Australian Football

AustralianFootball.com Celebrating the history of the great Australian game

 

AFL - KEY FACTS

Official name
Australian Football League

Known as
AFL

Duration
1897–2023

Headquarters
140 Harbour Esplanade, Docklands, VIC, 3008

Phone
1300 722 515

Website
afl.com.au

Affiliated competitions (Current)
Premiership Season 1897-2023; Women's Under-18 Championships 2010-2023; Night/Pre-Season Competition 1956-2023; Under-18 Championships 1953-2023; Women's Premiership Season 2017-2022B

Affiliated competitions (Historical)
AFLX 2018-2019; Women's Winter Series 2018-2019; Women's Exhibition Series 2013-2016; Reserves 1919-1999; Under 19s 1946-1991; reserves; Reserves; VFL/AFL Reserves; VFL/AFL Reserves


Premiership Season

Official Name
V/AFL Premiership Season

Duration
1897–2023

Affiliated clubs (Current)
Carlton (VIC) 1897-2023; Collingwood (VIC) 1897-2023; Essendon (VIC) 1897-2023; Geelong (VIC) 1897-2023; Melbourne (VIC) 1897-2023; Sydney (VIC) 1897-2023; St. Kilda (VIC) 1897-2023; Richmond (VIC) 1908-2023; North Melbourne (VIC) 1925-2023; Western Bulldogs (VIC) 1925-2023; Hawthorn (VIC) 1925-2023; Brisbane (QLD) 1987-2023; West Coast (WA) 1987-2023; Adelaide (SA) 1991-2023; Fremantle (WA) 1995-2023; Port Adelaide (SA) 1997-2023; Gold Coast (QLD) 2011-2023; Greater Western Sydney (NSW) 2012-2023

Affiliated clubs (Historical)
Fitzroy (VIC) 1897-1996; University (VIC) 1908-1914

Affiliated grounds (Current)
Adelaide Oval; Bellerive Oval; Carrara Stadium; Docklands; Eureka Stadium; Gabba; Kardinia Park; M.C.G.; Manuka Oval; Marrara Stadium; Norwood Oval; Perth Stadium; S.C.G.; Summit Sport Park; Sydney Showground; Traeger Park; York Park

Affiliated grounds (Historical)
Albury Sports Ground; Arden Street; Blacktown; Brisbane Exhibition Ground; Brunswick Street; Canberra Stadium; Cazaly's Stadium; Coburg City Oval; Corio Oval; East Melbourne; Euroa Memorial Oval; Football Park; Glenferrie Oval; Jiangwan Stadium; Junction Oval; Lake Oval; Moorabbin Oval; North Hobart Oval; Olympic Park; Princes Park; Punt Road; Riverway Stadium; Stadium Australia; Subiaco Oval; Toorak Park; Victoria Park; W.A.C.A.; Waverley Park; Wellington Stadium; Whitten Oval; Windy Hill; Yallourn Oval; Yarraville Oval

1981 V/AFL Premiership Season

V/AFL - League records
 
1980 1982
Grand Finals | Every final | Every match | Every player | Every goalkicker
 
Ladder | Round by Round | Finals
 

1981 Ladder

LP Club P W L D For Agn % Pts
1 Carlton 22 17 5 0 2303 1768 130.26 68
2 Collingwood 22 17 5 0 2399 1957 122.59 68
3 Geelong 22 16 6 0 2224 1714 129.76 64
4 Essendon 22 16 6 0 2323 1821 127.57 64
5 Fitzroy 22 14 8 0 2413 2152 112.13 56
6 Hawthorn 22 13 9 0 2313 2114 109.41 52
7 Richmond 22 13 9 0 2323 2207 105.26 52
8 North Melbourne 22 10 12 0 2386 2293 104.06 40
9 South Melbourne 22 8 14 0 2165 2522 85.85 32
10 St. Kilda 22 5 17 0 1930 2266 85.17 20
11 Footscray 22 2 20 0 1764 2680 65.82 8
12 Melbourne 22 1 21 0 1824 2873 63.49 4
  H&A 132 132 132 0 26367 26367 100.00 528
  Finals 6 6 6 0 1185 1185 100.00 24
  Total 138 138 138 0 27552 27552 100.00 552

1981 Round by Round

Round 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | EF | QF | 1SF | 2SF | PF | GF

Round 1[Round Review]

