# 2001 AFL season

The 2001 AFL season was the 105th season of the Australian Football League (AFL), the highest level senior Australian rules football competition in Australia. The season featured sixteen clubs, ran from 30 March until 29 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 first time, after it defeated Essendon by 26 points in the AFL Grand Final.

## AFL Draft

See 2001 AFL Draft.

## Ansett Australia Cup

Port Adelaide defeated the Brisbane Lions 17.9 (111) to 3.8 (26) in the grand final.

## Premiership season
### Round 1

| Home team | Score | Away team | Score | Venue | Attendance | Date |
| Kangaroos | 9.7 (61) | Essendon | 23.8 (146) | MCG | 56,028 | Friday, 30 March |
| Hawthorn | 13.7 (85) | Collingwood | 11.15 (81) | MCG | 52,190 | Saturday, 31 March |
| Fremantle | 18.10 (118) | Carlton | 18.11 (119) | Subiaco Oval | 23,716 | Saturday, 31 March |
| Western Bulldogs | 16.11 (107) | St Kilda | 16.16 (112) | Colonial Stadium | 30,047 | Saturday, 31 March |
| Port Adelaide | 14.15 (99) | Brisbane Lions | 14.9 (93) | Football Park | 25,948 | Saturday, 31 March |
| Geelong | 17.13 (115) | West Coast | 7.7 (49) | Shell Stadium | 20,149 | Sunday, 1 April |
| Melbourne | 15.13 (103) | Richmond | 20.14 (134) | MCG | 44,466 | Sunday, 1 April |
| Sydney | 19.12 (126) | Adelaide | 10.14 (74) | SCG | 31,174 | Sunday, 1 April |

### Round 2

| Home team | Score | Away team | Score | Venue | Attendance | Date |
| Essendon | 23.7 (145) | Port Adelaide | 16.11 (107) | Colonial Stadium | 34,918 | Friday, 6 April |
| Carlton | 11.15 (81) | Hawthorn | 16.11 (107) | Optus Oval | 27,597 | Saturday, 7 April |
| Richmond | 9.15 (69) | Western Bulldogs | 17.9 (111) | MCG | 36,427 | Saturday, 7 April |
| Collingwood | 15.15 (105) | Fremantle | 13.10 (88) | Colonial Stadium | 26,067 | Saturday, 7 April |
| Adelaide | 11.14 (80) | Melbourne | 12.11 (83) | Football Park | 35,653 | Saturday, 7 April |
| Brisbane Lions | 17.16 (118) | Kangaroos | 8.10 (58) | Gabba | 22,970 | Sunday, 8 April |
| St Kilda | 13.8 (86) | Geelong | 17.13 (115) | Colonial Stadium | 33,867 | Sunday, 8 April |
| West Coast | 13.11 (89) | Sydney | 15.14 (104) | Subiaco Oval | 32,673 | Sunday, 8 April |

### Round 3

| Home team | Score | Away team | Score | Venue | Attendance | Date |
| Carlton | 14.9 (93) | Essendon | 11.10 (76) | MCG | 63,088 | Thursday, 12 April |
| Richmond | 17.14 (116) | Brisbane Lions | 14.10 (94) | MCG | 31,688 | Saturday, 14 April |
| Western Bulldogs | 12.9 (81) | Collingwood | 23.15 (153) | Colonial Stadium | 37,598 | Saturday, 14 April |
| Kangaroos | 11.5 (71) | Sydney | 23.13 (151) | SCG | 22,395 | Saturday, 14 April |
| Adelaide | 13.10 (88) | Port Adelaide | 23.15 (153) | Football Park | 40,296 | Sunday, 15 April |
| St Kilda | 16.11 (107) | West Coast | 19.11 (125) | Colonial Stadium | 19,496 | Sunday, 15 April |
| Fremantle | 8.11 (59) | Hawthorn | 11.16 (82) | Subiaco Oval | 20,703 | Sunday, 15 April |
| Melbourne | 18.16 (124) | Geelong | 15.14 (104) | MCG | 48,551 | Monday, 16 April |

### Round 4

| Home team | Score | Away team | Score | Venue | Attendance | Date |
| Collingwood | 10.11 (71) | Richmond | 13.8 (86) | MCG | 78,638 | Friday, 20 April |
| Sydney | 6.19 (55) | Essendon | 15.12 (102) | SCG | 40,131 | Friday, 20 April |
| Carlton | 8.5 (53) | Adelaide | 9.8 (62) | Optus Oval | 21,110 | Saturday, 21 April |
| Western Bulldogs | 21.14 (140) | Brisbane Lions | 12.15 (87) | Colonial Stadium | 20,322 | Saturday, 21 April |
| Fremantle | 13.10 (88) | West Coast | 16.16 (112) | Subiaco Oval | 38,804 | Saturday, 21 April |
| Port Adelaide | 17.12 (114) | St Kilda | 7.8 (50) | Football Park | 27,017 | Saturday, 21 April |
| Geelong | 4.9 (33) | Kangaroos | 7.11 (53) | Shell Stadium | 14,298 | Sunday, 22 April |
| Hawthorn | 11.17 (83) | Melbourne | 5.14 (44) | MCG | 30,113 | Sunday, 22 April |

