2015 AFL season

Last updated

2015 AFL premiership season
2015 AFL season logo.png
Teams18
Premiers Hawthorn
13th premiership
Minor premiers Fremantle
1st minor premiership
Brownlow Medallist Nat Fyfe
Fremantle (31 votes)
Coleman Medallist Josh Kennedy
West Coast (75 goals)
Attendance
Matches played206
Total attendance6,886,266 (33,428 per match)
Highest (H&A)88,395 (round 4, Essendon v Collingwood)
Highest (finals)98,633 (Grand Final, Hawthorn vs. West Coast)
  2014
2016  

The 2015 AFL season was the 119th season of the Australian Football League (AFL), the highest level senior Australian rules football competition in Australia, which was known as the Victorian Football League until 1989. The season featured eighteen clubs, ran from 2 April until 3 October, and comprised a 22-game home-and-away season followed by a finals series featuring the top eight clubs.

Contents

The premiership was won by the Hawthorn Football Club for the 13th time and third time consecutively, after it defeated West Coast by 46 points in the 2015 AFL Grand Final.

The season was marred by the mid-season death of Adelaide senior coach Phil Walsh, who was the victim of a domestic incident. Adelaide's following match was cancelled. [1]

Pre-season

All Stars game

The biennial All Stars game, this year played in Western Australia, featuring an AFL team and the Indigenous All Stars team made up of some of the best Indigenous players in the game, returned for the 2015 pre-season. The West Coast Eagles were selected as the AFL team to play in the game, which was played at Medibank Stadium in Perth. [2] [3]

2015 Indigenous All Stars Game
Friday, 20 February 7:45 pm (AWST) Indigenous All Stars def. by West Coast Medibank Stadium (crowd: 10,000) Report
1.2 (8)
5.6 (36)
5.9 (39)
 5.11 (41)
Q1
Q2
Q3
 Final
3.2 (20)
4.2 (26)
5.5 (35)
 7.7 (49)
Polly Farmer Medal: Shaun Burgoyne [4]
Edwards, Jetta, Yarran, Pickett, B.HillGoalsMcGovern, Sheppard, Wellingham, Gaff, Cripps, Powell, Lamb
Burgoyne, Harbrow, Martin, B.Hill, S.HillBestWellingham, Masten, Gaff, Schofield, Sinclair, Cripps
NilInjuriesNil
NilReportsNil

NAB Challenge

For the second consecutive year, the NAB Challenge series took place, featuring 27 practice matches played over 25 days, beginning 26 February and ending 22 March. The matches were stand-alone in nature, with no overall winner crowned for the series. [5] Each team played three pre-season games, many of which were played at suburban or regional venues, with most games televised on Fox Footy. The Super Goal was retained for these matches.

Premiership season

Notable features of the draw include:

Round 1

Round 1 (Opening Round)
Thursday, 2 April (7:20 pm) Carlton 11.12 (78)def. by Richmond 15.15 (105) MCG (crowd: 83,493) Report
Saturday, 4 April (1:40 pm) Melbourne 17.13 (115)def. Gold Coast 13.11 (89) MCG (crowd: 27,013) Report
Saturday, 4 April (4:35 pm) Sydney 10.12 (72)def. Essendon 9.6 (60) ANZ Stadium (crowd: 23,274) Report
Saturday, 4 April (6:20 pm) Brisbane Lions 11.8 (74)def. by Collingwood 12.14 (86) Gabba (crowd: 31,240) Report
Saturday, 4 April (7:20 pm) Western Bulldogs 14.13 (97)def. West Coast 14.3 (87) Etihad Stadium (crowd: 22,366) Report
Sunday, 5 April (1:10 pm) St Kilda 11.12 (78)def. by Greater Western Sydney 12.15 (87) Etihad Stadium (crowd: 18,794) Report
Sunday, 5 April (2:50 pm) Adelaide 21.14 (140)def. North Melbourne 9.9 (63) Adelaide Oval (crowd: 45,607) Report
Sunday, 5 April (4:40 pm) Fremantle 11.9 (75)def. Port Adelaide 10.8 (68) Domain Stadium (crowd: 34,099) Report
Monday, 6 April (3:20 pm) Hawthorn 17.21 (123)def. Geelong 8.13 (61) MCG (crowd: 73,584) Report
  • Melbourne's win against Gold Coast was the first time since 2005 it had won its round 1 game. [10]
  • Sydney trailed Essendon by 41 points during time on in the third quarter, before Sydney scored the last eight goals of the game to come from behind to record a twelve-point win. [11] Sydney's three-quarter time deficit of 34 points was the largest it had ever overcome to win in the club's history. [12]

Round 2

Round 2
Friday, 10 April (6:10 pm) West Coast 20.11 (131)def. Carlton 9.8 (62) Domain Stadium (crowd: 34,588) Report
Saturday, 11 April (1:45 pm) Richmond 9.12 (66)def. by Western Bulldogs 12.13 (85) MCG (crowd: 49,945) Report
Saturday, 11 April (2:10 pm) Greater Western Sydney 15.11 (101)def. Melbourne 8.8 (56) StarTrack Oval (crowd: 8,811) Report [13]
Saturday, 11 April (4:35 pm) Collingwood 9.9 (63)def. by Adelaide 12.18 (90) Etihad Stadium (crowd: 33,771) Report
Saturday, 11 April (7:20 pm) Gold Coast 10.16 (76)def. by St Kilda 16.8 (104) Metricon Stadium (crowd: 13,649) Report
Saturday, 11 April (7:10 pm) Port Adelaide 6.8 (44)def. by Sydney 14.8 (92) Adelaide Oval (crowd: 48,907) Report
Sunday, 12 April (1:10 pm) Geelong 9.6 (60)def. by Fremantle 15.14 (104) Simonds Stadium (crowd: 23,723) Report
Sunday, 12 April (3:20 pm) Essendon 12.6 (78)def. Hawthorn 11.10 (76) MCG (crowd: 59,866) Report
Sunday, 12 April (4:40 pm) North Melbourne 20.13 (133)def. Brisbane Lions 7.9 (51) Etihad Stadium (crowd: 22,275) Report

Round 3

Round 3
Friday, 17 April (7:50 pm) Collingwood 21.14 (140)def. St Kilda 10.6 (66) MCG (crowd: 45,197) Report
Saturday, 18 April (1:45 pm) Carlton 11.18 (84)def. by Essendon 16.9 (105) MCG (crowd: 54,854) Report
Saturday, 18 April (1:40 pm) Adelaide 12.8 (80)def. Melbourne 7.13 (55) Adelaide Oval (crowd: 42,834) Report
Saturday, 18 April (4:35 pm) Sydney 16.15 (111)def. Greater Western Sydney 12.18 (90) SCG (crowd: 31,966) Report
Saturday, 18 April (7:20 pm) North Melbourne 16.9 (105)def. by Port Adelaide 17.11 (113) Etihad Stadium (crowd: 22,586) Report
Saturday, 18 April (7:20 pm) Brisbane Lions 8.10 (58)def. by Richmond 21.11 (137) Gabba (crowd: 22,441) Report
Sunday, 19 April (1:10 pm) Hawthorn 19.13 (127)def. Western Bulldogs 8.9 (57) Aurora Stadium (crowd: 15,559) Report
Sunday, 19 April (3:20 pm) Geelong 16.9 (105)def. Gold Coast 13.18 (96) Simonds Stadium (crowd: 20,813) Report
Sunday, 19 April (2:40 pm) West Coast 12.9 (81)def. by Fremantle 17.9 (111) Domain Stadium (crowd: 39,138) Report

