2021 AFL Season

The 2021 AFL season was the 125th season of the Australian Football League (AFL), the highest-level senior men's Australian rules football competition in Australia, which was known as the Victorian Football League until 1989. The season featured eighteen clubs, ran from 18 March until 25 September, and comprised a 22-game home-and-away season followed by a finals series featuring the top eight clubs.

The season was played during the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic, and saw disruptions but to a much lesser extent than the 2020 season. Virus outbreaks resulted in restrictions on crowds and the relocation of forty games outside their originally fixtured states, but the season was played without suspension and with only minor disruptions to the scheduled dates of matches.

The premiership was won by the Melbourne Football Club for the 13th time, after it defeated the by 74 points in the 2021 AFL Grand Final, which was played at Optus Stadium in Perth.

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic

The season was played during the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic, with the country's vaccination roll-outs commencing around the beginning of the season. The country had largely settled into a paradigm of most states maintaining zero COVID-19 cases outside of their international travel quarantine systems; and when this was the case, it allowed matches to be played in front of crowds (albeit with reduced capacity) and unhindered interstate travel was permitted without quarantine. However, the different state governments often responded quickly to small numbers or even single virus cases being discovered in the community; this meant that border restrictions or quarantine periods were often re-imposed at short notice, impacting interstate travel for matches; and, in some cases, that city- or state-wide lockdowns were imposed within the impacted states, precluding football activities altogether. Short 'snap lockdowns', lasting between three and seven days in a given city, became a common response to the first few cases in the community as governments adopted 'Zero-COVID' policies.

The impact of the pandemic to the season's scheduled fixture was mostly limited to venue changes and matches being played behind closed doors; the dates of some fixtured games were adjusted, but none by more than a week from its original date. Unlike the 2020 season, the league sought to avoid putting clubs into long-term interstate hubs, and players were instead promised that only medium-term interstate trips would occur, with a maximum duration of three weeks before returning home. This worked across most of the league, but a months-long period of lockdown and border restrictions in Sydney during the latter part of the season meant that and were unable to return home after Round 15, the latter spending more than ten weeks interstate in more than six different locations between then and its season ending; families and partners were able to join the players interstate after six weeks. The completion of the season was assisted by special "sterile corridor" arrangements made with several state governments, allowing clubs to fly in and out of those states from some hot zones without quarantine if the travelling party was subjected to isolation and testing requirements in their home states in the week leading up to the match. In the end, the biggest impact to the fixtured season was that the pre-finals bye week, which had been conventional since 2016, was dropped at less than two weeks' notice, and the first week of finals was brought forward, as a contingency to allow the league to respond to any unforeseen changes to border or societal restrictions during finals; at the time of the announcement, the grand final remained scheduled for its original date of Saturday 25 September, and the bye week was ultimately scheduled in the week between the preliminary finals and the grand final.

The league saw relatively few impacts through the first half of the season, with only occasional games relocated; but, as more virus cases and outbreaks occurred through winter, the second half of the season was more heavily affected with relocated games. In particular:
*Rounds 11 to 14: an outbreak in Victoria resulted in lockdown and border restrictions on Victorian clubs, precluding free entry to any state except New South Wales. Many clubs shifted games to Sydney and remained there between rounds during that period.
*Rounds 15 and 16: nationwide outbreaks in all states except Tasmania at one stage locked down all capital cities in those states, and precluded most free interstate travel in the country. All non-Victorian clubs relocated their training bases and most matches to Victoria, with only select matches able to be played interstate.
*Round 15 until the end of the season: a long period of restrictions in Sydney saw both clubs based outside New South Wales long term.
*No finals were held in Victoria. The Victorian venues were available despite a smaller outbreak in the state, having hosted home-and-away matches behind closed doors right up to the end of the season while 'sterile corridor' arrangements were in place to enable interstate travel. However, the league preferred to schedule finals which could be attended in a neutral state rather than behind closed doors in a home state.

While most matches in the season saw some level of attendance restrictions, there was a steady return to larger crowds compared to the restrictions imposed in 2020. The openness of Australia's society compared with others around the world in the first half of the season meant that the AFL was on the leading edge of a return to typical sports attendances; and at the time it was played, the attendance of 78,113 for the match between and on Anzac Day was a world record highest attendance for a sporting event since the beginning of the pandemic. This was reversed in the second half of the season, with a return to matches being played with no spectators in many states.

Rule changes

The following rule changes were made in the 2021 season:
* The maximum number of interchanges allowed was reduced from 90 to 75 per team. Like previous steps taken to reduce interchange numbers, this was designed to alleviate congested play by giving teams less fatigue management.
* The interchange bench was increased from four to five, with the fifth designated a medical substitute allowed to take the field only to replace a player deemed medically unfit to continue. Except with permission from the AFL Medical Officer, a player thus substituted off would be ineligible to play again until at least twelve days later. To be granted permission to play the injury must not be concussion, which has its own mandatory 12 day rule.
* The distance between man on the mark and the kick-off line at a kick-in was increased from 10m to 15m.
* The duration of each quarter of play was returned to 20 minutes plus time-on, as it had been since 1994. Quarters had been played at a reduced 16 minutes plus time-on in 2020, specifically as a fatigue and injury management strategy to cope with pandemic-related interruptions to the season.

Additionally, umpires were directed to use a more stringent interpretation of existing rules related to the man on the mark: the man on the mark had previously been given freedom to move laterally or make a run towards the mark, provided they did not step over the mark; but now, the player would be directed to 'stand' upon taking up the mark position, and would concede a 50-metre penalty if he left that position; he could also choose not to take up the mark, leaving him free to move provided he remained at least five metres behind the mark. This new interpretation made it more difficult for the man on the mark to influence a subsequent sequence of quick-running play, opening up freer ball movement.

Pre-season

The 2021 AAMI Community Series was played before the home and away season. The competition did not have a grand final or overall winner. All matches were televised live on Fox Footy as well as on the Kayo Sports app.

The series was originally set to feature 18 matches across three weekends, with each team playing twice. However in light of changing domestic border restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the series was reduced to one weekend in March 2021. Victorian clubs played each other, while non-Victorian clubs were originally scheduled to play opponents from neighbouring states. Clubs were free to schedule practice matches with other clubs from their own state beforehand with AFL approval. The schedule was revised for a third time on February 25, 2021. All teams played pre-season games within their home states, to minimise travel before the season began.

Home-and-away season

A full 23-round fixture for the 2021 season was released in December 2020; but dates, times and broadcasters were initially revealed only for the first six rounds, with the league intending to release the remaining dates in four-to-six weeks blocks with at least a month's notice during the season.

