The 2008 AFL season was the 112th season of the
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League (AFL) is the only fully professional sports, professional competition of Australian rules football. Through the AFL Commission, the AFL also serves as the sport's governing body and is responsible for controlling ...
(AFL), the highest level senior
Australian rules football
Australian football, also called Australian rules football or Aussie rules, or more simply football or footy, is a contact sport played between two teams of 18 players on an oval field, often a modified cricket ground. Points are scored by k ...
competition in Australia, which was known as the Victorian Football League until 1989. The season featured sixteen clubs, ran from 20 March until 27 September, and comprised a 22-game home-and-away season followed by a
finals series
Final, Finals or The Final may refer to:
*Final (competition), the last or championship round of a sporting competition, match, game, or other contest which decides a winner for an event
** Another term for playoffs, describing a sequence of cont ...
featuring the top eight clubs. A significant feature of the season was the celebration of the 150th anniversary since the sport of
Australian rules football
Australian football, also called Australian rules football or Aussie rules, or more simply football or footy, is a contact sport played between two teams of 18 players on an oval field, often a modified cricket ground. Points are scored by k ...
was first established in 1858.
The premiership was won by the
Hawthorn Football Club
The Hawthorn Football Club, nicknamed the Hawks, is a professional Australian rules football club based in Mulgrave, Victoria, that competes in the Australian Football League (AFL). The club was founded in 1902 in the inner-east suburb of Hawt ...
for the tenth time, after they defeated by 26 points in the
2008 AFL Grand Final
The 2008 AFL Grand Final was an Australian rules football match contested between the Geelong Football Club and the Hawthorn Football Club, held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne on 27 September 2008. It was the 112th annual grand ...
.
NAB Cup
Premiership season
Round 1
Round 2
Round 3
Round 4
Round 5
Round 6
Round 7
AFL Hall of Fame Tribute Match
Round 8
Round 9
Round 10
Round 11
Round 12
Round 13
Round 14
Round 15
Round 16
, - style="background:#ccf;"
, Home team, , Home team score, , Away team, , Away team score, , Ground, , Crowd, , Date, , Report
, - style="background:#fff;"
, , , 17.12 (114) , , , , 14.12 (96) , ,
Telstra Dome
Docklands Stadium, also currently known by naming rights sponsorship as Marvel Stadium, is a multi-purpose sports and entertainment stadium in the Docklands area of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Construction started in October 1997 and w ...
, , 46,610 , , Friday, 18 July
AFL.com.au, - style="background:#fff;"
, , , 19.17 (131) , , , , 10.10 (70) , ,
Skilled Stadium, , 24,801 , , Saturday, 19 July
AFL.com.au, - style="background:#fff;"
, , , 16.12 (108) , , , , 15.14 (104) , ,
MCG
The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), also known locally as "The 'G", is an Australian sports stadium located in Yarra Park, Melbourne, Victoria. Founded and managed by the Melbourne Cricket Club, it is the largest stadium in the Southern Hem ...
, , 56,746 , , Saturday, 19 July
AFL.com.au, - style="background:#fff;"
, , , 17.11 (113) , , , , 9.13 (67) , ,
The Gabba
The Brisbane Cricket Ground, commonly known as the Gabba, is a major sports stadium in Brisbane, the capital of Queensland, Australia. The nickname Gabba derives from the suburb of Woolloongabba, in which it is located. Over the years, the Ga ...
, , 27,784 , , Saturday, 19 July
AFL.com.au, - style="background:#fff;"
, , , 18.11 (119) , , , , 13.11 (89) , ,
Telstra Dome
Docklands Stadium, also currently known by naming rights sponsorship as Marvel Stadium, is a multi-purpose sports and entertainment stadium in the Docklands area of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Construction started in October 1997 and w ...
, , 41,886 , , Saturday, 19 July
AFL.com.au, - style="background:#fff;"
, , , 18.11 (119) , , , , 18.13 (121) , ,
Telstra Dome
Docklands Stadium, also currently known by naming rights sponsorship as Marvel Stadium, is a multi-purpose sports and entertainment stadium in the Docklands area of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Construction started in October 1997 and w ...
, , 38,401 , , Sunday, 20 July
AFL.com.au, - style="background:#fff;"
, , , 13.14 (92) , , , , 11.14 (80) , ,
AAMI Stadium
Football Park, known commercially as AAMI Stadium, was an Australian rules football stadium located in West Lakes, a western suburb of Adelaide, the state capital of South Australia, Australia. It was built in 1973 by the South Australian Na ...
