# 2006 AFL season

The 2006 AFL season was the 110th season of the Australian Football League (AFL), the highest level senior Australian rules football competition in Australia, which was known as the Victorian Football League until 1989. The season featured sixteen clubs, ran from 30 March until 30 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 West Coast Eagles for the third time, after it defeated Sydney by one point in the AFL Grand Final.

## Pre-season competition

| Week One | Week One | Week One | Week One | Week One | Week One | Week Two | Week Two | Week Two | Week Two | Week Two | Week Two | Semifinals | Semifinals | Semifinals | Semifinals | Semifinals | Semifinals | Final | Final | Final | Final | Final | Final |
| Brisbane Lions | Brisbane Lions | 1 | 8 | 13 | 70 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Essendon | Essendon | 1 | 8 | 12 | 69 | Brisbane Lions | Brisbane Lions | 0 | 12 | 9 | 81 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Western Bulldogs | Western Bulldogs | 1 | 7 | 12 | 63 | Melbourne | Melbourne | 0 | 13 | 12 | 90 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Melbourne | Melbourne | 0 | 9 | 15 | 69 | | | | | | | Melbourne | Melbourne | 1 | 5 | 5 | 44 | | | | | | |
| Hawthorn | Hawthorn | 1 | 11 | 10 | 85 | | | | | | | Adelaide | Adelaide | 1 | 16 | 21 | 129 | | | | | | |
| Richmond | Richmond | 0 | 11 | 9 | 75 | Hawthorn | Hawthorn | 1 | 7 | 7 | 58 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Adelaide | Adelaide | 2 | 16 | 13 | 127 | Adelaide | Adelaide | 2 | 7 | 11 | 71 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Port Adelaide | Port Adelaide | 0 | 8 | 7 | 55 | | | | | | | | | | | | | Adelaide | Adelaide | 1 | 10 | 15 | 84 |
| Kangaroos | Kangaroos | 1 | 8 | 11 | 68 | | | | | | | | | | | | | Geelong | Geelong | 3 | 10 | 5 | 92 |
| Sydney | Sydney | 0 | 5 | 7 | 37 | Kangaroos | Kangaroos | 1 | 8 | 3 | 60 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Carlton | Carlton | 1 | 8 | 13 | 70 | Geelong | Geelong | 1 | 10 | 17 | 86 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Geelong | Geelong | 0 | 15 | 8 | 98 | | | | | | | Geelong | Geelong | 3 | 10 | 14 | 101 | | | | | | |
| Collingwood | Collingwood | 2 | 8 | 8 | 74 | | | | | | | Fremantle | Fremantle | 1 | 10 | 12 | 81 | | | | | | |
| St Kilda | St Kilda | 1 | 9 | 10 | 73 | Collingwood | Collingwood | 2 | 10 | 6 | 84 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| West Coast | West Coast | 1 | 7 | 14 | 65 | Fremantle | Fremantle | 0 | 15 | 10 | 100 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Fremantle | Fremantle | 1 | 18 | 10 | 127 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Geelong 3.10.5 (92) defeated Adelaide 1.10.15 (84) in the 2006 NAB Cup Final. The game was held at AAMI Stadium, with an attendance of 30,707.

## Premiership season
### Round 1

| | Round 1 | Round 1 | Round 1 | |
| Thursday, 30 March (6:40 pm) | West Coast 11.18 (84) | def. | St Kilda 9.12 (66) | Subiaco Oval (crowd: 40,036) |
| Friday, 31 March (7:40 pm) | Western Bulldogs 25.17 (167) | def. | Richmond 7.10 (52) | Telstra Dome (crowd: 43,532) |
| Saturday, 1 April (2:10 pm) | Geelong 17.13 (115) | def. | Brisbane Lions 5.8 (38) | Skilled Stadium (crowd: 23,029) |
| Saturday, 1 April (7:10 pm) | Essendon 17.6 (108) | def. | Sydney 12.9 (81) | Telstra Dome (crowd: 45,355) |
| Saturday, 1 April (7:10 pm) | Port Adelaide 13.9 (87) | def. by | Kangaroos 19.14 (128) | AAMI Stadium (crowd: 27,680) |
| Sunday, 2 April (1:10 pm) | Hawthorn 17.7 (109) | def. | Fremantle 13.9 (87) | Aurora Stadium (crowd: 13,682) |
| Sunday, 2 April (5:10 pm) | Melbourne 10.12 (72) | def. by | Carlton 13.15 (93) | Telstra Dome (crowd: 31,139) |
| Monday, 3 April (7:10 pm) | Collingwood 12.5 (77) | def. by | Adelaide 17.9 (111) | Telstra Dome (crowd: 35,434) |

### Round 2

| | Round 2 | Round 2 | Round 2 | |
| Friday, 7 April (7:40 pm) | Richmond 11.11 (77) | def. by | St Kilda 13.10 (88) | Telstra Dome (crowd: 40,740) |
| Saturday, 8 April (2:10 pm) | Geelong 22.6 (138) | def. | Kangaroos 10.9 (69) | Skilled Stadium (crowd: 22,839) |
| Saturday, 8 April (2:10 pm) | Western Bulldogs 20.17 (137) | def. | Melbourne 12.18 (90) | Telstra Dome (crowd: 28,478) |
| Saturday, 8 April (7:10 pm) | Brisbane Lions 17.13 (115) | def. | Essendon 15.7 (97) | The Gabba (crowd: 34,357) |
| Saturday, 8 April (5:40 pm) | Fremantle 15.11 (101) | def. | Carlton 13.8 (86) | Subiaco Oval (crowd: 34,553) |
| Sunday, 9 April (1:10 pm) | Sydney 11.14 (80) | def. by | Port Adelaide 15.16 (106) | SCG (crowd: 33,551) |
| Sunday, 9 April (2:10 pm) | Hawthorn 12.12 (84) | def. by | Collingwood 18.11 (119) | Telstra Dome (crowd: 43,296) |
| Sunday, 9 April (2:40 pm) | Adelaide 13.10 (88) | def. by | West Coast 13.12 (90) | AAMI Stadium (crowd: 43,206) |