### Round 5

| Home team | Score | Away team | Score | Venue | Attendance | Date |
| Essendon | 15.13 (103) | Collingwood | 14.11 (95) | MCG | 83,905 | Wednesday, 25 April |
| West Coast | 11.4 (70) | Richmond | 17.7 (109) | Subiaco Oval | 38,424 | Friday, 27 April |
| Carlton | 17.23 (125) | St Kilda | 14.8 (92) | Optus Oval | 24,385 | Saturday, 28 April |
| Western Bulldogs | 19.12 (126) | Hawthorn | 24.11 (155) | Colonial Stadium | 34,400 | Saturday, 28 April |
| Adelaide | 12.18 (90) | Kangaroos | 10.15 (75) | Football Park | 37,596 | Saturday, 28 April |
| Brisbane Lions | 25.21 (171) | Fremantle | 19.8 (122) | Gabba | 20,059 | Sunday, 29 April |
| Geelong | 15.12 (102) | Port Adelaide | 23.10 (148) | Shell Stadium | 18,736 | Sunday, 29 April |
| Melbourne | 18.11 (119) | Sydney | 15.14 (104) | MCG | 31,168 | Sunday, 29 April |

### Round 6

| Home team | Score | Away team | Score | Venue | Attendance | Date |
| Kangaroos | 12.6 (78) | Richmond | 19.15 (129) | Colonial Stadium | 39,773 | Friday, 4 May |
| St Kilda | 18.12 (120) | Sydney | 14.10 (94) | Colonial Stadium | 28,933 | Saturday, 5 May |
| Fremantle | 9.20 (74) | Melbourne | 18.11 (119) | Subiaco Oval | 19,775 | Saturday, 5 May |
| Port Adelaide | 20.9 (129) | Western Bulldogs | 13.8 (86) | Football Park | 30,197 | Saturday, 5 May |
| Brisbane Lions | 17.14 (116) | Geelong | 8.13 (61) | Gabba | 25,881 | Saturday, 5 May |
| Collingwood | 15.13 (103) | Carlton | 14.11 (95) | MCG | 73,572 | Sunday, 6 May |
| Essendon | 24.14 (158) | West Coast | 10.10 (70) | Colonial Stadium | 33,829 | Sunday, 6 May |
| Hawthorn | 16.8 (104) | Adelaide | 12.19 (91) | York Park | 17,460 | Sunday, 6 May |

### Round 7

| Home team | Score | Away team | Score | Venue | Attendance | Date |
| Melbourne | 12.5 (77) | Western Bulldogs | 15.17 (107) | MCG | 32,299 | Friday, 11 May |
| Richmond | 10.14 (74) | Essendon | 16.24 (120) | MCG | 77,576 | Saturday, 12 May |
| St Kilda | 15.9 (99) | Hawthorn | 16.14 (110) | Colonial Stadium | 37,940 | Saturday, 12 May |
| Adelaide | 14.19 (103) | Fremantle | 12.11 (83) | Football Park | 38,292 | Saturday, 12 May |
| Collingwood | 14.13 (97) | Kangaroos | 15.9 (99) | Colonial Stadium | 34,600 | Sunday, 13 May |
| Geelong | 9.14 (68) | Carlton | 17.6 (108) | MCG | 29,150 | Sunday, 13 May |
| Sydney | 12.8 (80) | Brisbane Lions | 15.22 (112) | SCG | 22,390 | Sunday, 13 May |
| West Coast | 7.8 (50) | Port Adelaide | 17.19 (121) | Subiaco Oval | 28,026 | Sunday, 13 May |

### Round 8

| Home team | Score | Away team | Score | Venue | Attendance | Date |
| Richmond | 14.8 (92) | Adelaide | 17.18 (120) | MCG | 29,073 | Friday, 18 May |
| Carlton | 21.16 (142) | Brisbane Lions | 9.14 (68) | Optus Oval | 21,997 | Saturday, 19 May |
| Hawthorn | 21.12 (138) | West Coast | 8.10 (58) | MCG | 22,988 | Saturday, 19 May |
| Kangaroos | 19.24 (138) | St Kilda | 13.11 (89) | Manuka Oval | 10,958 | Saturday, 19 May |
| Port Adelaide | 16.14 (110) | Collingwood | 18.11 (119) | Football Park | 34,232 | Saturday, 19 May |
| Melbourne | 11.13 (79) | Essendon | 12.13 (85) | MCG | 47,452 | Sunday, 20 May |
| Western Bulldogs | 18.14 (122) | Sydney | 15.11 (101) | SCG | 22,874 | Sunday, 20 May |
| Fremantle | 10.13 (73) | Geelong | 14.11 (95) | Subiaco Oval | 20,231 | Sunday, 20 May |

