2016 Melbourne Football Club season

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

Melbourne Football Club
2016 season
PresidentGlen Bartlett
(3rd season)
CoachPaul Roos
(3rd season)
Captain(s)Nathan Jones
(3rd season)
Home groundMCG
(100,024 capacity)
Pre-season3 wins, 0 losses
AFL season11th
Finals seriesDNQ
Best and fairestJack Viney
Leading goalkickerJesse Hogan
(41 goals)
Highest home attendance60,158
(round 12 vs. Collingwood)
Lowest home attendance5,146
(round 10 vs. Port Adelaide)
Average home attendance31,326
Club membership39,146
(Increase 3,193 / Increase 8.88%)

Senior personnel

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Nathan Jones was retained as captain for the third consecutive season.[1] The leadership group was overhauled where none of the leaders, aside from Jones, were retained in the group from 2015 and the club elected to have no vice-captain.[2] The leadership group included Colin Garland, Max Gawn, Nathan Jones, Tom McDonald, Bernie Vince, and Jack Viney.[3]

Due to Paul Roos entering his final year as senior coach, there was a reshuffle in coaching, whereby Roos' role shifted towards a focus on culture, so the transition to coach-in-waiting, Simon Goodwin, was as smooth as possible for 2017.[4] Goodwin increased his responsibilities for the 2016 season,[5] including being the senior coach for the three matches against Port Adelaide, Western Bulldogs, and St Kilda during the 2016 NAB Challenge.[6] In addition there was increased responsibility for development and strategy coach, Brendan McCartney, as the club increased its focus on development.[4] After the departure of development coach and game-day runner, Brad Miller,[7] to Greater Western Sydney to coach their NEAFL side,[8] 2015 retiree, Daniel Cross filled his position as development and rehabilitation coach, and game-day runner.[9] Craig Jennings was recruited from the Western Bulldogs in September 2015 in a newly created position, the game analyst and education coordinator.[10][11] Michelle Cowan continued in her role as the coach of Melbourne's women's team and in February, she became the first female assistant coach in Melbourne's history and the second in AFL history serving as the player development and welfare coach.[12] Due to family reasons she left the club in July and returned to Western Australia to work with the Fremantle Football Club.[13] Glen Bartlett continued in his role as club president, a role he has held since August 2013.[14] Chief Executive Officer, Peter Jackson, continued with the club after signing a contract extension to the end of the 2017 season.[15]

Fixture summary

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A fixture that was described by Chief Executive Officer, Peter Jackson, as "pleasing",[16] Melbourne played four out of their first five matches at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, with twelve in total at the MCG.[17] Melbourne featured in the only Sunday-night match of the AFL season when they hosted Richmond in the ANZAC Day eve match at the MCG.[18] They again hosted Collingwood in the annual Queen's Birthday clash in round 12 at the MCG, and due to an ongoing sponsorship deal with Tourism NT, they again played two home matches in the Northern Territory, the first against Port Adelaide at TIO Traeger Park in round 10 and the second against Fremantle at TIO Stadium in round 16.[19] Melbourne played for premiership points in Tasmania for the first time when they played North Melbourne in round 3 at Blundstone Arena, they also played a match in Queensland for the first time since round 20, 2013 when they played Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium in round seven, meaning they played in every state and territory in Australia excluding the Australian Capital Territory.[20]

The teams Melbourne played twice were Hawthorn, Port Adelaide, Collingwood, St Kilda, and Gold Coast, with Hawthorn the only team that made the final eight the previous season.[17] Due to finishing in the bottom six in 2015, Melbourne did not play in many prime-time matches with no Thursday and Friday night matches and they played in only two Saturday night matches, both outside of Victoria.[19] Based on analysis by AFL Media and The Age, Melbourne's draw difficulty was consistent with their bottom six finish in 2015,[21][22] however, analysis by the Herald Sun estimated they had the fourth most difficult fixture in the league.[23]

2016 list changes

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2015 trades

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Date Trade gained Traded from Trade lost Ref
Jake Melksham 15 October Essendon Pick 25 [24]
Ben Kennedy
Pick 29
Pick 50
19 October Collingwood Jeremy Howe [25]
Port Adelaide Jimmy Toumpas
Pick 3
Pick 10
Pick 43
21 October Gold Coast Pick 6
Pick 29
1st round pick (2016)
[26]
Pick 94 21 October Hawthorn Jack Fitzpatrick [27]
Tomas Bugg
Pick 7
21 October Greater Western Sydney Pick 10
Pick 43
Pick 64
[28]

Retirements and delistings

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Player New club League Reason Ref
Daniel Cross Melbourne AFL Retired, but stayed as an assistant coach [29]
Viv Michie Melbourne AFL Delisted, but re-drafted as a rookie [30][31]
Rohan Bail St Kevins VAFA Delisted [32][33]
Jack Fitzpatrick Hawthorn AFL Delisted [27][32]
Mark Jamar Essendon AFL Delisted [34][35][36]
Jordie McKenzie North Adelaide SANFL Delisted [32][37]
Aidan Riley Sturt SANFL Delisted [32][38]

National draft

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Round Overall pick Player State Position Team from League from Ref
1 4 Clayton Oliver VIC Midfielder Murray Bushrangers TAC Cup [39]
1 9 Sam Weideman VIC Forward Eastern Ranges TAC Cup [40]
3 42 Mitch King VIC Ruck Murray Bushrangers TAC Cup [41]
3 46 Liam Hulett VIC Forward Dandenong Stingrays TAC Cup [42]

Rookie draft

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Round Overall pick Player State Position Team from League from Ref
1 6 Josh Wagner QLD Defender Aspley NEAFL [43]
2 24 Viv Michie VIC Midfielder Melbourne AFL [31]
3 41 Joel Smith VIC Forward 3-year non-registered player [44]

2016 squad

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Melbourne Football Club
Senior list Rookie list Coaching staff

