2018 AFL season - Wikipedia 2018 AFL season For the 2018 season of the AFL Women 's competition, see 2018 AFL Women 's season. 2018 AFL premiership season Teams 18 Matches played 27 Attendance 1,108,231 ( 41,046 per match ) Highest attendance 90,151 ( round 1, Richmond vs. Carlton ) ← 2017 2019 → The 2018 Australian Football League season is the 122nd season of the elite Australian rules football competition. There are 18 teams competing in the league, the same as the previous six seasons. The first game was played on Thursday, 22 March, and the season is scheduled to conclude with the 2018 AFL Grand Final on Saturday, 29 September. Contents 1 Pre-season 1.1 AFLX 1.2 JLT Community Series 2 Premiership season 2.1 Round 1 2.2 Round 2 2.3 Round 3 2.4 Round 4 2.5 Round 5 2.6 Round 6 2.7 Round 7 2.8 Round 8 2.9 Round 9 2.10 Round 10 2.11 Round 11 2.12 Round 12 2.13 Round 13 2.14 Round 14 2.15 Round 15 2.16 Round 16 2.17 Round 17 2.18 Round 18 2.19 Round 19 2.20 Round 20 2.21 Round 21 2.22 Round 22 2.23 Round 23 3 Win / loss table 4 Ladder 4.1 Ladder progression 5 Attendances 5.1 By club 5.2 By ground 6 Awards 6.1 Milestones 6.2 Coleman Medal 7 Club leadership 8 References Pre-season AFLX Main article : 2018 AFLX competition On 17 November 2017, the AFL confirmed that the pre-season would feature an AFLX competition. The game is played on a soccer - sized pitch over two ten minute halves. Each team features seven players on the field and three interchange players. Teams were split into three groups of six, with a grand final to be held for each group. The matches were played from 15 -- 17 February 2018. The winners of the competition were Adelaide, Melbourne and Brisbane. JLT Community series Main article : 2018 JLT Community Series The pre-season series of games returns in 2018 JLT Community Series. The number of games will be reduced compared to the previous season, with teams playing two games each. The games are to be stand - alone, with no overall winner of the series. Each team plays two games, many at suburban or regional venues, while all games are televised on Fox Footy. Premiership season Map of the grounds to be used during the 2018 AFL season ( excluding Jiangwan Stadium, Shanghai ) Round 1 Round 1 ( Opening Round ) Thursday, 22 March ( 7 : 25 pm ) Richmond 17.19 ( 121 ) def. Carlton 15.5 ( 95 ) MCG ( crowd : 90,151 ) Report Friday, 23 March ( 7 : 50 pm ) Essendon 14.15 ( 99 ) def. Adelaide 12.15 ( 87 ) Etihad Stadium ( crowd : 43,016 ) Report Saturday, 24 March ( 3 : 35 pm ) St Kilda 16.11 ( 107 ) def. Brisbane Lions 12.10 ( 82 ) Etihad Stadium ( crowd : 23,731 ) Report Saturday, 24 March ( 4 : 05 pm ) Port Adelaide 16.14 ( 110 ) def. Fremantle 9.6 ( 60 ) Adelaide Oval ( crowd : 38,324 ) Report Saturday, 24 March ( 6 : 25 pm ) Gold Coast 7.13 ( 55 ) def. North Melbourne 5.9 ( 39 ) Cazaly 's Stadium ( crowd : 3,722 ) Report Saturday, 24 March ( 7 : 25 pm ) Hawthorn 15.11 ( 101 ) def. Collingwood 9.13 ( 67 ) MCG ( crowd : 58,051 ) Report Sunday, 25 March ( 1 : 10 pm ) Greater Western Sydney 20.13 ( 133 ) def. Western Bulldogs 7.9 ( 51 ) UNSW Canberra Oval ( crowd : 10,454 ) Report Sunday, 25 March ( 3 : 20 pm ) Melbourne 13.16 ( 94 ) def. by Geelong 14.13 ( 97 ) MCG ( crowd : 54,112 ) Report Sunday, 25 March ( 4 : 20 pm ) West Coast 13.8 ( 86 ) def. by Sydney 18.7 ( 115 ) Optus Stadium ( crowd : 53,553 ) Report The West Coast and Sydney game was the first AFL premiership season game held at the newly - constructed Optus Stadium. The crowd of 90,151 for the Richmond vs Carlton game is the highest attendance for a match in round 1 in VFL / AFL history, breaking the previous record of 87,119 set in 1995. The crowd of 3,722 for the Gold Coast vs North Melbourne game, played during torrential rain and away from either team 's normal home ground in Cairns, was the lowest attendance for a home - and - away season match since round 9, 1992. North Melbourne 's score of 5.9 ( 39 ) was the lowest score conceded by Gold Coast in its history. Every goal in the Gold Coast vs North Melbourne game was kicked at the same end of the ground, the first time this had happened since 1977. North Melbourne took only 21 marks during the same game, the lowest amount ever recorded since records were kept in 1999. Tom Mitchell ( Hawthorn ) recorded 54 disposals against Collingwood, the most ever recorded in any game, surpassing the record set by Greg Williams ( Sydney ) in 1989 and