 Q1Q2Q3Q4ScoreDate / ResultGroundCrowd
Carlton3.310.713.922.12 144 Sat 28-Mar-1981 2:10 pm VFL Park56,372
Richmond1.33.48.712.10 82 Carlton won by 62 points[Stats]
Fitzroy2.29.715.920.13 133 Sat 28-Mar-1981 2:10 pm Junction Oval27,202
Collingwood6.1310.1516.2422.27 159 Collingwood won by 26 points[Stats]
Geelong3.46.98.1410.17 77 Sat 28-Mar-1981 2:10 pm Kardinia Park37,256
Essendon3.24.59.810.11 71 Geelong won by 6 points[Stats]
Melbourne7.58.912.1216.16 112 Sat 28-Mar-1981 2:10 pm M.C.G.32,202
Hawthorn6.314.718.1023.15 153 Hawthorn won by 41 points[Stats]
North Melbourne5.59.816.1521.19 145 Sat 28-Mar-1981 2:10 pm Arden Street19,437
South Melbourne2.75.118.1612.25 97 North Melbourne won by 48 points[Stats]
Footscray2.35.69.716.12 108 Sat 28-Mar-1981 2:10 pm Western Oval19,101
St. Kilda8.612.1318.1723.19 157 St. Kilda won by 49 points[Stats]

Round 2[Round Review]

 Q1Q2Q3Q4ScoreDate / ResultGroundCrowd
Collingwood6.414.1120.1326.22 178 Sat 4-Apr-1981 2:10 pm Victoria Park26,515
Footscray1.26.29.513.6 84 Collingwood won by 94 points[Stats]
Essendon1.46.810.1216.15 111 Sat 4-Apr-1981 2:10 pm Windy Hill26,754
North Melbourne5.18.211.515.9 99 Essendon won by 12 points[Stats]
Fitzroy5.510.916.1323.17 155 Sat 4-Apr-1981 2:10 pm VFL Park20,107
Melbourne3.18.511.916.14 110 Fitzroy won by 45 points[Stats]
Hawthorn4.39.611.916.11 107 Sat 4-Apr-1981 2:10 pm Princes Park30,159
Carlton1.27.1111.1617.21 123 Carlton won by 16 points[Stats]
St. Kilda5.58.89.1414.23 107 Sat 4-Apr-1981 2:10 pm Moorabbin Oval24,499
Geelong4.38.715.1016.13 109 Geelong won by 2 points[Stats]
South Melbourne5.18.311.1016.14 110 Sat 4-Apr-1981 2:10 pm Lake Oval17,937
Richmond7.412.716.922.13 145 Richmond won by 35 points[Stats]

Round 3[Round Review]

 Q1Q2Q3Q4ScoreDate / ResultGroundCrowd
Carlton4.67.118.1914.24 108 Sat 11-Apr-1981 2:10 pm Princes Park24,780
Fitzroy4.56.1010.1312.20 92 Carlton won by 16 points[Stats]
North Melbourne3.89.1513.2115.26 116 Sat 11-Apr-1981 2:10 pm Arden Street17,753
Geelong2.34.46.414.5 89 North Melbourne won by 27 points[Stats]
Richmond3.57.710.1117.16 118 Sat 11-Apr-1981 2:10 pm M.C.G.61,908
Essendon5.410.814.1316.18 114 Richmond won by 4 points[Stats]
St. Kilda7.610.1212.1619.21 135 Sat 11-Apr-1981 2:10 pm Moorabbin Oval33,882
Collingwood6.311.617.1523.19 157 Collingwood won by 22 points[Stats]
South Melbourne5.58.816.1021.13 139 Sat 11-Apr-1981 2:10 pm VFL Park21,977
Hawthorn4.314.516.718.9 117 South Melbourne won by 22 points[Stats]
Footscray3.57.615.1118.11 119 Sat 11-Apr-1981 2:10 pm Western Oval13,256
Melbourne0.18.412.618.12 120 Melbourne won by 1 point[Stats]

Round 4[Round Review]

 Q1Q2Q3Q4ScoreDate / ResultGroundCrowd
Fitzroy3.29.917.1225.19 169 Sat 18-Apr-1981 2:10 pm Junction Oval15,935
South Melbourne6.59.712.1114.16 100 Fitzroy won by 69 points[Stats]
Melbourne1.54.98.1310.16 76 Sat 18-Apr-1981 2:10 pm M.C.G.36,488
St. Kilda4.86.1410.2316.32 128 St. Kilda won by 52 points[Stats]
North Melbourne2.44.87.1213.17 95 Sat 18-Apr-1981 2:10 pm VFL Park48,528
Richmond4.59.1214.1717.22 124 Richmond won by 29 points[Stats]
Essendon2.14.38.511.13 79 Mon 20-Apr-1981 2:10 pm Windy Hill29,597
Hawthorn3.48.1011.1213.16 94 Hawthorn won by 15 points[Stats]
Geelong5.26.47.119.14 68 Mon 20-Apr-1981 2:10 pm Kardinia Park41,395
Collingwood2.56.98.911.10 76 Collingwood won by 8 points[Stats]
Footscray3.44.88.911.10 76 Mon 20-Apr-1981 2:10 pm VFL Park27,229
Carlton2.44.710.915.14 104 Carlton won by 28 points[Stats]

