MEL=4 |draw_MEL=1 |pf_MEL=1888 |pa_MEL=1443

|win_NOR=4 |loss_NOR=17|draw_NOR=1 |pf_NOR=1458 |pa_NOR=2075

|win_POR=17|loss_POR=5 |draw_POR=0 |pf_POR=1884 |pa_POR=1492

|win_RIC=9 |loss_RIC=12|draw_RIC=1 |pf_RIC=1743 |pa_RIC=1780

|win_STK=10|loss_STK=12|draw_STK=0 |pf_STK=1644 |pa_STK=1796

|win_SYD=15|loss_SYD=7 |draw_SYD=0 |pf_SYD=1986 |pa_SYD=1656

|win_WCE=10|loss_WCE=12|draw_WCE=0 |pf_WCE=1752 |pa_WCE=1880

|win_WEB=15|loss_WEB=7 |draw_WEB=0 |pf_WEB=1994 |pa_WEB=1501

|name_ADE={{AFL Ade}}

|name_BRI={{AFL BL}}

|name_CAR={{AFL Car}}

|name_COL={{AFL Col}}

|name_ESS={{AFL Ess}}

|name_FRE={{AFL Fre}}

|name_GEE={{AFL Gee}}

|name_GCS={{AFL GC}}

|name_GWS={{AFL GWS}}

|name_HAW={{AFL Haw}}

|name_MEL={{AFL Mel}} | status_MEL=P|status_text_P=Premiers

|name_NOR={{AFL NM}}

|name_POR={{AFL PA}}

|name_RIC={{AFL Ric}}

|name_STK={{AFL StK}}

|name_SYD={{AFL Syd}}

|name_WCE={{AFL|WC}}

|name_WEB={{AFL WB}}

|class_rules = 1) points; 2) percentage; 3) number of points for.

|result1=Q |result2=Q |result3=Q |result4=Q |result5=Q |result6=Q |result7=Q |result8=Q

|res_col_header=Q

|col_Q=green2 |text_Q=Finals series

}}

• Numbers highlighted in green indicates the team finished the round inside the top 8.
• Numbers highlighted in blue indicates the team finished in first place on the ladder in that round.
• Numbers highlighted in red indicates the team finished in last place on the ladder in that round.
• Underlined numbers indicates the team did not play during that round, either due to a bye or a postponed game.
• Subscript numbers indicate ladder position at round's end.

{{#invoke:Sports rbr table|table

|title=Points by round

|sortable = y

|color_F=#cfc |color_B=#9cf |color_R=#fcc

|source=AFL Tables{{cite web|title=2021 Season Scores and Results|url=http://afltables.com/afl/seas/2021.html|publisher=AFL Tables|access-date=10 April 2022}}

|team15 = {{AFL Ade}}

|resc15 = F / / F / F / F / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /

|res15 = {{sort|07|4₇}} / {{sort|12|4₁₂}} / {{sort|08|8₈}} / {{sort|05|12₅}} / {{sort|07|12₇}} / {{sort|09|12₉}} / {{sort|13|12₁₃}} / {{sort|14|12₁₄}} / {{sort|15|12₁₅}} / {{sort|13|16₁₃}} / {{sort|15|16₁₅}} / {{sort|15|16₁₅}} / {{sort|12|20₁₂}} / {{sort|12|20₁₂}} / {{sort|14|20₁₄}} / {{sort|15|20₁₅}} / {{sort|16|20₁₆}} / {{sort|16|20₁₆}} / {{sort|15|24₁₅}} / {{sort|16|24₁₆}} / {{sort|17|24₁₇}} / {{sort|17|24₁₇}} / {{sort|15|28₁₅}}

|team4 = {{AFL BL}}

|resc4 = / / / / / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F

|res4 = {{sort|15|0₁₅}} / {{sort|14|0₁₄}} / {{sort|13|4₁₃}} / {{sort|16|4₁₆}} / {{sort|10|8₁₀}} / {{sort|8|12₈}} / {{sort|07|16₇}} / {{sort|05|20₅}} / {{sort|04|24₄}} / {{sort|04|28₄}} / {{sort|03|32₃}} / {{sort|04|32₄}} / {{sort|04|32₄}} / {{sort|04|36₄}} / {{sort|03|40₃}} / {{sort|03|44₃}} / {{sort|04|44₄}} / {{sort|05|44₄}} / {{sort|05|48₅}} / {{sort|06|48₆}} / {{sort|05|52₅}} / {{sort|05|56₅}} / {{sort|04|60₄}}