Round 4

Round 4 (ANZAC Round)
Friday, 24 April (7:50 pm) Richmond 6.15 (51)def. by Melbourne 12.11 (83) MCG (crowd: 58,175) Report
Saturday, 25 April (1:10 pm) St Kilda 12.9 (81)def. by Carlton 18.13 (121) Westpac Stadium (crowd: 12,125) Report
Saturday, 25 April (2:40 pm) Essendon 6.13 (49)def. by Collingwood 9.15 (69) MCG (crowd: 88,395) Report
Saturday, 25 April (5:40 pm) Greater Western Sydney 16.23 (119)def. Gold Coast 7.11 (53) StarTrack Oval (crowd: 6,917) Report
Saturday, 25 April (7:10 pm) Port Adelaide 15.9 (99)def. Hawthorn 13.13 (91) Adelaide Oval (crowd: 49,831) Report
Saturday, 25 April (6:45 pm) Fremantle 11.8 (74)def. Sydney 8.12 (60) Domain Stadium (crowd: 39,009) Report
Sunday, 26 April (1:10 pm) Brisbane Lions 9.11 (65)def. by West Coast 17.16 (118) Gabba (crowd: 16,632) Report
Sunday, 26 April (3:20 pm) Geelong 9.13 (67)def. by North Melbourne 12.11 (83) Simonds Stadium (crowd: 23,452) Report
Sunday, 26 April (4:40 pm) Western Bulldogs 18.17 (125)def. Adelaide 10.8 (68) Etihad Stadium (crowd: 19,915) Report

Round 5

Round 5
Friday, 1 May (7:50 pm) Carlton 6.9 (45)def. by Collingwood 18.12 (120) MCG (crowd: 71,759) Report
Saturday, 2 May (1:45 pm) Richmond 11.10 (76)def. by Geelong 12.13 (85) MCG (crowd: 45,228) Report
Saturday, 2 May (2:10 pm) Sydney 10.13 (73)def. by Western Bulldogs 11.11 (77) SCG (crowd: 25,541) Report
Saturday, 2 May (4:35 pm) Gold Coast 18.10 (118)def. Brisbane Lions 7.12 (54) Metricon Stadium (crowd: 12,464) Report
Saturday, 2 May (7:20 pm) North Melbourne 10.10 (70)def. by Hawthorn 19.16 (130) Etihad Stadium (crowd: 38,077) Report
Saturday, 2 May (5:40 pm) West Coast 18.12 (120)def. Greater Western Sydney 4.9 (33) Domain Stadium (crowd: 34,554) Report
Sunday, 3 May (1:10 pm) Melbourne 6.14 (50)def. by Fremantle 18.10 (118) MCG (crowd: 22,892) Report
Sunday, 3 May (3:20 pm) St Kilda 11.14 (80)def. by Essendon 11.16 (82) Etihad Stadium (crowd: 29,869) Report
Sunday, 3 May (4:10 pm) Adelaide 13.13 (91)def. by Port Adelaide 18.7 (115) Adelaide Oval (crowd: 49,617) Report

Round 6

Round 6
Friday, 8 May (7:50 pm) Collingwood 8.11 (59)def. by Geelong 15.10 (100) MCG (crowd: 52,152) Report
Saturday, 9 May (1:45 pm) North Melbourne 16.13 (109)def. Richmond 10.14 (74) Blundstone Arena (crowd: 17,544) Report
Saturday, 9 May (2:10 pm) Western Bulldogs 13.9 (87)def. by St Kilda 14.10 (94) Etihad Stadium (crowd: 29,619) Report
Saturday, 9 May (4:35 pm) Greater Western Sydney 16.12 (108)def. Hawthorn 14.14 (98) Spotless Stadium (crowd: 13,556) Report
Saturday, 9 May (5:10 pm) Gold Coast 11.12 (78)def. by Adelaide 18.11 (119) Metricon Stadium (crowd: 12,464) Report
Saturday, 9 May (7:20 pm) Melbourne 7.8 (50)def. by Sydney 12.16 (88) MCG (crowd: 26,894) Report
Saturday, 9 May (6:10 pm) Fremantle 12.8 (80)def. Essendon 7.10 (52) Domain Stadium (crowd: 37,535) Report
Sunday, 10 May (3:20 pm) Carlton 11.9 (75)def. by Brisbane Lions 12.12 (84) Etihad Stadium (crowd: 20,273) Report
Sunday, 10 May (4:10 pm) Port Adelaide 10.8 (68)def. by West Coast 11.12 (78) Adelaide Oval (crowd: 37,635) Report
  • St Kilda defeated Western Bulldogs after trailing by 55 points early in the third quarter. It was the equal-fifth largest successful comeback in VFL/AFL history [16] and equalled the club's greatest ever comeback. [17]

Round 7

Round 7
Friday, 15 May (7:50 pm) Essendon 12.10 (82)def. by North Melbourne 13.15 (93) Etihad Stadium (crowd: 43,972) Report
Saturday, 16 May (1:15 pm) Adelaide 18.11 (119)def. St Kilda 10.13 (73) Adelaide Oval (crowd: 42,795) Report
Saturday, 16 May (2:10 pm) Hawthorn 24.11 (155)def. Melbourne 7.8 (50) MCG (crowd: 41,935) Report
Saturday, 16 May (4:35 pm) Carlton 9.3 (57)def. by Greater Western Sydney 19.21 (135) Etihad Stadium (crowd: 16,676) Report
Saturday, 16 May (7:20 pm) Sydney 18.12 (120)def. Geelong 11.11 (77) ANZ Stadium (crowd: 28,063) Report
Saturday, 16 May (5:40 pm) West Coast 21.9 (135)def. Gold Coast 6.7 (43) Domain Stadium (crowd: 26,964) Report
Sunday, 17 May (1:10 pm) Western Bulldogs 14.4 (88)def. by Fremantle 15.11 (101) Etihad Stadium (crowd: 18,170) Report
Sunday, 17 May (3:20 pm) Richmond 16.9 (105)def. Collingwood 15.10 (100) MCG (crowd: 59,034) Report
Sunday, 17 May (4:40 pm) Brisbane Lions 15.12 (102)def. Port Adelaide 8.17 (65) Gabba (crowd: 15,957) Report
  • West Coast kicked 12.0 (72) in the third quarter against Gold Coast, the highest score in a single quarter in the club's history. [18] [19]

Round 8

Round 8
Friday, 22 May (7:50 pm) Geelong 22.8 (140)def. Carlton 9.9 (63) Etihad Stadium (crowd: 32,032) Report
Saturday, 23 May (1:45 pm) St Kilda 12.6 (78)def. by West Coast 20.11 (131) Etihad Stadium (crowd: 23,598) Report
Saturday, 23 May (2:10 pm) Greater Western Sydney 16.12 (108)def. Adelaide 12.12 (84) Spotless Stadium (crowd: 9,481) Report
Saturday, 23 May (4:35 pm) Gold Coast 9.9 (63)def. by Collingwood 20.12 (132) Metricon Stadium (crowd: 16,440) Report
Saturday, 23 May (7:20 pm) Hawthorn 9.15 (69)def. by Sydney 11.7 (73) MCG (crowd: 63,319) Report
Saturday, 23 May (5:40 pm) Fremantle 17.13 (115)def. North Melbourne 5.12 (42) Domain Stadium (crowd: 35,836) Report
Sunday, 24 May (1:10 pm) Essendon 21.10 (136)def. Brisbane Lions 12.6 (78) Etihad Stadium (crowd: 36,857) Report
Sunday, 24 May (3:20 pm) Melbourne 15.13 (103)def. Western Bulldogs 9.10 (64) MCG (crowd: 29,381) Report
Sunday, 24 May (4:10 pm) Port Adelaide 5.13 (43)def. by Richmond 11.10 (76) Adelaide Oval (crowd: 44,451) Report