, , 31,662 , , Sunday, 20 July
AFL.com.au, - style="background:#fff;"
, , , 16.18 (114) , , , , 10.8 (68) , ,
Subiaco, , 31,638 , , Sunday, 20 July
AFL.com.au
Round 17
, - style="background:#ccf;"
, Home team, , Home team score, , Away team, , Away team score, , Ground, , Crowd, , Date, , Report
, - style="background:#fff;"
, , , 11.11 (77) , , , , 12.16 (88) , ,
MCG
The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), also known locally as "The 'G", is an Australian sports stadium located in Yarra Park, Melbourne, Victoria. Founded and managed by the Melbourne Cricket Club, it is the largest stadium in the Southern Hem ...
, , 86,179 , , Friday, 25 July
AFL.com.au, - style="background:#fff;"
, , , 19.14 (128) , , , , 11.14 (80) , ,
MCG
The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), also known locally as "The 'G", is an Australian sports stadium located in Yarra Park, Melbourne, Victoria. Founded and managed by the Melbourne Cricket Club, it is the largest stadium in the Southern Hem ...
, , 64,785, , Saturday, 26 July,
AFL.com.au, - style="background:#fff;"
, , , 15.13 (103) , , , , 12.14 (86) , ,
Subiaco, , 34,037, , Saturday, 26 July
AFL.com.au, - style="background:#fff;"
, , , 18.9 (117) , , , , 16.18 (114) , ,
Telstra Dome
Docklands Stadium, also currently known by naming rights sponsorship as Marvel Stadium, is a multi-purpose sports and entertainment stadium in the Docklands area of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Construction started in October 1997 and w ...
, , 31,275 , , Saturday, 26 July
AFL.com.au, - style="background:#fff;"
, , , 6.17 (53), , , , 11.11 (77) , ,
SCG, , 26,260 , , Saturday, 26 July
AFL.com.au, - style="background:#fff;"
, , , 15.11 (101) , , , , 20.9 (129) , ,
AAMI Stadium
Football Park, known commercially as AAMI Stadium, was an Australian rules football stadium located in West Lakes, a western suburb of Adelaide, the state capital of South Australia, Australia. It was built in 1973 by the South Australian Na ...
, , 19,072 , , Sunday, 27 July,
AFL.com.au, - style="background:#fff;"
, , , 10.10 (70) , , , , 14.14 (98) , ,
MCG
The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), also known locally as "The 'G", is an Australian sports stadium located in Yarra Park, Melbourne, Victoria. Founded and managed by the Melbourne Cricket Club, it is the largest stadium in the Southern Hem ...
, , 21,330 , , Sunday, 27 July,
AFL.com.au, - style="background:#fff;"
, , , 15.8 (98) , , , , 18.18 (126) , ,
Telstra Dome
Docklands Stadium, also currently known by naming rights sponsorship as Marvel Stadium, is a multi-purpose sports and entertainment stadium in the Docklands area of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Construction started in October 1997 and w ...
, , 37,879 , , Sunday, 27 July,
AFL.com.au
Round 18
, - style="background:#ccf;"
, Home team, , Home team score, , Away team, , Away team score, , Ground, , Crowd, , Date, , Report
, - style="background:#fff;"
, , , 8.14 (62) , , , , 17.14 (116) , ,
MCG
The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), also known locally as "The 'G", is an Australian sports stadium located in Yarra Park, Melbourne, Victoria. Founded and managed by the Melbourne Cricket Club, it is the largest stadium in the Southern Hem ...
, , 58,307 , , Friday, 1 August
AFL.com.au, - style="background:#fff;"
, , , 19.10 (124) , , , , 17.6 (108) , ,
MCG
The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), also known locally as "The 'G", is an Australian sports stadium located in Yarra Park, Melbourne, Victoria. Founded and managed by the Melbourne Cricket Club, it is the largest stadium in the Southern Hem ...
, , 46,334 , , Saturday, 2 August
AFL.com.au, - style="background:#fff;"
, , , 13.16 (94) , , , , 12.14 (86) , ,
AAMI Stadium
Football Park, known commercially as AAMI Stadium, was an Australian rules football stadium located in West Lakes, a western suburb of Adelaide, the state capital of South Australia, Australia. It was built in 1973 by the South Australian Na ...
, , 40,730 , , Saturday, 2 August
AFL.com.au, - style="background:#fff;"
, , , 20.14 (134), , , , 10.11 (71), ,
Telstra Dome
Docklands Stadium, also currently known by naming rights sponsorship as Marvel Stadium, is a multi-purpose sports and entertainment stadium in the Docklands area of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Construction started in October 1997 and w ...
, , 42,238 , , Saturday, 2 August
AFL.com.au, - style="background:#fff;"
, , , 13.14 (92), , , , 11.18 (84), ,
Gold Coast Stadium, , 10,037 , , Saturday, 2 August
AFL.com.au, - style="background:#fff;"
, , , 17.11 (113) , , , , 14.13 (97) , ,
Manuka Oval
Manuka Oval is a sporting venue in Canberra, the capital of Australia. It is located in Griffith, in the area of that suburb known as Manuka. Manuka Oval has a seating capacity of 13,550 people and an overall capacity of 16,000 people, althoug ...