### Round 9

| Home team | Score | Away team | Score | Venue | Attendance | Date |
| Kangaroos | 10.9 (69) | Carlton | 12.10 (82) | MCG | 43,624 | Friday, 25 May |
| Collingwood | 14.14 (98) | St Kilda | 12.8 (80) | MCG | 49,937 | Saturday, 26 May |
| West Coast | 11.11 (77) | Western Bulldogs | 18.17 (125) | Subiaco Oval | 30,063 | Saturday, 26 May |
| Brisbane Lions | 18.14 (122) | Adelaide | 19.13 (127) | Gabba | 24,122 | Saturday, 26 May |
| Essendon | 18.14 (122) | Hawthorn | 8.9 (57) | Colonial Stadium | 50,701 | Saturday, 26 May |
| Port Adelaide | 13.10 (88) | Melbourne | 9.14 (68) | Football Park | 22,423 | Sunday, 27 May |
| Geelong | 17.16 (118) | Richmond | 11.10 (76) | Shell Stadium | 27,421 | Sunday, 27 May |
| Sydney | 12.12 (84) | Fremantle | 10.5 (65) | SCG | 20,611 | Sunday, 27 May |

### Round 10

| Home team | Score | Away team | Score | Venue | Attendance | Date |
| Western Bulldogs | 11.13 (79) | Kangaroos | 19.11 (125) | Colonial Stadium | 32,793 | Friday, 1 June |
| Carlton | 21.23 (149) | West Coast | 3.12 (30) | Optus Oval | 19,757 | Saturday, 2 June |
| Hawthorn | 10.13 (73) | Port Adelaide | 17.14 (116) | MCG | 28,228 | Saturday, 2 June |
| St Kilda | 17.11 (113) | Melbourne | 22.12 (144) | Colonial Stadium | 30,497 | Saturday, 2 June |
| Brisbane Lions | 15.12 (102) | Essendon | 10.14 (74) | Gabba | 36,149 | Saturday, 2 June |
| Adelaide | 9.12 (66) | Geelong | 8.7 (55) | Football Park | 40,466 | Sunday, 3 June |
| Collingwood | 7.13 (55) | Sydney | 11.7 (73) | Colonial Stadium | 42,640 | Sunday, 3 June |
| Fremantle | 6.10 (46) | Richmond | 12.12 (84) | Subiaco Oval | 19,626 | Sunday, 3 June |

### Round 11

| Home team | Score | Away team | Score | Venue | Attendance | Date |
| St Kilda | 13.8 (86) | Essendon | 19.14 (128) | Colonial Stadium | 40,075 | Friday, 8 June |
| Geelong | 14.9 (93) | Hawthorn | 13.12 (90) | Colonial Stadium | 37,526 | Saturday, 9 June |
| West Coast | 9.8 (62) | Brisbane Lions | 11.18 (84) | Subiaco Oval | 25,588 | Saturday, 9 June |
| Adelaide | 14.13 (97) | Western Bulldogs | 19.13 (127) | Football Park | 38,829 | Saturday, 9 June |
| Kangaroos | 23.16 (154) | Fremantle | 10.8 (68) | Colonial Stadium | 18,023 | Sunday, 10 June |
| Richmond | 13.10 (88) | Carlton | 8.13 (61) | MCG | 71,767 | Sunday, 10 June |
| Sydney | 18.17 (125) | Port Adelaide | 10.18 (78) | SCG | 28,187 | Sunday, 10 June |
| Melbourne | 8.9 (57) | Collingwood | 19.20 (134) | MCG | 62,761 | Monday, 11 June |

### Round 12

| Home team | Score | Away team | Score | Venue | Attendance | Date |
| Essendon | 18.14 (122) | Adelaide | 11.7 (73) | Colonial Stadium | 38,816 | Friday, 15 June |
| Geelong | 13.9 (87) | Western Bulldogs | 15.4 (94) | Shell Stadium | 22,771 | Saturday, 16 June |
| Fremantle | 11.14 (80) | St Kilda | 12.18 (90) | Subiaco Oval | 19,857 | Saturday, 16 June |
| Melbourne | 14.15 (99) | Brisbane Lions | 23.10 (148) | Gabba | 23,740 | Sunday, 17 June |
| Collingwood | 26.17 (173) | West Coast | 14.8 (92) | Colonial Stadium | 36,589 | Friday, 22 June |
| Hawthorn | 15.11 (101) | Kangaroos | 14.14 (98) | MCG | 41,295 | Saturday, 23 June |
| Richmond | 12.14 (86) | Sydney | 8.12 (60) | Colonial Stadium | 37,196 | Saturday, 23 June |
| Port Adelaide | 10.10 (70) | Carlton | 15.14 (104) | Football Park | 35,805 | Sunday, 24 June |

### Round 13

| Home team | Score | Away team | Score | Venue | Attendance | Date |
| Brisbane Lions | 20.20 (140) | Hawthorn | 8.5 (53) | Gabba | 30,573 | Friday, 29 June |
| Carlton | 23.15 (153) | Western Bulldogs | 13.14 (92) | Optus Oval | 30,067 | Saturday, 30 June |
| Essendon | 18.10 (118) | Fremantle | 10.12 (72) | Colonial Stadium | 29,528 | Saturday, 30 June |
| Kangaroos | 14.11 (95) | Port Adelaide | 10.13 (73) | Manuka Oval | 10,030 | Saturday, 30 June |
| Adelaide | 14.13 (97) | Collingwood | 15.9 (99) | Football Park | 39,010 | Saturday, 30 June |
| St Kilda | 13.9 (87) | Richmond | 19.12 (126) | Colonial Stadium | 40,783 | Sunday, 1 July |
| Sydney | 9.11 (65) | Geelong | 12.12 (84) | SCG | 26,760 | Sunday, 1 July |
| West Coast | 15.5 (95) | Melbourne | 13.10 (88) | Subiaco Oval | 29,783 | Sunday, 1 July |