matched by Gary Ablett, Jr. ( Gold Coast ) in 2012.. Mitchell 's tally of 34 handballs was also an all time record Round 2 Round 2 ( Easter ) Thursday, 29 March ( 7 : 20 pm ) Adelaide 18.10 ( 118 ) def. Richmond 12.10 ( 82 ) Adelaide Oval ( crowd : 49,743 ) Report Friday, 30 March ( 4 : 20 pm ) North Melbourne 13.17 ( 95 ) def. St Kilda 5.13 ( 43 ) Etihad Stadium ( crowd : 33,966 ) Report Saturday, 31 March ( 1 : 45 pm ) Carlton 9.13 ( 67 ) def. by Gold Coast 15.11 ( 101 ) Etihad Stadium ( crowd : 28,025 ) Report Saturday, 31 March ( 4 : 35 pm ) Collingwood 12.7 ( 79 ) def. by Greater Western Sydney 15.5 ( 95 ) MCG ( crowd : 30,941 ) Report Saturday, 31 March ( 6 : 25 pm ) Brisbane Lions 10.14 ( 74 ) def. by Melbourne 14.16 ( 100 ) Gabba ( crowd : 17,141 ) Report Saturday, 31 March ( 5 : 10 pm ) Fremantle 16.10 ( 106 ) def. Essendon 14.6 ( 90 ) Optus Stadium ( crowd : 49,021 ) Report Sunday, 1 April ( 3 : 20 pm ) Western Bulldogs 9.16 ( 70 ) def. by West Coast 18.13 ( 121 ) Etihad Stadium ( crowd : 22,868 ) Report Sunday, 1 April ( 4 : 40 pm ) Sydney 10.11 ( 71 ) def. by Port Adelaide 14.10 ( 94 ) SCG ( crowd : 34,636 ) Report Monday, 2 April ( 3 : 20 pm ) Geelong 18.9 ( 117 ) def. by Hawthorn 17.16 ( 118 ) MCG ( crowd : 73,189 ) Report Round 3 Round 3 Friday, 6 April ( 7 : 50 pm ) Carlton 11.10 ( 76 ) def. by Collingwood 16.4 ( 100 ) MCG ( crowd : 68,548 ) Report Saturday, 7 April ( 1 : 15 pm ) Port Adelaide 14.13 ( 97 ) def. Brisbane Lions 14.8 ( 92 ) Adelaide Oval ( crowd : 36,363 ) Report Saturday, 7 April ( 2 : 10 pm ) Melbourne 18.15 ( 123 ) def. North Melbourne 13.8 ( 86 ) MCG ( crowd : 35,518 ) Report Saturday, 7 April ( 2 : 35 pm ) Gold Coast 10.8 ( 68 ) def. by Fremantle 13.18 ( 96 ) Optus Stadium ( crowd : 33,388 ) Report Saturday, 7 April ( 7 : 25 pm ) Sydney 16.7 ( 103 ) def. Greater Western Sydney 12.15 ( 87 ) SCG ( crowd : 34,711 ) Report Saturday, 7 April ( 7 : 25 pm ) St Kilda 7.13 ( 55 ) def. by Adelaide 15.14 ( 104 ) Etihad Stadium ( crowd : 19,324 ) Report Sunday, 8 April ( 1 : 10 pm ) Richmond 15.12 ( 102 ) def. Hawthorn 13.11 ( 89 ) MCG ( crowd : 70,701 ) Report Sunday, 8 April ( 3 : 20 pm ) Western Bulldogs 14.20 ( 104 ) def. Essendon 12.11 ( 83 ) Etihad Stadium ( crowd : 40,499 ) Report Sunday, 8 April ( 2 : 40 pm ) West Coast 14.11 ( 95 ) def. Geelong 11.14 ( 80 ) Optus Stadium ( crowd : 54,535 ) Report Due to Metricon Stadium being used for the 2018 Commonwealth Games, the Gold Coast vs. Fremantle game was played at Optus Stadium in Perth, with Gold Coast as the home team. The crowd of 33,388 is the largest Gold Coast home crowd in the club 's history. Melbourne defeated North Melbourne for the first time since round 20, 2006, ending the longest current losing streak between two clubs ( a 17 - game losing streak ). The crowd of 54,535 for West Coast v Geelong is the highest ever for an AFL match in Western Australia. Round 4 Round 4 Friday, 13 April ( 7 : 20 pm ) Adelaide vs. Collingwood Adelaide Oval Saturday, 14 April ( 1 : 45 pm ) Greater Western Sydney vs. Fremantle UNSW Canberra Oval Saturday, 14 April ( 2 : 10 pm ) Richmond vs. Brisbane Lions MCG Saturday, 14 April ( 4 : 35 pm ) Western Bulldogs vs. Sydney Etihad Stadium Saturday, 14 April ( 7 : 25 pm ) North Melbourne vs. Carlton Blundstone Arena Saturday, 14 April ( 6 : 10 pm ) West Coast vs. Gold Coast Optus Stadium Sunday, 15 April ( 1 : 10 pm ) Essendon vs. Port Adelaide Etihad Stadium Sunday, 15 April ( 3 : 20 pm ) Hawthorn vs. Melbourne MCG Sunday, 15 April ( 4 : 40 pm ) Geelong vs. St Kilda GMHBA Stadium Round 5 Round 5 ( Anzac Round ) Friday, 20 April ( 7 : 50 pm ) Sydney vs. Adelaide SCG Saturday, 21 April ( 1 : 45 pm ) St Kilda vs. Greater Western Sydney Etihad Stadium Saturday, 21 April ( 4 : 35 pm ) Carlton vs. West Coast MCG Saturday, 21 April ( 7 : 10 pm ) Port Adelaide vs. Geelong Adelaide Oval Saturday, 21 April ( 6 : 10 pm ) Fremantle vs. Western Bulldogs Optus Stadium Sunday, 22 April ( 3 : 20 pm ) North Melbourne vs. Hawthorn Etihad Stadium Sunday, 22 April ( 4 : 40 pm ) Brisbane Lions vs. Gold Coast Gabba Tuesday, 24 April ( 7 : 25 pm ) Melbourne vs. Richmond MCG Wednesday, 25 April ( 3 : 20 pm ) Collingwood vs. Essendon MCG Round 6 Round 6 Friday, 27 April ( 7 : 50 pm ) Western Bulldogs vs. Carlton Etihad Stadium Saturday, 28 April ( 1 : 45 pm ) Geelong vs. Sydney GMHBA Stadium Saturday, 28 April ( 2 : 10 pm ) North Melbourne vs. Port Adelaide Etihad Stadium Saturday, 