|team13 = {{AFL Car}}

|resc13 = / / / F / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /

|res13 = {{sort|14|0₁₄}} / {{sort|15|0₁₅}} / {{sort|12|4₁₂}} / {{sort|07|8₇}} / {{sort|11|8₁₁}} / {{sort|13|8₁₃}} / {{sort|12|12₁₂}} / {{sort|13|12₁₃}} / {{sort|13|12₁₃}} / {{sort|12|16₁₂}} / {{sort|13|16₁₃}} / {{sort|14|16₁₄}}/ {{sort|14|16₁₄}} / {{sort|14|16₁₄}} / {{sort|13|20₁₃}} / {{sort|13|24₁₃}} / {{sort|13|24₁₃}} / {{sort|13|28₁₃}} / {{sort|13|28₁₃}} / {{sort|12|32₁₂}} / {{sort|13|32₁₃}} / {{sort|13|32₁₃}} / {{sort|13|32₁₃}}

|team17 = {{AFL Col}}

|resc17 = / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /

|res17 = {{sort|13|0₁₃}} / {{sort|09|4₉}} / {{sort|11|4₁₁}} / {{sort|14|4₁₄}} / {{sort|16|4₁₆}} / {{sort|17|4₁₇}} / {{sort|17|4₁₇}} / {{sort|16|8₁₆}} / {{sort|16|8₁₆}} / {{sort|16|8₁₆}} / {{sort|16|8₁₆}} / {{sort|16|12₁₆}} / {{sort|16|16₁₆}} / {{sort|15|16₁₅}} / {{sort|15|16₁₅}} / {{sort|16|16₁₆}} / {{sort|15|20₁₅}} / {{sort|15|20₁₅}} / {{sort|16|20₁₆}} / {{sort|14|24₁₄}} / {{sort|16|24₁₆}} / {{sort|16|24₁₆}} / {{sort|17|24₁₇}}

|team8 = {{AFL Ess}}

|resc8 = / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / F / / / / F / F

|res8 = {{sort|10|0₁₀}} / {{sort|17|0₁₇}} / {{sort|10|4₁₀}} / {{sort|12|4₁₂}} / {{sort|14|4₁₄}} / {{sort|12|8₁₂}} / {{sort|15|8₁₅}} / {{sort|15|8₁₅}} / {{sort|12|12₁₂}} / {{sort|11|16₁₁}} / {{sort|09|20₉}} / {{sort|09|20₉}} / {{sort|11|20₁₁}} / {{sort|10|24₁₀}} / {{sort|11|24₁₁}} / {{sort|12|24₁₂}} / {{sort|11|28₁₁}} / {{sort|08|32₈}} / {{sort|09|32₉}} / {{sort|10|32₁₀}} / {{sort|09|36₉}} / {{sort|08|40₈}} / {{sort|08|44₈}}

|team11 = {{AFL Fre}}

|resc11 = / F / / / / F / / / / / / / / / / / F / / / F / / /

|res11 = {{sort|16|0₁₆}} / {{sort|08|4₈}} / {{sort|15|4₁₅}} / {{sort|09|8₉}} / {{sort|09|12₉}} / {{sort|06|16₆}} / {{sort|09|16₉}} / {{sort|10|16₁₀}} / {{sort|10|16₁₀}} / {{sort|10|20₁₀}} / {{sort|11|20₁₁}} / {{sort|11|20₁₁}} / {{sort|09|24₉}} / {{sort|11|24₁₁}} / {{sort|09|28₉}} / {{sort|10|28₁₀}} / {{sort|07|32₇}} / {{sort|10|32₁₀}} / {{sort|11|32₁₁}} / {{sort|08|36₈}} / {{sort|12|36₁₂}} / {{sort|10|40₁₀}} / {{sort|11|40₁₁}}

|team3 = {{AFL Gee}}

|resc3 = / / F / / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F

|res3 = {{sort|12|0₁₂}} / {{sort|11|4₁₁}} / {{sort|07|8₇}} / {{sort|10|8₁₀}} / {{sort|08|12₈}} / {{sort|04|16₄}} / {{sort|05|16₅}} / {{sort|04|20₄}} / {{sort|03|24₃}} / {{sort|03|28₃}} / {{sort|04|32₄}} / {{sort|03|32₃}} / {{sort|03|36₃}} / {{sort|03|40₃}} / {{sort|05|40₅}} / {{sort|05|44₅}} / {{sort|03|48₃}} / {{sort|03|52₃}} / {{sort|02|56₂}} / {{sort|02|60₂}} / {{sort|03|60₃}} / {{sort|02|64₂}} / {{sort|03|64₃}}