### Round 14

| Home team | Score | Away team | Score | Venue | Attendance | Date |
| Western Bulldogs | 11.10 (76) | Essendon | 24.10 (154) | Colonial Stadium | 48,728 | Friday, 6 July |
| Richmond | 10.11 (71) | Hawthorn | 20.9 (129) | MCG | 52,189 | Saturday, 7 July |
| Adelaide | 8.16 (64) | West Coast | 7.9 (51) | Football Park | 31,534 | Saturday, 7 July |
| Brisbane Lions | 17.17 (119) | St Kilda | 9.8 (62) | Gabba | 22,911 | Saturday, 7 July |
| Geelong | 16.15 (111) | Collingwood | 14.9 (93) | Colonial Stadium | 50,160 | Sunday, 8 July |
| Melbourne | 13.15 (93) | Kangaroos | 18.13 (121) | MCG | 27,464 | Sunday, 8 July |
| Sydney | 12.19 (91) | Carlton | 12.9 (81) | SCG | 30,488 | Sunday, 8 July |
| Fremantle | 11.5 (71) | Port Adelaide | 25.13 (163) | Subiaco Oval | 15,961 | Sunday, 8 July |

### Round 15

| Home team | Score | Away team | Score | Venue | Attendance | Date |
| St Kilda | 9.5 (59) | Adelaide | 23.18 (156) | Colonial Stadium | 26,560 | Friday, 13 July |
| Carlton | 16.15 (111) | Melbourne | 18.9 (117) | Optus Oval | 23,901 | Saturday, 14 July |
| Hawthorn | 11.11 (77) | Sydney | 14.14 (98) | MCG | 34,394 | Saturday, 14 July |
| Western Bulldogs | 16.23 (119) | Fremantle | 11.19 (85) | Colonial Stadium | 15,111 | Saturday, 14 July |
| Port Adelaide | 14.12 (96) | Richmond | 7.10 (52) | Football Park | 26,773 | Saturday, 14 July |
| Collingwood | 16.7 (103) | Brisbane Lions | 19.15 (129) | MCG | 45,016 | Sunday, 15 July |
| Essendon | 19.13 (127) | Geelong | 17.10 (112) | Colonial Stadium | 48,152 | Sunday, 15 July |
| West Coast | 17.8 (110) | Kangaroos | 24.10 (154) | Subiaco Oval | 34,259 | Sunday, 15 July |

### Round 16

| Home team | Score | Away team | Score | Venue | Attendance | Date |
| Richmond | 19.13 (127) | Melbourne | 12.14 (86) | MCG | 37,938 | Friday, 20 July |
| Carlton | 19.17 (131) | Fremantle | 8.8 (56) | Optus Oval | 15,622 | Saturday, 21 July |
| Collingwood | 14.5 (89) | Hawthorn | 21.18 (144) | MCG | 52,381 | Saturday, 21 July |
| St Kilda | 12.6 (78) | Western Bulldogs | 16.16 (112) | Colonial Stadium | 21,665 | Saturday, 21 July |
| Brisbane Lions | 13.16 (94) | Port Adelaide | 8.12 (60) | Gabba | 29,547 | Saturday, 21 July |
| Adelaide | 7.14 (56) | Sydney | 16.9 (105) | Football Park | 46,852 | Sunday, 22 July |
| Essendon | 27.9 (171) | Kangaroos | 25.9 (159) | MCG | 51,878 | Sunday, 22 July |
| West Coast | 12.8 (80) | Geelong | 22.18 (150) | Subiaco Oval | 31,456 | Sunday, 22 July |

### Round 17

| Home team | Score | Away team | Score | Venue | Attendance | Date |
| Western Bulldogs | 15.10 (100) | Richmond | 15.12 (102) | Colonial Stadium | 43,595 | Friday, 27 July |
| Geelong | 12.6 (78) | St Kilda | 10.6 (66) | Shell Stadium | 22,414 | Saturday, 28 July |
| Melbourne | 12.12 (84) | Adelaide | 15.10 (100) | MCG | 17,566 | Saturday, 28 July |
| Fremantle | 13.12 (90) | Collingwood | 19.5 (119) | Subiaco Oval | 20,498 | Saturday, 28 July |
| Kangaroos | 18.7 (115) | Brisbane Lions | 21.10 (136) | Colonial Stadium | 26,776 | Saturday, 28 July |
| Port Adelaide | 15.14 (104) | Essendon | 14.13 (97) | Football Park | 37,930 | Sunday, 29 July |
| Hawthorn | 15.6 (96) | Carlton | 13.15 (93) | MCG | 52,472 | Sunday, 29 July |
| Sydney | 11.17 (83) | West Coast | 6.12 (48) | SCG | 20,669 | Sunday, 29 July |

