2015 AFL season

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For the 2015 season of the Arena Football League, see 2015 Arena Football League season.

2015 AFL premiership season
Teams18
PremiersHawthorn
13th premiership
Minor premiersFremantle
1st minor premiership
Brownlow MedallistNat Fyfe
Fremantle (31 votes)
Coleman MedallistJosh 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)
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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.

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[edit]

All Stars game[edit]

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.Hill Goals McGovern, Sheppard, Wellingham, Gaff, Cripps, Powell, Lamb
Burgoyne, Harbrow, Martin, B.Hill, S.Hill Best Wellingham, Masten, Gaff, Schofield, Sinclair, Cripps
Nil Injuries Nil
Nil Reports Nil

NAB Challenge[edit]

Main article: 2015 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[edit]

Notable features of the draw include:

  • To address poor attendances and late-finishing matches, all Saturday night matches on the east coast were brought forward by 20 minutes, with matches in this timeslot now starting at 7:20 pm and Saturday twilight matches were brought forward by five minutes to start at 4:35 pm. Matches in Adelaide and Perth retained their respective local starting times of 7:10 pm and 5:40 pm.[6]
  • Many of the grounds used by the AFL hosted games in the 2015 Cricket World Cup, which ended on 29 March. Consequently, the season started and finished slightly later than in previous years, with the Grand Final scheduled for the first Saturday in October instead of the customary last Saturday in September.
  • Due to the Sydney Royal Easter Show, Greater Western Sydney's primary home ground (Spotless Stadium) was unavailable until round 6, therefore the club's first two home games were at its secondary home ground, StarTrack Oval, in rounds 2 and 4.[7]
  • Mother's Day Round (Round 6) saw six matches played on Saturday instead of the usual five, with only two matches played on Mother's Day itself.[8] This was repeated in round 23, with no twilight game on the Sunday.[9]
  • The Friday before the Grand Final became a public holiday in Victoria, following an election promise by the incoming state government, under the premiership of Daniel Andrews.
  • All starting times are local.

Round 1[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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

Round 8[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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 Lions–Gold 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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

Win/loss table[edit]

Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 F1 F2 F3 GF Ladder
Adelaide NM
+77 		Coll
+27 		Melb
+25 		WB
-57 		PA
-24 		GCS
+41 		StK
+46 		GWS
-24 		Frem
-11 		Carl
+9 		X Haw
-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 		X X 7
Brisbane Lions Coll
-12 		NM
-82 		Rich
-79 		WCE
-53 		GCS
-64 		Carl
+9 		PA
+37 		Ess
-58 		StK
-22 		GWS
-30 		X WB
-72 		Adel
-13 		Frem
-36 		Syd
-21 		Melb
-24 		NM
-72 		Geel
-56 		GCS
-14 		Carl
+64 		Adel
-87 		Haw
-72 		WB
+8 		X X X X 17
Carlton Rich
-27 		WCE
-69 		Ess
-21 		StK
+40 		Coll
-75 		BL
-9 		GWS
-78 		Geel
-77 		Syd
-60 		Adel
-9 		X PA
+4 		GCS
+34 		WB
-11 		Rich
-30 		Frem
-42 		Haw
-138 		NM
-64 		Coll
-18 		BL
-64 		Melb
+23 		GWS
-81 		Haw
-57 		X X X X 18
Collingwood BL
+12 		Adel
-27 		StK
+74 		Ess
+20 		Carl
+75 		Geel
-41 		Rich
-5 		GCS
+69 		NM
+17 		Melb
+25 		GWS
+42 		X Frem
-7 		Haw
-10 		PA
-3 		WCE
-31 		WB
-18 		Melb
-37 		Carl
+18 		Syd
-11 		Rich
-91 		Geel
+48 		Ess
-3 		X X X X 12
Essendon Syd
-12 		Haw
+2 		Carl
+21 		Coll
-20 		StK
+2 		Frem
-28 		NM
-11 		BL
+58 		Rich
-13 		Geel
-69 		WCE
-50 		X Haw
-38 		StK
-110 		Melb
+9 		NM
-25 		PA
-13 		WB
-87 		GWS
-32 		Adel
-112 		GCS
-2 		Rich
-27 		Coll
+3 		X X X X 15
Fremantle PA
+7 		Geel
+44 		WCE
+30 		Syd
+14 		Melb
+68 		Ess
+28 		WB
+13 		NM
+73 		Adel
+11 		Rich
-27 		GCS
+7 		X Coll
+7 		BL
+36 		Haw
-72 		Carl
+42 		Rich
+4 		GWS
+21 		StK
+37 		WCE
-24 		NM
-11 		Melb
+54 		PA
-69 		Syd
+9 		X Haw
-27 		X 1
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 		X Adel
C 		NM
-41 		WB
+8 		GWS
+27 		BL
+56 		Syd
+32 		Haw
-36 		StK
0 		Coll
-48 		Adel
+39 		X X X X 10
Gold Coast Melb
-26 		StK
-28 		Geel
-9 		GWS
-66 		BL
+64 		Adel
-41 		WCE
-92 		Coll
-69 		Haw
-53 		Syd
-52 		Frem
-7 		X Carl
-34 		NM
+55 		WB
-22 		GWS
-15 		Adel
-45 		WCE
0 		BL
+14 		Rich
-83 		Ess
+2 		PA
-37 		Syd
-63 		X X X X 16
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 		X Rich
-9 		StK
+35 		GCS
+15 		Geel
-27 		Frem
-21 		Ess
+32 		PA
-21 		Syd
-89 		Carl
+81 		Melb
-26 		X X X X 11
Hawthorn Geel
+62 		Ess
-2 		WB
+70 		PA
-8 		NM
+60 		GWS
-10 		Melb
+105 		Syd
-4 		GCS
+53 		StK
+63 		X Adel
+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 		X WCE
-54 		Ess
-9 		BL
+24 		StK
-37 		Coll
+37 		NM
-35 		WB
-98 		Carl
-23 		Frem
-54 		GWS
+26 		X X X X 13
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 		X GCS
-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 		X 8
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 		X Syd
-10 		Coll
+3 		Adel
-3 		Ess
+13 		StK
+63 		WB
-64 		GWS
+21 		Haw
+22 		GCS
+37 		Frem
+69 		X X X X 9
Richmond Carl
+27 		WB
-19 		BL
+79 		Melb
-32 		Geel
-9 		NM
-35 		Coll
+5 		PA
+33 		Ess
+13 		Frem
+27 		X WCE
-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 		X X X 5
St Kilda GWS
-9 		GCS
+28 		Coll
-74 		Carl
-40 		Ess
-2 		WB
+7 		Adel
-46 		WCE
-53 		BL
+22 		Haw
-63 		Melb
+2 		X WB
-6 		Ess
+110 		GWS
-35 		Rich
-16 		Melb
+37 		PA
-63 		Frem
-37 		NM
-37 		Geel
0 		Syd
-97 		WCE
-95 		X X X X 14
Sydney Ess
+12 		PA
+48 		GWS
+21 		Frem
-14 		WB
-4 		Melb
+38 		Geel
+43 		Haw
+4 		Carl
+60 		GCS
+52 		NM
+16 		X Rich
-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 		X X 4
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 		X Melb
+54 		Adel
+56 		Coll
+31 		Syd
+52 		GCS
0 		Haw
-14 		Frem
+24 		WB
+77 		Adel
-57 		StK
+95 		Haw
+32 		X NM
+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 		X BL
+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 		X X X 6
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 F1 F2 F3 GF Ladder
+ Win Qualified for finals
- Loss X Bye
Draw Eliminated

Bold – Home game
X – Bye
C – Cancelled[a]
Opponent for round listed above margin

Ladder[edit]

2015 AFL ladder
Pos Team Pld W L D PF PA PP Pts
1 Fremantle 22 17 5 0 1857 1564 118.7 68 Finals series
2 West Coast 22 16 5 1 2330 1572 148.2 66
3 Hawthorn (P) 22 16 6 0 2452 1548 158.4 64
4 Sydney 22 16 6 0 2006 1578 127.1 64
5 Richmond 22 15 7 0 1930 1568 123.1 60
6 Western Bulldogs 22 14 8 0 2101 1825 115.1 56
7 Adelaide 21 13 8 0 2107 1821 115.7 54[b]
8 North Melbourne 22 13 9 0 2062 1937 106.5 52
9 Port Adelaide 22 12 10 0 2002 1874 106.8 48
10 Geelong 21 11 9 1 1853 1833 101.1 48[b]
11 Greater Western Sydney 22 11 11 0 1872 1891 99.0 44
12 Collingwood 22 10 12 0 1972 1856 106.3 40
13 Melbourne 22 7 15 0 1573 2044 77.0 28
14 St Kilda 22 6 15 1 1695 2162 78.4 26
15 Essendon 22 6 16 0 1580 2134 74.0 24
16 Gold Coast 22 4 17 1 1633 2240 72.9 18
17 Brisbane Lions 22 4 18 0 1557 2306 67.5 16
18 Carlton 22 4 18 0 1525 2354 64.8 16
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. ^ a b 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[edit]