Round 5[Round Review]

 Q1Q2Q3Q4ScoreDate / ResultGroundCrowd
Collingwood7.113.516.1121.20 146 Sat 25-Apr-1981 2:10 pm Victoria Park30,096
Melbourne3.14.39.513.5 83 Collingwood won by 63 points[Stats]
Essendon2.69.810.1315.14 104 Sat 25-Apr-1981 2:10 pm VFL Park33,465
Fitzroy6.110.314.619.11 125 Fitzroy won by 21 points[Stats]
Hawthorn6.310.613.1117.16 118 Sat 25-Apr-1981 2:10 pm Princes Park16,116
North Melbourne2.45.89.1411.17 83 Hawthorn won by 35 points[Stats]
Richmond3.47.1110.1615.22 112 Sat 25-Apr-1981 2:10 pm M.C.G.46,230
Geelong1.67.78.1311.18 84 Richmond won by 28 points[Stats]
St. Kilda3.64.87.1010.13 73 Sat 25-Apr-1981 2:10 pm Moorabbin Oval32,341
Carlton0.49.1117.1619.23 137 Carlton won by 64 points[Stats]
South Melbourne4.59.911.1418.22 130 Sat 25-Apr-1981 2:10 pm Lake Oval12,545
Footscray3.43.97.139.14 68 South Melbourne won by 62 points[Stats]

Round 6[Round Review]

 Q1Q2Q3Q4ScoreDate / ResultGroundCrowd
Carlton4.36.77.1012.15 87 Sat 2-May-1981 2:10 pm Princes Park36,343
Collingwood2.510.516.922.12 144 Collingwood won by 57 points[Stats]
North Melbourne4.412.1217.1427.17 179 Sat 2-May-1981 2:10 pm Arden Street16,219
Fitzroy8.48.616.819.12 126 North Melbourne won by 53 points[Stats]
Richmond3.74.107.1710.19 79 Sat 2-May-1981 2:10 pm M.C.G.45,750
Hawthorn3.311.716.1123.16 154 Hawthorn won by 75 points[Stats]
St. Kilda5.29.511.713.15 93 Sat 2-May-1981 2:10 pm VFL Park27,250
South Melbourne5.510.915.1015.13 103 South Melbourne won by 10 points[Stats]
Footscray1.54.96.1113.13 91 Sat 2-May-1981 2:10 pm Western Oval19,624
Essendon2.44.58.912.11 83 Footscray won by 8 points[Stats]
Geelong2.712.1316.1822.21 153 Sun 3-May-1981 2:10 pm S.C.G.11,077
Melbourne2.37.612.716.8 104 Geelong won by 49 points[Stats]

Round 7[Round Review]

 Q1Q2Q3Q4ScoreDate / ResultGroundCrowd
Collingwood5.39.1013.1418.15 123 Sat 9-May-1981 2:10 pm Victoria Park20,553
South Melbourne0.43.55.87.16 58 Collingwood won by 65 points[Stats]
Essendon3.86.1011.1314.17 101 Sat 9-May-1981 2:10 pm Windy Hill16,828
St. Kilda4.07.59.711.10 76 Essendon won by 25 points[Stats]
Fitzroy4.45.610.1213.14 92 Sat 9-May-1981 2:10 pm Junction Oval12,977
Richmond6.69.1011.1212.16 88 Fitzroy won by 4 points[Stats]
Hawthorn4.35.47.78.8 56 Sat 9-May-1981 2:10 pm Princes Park13,273
Geelong0.54.124.147.17 59 Geelong won by 3 points[Stats]
Melbourne5.25.48.88.8 56 Sat 9-May-1981 2:10 pm M.C.G.22,020
Carlton2.55.88.1512.24 96 Carlton won by 40 points[Stats]
North Melbourne1.29.514.1017.16 118 Sat 9-May-1981 2:10 pm VFL Park10,989
Footscray2.63.94.107.12 54 North Melbourne won by 64 points[Stats]

Round 8[Round Review]