### Round 18

| Home team | Score | Away team | Score | Venue | Attendance | Date |
| Richmond | 10.11 (71) | Collingwood | 6.15 (51) | MCG | 69,930 | Friday, 3 August |
| Geelong | 15.10 (100) | Melbourne | 16.7 (103) | MCG | 31,074 | Saturday, 4 August |
| Hawthorn | 13.12 (90) | Fremantle | 16.10 (106) | Colonial Stadium | 16,595 | Saturday, 4 August |
| Sydney | 22.11 (143) | Kangaroos | 3.18 (36) | SCG | 32,689 | Saturday, 4 August |
| Port Adelaide | 16.11 (107) | Adelaide | 15.9 (99) | Football Park | 49,846 | Sunday, 5 August |
| Brisbane Lions | 19.22 (136) | Western Bulldogs | 15.13 (103) | Gabba | 26,872 | Sunday, 5 August |
| Essendon | 14.11 (95) | Carlton | 16.6 (102) | MCG | 75,873 | Sunday, 5 August |
| West Coast | 26.15 (171) | St Kilda | 12.7 (79) | Subiaco Oval | 31,358 | Sunday, 5 August |
Fremantle claimed their first win of the season in their match against Hawthorn.

### Round 19

| Home team | Score | Away team | Score | Venue | Attendance | Date |
| Kangaroos | 21.5 (131) | Geelong | 12.10 (82) | Colonial Stadium | 30,919 | Friday, 10 August |
| St Kilda | 16.18 (114) | Port Adelaide | 19.11 (125) | Colonial Stadium | 14,018 | Saturday, 11 August |
| Melbourne | 10.11 (71) | Hawthorn | 24.12 (156) | MCG | 26,632 | Saturday, 11 August |
| Adelaide | 16.10 (106) | Carlton | 8.5 (53) | Football Park | 44,542 | Saturday, 11 August |
| Brisbane Lions | 19.14 (128) | Richmond | 15.7 (97) | Gabba | 31,324 | Sunday, 12 August |
| Collingwood | 17.17 (119) | Western Bulldogs | 11.11 (77) | MCG | 38,793 | Sunday, 12 August |
| Essendon | 11.13 (79) | Sydney | 11.11 (77) | Colonial Stadium | 45,057 | Sunday, 12 August |
| West Coast | 14.14 (98) | Fremantle | 9.10 (64) | Subiaco Oval | 41,285 | Sunday, 12 August |

### Round 20

| Home team | Score | Away team | Score | Venue | Attendance | Date |
| Kangaroos | 15.10 (100) | Adelaide | 25.12 (162) | Colonial Stadium | 25,340 | Friday, 17 August |
| Richmond | 20.18 (138) | West Coast | 10.13 (73) | Colonial Stadium | 25,856 | Saturday, 18 August |
| Port Adelaide | 14.15 (99) | Geelong | 10.9 (69) | Football Park | 25,536 | Saturday, 18 August |
| Collingwood | 13.9 (87) | Essendon | 15.17 (107) | MCG | 71,518 | Saturday, 18 August |
| Hawthorn | 12.7 (79) | Western Bulldogs | 17.23 (125) | MCG | 26,642 | Sunday, 19 August |
| St Kilda | 16.8 (104) | Carlton | 22.16 (148) | Colonial Stadium | 34,521 | Sunday, 19 August |
| Sydney | 14.14 (98) | Melbourne | 19.17 (131) | SCG | 28,367 | Sunday, 19 August |
| Fremantle | 12.15 (87) | Brisbane Lions | 21.12 (138) | Subiaco Oval | 15,136 | Sunday, 19 August |

### Round 21

| Home team | Score | Away team | Score | Venue | Attendance | Date |
| Richmond | 13.14 (92) | Kangaroos | 13.10 (88) | MCG | 37,776 | Friday, 24 August |
| Carlton | 20.10 (130) | Collingwood | 9.8 (62) | MCG | 70,051 | Saturday, 25 August |
| West Coast | 6.11 (47) | Essendon | 21.10 (136) | Subiaco Oval | 36,445 | Saturday, 25 August |
| Western Bulldogs | 10.13 (73) | Port Adelaide | 22.18 (150) | Colonial Stadium | 19,649 | Saturday, 25 August |
| Adelaide | 13.13 (91) | Hawthorn | 8.5 (53) | Football Park | 42,827 | Sunday, 26 August |
| Geelong | 9.13 (67) | Brisbane Lions | 16.14 (110) | Shell Stadium | 24,325 | Sunday, 26 August |
| Melbourne | 16.18 (114) | Fremantle | 12.7 (79) | Colonial Stadium | 12,566 | Sunday, 26 August |
| Sydney | 21.16 (142) | St Kilda | 8.7 (55) | SCG | 26,334 | Sunday, 26 August |

### Round 22

| Home team | Score | Away team | Score | Venue | Attendance | Date |
| Essendon | 12.11 (83) | Richmond | 17.5 (107) | MCG | 77,028 | Friday, 31 August |
| Carlton | 13.19 (97) | Geelong | 3.9 (27) | Optus Oval | 26,314 | Saturday, 1 September |
| Fremantle | 17.18 (120) | Adelaide | 11.17 (83) | Subiaco Oval | 19,535 | Saturday, 1 September |
| Hawthorn | 13.9 (87) | St Kilda | 13.11 (89) | MCG | 24,113 | Saturday, 1 September |
| Brisbane Lions | 13.15 (93) | Sydney | 9.8 (62) | Gabba | 33,606 | Saturday, 1 September |
| Port Adelaide | 24.19 (163) | West Coast | 7.9 (51) | Football Park | 22,976 | Sunday, 2 September |
| Kangaroos | 11.17 (83) | Collingwood | 19.12 (126) | Manuka Oval | 13,117 | Sunday, 2 September |
| Western Bulldogs | 19.9 (123) | Melbourne | 21.7 (133) | Colonial Stadium | 21,146 | Sunday, 2 September |

