# 2003 AFL season

The 2003 AFL season was the 107th season of the Australian Football League (AFL), the highest level of senior Australian rules football competition in Australia, which was known as the Victorian Football League until 1989. The season featured sixteen clubs, ran from 28 March until 27 September, and comprised a 22-game home-and-away season followed by a finals series featuring the top eight clubs.
The premiership was won by the Brisbane Lions for the third time and third time consecutively, after it defeated Collingwood by 50 points in the AFL Grand Final.

## AFL Draft

See 2003 AFL Draft.

## Wizard Home Loans Cup

The 2003 Wizard Home Loans Cup saw Adelaide defeat Collingwood 15.14 (104) to 10.13 (73) in the final.

## Premiership season
### Round 1

| Home team | Score | Away team | Score | Venue | Attendance | Date |
| Collingwood | 13.16 (94) | Richmond | 8.18 (66) | MCG | 61,058 | Friday, 28 March |
| West Coast | 17.20 (122) | Port Adelaide | 11.8 (74) | Subiaco Oval | 35,083 | Saturday, 29 March |
| Kangaroos | 14.12 (96) | St Kilda | 10.10 (70) | MCG | 28,361 | Saturday, 29 March |
| Brisbane Lions | 14.20 (104) | Essendon | 8.13 (61) | The Gabba | 36,197 | Saturday, 29 March |
| Sydney | 22.14 (146) | Carlton | 10.12 (72) | Telstra Stadium | 30,803 | Saturday, 29 March |
| Adelaide | 22.13 (145) | Fremantle | 13.11 (89) | AAMI Stadium | 45,436 | Sunday, 30 March |
| Melbourne | 16.10 (106) | Hawthorn | 15.10 (100) | MCG | 41,888 | Sunday, 30 March |
| Western Bulldogs | 19.16 (130) | Geelong | 13.13 (91) | Telstra Dome | 27,931 | Sunday, 30 March |

### Round 2

| Home team | Score | Away team | Score | Venue | Attendance | Date |
| Carlton | 13.13 (91) | Collingwood | 16.11 (107) | MCG | 51,894 | Friday, 4 April |
| Essendon | 17.10 (112) | Melbourne | 10.15 (75) | MCG | 43,448 | Saturday, 5 April |
| St Kilda | 15.9 (99) | Adelaide | 13.13 (91) | Telstra Dome | 19,131 | Saturday, 5 April |
| Fremantle | 12.14 (86) | Sydney | 8.12 (60) | Subiaco Oval | 24,887 | Saturday, 5 April |
| Port Adelaide | 10.16 (76) | Brisbane Lions | 13.8 (86) | AAMI Stadium | 27,876 | Saturday, 5 April |
| Hawthorn | 13.13 (91) | West Coast | 14.5 (89) | York Park | 16,217 | Sunday, 6 April |
| Geelong | 9.17 (71) | Kangaroos | 13.16 (94) | Skilled Stadium | 22,588 | Sunday, 6 April |
| Richmond | 16.15 (111) | Western Bulldogs | 13.11 (89) | Telstra Dome | 28,847 | Sunday, 6 April |

### Round 3

| Home team | Score | Away team | Score | Venue | Attendance | Date |
| Essendon | 13.16 (94) | Carlton | 15.15 (105) | MCG | 44,268 | Friday, 11 April |
| West Coast | 21.18 (144) | St Kilda | 11.8 (74) | Subiaco Oval | 32,009 | Saturday, 12 April |
| Collingwood | 18.8 (116) | Geelong | 10.9 (69) | MCG | 43,979 | Saturday, 12 April |
| Kangaroos | 16.13 (109) | Brisbane Lions | 16.13 (109) | Telstra Dome | 24,359 | Saturday, 12 April |
| Port Adelaide | 19.14 (128) | Hawthorn | 11.5 (71) | AAMI Stadium | 24,902 | Saturday, 12 April |
| Sydney | 11.10 (76) | Adelaide | 15.13 (103) | SCG | 23,651 | Sunday, 13 April |
| Melbourne | 20.7 (127) | Western Bulldogs | 14.11 (95) | Telstra Dome | 20,790 | Sunday, 13 April |
| Richmond | 14.10 (94) | Fremantle | 6.10 (46) | MCG | 19,677 | Sunday, 13 April |