Through the below tables, there were many matches played before no crowd or a heavily restricted attendance, all of which were caused by the local COVID-19 conditions at the time of the match. Where the venue for the match was altered due to COVID-19 restrictions, the original venue is noted; in cases where the competing teams had a return match later in the season, the clubs sometimes swapped home games.

Round 1

Round 2

Round 3

Round 4

Round 5

Round 6

Round 7

Round 8

Round 9

Round 10

Round 11

Round 12

Round 13

Round 14

Round 15

Round 16

Round 17

Report

Round 18

Round 19

Round 20

Round 21

Report

Round 22

Round 23

Season notes

* won its first nine games of the season, its best unbeaten start to a season since 1956.
* 'won' the wooden spoon, their 14th total and their first since 1972. They were only the 8th team in VFL/AFL history to finish last on the ladder after every round of the home-and-away season (and the first since 2008).
* won the minor premiership for the first time since 1964. Melbourne also won the McClelland Trophy for the first time since 1990 for finishing first.
* missed the AFL finals for the first time since 2014.

Win/loss table

Bold – Home game

X – Bye

Opponent for round listed above margin

Ladder

Ladder progression

*Numbers highlighted in green indicates the team finished the round inside the top 8.
*Numbers highlighted in blue indicates the team finished in first place 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 indicates the team did not play during that round, either due to a bye or a postponed game.
*Subscript numbers indicate ladder position at round's end.

{{#invoke:Sports rbr table, table
, title=Points by round
, sortable = y
, color_F=#cfc , color_B=#9cf , color_R=#fcc
, source=AFL Tables{{cite web, title=2021 Season Scores and Results, url=http://afltables.com/afl/seas/2021.html, publisher=AFL Tables, access-date=10 April 2022

, team15 = {{AFL Ade
, resc15 = F / / F / F / F / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
, res15 = {{sort, 07, 4₇ / {{sort, 12, 4₁₂ / {{sort, 08, 8₈ / {{sort, 05, 12₅ / {{sort, 07, 12₇ / {{sort, 09, 12₉ / {{sort, 13, 12₁₃ / {{sort, 14, 12₁₄ / {{sort, 15, 12₁₅ / {{sort, 13, 16₁₃ / {{sort, 15, 16₁₅ / {{sort, 15, 16₁₅ / {{sort, 12, 20₁₂ / {{sort, 12, 20₁₂ / {{sort, 14, 20₁₄ / {{sort, 15, 20₁₅ / {{sort, 16, 20₁₆ / {{sort, 16, 20₁₆ / {{sort, 15, 24₁₅ / {{sort, 16, 24₁₆ / {{sort, 17, 24₁₇ / {{sort, 17, 24₁₇ / {{sort, 15, 28₁₅

, team4 = {{AFL BL
, resc4 = / / / / / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F
, res4 = {{sort, 15, 0₁₅ / {{sort, 14, 0₁₄ / {{sort, 13, 4₁₃ / {{sort, 16, 4₁₆ / {{sort, 10, 8₁₀ / {{sort, 8, 12₈ / {{sort, 07, 16₇ / {{sort, 05, 20₅ / {{sort, 04, 24₄ / {{sort, 04, 28₄ / {{sort, 03, 32₃ / {{sort, 04, 32₄ / {{sort, 04, 32₄ / {{sort, 04, 36₄ / {{sort, 03, 40₃ / {{sort, 03, 44₃ / {{sort, 04, 44₄ / {{sort, 05, 44₄ / {{sort, 05, 48₅ / {{sort, 06, 48₆ / {{sort, 05, 52₅ / {{sort, 05, 56₅ / {{sort, 04, 60₄

, team13 = {{AFL Car
, resc13 = / / / F / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
, res13 = {{sort, 14, 0₁₄ / {{sort, 15, 0₁₅ / {{sort, 12, 4₁₂ / {{sort, 07, 8₇ / {{sort, 11, 8₁₁ / {{sort, 13, 8₁₃ / {{sort, 12, 12₁₂ / {{sort, 13, 12₁₃ / {{sort, 13, 12₁₃ / {{sort, 12, 16₁₂ / {{sort, 13, 16₁₃ / {{sort, 14, 16₁₄/ {{sort, 14, 16₁₄ / {{sort, 14, 16₁₄ / {{sort, 13, 20₁₃ / {{sort, 13, 24₁₃ / {{sort, 13, 24₁₃ / {{sort, 13, 28₁₃ / {{sort, 13, 28₁₃ / {{sort, 12, 32₁₂ / {{sort, 13, 32₁₃ / {{sort, 13, 32₁₃ / {{sort, 13, 32₁₃

, team17 = {{AFL Col
, resc17 = / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
, res17 = {{sort, 13, 0₁₃ / {{sort, 09, 4₉ / {{sort, 11, 4₁₁ / {{sort, 14, 4₁₄ / {{sort, 16, 4₁₆ / {{sort, 17, 4₁₇ / {{sort, 17, 4₁₇ / {{sort, 16, 8₁₆ / {{sort, 16, 8₁₆ / {{sort, 16, 8₁₆ / {{sort, 16, 8₁₆ / {{sort, 16, 12₁₆ / {{sort, 16, 16₁₆ / {{sort, 15, 16₁₅ / {{sort, 15, 16₁₅ / {{sort, 16, 16₁₆ / {{sort, 15, 20₁₅ / {{sort, 15, 20₁₅ / {{sort, 16, 20₁₆ / {{sort, 14, 24₁₄ / {{sort, 16, 24₁₆ / {{sort, 16, 24₁₆ / {{sort, 17, 24₁₇

, team8 = {{AFL Ess
, resc8 = / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / F / / / / F / F
, res8 = {{sort, 10, 0₁₀ / {{sort, 17, 0₁₇ / {{sort, 10, 4₁₀ / {{sort, 12, 4₁₂ / {{sort, 14, 4₁₄ / {{sort, 12, 8₁₂ / {{sort, 15, 8₁₅ / {{sort, 15, 8₁₅ / {{sort, 12, 12₁₂ / {{sort, 11, 16₁₁ / {{sort, 09, 20₉ / {{sort, 09, 20₉ / {{sort, 11, 20₁₁ / {{sort, 10, 24₁₀ / {{sort, 11, 24₁₁ / {{sort, 12, 24₁₂ / {{sort, 11, 28₁₁ / {{sort, 08, 32₈ / {{sort, 09, 32₉ / {{sort, 10, 32₁₀ / {{sort, 09, 36₉ / {{sort, 08, 40₈ / {{sort, 08, 44₈