, , 13,550 , , Sunday, 3 August
AFL.com.au, - style="background:#fff;"
, , , 14.17 (101) , , , , 14.9 (93) , ,
Telstra Dome
Docklands Stadium, also currently known by naming rights sponsorship as Marvel Stadium, is a multi-purpose sports and entertainment stadium in the Docklands area of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Construction started in October 1997 and w ...
, , 22,878 , , Sunday, 3 August
AFL.com.au, - style="background:#fff;"
, , , 17.14 (116) , , , , 12.11 (83) , ,
Subiaco, , 42,096 , , Sunday, 3 August,
AFL.com.au
Round 19
, - style="background:#ccf;"
, Home team, , Home team score, , Away team, , Away team score, , Ground, , Crowd, , Date, , Report
, - style="background:#fff;"
, , , 5.11 (41) , , , , 24.13 (157) , ,
MCG
The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), also known locally as "The 'G", is an Australian sports stadium located in Yarra Park, Melbourne, Victoria. Founded and managed by the Melbourne Cricket Club, it is the largest stadium in the Southern Hem ...
, , 34,610 , , Friday, 8 August
AFL.com.au, - style="background:#fff;"
, , , 18.24 (132) , , , , 9.12 (66) , ,
Telstra Dome
Docklands Stadium, also currently known by naming rights sponsorship as Marvel Stadium, is a multi-purpose sports and entertainment stadium in the Docklands area of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Construction started in October 1997 and w ...
, , 29,696 , , Saturday, 9 August
AFL.com.au, - style="background:#fff;"
, , , 16.14 (110) , , , , 5.11 (41) , ,
Aurora Stadium
York Park is a sports ground in the Inveresk and York Park Precinct, Launceston, Australia. Holding 19,000 people – the largest capacity stadium in Tasmania, York Park is known commercially as University of Tasmania Stadium and was formerly ...
, , 19,929 , , Saturday, 9 August
AFL.com.au, - style="background:#fff;"
, , , 14.13 (97) , , , , 12.11 (83) , ,
MCG
The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), also known locally as "The 'G", is an Australian sports stadium located in Yarra Park, Melbourne, Victoria. Founded and managed by the Melbourne Cricket Club, it is the largest stadium in the Southern Hem ...
, , 52,135 , , Saturday, 9 August
AFL.com.au, - style="background:#fff;"
, , , 17.10 (112) , , , , 15.18 (108) , ,
SCG, , 20,846 , , Saturday, 9 August
AFL.com.au, - style="background:#fff;"
, , , 21.10 (136) , , , , 18.8 (116) , ,
Telstra Dome
Docklands Stadium, also currently known by naming rights sponsorship as Marvel Stadium, is a multi-purpose sports and entertainment stadium in the Docklands area of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Construction started in October 1997 and w ...
, , 31,957 , , Sunday, 10 August
AFL.com.au, - style="background:#fff;"
, , , 16.12 (108), , , , 6.9 (45) , ,
AAMI Stadium
Football Park, known commercially as AAMI Stadium, was an Australian rules football stadium located in West Lakes, a western suburb of Adelaide, the state capital of South Australia, Australia. It was built in 1973 by the South Australian Na ...
, , 37,562 , , Sunday, 10 August
AFL.com.au, - style="background:#fff;"
, , , 17.11 (113) , , , , 16.7 (103) , ,
Subiaco, , 35,288 , , Sunday, 10 August
AFL.com.au
Round 20
, - style="background:#ccf;"
, Home team, , Home team score, , Away team, , Away team score, , Ground, , Crowd, , Date, , Report
, - style="background:#fff;"
, , , 10.15 (75) , , , , 16.10 (106) , ,
AAMI Stadium
Football Park, known commercially as AAMI Stadium, was an Australian rules football stadium located in West Lakes, a western suburb of Adelaide, the state capital of South Australia, Australia. It was built in 1973 by the South Australian Na ...
, , 23,694 , , Friday, 15 August
AFL.com.au, - style="background:#fff;"
, , , 10.13 (73) , , , , 19.15 (129) , ,
Telstra Dome
Docklands Stadium, also currently known by naming rights sponsorship as Marvel Stadium, is a multi-purpose sports and entertainment stadium in the Docklands area of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Construction started in October 1997 and w ...
, , 32,184 , , Saturday, 16 August
AFL.com.au, - style="background:#fff;"
, , , 11.13 (79) , , , , 5.15 (45) , ,
MCG
The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), also known locally as "The 'G", is an Australian sports stadium located in Yarra Park, Melbourne, Victoria. Founded and managed by the Melbourne Cricket Club, it is the largest stadium in the Southern Hem ...