### Round 4

| Home team | Score | Away team | Score | Venue | Attendance | Date |
| Brisbane Lions | 14.11 (95) | Collingwood | 11.15 (81) | The Gabba | 36,803 | Thursday, 17 April |
| Geelong | 13.12 (90) | Melbourne | 6.8 (44) | Skilled Stadium | 23,001 | Saturday, 19 April |
| Hawthorn | 17.8 (110) | Sydney | 10.8 (68) | MCG | 26,359 | Saturday, 19 April |
| Western Bulldogs | 16.14 (110) | Essendon | 20.9 (129) | Telstra Dome | 35,238 | Saturday, 19 April |
| Adelaide | 15.16 (106) | West Coast | 10.13 (73) | AAMI Stadium | 43,525 | Sunday, 20 April |
| Fremantle | 25.17 (167) | Kangaroos | 19.8 (122) | Subiaco Oval | 25,435 | Sunday, 20 April |
| Carlton | 12.12 (84) | Port Adelaide | 17.12 (114) | Optus Oval | 22,507 | Sunday, 20 April |
| St Kilda | 11.15 (81) | Richmond | 17.5 (107) | Telstra Dome | 44,382 | Monday, 21 April |

### Round 5

| Home team | Score | Away team | Score | Venue | Attendance | Date |
| Essendon | 23.9 (147) | Collingwood | 12.9 (81) | MCG | 62,589 | Friday, 25 April |
| Sydney | 17.7 (109) | Melbourne | 13.7 (85) | SCG | 24,286 | Friday, 25 April |
| Hawthorn | 14.11 (95) | Richmond | 18.7 (115) | MCG | 45,140 | Saturday, 26 April |
| Adelaide | 9.12 (66) | Port Adelaide | 12.6 (78) | AAMI Stadium | 51,140 | Saturday, 26 April |
| Kangaroos | 16.17 (113) | Carlton | 18.14 (122) | Telstra Dome | 38,094 | Saturday, 26 April |
| Brisbane Lions | 15.16 (106) | Western Bulldogs | 12.7 (79) | The Gabba | 24,341 | Sunday, 27 April |
| Fremantle | 10.13 (73) | West Coast | 16.12 (108) | Subiaco Oval | 41,654 | Sunday, 27 April |
| St Kilda | 18.11 (119) | Geelong | 11.8 (74) | Telstra Dome | 27,240 | Sunday, 27 April |

### Round 6

| Home team | Score | Away team | Score | Venue | Attendance | Date |
| Kangaroos | 9.16 (70) | Adelaide | 19.10 (124) | Telstra Dome | 38,469 | Friday, 2 May |
| Carlton | 9.9 (63) | Hawthorn | 11.8 (74) | Optus Oval | 27,725 | Saturday, 3 May |
| Melbourne | 14.10 (94) | West Coast | 19.13 (127) | MCG | 17,534 | Saturday, 3 May |
| Collingwood | 13.11 (89) | Sydney | 17.7 (109) | Telstra Dome | 41,874 | Saturday, 3 May |
| Port Adelaide | 12.12 (84) | Richmond | 8.9 (57) | AAMI Stadium | 29,608 | Saturday, 3 May |
| Geelong | 12.6 (78) | Brisbane Lions | 13.14 (92) | Skilled Stadium | 21,246 | Sunday, 4 May |
| Fremantle | 20.11 (131) | Essendon | 15.10 (100) | Subiaco Oval | 28,492 | Sunday, 4 May |
| Western Bulldogs | 12.13 (85) | St Kilda | 15.10 (100) | Telstra Dome | 27,278 | Sunday, 4 May |

### Round 7

| Home team | Score | Away team | Score | Venue | Attendance | Date |
| Hawthorn | 13.11 (89) | Kangaroos | 18.9 (117) | Telstra Dome | 32,435 | Friday, 9 May |
| West Coast | 17.11 (113) | Geelong | 14.13 (97) | Subiaco Oval | 36,268 | Saturday, 10 May |
| Richmond | 11.18 (84) | Essendon | 5.12 (42) | MCG | 52,196 | Saturday, 10 May |
| Adelaide | 16.13 (109) | Collingwood | 18.6 (114) | AAMI Stadium | 44,706 | Saturday, 10 May |
| St Kilda | 16.17 (113) | Carlton | 15.11 (101) | Telstra Dome | 45,122 | Saturday, 10 May |
| Sydney | 15.8 (98) | Brisbane Lions | 11.13 (79) | SCG | 23,276 | Sunday, 11 May |
| Melbourne | 16.15 (111) | Port Adelaide | 12.12 (84) | MCG | 12,410 | Sunday, 11 May |
| Western Bulldogs | 10.12 (72) | Fremantle | 23.17 (155) | Telstra Dome | 12,542 | Sunday, 11 May |