Head coach

Assistant coaches


Legend:
  • (c) Captain(s)
  • (vc) Vice-captain(s)
  •   Long-term injury list
  •   Upgraded rookie(s)
  • (vet) Veterans list
  • (B) Category B rookie
  • (*) Suspended for 2016 season

Updated: 18 August 2016
Source(s): Players, Coaches


2016 season

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Pre-season

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The 2016 NAB Challenge saw the senior assistant coach, Simon Goodwin take over as coach in preparation for him becoming the senior coach of the club from the 2017 season.[4] Melbourne was one of three teams to finish undefeated during the pre-season competition[45] with a nineteen-point win against Port Adelaide,[46] a twelve-point win against Western Bulldogs[47] and a twenty five point win against St Kilda.[48] The list headed into the main season with very little injuries[49] apart from young midfielder, Angus Brayshaw who suffered a knee injury five seconds into the first match of the NAB Challenge,[50] which forced him to miss the remainder of the pre-season and round one against Greater Western Sydney.[51]

Week 1

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Round 1
Saturday, 27 February (1:35 pm) Port Adelaide def. by Melbourne Playford Alive Oval (crowd: 4,981) Report
1.3.3 (30)
1.6.5 (50)
1.6.5 (50)
1.10.7 (76)
Q1
Q2
Q3
Final
0.2.2 (14)
0.4.3 (27)
0.10.5 (65)
0.15.5 (95)
Television broadcast: Fox Footy
Broadbent (SG), Westhoff 3, Boak 3, Schulz, White, R. Gray, Young Goals Garlett 3, Kent 2, vandenBerg 2, Pedersen 2, Salem, Kennedy, M. Jones, Hogan, Harmes, Tyson
Boak, Westhoff, Hartlett, Toumpas, S. Gray, Pittard Best Gawn, Viney, vandenBerg, Garlett, Kennedy, Tyson
Nil Injuries Brayshaw (knee)
Nil Reports Nil

Week 2

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Round 2
Sunday, 6 March (2:05 pm) Western Bulldogs def. by Melbourne Highgate Recreational Reserve (crowd: 4,189) Report
0.4.3 (27)
0.4.5 (29)
1.7.8 (59)
1.7.9 (60)
Q1
Q2
Q3
Final
0.1.2 (8)
0.4.4 (28)
0.6.5 (35)
0.10.12 (72)
Television broadcast: Fox Footy
Webb (SG), Hrovat, Roughead, Minson, Redpath, Williams, Honeychurch, Jong Goals Watts 3, Pedersen, Garlett, vandenBerg, Tyson, Harmes, N. Jones, Frost
Jong, Hrovat, Honeychurch, Liberatore, Daniel Best Viney, N. Jones, Watts, Vince, Bugg
Nil Injuries Nil
Nil Reports Nil

Week 3

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Round 3
Sunday, 13 March (4:10 pm) Melbourne def. St Kilda Etihad Stadium (crowd: 8,621) Report
0.4.1 (25)
0.8.5 (53)
0.11.12 (78)
1.14.14 (107)
Q1
Q2
Q3
Final
0.4.5 (29)
0.6.7 (43)
9.10.0 (64)
0.12.11 (83)
Television broadcast: Fox Footy
Salem (SG), Garlett 3, Watts 2, Oliver 2, Kent 2, Hogan 2, Kennedy, Pedersen, Bugg Goals Billings 3, Bruce 2, Armitage, Montagna, Hickey, Steven, Newnes, Weller, Dunstan
Bugg, N. Jones, Gawn, T. McDonald, Garlett, Tyson, Salem Best Steven, Billings, Armitage, Montagna, Newnes, Fisher, Geary
Jetta (leg), M. Jones (concussion) Injuries Riewoldt (calf)
Nil Reports Nil

Home and away season

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The opening round saw Melbourne defeat Greater Western Sydney by two points at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in a come from behind victory in which Melbourne scored six final quarter goals to two.[52] Clayton Oliver made his AFL debut in the match,[53] with Tomas Bugg and Ben Kennedy playing their first match for Melbourne after being traded from Greater Western Sydney and Collingwood respectively.[54] The club entered the round two match against Essendon as heavy favourites;[55] Melbourne ultimately lost the match by thirteen points,[56] with Jack Viney admitting after the match they "lacked respect" for Essendon due to the numerous top-up signings from the supplements saga and the players "got ahead of themselves".[57] The next three matches saw Melbourne play consistently for the first time during the season with a narrow three point loss to North Melbourne,[58] a thirty-five point win against Collingwood,[59] and a thirty-three point win against Richmond in the Anzac Day eve match,[60] which saw Melbourne win two matches in a row for the first time since 2011.[61] Josh Wagner and Jayden Hunt made their AFL debuts in rounds three and four respectively.[62][63] Melbourne played their first match at Etihad Stadium for the season in a home match against St Kilda, even though St Kilda are a tenant of Etihad Stadium. Melbourne lost the match by thirty-nine points,[64] however the match saw the highly hyped Christian Petracca make his long-awaited AFL debut[65] and Jesse Hogan kicked a career-high seven goals.[66]

The next two out of three matches were large victories by Melbourne with a seventy-three point win against Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium in round seven[67] and a sixty-three point win against the Brisbane Lions at the MCG in round nine.[68] The match against Gold Coast saw Melbourne score 161 points, their highest since round six in 2004.[69] The match in between, however, was a thirty-two point loss to eventual premiers, the Western Bulldogs.[70] The club headed to Alice Springs in round ten for their first sold home match of the year as part of a sponsorship with Tourism NT. A disappointing match saw Melbourne lose to Port Adelaide by forty-five points[71] in conjunction with a one-match suspension to the in form, Jack Viney.[72] Jack Trengove made his long-awaited return in round eleven against Hawthorn, playing his first AFL match since round two in 2014.[73] The match was level at three-quarter time, however three final quarter goals to zero saw Hawthorn win by eighteen points.[74] The next week was the annual Queen's Birthday clash against Collingwood which Melbourne won by forty-six points, their first Queen's Birthday win since 2007.[75] A fifty-five point loss to Sydney in extremely wet conditions at the Sydney Cricket Ground was Melbourne's last match before the mid-season bye.[76] Melbourne's score of 31 was the lowest score ever recorded at the Sydney Cricket Ground.[77]