, , 17,958 , , Saturday, 16 August
AFL.com.au, - style="background:#fff;"
, , , 13.12 (90) , , , , 10.19 (79) , ,
The Gabba
The Brisbane Cricket Ground, commonly known as the Gabba, is a major sports stadium in Brisbane, the capital of Queensland, Australia. The nickname Gabba derives from the suburb of Woolloongabba, in which it is located. Over the years, the Ga ...
, , 27,315 , , Saturday, 16 August
AFL.com.au, - style="background:#fff;"
, , , 14.10 (94) , , , , 20.13 (133) , ,
ANZ Stadium
ANZ may refer to:
People
* Anz (musician), a British DJ and electronic musician
Banks
* ANZ (bank), Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited, the fourth-largest bank in Australia
** ANZ Bank New Zealand, the largest bank in New Zealand
* ...
, , 44,955 , , Saturday, 16 August
AFL.com.au, - style="background:#fff;"
, , , 16.9 (105) , , , , 10.16 (76) , ,
MCG
The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), also known locally as "The 'G", is an Australian sports stadium located in Yarra Park, Melbourne, Victoria. Founded and managed by the Melbourne Cricket Club, it is the largest stadium in the Southern Hem ...
, , 44,523 , , Sunday, 17 August
AFL.com.au, - style="background:#fff;"
, , , 14.6 (90) , , , , 22.9 (141) , ,
Telstra Dome
Docklands Stadium, also currently known by naming rights sponsorship as Marvel Stadium, is a multi-purpose sports and entertainment stadium in the Docklands area of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Construction started in October 1997 and w ...
, , 43,406 , , Sunday, 17 August
AFL.com.au, - style="background:#fff;"
, , , 9.15 (69) , , , , 17.10 (112) , ,
Subiaco, , 34,014 , , Sunday, 17 August
AFL.com.au
Round 21
, - style="background:#ccf;"
, Home team, , Home team score, , Away team, , Away team score, , Ground, , Crowd, , Date, , Report
, - style="background:#fff;"
, , , 23.13 (151) , , , , 15.15 (105) , ,
Telstra Dome
Docklands Stadium, also currently known by naming rights sponsorship as Marvel Stadium, is a multi-purpose sports and entertainment stadium in the Docklands area of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Construction started in October 1997 and w ...
, , 37,294 , , Friday, 22 August
AFL.com.au, - style="background:#fff;"
, , , 15.15 (105) , , , , 15.8 (98), ,
MCG
The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), also known locally as "The 'G", is an Australian sports stadium located in Yarra Park, Melbourne, Victoria. Founded and managed by the Melbourne Cricket Club, it is the largest stadium in the Southern Hem ...
, , 24,881 , , Saturday, 23 August
AFL.com.au, - style="background:#fff;"
, , , 18.21 (129) , , , , 7.9 (51) , ,
AAMI Stadium
Football Park, known commercially as AAMI Stadium, was an Australian rules football stadium located in West Lakes, a western suburb of Adelaide, the state capital of South Australia, Australia. It was built in 1973 by the South Australian Na ...
, , 18,875 , , Saturday, 23 August
AFL.com.au, - style="background:#fff;"
, , , 16.13 (109) , , , , 18.7 (115) , ,
The Gabba
The Brisbane Cricket Ground, commonly known as the Gabba, is a major sports stadium in Brisbane, the capital of Queensland, Australia. The nickname Gabba derives from the suburb of Woolloongabba, in which it is located. Over the years, the Ga ...
, , 34,327 , , Saturday, 23 August
AFL.com.au, - style="background:#fff;"
, , , 18.10 (118) , , , , 10.13 (73) , ,
Telstra Dome
Docklands Stadium, also currently known by naming rights sponsorship as Marvel Stadium, is a multi-purpose sports and entertainment stadium in the Docklands area of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Construction started in October 1997 and w ...
, , 45,507 , , Saturday, 23 August
AFL.com.au, - style="background:#fff;"
, , , 17.13 (115) , , , , 13.4 (82) , ,
Skilled Stadium, , 24,288, , Sunday, 24 August
AFL.com.au, - style="background:#fff;"
, , , 13.17 (95), , , , 6.11 (47), ,
Telstra Dome
Docklands Stadium, also currently known by naming rights sponsorship as Marvel Stadium, is a multi-purpose sports and entertainment stadium in the Docklands area of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Construction started in October 1997 and w ...