, team11 = {{AFL Fre
, resc11 = / F / / / / F / / / / / / / / / / / F / / / F / / /
, res11 = {{sort, 16, 0₁₆ / {{sort, 08, 4₈ / {{sort, 15, 4₁₅ / {{sort, 09, 8₉ / {{sort, 09, 12₉ / {{sort, 06, 16₆ / {{sort, 09, 16₉ / {{sort, 10, 16₁₀ / {{sort, 10, 16₁₀ / {{sort, 10, 20₁₀ / {{sort, 11, 20₁₁ / {{sort, 11, 20₁₁ / {{sort, 09, 24₉ / {{sort, 11, 24₁₁ / {{sort, 09, 28₉ / {{sort, 10, 28₁₀ / {{sort, 07, 32₇ / {{sort, 10, 32₁₀ / {{sort, 11, 32₁₁ / {{sort, 08, 36₈ / {{sort, 12, 36₁₂ / {{sort, 10, 40₁₀ / {{sort, 11, 40₁₁

, team3 = {{AFL Gee
, resc3 = / / F / / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F
, res3 = {{sort, 12, 0₁₂ / {{sort, 11, 4₁₁ / {{sort, 07, 8₇ / {{sort, 10, 8₁₀ / {{sort, 08, 12₈ / {{sort, 04, 16₄ / {{sort, 05, 16₅ / {{sort, 04, 20₄ / {{sort, 03, 24₃ / {{sort, 03, 28₃ / {{sort, 04, 32₄ / {{sort, 03, 32₃ / {{sort, 03, 36₃ / {{sort, 03, 40₃ / {{sort, 05, 40₅ / {{sort, 05, 44₅ / {{sort, 03, 48₃ / {{sort, 03, 52₃ / {{sort, 02, 56₂ / {{sort, 02, 60₂ / {{sort, 03, 60₃ / {{sort, 02, 64₂ / {{sort, 03, 64₃

, team16 = {{AFL GC
, resc16 = / F / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
, res16 = {{sort, 17, 0₁₇ / {{sort, 06, 4₆ / {{sort, 09, 4₉ / {{sort, 13, 4₁₃ / {{sort, 15, 4₁₅ / {{sort, 11, 8₁₁ / {{sort, 10, 12₁₀ / {{sort, 12, 12₁₂ / {{sort, 14, 12₁₄ / {{sort, 15, 12₁₅ / {{sort, 14, 16₁₄ / {{sort, 13, 16₁₃ / {{sort, 15, 16₁₅ / {{sort, 16, 16₁₆ / {{sort, 16, 16₁₆ / {{sort, 14, 20₁₄ / {{sort, 14, 24₁₄ / {{sort, 14, 24₁₄ / {{sort, 14, 24₁₄ / {{sort, 15, 24₁₅ / {{sort, 14, 28₁₄ / {{sort, 15, 28₁₅ / {{sort, 16, 28₁₆

, team7 = {{AFL GWS
, resc7 = / / / / / / / / / F / / / / / / F / / / F / / F / F / F
, res7 = {{sort, 11, 0₁₁ / {{sort, 16, 0₁₆ / {{sort, 17, 0₁₇ / {{sort, 15, 4₁₅ / {{sort, 12, 8₁₂ / {{sort, 14, 8₁₄ / {{sort, 11, 12₁₁ / {{sort, 09, 16₉ / {{sort, 09, 16₉ / {{sort, 08, 20₈ / {{sort, 10, 20₁₀ / {{sort, 10, 20₁₀ / {{sort, 10, 22₁₀ / {{sort, 09, 26₉ / {{sort, 10, 26₁₀ / {{sort, 08, 30₈ / {{sort, 10, 30₁₀ / {{sort, 12, 30₁₂ / {{sort, 08, 34₈ / {{sort, 09, 34₉ / {{sort, 08, 38₈ / {{sort, 07, 42₇ / {{sort, 07, 46₇

, team14 = {{AFL Haw
, resc14 = / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
, res14 = {{sort, 09, 4₉ / {{sort, 13, 4₁₃ / {{sort, 14, 4₁₄ / {{sort, 17, 4₁₇ / {{sort, 17, 4₁₇ / {{sort, 15, 8₁₅ / {{sort, 16, 8₁₆ / {{sort, 17, 8₁₇ / {{sort, 17, 8₁₇ / {{sort, 17, 8₁₇ / {{sort, 17, 8₁₇ / {{sort, 17, 8₁₇/ {{sort, 17, 12₁₇ / {{sort, 17, 12₁₇ / {{sort, 17, 16₁₇ / {{sort, 17, 16₁₇ / {{sort, 17, 16₁₇ / {{sort, 17, 18₁₇ / {{sort, 17, 18₁₇ / {{sort, 17, 22₁₇ / {{sort, 15, 26₁₅ / {{sort, 14, 30₁₄ / {{sort, 14, 32₁₄

, team1 = {{AFL Mel
, resc1 = F / F / F / F / F / F / B / B / B / F / B / B / B / B / B / F / B / B / F / F / B / B / B
, res1 = {{sort, 03, 4₃ / {{sort, 04, 8₄ / {{sort, 03, 12₃ / {{sort, 02, 16₂ / {{sort, 02, 20₂ / {{sort, 02, 24₂ / {{sort, 01, 28₁ / {{sort, 01, 32₁ / {{sort, 01, 36₁ / {{sort, 02, 36₂ / {{sort, 01, 40₁ / {{sort, 01, 44₁ / {{sort, 01, 44₁ / {{sort, 01, 44₁ / {{sort, 01, 48₁ / {{sort, 02, 48₂ / {{sort, 01, 52₁ / {{sort, 01, 54₁ / {{sort, 03, 54₃ / {{sort, 03, 58₃ / {{sort, 01, 62₁ / {{sort, 01, 66₁ / {{sort, 01, 70₁

, team18 = {{AFL NM
, resc18 = R / R / R / R / R / R / R / R / R / R / R / R / R / R / R / R / R / R / R / R / R / R / R
, res18 = {{sort, 18, 0₁₈ / {{sort, 18, 0₁₈ / {{sort, 18, 0₁₈ / {{sort, 18, 0₁₈ / {{sort, 18, 0₁₈ / {{sort, 18, 0₁₈ / {{sort, 18, 0₁₈ / {{sort, 18, 0₁₈ / {{sort, 18, 4₁₈ / {{sort, 18, 4₁₈ / {{sort, 18, 4₁₈ / {{sort, 18, 4₁₈ / {{sort, 18, 6₁₈ / {{sort, 18, 6₁₈ / {{sort, 18, 10₁₈ / {{sort, 18, 10₁₈ / {{sort, 18, 14₁₈ / {{sort, 18, 14₁₈ / {{sort, 18, 18₁₈ / {{sort, 18, 18₁₈ / {{sort, 18, 18₁₈ / {{sort, 18, 18₁₈ / {{sort, 18, 18₁₈