  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
Fremantle48121620242832363640404448485256606464646868
West Coast044812162024282832363640444852545458626266
Hawthorn448812121616202424283236404448485256566064
Sydney48121212162024283236363640444444484852566064
Richmond4488881216202424242832364040444448525660
Western Bulldogs4881216161616202020242832363640444852525656
Adelaide48121212162020202424242830303438384246505454
North Melbourne04488121616162020242424283236404448525252
Port Adelaide004812121212162020202020242428323236404448
Geelong00448121216162024242426263034384242444448
Greater Western Sydney4881212162024242828282828323636364040404444
Collingwood4481216161620242832323232323232323636364040
Melbourne444888812121212161616162020242424242428
St Kilda04444888121216161620202024242424262626
Essendon048812121216161616161616202020202020202024
Gold Coast00004444444448888101414181818
Brisbane Lions000004888888888888812121216
Carlton0004444444481212121212121212161616
Source: [citation needed]

Finals series[edit]

Main article: 2015 AFL finals series
Qualifying and elimination finalsSemi-finalsPreliminary finalsGrand Final
12 Sep, Domain Stadium
1Fremantle10.9 (69)
4Sydney7.18 (60)19 Sep, ANZ Stadium
Sydney7.9 (51)
13 Sep, MCGNorth Melbourne11.11 (77)25 Sep, Domain Stadium
5Richmond14.4 (88)Fremantle10.7 (67)
8North Melbourne15.15 (105)Hawthorn15.4 (94)3 Oct, MCG
Hawthorn16.11 (107)
12 Sep, MCG26 Sep, Domain StadiumWest Coast8.13 (61)
6Western Bulldogs14.18 (102)West Coast10.20 (80)
7Adelaide16.13 (109)18 Sep, MCGNorth Melbourne7.13 (55)
Hawthorn21.9 (135)
11 Sep, Domain StadiumAdelaide8.13 (61)
2West Coast14.12 (96)
3Hawthorn9.10 (64)

Week one[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

Main article: 2015 AFL Grand Final
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[edit]

By club[edit]

2015 AFL attendances[51]
Club Total Games Avg. Per Game Home Total Home Games Home Avg.
Adelaide 904726 23 39336 464868 10 46487
Brisbane Lions 467466 22 21248 207016 11 18820
Carlton 760055 22 34548 423018 11 38456
Collingwood 1054044 22 47911 519844 11 47259
Essendon 894335 22 40652 467552 11 42505
Fremantle 772497 24 32187 398308 11 36210
Geelong 720052 21 34288 325395 11 29581
Gold Coast 394321 22 17924 135966 11 12361
Greater Western Sydney 402019 22 18274 118651 11 10786
Hawthorn 1153600 26 44369 424884 11 38626
Melbourne 653802 22 29718 276802 11 25164
North Melbourne 773402 25 30936 282417 11 25674
Port Adelaide 737269 22 33512 471840 11 42895
Richmond 1144590 23 49764 548642 11 49877
St Kilda 590051 22 26821 285262 11 25933
Sydney 772252 24 32177 346735 11 31521
West Coast 889816 25 35593 395860 11 35987
Western Bulldogs 655063 23 28481 257464 11 23406

By ground[edit]

2015 ground attendances[51]
Ground Total Games Avg. Per Game
Adelaide Oval 936890 21 44614
ANZ Stadium 119868 4 29967
Aurora Stadium 55402 4 13851
Blundstone Arena 43901 3 14634
Cazaly's Stadium 9449 1 9449
Domain Stadium 961490 26 36980
Etihad Stadium 1301878 46 28302
Gabba 207016 11 18820
MCG 2495287 50 49906
Metricon Stadium 135966 11 12361
SCG 258029 8 32254
Simonds Stadium 196979 8 24622
Spotless Stadium 88256 8 11032
StarTrack Oval 30395 3 10132
TIO Stadium 11873 1 11873
TIO Traeger Park 4866 1 4866
Westpac Stadium 12125 1 12125

Awards[edit]

Milestones[edit]

Name Club Milestone Round
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[edit]