### Round 8

| Home team | Score | Away team | Score | Venue | Attendance | Date |
| Hawthorn | 8.5 (53) | Essendon | 15.16 (106) | MCG | 48,006 | Friday, 16 May |
| Collingwood | 15.13 (103) | West Coast | 18.11 (119) | Telstra Dome | 39,912 | Saturday, 17 May |
| Port Adelaide | 15.13 (103) | Kangaroos | 7.7 (49) | AAMI Stadium | 24,702 | Saturday, 17 May |
| Richmond | 17.10 (112) | Melbourne | 16.7 (103) | MCG | 38,063 | Saturday, 17 May |
| Brisbane Lions | 16.11 (107) | Adelaide | 12.17 (89) | The Gabba | 34,469 | Saturday, 17 May |
| Sydney | 17.10 (112) | Geelong | 11.7 (73) | SCG | 22,483 | Sunday, 18 May |
| Fremantle | 18.15 (123) | St Kilda | 11.16 (82) | Subiaco Oval | 26,723 | Sunday, 18 May |
| Carlton | 15.17 (107) | Western Bulldogs | 14.16 (100) | Optus Oval | 20,602 | Sunday, 18 May |

### Round 9

| Home team | Score | Away team | Score | Venue | Attendance | Date |
| Essendon | 14.12 (96) | Port Adelaide | 23.8 (146) | Telstra Dome | 35,390 | Friday, 23 May |
| Carlton | 11.10 (76) | Brisbane Lions | 23.15 (153) | Optus Oval | 24,906 | Saturday, 24 May |
| Melbourne | 10.11 (71) | Fremantle | 16.5 (101) | MCG | 17,009 | Saturday, 24 May |
| West Coast | 18.16 (124) | Richmond | 11.6 (72) | Subiaco Oval | 40,313 | Saturday, 24 May |
| Collingwood | 22.17 (149) | St Kilda | 12.12 (84) | Telstra Dome | 46,096 | Saturday, 24 May |
| Kangaroos | 12.12 (84) | Sydney | 8.11 (59) | Manuka Oval | 13,832 | Sunday, 25 May |
| Geelong | 16.13 (109) | Hawthorn | 11.9 (75) | Telstra Dome | 28,001 | Sunday, 25 May |
| Adelaide | 16.13 (109) | Western Bulldogs | 14.9 (93) | AAMI Stadium | 44,342 | Sunday, 25 May |

### Round 10

| Home team | Score | Away team | Score | Venue | Attendance | Date |
| Port Adelaide | 14.14 (98) | Collingwood | 10.13 (73) | AAMI Stadium | 43,321 | Friday, 30 May |
| Fremantle | 19.13 (127) | Carlton | 15.9 (99) | Subiaco Oval | 33,250 | Saturday, 31 May |
| Western Bulldogs | 22.13 (145) | Kangaroos | 24.12 (156) | Telstra Dome | 24,682 | Saturday, 31 May |
| Richmond | 10.12 (72) | Sydney | 16.8 (104) | MCG | 34,569 | Saturday, 31 May |
| Melbourne | 9.9 (63) | Brisbane Lions | 18.15 (123) | The Gabba | 29,634 | Saturday, 31 May |
| Geelong | 8.11 (59) | Adelaide | 11.10 (76) | Skilled Stadium | 19,608 | Sunday, 1 June |
| Essendon | 19.14 (128) | West Coast | 16.10 (106) | Telstra Dome | 32,715 | Sunday, 1 June |
| St Kilda | 17.16 (118) | Hawthorn | 14.6 (90) | MCG | 25,745 | Sunday, 1 June |

### Round 11

| Home team | Score | Away team | Score | Venue | Attendance | Date |
| Kangaroos | 13.14 (92) | Richmond | 13.11 (89) | Telstra Dome | 43,200 | Friday, 6 June |
| Hawthorn | 11.9 (75) | Adelaide | 10.10 (70) | MCG | 25,841 | Saturday, 7 June |
| St Kilda | 13.12 (90) | Brisbane Lions | 13.7 (85) | Telstra Dome | 30,313 | Saturday, 7 June |
| Sydney | 21.7 (133) | Essendon | 12.7 (79) | Telstra Stadium | 45,917 | Saturday, 7 June |
| Port Adelaide | 16.16 (112) | Fremantle | 9.9 (63) | AAMI Stadium | 30,745 | Sunday, 8 June |
| West Coast | 19.10 (124) | Western Bulldogs | 19.10 (124) | Subiaco Oval | 38,540 | Sunday, 8 June |
| Geelong | 17.13 (115) | Carlton | 12.3 (75) | Telstra Dome | 43,587 | Sunday, 8 June |
| Melbourne | 10.17 (77) | Collingwood | 20.13 (133) | MCG | 60,010 | Monday, 9 June |
* The Kangaroos-Tigers game was especially notable as the comeback of Kangaroos player Jason McCartney from life-threatening burns suffered in the 2002 Bali bombings. McCartney retired immediately after the match.