, team2 = {{AFL PA
, resc2 = B / B / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F
, res2 = {{sort, 01, 4₁ / {{sort, 01, 8₁ / {{sort, 04, 8₄ / {{sort, 04, 12₄ / {{sort, 04, 16₄ / {{sort, 03, 20₃ / {{sort, 03, 20₃ / {{sort, 03, 24₃ / {{sort, 05, 24₅ / {{sort, 05, 28₅ / {{sort, 05, 32₅ / {{sort, 05, 32₅ / {{sort, 05, 32₅ / {{sort, 05, 36₅ / {{sort, 04, 40₄ / {{sort, 04, 44₄ / {{sort, 05, 44₅ / {{sort, 04, 48₄ / {{sort, 04, 52₄ / {{sort, 04, 56₄ / {{sort, 04, 60₄ / {{sort, 03, 64₃ / {{sort, 02, 68₂

, team12 = {{AFL Ric
, resc12 = F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / / F / F / F / F / F / / / / / / / /
, res12 = {{sort, 05, 4₅ / {{sort, 02, 8₂ / {{sort, 06, 8₆ / {{sort, 08, 8₈ / {{sort, 05, 12₅ / {{sort, 07, 12₇ / {{sort, 06, 16₆ / {{sort, 08, 16₈ / {{sort, 08, 20₈ / {{sort, 09, 20₉ / {{sort, 08, 24₈ / {{sort, 08, 28₈ / {{sort, 08, 28₈ / {{sort, 08, 28₈ / {{sort, 08, 28₈ / {{sort, 09, 28₉ / {{sort, 12, 28₁₂ / {{sort, 09, 32₉ / {{sort, 10, 32₁₀ / {{sort, 11, 32₁₁ / {{sort, 10, 36₁₀ / {{sort, 11, 36₁₁ / {{sort, 12, 38₁₂

, team10 = {{AFL StK
, resc10 = F / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
, res10 = {{sort, 08, 4₈ / {{sort, 10, 4₁₀ / {{sort, 16, 4₁₆ / {{sort, 11, 8₁₁ / {{sort, 13, 8₁₃ / {{sort, 16, 8₁₆ / {{sort, 14, 12₁₄ / {{sort, 11, 16₁₁ / {{sort, 11, 16₁₁ / {{sort, 14, 16₁₄ / {{sort, 12, 20₁₂ / {{sort, 12, 20₁₂ / {{sort, 13, 20₁₃ / {{sort, 13, 20₁₃ / {{sort, 12, 24₁₂ / {{sort, 11, 28₁₁ / {{sort, 09, 32₉ / {{sort, 11, 32₁₁ / {{sort, 12, 32₁₂ / {{sort, 13, 32₁₃ / {{sort, 11, 36₁₁ / {{sort, 12, 36₁₂ / {{sort, 10, 40₁₀

, team6 = {{AFL Syd
, resc6 = F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F
, res6 = {{sort, 04, 4₄ / {{sort, 03, 8₃ / {{sort, 02, 12₂ / {{sort, 03, 16₃ / {{sort, 03, 16₃ / {{sort, 05, 16₅ / {{sort, 04, 20₄ / {{sort, 06, 20₆ / {{sort, 06, 24₆ / {{sort, 06, 24₆ / {{sort, 06, 28₆ / {{sort, 06, 32₆ / {{sort, 06, 32₆ / {{sort, 06, 32₆ / {{sort, 06, 32₆ / {{sort, 06, 36₆ / {{sort, 06, 40₆ / {{sort, 06, 44₆ / {{sort, 06, 48₆ / {{sort, 05, 52₅ / {{sort, 06, 52₆ / {{sort, 06, 56₆ / {{sort, 06, 60₆

, team9 = {{AFL, WC
, resc9 = F / F / F / F / F / / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / /
, res9 = {{sort, 02, 4₂ / {{sort, 07, 4₇ / {{sort, 05, 8₅ / {{sort, 06, 8₆ / {{sort, 06, 12₆ / {{sort, 010, 12₁₀ / {{sort, 08, 16₈ / {{sort, 07, 20₇ / {{sort, 07, 24₇ / {{sort, 07, 24₇ / {{sort, 07, 24₇ / {{sort, 07, 28₇ / {{sort, 07, 32₇ / {{sort, 07, 32₇ / {{sort, 07, 32₇ / {{sort, 07, 32₇ / {{sort, 08, 32₈ / {{sort, 07, 36₇ / {{sort, 07, 40₇ / {{sort, 07, 40₇ / {{sort, 07, 40₇ / {{sort, 09, 40₉ / {{sort, 09, 40₉

, team5 = {{AFL WB
, resc5 = F / F / B / B / B / B / F / F / F / B / F / F / F / F / F / B / F / F / B / B / F / F / F
, res5 = {{sort, 06, 4₆ / {{sort, 05, 8₅ / {{sort, 01, 12₁ / {{sort, 01, 16₁ / {{sort, 01, 20₁ / {{sort, 01, 24₁ / {{sort, 02, 24₂ / {{sort, 02, 28₂ / {{sort, 02, 32₂ / {{sort, 01, 36₁ / {{sort, 02, 36₂ / {{sort, 02, 40₂ / {{sort, 02, 40₂ / {{sort, 02, 40₂ / {{sort, 02, 44₂ / {{sort, 01, 48₁ / {{sort, 02, 48₂ / {{sort, 02, 52₂ / {{sort, 01, 56₁ / {{sort, 01, 60₁ / {{sort, 02, 60₂ / {{sort, 04, 60₄ / {{sort, 05, 60₅