See also: Coleman Medal
  • Numbers highlighted in blue indicates the player led the Coleman that round.
  • Underlined numbers indicates the player did not play that round.
Player 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 Total
1 Josh J. Kennedy 22 1012 113 316 622 123 427 431 637 340 343 346 046 248 250 353 356 258 462 264 771 172 375 75
2 Jeremy Cameron 44 15 27 411 112 719 524 226 329 332 234 135 035 237 542 244 044 246 248 351 354 761 263 63
3 Eddie Betts 44 15 16 410 515 520 626 329 231 132 032 133 235 035 237 138 341 142 244 549 352 254 458 58
4 Taylor Walker 66 28 311 112 214 418 321 425 025 126 026 127 229 029 332 335 237 239 241 344 751 354 155 55
5 Jake Stringer 33 25 05 611 112 416 016 218 018 220 020 525 025 328 230 131 132 436 440 444 549 150 454 54
6 Chad Wingard 22 13 14 15 27 29 110 212 214 317 421 526 026 329 332 335 338 442 244 347 451 253 053 53
7 Jack Gunston 11 34 26 39 413 215 116 117 219 322 022 022 325 227 027 431 637 340 040 141 344 448 452 52
8 Josh Bruce 22 68 210 212 517 118 523 225 126 228 129 029 332 537 239 140 141 142 143 245 348 048 250 50
Jack Riewoldt 44 26 410 010 313 316 420 424 125 227 027 128 634 236 339 241 142 143 144 246 248 048 250 50
10 Lance Franklin 33 36 511 213 316 016 420 020 727 330 434 034 236 036 339 342 042 345 045 045 045 146 147 47

Best and fairest[edit]

Club Award name Player Ref.
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[edit]

Club Coach Captain(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[edit]

Coach Club Date Notes Caretaker New coach
Mick Malthouse Carlton 26 May 2015 Sacked 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 2015 Deceased Scott Camporeale Don Pyke[144]
James Hird Essendon 18 August 2015 Resigned due to poor on-field performances[124] Matthew Egan John Worsfold[145]

Club financials[edit]

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

Post-season[edit]

International Rules Series[edit]

Main article: 2015 International Rules Test

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[edit]

Doping and drugs[edit]

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:

  • The Essendon Football Club supplements controversy – relating to the supplements program operating at the Essendon Football Club during the 2011/12 offseason – continued to be heard during the 2015 season. The 34 players implicated in the controversy were served with infraction notices in November 2014, and were provisionally suspended until their hearings at the AFL anti-doping tribunal were complete.[148] In the week before the start of the AFL season, the players were found not guilty and their suspensions were lifted.[149] In May 2015, the World Anti-Doping Agency announced an appeal of the not guilty verdicts to the Court of Arbitration for Sport;[150] this was ultimately heard in early 2016, and resulted in the not guilty verdicts being overturned and many players being suspended for the 2016 season.
  • Ryan Crowley (Fremantle) faced the AFL anti-doping tribunal after having tested positive to a banned substance in a drug test after Fremantle's round 17, 2014 win against Greater Western Sydney. He commenced a provisional suspension commenced after a positive confirmation tests (also known as B-sample) mid September 2014. He appeared before the AFL Tribunal in May 2015, and was found guilty suspended for twelve months, backdated to the beginning of his provisional suspension; he became eligible to play again on 25 September 2015. The banned substance has not been identified, but is understood to have been present in a painkiller which Crowley had taken but which was not prescribed by the club doctor.[151]
  • Lachlan Keeffe and Josh Thomas (both of Collingwood) tested positive to the banned substance clenbuterol in drug tests taken in February 2015. Both accepted provisional suspensions in March and returned positive B-samples in May.[152] Both were handed infraction notices in July[153] and accepted two-year bans in August (backdated to March), in addition they were delisted and fined $50,000 each by Collingwood.[154]
  • In late June, former Gold Coast player Karmichael Hunt, who was being investigated by the Queensland Crime and Corruption Commission over allegations of cocaine supply and possession, named several current Gold Coast players as having taken illicit recreational drugs during his time at the club.[155] Although nothing further came from Hunt's allegations, days later, photographs from early 2013 emerged showing Gold Coast's Harley Bennell using speed; and a teammate, whose anonymity is protected under the AFL's drugs policy, self-reported shortly afterwards that he had also been present and taken the drug.[156] Bennell was fined $5000 and suspended for three matches.[157]

Death of Phil Walsh[edit]

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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