 Q1Q2Q3Q4ScoreDate / ResultGroundCrowd
Collingwood2.27.313.314.3 87 Sat 16-May-1981 2:10 pm VFL Park79,326
Essendon6.311.915.1421.18 144 Essendon won by 57 points[Stats]
Geelong6.210.211.512.8 80 Sat 16-May-1981 2:10 pm Kardinia Park28,395
Carlton2.34.411.712.13 85 Carlton won by 5 points[Stats]
Hawthorn2.17.711.1421.18 144 Sat 16-May-1981 2:10 pm Princes Park17,459
Fitzroy3.67.1210.1716.19 115 Hawthorn won by 29 points[Stats]
Richmond5.410.817.1325.17 167 Sat 16-May-1981 2:10 pm M.C.G.21,721
Footscray3.28.413.1017.15 117 Richmond won by 50 points[Stats]
St. Kilda3.65.97.158.16 64 Sat 16-May-1981 2:10 pm Moorabbin Oval16,860
North Melbourne5.212.718.1125.18 168 North Melbourne won by 104 points[Stats]
South Melbourne2.89.1314.1617.25 127 Sat 16-May-1981 2:10 pm Lake Oval12,307
Melbourne4.46.511.712.11 83 South Melbourne won by 44 points[Stats]

Round 9[Round Review]

 Q1Q2Q3Q4ScoreDate / ResultGroundCrowd
Carlton1.58.1417.1725.22 172 Sat 23-May-1981 2:10 pm Princes Park22,442
South Melbourne4.26.29.411.7 73 Carlton won by 99 points[Stats]
Fitzroy3.26.510.913.15 93 Sat 23-May-1981 2:10 pm Junction Oval15,604
Geelong7.610.1214.1416.18 114 Geelong won by 21 points[Stats]
Melbourne4.26.79.710.10 70 Sat 23-May-1981 2:10 pm M.C.G.31,769
Essendon2.44.98.1814.20 104 Essendon won by 34 points[Stats]
North Melbourne2.56.119.1712.26 98 Sat 23-May-1981 2:10 pm Arden Street26,255
Collingwood2.45.913.1016.15 111 Collingwood won by 13 points[Stats]
Richmond11.512.814.920.16 136 Sat 23-May-1981 2:10 pm VFL Park40,240
St. Kilda3.39.813.1215.15 105 Richmond won by 31 points[Stats]
Footscray2.57.99.1210.14 74 Sat 23-May-1981 2:10 pm Western Oval13,789
Hawthorn3.47.109.1511.18 84 Hawthorn won by 10 points[Stats]

Round 10[Round Review]

 Q1Q2Q3Q4ScoreDate / ResultGroundCrowd
Collingwood4.38.513.917.10 112 Sat 30-May-1981 2:10 pm Victoria Park37,177
Richmond1.13.35.58.9 57 Collingwood won by 55 points[Stats]
Essendon3.44.57.711.13 79 Sat 30-May-1981 2:10 pm Windy Hill30,770
Carlton2.25.35.66.8 44 Essendon won by 35 points[Stats]
Fitzroy1.24.911.1322.15 147 Sat 30-May-1981 2:10 pm Junction Oval11,630
Footscray5.37.49.710.10 70 Fitzroy won by 77 points[Stats]
Geelong1.33.68.714.8 92 Sat 30-May-1981 2:10 pm Kardinia Park19,760
South Melbourne4.37.59.810.10 70 Geelong won by 22 points[Stats]
Hawthorn2.45.88.1313.17 95 Sat 30-May-1981 2:10 pm Princes Park14,961
St. Kilda2.37.89.1111.14 80 Hawthorn won by 15 points[Stats]
Melbourne3.35.56.76.7 43 Sat 30-May-1981 2:10 pm VFL Park17,015
North Melbourne6.511.1117.1525.22 172 North Melbourne won by 129 points[Stats]

Round 11[Round Review]

 Q1Q2Q3Q4ScoreDate / ResultGroundCrowd
Carlton4.110.514.1117.13 115 Sat 6-Jun-1981 2:10 pm Princes Park31,806
North Melbourne4.75.97.1311.18 84 Carlton won by 31 points[Stats]
Richmond7.411.513.820.16 136 Sat 6-Jun-1981 2:10 pm M.C.G.31,025
Melbourne5.28.411.714.10 94 Richmond won by 42 points[Stats]
St. Kilda3.46.99.1314.15 99 Sat 6-Jun-1981 2:10 pm Moorabbin Oval21,672
Fitzroy2.53.95.117.17 59 St. Kilda won by 40 points[Stats]
Hawthorn7.512.914.1418.19 127 Mon 8-Jun-1981 2:10 pm VFL Park92,935
Collingwood3.26.39.812.9 81 Hawthorn won by 46 points[Stats]
South Melbourne3.16.38.612.8 80 Mon 8-Jun-1981 2:10 pm Lake Oval28,558
Essendon3.64.810.1415.18 108 Essendon won by 28 points[Stats]
Footscray5.46.510.812.10 82 Mon 8-Jun-1981 2:10 pm Western Oval24,974
Geelong5.39.1011.1117.15 117 Geelong won by 35 points[Stats]