Melbourne's first match after the bye was against the in form, Adelaide at the MCG, losing by twenty-two points; the match was described as a much closer match than what the scoreboard suggested.[78] Melbourne returned to the Northern Territory for the second time during the season, this time in a thirty-two point win against Fremantle in Darwin; it was also Melbourne's first win in the Northern Territory since 2011.[79] In round 17, Melbourne returned to Etihad Stadium to play against St Kilda for the second time in the season, it was another disappointing loss and the fourteenth consecutive loss against St Kilda.[80] The chance of playing finals was effectively ruled out by then-coach Paul Roos.[81] The next four weeks was the best patch of football for Melbourne, with a narrow six point loss to West Coast in Perth,[82] in which West Coast coach, Adam Simpson declared Melbourne should have won the match.[83] Three consecutive wins against Gold Coast, Hawthorn and Port Adelaide[84][85][86] meant Melbourne were back in the frame to potentially play finals.[87] The match against Hawthorn, labelled as one of the upsets of the season, drew high media attention as Hawthorn were on a nine-match winning streak, were on top of the ladder and Melbourne hadn't defeated Hawthorn since 2006.[88] The win against Port Adelaide was also Melbourne's first victory against Port Adelaide in South Australia since 2000.[89] Despite having a chance to play finals, Melbourne lost to an out of form Carlton who had lost their previous nine matches, Melbourne's performance was described as "dispirited".[90] The final match of the season saw Melbourne play at Simonds Stadium against Geelong, they suffered a 111-point loss, the worst for the season and outgoing coach, Paul Roos' biggest defeat in his coaching career.[91]

Round 1

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Round 1
Saturday, 26 March (1:40 pm) Melbourne def. Greater Western Sydney Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 28,505) Report
5.0 (30)
5.4 (34)
6.5 (41)
12.8 (80)
Q1
Q2
Q3
Final
3.4 (22)
6.8 (44)
8.14 (62)
10.18 (78)
Television broadcast: Fox Footy
Hogan 3, Garlett 2, vandenBerg 2, Vince, Kennedy, Harmes, Kent, Watts Goals Ward 2, Lobb 2, Johnson 2, Scully, Smith, Steele, Greene
Viney, Kennedy, T. McDonald, Oliver, N. Jones, Watts, Hogan Best Ward, Scully, Shaw, Davis, Shiel, Lobb
O. McDonald (ankle) Injuries Nil
Nil Reports Nil

Debut(s): Clayton Oliver
Debut(s) for MFC: Tomas Bugg (Greater Western Sydney), Ben Kennedy (Collingwood)
Milestone(s): Jack Viney (50th AFL game), Clayton Oliver (Rising Star nominee)
Brownlow votes: Jack Viney (Melbourne) 3 votes, Clayton Oliver (Melbourne) 2 votes, Phil Davis (Greater Western Sydney) 1 vote
Record: 1 win, 0 losses, 0 draws (102.56%)
Ladder position: 9th

Round 2

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Round 2
Saturday, 2 April (2:10 pm) Essendon def. Melbourne Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 50,424) Report
2.2 (14)
7.7 (49)
8.10 (58)
11.14 (80)
Q1
Q2
Q3
Final
1.4 (10)
6.4 (40)
7.7 (49)
10.7 (67)
Television broadcast: Fox Footy
Z. Merrett 2, Brown 2, Daniher 2, Stokes, Hartley, Kommer, Langford, Parish Goals Kennedy 3, Garlett 2, Brayshaw, Harmes, Oliver, Watts, Hogan
Z. Merrett, Daniher, Zaharakis, Parish, J. Merrett, Goddard, Kelly, McDonald-Tipungwuti Best Kennedy, Vince, N. Jones, M. Jones, Tyson
Fantasia (knee), Dea (nose) Injuries Nil
Ambrose (rough conduct) Reports Nil

Milestone(s): Clayton Oliver (1st AFL goal)
Brownlow votes: Zach Merrett (Essendon) 3 votes, David Zaharakis (Essendon) 2 votes, Joe Daniher (Essendon) 1 vote
Record: 1 win, 1 loss, 0 draws (93.04%)
Ladder position: 11th

Round 3

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Round 3
Sunday, 10 April (1:10 pm) North Melbourne def. Melbourne Blundstone Arena (crowd: 12,607) Report
8.2 (50)
10.4 (64)
17.7 (109)
21.10 (136)
Q1
Q2
Q3
Final
2.2 (14)
11.5 (71)
14.7 (91)
20.11 (131)
Television broadcast: Fox Footy
Harvey 6, Goldstein 5, Waite 4, Petrie 2, Gibson 2, Ziebell, Macmillan Goals Kent 4, Watts 3, Hogan 3, Oliver 2, Gawn 2, N. Jones, vandenBerg, Dunn, Tyson, Harmes, Viney
Harvey, Goldstein, Waite, Ziebell, Cunnington Best Vince, Viney, Oliver, Gawn, Hogan, Kent
Garner (hamstring) Injuries Nil
Nil Reports Nil

Debut(s): Josh Wagner
Brownlow votes: Todd Goldstein (North Melbourne) 3 votes, Brent Harvey (North Melbourne) 2 votes, Jack Viney (Melbourne) 1 vote
Record: 1 win, 2 losses, 0 draws (94.56%)
Ladder position: 10th