Round 9

Round 9 (Indigenous Round)
Friday, 29 May (7:50 pm) Sydney 19.8 (122)def. Carlton 9.8 (62) SCG (crowd: 32,105) Report
Saturday, 30 May (1:45 pm) Hawthorn 14.9 (93)def. Gold Coast 6.4 (40) Aurora Stadium (crowd: 11,320) Report
Saturday, 30 May (1:40 pm) Melbourne 8.6 (54)def. by Port Adelaide 18.7 (115) TIO Traeger Park (crowd: 4,866) Report
Saturday, 30 May (4:35 pm) Western Bulldogs 16.17 (113)def. Greater Western Sydney 11.2 (68) Etihad Stadium (crowd: 16,395) Report
Saturday, 30 May (7:25 pm) Richmond 10.12 (72)def. Essendon 8.11 (59) MCG (crowd: 83,804) Report
Saturday, 30 May (7:10 pm) Adelaide 7.15 (57)def. by Fremantle 10.8 (68) Adelaide Oval (crowd: 45,009) Report
Sunday, 31 May (1:10 pm) Brisbane Lions 13.8 (86)def. by St Kilda 16.12 (108) Gabba (crowd: 16,898) Report
Sunday, 31 May (3:20 pm) Collingwood 17.10 (112)def. North Melbourne 14.11 (95) MCG (crowd: 43,452) Report
Sunday, 31 May (2:40 pm) West Coast 16.24 (120)def. Geelong 10.4 (64) Domain Stadium (crowd: 37,676) Report
  • Dustin Fletcher of Essendon became the third player in VFL/AFL history to play 400 games. [20]
  • Aaron Sandilands (Fremantle) recorded 69 hit-outs against Adelaide, the highest amount since game statistics were documented from 1965; [21] this broke the previous record of 63 set in 1982 by Gary Dempsey. [22] The new record stood for only two weeks, before Sandilands bettered the tally in round 11. [23]
  • Fremantle recorded its best ever start to the season, winning its first nine matches; its previous best unbeaten start to a season was three matches in 2010. [24]

Round 10

Round 10
Friday, 5 June (6:10 pm) Fremantle 10.10 (70)def. by Richmond 15.7 (97) Domain Stadium (crowd: 38,019) Report
Saturday, 6 June (1:40 pm) Carlton 14.6 (90)def. by Adelaide 14.15 (99) MCG (crowd: 32,035) Report
Saturday, 6 June (4:35 pm) Gold Coast 5.11 (41)def. by Sydney 13.15 (93) Metricon Stadium (crowd: 13,068) Report
Saturday, 6 June (7:20 pm) Essendon 7.11 (53)def. by Geelong 19.8 (122) Etihad Stadium (crowd: 40,632) Report
Saturday, 6 June (7:10 pm) Port Adelaide 16.4 (100)def. Western Bulldogs 9.8 (62) Adelaide Oval (crowd: 40,907) Report
Sunday, 7 June (1:10 pm) Greater Western Sydney 14.13 (97)def. Brisbane Lions 10.7 (67) Spotless Stadium (crowd: 9,079) Report
Sunday, 7 June (3:20 pm) North Melbourne 13.7 (85)def. West Coast 10.15 (75) Blundstone Arena (crowd: 12,011) Report
Sunday, 7 June (4:40 pm) St Kilda 10.9 (69)def. by Hawthorn 20.12 (132) Etihad Stadium (crowd: 33,886) Report
Monday, 8 June (3:20 pm) Melbourne 13.7 (85)def. by Collingwood 17.8 (110) MCG (crowd: 66,120) Report

Round 11

Round 11
Friday, 12 June (7:20 pm) Port Adelaide 11.3 (69)def. by Geelong 14.8 (92) Adelaide Oval (crowd: 46,140) Report
Saturday, 13 June (1:40 pm) Gold Coast 7.4 (46)def. by Fremantle 6.17 (53) Metricon Stadium (crowd: 8,911) Report
Saturday, 13 June (2:35 pm) West Coast 14.12 (96)def. Essendon 6.10 (46) Domain Stadium (crowd: 37,306) Report
Saturday, 13 June (7:20 pm) North Melbourne 10.15 (75)def. by Sydney 14.7 (91) Etihad Stadium (crowd: 32,127) Report
Sunday, 14 June (1:10 pm) Collingwood 18.11 (119)def. Greater Western Sydney 11.11 (77) MCG (crowd: 43,390) Report
Sunday, 14 June (4:40 pm) St Kilda 12.13 (85)def. Melbourne 12.11 (83) Etihad Stadium (crowd: 25,187) Report
Bye
Adelaide, Brisbane Lions, Carlton, Hawthorn, Richmond, Western Bulldogs
  • Aaron Sandilands of Fremantle recorded 70 hit-outs against Gold Coast, the highest amount since game statistics were documented from 1965; [21] this broke the previous record of 69 which Sandilands had set only two weeks earlier. [23] However, this was later broken when Todd Goldstein recorded 80 hitouts in round 12. [25]

Round 12

Round 12
Thursday, 18 June (7:20 pm) Adelaide 12.13 (85)def. by Hawthorn 17.12 (114) Adelaide Oval (crowd: 49,108) Report
Friday, 19 June (7:50 pm) Richmond 10.10 (70)def. by West Coast 13.12 (90) MCG (crowd: 45,178) Report
Saturday, 20 June (1:40 pm) Carlton 17.8 (110)def. Port Adelaide 16.10 (106) MCG (crowd: 27,693) Report
Saturday, 20 June (4:35 pm) Greater Western Sydney 8.13 (61)def. by North Melbourne 18.9 (117) Spotless Stadium (crowd: 7,824) Report
Saturday, 20 June (7:20 pm) Western Bulldogs 22.14 (146)def. Brisbane Lions 11.8 (74) Etihad Stadium (crowd: 21,129) Report
Sunday, 21 June (3:20 pm) Geelong 13.11 (89)def. by Melbourne 18.5 (113) Simonds Stadium (crowd: 28,007) Report
Bye
Collingwood, Essendon, Fremantle, Gold Coast, St Kilda, Sydney

Round 13

Round 13
Thursday, 25 June (6:10 pm) Fremantle 12.8 (80)def. Collingwood 11.7 (73) Domain Stadium (crowd: 37,145) Report
Friday, 26 June (7:50 pm) Sydney 11.11 (77)def. by Richmond 14.11 (95) SCG (crowd: 37,579) Report
Saturday, 27 June (1:40 pm) Hawthorn 16.18 (114)def. Essendon 11.10 (76) MCG (crowd: 62,500) Report
Saturday, 27 June (4:35 pm) Brisbane Lions 10.9 (69)def. by Adelaide 11.16 (82) Gabba (crowd: 18,146) Report
Saturday, 27 June (7:20 pm) St Kilda 7.14 (56)def. by Western Bulldogs 9.8 (62) Etihad Stadium (crowd: 26,511) Report
Sunday, 28 June (3:20 pm) Carlton 14.19 (103)def. Gold Coast 9.15 (69) Etihad Stadium (crowd: 30,207) Report
Bye
Geelong, Greater Western Sydney, Melbourne, North Melbourne, Port Adelaide, West Coast

Round 14

Round 14
Thursday, 2 July (7:20 pm) Sydney 14.10 (94)def. Port Adelaide 12.12 (84) SCG (crowd: 28,316) Report
Friday, 3 July (7:50 pm) Collingwood 12.19 (91)def. by Hawthorn 15.11 (101) MCG (crowd: 75,880) Report
Saturday, 4 July (1:40 pm) Richmond 10.18 (78)def. Greater Western Sydney 10.9 (69) MCG (crowd: 35,968) Report
Saturday, 4 July (4:40 pm) Gold Coast 19.11 (125)def. North Melbourne 10.10 (70) Metricon Stadium (crowd: 14,444) Report
Saturday, 4 July (7:30 pm) Western Bulldogs 9.10 (64)def. Carlton 7.11 (53) Etihad Stadium (crowd: 31,445) Report
Saturday, 4 July (7:10 pm) Melbourne 9.6 (60)def. by West Coast 16.18 (114) TIO Stadium (crowd: 11,873) Report
Sunday, 5 July (1:10 pm) Essendon 8.4 (52)def. by St Kilda 25.12 (162) Etihad Stadium (crowd: 38,020) Report
Sunday, 5 July (2:40 pm) Fremantle 13.6 (84)def. Brisbane Lions 7.6 (48) Domain Stadium (crowd: 32,970) Report
Sunday, 5 July (cancelled) Adelaide v Geelong Adelaide Oval
  • The match between Adelaide and Geelong was cancelled following the death of Adelaide coach Phil Walsh on 3 July, with each team receiving two premiership points. It was the first premiership match to be cancelled outright, rather than rescheduled or postponed, in VFL/AFL history. [1] [27] Starting times of some other matches were adjusted slightly to accommodate tributes to Walsh. [28]
  • St Kilda recorded its highest ever score (162 points) and winning margin (110 points) against Essendon. [29]