Positions of teams round by round

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, y1=3, 4, 3, 2, 2, 2, 1, 1, 1, 2, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 1, 1, 3, 3, 1, 1, 1
, y2Title=Port Adelaide Power
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, y3Title=Geelong Cats
, y3=12, 11, 7, 10, 8, 4, 5, 4, 3, 3, 4, 3, 3, 3, 5, 5, 3, 3, 2, 2, 3, 2, 3
, y4Title=Brisbane Lions
, y4=15, 14, 13, 16, 10, 8, 7, 5, 4, 4, 3, 4, 4, 4, 3, 3, 4, 5, 5, 6, 5, 5, 4
, y5Title=Western Bulldogs
, y5=6, 5, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 1, 2, 2, 1, 1, 2, 4, 5
, y6Title=Sydney Swans
, y6=4, 3, 2, 3, 3, 5, 4, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 5, 6, 6, 6
, y7Title=Greater Western Sydney Giants
, y7=11, 16, 17, 15, 12, 14, 11, 9, 9, 8, 10, 10, 10, 9, 10, 8, 10, 12, 8, 9, 8, 7, 7
, y8Title=Essendon Bombers
, y8=10, 17, 10, 12, 14, 12, 15, 15, 12, 11, 9, 9, 11, 10, 11, 12, 11, 8, 9, 10, 9, 8, 8
, y9Title=West Coast Eagles
, y9=2, 7, 5, 6, 6, 10, 8, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 8, 7, 7, 7, 7, 9, 9
, y10Title=St Kilda Saints
, y10=8, 10, 16, 11, 13, 16, 14, 11, 11, 14, 12, 12, 13, 13, 12, 11, 9, 11, 12, 13, 11, 12, 10
, y11Title=Fremantle Dockers
, y11=16, 8, 15, 9, 9, 6, 9, 10, 10, 10, 11, 11, 9, 11, 9, 10, 7, 10, 11, 8, 12, 10, 11
, y12Title=Richmond Tigers
, y12=5, 2, 6, 8, 5, 7, 6, 8, 8, 9, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 9, 12, 9, 10, 11, 10, 11, 12
, y13Title=Carlton Blues
, y13=14, 15, 12, 7, 11, 13, 12, 13, 13, 12, 13, 14, 14, 14, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 12, 13, 13, 13
, y14Title=Hawthorn Hawks
, y14=9, 13, 14, 17, 17, 15, 16, 17, 17, 17, 17, 17, 17, 17, 17, 17, 17, 17, 17, 17, 15, 14, 14
, y15Title=Adelaide Crows
, y15=7, 12, 8, 5, 7, 9, 13, 14, 15, 13, 15, 15, 12, 12, 14, 15, 16, 16, 15, 16, 17, 17, 15
, y16Title=Gold Coast Suns
, y16=17, 6, 9, 13, 15, 11, 10, 12, 14, 15, 14, 13, 15, 16, 16, 14, 14, 14, 14, 15, 14, 15, 16
, y17Title=Collingwood Magpies
, y17=13, 9, 11, 14, 16, 17, 17, 16, 16, 16, 16, 16, 16, 15, 15, 16, 15, 15, 16, 14, 16, 16, 17
, y18Title=North Melbourne Kangaroos
, y18=18, 18, 18, 18, 18, 18, 18, 18, 18, 18, 18, 18, 18, 18, 18, 18, 18, 18, 18, 18, 18, 18, 18
, colors=#084081, #4eb3d3, #00375e, #d33800, blue, #e31a1c, orange, #a20000, #0072ff, #ff5e5e, #984ea3, #ffff33, #0075c7, #ffde00, #fc4e2a,
#ffe46e, black, #4db5ff

Finals series

{{main, 2021 AFL finals series

{{8TeamBracket-PagePlayoff, RD2-RD3-cross=y
, team-width=200
, score-width=100
, RD1-text1=28 Aug, Adelaide Oval
, RD1-team1={{AFL Mel
, RD1-score1=13.15 (93)
, RD1-team2={{AFL BL
, RD1-score2=9.6 (60)
, RD1-text4=27 Aug, Adelaide Oval
, RD1-team7={{AFL PA
, RD1-score7=12.14 (86)
, RD1-team8={{AFL Gee
, RD1-score8=5.13 (43)

, RD1-text2=29 Aug, University of Tasmania Stadium
, RD1-team3={{AFL WB
, RD1-score3=13.7 (85)
, RD1-team4={{AFL Ess
, RD1-score4=4.12 (36)
, RD1-text3=28 Aug, University of Tasmania Stadium
, RD1-team5={{AFL Syd
, RD1-score5=10.13 (73)
, RD1-team6={{AFL GWS
, RD1-score6=11.8 (74)

, RD2-text1=4 Sep, Gabba
, RD2-team1={{AFL BL
, RD2-score1=11.12 (78)
, RD2-team2={{AFL WB
, RD2-score2=11.13 (79)
, RD2-text2=3 Sep, Optus Stadium
, RD2-team3={{AFL Gee
, RD2-score3=15.13 (103)
, RD2-team4={{AFL GWS
, RD2-score4=10.8 (68)

, RD3-text1=10 Sep, Optus Stadium
, RD3-team1={{AFL Mel
, RD3-score1= 19.11 (125)
, RD3-team2={{AFL Gee
, RD3-score2= 6.6 (42)
, RD3-text2=11 Sep, Adelaide Oval
, RD3-team3={{AFL PA
, RD3-score3= 6.9 (45)
, RD3-team4={{AFL WB
, RD3-score4= 17.14 (116)

, RD4-text1 =25 Sep, Optus Stadium
, RD4-team1 = {{AFL Mel
, RD4-score1 =21.14 (140)
, RD4-team2 = {{AFL WB
, RD4-score2 =10.6 (66)

Week one

{{AFLGameHeader, title=Qualifying finals
{{AFLGame, QF2: Friday, 27 August (7:20 pm), {{AFL PA, 12.14 (86), H, {{AFL Gee, 5.13 (43), Adelaide Oval, 19,71
Report
}
{{AFLGame, QF1: Saturday, 28 August (7:00 pm), {{AFL Mel, 13.15 (93), H, {{AFL BL, 9.6 (60), Adelaide Oval, 13,78
Report
}
{{AFLGameFooter, notes=

{{AFLGameHeader, title=Elimination finals
{{AFLGame, EF2: Saturday, 28 August (3:20 pm), {{AFL Syd, 10.13 (73), A, {{AFL GWS, 11.8 (74), University of Tasmania Stadium, 8,63
Report
}
{{AFLGame, EF1: Sunday, 29 August (3:20 pm), {{AFL WB, 13.7 (85), H, {{AFL Ess, 4.12 (36), University of Tasmania Stadium, 9,76
Report
}
{{AFLGameFooter, notes=
*Tasmania hosted its first AFL finals games with University of Tasmania Stadium in Launceston hosting both elimination finals.

Week two

{{AFLGameHeader, title=Semi-finals
{{AFLGame, SF2: Friday, 3 September (5:50 pm), {{AFL Gee, 15.13 (103), H, {{AFL GWS, 10.8 (68), Optus Stadium, 44,09
Report
}
{{AFLGame, SF1: Saturday, 4 September (7:20 pm), {{AFL BL, 11.12 (78), A, {{ AFL WB, 11.13 (79), Gabba, 30,64
Report
}
{{AFLGameFooter, notes=
* {{AFL Gee's Joel Selwood played his 333rd game, surpassing the club's games record previously held by Corey Enright.