, , 33,811, , Sunday, 24 August
AFL.com.au, - style="background:#fff;"
, , , 9.8 (62) , , , , 19.19 (133) , ,
Subiaco, , 37,040 , , Sunday, 24 August
AFL.com.au
Round 22
, - style="background:#ccf;"
, Home team, , Home team score, , Away team, , Away team score, , Ground, , Crowd, , Date, , Report
, - style="background:#fff;"
, , , 12.8 (80) , , , , 8.8 (56) , ,
Subiaco, , 35,106 , , Friday, 29 August,
AFL.com.au, - style="background:#fff;"
, , , 10.12 (72) , , , , 23.10 (148) , ,
MCG
The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), also known locally as "The 'G", is an Australian sports stadium located in Yarra Park, Melbourne, Victoria. Founded and managed by the Melbourne Cricket Club, it is the largest stadium in the Southern Hem ...
, , 22,144 , , Saturday, 30 August,
AFL.com.au, - style="background:#fff;"
, , , 24.20 (164) , , , , 10.5 (65) , ,
Skilled Stadium, , 21,752 , , Saturday, 30 August,
AFL.com.au, - style="background:#fff;"
, , , 10.16 (76) , , , , 9.13 (67) , ,
AAMI Stadium
Football Park, known commercially as AAMI Stadium, was an Australian rules football stadium located in West Lakes, a western suburb of Adelaide, the state capital of South Australia, Australia. It was built in 1973 by the South Australian Na ...
, , 37,545 , , Saturday, 30 August,
AFL.com.au, - style="background:#fff;"
, , , 12.9 (81) , , , , 24.15 (159) , ,
Telstra Dome
Docklands Stadium, also currently known by naming rights sponsorship as Marvel Stadium, is a multi-purpose sports and entertainment stadium in the Docklands area of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Construction started in October 1997 and w ...
, , 49,057 , , Saturday, 30 August,
AFL.com.au, - style="background:#fff;"
, , , 17.12 (114) , , , , 6.17 (53) , ,
SCG, , 24,076 , , Saturday, 30 August,
AFL.com.au, - style="background:#fff;"
, , , 6.5 (41) , , , , 18.13 (121) , ,
MCG
The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), also known locally as "The 'G", is an Australian sports stadium located in Yarra Park, Melbourne, Victoria. Founded and managed by the Melbourne Cricket Club, it is the largest stadium in the Southern Hem ...
, , 37,046 , , Sunday, 31 August
AFL.com.au, - style="background:#fff;"
, , , 5.9 (39) , , , , 21.21 (147) , ,
Telstra Dome
Docklands Stadium, also currently known by naming rights sponsorship as Marvel Stadium, is a multi-purpose sports and entertainment stadium in the Docklands area of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Construction started in October 1997 and w ...
, , 46,161 , , Sunday, 31 August
AFL.com.au
Win/loss table
Bold – Home game
Ladder
Ladder progression
Finals series
Week one
Week two
Week three
Week four
Statistics
Leading goalkickers
:
''updated after grand final ''
The
Coleman Medal
The Coleman Medal is an Australian rules football award given annually to the Australian Football League (AFL) player who kicks the most goals in the home-and-away season. It is named after Essendon full-forward John Coleman, one of the most ...
was awarded to
Lance Franklin
Lance Franklin (born 30 January 1987), also known as Buddy Franklin, is a professional Australian rules footballer playing for the Sydney Swans in the Australian Football League (AFL). He previously played for the Hawthorn Football Club from 2 ...
for kicking the most goals at the end of the home and away season.
Disposals
Kicks
Handballs
Marks
Tackles
Hitouts
Awards
* The
2008 Brownlow Medal
The 2008 Brownlow Medal was the 81st year the award was presented to the player adjudged the fairest and best player during the Australian Football League (AFL) home and away season. Adam Cooney of the Western Bulldogs won the medal by polling ...
for the
AFL
AFL may refer to:
Sports
* American Football League (AFL), a name shared by several separate and unrelated professional American football leagues:
** American Football League (1926) (a.k.a. "AFL I"), first rival of the National Football Leagu ...
's fairest and best player was awarded to
Adam Cooney
Adam Cooney (born 30 September 1985) is a former professional Australian rules footballer who played for the Western Bulldogs and Essendon Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL). He won the Brownlow Medal in 2008, with 24 votes b ...
, of the , who polled 24 votes.
* The
Leigh Matthews Trophy as the AFL's most valuable player was awarded to
Gary Ablett, Jr.
Gary Ablett Jr. (born 14 May 1984) is a former professional Australian rules footballer who played for the Geelong Football Club and Gold Coast Suns in the Australian Football League (AFL). The eldest son of Australian Football Hall of Fame mem ...
, of .
* The
Coleman Medal
The Coleman Medal is an Australian rules football award given annually to the Australian Football League (AFL) player who kicks the most goals in the home-and-away season. It is named after Essendon full-forward John Coleman, one of the most ...
was awarded to
Lance Franklin
Lance Franklin (born 30 January 1987), also known as Buddy Franklin, is a professional Australian rules footballer playing for the Sydney Swans in the Australian Football League (AFL). He previously played for the Hawthorn Football Club from 2 ...
of , who kicked 102 goals during the home and away season.