|team16 = {{AFL GC}}

|resc16 = / F / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /

|res16 = {{sort|17|0₁₇}} / {{sort|06|4₆}} / {{sort|09|4₉}} / {{sort|13|4₁₃}} / {{sort|15|4₁₅}} / {{sort|11|8₁₁}} / {{sort|10|12₁₀}} / {{sort|12|12₁₂}} / {{sort|14|12₁₄}} / {{sort|15|12₁₅}} / {{sort|14|16₁₄}} / {{sort|13|16₁₃}} / {{sort|15|16₁₅}} / {{sort|16|16₁₆}} / {{sort|16|16₁₆}} / {{sort|14|20₁₄}} / {{sort|14|24₁₄}} / {{sort|14|24₁₄}} / {{sort|14|24₁₄}} / {{sort|15|24₁₅}} / {{sort|14|28₁₄}} / {{sort|15|28₁₅}} / {{sort|16|28₁₆}}

|team7 = {{AFL GWS}}

|resc7 = / / / / / / / / / F / / / / / / F / / / F / / F / F / F

|res7 = {{sort|11|0₁₁}} / {{sort|16|0₁₆}} / {{sort|17|0₁₇}} / {{sort|15|4₁₅}} / {{sort|12|8₁₂}} / {{sort|14|8₁₄}} / {{sort|11|12₁₁}} / {{sort|09|16₉}} / {{sort|09|16₉}} / {{sort|08|20₈}} / {{sort|10|20₁₀}} / {{sort|10|20₁₀}} / {{sort|10|22₁₀}} / {{sort|09|26₉}} / {{sort|10|26₁₀}} / {{sort|08|30₈}} / {{sort|10|30₁₀}} / {{sort|12|30₁₂}} / {{sort|08|34₈}} / {{sort|09|34₉}} / {{sort|08|38₈}} / {{sort|07|42₇}} / {{sort|07|46₇}}

|team14 = {{AFL Haw}}

|resc14 = / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /

|res14 = {{sort|09|4₉}} / {{sort|13|4₁₃}} / {{sort|14|4₁₄}} / {{sort|17|4₁₇}} / {{sort|17|4₁₇}} / {{sort|15|8₁₅}} / {{sort|16|8₁₆}} / {{sort|17|8₁₇}} / {{sort|17|8₁₇}} / {{sort|17|8₁₇}} / {{sort|17|8₁₇}} / {{sort|17|8₁₇}}/ {{sort|17|12₁₇}} / {{sort|17|12₁₇}} / {{sort|17|16₁₇}} / {{sort|17|16₁₇}} / {{sort|17|16₁₇}} / {{sort|17|18₁₇}} / {{sort|17|18₁₇}} / {{sort|17|22₁₇}} / {{sort|15|26₁₅}} / {{sort|14|30₁₄}} / {{sort|14|32₁₄}}

|team1 = {{AFL Mel}}

|resc1 = F / F / F / F / F / F / B / B / B / F / B / B / B / B / B / F / B / B / F / F / B / B / B

|res1 = {{sort|03|4₃}} / {{sort|04|8₄}} / {{sort|03|12₃}} / {{sort|02|16₂}} / {{sort|02|20₂}} / {{sort|02|24₂}} / {{sort|01|28₁}} / {{sort|01|32₁}} / {{sort|01|36₁}} / {{sort|02|36₂}} / {{sort|01|40₁}} / {{sort|01|44₁}} / {{sort|01|44₁}} / {{sort|01|44₁}} / {{sort|01|48₁}} / {{sort|02|48₂}} / {{sort|01|52₁}} / {{sort|01|54₁}} / {{sort|03|54₃}} / {{sort|03|58₃}} / {{sort|01|62₁}} / {{sort|01|66₁}} / {{sort|01|70₁}}