28 April ( 4 : 35 pm ) Greater Western Sydney vs. Brisbane Lions Spotless Stadium Saturday, 28 April ( 7 : 25 pm ) Hawthorn vs. St Kilda University of Tasmania Stadium Saturday, 28 April ( 7 : 10 pm ) Adelaide vs. Gold Coast Adelaide Oval Sunday, 29 April ( 1 : 10 pm ) Essendon vs. Melbourne Etihad Stadium Sunday, 29 April ( 3 : 20 pm ) Collingwood vs. Richmond MCG Sunday, 29 April ( 2 : 40 pm ) Fremantle vs. West Coast Optus Stadium Round 7 Round 7 Friday, 4 May ( 7 : 50 pm ) Geelong vs. Greater Western Sydney GMHBA Stadium Saturday, 5 May ( 1 : 45 pm ) Western Bulldogs vs. Gold Coast Mars Stadium Saturday, 5 May ( 2 : 10 pm ) Essendon vs. Hawthorn MCG Saturday, 5 May ( 2 : 35 pm ) West Coast vs. Port Adelaide Optus Stadium Saturday, 5 May ( 7 : 25 pm ) Sydney vs. North Melbourne SCG Saturday, 5 May ( 7 : 10 pm ) Adelaide vs. Carlton Adelaide Oval Sunday, 6 May ( 1 : 10 pm ) Richmond vs. Fremantle MCG Sunday, 6 May ( 3 : 20 pm ) St Kilda vs. Melbourne Etihad Stadium Sunday, 6 May ( 4 : 40 pm ) Brisbane Lions vs. Collingwood Gabba Carlton will play Adelaide in South Australia for the first time since the 2010 AFL season. Round 8 Round 8 Friday, 11 May ( 7 : 50 pm ) Hawthorn vs. Sydney MCG Saturday, 12 May ( 1 : 45 pm ) Greater Western Sydney vs. West Coast Spotless Stadium Saturday, 12 May ( 2 : 10 pm ) Carlton vs. Essendon MCG Saturday, 12 May ( 4 : 35 pm ) Gold Coast vs. Melbourne Gabba Saturday, 12 May ( 4 : 40 pm ) Port Adelaide vs. Adelaide Adelaide Oval Saturday, 12 May ( 7 : 25 pm ) Western Bulldogs vs. Brisbane Lions Etihad Stadium Saturday, 12 May ( 6 : 10 pm ) Fremantle vs. St Kilda Optus Stadium Sunday, 13 May ( 1 : 10 pm ) North Melbourne vs. Richmond Etihad Stadium Sunday, 13 May ( 3 : 20 pm ) Collingwood vs. Geelong MCG Round 9 Round 9 Friday, 18 May ( 7 : 20 pm ) Adelaide vs. Western Bulldogs Adelaide Oval Saturday, 19 May ( 1 : 45 pm ) North Melbourne vs. Greater Western Sydney Blundstone Arena Saturday, 19 May ( 1 : 15 pm ) Gold Coast vs. Port Adelaide Jiangwan Stadium, Shanghai Saturday, 19 May ( 4 : 35 pm ) Essendon vs. Geelong MCG Saturday, 19 May ( 7 : 25 pm ) Sydney vs. Fremantle SCG Saturday, 19 May ( 7 : 25 pm ) St Kilda vs. Collingwood Etihad Stadium Sunday, 20 May ( 1 : 10 pm ) Carlton vs. Melbourne MCG Sunday, 20 May ( 3 : 20 pm ) Brisbane Lions vs. Hawthorn Gabba Sunday, 20 May ( 2 : 40 pm ) West Coast vs. Richmond Optus Stadium Round 10 Round 10 Friday, 25 May ( 7 : 50 pm ) Collingwood vs. Western Bulldogs Etihad Stadium Saturday, 26 May ( 1 : 45 pm ) Richmond vs. St Kilda MCG Saturday, 26 May ( 4 : 35 pm ) Brisbane Lions vs. Sydney Gabba Saturday, 26 May ( 7 : 25 pm ) Geelong vs. Carlton GMHBA Stadium Saturday, 26 May ( 7 : 25 pm ) Greater Western Sydney vs. Essendon Spotless Stadium Sunday, 27 May ( 1 : 10 pm ) Hawthorn vs. West Coast Etihad Stadium Sunday, 27 May ( 2 : 50 pm ) Melbourne vs. Adelaide TIO Traeger Park Sunday, 27 May ( 2 : 40 pm ) Fremantle vs. North Melbourne Optus Stadium Bye : Gold Coast, Port Adelaide Carlton will play Geelong in Geelong for the first time since the 1997 AFL season. Round 11 Round 11 ( Sir Doug Nicholls Round ) Friday, 1 June ( 7 : 50 pm ) Sydney vs. Carlton SCG Saturday, 2 June ( 1 : 45 pm ) Western Bulldogs vs. Melbourne Etihad Stadium Saturday, 2 June ( 2 : 10 pm ) Hawthorn vs. Port Adelaide University of Tasmania Stadium Saturday, 2 June ( 4 : 35 pm ) Gold Coast vs. Geelong Metricon Stadium Saturday, 2 June ( 7 : 25 pm ) Essendon vs. Richmond MCG Saturday, 2 June ( 6 : 10 pm ) West Coast vs. St Kilda Optus Stadium Sunday, 3 June ( 1 : 10 pm ) North Melbourne vs. Brisbane Lions Etihad Stadium Sunday, 3 June ( 3 : 20 pm ) Collingwood vs. Fremantle MCG Sunday, 3 June ( 4 : 10 pm ) Adelaide vs. Greater Western Sydney Adelaide Oval Round 12 Round 12 Friday, 8 June ( 7 : 20 pm ) Port Adelaide vs. Richmond Adelaide Oval Saturday, 9 June ( 1 : 45 pm ) Geelong vs. North Melbourne GMHBA Stadium Saturday, 9 June ( 4 : 35 pm ) Greater Western Sydney vs. Gold Coast Spotless Stadium Saturday, 9 June ( 7 : 25 pm ) St Kilda vs. Sydney Etihad Stadium Sunday, 10 June ( 1 : 10 pm ) Brisbane Lions vs. Essendon Gabba Sunday, 10 June ( 2 : 40 pm ) Fremantle vs. Adelaide Optus Stadium Monday, 11 June ( 3 : 20 pm ) Melbourne vs. Collingwood MCG Bye : Carlton, Hawthorn, West Coast, Western Bulldogs Round 13 Round 13 Thursday, 14 June ( 7 : 20 pm ) Port Adelaide vs. Western Bulldogs Adelaide Oval Friday, 15 June ( 