* The
Norm Smith Medal
The Norm Smith Medal is an Australian rules football award presented annually to the player adjudged the best on ground in the Grand Final of the Australian Football League (AFL). Prior to 1990 the competition was known as the Victorian Footbal ...
as the player adjudged best afield in the
AFL Grand Final
The AFL Grand Final is an Australian rules football match to determine the premiers for the Australian Football League (AFL) season. From its inception until 1989, it was known as the VFL Grand Final, as the league at that time was the Victori ...
was awarded to
Luke Hodge
Luke Hodge (born 15 June 1984) is a former Australian rules football player who played with the Hawthorn Football Club and the Brisbane Lions in the Australian Football League (AFL). He played for the Hawthorn Football Club from 2002 to 2017, ...
, of Hawthorn.
* The
McClelland Trophy
The McClelland Trophy is an Australian rules football trophy which has been awarded each year since 1951 by the Australian Football League (known prior to 1990 as the Victorian Football League) to the best-performing club in the home-and-away sea ...
was awarded to for holding top position on the ladder after 22 rounds.
* The
Wooden Spoon was obtained by who finished the season in last place on the ladder after 22 rounds.
*
Chris Judd from was named the captain of the
2008 All-Australian Team
The 2008 All-Australian team represents the best performed Australian Football League (AFL) players during the 2008 season. The selection panel provided the 40 leading players of the year in their playing positions at the conclusion of the home a ...
, with seven Geelong players named and nine players made their All-Australian debuts.
* The
AFL Mark of the Year
The annual Australian Football League Mark of the Year competition (currently also known as the Four'N Twenty AFL Mark of the Year) is a sporting award that celebrates each season's best mark. A mark is the action of a player cleanly catchin ...
and
Alex Jesaulenko
Oleksandr "Alex" Jesaulenko ( ; uk, Олександр Васильович Єсауленко, Oleksandr Vasiliovych Yesaulenko, ; born 2 August 1945) is a former Australian rules footballer and who played for the Carlton Football Club and ...
Medal was awarded to
Matthew Lloyd
Matthew James Lloyd (born 16 April 1978) is a former professional Australian rules footballer, who played for the Essendon Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL).
A highly decorated full-forward, Lloyd's AFL's honours include ...
of for a spectacular high mark against in round 19.
* The
AFL Goal of the Year and
Phil Manassa
Phil Manassa (born 29 January 1956) is a former Australian rules footballer who played with the Collingwood Magpies in the VFL.
He is famous for a goal on the run from the half back flank, which he kicked in the 1977 Grand Final replay. The P ...
Medal was awarded to
Leon Davis of for his chase, tackle and goal against in round 22.
* The
AFL Army Award
From 2007 until 2009 the Australian Football League produced the AFL Army Award to recognise players who produced significant acts of bravery or selflessness to promote the cause of their team during a game. Examples of such bravery that are not ...
was awarded to
Brett Deledio for the footballer who displays the most courageous and/or team related act of the season, for running with the flight of the ball to attempt a mark in the final minutes of 's round 7 loss to .
Coleman Medal
*Numbers highlighted in blue indicates the player led the count in that round.
Rising Star Nominees
The
AFL Rising Star award
The AFL Rising Star is an Australian rules football award presented annually to the player adjudged the best young player in the Australian Football League (AFL) for the year. It was first presented in the 1993 season, and was won by Nathan Buc ...
for 2008 was awarded to
Rhys Palmer
Rhys Palmer (born 13 February 1989) is a former professional Australian rules footballer who played for the Fremantle Football Club, Greater Western Sydney Giants and Carlton Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL). He won the A ...
from .
Club Best and Fairests
Notable events
* This was the first season in which Carlton and Richmond faced off in what is now the traditional first clash of the season.
* This was the first season since 1998 in which NMFC competed as "North Melbourne" instead of "Kangaroos", following the end of their decade-long experiment with home-away-from-home venues in Sydney, Canberra and the Gold Coast.
* The came back from a 37-point deficit against at quarter time to win the game by 38 points, a 75-point turnaround, in round 3.
* The produced its biggest ever comeback in round 4 against when they were down by 47 points late in the third quarter to win by 20 points, a 67-point turnaround.
* forward
Barry Hall
Barry Hall (born 8 February 1977) is a former professional Australian rules footballer who played for the St Kilda Football Club, Sydney Swans and Western Bulldogs in the Australian Football League (AFL). He is considered to be one of the be ...
was suspended for seven weeks, then the equal-longest suspension handed out since the tribunal was reconfigured to a points-based system in 2005, for striking defender
Brent Staker
Brent Allen Staker (born 23 May 1984) is a former professional Australian rules footballer who played for the West Coast Eagles and in the Australian Football League (AFL).