Week three

{{AFLGameHeader, title=Preliminary finals
{{AFLGame, PF1: Friday, 10 September (5:50 pm), {{AFL Mel, 19.11 (125), H, {{AFL Gee, 6.6 (42), Optus Stadium, 58,59
Report
}
{{AFLGame, PF2: Saturday, 11 September (7:10 pm), {{AFL PA, 6.9 (45), A, {{AFL WB, 17.14 (116), Adelaide Oval, 26,40
Report
}
{{AFLGameFooter, notes=
* {{AFL Mel defeated Geelong by 83 points, its greatest winning margin ever against Geelong.

Week four

{{main, 2021 AFL Grand Final
{{AFLGameHeader, title=Grand final
{{AFLGame, Saturday, 25 September (5:15 pm), {{AFL Mel, 21.14 (140), H, {{AFL WB, 10.6 (66), Optus Stadium, 61,11
Report
}
{{AFLGameFooter, notes=*Owing to a COVID-19 lockdown preventing the match from being played with a crowd at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the match was staged at Optus Stadium in Perth. The second year in a row that saw the AFL Grand Final played outside of Melbourne.
*{{AFL Mel won their first premiership in 57 years, ending the longest active premiership drought and the fourth longest in VFL/AFL history.

Club leadership

{, class="wikitable" style="font-size:100%;"
, -
! width=10%, Club
! width=15%, Coach
! width=15%, Captain(s)
! width=20%, Vice-captain(s)
! width=40%, Leadership group
! {{tooltip, Ref., Reference
, -
, {{AFL Ade
, Matthew Nicks
, Rory Sloane
,
, Matt Crouch, Tom Doedee, Tom Lynch, Brodie Smith
,
, -
, {{AFL BL
, Chris Fagan
, Dayne Zorko
, Harris Andrews
, Jarrod Berry, Darcy Gardiner, Ryan Lester, Jarryd Lyons, Lincoln McCarthy, Hugh McCluggage, Lachie Neale, Daniel Rich
,
, -
, {{AFL Car
, David Teague
, Patrick Cripps
Sam Docherty
,
,
,
, -
, {{AFL Col
, Nathan Buckley
{{small, (round 1–13)
Robert Harvey
{{small, (round 15–)
, Scott Pendlebury
, Taylor Adams, Jeremy Howe, Steele Sidebottom
, Brodie Grundy, Darcy Moore, Jordan Roughead
,
, -
, {{AFL Ess
, Ben Rutten
, Dyson Heppell
, Michael Hurley, Andrew McGrath, Zach Merrett
,
,
, -
, {{AFL Fre
, Justin Longmuir
, Nathan Fyfe
,
, Andrew Brayshaw, Reece Conca, David Mundy, Alex Pearce, Michael Walters
,
, -
, {{AFL Gee
, Chris Scott
, Joel Selwood
, Mark Blicavs, Patrick Dangerfield
, Mitch Duncan, Mark O'Connor, Tom Stewart, Zach Tuohy
,
, -
, {{AFL GC
, Stuart Dew
, David Swallow
Jarrod Witts
, Sam Collins, Touk Miller
,
,
, -
, {{AFL GWS
, Leon Cameron
, Stephen Coniglio
, Toby Greene
, Phil Davis, Matt de Boer, Jacob Hopper, Josh Kelly, Lachie Whitfield
,
, -
, {{AFL Haw
, Alastair Clarkson
, Ben McEvoy
, Jaeger O’Meara
, Jack Gunston, Tom Mitchell, Liam Shiels, James Worpel
,
, -
, {{AFL Mel
, Simon Goodwin
, Max Gawn
, Jack Viney
,
,
, -
, {{AFL NM
, David Noble
, Jack Ziebell
, Luke McDonald, Jy Simpkin
, Ben Cunnington, Robbie Tarrant, Kayne Turner
,
, -
, {{AFL, PA
, Ken Hinkley
, Tom Jonas
, Ollie Wines
, Darcy Byrne-Jones, Hamish Hartlett
,
, -
, {{AFL Ric
, Damien Hardwick
, Trent Cotchin
, Jack Riewoldt, Shane Edwards
,
,
, -
, {{AFL StK
, Brett Ratten
, Jarryn Geary
Jack Steele
, Dougal Howard, Tim Membrey
, Jack Billings, Sebastian Ross, Callum Wilkie
,
, -
, {{AFL Syd
, John Longmire
, Josh Kennedy
Luke Parker
Dane Rampe
,
, Harry Cunningham, Lance Franklin, Jake Lloyd, Callum Mills, Tom Papley
,
, -
, {{AFL, WC
, Adam Simpson
, Luke Shuey
, Jeremy McGovern
, Josh Kennedy, Nic Naitanui
,
, -
, {{AFL WB
, Luke Beveridge
, Marcus Bontempelli
, Mitch Wallis
,
,