Round 4

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Round 4
Sunday, 17 April (3:20 pm) Collingwood def. by Melbourne Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 47,558) Report
1.2 (8)
6.5 (35)
8.10 (58)
9.13 (67)
Q1
Q2
Q3
Final
6.2 (38)
11.2 (68)
14.4 (88)
16.6 (102)
Television broadcast: Seven Network
Cloke 2, Sidebottom 2, Varcoe, Treloar, Sinclair, Fasolo, Moore Goals Watts 4, Tyson 2, Pedersen 2, Hogan 2, Viney, Frost, Kennedy, Brayshaw, Kent, Gawn
Pendlebury, Treloar, Sidebottom, Adams, Langdon Best Gawn, Viney, Watts, Wagner, Tyson, N. Jones, Bugg
Goldsack (illness) replaced in selected side by White, Reid (knee), Sinclair (concussion), Cloke (elbow) Injuries Brayshaw (concussion)
Nil Reports Nil

Debut(s): Jayden Hunt
Brownlow votes: Jack Watts (Melbourne) 3 votes, Nathan Jones (Melbourne) 2 votes, Jack Viney (Melbourne) 1 vote
Record: 2 wins, 2 losses, 0 draws (105.26%)
Ladder position: 10th

Round 5

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Round 5
Sunday, 24 April (7:10 pm) Melbourne def. Richmond Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 59,968) Report
5.1 (31)
11.3 (69)
14.7 (91)
20.9 (129)
Q1
Q2
Q3
Final
2.3 (15)
7.5 (47)
11.9 (75)
14.12 (96)
Television broadcast: Seven Network
Garlett 4, Vince 3, Watts 3, Tyson 2, Gawn 2, Brayshaw, Bugg, Salem, Harmes, Frost, Kent Goals Riewoldt 3, Lloyd 3, Vickery 3, Edwards, Chaplin, Martin, B. Ellis, Miles
Gawn, Viney, Tyson, Salem, Kent, N. Jones, Garlett Best Cotchin, Miles, Riewoldt, Edwards
Nil Injuries Deledio (quad) replaced in the side by Townsend, Riewoldt (ankle)
Nil Reports Rance (striking)

Brownlow votes: Max Gawn (Melbourne) 3 votes, Jack Viney (Melbourne) 2 votes, Dom Tyson (Melbourne) 1 vote
Record: 3 wins, 2 losses, 0 draws (111.38%)
Ladder position: 10th

Round 6

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Round 6
Saturday, 30 April (1:45 pm) Melbourne def. by St Kilda Etihad Stadium (crowd: 27,260) Report
5.3 (33)
8.3 (51)
11.5 (71)
15.6 (96)
Q1
Q2
Q3
Final
3.4 (22)
9.9 (63)
17.11 (113)
20.15 (135)
Television broadcast: Seven Network
Hogan 7, Watts 2, Frost 2, Bugg, Tyson, N. Jones, Kent Goals Membrey 5, Riewoldt 3, Bruce 3, Acres 2, Sinclair 2, Dunstan, Newnes, Gresham, Weller, Armitage
Hogan, Viney, N. Jones, Vince Best Riewoldt, Acres, Steven, Membrey, Sinclair, Armitage
Harmes (corked thigh), Salem (concussion) Injuries Ross (shoulder), Webster (thumb)
Nil Reports Nil

Debut(s): Christian Petracca
Brownlow votes: Nick Riewoldt (St Kilda) 3 votes, Jesse Hogan (Melbourne) 2 votes, Tim Membrey (St Kilda) 1 vote
Record: 3 wins, 3 losses, 0 draws (102.20%)
Ladder position: 9th

Round 7

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Round 7
Saturday, 7 May (5:10 pm) Gold Coast def. by Melbourne Metricon Stadium (crowd: 12,780) Report
4.2 (26)
8.2 (50)
11.3 (69)
14.3 (87)
Q1
Q2
Q3
Final
2.3 (15)
8.7 (55)
17.11 (113)
24.16 (160)
Television broadcast: Fox Footy
Lynch 4, Ablett 2, Garlett 2, Wright 2, Currie, Grant, Hall, Macpherson Goals Garlett 3, Harmes 3, Pedersen 3, Gawn 2, N. Jones 2, Kennedy 2, Petracca 2, Viney 2, Hogan, Kent, Stretch, Tyson, Vince
Lynch, Day, Saad, Miller, Harbrow Best Gawn, Viney, N. Jones, Harmes, Vince, Oliver, Bugg
Rosa (hamstring), Sexton (forearm) Injuries Nil
Nil Reports Nil

Milestone(s): Christian Petracca (1st AFL goal), James Harmes (Rising Star nominee)
Brownlow votes: Max Gawn (Melbourne) 3 votes, Nathan Jones (Melbourne) 2 votes, Jack Viney (Melbourne) 1 vote
Record: 4 wins, 3 losses, 0 draws (112.67%)
Ladder position: 9th

Round 8

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Round 8
Sunday, 15 May (3:20 pm) Melbourne def. by Western Bulldogs Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 39,921) Report
2.2 (14)
5.5 (35)
7.9 (51)
12.10 (82)
Q1
Q2
Q3
Final
5.5 (35)
8.9 (57)
12.10 (82)
17.12 (114)
Television broadcast: Seven Network
Watts 3, Kennedy 2, Garlett 2, Viney, Petracca, Oliver, T. McDonald, Hogan Goals Stringer 5, Redpath 3, Picken 2, Dickson 2, McLean, Liberatore, Wallis, Dale, Hunter
Viney, Tyson, Stretch, Kennedy, T. McDonald Best Bontempelli, Liberatore, Hunter, Dahlhaus, M. Boyd, Picken, Stringer
Nil Injuries Stringer (corked calf), Roberts (head), Roughead (shoulder)
Vince (rough conduct) Reports Nil