Round 15

Round 15
Thursday, 9 July (7:20 pm) Port Adelaide 9.12 (66)def. Collingwood 9.9 (63) Adelaide Oval (crowd: 44,496) Report
Friday, 10 July (7:50 pm) Richmond 10.11 (71)def. Carlton 5.11 (41) MCG (crowd: 52,564) Report
Saturday, 11 July (1:40 pm) Essendon 10.9 (69)def. Melbourne 7.18 (60) MCG (crowd: 38,861) Report
Saturday, 11 July (4:35 pm) Western Bulldogs 14.11 (95)def. Gold Coast 11.7 (73) Cazaly's Stadium (crowd: 9,449) Report
Saturday, 11 July (7:20 pm) North Melbourne 18.12 (120)def. Geelong 11.13 (79) Etihad Stadium (crowd: 31,270) Report
Saturday, 11 July (5:40 pm) West Coast 22.15 (147)def. Adelaide 14.7 (91) Domain Stadium (crowd: 38,133) Report
Sunday, 12 July (1:10 pm) Greater Western Sydney 12.12 (84)def. St Kilda 6.13 (49) Spotless Stadium (crowd: 9,178) Report
Sunday, 12 July (3:20 pm) Hawthorn 17.13 (115)def. Fremantle 6.7 (43) Aurora Stadium (crowd: 16,792) Report
Sunday, 12 July (4:40 pm) Brisbane Lions 7.7 (49)def. by Sydney 10.10 (70) Gabba (crowd: 16,936) Report

Round 16

Round 16
Friday, 17 July (7:50 pm) North Melbourne 14.9 (93)def. Essendon 9.14 (68) Etihad Stadium (crowd: 31,025) Report
Saturday, 18 July (1:45 pm) Geelong 10.12 (72)def. Western Bulldogs 9.10 (64) Simonds Stadium (crowd: 25,041) Report
Saturday, 18 July (2:10 pm) Gold Coast 12.7 (79)def. by Greater Western Sydney 13.16 (94) Metricon Stadium (crowd: 9,589) Report
Saturday, 18 July (4:35 pm) Collingwood 7.14 (56)def. by West Coast 11.21 (87) Etihad Stadium (crowd: 36,527) Report
Saturday, 18 July (7:20 pm) Sydney 7.15 (57)def. by Hawthorn 23.8 (146) ANZ Stadium (crowd: 37,369) Report
Saturday, 18 July (5:40 pm) Fremantle 13.17 (95)def. Carlton 8.5 (53) Domain Stadium (crowd: 33,581) Report
Sunday, 19 July (1:10 pm) Melbourne 8.12 (60)def. Brisbane Lions 4.12 (36) MCG (crowd: 25,149) Report
Sunday, 19 July (2:50 pm) Port Adelaide 17.11 (113)def. by Adelaide 18.8 (116) Adelaide Oval (crowd: 53,518) Report
Sunday, 19 July (4:40 pm) St Kilda 10.13 (73)def. by Richmond 13.11 (89) Etihad Stadium (crowd: 45,772) Report

Round 17

Round 17
Friday, 24 July (7:50 pm) Carlton 4.11 (35)def. by Hawthorn 27.11 (173) Etihad Stadium (crowd: 26,815) Report
Saturday, 25 July (1:45 pm) Greater Western Sydney 6.6 (42)def. by Geelong 9.15 (69) StarTrack Oval (crowd: 14,667) Report
Saturday, 25 July (1:40 pm) Adelaide 19.11 (125)def. Gold Coast 12.8 (80) Adelaide Oval (crowd: 41,715) Report
Saturday, 25 July (4:35 pm) Richmond 10.18 (78)def. by Fremantle 12.10 (82) MCG (crowd: 39,777) Report
Saturday, 25 July (7:20 pm) Essendon 17.14 (116)def. by Port Adelaide 20.9 (129) Etihad Stadium (crowd: 23,705) Report
Saturday, 25 July (7:20 pm) Brisbane Lions 5.8 (38)def. by North Melbourne 16.14 (110) Gabba (crowd: 15,563) Report
Sunday, 26 July (1:10 pm) Western Bulldogs 15.14 (104)def. Collingwood 13.8 (86) Etihad Stadium (crowd: 40,581) Report
Sunday, 26 July (3:20 pm) Melbourne 6.10 (46)def. by St Kilda 12.11 (83) MCG (crowd: 22,945) Report
Sunday, 26 July (2:40 pm) West Coast 15.13 (103)def. Sydney 7.9 (51) Domain Stadium (crowd: 38,760) Report
  • Carlton's 138-point loss against Hawthorn set a new record as the club's heaviest ever defeat in a premiership match, [31] in addition, their score of 4.11 (35) was their lowest score against Hawthorn in history. [32]
  • Brent Harvey of North Melbourne became the fourth player in VFL/AFL history to play 400 games. [33]

Round 18

Round 18
Friday, 31 July (7:50 pm) Hawthorn 7.11 (53)def. by Richmond 10.11 (71) MCG (crowd: 66,305) Report
Saturday, 1 August (1:45 pm) Geelong 17.11 (113)def. Brisbane Lions 8.9 (57) Simonds Stadium (crowd: 21,914) Report
Saturday, 1 August (2:10 pm) Collingwood 7.12 (54)def. by Melbourne 13.13 (91) MCG (crowd: 37,894) Report
Saturday, 1 August (4:35 pm) Sydney 17.15 (117)def. Adelaide 9.11 (65) SCG (crowd: 38,690) Report
Saturday, 1 August (7:20 pm) Carlton 8.6 (54)def. by North Melbourne 18.10 (118) Etihad Stadium (crowd: 25,251) Report
Saturday, 1 August (7:20 pm) Gold Coast 12.11 (83)drew with West Coast 11.17 (83) Metricon Stadium (crowd: 9,341) Report
Sunday, 2 August (12:40 pm) Port Adelaide 17.10 (112)def. St Kilda 6.13 (49) Adelaide Oval (crowd: 35,977) Report
Sunday, 2 August (3:20 pm) Essendon 5.10 (40)def. by Western Bulldogs 19.13 (127) Etihad Stadium (crowd: 33,466) Report
Sunday, 2 August (2:40 pm) Fremantle 12.12 (84)def. Greater Western Sydney 9.9 (63) Domain Stadium (crowd: 34,626) Report

Round 19

Round 19 (Multicultural Round)
Friday, 7 August (7:20 pm) Adelaide 11.22 (88)def. Richmond 8.4 (52) Adelaide Oval (crowd: 49,116) Report
Saturday, 8 August (1:45 pm) Collingwood 16.9 (105)def. Carlton 13.9 (87) MCG (crowd: 48,133) Report
Saturday, 8 August (2:10 pm) Western Bulldogs 19.14 (128)def. Port Adelaide 9.10 (64) Etihad Stadium (crowd: 20,590) Report
Saturday, 8 August (4:35 pm) Brisbane Lions 14.16 (100)def. by Gold Coast 17.12 (114) Gabba (crowd: 20,025) Report
Saturday, 8 August (7:20 pm) Geelong 14.11 (95)def. Sydney 9.9 (63) Simonds Stadium (crowd: 27,901) Report
Saturday, 8 August (5:40 pm) West Coast 11.8 (74)def. by Hawthorn 13.10 (88) Domain Stadium (crowd: 34,843) Report
Sunday, 9 August (1:10 pm) Melbourne 14.8 (92)def. by North Melbourne 19.13 (127) MCG (crowd: 30,695) Report
Sunday, 9 August (3:20 pm) Greater Western Sydney 14.9 (93)def. Essendon 8.13 (61) Spotless Stadium (crowd: 10,093) Report
Sunday, 9 August (4:40 pm) St Kilda 8.11 (59)def. by Fremantle 15.6 (96) Etihad Stadium (crowd: 16,419) Report
  • The Brisbane LionsGold Coast match featured a one-off trial of officiating a match with four field umpires instead of three. The four umpire system had previously been trialled in the pre-season, but this was the first premiership match to be officiated by four umpires. [35]