Awards

Coleman Medal

*Numbers highlighted in blue indicates the player led the Coleman Medal at the end of that round.
*Numbers underlined indicates the player did not play in that round.
{, class="wikitable nowraplinks" style="text-align:center; line-height: 90%; font-size:90%;" width=100%
! width="" ,
!abbr="Position" , Player
!abbr="Round 1" , 1
!abbr="Round 2" , 2
!abbr="Round 3" , 3
!abbr="Round 4" , 4
!abbr="Round 5" , 5
!abbr="Round 6" , 6
!abbr="Round 7" , 7
!8
!9
!10
!11
!12
!13
!14
!15
!16
!17
!18
!19
!20
!21
!22
!23
!abbr="Total", Total
, -
, 1
, Harry McKay
, 2₂ , , 4₆ , , 7₁₃ , , 2₁₅ , , 1₁₆ , , 6₂₂ , , 4₂₆ , , style="background:#99ccff;" , 4₃₀ , , style="background:#99ccff;" , 3₃₃ , , style="background:#99ccff;" , 2₃₅ , , style="background:#99ccff;" , 3₃₈ , , style="background:#99ccff;" , 0₃₈ , , style="background:#99ccff;" , 0₃₈ , , style="background:#99ccff;" , 3₄₁ , , style="background:#99ccff;" , 2₄₃ , , style="background:#99ccff;" , 3₄₆ , , style="background:#99ccff;" , 2₄₈ , , style="background:#99ccff;" , 4₅₂ , , style="background:#99ccff;" , 0₅₂ , , style="background:#99ccff;" , 5₅₇ , , style="background:#99ccff;" , 1₅₈ , , style="background:#99ccff;" , 0₅₈ , , style="background:#99ccff;" , 0₅₈
, 58
, -
, 2
, Tom Hawkins
, 2₂ , , 3₅ , , 2₇ , , 2₉ , , 1₁₀ , , 3₁₃ , , 1₁₄, , 4₁₈ , , 2₂₀ , , 2₂₂ , , 3₂₅ , , 0₂₅ , , 4₂₉ , , 1₃₀ , , 1₃₁ , , 6₃₇ , , 0₃₇ , , 4₄₁ , , 4₄₅ , , 1₄₆ , , 1₄₇ , , 3₅₀ , , 4₅₄
, 54
, -
, 3
, Jack Riewoldt
, 4₄ , , 4₈ , , 1₉ , , 3₁₂, , 5₁₇ , , 2₁₉ , , 1₂₀ , , 1₂₁ , , 1₂₂ , , 3₂₅ , , 5₃₀ , , 2₃₂ , , 2₃₄ , , 0₃₄ , , 0₃₄ , , 1₃₅ , , 1₃₆ , , 6₄₂ , , 2₄₄ , , 1₄₅ , , 2₄₇ , , 1₄₈ , , 3₅₁
, 51
, -
, rowspan="3" , 4
, Taylor Walker
, style="background:#99ccff;" , 5₅ , , style="background:#99ccff;" , 6₁₁ , , style="background:#99ccff;" , 6₁₇ , , style="background:#99ccff;" , 3₂₀ , , style="background:#99ccff;" , 2₂₂ , , style="background:#99ccff;" , 3₂₅ , , style="background:#99ccff;" , 2₂₇ , , 0₂₇ , , 0₂₇ , , 3₃₀ , , 4₃₄ , , 2₃₆ , , 1₃₇ , , 0₃₇ , , 3₄₀ , , 1₄₁ , , 0₄₁ , , 1₄₂ , , 4₄₆ , , 2₄₈ , , 0₄₈ , , 0₄₈ , , 0₄₈
, rowspan="3" , 48
, -
, Josh Bruce
, 1₁ , , 3₄ , , 10₁₄ , , 1₁₅ , , 2₁₇ , , 2₁₉ , , 1₂₀ , , 5₂₅ , , 2₂₇ , , 3₃₀ , , 3₃₃ , , 1₃₄ , , 0₃₄ , , 3₃₇ , , 0₃₇ , , 2₃₉ , , 1₄₀ , , 1₄₁ , , 2₄₃ , , 2₄₅ , , 3₄₈ , , 0₄₈ , , 0₄₈
, -
, Lance Franklin
, 0₀ , , 3₃ , , 0₃ , , 3₆, , 5₁₁ , , 0₁₁ , , 0₁₁ , , 0₁₁ , , 2₁₃ , , 6₁₉ , , 3₂₂ , , 2₂₄ , , 1₂₅ , , 0₂₅ , , 4₂₉ , , 3₃₂ , , 1₃₃ , , 4₃₇ , , 2₃₉ , , 2₄₁ , , 1₄₂ , , 0₄₂ , , 6₄₈
, -
, rowspan="3" , 7
, Bayley Fritsch
, 2₂ , , 1₃ , , 3₆ , , 4₁₀ , , 0₁₀ , , 2₁₂ , , 6₁₈ , , 0₁₈ , , 3₂₁ , , 1₂₂ , , 3₂₅ , , 2₂₇ , , 1₂₈ , , 0₂₈ , , 0₂₈ , , 0₃₁ , , 1₃₂ , , 3₃₅ , , 2₃₇ , , 2₃₉ , , 0₃₉ , , 7₄₆ , , 1₄₇
, rowspan="3" , 47
, -
, Charlie Cameron
, 0₀ , , 2₂ , , 2₄ , , 0₄ , , 1₅ , , 3₈ , , 4₁₂, , 3₁₅ , , 3₁₈ , , 1₁₉ , , 1₂₀ , , 2₂₂ , , 0₂₂ , , 2₂₄ , , 3₂₇ , , 3₃₀ , , 0₃₀ , , 2₃₂ , , 3₃₅ , , 1₃₆ , , 2₃₈ , , 6₄₄ , , 3₄₇
, -
, Ben King
, 3₃ , , 3₆ , , 4₁₀ , , 1₁₁ , , 2₁₃ , , 5₁₈ , , 2₂₀, , 3₂₃ , , 2₂₅ , , 3₂₈ , , 4₃₂ , , 0₃₂ , , 0₃₂ , , 2₃₄ , , 0₃₄ , , 4₃₈ , , 0₃₈ , , 2₄₀ , , 3₄₃ , , 0₄₃ , , 0₄₃ , , 0₄₃ , , 4₄₇
, -
, 10
, Charlie Dixon
, 2₂ , , 4₆ , , 0₆ , , 0₆ , , 2₈ , , 2₁₀ , , 0₁₀ , , 2₁₂ , , 2₁₄ , , 1₁₅ , , 3₁₈ , , 0₁₈ , , 4₂₂ , , 2₂₄ , , 2₂₆ , , 4₃₀ , , 2₃₂ , , 1₃₃ , , 4₃₇ , , 4₄₁ , , 1₄₂ , , 4₄₆ , , 0₄₆
, 46