Milestone(s): Jack Watts (100th AFL goal), Bernie Vince (50th MFC game)
Brownlow votes: Marcus Bontempelli (Western Bulldogs) 3 votes, Lachie Hunter (Western Bulldogs) 2 votes, Tom Liberatore (Western Bulldogs) 1 vote
Record: 4 wins, 4 losses, 0 draws (106.81%)
Ladder position: 9th

Round 9

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Round 9
Sunday, 22 May (1:10 pm) Melbourne def. Brisbane Lions Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 26,892) Report
5.6 (36)
10.7 (77)
13.10 (88)
19.17 (131)
Q1
Q2
Q3
Final
2.3 (15)
5.5 (35)
6.10 (46)
9.14 (68)
Television broadcast: Fox Footy
Hogan 5, Harmes 4, Garlett 2, Michie, Kent, Kennedy, Newton, N. Jones, Watts, Viney, Stretch Goals Bell 3, Lester 2, Zorko, Taylor, Keays, Freeman
Hogan, Bugg, Stretch, Petracca, Garlett, Oliver, Watts Best Zorko, Robinson, Bell, Rich
Oliver (corked thigh) Injuries Nil
Nil Reports Nil

Milestone(s): Nathan Jones (100th AFL goal), Viv Michie (1st AFL goal), Christian Petracca (Rising Star nominee)
Brownlow votes: Jesse Hogan (Melbourne) 3 votes, James Harmes (Melbourne) 2 votes, Clayton Oliver (Melbourne) 1 vote
Record: 5 wins, 4 losses, 0 draws (113.59%)
Ladder position: 9th

Round 10

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Round 10
Saturday, 28 May (1:40 pm) Melbourne def. by Port Adelaide TIO Traeger Park (crowd: 5,146) Report
2.7 (19)
4.9 (33)
9.12 (66)
10.16 (76)
Q1
Q2
Q3
Final
2.4 (16)
8.6 (54)
12.11 (83)
18.13 (121)
Television broadcast: Fox Footy
Hogan 3, Watts 2, Gawn 2, Neal-Bullen, Garlett, Kent Goals Dixon 5, Young 2, Wingard 2, Impey 2, Hartlett, Boak, Howard, R. Gray, Byrne-Jones, Krakouer, Neade
Gawn, N. Jones, Watts, Hogan, Wagner, T. McDonald Best Wingard, R. Gray, Ebert, Dixon, Westhoff, Boak, Byrne-Jones
Garland (cheekbone) Injuries Broadbent (gastro) replaced in selected side by S. Gray, Hombsch (hamstring), Stewart (concussion).
Nil Reports Nil

Brownlow votes: Chad Wingard (Port Adelaide) 3 votes, Charlie Dixon (Port Adelaide) 2 votes, Robbie Gray (Port Adelaide) 1 vote
Record: 5 wins, 5 losses, 0 draws (107.33%)
Ladder position: 9th

Round 11

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Round 11
Saturday, 4 June (1:45 pm) Hawthorn def. Melbourne Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 41,833) Report
4.5 (29)
6.7 (43)
8.14 (62)
11.16 (82)
Q1
Q2
Q3
Final
2.0 (12)
7.2 (44)
10.2 (62)
10.4 (64)
Television broadcast: Seven Network
Gunston 3, Breust 2, O'Brien 2, Rioli, Hill, Stewart, Puopolo Goals Kent 2, Watts 2, Dawes, Petracca, Hogan, vandenBerg, Tyson, N. Jones
Mitchell, Lewis, Gibson, Birchall, Smith, Frawley, Gunston Best Tyson, Vince, N. Jones, Watts, T. McDonald, Kent
Gunston (right ankle) Injuries Nil
Nil Reports Vince (striking)

Milestone(s): Max Gawn (50th AFL game)
Brownlow votes: Bernie Vince (Melbourne) 3 votes, Josh Gibson (Hawthorn) 2 votes, Nathan Jones (Melbourne) 1 vote
Record: 5 wins, 6 losses, 0 draws (105.08%)
Ladder position: 11th

Round 12

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Round 12
Monday, 13 June (3:20 pm) Melbourne def. Collingwood Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 60,158) Report
2.4 (16)
9.6 (60)
11.7 (73)
16.8 (104)
Q1
Q2
Q3
Final
4.4 (38)
5.4 (34)
6.6 (42)
8.10 (58)
Television broadcast: Seven Network
Hogan 3, Kent 3, Gawn 3, Watts 2, Viney, Trengove, Petracca, N. Jones, Kennedy Goals Cox 2, Maynard, White, Sidebottom, Varcoe, Greenwood, Grundy
Gawn, Vince, N. Jones, Kent, T. McDonald, Tyson, Hogan, Bugg, Kennedy Best Treloar, Pendlebury, Howe, De Goey, Varcoe
vandenBerg (nose) Injuries Frost (shoulder), Reid (left knee), Pendlebury (left ankle)
Nil Reports Nil

Brownlow votes: Bernie Vince (Melbourne) 3 votes, Max Gawn (Melbourne) 2 votes, Nathan Jones (Melbourne) 1 vote
Record: 6 wins, 6 losses, 0 draws (108.91%)
Ladder position: 10th

Round 13

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Round 13
Sunday, 19 June (1:10 pm) Sydney def. Melbourne Sydney Cricket Ground (crowd: 19,086) Report
2.6 (18)
4.8 (32)
6.13 (49)
12.14 (86)
Q1
Q2
Q3
Final
1.1 (7)
2.3 (15)
3.6 (24)
4.7 (31)
Television broadcast: Fox Footy
Franklin 4, Towers 2, McGlynn 2, Hewett, Kennedy, Nankervis, Lloyd Goals Petracca 2, Kent, Hogan
McVeigh, Parker, Hannebery, Franklin, Jones, Towers Best Vince, N. Jones, Gawn, Petracca, Viney, Wagner
Nil Injuries Nil
Nil Reports Nil

Brownlow votes: Luke Parker (Sydney) 3 votes, Lance Franklin (Sydney) 2 votes, Jarrad McVeigh (Sydney) 1 vote
Record: 6 wins, 7 losses, 0 draws (103.73%)
Ladder position: 10th