### Round 12

| Home team | Score | Away team | Score | Venue | Attendance | Date |
| Essendon | 13.10 (88) | Kangaroos | 14.12 (96) | Telstra Dome | 45,331 | Friday, 13 June |
| St Kilda | 7.15 (57) | Port Adelaide | 15.9 (99) | York Park | 17,763 | Saturday, 14 June |
| Richmond | 12.14 (86) | Carlton | 14.9 (93) | MCG | 36,557 | Saturday, 14 June |
| Fremantle | 13.10 (88) | Geelong | 10.12 (72) | Subiaco Oval | 30,127 | Saturday, 14 June |
| Western Bulldogs | 9.9 (63) | Sydney | 19.13 (127) | SCG | 21,742 | Saturday, 14 June |
| Brisbane Lions | 13.13 (91) | West Coast | 24.16 (160) | The Gabba | 31,185 | Sunday, 15 June |
| Adelaide | 21.12 (138) | Melbourne | 10.5 (65) | AAMI Stadium | 40,178 | Sunday, 15 June |
| Collingwood | 6.15 (51) | Hawthorn | 12.12 (84) | MCG | 47,365 | Sunday, 15 June |

### Round 13

| Home team | Score | Away team | Score | Venue | Attendance | Date |
| Essendon | 20.9 (129) | Geelong | 15.3 (93) | Telstra Dome | 48,374 | Friday, 27 June |
| Melbourne | 21.10 (136) | St Kilda | 14.10 (94) | MCG | 29,339 | Saturday, 28 June |
| Port Adelaide | 14.15 (99) | Sydney | 8.12 (60) | AAMI Stadium | 24,272 | Saturday, 28 June |
| Western Bulldogs | 12.13 (85) | Collingwood | 18.20 (128) | Telstra Dome | 42,952 | Saturday, 28 June |
| Brisbane Lions | 15.14 (104) | Richmond | 9.7 (61) | The Gabba | 32,623 | Saturday, 28 June |
| Hawthorn | 15.8 (98) | Fremantle | 10.8 (68) | York Park | 17,212 | Sunday, 29 June |
| West Coast | 11.10 (76) | Kangaroos | 10.7 (67) | Subiaco Oval | 36,641 | Sunday, 29 June |
| Carlton | 7.8 (50) | Adelaide | 13.14 (92) | Optus Oval | 19,242 | Sunday, 29 June |

### Round 14

| Home team | Score | Away team | Score | Venue | Attendance | Date |
| St Kilda | 7.9 (51) | Essendon | 17.17 (119) | Telstra Dome | 49,148 | Friday, 4 July |
| Fremantle | 10.15 (75) | Brisbane Lions | 10.12 (72) | Subiaco Oval | 28,450 | Saturday, 5 July |
| Hawthorn | 23.16 (154) | Western Bulldogs | 12.11 (83) | MCG | 31,390 | Saturday, 5 July |
| Kangaroos | 7.8 (50) | Collingwood | 19.12 (126) | Telstra Dome | 53,312 | Saturday, 5 July |
| Adelaide | 10.12 (72) | Richmond | 6.8 (44) | AAMI Stadium | 44,809 | Saturday, 5 July |
| Sydney | 13.14 (92) | West Coast | 12.12 (84) | SCG | 31,121 | Sunday, 6 July |
| Carlton | 14.6 (90) | Melbourne | 14.13 (97) | Optus Oval | 24,289 | Sunday, 6 July |
| Geelong | 10.10 (70) | Port Adelaide | 10.9 (69) | Skilled Stadium | 19,770 | Sunday, 6 July |

### Round 15

| Home team | Score | Away team | Score | Venue | Attendance | Date |
| Adelaide | 13.12 (90) | Essendon | 7.7 (49) | AAMI Stadium | 41,758 | Friday, 11 July |
| Collingwood | 15.9 (99) | Fremantle | 7.16 (58) | MCG | 40,964 | Saturday, 12 July |
| Richmond | 15.7 (97) | Geelong | 15.11 (101) | Telstra Dome | 38,546 | Saturday, 12 July |
| West Coast | 28.19 (187) | Carlton | 10.11 (71) | Subiaco Oval | 39,129 | Saturday, 12 July |
| Sydney | 15.22 (112) | St Kilda | 9.7 (61) | SCG | 27,550 | Saturday, 12 July |
| Brisbane Lions | 14.9 (93) | Hawthorn | 11.15 (81) | The Gabba | 29,684 | Sunday, 13 July |
| Kangaroos | 15.11 (101) | Melbourne | 14.10 (94) | MCG | 24,618 | Sunday, 13 July |
| Western Bulldogs | 14.9 (93) | Port Adelaide | 15.18 (108) | Telstra Dome | 14,784 | Sunday, 13 July |