Player milestones

{, class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:left; font-size:95%; width:100%;"
! colspan="4" , Player milestones
, - style="background:#C1D8FF;"
! Name
! Club
! Milestone
! Round
, -
, {{sortname, Brad, Sheppard
, {{AFL, WC
, 200 AFL games
, Round 4
, -
, {{sortname, Luke, Dahlhaus
, {{AFL Gee
, 200 AFL games
, Round 6
, -
, {{sortname, Nathan, Jones, dab=Australian footballer
, {{AFL Mel
, 300 AFL games
, Round 6
, -
, {{sortname, Dustin, Martin
, {{AFL Ric
, 250 AFL games
, Round 6
, -
, {{sortname, Brandon, Ellis
, {{AFL GC
, 200 AFL games
, Round 8
, -
, {{sortname, Steele, Sidebottom
, {{AFL Col
, 250 AFL games
, Round 8
, -
, {{sortname, Robbie, Gray
, {{AFL, PA
, 250 AFL games
, Round 14
, -
, {{sortname, Shaun, Burgoyne
, {{AFL Haw
, 400 AFL games
, Round 16
, -
, {{sortname, Steven, Motlop
, {{AFL, PA
, 200 AFL games
, Round 17
, -
, {{sortname, Nathan, Fyfe
, {{AFL Fre
, 200 AFL games
, Round 17
, -
, {{sortname, Lachie, Henderson
, {{AFL Gee
, 200 AFL games
, Round 17
, -
, {{sortname, Dayne, Zorko
, {{AFL BL
, 200 AFL games
, Round 17
, -
, {{sortname, Jack, Riewoldt
, {{AFL Ric
, 700 AFL goals{{cite news, url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/carey-s-top-10-where-jack-riewoldt-ranks-among-the-era-s-best-forwards-20210715-p58a2w.html, title=Carey's top 10: where Jack Riewoldt ranks among the era's best forwards, first=Wayne, last=Carey, newspaper=The Age, date=15 July 2021
, Round 17
, -
, {{sortname, Todd, Goldstein
, {{AFL NM
, Most hitouts in VFL/AFL history
, Round 17
, -
, {{sortname, Jack, Riewoldt
, {{AFL Ric
, 300 AFL games
, Round 18
, -
, {{sortname, Brodie, Smith, dab=footballer
, {{AFL Ade
, 200 AFL games
, Round 18
, -
, {{sortname, Nic, Naitanui
, {{AFL, WC
, 200 AFL games
, Round 18
, -
, {{sortname, Lance, Franklin
, {{AFL Syd
, 400 Sydney goals
, Round 18
, -
, {{sortname, Travis, Boak
, {{AFL, PA
, 300 AFL games
, Round 19
, -
, {{sortname, Ed, Curnow
, {{AFL Car
, 200 AFL games
, Round 19
, -
, {{sortname, David, Mundy
, {{AFL Fre
, 350 AFL games
, Round 19
, -
, {{sortname, Shaun, Higgins
, {{AFL Gee
, 250 AFL games
, Round 20
, -
, {{sortname, Shannon, Hurn
, {{AFL, WC
, 300 AFL games
, Round 20
, -
, {{sortname, Cameron, Guthrie
, {{AFL Gee
, 200 AFL games
, Round 21
, -
, {{sortname, Marc, Murphy, dab=footballer
, {{AFL Car
, 300 AFL games
, Round 22
, -
, {{sortname, Mark, Blicavs
, {{AFL Gee
, 200 AFL games
, Round 23
, -
, {{sortname, Eddie, Betts
, {{AFL Car
, 350 AFL games
, Round 23
, -
, {{sortname, Jordan, Roughead
, {{AFL Col
, 200 AFL games
, Round 23
, -
, {{sortname, Tom, Hawkins, dab=footballer, born 1988
, {{AFL Gee
, 300 AFL games
, Qualifying Final
, -
, {{sortname, Jackson, Macrae
, {{AFL WB
, Most disposals in a VFL/AFL season
, Preliminary Final

Best and fairest

{, class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:left; width:45%;"
, - style="background:#C1D8FF;"
! Club
! Award name
! Player
! Times won
, -
, {{AFL Ade
, Malcolm Blight Medal
, Rory Laird
, style="text-align:center", 2
, -
, {{AFL BL
, Merrett–Murray Medal
, Dayne Zorko
, style="text-align:center", 5
, -
, {{AFL Car
, John Nicholls Medal
, Sam Walsh
, style="text-align:center", 1
, -
, {{AFL Col
, Copeland Trophy
, Jack Crisp
, style="text-align:center", 1
, -
, {{AFL Ess
, W. S. Crichton Medal
, Zach Merrett
, style="text-align:center", 3
, -
, {{AFL Fre
, Doig Medal
, Sean Darcy
, style="text-align:center", 1
, -
, {{AFL Gee
, Carji Greeves Medal
, Tom Stewart
, style="text-align:center", 1
, -
, {{AFL GC
, Club Champion
, Touk Miller
, style="text-align:center", 1
, -
, {{AFL GWS
, Kevin Sheedy Medal
, Josh Kelly
, style="text-align:center", 2
, -
, {{AFL Haw
, Peter Crimmins Medal
, Tom Mitchell
, style="text-align:center", 3
, -
, {{AFL Mel
, Keith 'Bluey' Truscott Trophy
, Clayton Oliver
, style="text-align:center", 3
, -
, {{AFL NM
, Syd Barker Medal
, Jy Simpkin
, style="text-align:center", 1
, -
, {{AFL, PA
, John Cahill Medal
, Ollie Wines
, style="text-align:center", 1
, -
, {{AFL Ric
, Jack Dyer Medal
, Dylan Grimes
, style="text-align:center", 1
, -
, {{AFL StK
, Trevor Barker Award
, Jack Steele
, style="text-align:center", 2
, -
, {{AFL Syd
, Bob Skilton Medal
, Luke Parker
, style="text-align:center", 3
, -
, {{AFL WC
, John Worsfold Medal
, Nic Naitanui
, style="text-align:center", 2
, -
, {{AFL WB
, Charles Sutton Medal
, Marcus Bontempelli
, style="text-align:center", 4

Coach changes

{, class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="text-align:left;"
, - style="background:#C1D8FF;"
!scope="col" style="width:12em", Outgoing coach
!scope="col" style="width:12em", Club
!scope="col" style="width:12em", Date
!scope="col" style="width:30em", Notes
!scope="col" style="width:24em", Caretaker coach
!scope="col" style="width:24em", Incoming coach
, -
, {{sortname, Nathan, Buckley
, {{AFL Col
, {{sort, 2021-06-09, 9 June 2021
, Stepped down after round 13 following poor start to the season in his final year of contract.{{cite web, url=https://www.collingwoodfc.com.au/news/954805/buckley-to-step-down-after-478-games-as-player-and-coach, title=Buckley to step down after 478 games as player and coach, publisher=Telstra, website= Collingwood, date=9 June 2021, access-date=29 June 2021
, {{sortname, Robert, Harvey, dab=footballer
, {{sortname, Craig, McRae
, -
, {{sortname, Alastair, Clarkson
, {{AFL Haw
, {{sort, 2021-07-30, 30 July 2021
, Stepping down at the end of the season after succession plan ended earlier than expected.
, N/A
, {{sortname, Sam, Mitchell, dab=footballer
, -
, {{sortname, David, Teague, David Teague (footballer)
, {{AFL Car
, {{sort, 2021-08-26, 26 August 2021
, Sacked following an extensive review of the club's football operations.
, N/A (end of season)
, {{sortname, Michael, Voss{{cite web, url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/teams/carlton-blues/afl-news-2021-michael-voss-carlton-coach-adam-kingsley-interview-process-nigel-lappin-assistant-coach/news-story/2c448e960e80c7e3f8dbcdca29219db3, title=Voss the boss: Lions legend appointed new coach amid Carlton's 'serious reset', publisher=Fox Sports Australia, first=Ben, last=Waterworth, date=26 September 2021, access-date=23 September 2021

References

{{Reflist

{{2021 AFL season
{{Australian Football League

Australian Football League seasons
A