Round 14

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Round 14
Bye
Melbourne

Round 15

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Round 15
Sunday, 3 July (3:20 pm) Melbourne def. by Adelaide Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 29,133) Report
2.3 (15)
10.4 (64)
14.5 (89)
15.8 (98)
Q1
Q2
Q3
Final
5.2 (32)
8.5 (43)
15.8 (98)
18.12 (120)
Television broadcast: Fox Footy
Gartlett 4, Hogan 3, Watts 3, Kennedy, Hunt, Kent, N. Jones, Harmes Goals Walker 3, Douglas 3, Betts 3, Jenkins 2, Cameron 2, McGovern 2, Lynch, Atkins, Lyons
Watts, Hunt, N. Jones, Hogan, Gartlett, Jetta Best Laird, Walker, M. Crouch, B. Crouch, Cameron, Douglas
Nil Injuries Nil
Nil Reports Nil

Milestone(s): Dom Tyson (50th MFC game), Jayden Hunt (1st AFL goal)
Brownlow votes: Rory Laird (Adelaide) 3 votes, Nathan Jones (Melbourne) 2 votes, Rory Sloane (Adelaide) 1 vote
Record: 6 wins, 8 losses, 0 draws (101.73%)
Ladder position: 10th

Round 16

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Round 16
Saturday, 9 July (7:10 pm) Melbourne def. Fremantle TIO Stadium (crowd: 8,163) Report
6.5 (41)
9.8 (62)
11.11 (77)
12.15 (87)
Q1
Q2
Q3
Final
2.0 (12)
3.1 (19)
7.4 (46)
8.7 (55)
Television broadcast: Fox Footy
Hogan 4, Watts 3, Kent 3, vandenBerg, N. Jones Goals Pavlich 3, Mayne 2, Suban, Taberner, Ballantyne
Hogan, Viney, N. Jones, Watts, Hunt, Tyson, Grimes Best Neale, Hill, Sutcliffe, Pavlich, Blakely
O. McDonald (ankle), Vince (shin) Injuries Mundy (concussion)
Nil Reports Weller (high contact)

Brownlow votes: Nathan Jones (Melbourne) 3 votes, Jack Viney (Melbourne) 2 votes, Jesse Hogan (Melbourne) 1 vote
Record: 7 wins, 8 losses, 0 draws (103.98%)
Ladder position: 10th

Round 17

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Round 17
Sunday, 17 July (3:20 pm) St Kilda def. Melbourne Etihad Stadium (crowd: 25,322) Report
3.3 (21)
8.6 (54)
10.12 (72)
15.20 (110)
Q1
Q2
Q3
Final
6.2 (38)
6.5 (41)
9.7 (61)
11.8 (74)
Television broadcast: Seven Network
Membrey 4, Weller 3, Geary 2, Montagna, Bruce, Riewoldt, Roberton, Dunstan Goals Petracca 2, Garlett 2, Gawn 2, Watts, vandenBerg, Hogan, Viney, Kennedy
Hickey, Membrey, Steven, Weller, Ross, Montagna Best Viney, Vince, T. McDonald, Jetta, Harmes
Nil Injuries Hogan (hip), Watts (right ankle)
Nil Reports Hogan (striking)

Milestone(s): Jack Grimes (100th AFL game)
Brownlow votes: Tim Membrey (St Kilda) 3 votes, Maverick Weller (St Kilda) 2 votes, Jack Viney (Melbourne) 1 vote
Record: 7 wins, 9 losses, 0 draws (101.27%)
Ladder position: 11th

Round 18

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Round 18
Saturday, 23 July (2:35 pm) West Coast def. Melbourne Domain Stadium (crowd: 33,908) Report
2.1 (13)
5.2 (32)
8.4 (52)
10.6 (66)
Q1
Q2
Q3
Final
2.2 (14)
5.4 (34)
8.10 (58)
8.12 (60)
Television broadcast: Fox Footy
Kennedy 3, Priddis, Darling, Duggan, Lycett, Cripps, Gaff, Hill Goals Garlett 3, Dawes 2, M Jones, Petracca, Kent
Priddis, Shuey, Gaff, Kennedy, Hurn, Lycett Best N Jones, Tyson, Viney, Garlett, Kent, Gawn
Nil Injuries Jetta (left knee)
Nil Reports Nil

Brownlow votes: Matt Priddis (West Coast) 3 votes, Dom Tyson (Melbourne) 2 votes, Dean Kent (Melbourne) 1 vote
Record: 7 wins, 10 losses, 0 draws (100.83%)
Ladder position: 11th

Round 19

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Round 19
Sunday, 31 July (1:10 pm) Melbourne def. Gold Coast Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 20,627) Report
1.3 (9)
6.6 (42)
7.10 (52)
9.12 (66)
Q1
Q2
Q3
Final
3.3 (21)
4.6 (30)
6.8 (44)
9.10 (64)
Television broadcast: Fox Footy
vandenBerg 3, Watts 3, Dawes, Kent, Petracca Goals Lynch 2, Garlett 2, Matera 2, Malceski, Shaw, Grant
Tyson, Watts, Harmes, vandenBerg, O. McDonald, Gawn Best Miller, Rosa, Lynch, Harbrow, Shaw
Hogan (knee) Injuries Shaw (ankle)
Nil Reports Nil

Milestone(s): Tom McDonald (100th AFL game), Chris Dawes (50th MFC game)
Brownlow votes: Max Gawn (Melbourne) 3 votes, Jack Watts (Melbourne) 2 votes, Dom Tyson (Melbourne) 1 vote
Record: 8 wins, 10 losses, 0 draws (100.92%)
Ladder position: 11th