### Round 16

| Home team | Score | Away team | Score | Venue | Attendance | Date |
| Richmond | 9.8 (62) | Collingwood | 20.11 (131) | MCG | 54,655 | Friday, 18 July |
| Carlton | 12.12 (84) | Sydney | 18.7 (115) | Optus Oval | 21,463 | Saturday, 19 July |
| Hawthorn | 17.11 (113) | Melbourne | 15.16 (106) | MCG | 32,029 | Saturday, 19 July |
| Essendon | 14.10 (94) | Brisbane Lions | 12.14 (86) | Telstra Dome | 47,744 | Saturday, 19 July |
| Port Adelaide | 17.12 (114) | West Coast | 7.8 (50) | AAMI Stadium | 37,624 | Saturday, 19 July |
| Geelong | 11.15 (81) | Western Bulldogs | 15.9 (99) | Skilled Stadium | 22,067 | Sunday, 20 July |
| Fremantle | 13.13 (91) | Adelaide | 13.12 (90) | Subiaco Oval | 31,225 | Sunday, 20 July |
| St Kilda | 21.6 (132) | Kangaroos | 19.13 (127) | Telstra Dome | 25,381 | Sunday, 20 July |

### Round 17

| Home team | Score | Away team | Score | Venue | Attendance | Date |
| West Coast | 14.14 (98) | Hawthorn | 5.12 (42) | Subiaco Oval | 40,127 | Friday, 25 July |
| Kangaroos | 16.8 (104) | Geelong | 12.14 (86) | Manuka Oval | 10,253 | Saturday, 26 July |
| Melbourne | 10.11 (71) | Essendon | 13.10 (88) | MCG | 33,368 | Saturday, 26 July |
| Western Bulldogs | 14.11 (95) | Richmond | 24.11 (155) | Telstra Dome | 25,204 | Saturday, 26 July |
| Brisbane Lions | 15.13 (103) | Port Adelaide | 15.14 (104) | The Gabba | 32,043 | Saturday, 26 July |
| Sydney | 17.9 (111) | Fremantle | 14.13 (97) | SCG | 30,228 | Sunday, 27 July |
| Adelaide | 22.11 (143) | St Kilda | 13.8 (86) | AAMI Stadium | 44,667 | Sunday, 27 July |
| Collingwood | 20.15 (135) | Carlton | 8.14 (62) | MCG | 54,500 | Sunday, 27 July |

### Round 18

| Home team | Score | Away team | Score | Venue | Attendance | Date |
| Western Bulldogs | 14.17 (101) | Melbourne | 12.8 (80) | Telstra Dome | 20,714 | Friday, 1 August |
| Fremantle | 15.14 (104) | Richmond | 11.15 (81) | Subiaco Oval | 31,725 | Saturday, 2 August |
| Carlton | 7.14 (56) | Essendon | 13.12 (90) | MCG | 40,697 | Saturday, 2 August |
| Geelong | 10.13 (73) | Collingwood | 14.13 (97) | Telstra Dome | 45,887 | Saturday, 2 August |
| Brisbane Lions | 20.17 (137) | Kangaroos | 11.17 (83) | The Gabba | 28,044 | Saturday, 2 August |
| Adelaide | 14.13 (97) | Sydney | 14.9 (93) | AAMI Stadium | 46,945 | Sunday, 3 August |
| Hawthorn | 11.14 (80) | Port Adelaide | 12.12 (84) | MCG | 21,415 | Sunday, 3 August |
| St Kilda | 19.14 (128) | West Coast | 9.13 (67) | Telstra Dome | 21,531 | Sunday, 3 August |

### Round 19

| Home team | Score | Away team | Score | Venue | Attendance | Date |
| Melbourne | 6.9 (45) | Geelong | 11.18 (84) | MCG | 22,508 | Friday, 8 August |
| West Coast | 10.7 (67) | Adelaide | 13.13 (91) | Subiaco Oval | 39,681 | Saturday, 9 August |
| Collingwood | 8.14 (62) | Brisbane Lions | 15.11 (101) | MCG | 61,868 | Saturday, 9 August |
| Richmond | 7.8 (50) | St Kilda | 20.10 (130) | Telstra Dome | 41,514 | Saturday, 9 August |
| Sydney | 14.9 (93) | Hawthorn | 17.8 (110) | SCG | 33,473 | Saturday, 9 August |
| Port Adelaide | 18.17 (125) | Carlton | 12.9 (81) | AAMI Stadium | 31,083 | Sunday, 10 August |
| Essendon | 22.15 (147) | Western Bulldogs | 12.8 (80) | Telstra Dome | 36,138 | Sunday, 10 August |
| Kangaroos | 15.8 (98) | Fremantle | 15.9 (99) | MCG | 18,486 | Sunday, 10 August |
Mathew Lloyd would kick 11 goals to surpass Simon Madden as the Essendon Football Club's greatest ever goal scorer.