Early life
Staker grew up in Broken Hill in remote country New South ...
with a clean punch to the head. Later in the season, 's
Dean Solomon
Dean Solomon (born 9 January 1980) is a former professional Australian rules footballer who played for the Essendon Football Club and the Fremantle Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL). Solomon served as caretaker senior coach ...
beat that record, being suspended for eight weeks after hitting 's
Cameron Ling in the cheekbone with an elbow.
* won its first game for the season in round 7 against by six points, after recovering from a 50-point half-time deficit, the second-largest half-time deficit ever overcome in
VFL/AFL
The Victorian Football League (VFL) is an Australian rules football league in Australia serving as one of the second-tier regional semi-professional competitions which sit underneath the fully professional Australian Football League (AFL). It ...
history. This was the second in a
VFL/AFL
The Victorian Football League (VFL) is an Australian rules football league in Australia serving as one of the second-tier regional semi-professional competitions which sit underneath the fully professional Australian Football League (AFL). It ...
-record string of five consecutive games which Fremantle lost after holding a three-quarter time lead.
* suffered its worst ever loss at
Subiaco Oval
Subiaco Oval (; nicknamed Subi) was a sports stadium in Perth, Western Australia, located in the suburb of Subiaco. It was opened in 1908 and closed in 2017 after the completion of the new Perth Stadium in Burswood.
Subiaco Oval was the high ...
, and worst loss anywhere since 1989, in round 13, losing to by 135 points.
* In round 13, Dustin Fletcher (in his 288th game) and his father, Ken (264 games), claimed the record of most VFL/AFL games played by a father-son combination (552 games).
* In round 16, Richmond player Joel Bowden deliberately conceded two behinds directly from the kick-in, to waste time while protecting his team's four-point lead over Essendon. This was a major motivation for the introduction of a rule from 2009 that allows the umpire to give award free kick for a deliberate rushed behind.
* With its final-round victory, matched 's 2000 record of 21 wins in a home-and-away season. Ironically, also set the record for the highest average losing margin in a VFL/AFL season, with its only loss coming by 86 points against .
* In the round 22 match between and , Hawthorn forward
Lance Franklin
Lance Franklin (born 30 January 1987), also known as Buddy Franklin, is a professional Australian rules footballer playing for the Sydney Swans in the Australian Football League (AFL). He previously played for the Hawthorn Football Club from 2 ...
became the first player since
Tony Lockett in
1998
1998 was designated as the ''International Year of the Ocean''.
Events January
* January 6 – The ''Lunar Prospector'' spacecraft is launched into orbit around the Moon, and later finds evidence for frozen water, in soil in permanently s ...
to kick 100 goals in the home-and-away Season. Franklin became the 28th player in VFL/AFL history to reach this milestone, and the first indigenous player to do so.
* In the same game,
Brendan Fevola
Brendan Fevola (born 20 January 1981) is a former professional Australian rules footballer. He played with the Carlton and Brisbane Lions football clubs in the Australian Football League (AFL).
Fevola is regarded as one of the most effectiv ...
scored seven second-half goals to fall one goal short of the same milestone, becoming the first person in VFL/AFL history to finish on 99 goals for a season.
* The final game of the home and away season saw the 8th-placed requiring a win of 90+ points over to claim 4th place going into the finals. recorded a then-record winning margin over Essendon of 108 points which saw the Saints replace in 4th place for the finals series.
* On Monday 1 September,
Leigh Matthews
Leigh Raymond Matthews (born 1 March 1952) is a former Australian rules footballer and coach. He played for Hawthorn in the Victorian Football League (VFL) and coached and the .
Squat, short-legged and barrel-chested, Matthews earned the i ...
announced his resignation from his senior coaching position at the .
Michael Voss
Michael Voss (born 7 July 1975) is a former professional Australian rules football player with the Brisbane Bears/Lions and current senior coach of the Carlton Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL).
Voss was a triple premiersh ...
took up this position despite committing to for 2009.
* The second elimination final between and was, at the time, the lowest crowd number for a final outside Victoria with only 19,127 despite being at ANZ Stadium where Sydney had averaged 50,000 for finals.
* The Grand Final between and drew a crowd of 100,012, the first crowd over 100,000 people since the
1986 Grand Final.
* By losing the Grand Final after finishing with a home-and-away record of 21–1, broke the record set in
1935
Events
January
* January 7 – Italian premier Benito Mussolini and French Foreign Minister Pierre Laval conclude an agreement, in which each power agrees not to oppose the other's colonial claims.
* January 12 – Amelia Earhart ...
and
1936
Events
January–February
* January 20 – George V of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions and Emperor of India, dies at his Sandringham Estate. The Prince of Wales succeeds to the throne of the United Kingdom as King E ...
by (16–2) for best record by a non-premier, and the record for most wins by a non-premier held jointly by (
1973
Events January
* January 1 - The United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland and Denmark 1973 enlargement of the European Communities, enter the European Economic Community, which later becomes the European Union.