Round 20

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Round 20
Saturday, 6 August (2:10 pm) Melbourne def. Hawthorn Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 38,818) Report
5.2 (32)
9.2 (56)
12.6 (78)
17.8 (110)
Q1
Q2
Q3
Final
3.3 (21)
7.9 (51)
10.12 (72)
11.15 (81)
Television broadcast: Fox Footy
Watts 3, Weideman 2, Bugg 2, Tyson 2, Petracca, Gawn, Hunt, Kent, Brayshaw, vandenBerg, Stretch, Pedersen Goals Rioli 4, Gunston 2, Ceglar 2, Smith 2, O'Brien
N. Jones, Gawn, Viney, Tyson, Watts, Vince, T. McDonald, Oliver Best Rioli, Smith, Hodge, Lewis, Mitchell
Nil Injuries Stratton (pectoral muscle)
Nil Reports Nil

Debut(s): Sam Weideman
Milestone(s): Dean Kent (50th AFL game), Sam Weideman (1st AFL goal)
Brownlow votes: Jack Viney (Melbourne) 3 votes, Max Gawn (Melbourne) 2 votes, Cyril Rioli (Hawthorn) 1 vote
Record: 9 wins, 10 losses, 0 draws (102.58%)
Ladder position: 11th

Round 21

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Round 21
Saturday, 13 August (7:10 pm) Port Adelaide def. by Melbourne Adelaide Oval (crowd: 33,426) Report
1.2 (8)
2.4 (16)
6.5 (35)
8.6 (54)
Q1
Q2
Q3
Final
4.3 (27)
8.5 (53)
9.9 (63)
13.16 (94)
Television broadcast: Fox Footy
Polec 2, Young 2, Wingard, Krakouer, Wines, S. Gray Goals Brayshaw 2, Bugg 2, Garlett 2, Frost, Kent, Oliver, Vince, Tyson, Watts, N. Jones
S. Gray, Polec, R. Gray, Pittard, Wines Best Tyson, Vince, Gawn, Oliver, Hunt
Wingard (hamstring) Injuries Nil
Nil Reports Nil

Milestone(s): Oscar McDonald (Rising Star nominee)
Brownlow votes: Max Gawn (Melbourne) 3 votes, Dom Tyson (Melbourne) 2 votes, Jayden Hunt (Melbourne) 1 vote
Record: 10 wins, 10 losses, 0 draws (104.78%)
Ladder position: 9th

Round 22

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Round 22
Sunday, 21 August (1:10 pm) Carlton def. Melbourne Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 40,693) Report
4.5 (29)
7.8 (50)
10.10 (70)
11.12 (78)
Q1
Q2
Q3
Final
2.2 (14)
4.8 (32)
6.10 (46)
7.16 (58)
Television broadcast: Fox Footy
Buckley 3, Graham 2, Wright, Everitt, Cripps, Sumner, Jones, Phillips Goals VandenBerg, Hunt, Hogan, Oliver, Bugg, Neal-Bullen, Gawn
Cripps, Gibbs, Buckley, Docherty, Simpson Best Tyson, Viney, Hunt, N. Jones, Oliver
Silvagni (soreness) replaced in the selected side by Graham, Kerridge (illness) replaced in the selected side by Everitt, Buckley (head), C. Curnow (knee) Injuries Watts (eye), Kent (leg)
Nil Reports Nil

Brownlow votes: Patrick Cripps (Carlton) 3 votes, Bryce Gibbs (Carlton) 2 votes, Kade Simpson (Carlton) 1 vote
Record: 10 wins, 11 losses, 0 draws (103.49%)
Ladder position: 10th

Round 23

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Round 23
Saturday, 27 August (1:45 pm) Geelong def. Melbourne Simonds Stadium (crowd: 24,413) Report
8.2 (50)
11.6 (72)
14.10 (94)
24.11 (155)
Q1
Q2
Q3
Final
2.0 (12)
3.2 (20)
3.6 (24)
6.8 (44)
Television broadcast: Seven Network
Hawkins 6, Menzel 4, Menegola 3, Bartel 3, Motlop 2, Caddy 2, McCarthy, Selwood, Duncan, Taylor Goals Garlett 2, vandenBerg, Weideman, Brayshaw, Hogan
Dangerfield, Caddy, Hawkins, Guthrie, Selwood, Taylor, Menzel Best Tyson, Petracca, Hunt, Salem
Kolodjashnij (calf) Injuries Kent (corked thigh), replaced in selected side by M. Jones
Nil Reports Nil

Brownlow votes: Patrick Dangerfield (Geelong) 3 votes, Joel Selwood (Geelong) 2 votes, Sam Menegola (Geelong) 1 vote
Record: 10 wins, 12 losses, 0 draws (97.64%)
Ladder position: 11th

Ladder

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Pos Team Pld W L D PF PA PP Pts Qualification
1 Sydney 22 17 5 0 2221 1469 151.2 68 2016 finals
2 Geelong 22 17 5 0 2235 1554 143.8 68
3 Hawthorn 22 17 5 0 2134 1800 118.6 68
4 Greater Western Sydney 22 16 6 0 2380 1663 143.1 64
5 Adelaide 22 16 6 0 2483 1795 138.3 64
6 West Coast 22 16 6 0 2181 1678 130.0 64
7 Western Bulldogs (P) 22 15 7 0 1857 1609 115.4 60
8 North Melbourne 22 12 10 0 1956 1859 105.2 48
9 St Kilda 22 12 10 0 1953 2041 95.7 48
10 Port Adelaide 22 10 12 0 2055 1939 106.0 40
11 Melbourne 22 10 12 0 1944 1991 97.6 40
12 Collingwood 22 9 13 0 1910 1998 95.6 36
13 Richmond 22 8 14 0 1713 2155 79.5 32
14 Carlton 22 7 15 0 1568 1978 79.3 28
15 Gold Coast 22 6 16 0 1778 2273 78.2 24
16 Fremantle 22 4 18 0 1574 2119 74.3 16
17 Brisbane Lions 22 3 19 0 1770 2872 61.6 12
18 Essendon 22 3 19 0 1437 2356 61.0 12
Source: AFL
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) percentage; 3) number of points for.
(P) Premiers