Round 20

Round 20
Friday, 14 August (7:50 pm) Sydney 13.9 (87)def. Collingwood 10.16 (76) SCG (crowd: 38,408) Report
Saturday, 15 August (1:45 pm) Essendon 8.11 (59)def. by Adelaide 27.9 (171) Etihad Stadium (crowd: 25,914) Report
Saturday, 15 August (2:10 pm) North Melbourne 18.12 (120)def. St Kilda 11.17 (83) Blundstone Arena (crowd: 14,346) Report
Saturday, 15 August (4:05 pm) Port Adelaide 16.15 (111)def. Greater Western Sydney 13.12 (90) Adelaide Oval (crowd: 32,436) Report
Saturday, 15 August (7:20 pm) Geelong 12.13 (85)def. by Hawthorn 19.7 (121) MCG (crowd: 55,802) Report
Saturday, 15 August (7:20 pm) Brisbane Lions 20.11 (131)def. Carlton 9.13 (67) Gabba (crowd: 17,744) Report
Sunday, 16 August (1:10 pm) Richmond 22.6 (138)def. Gold Coast 8.7 (55) MCG (crowd: 38,508) Report
Sunday, 16 August (3:20 pm) Western Bulldogs 24.9 (153)def. Melbourne 8.7 (55) Etihad Stadium (crowd: 27,805) Report
Sunday, 16 August (2:40 pm) Fremantle 11.14 (80)def. by West Coast 15.14 (104) Domain Stadium (crowd: 41,959) Report

Round 21

Round 21
Friday, 21 August (7:50 pm) Hawthorn 13.8 (86)def. by Port Adelaide 16.12 (108) Etihad Stadium (crowd: 28,657) Report
Saturday, 22 August (1:45 pm) Collingwood 7.14 (56)def. by Richmond 23.9 (147) MCG (crowd: 63,178) Report
Saturday, 22 August (2:10 pm) Greater Western Sydney 6.8 (44)def. by Sydney 20.13 (133) Spotless Stadium (crowd: 19,507) Report
Saturday, 22 August (4:35 pm) Gold Coast 14.13 (97)def. Essendon 14.11 (95) Metricon Stadium (crowd: 16,253) Report
Saturday, 22 August (7:20 pm) St Kilda 14.13 (97)drew with Geelong 15.7 (97) Etihad Stadium (crowd: 25,245) Report
Saturday, 22 August (7:10 pm) Adelaide 20.11 (131)def. Brisbane Lions 6.8 (44) Adelaide Oval (crowd: 46,609) Report
Sunday, 23 August (1:10 pm) North Melbourne 14.10 (94)def. Fremantle 12.11 (83) Etihad Stadium (crowd: 23,857) Report
Sunday, 23 August (3:20 pm) Carlton 12.6 (78)def. Melbourne 7.13 (55) MCG (crowd: 33,962) Report
Sunday, 23 August (2:40 pm) West Coast 25.12 (162)def. Western Bulldogs 13.7 (85) Domain Stadium (crowd: 37,733) Report

Round 22

Round 22
Friday, 28 August (7:50 pm) Geelong 9.8 (62)def. by Collingwood 17.8 (110) MCG (crowd: 40,582) Report
Saturday, 29 August (1:45 pm) Greater Western Sydney 20.12 (132)def. Carlton 7.9 (51) Spotless Stadium (crowd: 9,538) Report
Saturday, 29 August (2:10 pm) Hawthorn 21.8 (134)def. Brisbane Lions 9.8 (62) Aurora Stadium (crowd: 11,731) Report
Saturday, 29 August (4:35 pm) North Melbourne 10.13 (73)def. by Western Bulldogs 14.12 (96) Etihad Stadium (crowd: 37,299) Report
Saturday, 29 August (7:20 pm) Essendon 7.5 (47)def. by Richmond 10.14 (74) MCG (crowd: 37,864) Report
Saturday, 29 August (7:20 pm) Gold Coast 7.9 (51)def. by Port Adelaide 12.16 (88) Metricon Stadium (crowd: 9,343) Report
Sunday, 30 August (1:10 pm) Adelaide 19.12 (126)def. West Coast 10.9 (69) Adelaide Oval (crowd: 52,460) Report
Sunday, 30 August (3:20 pm) St Kilda 4.14 (38)def. by Sydney 20.15 (135) Etihad Stadium (crowd: 27,856) Report
Sunday, 30 August (2:40 pm) Fremantle 17.6 (108)def. Melbourne 8.6 (54) Domain Stadium (crowd: 33,529) Report

Round 23

Round 23
Friday, 4 September (7:50 pm) Richmond 16.12 (108)def. North Melbourne 10.7 (67) Etihad Stadium (crowd: 40,461) Report
Saturday, 5 September (1:05 pm) Geelong 17.17 (119)def. Adelaide 11.14 (80) Simonds Stadium (crowd: 26,128) Report
Saturday, 5 September (1:45 pm) Brisbane Lions 19.16 (130)def. Western Bulldogs 19.8 (122) Gabba (crowd: 15,434) Report
Saturday, 5 September (3:20 pm) Port Adelaide 18.14 (122)def. Fremantle 8.5 (53) Adelaide Oval (crowd: 37,922) Report
Saturday, 5 September (4:40 pm) Hawthorn 17.11 (113)def. Carlton 8.8 (56) MCG (crowd: 33,182) Report
Saturday, 5 September (7:25 pm) Sydney 19.13 (127)def. Gold Coast 9.10 (64) SCG (crowd: 25,424) Report
Saturday, 5 September (5:40 pm) West Coast 18.17 (125)def. St Kilda 4.6 (30) Domain Stadium (crowd: 36,165) Report
Sunday, 6 September (1:10 pm) Melbourne 15.13 (103)def. Greater Western Sydney 11.11 (77) Etihad Stadium (crowd: 8,974) Report
Sunday, 6 September (3:20 pm) Collingwood 14.8 (92)def. by Essendon 14.11 (95) MCG (crowd: 40,270) Report
  • Fremantle and North Melbourne both received permission from the AFL under its competitive integrity rules to omit several key senior players in this round to manage their fatigue for the finals: Fremantle's finishing position could not change based on the outcome of its game, and although North Melbourne's position could change, the league ruled that North Melbourne was not attempting to manipulate its finals draw. Fremantle made twelve team changes, equalling the all-time record associated with the St Kilda players' strike of 1911, then broke the record outright with thirteen changes bringing its players back for the qualifying finals; this record stood until 2022. [37] North Melbourne made nine changes. [38]
  • Melbourne ended a 22-game losing streak at Docklands Stadium dating back to round 19, 2007. [39]
  • The crowd of 8,974 for the match between Melbourne and Greater Western Sydney is the lowest ever for an attended AFL premiership match at Docklands Stadium. [40]
  • The crowd of 40,270 for Collingwood vs. Essendon was the lowest between the two clubs since it had become standard to move matches between the clubs away from their smaller suburban grounds and to the Melbourne Cricket Ground or Waverley Park in 1988. [41]