Round 12[Round Review]

 Q1Q2Q3Q4ScoreDate / ResultGroundCrowd
Carlton5.410.716.1021.13 139 Sat 13-Jun-1981 2:10 pm Princes Park26,990
Hawthorn2.77.1010.1214.16 100 Carlton won by 39 points[Stats]
Geelong5.39.1211.1619.21 135 Sat 13-Jun-1981 2:10 pm Kardinia Park23,037
St. Kilda1.11.52.114.11 35 Geelong won by 100 points[Stats]
Melbourne1.66.78.1013.12 90 Sat 13-Jun-1981 2:10 pm M.C.G.17,691
Fitzroy5.59.1212.2117.32 134 Fitzroy won by 44 points[Stats]
North Melbourne7.57.812.1013.12 90 Sat 13-Jun-1981 2:10 pm Arden Street22,526
Essendon4.47.1310.2018.29 137 Essendon won by 47 points[Stats]
Richmond5.39.710.1019.12 126 Sat 13-Jun-1981 2:10 pm VFL Park24,588
South Melbourne5.36.612.1416.15 111 Richmond won by 15 points[Stats]
Footscray3.86.99.1513.15 93 Sat 13-Jun-1981 2:10 pm Western Oval20,903
Collingwood3.37.78.814.14 98 Collingwood won by 5 points[Stats]

Round 13[Round Review]

 Q1Q2Q3Q4ScoreDate / ResultGroundCrowd
Collingwood4.610.814.1119.14 128 Sat 20-Jun-1981 2:10 pm Victoria Park23,669
St. Kilda1.42.54.610.11 71 Collingwood won by 57 points[Stats]
Essendon4.45.77.1412.22 94 Sat 20-Jun-1981 2:10 pm Windy Hill30,765
Richmond2.49.812.1013.12 90 Essendon won by 4 points[Stats]
Fitzroy6.114.316.920.11 131 Sat 20-Jun-1981 2:10 pm Junction Oval18,508
Carlton7.210.714.1015.16 106 Fitzroy won by 25 points[Stats]
Geelong6.110.618.1126.14 170 Sat 20-Jun-1981 2:10 pm Kardinia Park27,395
North Melbourne3.33.34.68.8 56 Geelong won by 114 points[Stats]
Hawthorn2.37.1114.1220.18 138 Sat 20-Jun-1981 2:10 pm Princes Park11,656
South Melbourne3.46.912.1315.16 106 Hawthorn won by 32 points[Stats]
Melbourne5.35.68.814.10 94 Sat 20-Jun-1981 2:10 pm VFL Park15,599
Footscray6.410.716.819.11 125 Footscray won by 31 points[Stats]

Round 14[Round Review]

 Q1Q2Q3Q4ScoreDate / ResultGroundCrowd
Carlton1.77.1111.1815.25 115 Sat 27-Jun-1981 2:10 pm Princes Park17,464
Footscray2.14.15.35.4 34 Carlton won by 81 points[Stats]
Collingwood3.27.38.513.8 86 Sat 27-Jun-1981 2:10 pm VFL Park50,441
Geelong3.66.88.109.14 68 Collingwood won by 18 points[Stats]
Richmond4.511.1416.2021.23 149 Sat 27-Jun-1981 2:10 pm M.C.G.31,212
North Melbourne5.27.612.1115.16 106 Richmond won by 43 points[Stats]
St. Kilda4.66.1011.1118.19 127 Sat 27-Jun-1981 2:10 pm Moorabbin Oval14,058
Melbourne3.17.28.68.7 55 St. Kilda won by 72 points[Stats]
South Melbourne2.64.106.139.16 70 Sat 27-Jun-1981 2:10 pm Lake Oval11,756
Fitzroy4.49.513.614.9 93 Fitzroy won by 23 points[Stats]
Hawthorn4.410.717.1020.13 133 Sun 28-Jun-1981 2:10 pm Gabba20,351
Essendon5.214.818.1222.19 151 Essendon won by 18 points[Report]  [Stats]