### Round 20

| Home team | Score | Away team | Score | Venue | Attendance | Date |
| Collingwood | 15.18 (108) | Adelaide | 11.5 (71) | Telstra Dome | 45,367 | Friday, 15 August |
| Carlton | 11.9 (75) | St Kilda | 26.10 (166) | Optus Oval | 22,361 | Saturday, 16 August |
| Geelong | 9.9 (63) | West Coast | 9.9 (63) | Skilled Stadium | 19,202 | Saturday, 16 August |
| Kangaroos | 14.12 (96) | Hawthorn | 16.14 (110) | Telstra Dome | 29,234 | Saturday, 16 August |
| Port Adelaide | 17.10 (112) | Melbourne | 15.8 (98) | AAMI Stadium | 28,032 | Saturday, 16 August |
| Brisbane Lions | 10.16 (76) | Sydney | 14.6 (90) | The Gabba | 32,988 | Sunday, 17 August |
| Fremantle | 18.25 (133) | Western Bulldogs | 12.5 (77) | Subiaco Oval | 35,518 | Sunday, 17 August |
| Essendon | 13.14 (92) | Richmond | 7.11 (53) | MCG | 40,846 | Sunday, 17 August |

### Round 21

| Home team | Score | Away team | Score | Venue | Attendance | Date |
| Hawthorn | 20.18 (138) | Carlton | 10.4 (64) | MCG | 30,406 | Friday, 22 August |
| Adelaide | 10.4 (64) | Kangaroos | 9.20 (74) | AAMI Stadium | 42,259 | Saturday, 23 August |
| Essendon | 20.13 (133) | Fremantle | 11.7 (73) | Telstra Dome | 42,256 | Saturday, 23 August |
| Brisbane Lions | 19.9 (123) | Geelong | 13.8 (86) | The Gabba | 30,515 | Saturday, 23 August |
| Sydney | 12.9 (81) | Collingwood | 14.15 (99) | Telstra Stadium | 72,393 | Saturday, 23 August |
| St Kilda | 13.17 (95) | Western Bulldogs | 3.12 (30) | York Park | 15,637 | Sunday, 24 August |
| West Coast | 21.17 (143) | Melbourne | 14.7 (91) | Subiaco Oval | 38,029 | Sunday, 24 August |
| Richmond | 16.8 (104) | Port Adelaide | 18.16 (124) | Telstra Dome | 15,920 | Sunday, 24 August |
The Sydney vs. Collingwood game is notable as it is the highest attended Australian rules football match ever played outside of Victoria.

### Round 22

| Home team | Score | Away team | Score | Venue | Attendance | Date |
| Collingwood | 12.11 (83) | Essendon | 9.13 (67) | MCG | 68,381 | Friday, 29 August |
| Geelong | 12.12 (84) | St Kilda | 9.11 (65) | Skilled Stadium | 20,728 | Saturday, 30 August |
| Melbourne | 9.6 (60) | Sydney | 14.10 (94) | MCG | 22,969 | Saturday, 30 August |
| West Coast | 11.16 (82) | Fremantle | 14.12 (96) | Subiaco Oval | 43,027 | Saturday, 30 August |
| Western Bulldogs | 13.8 (86) | Brisbane Lions | 26.14 (170) | Telstra Dome | 22,361 | Saturday, 30 August |
| Port Adelaide | 14.10 (94) | Adelaide | 12.6 (78) | AAMI Stadium | 48,131 | Sunday, 31 August |
| Carlton | 9.9 (63) | Kangaroos | 28.19 (187) | Telstra Dome | 26,138 | Sunday, 31 August |
| Richmond | 11.8 (74) | Hawthorn | 11.12 (78) | MCG | 31,389 | Sunday, 31 August |

## Ladder

2003 AFL ladder :
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | D | PF | PA | PP | Pts | |
| 1 | Port Adelaide | 22 | 18 | 4 | 0 | 2229 | 1752 | 127.2 | 72 | Finals series |
| 2 | Collingwood | 22 | 15 | 7 | 0 | 2259 | 1858 | 121.6 | 60 | Finals series |
| 3 | Brisbane Lions (P) | 22 | 14 | 7 | 1 | 2295 | 1882 | 121.9 | 58 | Finals series |
| 4 | Sydney | 22 | 14 | 8 | 0 | 2142 | 1862 | 115.0 | 56 | Finals series |
| 5 | Fremantle | 22 | 14 | 8 | 0 | 2143 | 2078 | 103.1 | 56 | Finals series |
| 6 | Adelaide | 22 | 13 | 9 | 0 | 2114 | 1754 | 120.5 | 52 | Finals series |
| 7 | West Coast | 22 | 12 | 8 | 2 | 2326 | 1982 | 117.4 | 52 | Finals series |
| 8 | Essendon | 22 | 13 | 9 | 0 | 2190 | 1960 | 111.7 | 52 | Finals series |
| 9 | Hawthorn | 22 | 12 | 10 | 0 | 2011 | 1999 | 100.6 | 48 | |
| 10 | Kangaroos | 22 | 11 | 10 | 1 | 2185 | 2223 | 98.3 | 46 | |
| 11 | St Kilda | 22 | 11 | 11 | 0 | 2095 | 2187 | 95.8 | 44 | |
| 12 | Geelong | 22 | 7 | 14 | 1 | 1819 | 2025 | 89.8 | 30 | |
| 13 | Richmond | 22 | 7 | 15 | 0 | 1846 | 2078 | 88.8 | 28 | |
| 14 | Melbourne | 22 | 5 | 17 | 0 | 1899 | 2344 | 81.0 | 20 | |
| 15 | Carlton | 22 | 4 | 18 | 0 | 1784 | 2674 | 66.7 | 16 | |
| 16 | Western Bulldogs | 22 | 3 | 18 | 1 | 2014 | 2693 | 74.8 | 14 | |
This marks the first time that Fremantle played a finals match and the first, and only time to date that all non-Victorian teams played in a finals series.