Season notes

Win/loss table

Team1234567891011121314151617181920212223F1F2F3GFLadder
Adelaide NM
+77
Coll
+27
Melb
+25
WB
-57
PA
-24
GCS
+41
StK
+46
GWS
-24
Frem
-11
Carl
+9
XHaw
-29
BL
+13
Geel
C
WCE
-56
PA
+3
GCS
+45
Syd
-52
Rich
+36
Ess
+112
BL
+87
WCE
+57
Geel
-39
WB
+7
Haw
-74
XX7
Brisbane Lions Coll
-12
NM
-82
Rich
-79
WCE
-53
GCS
-64
Carl
+9
PA
+37
Ess
-58
StK
-22
GWS
-30
XWB
-72
Adel
-13
Frem
-36
Syd
-21
Melb
-24
NM
-72
Geel
-56
GCS
-14
Carl
+64
Adel
-87
Haw
-72
WB
+8
XXXX17
Carlton Rich
-27
WCE
-69
Ess
-21
StK
+40
Coll
-75
BL
-9
GWS
-78
Geel
-77
Syd
-60
Adel
-9
XPA
+4
GCS
+34
WB
-11
Rich
-30
Frem
-42
Haw
-138
NM
-64
Coll
-18
BL
-64
Melb
+23
GWS
-81
Haw
-57
XXXX18
Collingwood BL
+12
Adel
-27
StK
+74
Ess
+20
Carl
+75
Geel
-41
Rich
-5
GCS
+69
NM
+17
Melb
+25
GWS
+42
XFrem
-7
Haw
-10
PA
-3
WCE
-31
WB
-18
Melb
-37
Carl
+18
Syd
-11
Rich
-91
Geel
+48
Ess
-3
XXXX12
Essendon Syd
-12
Haw
+2
Carl
+21
Coll
-20
StK
+2
Frem
-28
NM
-11
BL
+58
Rich
-13
Geel
-69
WCE
-50
XHaw
-38
StK
-110
Melb
+9
NM
-25
PA
-13
WB
-87
GWS
-32
Adel
-112
GCS
-2
Rich
-27
Coll
+3
XXXX15
Fremantle PA
+7
Geel
+44
WCE
+30
Syd
+14
Melb
+68
Ess
+28
WB
+13
NM
+73
Adel
+11
Rich
-27
GCS
+7
XColl
+7
BL
+36
Haw
-72
Carl
+42
Rich
+4
GWS
+21
StK
+37
WCE
-24
NM
-11
Melb
+54
PA
-69
Syd
+9
XHaw
-27
X1
Geelong Haw
62
Frem
-44
GCS
+9
NM
-16
Rich
+9
Coll
+41
Syd
-43
Carl
+77
WCE
-56
Ess
+69
PA
+23
Melb
-24
XAdel
C
NM
-41
WB
+8
GWS
+27
BL
+56
Syd
+32
Haw
-36
StK
0
Coll
-48
Adel
+39
XXXX10
Gold Coast Melb
-26
StK
-28
Geel
-9
GWS
-66
BL
+64
Adel
-41
WCE
-92
Coll
-69
Haw
-53
Syd
-52
Frem
-7
XCarl
-34
NM
+55
WB
-22
GWS
-15
Adel
-45
WCE
0
BL
+14
Rich
-83
Ess
+2
PA
-37
Syd
-63
XXXX16
Greater Western Sydney StK
+9
Melb
+45
Syd
-21
GCS
+66
WCE
-87
Haw
+10
Carl
+78
Adel
+24
WB
-45
BL
+30
Coll
-42
NM
-56
XRich
-9
StK
+35
GCS
+15
Geel
-27
Frem
-21
Ess
+32
PA
-21
Syd
-89
Carl
+81
Melb
-26
XXXX11
Hawthorn Geel
+62
Ess
-2
WB
+70
PA
-8
NM
+60
GWS
-10
Melb
+105
Syd
-4
GCS
+53
StK
+63
XAdel
+29
Ess
+38
Coll
+10
Frem
+72
Syd
+89
Carl
+138
Rich
-18
WCE
+14
Geel
+36
PA
-22
BL
+72
Carl
+57
WCE
-32
Adel
+74
Frem
+27
WCE
+46
3
Melbourne GCS
+26
GWS
-45
Adel
-25
Rich
+32
Frem
-68
Syd
-38
Haw
-105
WB
+39
PA
-61
Coll
-25
StK
-2
Geel
+24
XWCE
-54
Ess
-9
BL
+24
StK
-37
Coll
+37
NM
-35
WB
-98
Carl
-23
Frem
-54
GWS
+26
XXXX13
North Melbourne Adel
-77
BL
+82
PA
-8
Geel
+16
Haw
-60
Rich
+35
Ess
+11
Frem
-73
Coll
-17
WCE
+10
Syd
-16
GWS
+56
XGCS
-55
Geel
+41
Ess
+25
BL
+72
Carl
+64
Melb
+35
StK
+37
Frem
+11
WB
-23
Rich
-41
Rich
+17
Syd
+26
WCE
-25
X8
Port Adelaide Frem
-7
Syd
-48
NM
+8
Haw
+8
Adel
+24
WCE
-10
BL
-37
Rich
-33
Melb
+61
WB
+38
Geel
-23
Carl
-4
XSyd
-10
Coll
+3
Adel
-3
Ess
+13
StK
+63
WB
-64
GWS
+21
Haw
+22
GCS
+37
Frem
+69
XXXX9
Richmond Carl
+27
WB
-19
BL
+79
Melb
-32
Geel
-9
NM
-35
Coll
+5
PA
+33
Ess
+13
Frem
+27
XWCE
-20
Syd
+18
GWS
+9
Carl
+30
StK
+16
Frem
-4
Haw
+18
Adel
-36
GCS
+83
Coll
+91
Ess
+27
NM
+41
NM
-17
XXX5
St Kilda GWS
-9
GCS
+28
Coll
-74
Carl
-40
Ess
-2
WB
+7
Adel
-46
WCE
-53
BL
+22
Haw
-63
Melb
+2
XWB
-6
Ess
+110
GWS
-35
Rich
-16
Melb
+37
PA
-63
Frem
-37
NM
-37
Geel
0
Syd
-97
WCE
-95
XXXX14
Sydney Ess
+12
PA
+48
GWS
+21
Frem
-14
WB
-4
Melb
+38
Geel
+43
Haw
+4
Carl
+60
GCS
+52
NM
+16
XRich
-18
PA
+10
BL
+21
Haw
-89
WCE
-52
Adel
+52
Geel
-32
Coll
+11
GWS
+89
StK
+97
GCS
+63
Frem
-9
NM
-26
XX4
West Coast WB
-10
Carl
+69
Frem
-30
BL
+53
GWS
+87
PA
+10
GCS
+92
StK
+53
Geel
+56
NM
-10
Ess
+50
Rich
+20
XMelb
+54
Adel
+56
Coll
+31
Syd
+52
GCS
0
Haw
-14
Frem
+24
WB
+77
Adel
-57
StK
+95
Haw
+32
XNM
+25
Haw
-46
2
Western Bulldogs WCE
+10
Rich
+19
Haw
-70
Adel
+57
Syd
+4
StK
-7
Frem
-13
Melb
-39
GWS
+45
PA
-38
XBL
+72
StK
+6
Carl
+11
GCS
+22
Geel
-8
Coll
+18
Ess
+87
PA
+64
Melb
+98
WCE
-77
NM
+23
BL
-8
Adel
-7
XXX6
Team1234567891011121314151617181920212223F1F2F3GFLadder
+WinQualified for finals
-LossXBye
DrawEliminated

Bold – Home game
X – Bye
C – Cancelled [lower-alpha 1]
Opponent for round listed above margin

Ladder

2015 AFL ladder
PosTeamPldWLDPFPAPPPts
1 Fremantle 22175018571564118.768 Finals series
2 West Coast 22165123301572148.266
3 Hawthorn (P)22166024521548158.464
4 Sydney 22166020061578127.164
5 Richmond 22157019301568123.160
6 Western Bulldogs 22148021011825115.156
7 Adelaide 21138021071821115.754 [lower-alpha 2]
8 North Melbourne 22139020621937106.552
9 Port Adelaide 221210020021874106.848
10 Geelong 21119118531833101.148 [lower-alpha 2]
11 Greater Western Sydney 22111101872189199.044
12 Collingwood 221012019721856106.340
13 Melbourne 2271501573204477.028
14 St Kilda 2261511695216278.426
15 Essendon 2261601580213474.024
16 Gold Coast 2241711633224072.918
17 Brisbane Lions 2241801557230667.516
18 Carlton 2241801525235464.816
Source: [48]
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) percentage; 3) number of points for.
(P) Premiers
Notes:
  1. The round 14 Adelaide vs. Geelong match was cancelled due to the death of Adelaide coach, Phil Walsh, both clubs received two premiership points each, with no change to their percentages.
  2. 1 2 The round 14 match between Adelaide and Geelong was cancelled due to the death of Adelaide coach Phil Walsh, and both teams were awarded two premiership points each.