Round 15[Round Review]

 Q1Q2Q3Q4ScoreDate / ResultGroundCrowd
Carlton1.14.35.116.14 50 Sat 4-Jul-1981 2:10 pm VFL Park21,579
St. Kilda4.14.15.35.5 35 Carlton won by 15 points[Stats]
Fitzroy1.23.45.88.13 61 Sat 4-Jul-1981 2:10 pm Junction Oval18,374
Essendon2.47.59.911.14 80 Essendon won by 19 points[Stats]
North Melbourne4.64.97.107.13 55 Sat 4-Jul-1981 2:10 pm Arden Street8,160
Hawthorn3.510.1013.1416.19 115 Hawthorn won by 60 points[Stats]
Geelong2.36.510.812.10 82 Sat 11-Jul-1981 2:10 pm Kardinia Park26,634
Richmond2.25.27.28.4 52 Geelong won by 30 points[Stats]
Melbourne2.36.310.410.6 66 Sat 11-Jul-1981 2:10 pm M.C.G.30,803
Collingwood5.38.89.1512.16 88 Collingwood won by 22 points[Stats]
Footscray1.32.56.87.9 51 Sat 11-Jul-1981 2:10 pm Western Oval10,478
South Melbourne5.37.69.1017.12 114 South Melbourne won by 63 points[Stats]

Round 16[Round Review]

 Q1Q2Q3Q4ScoreDate / ResultGroundCrowd
Collingwood0.42.79.911.11 77 Sat 18-Jul-1981 2:10 pm Victoria Park30,708
Carlton3.35.96.1110.16 76 Collingwood won by 1 point[Stats]
Essendon5.110.1015.1522.21 153 Sat 18-Jul-1981 2:10 pm Windy Hill21,088
Footscray3.84.96.128.12 60 Essendon won by 93 points[Stats]
Fitzroy3.25.710.818.13 121 Sat 18-Jul-1981 2:10 pm VFL Park17,713
North Melbourne2.22.66.1112.15 87 Fitzroy won by 34 points[Stats]
Hawthorn1.65.99.1012.14 86 Sat 18-Jul-1981 2:10 pm Princes Park19,617
Richmond2.26.512.720.11 131 Richmond won by 45 points[Stats]
Melbourne1.22.57.512.7 79 Sat 18-Jul-1981 2:10 pm M.C.G.21,947
Geelong5.610.1616.2622.35 167 Geelong won by 88 points[Stats]
South Melbourne3.08.615.1122.19 151 Sat 18-Jul-1981 2:10 pm Lake Oval13,297
St. Kilda9.011.215.316.4 100 South Melbourne won by 51 points[Stats]

Round 17[Round Review]

 Q1Q2Q3Q4ScoreDate / ResultGroundCrowd
Carlton2.210.1014.1223.15 153 Sat 25-Jul-1981 2:10 pm Princes Park15,196
Melbourne5.47.614.715.10 100 Carlton won by 53 points[Stats]
Geelong1.13.56.710.11 71 Sat 25-Jul-1981 2:10 pm Kardinia Park24,753
Hawthorn2.23.36.88.9 57 Geelong won by 14 points[Stats]
Richmond7.59.811.1116.19 115 Sat 25-Jul-1981 2:10 pm M.C.G.37,589
Fitzroy0.58.913.1317.14 116 Fitzroy won by 1 point[Stats]
St. Kilda1.16.29.212.4 76 Sat 25-Jul-1981 2:10 pm Moorabbin Oval23,126
Essendon4.48.98.1712.21 93 Essendon won by 17 points[Stats]
Footscray9.210.613.818.8 116 Sat 25-Jul-1981 2:10 pm Western Oval14,755
North Melbourne2.48.612.819.11 125 North Melbourne won by 9 points[Stats]
South Melbourne6.38.813.1018.13 121 Sun 26-Jul-1981 2:10 pm S.C.G.22,238
Collingwood2.66.1012.1215.13 103 South Melbourne won by 18 points[Stats]

Round 18[Round Review]