* January 15 – Vietnam War: ...
) and (
1991
File:1991 Events Collage.png, From left, clockwise: Boris Yeltsin, elected as Russia's first president, waves the new flag of Russia after the 1991 Soviet coup d'état attempt, orchestrated by Soviet hardliners; Mount Pinatubo erupts in the Phi ...
) (both 19 wins).
* played in a controversial draw against at
Telstra Dome
Docklands Stadium, also currently known by naming rights sponsorship as Marvel Stadium, is a multi-purpose sports and entertainment stadium in the Docklands area of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Construction started in October 1997 and w ...
in round 6; it was later revealed that Sydney had nineteen men on the field for a brief period of play before, during and after the behind that tied the scores was scored. As a direct consequence of this, the league amended the interchange laws in round 9, appointing interchange stewards to police the players and to signal to the field umpires if an infringement has occurred. Any infringement now results in a free kick being awarded.
Club leadership
Umpires
The AFL introduced an additional two
boundary umpires in round 21 in order to reduce the error rate and enable the umpires to keep up with the play.
Brett Rosebury
Brett Rosebury (born 19 March 1980) is an Australian rules football field umpire in the Australian Football League (AFL). He has umpired 418 career games in the AFL since his debut in Round 13, 2000, as of the end of the 2017 season. He umpi ...
was appointed the
2008 All-Australian umpire, the first West Australian umpire to receive that honour. Controversially, however, he was not appointed to umpire the
AFL Grand Final
The AFL Grand Final is an Australian rules football match to determine the premiers for the Australian Football League (AFL) season. From its inception until 1989, it was known as the VFL Grand Final, as the league at that time was the Victori ...
, with
Scott McLaren
Scott McLaren (born 11 April 1968) is a former Australian rules football field umpire in the Australian Football League (AFL). He umpired 328 career games in the AFL.
McLaren was awarded the All-Australian Umpire award in 2001, as well as hi ...
,
Michael Vozzo
Michael 'Billy' Vozzo is a former Australian rules football field umpire in the Australian Football League (AFL). He umpired 281 career games, including the 2006 AFL Grand Final and the 2008 AFL Grand Final
The 2008 AFL Grand Final was an ...
and
Shaun Ryan
Shaun Ryan is an Australian rules football field umpire in the Australian Football League.
Biography
Born in 1975, Ryan was educated at Warrnambool's Christian Brothers' College and Emmanuel College before heading to Geelong's ...
selected ahead of Rosebury.
Scott McLaren
Scott McLaren (born 11 April 1968) is a former Australian rules football field umpire in the Australian Football League (AFL). He umpired 328 career games in the AFL.
McLaren was awarded the All-Australian Umpire award in 2001, as well as hi ...
umpired his 300th game, and
Shane McInerney
Shane McInerney (born 19 October 1970) is a former Australian rules football field umpire in the Australian Football League. Active between 1994 and 2019, McInerney umpired in 500 senior VFL/AFL games, the most of any umpire in the league's hi ...
umpired his 250-game, in round 4. Experienced field umpires
Martin Ellis and
Matthew Head both announced their retirements during the year.
Coach changes
* Surprising some,
Leigh Matthews
Leigh Raymond Matthews (born 1 March 1952) is a former Australian rules footballer and coach. He played for Hawthorn in the Victorian Football League (VFL) and coached and the .
Squat, short-legged and barrel-chested, Matthews earned the i ...
announced his retirement as coach of the two days after their final game of the season in what was replaced as a move to make way for potential coaching candidate,
Michael Voss
Michael Voss (born 7 July 1975) is a former professional Australian rules football player with the Brisbane Bears/Lions and current senior coach of the Carlton Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL).
Voss was a triple premiersh ...
.
* Despite being newly signed for two years as assistant coach of , as expected, former Brisbane Lions captain
Michael Voss
Michael Voss (born 7 July 1975) is a former professional Australian rules football player with the Brisbane Bears/Lions and current senior coach of the Carlton Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL).
Voss was a triple premiersh ...
was appointed as coach of the Brisbane Lions, one day after Leigh Matthews resigned.
[AAP]
Lions hand reins to Voss
Foxsports; 2 September 2008
See also
*
2008 Australian football code crowds
Footnotes
References
2008 Season – AFL Tables2008 AFL season – Finalsiren.com
External links
AFL (Australian Football League)2008 Interactive Fixture in Excel2008 Schedule By Week as a PDF2008 Schedule By Team as a PDFAFL Venue Information
{{DEFAULTSORT:2008 Afl Season
Australian Football League seasons
AFL season