Ladder progression

  Numbers highlighted in green indicate that the team finished the round inside the top 8.
  Numbers highlighted in blue indicates the team finished first 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 indicate that the team had a bye during that round.
Team ╲ Round1234567891011121314151617181920212223
Fremantle 48121620242832363640404448485256606464646868
West Coast 044812162024282832363640444852545458626266
Hawthorn 448812121616202424283236404448485256566064
Sydney 48121212162024283236363640444444484852566064
Richmond 4488881216202424242832364040444448525660
Western Bulldogs 4881216161616202020242832363640444852525656
Adelaide 48121212162020202424242830303438384246505454
North Melbourne 04488121616162020242424283236404448525252
Port Adelaide 004812121212162020202020242428323236404448
Geelong 00448121216162024242426263034384242444448
Greater Western Sydney 4881212162024242828282828323636364040404444
Collingwood 4481216161620242832323232323232323636364040
Melbourne 444888812121212161616162020242424242428
St Kilda 04444888121216161620202024242424262626
Essendon 048812121216161616161616202020202020202024
Gold Coast 00004444444448888101414181818
Brisbane Lions 000004888888888888812121216
Carlton 0004444444481212121212121212161616
Source: [ citation needed ]

Finals series

Qualifying and elimination finalsSemi-finalsPreliminary finalsGrand final
12 Sep, Domain Stadium
1 Fremantle 10.9 (69)
4 Sydney 7.18 (60)19 Sep, ANZ Stadium
Sydney 7.9 (51)
13 Sep, MCG North Melbourne 11.11 (77)25 Sep, Domain Stadium
5 Richmond 14.4 (88) Fremantle 10.7 (67)
8 North Melbourne 15.15 (105) Hawthorn 15.4 (94)3 Oct, MCG
Hawthorn 16.11 (107)
12 Sep, MCG 26 Sep, Domain Stadium West Coast 8.13 (61)
6 Western Bulldogs 14.18 (102) West Coast 10.20 (80)
7 Adelaide 16.13 (109)18 Sep, MCG North Melbourne 7.13 (55)
Hawthorn 21.9 (135)
11 Sep, Domain Stadium Adelaide 8.13 (61)
2 West Coast 14.12 (96)
3 Hawthorn 9.10 (64)

Week one

Qualifying Finals
QF2: Friday, 11 September (6:20 pm) West Coast 14.12 (96)def. Hawthorn 9.10 (64) Domain Stadium (crowd: 42,663) Report
QF1: Saturday, 12 September (1:20 pm) Fremantle 10.9 (69)def. Sydney 7.18 (60) Domain Stadium (crowd: 40,071) Report
Elimination Finals
EF2: Saturday, 12 September (7:20 pm) Western Bulldogs 14.18 (102)def. by Adelaide 16.13 (109) MCG (crowd: 60,782) Report
EF1: Sunday, 13 September (3:20 pm) Richmond 14.4 (88)def. by North Melbourne 15.15 (105) MCG (crowd: 90,186) Report

Week two

Semi-finals
SF2: Friday, 18 September (7:50 pm) Hawthorn 21.9 (135)def. Adelaide 8.13 (61) MCG (crowd: 70,879) Report
SF1: Saturday, 19 September (7:20 pm) Sydney 7.9 (51)def. by North Melbourne 11.11 (77) ANZ Stadium (crowd: 31,162) Report

Week three

Preliminary Finals
PF1: Friday, 25 September (6:20 pm) Fremantle 10.7 (67)def. by Hawthorn 15.4 (94) Domain Stadium (crowd: 41,508) Report
PF2: Saturday, 26 September (5:45 pm) West Coast 10.20 (80)def. North Melbourne 7.13 (55) Domain Stadium (crowd: 43,080) Report

Week four

Grand Final
GF: Saturday, 3 October (2:30 pm) Hawthorn 16.11 (107)def. West Coast 8.13 (61) MCG (crowd: 98,633) Report

Attendances

By club

2015 AFL attendances [51]
ClubTotalGamesAvg. Per GameHome TotalHome GamesHome Avg.
Adelaide 90472623393364648681046487
Brisbane Lions 46746622212482070161118820
Carlton 76005522345484230181138456
Collingwood 105404422479115198441147259
Essendon 89433522406524675521142505
Fremantle 77249724321873983081136210
Geelong 72005221342883253951129581
Gold Coast 39432122179241359661112361
Greater Western Sydney 40201922182741186511110786
Hawthorn 115360026443694248841138626
Melbourne 65380222297182768021125164
North Melbourne 77340225309362824171125674
Port Adelaide 73726922335124718401142895
Richmond 114459023497645486421149877
St Kilda 59005122268212852621125933
Sydney 77225224321773467351131521
West Coast 88981625355933958601135987
Western Bulldogs 65506323284812574641123406

By ground

2015 ground attendances [51]
GroundTotalGamesAvg. Per Game
Adelaide Oval 9368902144614
ANZ Stadium 119868429967
Aurora Stadium 55402413851
Blundstone Arena 43901314634
Cazaly's Stadium 944919449
Domain Stadium 9614902636980
Etihad Stadium 13018784628302
Gabba 2070161118820
MCG 24952875049906
Metricon Stadium 1359661112361
SCG 258029832254
Simonds Stadium 196979824622
Spotless Stadium 88256811032
StarTrack Oval 30395310132
TIO Stadium 11873111873
TIO Traeger Park 486614866
Westpac Stadium 12125112125

Awards

Milestones

NameClubMilestoneRound
Heritier Lumumba Melbourne 200 AFL games [68] Round 1
Sam Fisher St Kilda 200 AFL games [69] Round 2
Brendon Goddard Essendon 250 AFL games [70] Round 3
Grant Birchall Hawthorn 200 AFL games [71] Round 7
Jarrad McVeigh Sydney 250 AFL games [72] Round 7
Scott Pendlebury Collingwood 200 AFL games [73] Round 8
Kane Cornes Port Adelaide 300 AFL games [74] Round 8
Angus Monfries Port Adelaide 200 AFL games [75] Round 9
Heath Shaw Greater Western Sydney 200 AFL games [76] Round 9
Dustin Fletcher Essendon 400 AFL games [20] Round 9
Michael Johnson Fremantle 200 AFL games [77] Round 10
Corey Enright Geelong 300 AFL games [78] Round 12
Farren Ray St Kilda 200 AFL games [79] Round 13
Matthew Boyd Western Bulldogs 250 AFL games [80] Round 14
Jobe Watson Essendon 200 AFL games [81] Round 14
Dane Swan Collingwood 250 AFL games [82] Round 15
Luke McPharlin Fremantle 250 AFL games [83] Round 15
Dale Morris Western Bulldogs 200 AFL games [84] Round 16
Lance Franklin Sydney 700 AFL goals [85] Round 16
Marc Murphy Carlton 200 AFL games [86] Round 17
Troy Chaplin Richmond 200 AFL games [87] Round 17
Brent Harvey North Melbourne 400 AFL games [33] Round 17
Jed Adcock Brisbane Lions 200 AFL games [88] Round 17
Jarrad Waite North Melbourne 200 AFL games [89] Round 18
Joel Selwood Geelong 200 AFL games [90] Round 19
Sean Dempster St Kilda 200 AFL games [91] Round 19
Steve Johnson Geelong 250 AFL games [92] Round 20
Paul Roos Melbourne 600 AFL games played/coached [93] Round 21
Michael Firrito North Melbourne 250 AFL games [94] Round 22
Ted Richards Sydney 250 AFL games [95] Round 22
Nathan Jones Melbourne 200 AFL games [96] Round 22
Nathan Van Berlo Adelaide 200 AFL games [97] Round 23
Brian Lake Hawthorn 250 AFL games [98] Preliminary final
Nick Dal Santo North Melbourne 300 AFL games [99] Preliminary final