## Ladder

All teams played 22 games during the home-and-away season, for a total of 176. An additional nine games were played during the finals series.
2001 AFL ladder :
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | D | PF | PA | PP | Pts | |
| 1 | Essendon | 22 | 17 | 5 | 0 | 2548 | 1895 | 134.5 | 68 | Finals series |
| 2 | Brisbane Lions (P) | 22 | 17 | 5 | 0 | 2538 | 1989 | 127.6 | 68 | Finals series |
| 3 | Port Adelaide | 22 | 16 | 6 | 0 | 2473 | 1918 | 128.9 | 64 | Finals series |
| 4 | Richmond | 22 | 15 | 7 | 0 | 2126 | 1973 | 107.8 | 60 | Finals series |
| 5 | Carlton | 22 | 14 | 8 | 0 | 2311 | 1797 | 128.6 | 56 | Finals series |
| 6 | Hawthorn | 22 | 13 | 9 | 0 | 2149 | 2041 | 105.3 | 52 | Finals series |
| 7 | Sydney | 22 | 12 | 10 | 0 | 2121 | 1833 | 115.7 | 48 | Finals series |
| 8 | Adelaide | 22 | 12 | 10 | 0 | 2085 | 2026 | 102.9 | 48 | Finals series |
| 9 | Collingwood | 22 | 11 | 11 | 0 | 2232 | 2088 | 106.9 | 44 | |
| 10 | Western Bulldogs | 22 | 10 | 12 | 0 | 2305 | 2458 | 93.8 | 40 | |
| 11 | Melbourne | 22 | 10 | 12 | 0 | 2136 | 2364 | 90.4 | 40 | |
| 12 | Geelong | 22 | 9 | 13 | 0 | 1926 | 2054 | 93.8 | 36 | |
| 13 | Kangaroos | 22 | 9 | 13 | 0 | 2161 | 2371 | 91.1 | 36 | |
| 14 | West Coast | 22 | 5 | 17 | 0 | 1708 | 2590 | 65.9 | 20 | |
| 15 | St Kilda | 22 | 4 | 18 | 0 | 1917 | 2642 | 72.6 | 16 | |
| 16 | Fremantle | 22 | 2 | 20 | 0 | 1794 | 2491 | 72.0 | 8 | |

### 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 |
| Essendon | 4 | 8 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 20 | 24 | 28 | 32 | 32 | 36 | 40 | 44 | 48 | 52 | 56 | 56 | 56 | 60 | 64 | 68 | 68 |
| Brisbane Lions | 0 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 20 | 24 | 28 | 32 | 36 | 40 | 44 | 48 | 52 | 56 | 60 | 64 | 68 |
| Port Adelaide | 4 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 20 | 24 | 24 | 28 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 36 | 40 | 40 | 44 | 48 | 52 | 56 | 60 | 64 |
| Richmond | 4 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 24 | 28 | 32 | 36 | 36 | 36 | 40 | 44 | 48 | 48 | 52 | 56 | 60 |
| Carlton | 4 | 4 | 8 | 8 | 12 | 12 | 16 | 20 | 24 | 28 | 28 | 32 | 36 | 36 | 36 | 40 | 40 | 44 | 44 | 48 | 52 | 56 |
| Hawthorn | 4 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 20 | 24 | 28 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 36 | 36 | 40 | 40 | 44 | 48 | 48 | 52 | 52 | 52 | 52 |
| Sydney | 4 | 8 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 16 | 20 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 28 | 32 | 36 | 40 | 44 | 44 | 44 | 48 | 48 |
| Adelaide | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 8 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 20 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 28 | 32 | 32 | 36 | 36 | 40 | 44 | 48 | 48 |
| Collingwood | 0 | 4 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 12 | 12 | 16 | 20 | 20 | 24 | 28 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 36 | 36 | 40 | 40 | 40 | 44 |
| Western Bulldogs | 0 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 20 | 20 | 24 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 32 | 36 | 36 | 36 | 36 | 40 | 40 | 40 |
| Melbourne | 0 | 4 | 8 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 28 | 28 | 32 | 36 | 40 |
| Geelong | 4 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 16 | 20 | 20 | 24 | 28 | 28 | 32 | 36 | 36 | 36 | 36 | 36 | 36 |
| Kangaroos | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 12 | 16 | 20 | 20 | 24 | 28 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 36 | 36 | 36 | 36 |
| West Coast | 0 | 0 | 4 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 16 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 |
| St Kilda | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 16 |
| Fremantle | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 8 |