|team18 = {{AFL NM}}

|resc18 = R / R / R / R / R / R / R / R / R / R / R / R / R / R / R / R / R / R / R / R / R / R / R

|res18 = {{sort|18|0₁₈}} / {{sort|18|0₁₈}} / {{sort|18|0₁₈}} / {{sort|18|0₁₈}} / {{sort|18|0₁₈}} / {{sort|18|0₁₈}} / {{sort|18|0₁₈}} / {{sort|18|0₁₈}} / {{sort|18|4₁₈}} / {{sort|18|4₁₈}} / {{sort|18|4₁₈}} / {{sort|18|4₁₈}} / {{sort|18|6₁₈}} / {{sort|18|6₁₈}} / {{sort|18|10₁₈}} / {{sort|18|10₁₈}} / {{sort|18|14₁₈}} / {{sort|18|14₁₈}} / {{sort|18|18₁₈}} / {{sort|18|18₁₈}} / {{sort|18|18₁₈}} / {{sort|18|18₁₈}} / {{sort|18|18₁₈}}

|team2 = {{AFL PA}}

|resc2 = B / B / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F

|res2 = {{sort|01|4₁}} / {{sort|01|8₁}} / {{sort|04|8₄}} / {{sort|04|12₄}} / {{sort|04|16₄}} / {{sort|03|20₃}} / {{sort|03|20₃}} / {{sort|03|24₃}} / {{sort|05|24₅}} / {{sort|05|28₅}} / {{sort|05|32₅}} / {{sort|05|32₅}} / {{sort|05|32₅}} / {{sort|05|36₅}} / {{sort|04|40₄}} / {{sort|04|44₄}} / {{sort|05|44₅}} / {{sort|04|48₄}} / {{sort|04|52₄}} / {{sort|04|56₄}} / {{sort|04|60₄}} / {{sort|03|64₃}} / {{sort|02|68₂}}

|team12 = {{AFL Ric}}

|resc12 = F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / / F / F / F / F / F / / / / / / / /

|res12 = {{sort|05|4₅}} / {{sort|02|8₂}} / {{sort|06|8₆}} / {{sort|08|8₈}} / {{sort|05|12₅}} / {{sort|07|12₇}} / {{sort|06|16₆}} / {{sort|08|16₈}} / {{sort|08|20₈}} / {{sort|09|20₉}} / {{sort|08|24₈}} / {{sort|08|28₈}} / {{sort|08|28₈}} / {{sort|08|28₈}} / {{sort|08|28₈}} / {{sort|09|28₉}} / {{sort|12|28₁₂}} / {{sort|09|32₉}} / {{sort|10|32₁₀}} / {{sort|11|32₁₁}} / {{sort|10|36₁₀}} / {{sort|11|36₁₁}} / {{sort|12|38₁₂}}

|team10 = {{AFL StK}}

|resc10 = F / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /

|res10 = {{sort|08|4₈}} / {{sort|10|4₁₀}} / {{sort|16|4₁₆}} / {{sort|11|8₁₁}} / {{sort|13|8₁₃}} / {{sort|16|8₁₆}} / {{sort|14|12₁₄}} / {{sort|11|16₁₁}} / {{sort|11|16₁₁}} / {{sort|14|16₁₄}} / {{sort|12|20₁₂}} / {{sort|12|20₁₂}} / {{sort|13|20₁₃}} / {{sort|13|20₁₃}} / {{sort|12|24₁₂}} / {{sort|11|28₁₁}} / {{sort|09|32₉}} / {{sort|11|32₁₁}} / {{sort|12|32₁₂}} / {{sort|13|32₁₃}} / {{sort|11|36₁₁}} / {{sort|12|36₁₂}} / {{sort|10|40₁₀}}

|team6 = {{AFL Syd}}

|resc6 = F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F

|res6 = {{sort|04|4₄}} / {{sort|03|8₃}} / {{sort|02|12₂}} / {{sort|03|16₃}} / {{sort|03|16₃}} / {{sort|05|16₅}} / {{sort|04|20₄}} / {{sort|06|20₆}} / {{sort|06|24₆}} / {{sort|06|24₆}} / {{sort|06|28₆}} / {{sort|06|32₆}} / {{sort|06|32₆}} / {{sort|06|32₆}} / {{sort|06|32₆}} / {{sort|06|36₆}} / {{sort|06|40₆}} / {{sort|06|44₆}} / {{sort|06|48₆}} / {{sort|05|52₅}} / {{sort|06|52₆}} / {{sort|06|56₆}} / {{sort|06|60₆}}

|team9 = {{AFL|WC}}

|resc9 = F / F / F / F / F / / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / /

|res9 = {{sort|02|4₂}} / {{sort|07|4₇}} / {{sort|05|8₅}} / {{sort|06|8₆}} / {{sort|06|12₆}} / {{sort|010|12₁₀}} / {{sort|08|16₈}} / {{sort|07|20₇}} / {{sort|07|24₇}} / {{sort|07|24₇}} / {{sort|07|24₇}} / {{sort|07|28₇}} / {{sort|07|32₇}} / {{sort|07|32₇}} / {{sort|07|32₇}} / {{sort|07|32₇}} / {{sort|08|32₈}} / {{sort|07|36₇}} / {{sort|07|40₇}} / {{sort|07|40₇}} / {{sort|07|40₇}} / {{sort|09|40₉}} / {{sort|09|40₉}}

|team5 = {{AFL WB}}

|resc5 = F / F / B / B / B / B / F / F / F / B / F / F / F / F / F / B / F / F / B / B / F / F / F

|res5 = {{sort|06|4₆}} / {{sort|05|8₅}} / {{sort|01|12₁}} / {{sort|01|16₁}} / {{sort|01|20₁}} / {{sort|01|24₁}} / {{sort|02|24₂}} / {{sort|02|28₂}} / {{sort|02|32₂}} / {{sort|01|36₁}} / {{sort|02|36₂}} / {{sort|02|40₂}} / {{sort|02|40₂}} / {{sort|02|40₂}} / {{sort|02|44₂}} / {{sort|01|48₁}} / {{sort|02|48₂}} / {{sort|02|52₂}} / {{sort|01|56₁}} / {{sort|01|60₁}} / {{sort|02|60₂}} / {{sort|04|60₄}} / {{sort|05|60₅}}

}}

{{Graph:Chart

| width=500

| height=300

| xAxisTitle=Round

| xAxisMax=23

| xAxisMin=1

| yAxisTitle=Position

| yAxisMax=1

| yAxisMin=18

| showSymbols=true

| legend=Club

| type=line

| x=1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23

| y1Title=Melbourne Demons

| y1=3, 4, 3, 2, 2, 2, 1, 1, 1, 2, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 1, 1, 3, 3, 1, 1, 1

| y2Title=Port Adelaide Power

| y2=1, 1, 4, 4, 4, 3, 3, 3, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 4, 4, 5, 4, 4, 4, 4, 3, 2

| y3Title=Geelong Cats

| y3=12, 11, 7, 10, 8, 4, 5, 4, 3, 3, 4, 3, 3, 3, 5, 5, 3, 3, 2, 2, 3, 2, 3

| y4Title=Brisbane Lions

| y4=15, 14, 13, 16, 10, 8, 7, 5, 4, 4, 3, 4, 4, 4, 3, 3, 4, 5, 5, 6, 5, 5, 4

| y5Title=Western Bulldogs

| y5=6, 5, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 1, 2, 2, 1, 1, 2, 4, 5

| y6Title=Sydney Swans

| y6=4, 3, 2, 3, 3, 5, 4, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 5, 6, 6, 6

| y7Title=Greater Western Sydney Giants

| y7=11, 16, 17, 15, 12, 14, 11, 9, 9, 8, 10, 10, 10, 9, 10, 8, 10, 12, 8, 9, 8, 7, 7

| y8Title=Essendon Bombers

| y8=10, 17, 10, 12, 14, 12, 15, 15, 12, 11, 9, 9, 11, 10, 11, 12, 11, 8, 9, 10, 9, 8, 8

| y9Title=West Coast Eagles

| y9=2, 7, 5, 6, 6, 10, 8, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 8, 7, 7, 7, 7, 9, 9

| y10Title=St Kilda Saints

| y10=8, 10, 16, 11, 13, 16, 14, 11, 11, 14, 12, 12, 13, 13, 12, 11, 9, 11, 12, 13, 11, 12, 10

| y11Title=Fremantle Dockers

| y11=16, 8, 15, 9, 9, 6, 9, 10, 10, 10, 11, 11, 9, 11, 9, 10, 7, 10, 11, 8, 12, 10, 11

| y12Title=Richmond Tigers

| y12=5, 2, 6, 8, 5, 7, 6, 8, 8, 9, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 9, 12, 9, 10, 11, 10, 11, 12

| y13Title=Carlton Blues

| y13=14, 15, 12, 7, 11, 13, 12, 13, 13, 12, 13, 14, 14, 14, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 12, 13, 13, 13

| y14Title=Hawthorn Hawks

| y14=9, 13, 14, 17, 17, 15, 16, 17, 17, 17, 17, 17, 17, 17, 17, 17, 17, 17, 17, 17, 15, 14, 14