### Ladder progression

| Team ╲ Round | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 |
| Port Adelaide | 0 | 0 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 16 | 20 | 24 | 28 | 32 | 36 | 40 | 40 | 44 | 48 | 52 | 56 | 60 | 64 | 68 | 72 |
| Collingwood | 4 | 8 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 16 | 16 | 20 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 28 | 32 | 36 | 40 | 44 | 48 | 48 | 52 | 56 | 60 |
| Brisbane Lions | 4 | 8 | 10 | 14 | 18 | 22 | 22 | 26 | 30 | 34 | 34 | 34 | 38 | 38 | 42 | 42 | 42 | 46 | 50 | 50 | 54 | 58 |
| Sydney | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 20 | 20 | 24 | 28 | 32 | 32 | 36 | 40 | 44 | 48 | 48 | 48 | 52 | 52 | 56 |
| Fremantle | 0 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 20 | 24 | 28 | 28 | 32 | 32 | 36 | 36 | 40 | 40 | 44 | 48 | 52 | 52 | 56 |
| Adelaide | 4 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 12 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 20 | 24 | 24 | 28 | 32 | 36 | 40 | 40 | 44 | 48 | 52 | 52 | 52 | 52 |
| West Coast | 4 | 4 | 8 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 20 | 24 | 28 | 28 | 30 | 34 | 38 | 38 | 42 | 42 | 46 | 46 | 46 | 48 | 52 | 52 |
| Essendon | 0 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 16 | 16 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 24 | 28 | 28 | 32 | 36 | 40 | 44 | 48 | 52 | 52 |
| Hawthorn | 0 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 8 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 16 | 20 | 24 | 28 | 28 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 36 | 40 | 44 | 48 |
| North Melbourne | 4 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 14 | 14 | 18 | 22 | 26 | 30 | 30 | 34 | 34 | 34 | 38 | 38 | 38 | 38 | 42 | 46 |
| St Kilda | 0 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 20 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 28 | 28 | 32 | 36 | 40 | 44 | 44 |
| Geelong | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 8 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 16 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 30 |
| Richmond | 0 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 16 | 20 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 |
| Melbourne | 4 | 4 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 16 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 |
| Carlton | 0 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 |
| Western Bulldogs | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 10 | 10 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 |

## Finals series

| Qualifying and elimination finals | Qualifying and elimination finals | Qualifying and elimination finals | Semi-finals | Semi-finals | Semi-finals | Preliminary finals | Preliminary finals | Preliminary finals | Grand final | Grand final | Grand final |
| 7 Sep, AAMI Stadium | 7 Sep, AAMI Stadium | 7 Sep, AAMI Stadium | | | | | | | | | |
| 1 | Port Adelaide | 13.10 (88) | | | | | | | | | |
| 4 | Sydney | 15.10 (100) | 13 Sep, AAMI Stadium | 13 Sep, AAMI Stadium | 13 Sep, AAMI Stadium | | | | |
| | | | Port Adelaide | Port Adelaide | 12.11 (83) | | | | |
| 5 Sep, Subiaco Oval | 5 Sep, Subiaco Oval | 5 Sep, Subiaco Oval | Essendon | Essendon | 6.8 (44) | 20 Sep, Telstra Stadium | 20 Sep, Telstra Stadium | 20 Sep, Telstra Stadium | | | |
| 5 | Fremantle | 8.9 (57) | | | | Sydney | Sydney | 8.8 (56) | |
| 8 | Essendon | 15.11 (101) | | | | Brisbane Lions | Brisbane Lions | 14.16 (100) | 27 Sep, MCG | 27 Sep, MCG | 27 Sep, MCG |
| | | | | | | | | | Brisbane Lions | Brisbane Lions | 20.14 (134) |
| 6 Sep, AAMI Stadium | 6 Sep, AAMI Stadium | 6 Sep, AAMI Stadium | | | | 20 Sep, MCG | 20 Sep, MCG | 20 Sep, MCG | Collingwood | Collingwood | 12.12 (84) |
| 6 | Adelaide | 16.17 (113) | | | | Collingwood | Collingwood | 17.10 (112) | | |
| 7 | West Coast | 8.9 (57) | 12 Sep, The Gabba | 12 Sep, The Gabba | 12 Sep, The Gabba | Port Adelaide | Port Adelaide | 9.14 (68) | | |
| | | | Brisbane Lions | Brisbane Lions | 18.16 (124) | | | | | | |
| 6 Sep, MCG | 6 Sep, MCG | 6 Sep, MCG | Adelaide | Adelaide | 12.10 (82) | | | | | |
| 2 | Collingwood | 9.12 (66) | | | | | | | | | |
| 3 | Brisbane Lions | 7.9 (51) | | | | | | | | |