## 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, MCG | 7 Sep, MCG | 7 Sep, MCG | | | | | | | | | |
| 1 | Essendon | 17.11 (113) | | | | | | | | | |
| 4 | Richmond | 5.13 (43) | 15 Sep, MCG | 15 Sep, MCG | 15 Sep, MCG | | | | |
| | | | Richmond | Richmond | 10.7 (67) | | | | |
| 8 Sep, MCG | 8 Sep, MCG | 8 Sep, MCG | Carlton | Carlton | 7.14 (56) | 22 Sep, MCG | 22 Sep, MCG | 22 Sep, MCG | | | |
| 5 | Carlton | 17.16 (118) | | | | Essendon | Essendon | 11.10 (76) | |
| 8 | Adelaide | 6.14 (50) | | | | Hawthorn | Hawthorn | 9.13 (67) | 29 Sep, MCG | 29 Sep, MCG | 29 Sep, MCG |
| | | | | | | | | | Essendon | Essendon | 12.10 (82) |
| 9 Sep, Colonial Stadium | 9 Sep, Colonial Stadium | 9 Sep, Colonial Stadium | | | | 22 Sep, The Gabba | 22 Sep, The Gabba | 22 Sep, The Gabba | Brisbane Lions | Brisbane Lions | 15.18 (108) |
| 6 | Hawthorn | 19.11 (125) | | | | Brisbane Lions | Brisbane Lions | 20.16 (136) | | |
| 7 | Sydney | 11.8 (74) | 15 Sep, Football Park | 15 Sep, Football Park | 15 Sep, Football Park | Richmond | Richmond | 10.8 (68) | | |
| | | | Port Adelaide | Port Adelaide | 10.9 (69) | | | | | | |
| 8 Sep, The Gabba | 8 Sep, The Gabba | 8 Sep, The Gabba | Hawthorn | Hawthorn | 10.12 (72) | | | | | |
| 2 | Brisbane Lions | 12.16 (88) | | | | | | | | | |
| 3 | Port Adelaide | 8.8 (56) | | | | | | | | |

### Week one

| | Qualifying Finals | Qualifying Finals | Qualifying Finals | |
| Friday 7 September (7:45 pm) | Essendon 17.11 (113) | def. | Richmond 5.13 (43) | MCG (crowd: 78,253) |
| Saturday 8 September (7:40 pm) | Brisbane Lions 12.16 (88) | def. | Port Adelaide 8.8 (56) | The Gabba (crowd: 32,380) |
| | Elimination Finals | Elimination Finals | Elimination Finals | |
| Saturday 8 September (2:30 pm) | Carlton 17.16 (118) | def. | Adelaide 6.14 (50) | MCG (crowd: 53,982) |
| Sunday 9 September (2:30 pm) | Hawthorn 19.15 (129) | def. | Sydney 11.8 (74) | Colonial Stadium (crowd: 32,910) |

### Week two

| | Semi-finals | Semi-finals | Semi-finals | |
| Saturday 15 September (2:30 pm) | Richmond 10.7 (67) | def. | Carlton 7.14 (56) | MCG (crowd: 83,323) |
| Saturday 15 September (7:15 pm) | Port Adelaide 10.9 (69) | def. by | Hawthorn 10.12 (72) | Football Park (crowd: 30,613) |

### Week three

| | Preliminary Finals | Preliminary Finals | Preliminary Finals | |
| Saturday 22 September (2:30 pm) | Essendon 11.10 (76) | def. | Hawthorn 9.13 (67) | MCG (crowd: 86,468) |
| Saturday 22 September (7:45 pm) | Brisbane Lions 20.16 (136) | def. | Richmond 10.8 (68) | The Gabba (crowd: 37,032) |

### Week four

| | Grand Final | Grand Final | Grand Final | | |
| Saturday 29 September (2:30 pm) | Essendon | def. by | Brisbane Lions | MCG (crowd: 91,482) | |
| | 3.2 (20) 8.6 (54) 9.8 (62) 12.10 (82) | Q1 Q2 Q3 Final | 3.7 (25) 5.10 (40) 11.12 (78) 15.18 (108) | Umpires: McLaren, Ellis, James Norm Smith Medal: Shaun Hart (Brisbane Lions) Television broadcast: Seven Network National anthem: Julie Anthony | Umpires: McLaren, Ellis, James Norm Smith Medal: Shaun Hart (Brisbane Lions) Television broadcast: Seven Network National anthem: Julie Anthony |
| Lloyd 5, Lucas 4, Caracella, Johnson, Moorcroft | Lloyd 5, Lucas 4, Caracella, Johnson, Moorcroft | Goals | Power 3, Akermanis 2, Brown 2, Lappin 2, Lynch 2, Ashcroft, Notting, Pike, Voss | Power 3, Akermanis 2, Brown 2, Lappin 2, Lynch 2, Ashcroft, Notting, Pike, Voss |
| Lloyd, Lucas, J. Johnson | Lloyd, Lucas, J. Johnson | Best | Hart, Johnson, Voss, Lappin, Power | Hart, Johnson, Voss, Lappin, Power |