7 : 50 pm ) Sydney vs. West Coast SCG Saturday, 16 June ( 1 : 45 pm ) Carlton vs. Fremantle Etihad Stadium Saturday, 16 June ( 4 : 35 pm ) Gold Coast vs. St Kilda Metricon Stadium Saturday, 16 June ( 7 : 25 pm ) Hawthorn vs. Adelaide MCG Sunday, 17 June ( 3 : 20 pm ) Geelong vs. Richmond MCG Bye : Brisbane Lions, Collingwood, Essendon, Greater Western Sydney, Melbourne, North Melbourne Round 14 Round 14 Thursday, 21 June ( 6 : 10 pm ) West Coast vs. Essendon Optus Stadium Friday, 22 June ( 7 : 20 pm ) Port Adelaide vs. Melbourne Adelaide Oval Saturday, 23 June ( 1 : 45 pm ) Hawthorn vs. Gold Coast University of Tasmania Stadium Saturday, 23 June ( 4 : 35 pm ) Brisbane Lions vs. Greater Western Sydney Gabba Saturday, 23 June ( 7 : 25 pm ) Western Bulldogs vs. North Melbourne Etihad Stadium Sunday, 24 June ( 3 : 20 pm ) Collingwood vs. Carlton MCG Bye : Adelaide, Fremantle, Geelong, Richmond, St Kilda, Sydney Round 15 Round 15 Thursday, 28 June ( 7 : 20 pm ) Richmond vs. Sydney Etihad Stadium Friday, 29 June ( 7 : 50 pm ) Western Bulldogs vs. Geelong Etihad Stadium Saturday, 30 June ( 1 : 45 pm ) Carlton vs. Port Adelaide MCG Saturday, 30 June ( 4 : 05 pm ) Adelaide vs. West Coast Adelaide Oval Saturday, 30 June ( 7 : 25 pm ) Gold Coast vs. Collingwood Metricon Stadium Saturday, 30 June ( 7 : 25 pm ) Greater Western Sydney vs. Hawthorn Spotless Stadium Sunday, 1 July ( 1 : 10 pm ) Melbourne vs. St Kilda MCG Sunday, 1 July ( 3 : 20 pm ) Essendon vs. North Melbourne Etihad Stadium Sunday, 1 July ( 2 : 40 pm ) Fremantle vs. Brisbane Lions Optus Stadium Round 16 Round 16 Thursday, 5 July ( 7 : 20 pm ) Sydney vs. Geelong SCG Friday, 6 July ( 7 : 50 pm ) Richmond vs. Adelaide MCG Saturday, 7 July ( 1 : 45 pm ) Brisbane Lions vs. Carlton Gabba Saturday, 7 July ( 4 : 05 pm ) Port Adelaide vs. St Kilda Adelaide Oval Saturday, 7 July ( 7 : 25 pm ) Western Bulldogs vs. Hawthorn Etihad Stadium Saturday, 7 July ( 7 : 10 pm ) Melbourne vs. Fremantle TIO Stadium Sunday, 8 July ( 1 : 10 pm ) North Melbourne vs. Gold Coast Etihad Stadium Sunday, 8 July ( 3 : 20 pm ) Essendon vs. Collingwood MCG Sunday, 8 July ( 2 : 40 pm ) West Coast vs. Greater Western Sydney Optus Stadium Round 17 Round 17 Thursday, 12 July ( 7 : 20 pm ) Adelaide vs. Geelong Adelaide Oval Friday, 13 July ( 7 : 50 pm ) St Kilda vs. Carlton Etihad Stadium Saturday, 14 July ( 1 : 45 pm ) Hawthorn vs. Brisbane Lions University of Tasmania Stadium Saturday, 14 July ( 4 : 35 pm ) Melbourne vs. Western Bulldogs MCG Saturday, 14 July ( 7 : 25 pm ) Gold Coast vs. Essendon Metricon Stadium Saturday, 14 July ( 7 : 25 pm ) Greater Western Sydney vs. Richmond Spotless Stadium Sunday, 15 July ( 1 : 10 pm ) Collingwood vs. West Coast MCG Sunday, 15 July ( 3 : 20 pm ) North Melbourne vs. Sydney Etihad Stadium Sunday, 15 July ( 2 : 40 pm ) Fremantle vs. Port Adelaide Optus Stadium Round 18 Round 18 Friday, 20 July ( 7 : 50 pm ) St Kilda vs. Richmond Etihad Stadium Saturday, 21 July ( 1 : 45 pm ) Collingwood vs. North Melbourne MCG Saturday, 21 July ( 2 : 10 pm ) Sydney vs. Gold Coast SCG Saturday, 21 July ( 4 : 35 pm ) Essendon vs. Fremantle Etihad Stadium Saturday, 21 July ( 7 : 25 pm ) Brisbane Lions vs. Adelaide Gabba Saturday, 21 July ( 7 : 25 pm ) Geelong vs. Melbourne GMHBA Stadium Sunday, 22 July ( 1 : 10 pm ) Carlton vs. Hawthorn Etihad Stadium Sunday, 22 July ( 3 : 20 pm ) West Coast vs. Western Bulldogs Optus Stadium Sunday, 22 July ( 4 : 10 pm ) Port Adelaide vs. Greater Western Sydney Adelaide Oval Round 19 Round 19 Friday, 27 July ( 7 : 50 pm ) Essendon vs. Sydney Etihad Stadium Saturday, 28 July ( 1 : 45 pm ) Richmond vs. Collingwood MCG Saturday, 28 July ( 2 : 10 pm ) Geelong vs. Brisbane Lions GMHBA Stadium Saturday, 28 July ( 4 : 35 pm ) Greater Western Sydney vs. St Kilda Spotless Stadium Saturday, 28 July ( 7 : 25 pm ) Gold Coast vs. Carlton Metricon Stadium Saturday, 28 July ( 7 : 10 pm ) Adelaide vs. Melbourne Adelaide Oval Sunday, 29 July ( 1 : 10 pm ) North Melbourne vs. West Coast Blundstone Arena Sunday, 29 July ( 3 : 20 pm ) Western Bulldogs vs. Port Adelaide Mars Stadium Sunday, 29 July ( 2 : 40 pm ) Fremantle vs. Hawthorn Optus Stadium Round 20 Round 20 Friday, 3 August ( 7 : 50 pm ) Richmond vs. Geelong MCG Saturday, 4 August ( 1 : 45 pm ) Hawthorn vs. Essendon MCG Saturday, 4 August ( 2 : 10 pm ) Brisbane Lions vs. North Melbourne Gabba Saturday, 4 August ( 4 : 05 pm ) Adelaide vs. Port Adelaide Adelaide