Coleman Medal

Best and fairest

ClubAward namePlayerRef.
Adelaide Malcolm Blight Medal Patrick Dangerfield [100]
Brisbane Lions Merrett-Murray Medal Dayne Beams [101]
Stefan Martin
Mitch Robinson
Dayne Zorko
Carlton John Nicholls Medal Patrick Cripps [102]
Collingwood Copeland Trophy Scott Pendlebury [103]
Essendon Crichton Medal Cale Hooker [104]
Fremantle Doig Medal Aaron Sandilands [105]
Geelong Carji Greeves Medal Mark Blicavs [106]
Gold Coast Club Champion Tom Lynch [107]
Greater Western Sydney Kevin Sheedy Medal Heath Shaw [108]
Hawthorn Peter Crimmins Medal Josh Gibson [109]
Melbourne Keith 'Bluey' Truscott Medal Bernie Vince [110]
North Melbourne Syd Barker Medal Todd Goldstein [111]
Port Adelaide John Cahill Medal Robbie Gray [112]
Richmond Jack Dyer Medal Alex Rance [113]
St Kilda Trevor Barker Award Jack Steven [114]
Sydney Bob Skilton Medal Josh Kennedy [115]
West Coast John Worsfold Medal Andrew Gaff [116]
Western Bulldogs Charles Sutton Medal Easton Wood [117]

Club leadership

ClubCoachCaptain(s)Vice-captain(s)Leadership group
Adelaide Phil Walsh (Rds 1–13); [1]
Scott Camporeale (Rds 15–SF) [118]
Taylor Walker [119] Patrick Dangerfield, Rory Sloane, Daniel Talia, Scott Thompson, Nathan van Berlo [120]
Brisbane Lions Justin Leppitsch Tom Rockliff [121] Pearce Hanley, Daniel Rich, Dayne Zorko
Carlton Mick Malthouse (Rds 1–8);
John Barker (Rds 9–23)
Marc Murphy Bryce Gibbs, Michael Jamison Lachie Henderson, Sam Rowe [122]
Collingwood Nathan Buckley Scott Pendlebury Nathan Brown, Travis Cloke, Tyson Goldsack, Steele Sidebottom [123]
Essendon James Hird (Rds 1–20); [124]
Matthew Egan (Rds 21–23)
Jobe Watson Paul Chapman, Brendon Goddard, Dyson Heppell, Cale Hooker, David Myers, Brent Stanton, David Zaharakis [125]
Fremantle Ross Lyon Matthew Pavlich Nat Fyfe, Luke McPharlin, David Mundy, Aaron Sandilands, Lee Spurr [126]
Geelong Chris Scott Joel Selwood Harry Taylor Corey Enright, Tom Hawkins, Andrew Mackie [127]
Gold Coast Rodney Eade Gary Ablett Tom Lynch, Nick Malceski, Dion Prestia, Michael Rischitelli, David Swallow [128]
Greater Western Sydney Leon Cameron Phil Davis
Callan Ward
Tom Scully, Heath Shaw [129] Shane Mumford
Hawthorn Alastair Clarkson Luke Hodge Jarryd Roughead, Jordan Lewis
Melbourne Paul Roos Nathan Jones Lynden Dunn Daniel Cross, Chris Dawes, Jack Grimes, Heritier Lumumba [130]
North Melbourne Brad Scott Andrew Swallow Jack Ziebell, Drew Petrie Nick Dal Santo, Sam Gibson, Jamie Macmillan, Drew Petrie, Scott Thompson, Jack Ziebell [131]
Port Adelaide Ken Hinkley Travis Boak Brad Ebert, Matthew Lobbe [132] Hamish Hartlett, Tom Jonas, Jackson Trengove, Ollie Wines
Richmond Damien Hardwick Trent Cotchin Brett Deledio, Ivan Maric [133] Troy Chaplin, Steven Morris [134]
St Kilda Alan Richardson Nick Riewoldt David Armitage, Sean Dempster, Jarryn Geary, Leigh Montagna, Jack Newnes, Maverick Weller [135]
Sydney John Longmire Kieren Jack
Jarrad McVeigh
Adam Goodes, Josh Kennedy, Luke Parker, Rhyce Shaw, Nick Smith [136]
West Coast Adam Simpson Shannon Hurn [137] Josh Kennedy, Scott Selwood Eric Mackenzie, Matt Priddis, Beau Waters [138]
Western Bulldogs Luke Beveridge Robert Murphy [139] Jordan Roughead Matthew Boyd, Tom Liberatore, Dale Morris [140]

Coach changes

CoachClubDateNotesCaretakerNew coach
Mick Malthouse Carlton 26 May 2015Sacked after the Carlton board lost trust in Malthouse and the club and coach were not aligned, in addition to the club suffering from poor results on the field. [141] [142] John Barker Brendon Bolton [143]
Phil Walsh Adelaide 3 July 2015Deceased Scott Camporeale Don Pyke [144]
James Hird Essendon 18 August 2015Resigned due to poor on-field performances [124] Matthew Egan John Worsfold [145]

Club financials

2015 AFL membership figures
ClubMembers [146] Change from 2014 % Change from 2014
Adelaide 52,920Decrease2.svg 1,329Decrease2.svg 2.45%
Brisbane Lions 25,408Increase2.svg 1,396Increase2.svg 5.81%
Carlton 47,305Decrease2.svg 180Decrease2.svg 0.38%
Collingwood 75,037Decrease2.svg 2,850Decrease2.svg 5.43%
Essendon 60,818Increase2.svg 172Increase2.svg 0.28%
Fremantle 51,433Increase2.svg 2,656Increase2.svg 5.45%
Geelong 44,312Increase2.svg 509Increase2.svg 1.16%
Gold Coast 13,643Increase2.svg 165Increase2.svg 1.22%
Greater Western Sydney 13,480Increase2.svg 440Increase2.svg 3.37%
Hawthorn 72,924Increase2.svg 4,274Increase2.svg 6.23%
Melbourne 35,953Increase2.svg 42Increase2.svg 0.12%
North Melbourne 41,012Increase2.svg 2425Increase2.svg 6.15%
Port Adelaide 54,057Increase2.svg 5,089Increase2.svg 10.39%
Richmond 70,809Increase2.svg 4,687Increase2.svg 7.09%
St Kilda 32,746Increase2.svg 2,007Increase2.svg 6.53%
Sydney 48,836Increase2.svg 8,710Increase2.svg 21.71%
West Coast 60,221Increase2.svg 1,692Increase2.svg 2.89%
Western Bulldogs 35,222Increase2.svg 3,684Increase2.svg 11.68%
Total836,136Increase2.svg 31,656Increase2.svg 3.93%

Post-season

International Rules Series

The International Rules Series returned in November 2015, with Ireland entitled to the hosting rights. The match was played on Saturday, 21 November 2015 at Dublin's Croke Park. A highly qualified Australian side, who were looking for back-to-back series wins, fell to a classy Irish team by 4 points. [147]

2015 International Rules Test
Saturday, 21 November (7:00pm IST) Ireland 3.11.5 (56)def. Australia 1.13.7 (52) Croke Park, Dublin (crowd: 38,386) Report

Notable events and controversies

Doping and drugs

The AFL suffered significant bad publicity during 2015 related to four cases of illicit substance abuse in AFL clubs – three related to doping and one related to recreational drugs:

Death of Phil Walsh

In the early hours of Friday 3 July 2015, Adelaide coach Phil Walsh was found dead at his Adelaide residency following a domestic violence incident; he was killed by his son, Cy, who was charged with his murder, and ultimately found not guilty due to mental incompetence, meaning he is now subject to a lifetime psychiatric supervision order and is permanently detained at the James Nash House forensic Mental Health Facility. [158] Walsh's wife Meredith also suffered injuries in the incident. [1] In the immediate aftermath, the match between Adelaide and Geelong, which was to have been played on Sunday 5 July, was cancelled, with the clubs sharing two premiership points each. [27] At the remaining seven matches of the round (Sydney and Port Adelaide had already played on Thursday night), respect was paid to Walsh by observing moments of silence both before and after the match; and pre- and post-match celebrations or promotions, including the playing of club songs and running through banners, were not carried out. [159]

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