## Match attendance

| Team | Hosted | Average | Highest | Lowest | Total | Last Year | Up/Down |
| Essendon | 11 | 51,790 | 83,905 | 29,528 | 569,685 | 48,353 | + 3437 |
| Collingwood | 11 | 49,977 | 78,638 | 26,067 | 549,751 | 45,012 | + 4965 |
| Richmond | 11 | 46,129 | 77,576 | 25,856 | 507,416 | 44,012 | + 2117 |
| Adelaide | 11 | 39,627 | 46,852 | 31,534 | 435,897 | 38,470 | + 1157 |
| Melbourne | 11 | 34,060 | 62,761 | 12,566 | 374,665 | 37,599 | – 3499 |
| West Coast Eagles | 11 | 32,669 | 41,285 | 25,588 | 359,360 | 33,136 | – 467 |
| Hawthorn | 11 | 31,449 | 52,472 | 16,595 | 346,490 | 34,417 | – 2918 |
| Carlton | 11 | 31,263 | 70,051 | 15,622 | 343,889 | 34,414 | – 3151 |
| Port Adelaide | 11 | 30,789 | 49,846 | 22,423 | 338,683 | 26,377 | + 4412 |
| St Kilda | 11 | 29,850 | 40,783 | 14,018 | 328,355 | 24,422 | + 5428 |
| Western Bulldogs | 11 | 29,660 | 48,728 | 15,111 | 326,263 | 30,572 | – 912 |
| Sydney | 11 | 27,982 | 40,131 | 20,611 | 307,800 | 25,563 | + 2419 |
| Brisbane Lions | 11 | 27,638 | 36,149 | 20,059 | 304,014 | 27,406 | + 232 |
| Geelong | 11 | 27,093 | 50,160 | 14,298 | 298,024 | 27,729 | – 636 |
| Kangaroos | 11 | 26,998 | 56,028 | 10,030 | 296,983 | 22,092 | + 4906 |
| Fremantle | 11 | 21,258 | 38,804 | 15,136 | 233,842 | 22,357 | – 1099 |
| Totals | 176 | 33,643 | 83,905 | 10,030 | 5,921,117 | 32,618 | + 1025 |
| Venue | Hosted | Average | Highest | Lowest | Total | Last Year | Up/Down |
| MCG | 44 | 47,425 | 83,905 | 17,566 | 2086,712 | 46,141 | + 1284 |
| Football Park | 22 | 35,208 | 49,846 | 22,423 | 774,580 | 32,424 | + 2784 |
| Colonial Stadium | 43 | 31,939 | 50,701 | 12,566 | 1373,371 | 30,524 | + 1415 |
| Gabba | 12 | 27,313 | 36,149 | 20,059 | 327,754 | 27,406 | – 93 |
| SCG | 13 | 27,159 | 40,131 | 20,611 | 353,069 | 22,390 | + 4769 |
| Subiaco Oval | 22 | 26,964 | 41,285 | 15,136 | 593,202 | 30,326 | – 3362 |
| Optus Oval | 9 | 23,417 | 30,067 | 15,622 | 210,750 | 24,656 | – 1239 |
| Shell Stadium | 7 | 21,445 | 27,421 | 14,298 | 150,114 | 22,108 | – 663 |
| York Park | 1 | 17,460 | 17,460 | 17,460 | 17,460 | N/A | N/A |
| Manuka Oval | 3 | 11,368 | 13,117 | 10,030 | 34,105 | N/A | N/A |
| Totals | 176 | 33,643 | 83,905 | 10,030 | 5,921,117 | 32,618 | + 1025 |

## Awards

* The Brownlow Medal was awarded to Jason Akermanis of the Brisbane Lions.
* The AFL Players Association MVP Award went to Andrew McLeod of Adelaide.
** This was the last year for the award under this name; starting with the 2002 season, it would be renamed the "Leigh Matthews Trophy".
* The Coleman Medal was awarded to Matthew Lloyd of Essendon.
* The Norm Smith Medal was awarded to Shaun Hart of the Brisbane Lions.
* The AFL Rising Star award was awarded to Justin Koschitzke of St Kilda.

## Notable events

* In their Round 16 match, Essendon trailed by 69 points 12 minutes into the second quarter against the Kangaroos, but recovered to record a high-scoring 12-point win. This presently stands as the largest ever comeback in a VFL/AFL game.
* Melbourne and Collingwood began its annual tradition of playing each other at the M.C.G. in a Melbourne home game on Queen's Birthday Holiday, as the only AFL match of the day. The teams had met on the King's or Queen's Birthday Holiday sporadically in the past (1950, 1958, 1961, 1964, 1975, 1977, 1983, 1993, 1996 and 1999) as one of several games played on the day, with the 1958 game's attendance of 99,256 still enduring as the highest crowd for a non-final, but this was the first season that the fixture became annual, and the second time (after 1996) that the game was the only one played on the day.
* Fremantle lost their first 17 matches of the season in succession; having lost in the final round of the 2000 season, this took the Dockers' losing streak to 18, the longest drought since Sydney's 26 consecutive losses in 1992 and 1993.
* During the season, it came to the attention of the AFL that in 2000 and 2001, the Brisbane Lions had been using a controversial but then-legal practice of rehydrating its players by use of intravenous saline drip during half-time and between matches. The half-time drips were administered through stents which were inserted into the players' elbows prior to the game and covered with tape during the game. The AFL was concerned about negative perceptions of the practice, and the Lions agreed in early September to immediately cease intravenous rehydration. The league banned the practice in the 2002 pre-season, and the World Anti Doping Agency later banned the practice in 2007.