Oval Saturday, 4 August ( 7 : 25 pm ) St Kilda vs. Western Bulldogs Etihad Stadium Saturday, 4 August ( 7 : 25 pm ) Sydney vs. Collingwood SCG Sunday, 5 August ( 1 : 10 pm ) Carlton vs. Greater Western Sydney Etihad Stadium Sunday, 5 August ( 3 : 20 pm ) Melbourne vs. Gold Coast MCG Sunday, 5 August ( 2 : 40 pm ) West Coast vs. Fremantle Optus Stadium Round 21 Round 21 Friday, 10 August ( 7 : 50 pm ) Essendon vs. St Kilda Etihad Stadium Saturday, 11 August ( 1 : 45 pm ) Hawthorn vs. Geelong MCG Saturday, 11 August ( 2 : 10 pm ) Gold Coast vs. Richmond Metricon Stadium Saturday, 11 August ( 4 : 05 pm ) Port Adelaide vs. West Coast Adelaide Oval Saturday, 11 August ( 7 : 25 pm ) Collingwood vs. Brisbane Lions Etihad Stadium Saturday, 11 August ( 7 : 25 pm ) Greater Western Sydney vs. Adelaide Manuka Oval Sunday, 12 August ( 1 : 10 pm ) North Melbourne vs. Western Bulldogs Etihad Stadium Sunday, 12 August ( 3 : 20 pm ) Melbourne vs. Sydney MCG Sunday, 12 August ( 2 : 40 pm ) Fremantle vs. Carlton Optus Stadium Round 22 Round 22 Friday, 17 August ( 7 : 50 pm ) Richmond vs. Essendon MCG Saturday, 18 August ( 1 : 45 pm ) Collingwood vs. Port Adelaide MCG Saturday, 18 August ( 2 : 10 pm ) Geelong vs. Fremantle GMHBA Stadium Saturday, 18 August ( 4 : 35 pm ) Greater Western Sydney vs. Sydney Spotless Stadium Saturday, 18 August ( 7 : 25 pm ) Gold Coast vs. Brisbane Lions Metricon Stadium Saturday, 18 August ( 7 : 25 pm ) St Kilda vs. Hawthorn Etihad Stadium Sunday, 19 August ( 1 : 10 pm ) Carlton vs. Western Bulldogs Etihad Stadium Sunday, 19 August ( 1 : 20 pm ) West Coast vs. Melbourne Optus Stadium Sunday, 19 August ( 4 : 10 pm ) Adelaide vs. North Melbourne Adelaide Oval Round 23 Round 23 24 -- 26 August Carlton vs. Adelaide Etihad Stadium 24 -- 26 August Geelong vs. Gold Coast GMHBA Stadium 24 -- 26 August Richmond vs. Western Bulldogs MCG 24 -- 26 August Sydney vs. Hawthorn SCG 24 -- 26 August Brisbane Lions vs. West Coast Gabba 24 -- 26 August St Kilda vs. North Melbourne Etihad Stadium 24 -- 26 August Melbourne vs. Greater Western Sydney MCG 24 -- 26 August Port Adelaide vs. Essendon Adelaide Oval 24 -- 26 August Fremantle vs. Collingwood Optus Stadium Win / loss table Colour Result Green Win Red Loss Blue Draw Bold -- Home game X -- Bye Opponent for round listed above margin This table can be sorted by margin, winners are represented in the first half of each column, and losers are represented in the second half of each column once sorted Team 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 F1 F2 F3 GF Ladder Adelaide ! Ess 12 ! Rich 36 ! StK 49 ! Coll ! Syd ! GC ! Car ! PA ! WB ! Melb ! GWS ! Frem ! Haw X ! WCE ! Rich ! Geel ! BL ! Melb ! PA ! GWS ! NM ! Car Brisbane Lions ! StK 25 ! Melb 26 ! PA 5 ! Rich ! GC ! GWS ! Coll ! WB ! Haw ! Syd ! NM ! Ess X ! GWS ! Frem ! Car ! Haw ! Adel ! Geel ! NM ! Coll ! GC ! WCE Carlton ! Rich 26 ! GC 34 ! Coll 24 ! NM ! WCE ! WB ! Adel ! Ess ! Melb ! Geel ! Syd X ! Frem ! Coll ! PA ! BL ! StK ! Haw ! GC ! GWS ! Frem ! WB ! Adel Collingwood ! Haw 34 ! GWS 16 ! Car 24 ! Adel ! Ess ! Rich ! BL ! Geel ! StK ! WB ! Frem ! Melb X ! Car ! GC ! Ess ! WCE ! NM ! Rich ! Syd ! BL ! PA ! Frem Essendon ! Adel 12 ! Frem 16 ! WB 21 ! PA ! Coll ! Melb ! Haw ! Car ! Geel ! GWS ! Rich ! BL X ! WCE ! NM ! Coll ! GC ! Frem ! Syd ! Haw ! StK ! Rich ! PA Fremantle ! PA 50 ! Ess 16 ! GC 28 ! GWS ! WB ! WCE ! Rich ! StK ! Syd ! NM ! Coll ! Adel ! Car X ! BL ! Melb ! PA ! Ess ! Haw ! WCE ! Car ! Geel ! Coll Geelong ! Melb ! Haw ! WCE 15 ! StK ! PA ! Syd ! GWS ! Coll ! Ess ! Car ! GC ! NM ! Rich X ! WB ! Syd ! Adel ! Melb ! BL ! Rich ! Haw ! Frem ! GC Gold Coast ! NM 16 ! Car 34 ! Frem 28 ! WCE ! BL ! Adel ! WB ! Melb ! PA X ! Geel ! GWS ! StK ! Haw ! Coll ! NM ! Ess ! Syd ! Car ! Melb ! Rich ! BL ! Geel Greater Western Sydney ! WB 82 ! Coll 16 ! Syd 16 ! Frem ! StK ! BL ! Geel ! WCE ! NM ! Ess ! Adel ! GC X ! BL ! Haw ! WCE ! Rich ! PA ! StK ! Car ! Adel ! Syd ! Melb Hawthorn ! Coll 34 ! Geel ! Rich 13 ! Melb ! NM ! StK ! Ess ! Syd ! BL ! WCE ! PA X ! Adel ! GC ! GWS ! WB ! BL ! Car ! Frem ! Ess ! Geel ! StK ! Syd Melbourne ! Geel ! BL 26 ! NM 37 ! Haw ! Rich ! Ess ! StK ! GC ! Car ! Adel ! WB ! Coll X ! PA ! StK ! Frem ! WB ! Geel ! Adel ! GC ! Syd ! WCE ! GWS North Melbourne ! GC 16 ! StK 52 ! Melb 37 ! Car ! Haw ! PA ! Syd ! Rich ! GWS ! Frem ! BL ! Geel X ! WB ! Ess ! GC ! Syd ! Coll ! WCE ! BL ! WB ! Adel ! StK Port Adelaide ! Frem 50 ! Syd 23 ! BL 5 ! Ess ! Geel ! NM ! WCE ! Adel ! GC X ! Haw ! Rich ! WB ! Melb ! Car ! StK ! Frem ! GWS ! WB ! Adel ! WCE ! Coll ! Ess Richmond ! Carl 26 ! Adel 36 ! Haw 13 ! BL ! Melb ! Coll ! Frem ! NM ! WCE ! StK ! Ess ! PA ! Geel X ! Syd ! Adel ! GWS ! StK ! Coll ! Geel ! GC ! Ess ! WB St Kilda ! BL 25 ! NM 52 ! Adel 49 ! Geel ! GWS ! Haw ! Melb ! Frem ! Coll ! Rich ! WCE ! Syd GC X ! Melb ! PA ! Car ! Rich ! GWS ! WB ! Ess ! Haw ! NM Sydney ! WCE 29 ! PA 23 ! GWS 16 ! WB ! Adel ! Geel ! NM ! Haw ! Frem ! BL ! Car ! StK ! WCE X ! Rich ! Geel ! NM ! GC ! Ess Coll ! ! Melb ! GWS ! Haw West Coast ! Syd 29 ! WB 51 ! Geel 15 ! GC ! Car ! Frem ! PA ! GWS ! Rich ! Haw ! StK X ! Syd ! Ess ! Adel ! GWS ! Coll ! WB ! NM ! Frem ! PA ! Melb ! BL Western Bulldogs ! GWS 82 ! WCE 51 ! Ess 21 ! Syd ! Frem ! Car ! GC ! BL ! Adel ! Coll ! Melb X ! PA ! NM ! Geel ! Haw ! Melb ! WCE ! PA ! StK ! NM ! Car ! Rich Team 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 F1 F2 F3 GF Ladder Ladder Pos Team Pld PF PA % Pts Port Adelaide 0 0 301 223 135.0 12 Greater Western Sydney 0 315 233 135.2 8 Adelaide 0 309 236 130.9 8 Melbourne 0 317 257 123.3 8 5 West Coast 0 317 259 122.4 6 Gold Coast 0 224 202 110.9 8 7 Sydney 0 289 267 108.2 8 8 Hawthorn 0 308 286 107.7 8 9 Richmond 0 305 302 101.0 8 10 Fremantle 0 262 268 97.8 8 11 North Melbourne 0 220 221 99.5 12 Geelong 0 288 307 93.8 13 Essendon 0 272 297 91.6 14 Collingwood 0 246 272 90.4 15 St Kilda 0 205 281 73.0 16 Western Bulldogs 0 225 337 66.8 17 Brisbane Lions 0 0 248 304 81.6 0 18 Carlton 0 0 238 322 73.9 0 Updated to match ( es ) played on 8 April 2018. Source : AFL Rules for classification : 1 ) points ; 2 ) percentage ; 3 ) number of points for. 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 had a bye during that round. Subscript numbers indicate ladder position at rounds end. Team 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 Port Adelaide 02 ! 4 02 ! 8 01 ! 12 Greater Western Sydney 01 ! 4 01 ! 8 02 ! 8 Adelaide 11 ! 0 07 ! 4 03 ! 8 Melbourne 10 ! 0 06 ! 4 04 ! 8 5 West Coast 14 ! 0 08 ! 4 05 ! 8 6 Gold Coast 04 ! 4 03 ! 8 06 ! 8 7 Sydney 05 ! 4 09 ! 4 07 ! 8 8 Hawthorn 03 ! 4 04 ! 8 08 ! 8 9 Richmond 07 ! 4 12 ! 4 09 ! 8 10 Fremantle 17 ! 0 14 ! 4 10 ! 8 11 North Melbourne 15 ! 0 05 ! 4 11 ! 4 12 Geelong 09 ! 4 10 ! 4 12 ! 4 13 Essendon 08 ! 4 11 ! 4 13 ! 4 14 Collingwood 16 ! 0 16 ! 0 14 ! 4 15 St Kilda 06 ! 4 13 ! 4 15 ! 4 16 Western Bulldogs 18 ! 0 18 ! 0 16 ! 4 17 Brisbane Lions 13 ! 0 15 ! 0 17 ! 0 18 Carlton 12 ! 0 17 ! 0 18 ! 0 Attendances By club 2018 AFL attendances Club All games ( includes finals ) Home games ( minor round only ) Fixtured home games Home state games against interstate opposition Total Games Average Total Games Average Total Games Average Adelaide 112,083 37,361 49,743 49,743 49,743 49,743 Brisbane Lions 77,235 25,745 17,141 17,141 17,141 17,141 Carlton 186,724 62,241 96,573 48,287 28,025 28,025 Collingwood 157,540 52,513 30,941 30,941 30,941 30,941 Essendon 132,536 44,179 43,016 43,016 43,016 43,016 Fremantle 120,733 40,244 49,021 49,021 49,021 49,021 Geelong 181,836 60,612 73,189 73,189 0 0 0 Gold Coast 65,135 21,712 37,110 18,555 3,722 3,722 Greater Western Sydney 73,190 24,397 10,454 10,454 0 0 0 Hawthorn 201,941 67,314 58,051 58,051 0 0 0 Melbourne 106,771 35,590 89,630 44,815 0 0 0 North Melbourne 73,206 24,402 33,966 33,966 0 0 0 Port Adelaide 109,323 36,441 74,687 37,344 74,687 37,344 Richmond 210,595 70,198 160,852 80,426 0 0 0 St Kilda 77,021 25,674 43,055 21,528 43,055 21,528 Sydney 122,900 40,967 69,347 34,674 34,636 34,636 West Coast 130,956 43,652 108,088 54,044 108,088 54,044 Western Bulldogs 73,821 24,607 63,367 31,684 22,868 22,868 By ground 2018 ground attendances Ground Total Games Avg. per game Adelaide Oval 124,430 41,477 Cazaly 's Stadium 3,722 3,722 Etihad Stadium 211,429 7 353,633 Gabba 17,141 17,141 MCG 481,211 8 60,151 Optus Stadium 190,497 47,624 SCG 69,347 34,674 UNSW Canberra Oval 10,454 10,454 Awards Milestones Name Club Milestone Round Ref. Selwood, Joel Joel Selwood Geelong 250 ! 250 AFL games 01 ! Round 1 Cotchin, Trent Trent Cotchin Richmond 200 ! 