Ladder breakdown by opposition

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Opponent Played Won Lost Drew Premiership points Points for Points against Percentage (%)
Collingwood 2 2 0 0 8 206 125 164.80%
Gold Coast 2 2 0 0 8 226 151 149.67%
Brisbane Lions 1 1 0 0 4 131 68 192.65%
Fremantle 1 1 0 0 4 87 55 158.18%
Richmond 1 1 0 0 4 129 96 134.38%
Hawthorn 2 1 1 0 4 174 163 106.75%
Greater Western Sydney 1 1 0 0 4 80 78 102.56%
Port Adelaide 2 1 1 0 4 170 175 97.14%
North Melbourne 1 0 1 0 0 131 136 96.32%
West Coast 1 0 1 0 0 60 66 90.91%
Essendon 1 0 1 0 0 67 80 83.75%
Adelaide 1 0 1 0 0 98 120 81.67%
Carlton 1 0 1 0 0 58 78 74.56%
Western Bulldogs 1 0 1 0 0 82 114 71.93%
St Kilda 2 0 2 0 0 170 245 69.39%
Sydney 1 0 1 0 0 31 86 36.05%
Geelong 1 0 1 0 0 44 155 28.39%
Total 22 10 12 0 40 1944 1998 97.64%

Tribunal and match review panel cases

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Player Round Charge category Verdict Early plea Result Victim Club Ref(s)
Clayton Oliver NAB Challenge Rough conduct Guilty Yes $1000 Aaron Young Port Adelaide [92][93]
Cameron Pedersen NAB Challenge Rough conduct Guilty Yes $1000 Nathan Wright St Kilda [94][95]
Jeff Garlett Round 1 Striking Guilty Yes $1000 Phil Davis Greater Western Sydney [96][97]
Bernie Vince Round 3 Striking Guilty Yes 1 match Jamie Macmillan North Melbourne [98][99]
Christian Salem Round 5 Involved in a melee (first offence) Guilty Yes $1000 N/A Richmond [100][101]
Jack Viney Round 5 Involved in a melee (first offence) Guilty Yes $1000 N/A Richmond [100][101]
Lynden Dunn Round 5 Involved in a melee (first offence) Guilty Yes $1000 N/A Richmond [100][101]
Jayden Hunt Round 5 Involved in a melee (first offence) Guilty Yes $1000 N/A Richmond [100][101]
Nathan Jones Round 5 Wrestling (second offence) Guilty Yes $1500 Anthony Miles Richmond [100][101]
Tomas Bugg Round 5 Making contact with an injured player Guilty Yes $1000 Jack Riewoldt Richmond [100][101]
Neville Jetta Round 8 Rough conduct Guilty Yes 1 match Marcus Bontempelli Western Bulldogs [102][103]
Cameron Pedersen Round 8 Rough conduct Guilty Yes $1500 Fletcher Roberts Western Bulldogs [102][103]
Bernie Vince Round 8 Rough conduct Not guilty N/A N/A Mitch Wallis Western Bulldogs [102]
Nathan Jones Round 9 Wrestling (third offence) Guilty Yes $2500 Daniel Merrett Brisbane Lions [104][105]
Jack Viney Round 10 Striking Guilty Yes 1 match Brad Ebert Port Adelaide [106][107]
Nathan Jones Round 11 Wrestling (third offence) Guilty Yes $2500 Liam Shiels Hawthorn [108][109]
Bernie Vince Round 11 Striking Not guilty N/A N/A Isaac Smith Hawthorn [108]
Bernie Vince Round 13 Rough conduct Guilty Yes $1000 Luke Parker Sydney [110][111]
Jesse Hogan Round 17 Striking Guilty Yes $1000 Jarryn Geary St Kilda [112][113]

Awards

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Brownlow Medal tally

edit
Player 3 vote games 2 vote games 1 vote games Total votes
Max Gawn 4 2 0 16
Jack Viney 2 2 4 14
Nathan Jones 1 3 2 11
Jesse Hogan 1 1 1 6
Dom Tyson 0 2 2 6
Bernie Vince 2 0 0 6
Jack Watts 1 1 0 5
Clayton Oliver 0 1 1 3
James Harmes 0 2 0 2
Jayden Hunt 0 0 1 1
Dean Kent 0 0 1 1
Total 11 14 12 71

Keith 'Bluey' Truscott Medal tally (top 10)

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Position Player[114] Votes
1st Jack Viney 407
2nd Nathan Jones 399
3rd Max Gawn 374
4th Dom Tyson 357
5th Jack Watts 308
6th Tom McDonald 306
7th Bernie Vince 287
8th Jesse Hogan 261
9th Neville Jetta 260
10th Dean Kent 235

Keith 'Bluey' Truscott TrophyJack Viney[115]

Sid Anderson Memorial Trophy (second in the best and fairest)Nathan Jones[115]

Ron Barassi Snr Memorial Trophy (third in the best and fairest)Max Gawn[115]

Ivor Warne-Smith Memorial Trophy (fourth in the best and fairest)Dom Tyson[115]

Dick Taylor Memorial Trophy (fifth in the best and fairest)Jack Watts[115]

Harold Ball Memorial Trophy (best young player)Jayden Hunt[116]

Troy Broadbridge Trophy (best Melbourne-listed player in the VFL)Jack Grimes[116]

Ron Barassi Jnr Trophy (leadership award)Jack Viney[116]

Ian Ridley Trophy (club ambassador award)Neville Jetta[116]

Norm Smith Memorial Trophy (coach's award)Max Gawn[116]

James McDonald Trophy (heart and spirit award)Max Gawn[116]

Leading goalkicker awardJesse Hogan (41 goals)[117]

References

edit
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