### Week one

| | Qualifying Finals | Qualifying Finals | Qualifying Finals | |
| 7 September (2:30 pm) | Port Adelaide 13.10 (88) | def. by | Sydney 15.10 (100) | AAMI Stadium (crowd: 33,968) |
| 6 September (7:30 pm) | Collingwood 9.12 (66) | def. | Brisbane Lions 7.9 (51) | MCG (crowd: 66,092) |
| | Elimination Finals | Elimination Finals | Elimination Finals | |
| 5 September (6:40 pm) | Fremantle 8.9 (57) | def. by | Essendon 15.11 (101) | Subiaco Oval (crowd: 42,770) |
| 6 September (2:30 pm) | Adelaide 16.17 (113) | def. | West Coast 8.9 (57) | AAMI Stadium (crowd: 38,641) |
| Fremantle played in its first ever final, losing to Essendon by 44 points. ||||||

### Week two

| | Semi-finals | Semi-finals | Semi-finals | |
| 12 September (7:30 pm) | Brisbane Lions 18.16 (124) | def. | Adelaide 12.10 (82) | The Gabba (crowd: 32,432) |
| 13 September (7:30 pm) | Port Adelaide 12.11 (83) | def. | Essendon 6.8 (44) | AAMI Stadium (crowd: 36,557) |
| No game was played at the MCG this week, despite the agreement then in place with the Melbourne Cricket Club that at least one game each week of the finals be played at the MCG. Neither match was considered a viable option to be moved, as one match featured two non-Victorian teams (Brisbane and Adelaide), and the other match featured a first-placed non-Victorian side (Port Adelaide) versus an eighth-placed Victorian side (Essendon). ||||||

### Week three

| | Preliminary Finals | Preliminary Finals | Preliminary Finals | |
| 20 September (2:30 pm) | Collingwood 17.10 (112) | def. | Port Adelaide 9.14 (68) | MCG (crowd: 77,405) |
| 20 September (7:30 pm) | Sydney 8.8 (56) | def. by | Brisbane Lions 14.16 (100) | Telstra Stadium (crowd: 71,019) |
| The attendance of 71,019 for the final between Sydney and Brisbane is the largest attendance ever for an AFL game not featuring a Victorian team played outside Victoria. As of 2023, this remains the last time two finals matches were played on the same day after the first week. ||||||

### Week four

| | Grand Final | Grand Final | Grand Final | | |
| 27 September (2:40 pm) | Brisbane Lions 20.14 (134) | def. | Collingwood 12.12 (84) | MCG (crowd: 79,451) | Report |
| The Brisbane Lions victory was the clubs third successive premiership and were the fourth team to achieve three or more premierships in a row. ||||||

## Match attendance

Total match attendance for all games was 5,872,352 people. Attendance at the grand final was 79,451 people. The largest non-finals attendance was 72,393 people for the Sydney vs Collingwood game in round 21.

## Awards

* The Brownlow Medal was awarded to Mark Ricciuto of Adelaide, Nathan Buckley of Collingwood, and Adam Goodes of Sydney.
* The Leigh Matthews Trophy was awarded to Michael Voss of the Brisbane Lions.
* The Coleman Medal was awarded to Matthew Lloyd of Essendon.
* The Norm Smith Medal was awarded to Simon Black of the Brisbane Lions.
* The AFL Rising Star award was awarded to Sam Mitchell of Hawthorn.
* The Wooden Spoon was "awarded" to the Western Bulldogs for coming last.

## Notable events

* Western Bulldogs captain Chris Grant suffered a season-ending knee injury in his side's round one win over Geelong. His absence in the team was severely felt as the Bulldogs ended up finishing last on the AFL ladder.
* Essendon Forward Matthew Lloyd would kick 11 goals in his sides 67 point win over the Western Bulldogs to surpass Simon Madden as the recorder holder for most goals kicked by an Essendon player in the club's history.