200 AFL games 02 ! Round 2 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. Player 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 Total Lance Franklin 8 14 Jeremy Cameron 6 12 Ben Brown 0 6 10 Charlie Cameron 9 Charlie Curnow 5 Jack Darling Jesse Hogan 5 Tom Lynch 0 8 Daniel Menzel 10 Jeff Garlett 8 Josh Jenkins 5 Mark LeCras Todd Marshall Jack Riewoldt 0 Club leadership Club Coach Captain ( s ) Vice-captain ( s ) Leadership group Ref Adelaide Don Pyke Taylor Walker Rory Sloane Matt Crouch, Tom Lynch Brisbane Lions Chris Fagan Dayne Beams Dayne Zorko, Harris Andrews ( deputy ) Allen Christensen, Stefan Martin, Ryan Lester Carlton Brendon Bolton Marc Murphy Patrick Cripps, Sam Docherty Ed Curnow, Matthew Kreuzer, Lachie Plowman, Alex Silvagni, Kade Simpson Collingwood Nathan Buckley Scott Pendlebury Steele Sidebottom Taylor Adams, Lynden Dunn, Jeremy Howe Essendon John Worsfold Dyson Heppell Cale Hooker, Zach Merrett Joe Daniher, Orazio Fantasia, Michael Hurley, David Myers Fremantle Ross Lyon Nat Fyfe Bradley Hill, David Mundy, Lachie Neale, Alex Pearce, Aaron Sandilands, Michael Walters Geelong Chris Scott Joel Selwood Patrick Dangerfield, Harry Taylor ( deputy ) Mark Blicavs, Mitch Duncan, Scott Selwood, Zach Tuohy Gold Coast Stuart Dew Tom Lynch Steven May Michael Barlow, Touk Miller, Pearce Hanley, Matt Rosa, David Swallow, Jarrod Witts Greater Western Sydney Leon Cameron Phil Davis Callan Ward Stephen Coniglio, Josh Kelly Matt de Boer Hawthorn Alastair Clarkson Jarryd Roughead Liam Shiels, Isaac Smith Jack Gunston, Ben Stratton Melbourne Simon Goodwin Nathan Jones Jack Viney Max Gawn, Jordan Lewis North Melbourne Brad Scott Jack Ziebell Robbie Tarrant Shaun Higgins, Jamie Macmillan Port Adelaide Ken Hinkley Travis Boak Ollie Wines Charlie Dixon, Brad Ebert, Hamish Hartlett, Tom Jonas, Tom Rockliff Richmond Damien Hardwick Trent Cotchin Alex Rance, Jack Riewoldt St Kilda Alan Richardson Jarryn Geary Jack Newnes, Dylan Roberton, Seb Ross, Jack Steven Sydney John Longmire Josh Kennedy Dan Hannebery, Luke Parker, Dane Rampe Kieren Jack, Jarrad McVeigh, Nick Smith West Coast Adam Simpson Shannon Hurn Josh Kennedy, Luke Shuey Andrew Gaff, Jeremy McGovern, Nic Naitanui Western Bulldogs Luke Beveridge Easton Wood Marcus Bontempelli Lachie Hunter, Jason Johannisen, Jack Redpath, Jordan Roughead References Jump up ^ Schmook, Nathan ( 3 August 2017 ). `` Put it in your diary : AFL reveals 2018 blast off ''. AFL.com.au. Telstra Media. Retrieved 7 October 2017. Jump up ^ `` AFLX revealed : Who your club plays and when ''. AFL.com.au. 17 November 2017. Jump up ^ `` AFLX Thursday Wrap ''. AFL.com.au. 15 February 2018. Jump up ^ `` AFLX Friday Wrap ''. AFL.com.au. 16 February 2018. Jump up ^ `` AFLX Saturday Wrap ''. AFL.com.au. 17 February 2018. Jump up ^ Schmook, Nathan ( 22 March 2018 ). `` Match report : Sluggish Tigers topple injury - hit Blues ''. AFL.com.au. Telstra Media. Retrieved 22 March 2018. Jump up ^ `` AFL Crowds, 1992 ''. afltables.com. Retrieved 24 March 2018. Jump up ^ `` Gold Coast -- Game Records ''. AFL Tables. Retrieved 26 March 2018. Jump up ^ https://twitter.com/sirswampthing/status/977506400430563331 Jump up ^ http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-03-26/how-many-north-short-of-the-mark-in-cairns Jump up ^ `` Match report : Hawks feast on cold Pies ''. AFL.com.au. Telstra Media. 24 March 2018. Retrieved 24 March 2018. Jump up ^ `` Season and Game Records ''. AFL Tables. Retrieved 10 April 2018. Jump up ^ `` Joel Selwood set to notch 250th AFL game ''. SBS. AAP. 22 March 2018. Retrieved 25 March 2018. Jump up ^ Beveridge, Riley ( 28 March 2018 ). `` AFL : Trent Cotchin 200th game feature, Richmond captain 's telling finals series reflects his leadership ''. Fox Footy. Fox Sports Australia. Retrieved 29 March 2018. Jump up ^ Olle, Sarah ( 28 February 2018 ). `` Taylor Walker will captain Adelaide for the fourth consecutive season ''. Fox Sports Australia. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 28 February 2018. Jump up ^ Arnold, Rickie - Lee ( 7 February 2018 ). `` Dayne Beams to captain Brisbane Lions again in 2018, Luke Hodge not added to leadership group ''. Fox Sports Australia. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 7 February 2018. Jump up ^ Ryan, Peter ( 31 January 2018 ). `` Blues back Murphy as skipper ''. The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 31 January 2018. Jump up ^ Clark, Jay ( 25 January 2018 ). `` Scott Pendlebury retains Collingwood captaincy in search for September return ''. Herald Sun. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 25 January 2018. Jump up ^ Ryan, Peter ( 10 February 2018 ). `` Dyson Heppell remains Essendon skipper in 2018 ''. The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 10 February 2018. Jump up ^ Salemme, Kate ( 1 March 2018 ). `` Nat Fyfe to captain Fremantle in 2018 as Dockers announce seven - man leadership group ''. Herald Sun. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 1 March 2018. Jump up ^ Ryan, Peter ( 9 March 2018 ). `` Selwood to become the Cats ' longest - serving captain ''. The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 9 March 2018. Jump up ^ Whiting, Michael ( 21 February 2018 ). `` Suns stick with guns in eight - man leadership ''. AFL.com.au. Telstra Media. Retrieved 21 February 2018. Jump up ^ Cordy, Neil ( 5 March 2018 ). `` Callan Ward, Phil Davis named GWS Giants co-captains for 2018, Matt de Boer promoted to leadership group ''. The Daily Telegraph. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 6 March 2018. Jump up ^ Salemme, Kate ( 1 February 2018 ). `` Jarryd Roughead to captain Hawthorn for second season as Hawks announce leadership group ''. Herald Sun. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 1 February 2018. Jump up ^ `` Demons retain AFL co-captains Jones, Viney ''. SBS News. 20 February 2018. Retrieved 20 February 2018. Jump up ^ Clark, Jay ( 15 January 2018 ). `` Jack Ziebell retains captaincy as North Melbourne looks to blood more youth in 2018 ''. Herald Sun. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 15 January 2018. Jump up ^ Larkinp, Steve ( 7 February 2018 ). `` Tom Rockliff among Port Adelaide 's leadership grou ''. The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 7 February 2018. Jump up ^ Edmund, Sam ( 17 March 2017 ). `` Trent Cotchin named Richmond captain for 2017, Jack Riewoldt joins leadership group ''. Herald Sun. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 26 March 2018. Jump up ^ Lerner, Ronnie ( 7 February 2018 ). `` St Kilda captain Jarryn Geary relieved not to be competing with Nick Riewoldt in 2018 ''. The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 7 February 2018. Jump up ^ `` Follow the leader : Your club 's men in charge ''. AFL.com.au. Telstra Media. 28 February 2018. Retrieved 23 March 2018. Jump up ^ `` Shannon Hurn named West Coast captain for fourth consecutive year ''. Perth Now. News Corp Australia. 24 January 2018. Retrieved 25 January 2018. Jump up ^ `` West Coast Eagles elevate Nic Naitanui to the club 's leadership group for 2018 season ''. Perth Now. Fox Sports Australia. 6 February 2018. Retrieved 3 March 2018. Jump up ^ Waterworth, Ben ( 20 November 2017 ). `` Western Bulldogs leadership group 2018 : Easton Wood headlines new - look group of leaders ''. Fox Sports Australia. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 20 November 2017. Victorian / Australian Football League seasons VFL seasons 1897 1898 1899 1900 1901 1902 1903 1904 1905 1906 1907 1908 1909 1910 1911 1912 1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1984 1985 1986 AFL seasons 2017 2018 2018 AFL season Events AFLX competition Pre-season matches Premiership season Finals series Grand Final Awards 22under22 team AFL Players Association awards All - Australian team Brownlow Medal Coleman Medal Goal of the Year Leigh Matthews Trophy Mark of the Year Norm Smith Medal Rising Star Club overviews Adelaide Brisbane Lions Carlton Collingwood Essendon Fremantle Geelong Gold Coast Greater Western Sydney Hawthorn Melbourne North Melbourne Port Adelaide Richmond St Kilda Sydney West Coast Western Bulldogs Player changes Trades National draft Pre-season draft Rookie draft Debuts Retirements and delistings See also 2018 AFL Women 's season Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=2018_AFL_season&oldid=835656555 '' Categories : Australian Football League seasons 2018 Australian Football League season 2018 in Australian rules football Current sports seasons Hidden categories : Use Australian English from September 2017 All Wikipedia articles written in Australian English Use dmy dates from September 2017 Articles with hCards Pages with maps Talk Contents About Wikipedia Add links This page was last edited on 10 April 2018, at 00 : 20. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution - ShareAlike License ; additional terms may apply. By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Wikipedia ® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization. About Wikipedia

Question: when is the start of the afl season
Answer: Thursday, 22 March