| y15Title=Adelaide Crows

| y15=7, 12, 8, 5, 7, 9, 13, 14, 15, 13, 15, 15, 12, 12, 14, 15, 16, 16, 15, 16, 17, 17, 15

| y16Title=Gold Coast Suns

| y16=17, 6, 9, 13, 15, 11, 10, 12, 14, 15, 14, 13, 15, 16, 16, 14, 14, 14, 14, 15, 14, 15, 16

| y17Title=Collingwood Magpies

| y17=13, 9, 11, 14, 16, 17, 17, 16, 16, 16, 16, 16, 16, 15, 15, 16, 15, 15, 16, 14, 16, 16, 17

| y18Title=North Melbourne Kangaroos

| y18=18, 18, 18, 18, 18, 18, 18, 18, 18, 18, 18, 18, 18, 18, 18, 18, 18, 18, 18, 18, 18, 18, 18

| colors=#084081, #4eb3d3, #00375e, #d33800, blue, #e31a1c, orange, #a20000, #0072ff, #ff5e5e, #984ea3, #ffff33, #0075c7, #ffde00, #fc4e2a,

#ffe46e, black, #4db5ff

}}

{{main|2021 AFL finals series}}

{{AFLGameHeader|title=Qualifying finals}}

{{AFLGame|QF2: Friday, 27 August (7:20 pm)|{{AFL PA}}|12.14 (86)|H|{{AFL Gee}}|5.13 (43)|Adelaide Oval|19,712|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3730#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|QF1: Saturday, 28 August (7:00 pm)|{{AFL Mel}}|13.15 (93)|H|{{AFL BL}}|9.6 (60)|Adelaide Oval|13,784|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3731#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGameFooter|notes=

}}

{{AFLGameHeader|title=Elimination finals}}

{{AFLGame|EF2: Saturday, 28 August (3:20 pm)|{{AFL Syd}}|10.13 (73)|A|{{AFL GWS}}|11.8 (74)|University of Tasmania Stadium|8,635|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3732#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|EF1: Sunday, 29 August (3:20 pm)|{{AFL WB}}|13.7 (85)|H|{{AFL Ess}}|4.12 (36)|University of Tasmania Stadium|9,760|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3733#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGameFooter|notes=

• Tasmania hosted its first AFL finals games with University of Tasmania Stadium in Launceston hosting both elimination finals.

}}

{{AFLGameHeader|title=Semi-finals}}

{{AFLGame|SF2: Friday, 3 September (5:50 pm)|{{AFL Gee}}|15.13 (103)|H|{{AFL GWS}}|10.8 (68)|Optus Stadium|44,091|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3734#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|SF1: Saturday, 4 September (7:20 pm)|{{AFL BL}}|11.12 (78)|A|{{ AFL WB}}|11.13 (79)|Gabba|30,647|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3735#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGameFooter|notes=

• {{AFL Gee}}'s Joel Selwood played his 333rd game, surpassing the club's games record previously held by Corey Enright.

}}

{{AFLGameHeader|title=Preliminary finals}}

{{AFLGame|PF1: Friday, 10 September (5:50 pm)|{{AFL Mel}}|19.11 (125)|H|{{AFL Gee}}|6.6 (42)|Optus Stadium|58,599|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3736#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGame|PF2: Saturday, 11 September (7:10 pm)|{{AFL PA}}|6.9 (45)|A|{{AFL WB}}|17.14 (116)|Adelaide Oval|26,400|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3737#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGameFooter|notes=

• {{AFL Mel}} defeated Geelong by 83 points, its greatest winning margin ever against Geelong.

}}

{{main|2021 AFL Grand Final}}

{{AFLGameHeader|title=Grand final}}

{{AFLGame|Saturday, 25 September (5:15 pm)|{{AFL Mel}}|21.14 (140)|H|{{AFL WB}}|10.6 (66)|Optus Stadium|61,118|[https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3738#match-report Report]}}

{{AFLGameFooter|notes=*Owing to a COVID-19 lockdown preventing the match from being played with a crowd at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the match was staged at Optus Stadium in Perth. The second year in a row that saw the AFL Grand Final played outside of Melbourne.

• {{AFL Mel}} won their first premiership in 57 years, ending the longest active premiership drought and the fourth longest in VFL/AFL history.

}}

• Numbers highlighted in blue indicates the player led the Coleman Medal at the end of that round.
• Numbers underlined indicates the player did not play in that round.

{{Reflist}}

{{2021 AFL season}}

{{Australian Football League}}

Category:Australian Football League seasons

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