 Q1Q2Q3Q4ScoreDate / ResultGroundCrowd
Carlton7.29.511.717.13 115 Sat 1-Aug-1981 2:10 pm Princes Park30,512
Geelong2.34.38.712.10 82 Carlton won by 33 points[Stats]
Fitzroy4.76.78.1210.13 73 Sat 1-Aug-1981 2:10 pm Junction Oval16,013
Hawthorn0.43.105.127.19 61 Fitzroy won by 12 points[Stats]
Melbourne3.27.59.1112.14 86 Sat 1-Aug-1981 2:10 pm M.C.G.13,886
South Melbourne2.17.811.1117.13 115 South Melbourne won by 29 points[Stats]
North Melbourne9.811.1015.1816.21 117 Sat 1-Aug-1981 2:10 pm Arden Street11,517
St. Kilda2.05.47.912.13 85 North Melbourne won by 32 points[Stats]
Footscray4.57.87.119.15 69 Sat 1-Aug-1981 2:10 pm VFL Park19,725
Richmond1.26.610.1115.13 103 Richmond won by 34 points[Stats]
Essendon4.26.39.912.16 88 Sun 2-Aug-1981 2:10 pm M.C.G.64,149
Collingwood3.57.89.119.15 69 Essendon won by 19 points[Stats]

Round 19[Round Review]

 Q1Q2Q3Q4ScoreDate / ResultGroundCrowd
Collingwood0.35.911.1614.19 103 Sat 8-Aug-1981 2:10 pm Victoria Park21,237
North Melbourne4.56.89.1011.13 79 Collingwood won by 24 points[Stats]
Essendon1.95.129.1914.20 104 Sat 8-Aug-1981 2:10 pm Windy Hill15,365
Melbourne0.23.43.59.6 60 Essendon won by 44 points[Stats]
Geelong4.27.1110.1211.19 85 Sat 8-Aug-1981 2:10 pm VFL Park25,565
Fitzroy2.52.55.149.16 70 Geelong won by 15 points[Stats]
Hawthorn8.110.914.1315.21 111 Sat 8-Aug-1981 2:10 pm Princes Park8,058
Footscray1.25.610.813.12 90 Hawthorn won by 21 points[Stats]
St. Kilda0.16.86.99.11 65 Sat 8-Aug-1981 2:10 pm Moorabbin Oval15,943
Richmond5.45.47.810.11 71 Richmond won by 6 points[Stats]
South Melbourne1.42.94.118.14 62 Sun 9-Aug-1981 2:10 pm M.C.G.24,388
Carlton5.010.511.613.7 85 Carlton won by 23 points[Stats]

Round 20[Round Review]

 Q1Q2Q3Q4ScoreDate / ResultGroundCrowd
Carlton3.16.211.615.8 98 Sat 15-Aug-1981 2:10 pm Princes Park36,681
Essendon3.35.78.1014.15 99 Essendon won by 1 point[Stats]
North Melbourne2.410.1116.1521.19 145 Sat 15-Aug-1981 2:10 pm Arden Street7,749
Melbourne4.45.612.713.9 87 North Melbourne won by 58 points[Stats]
Richmond1.77.119.1611.20 86 Sat 15-Aug-1981 2:10 pm M.C.G.69,217
Collingwood3.36.79.714.7 91 Collingwood won by 5 points[Stats]
St. Kilda3.44.67.119.14 68 Sat 15-Aug-1981 2:10 pm VFL Park20,863
Hawthorn1.64.137.1510.17 77 Hawthorn won by 9 points[Stats]
South Melbourne2.55.99.1212.14 86 Sat 15-Aug-1981 2:10 pm Lake Oval11,849
Geelong8.311.714.1121.13 139 Geelong won by 53 points[Stats]
Footscray2.15.78.912.14 86 Sat 15-Aug-1981 2:10 pm Western Oval11,770
Fitzroy7.412.719.1222.15 147 Fitzroy won by 61 points[Stats]

Round 21[Round Review]

 Q1Q2Q3Q4ScoreDate / ResultGroundCrowd
Collingwood2.58.1114.1222.17 149 Sat 22-Aug-1981 2:10 pm Victoria Park26,680
Hawthorn6.37.69.811.10 76 Collingwood won by 73 points[Stats]
Essendon5.715.1021.1926.23 179 Sat 22-Aug-1981 2:10 pm Windy Hill18,787
South Melbourne3.06.47.510.8 68 Essendon won by 111 points[Stats]
Fitzroy3.34.610.1514.18 102 Sat 22-Aug-1981 2:10 pm Junction Oval12,130
St. Kilda2.07.77.89.10 64 Fitzroy won by 38 points[Stats]
Geelong10.513.715.1618.20 128 Sat 22-Aug-1981 2:10 pm Kardinia Park17,573
Footscray1.15.57.78.11 59 Geelong won by 69 points[Stats]
Melbourne2.36.58.815.9 99 Sat 22-Aug-1981 2:10 pm M.C.G.19,567
Richmond5.29.415.917.14 116 Richmond won by 17 points[Stats]
North Melbourne2.42.97.138.14 62 Sat 22-Aug-1981 2:10 pm VFL Park25,544
Carlton2.29.610.812.12 84 Carlton won by 22 points[Stats]

Round 22[Round Review]

 Q1Q2Q3Q4ScoreDate / ResultGroundCrowd
Collingwood0.10.21.34.9 33 Sat 29-Aug-1981 2:10 pm Victoria Park32,393
Fitzroy4.45.97.118.11 59 Fitzroy won by 26 points[Stats]
Essendon1.32.45.66.11 47 Sat 29-Aug-1981 2:10 pm VFL Park75,221
Geelong2.33.75.127.13 55 Geelong won by 8 points[Stats]
Hawthorn5.56.910.1415.20 110 Sat 29-Aug-1981 2:10 pm Princes Park7,922
Melbourne3.24.65.88.9 57 Hawthorn won by 53 points[Stats]
Richmond1.62.83.95.10 40 Sat 29-Aug-1981 2:10 pm M.C.G.64,207
Carlton3.45.98.129.13 67 Carlton won by 27 points[Stats]
St. Kilda2.15.67.1012.15 87 Sat 29-Aug-1981 2:10 pm Moorabbin Oval11,948
Footscray3.24.45.65.8 38 St. Kilda won by 49 points[Stats]
South Melbourne3.26.79.1110.14 74 Sat 29-Aug-1981 2:10 pm Lake Oval8,485
North Melbourne5.77.912.1315.17 107 North Melbourne won by 33 points[Stats]

1981 Ladder

LP Club P W L D For Agn % Pts
1 Carlton 22 17 5 0 2303 1768 130.26 68
2 Collingwood 22 17 5 0 2399 1957 122.59 68
3 Geelong 22 16 6 0 2224 1714 129.76 64
4 Essendon 22 16 6 0 2323 1821 127.57 64
5 Fitzroy 22 14 8 0 2413 2152 112.13 56
6 Hawthorn 22 13 9 0 2313 2114 109.41 52
7 Richmond 22 13 9 0 2323 2207 105.26 52
8 North Melbourne 22 10 12 0 2386 2293 104.06 40
9 South Melbourne 22 8 14 0 2165 2522 85.85 32
10 St. Kilda 22 5 17 0 1930 2266 85.17 20
11 Footscray 22 2 20 0 1764 2680 65.82 8
12 Melbourne 22 1 21 0 1824 2873 63.49 4
  H&A 132 132 132 0 26367 26367 100.00 528
  Finals 6 6 6 0 1185 1185 100.00 24
  Total 138 138 138 0 27552 27552 100.00 552

Elimination Final

 Q1Q2Q3Q4ScoreDate / ResultGroundCrowd
Essendon0.54.811.1113.16 94 Sat 5-Sep-1981 2:30 pm VFL Park58,598
Fitzroy3.47.712.1116.13 109 Fitzroy won by 15 points[Stats]

Qualifying Final

 Q1Q2Q3Q4ScoreDate / ResultGroundCrowd
Geelong2.58.1114.1116.16 112 Sat 5-Sep-1981 2:30 pm M.C.G.83,899
Collingwood5.56.99.1513.20 98 Geelong won by 14 points[Stats]

First Semi-final

 Q1Q2Q3Q4ScoreDate / ResultGroundCrowd
Collingwood5.611.1314.1519.19 133 Sat 12-Sep-1981 2:30 pm M.C.G.85,133
Fitzroy2.36.512.1319.18 132 Collingwood won by 1 point[Stats]

Second Semi-final

 Q1Q2Q3Q4ScoreDate / ResultGroundCrowd
Carlton1.25.810.1216.17 113 Sat 12-Sep-1981 2:30 pm VFL Park66,078
Geelong3.35.39.411.7 73 Carlton won by 40 points[Stats]

Preliminary Final

 Q1Q2Q3Q4ScoreDate / ResultGroundCrowd
Geelong1.36.510.811.9 75 Sat 19-Sep-1981 2:30 pm VFL Park69,536
Collingwood3.55.89.1012.10 82 Collingwood won by 7 points[Stats]

Grand Final

 Q1Q2Q3Q4ScoreDate / ResultGroundCrowd
Collingwood2.65.710.1010.12 72 Sat 26-Sep-1981 2:50 pm M.C.G.112,964
Carlton2.45.88.1312.20 92 Carlton won by 20 points[Stats]

Footnotes

* Behinds calculated from the 1965 season on.
+ Score at the end of extra time.