### Round 3

| | Round 3 (Easter Round) | Round 3 (Easter Round) | Round 3 (Easter Round) | |
| Thursday, 13 April (7:40 pm) | St Kilda 19.10 (124) | def. | Brisbane Lions 12.15 (87) | Telstra Dome (crowd: 35,760) |
| Saturday, 15 April (2:10 pm) | Geelong 6.13 (49) | def. by | Hawthorn 15.11 (101) | Skilled Stadium (crowd: 24,026) |
| Saturday, 15 April (7:10 pm) | Carlton 11.8 (74) | def. by | Sydney 12.9 (81) | Telstra Dome (crowd: 36,882) |
| Saturday, 15 April (7:40 pm) | West Coast 20.16 (136) | def. | Richmond 14.6 (90) | Subiaco Oval (crowd: 39,436) |
| Sunday, 16 April (1:10 pm) | Melbourne 14.13 (97) | def. by | Adelaide 15.12 (102) | Carrara Stadium (crowd: 8,258) |
| Sunday, 16 April (2:10 pm) | Essendon 13.15 (93) | def. by | Western Bulldogs 15.14 (104) | Telstra Dome (crowd: 43,947) |
| Sunday, 16 April (4:10 pm) | Port Adelaide 11.13 (79) | def. by | Fremantle 15.20 (110) | AAMI Stadium (crowd: 25,042) |
| Monday, 17 April (2:10 pm) | Kangaroos 11.10 (76) | def. by | Collingwood 23.15 (153) | Telstra Dome (crowd: 48,721) |

### Round 4

| | Round 4 (ANZAC Day Round) | Round 4 (ANZAC Day Round) | Round 4 (ANZAC Day Round) | |
| Friday, 21 April (7:40 pm) | Carlton 9.14 (68) | def. by | Hawthorn 15.10 (100) | Telstra Dome (crowd: 45,102) |
| Saturday, 22 April (2:10 pm) | Western Bulldogs 14.14 (98) | def. | Geelong 14.13 (97) | Telstra Dome (crowd: 45,922) |
| Saturday, 22 April (7:10 pm) | Brisbane Lions 11.16 (82) | def. by | Richmond 14.12 (96) | The Gabba (crowd: 30,266) |
| Saturday, 22 April (5:40 pm) | Fremantle 9.5 (59) | def. by | Adelaide 9.16 (70) | Subiaco Oval (crowd: 35,090) |
| Sunday, 23 April (1:10 pm) | Kangaroos 10.11 (71) | def. by | West Coast 14.11 (95) | Manuka Oval (crowd: 9,541) |
| Sunday, 23 April (1:10 pm) | Sydney 13.14 (92) | def. by | Melbourne 15.7 (97) | SCG (crowd: 29,167) |
| Monday, 24 April (7:10 pm) | Port Adelaide 19.8 (122) | def. | St Kilda 18.10 (118) | AAMI Stadium (crowd: 32,188) |
| Tuesday, 25 April (2:40 pm) | Collingwood 15.16 (106) | def. | Essendon 12.17 (89) | MCG (crowd: 91,234) |

### Round 5

| | Round 5 | Round 5 | Round 5 | |
| Friday, 28 April (7:40 pm) | Richmond 12.20 (92) | def. | Carlton 11.18 (84) | MCG (crowd: 54,815) |
| Saturday, 29 April (2:10 pm) | Melbourne 13.12 (90) | def. | Kangaroos 12.14 (86) | MCG (crowd: 30,392) |
| Saturday, 29 April (2:40 pm) | Adelaide 20.12 (132) | def. | Western Bulldogs 7.13 (55) | AAMI Stadium (crowd: 41,057) |
| Saturday, 29 April (7:10 pm) | Sydney 15.17 (107) | def. | Geelong 13.7 (85) | Telstra Stadium (crowd: 37,032) |
| Saturday, 29 April (5:40 pm) | West Coast 18.14 (122) | def. | Brisbane Lions 9.9 (63) | Subiaco Oval (crowd: 40,519) |
| Sunday, 30 April (1:10 pm) | St Kilda 13.15 (93) | def. by | Fremantle 14.10 (94) | Aurora Stadium (crowd: 15,282) |
| Sunday, 30 April (2:10 pm) | Collingwood 18.12 (120) | def. | Port Adelaide 11.13 (79) | Telstra Dome (crowd: 32,276) |
| Sunday, 30 April (2:10 pm) | Hawthorn 12.12 (84) | def. | Essendon 12.11 (83) | MCG (crowd: 40,179) |
| The AFL siren controversy occurred in this round between St Kilda and Fremantle. Play had continued on for 10 seconds after the final siren as St Kilda had kicked a behind and scores were level due to umpires unable to hear the siren. Three days later, the AFL Commission had determined that the match officially ended on the final siren and therefore reversed the result. Fremantle got rewarded with the win and 4 points on the ladder as St Kilda had their 2 points stripped from the ladder. ||||||

### Round 6

| | Round 6 (Rivalry Round) | Round 6 (Rivalry Round) | Round 6 (Rivalry Round) | |
| Friday, 5 May (7:40 pm) | Melbourne 13.9 (87) | def. | Geelong 11.15 (81) | MCG (crowd: 36,041) |
| Saturday, 6 May (2:10 pm) | St Kilda 14.8 (92) | def. | Western Bulldogs 12.6 (78) | Telstra Dome (crowd: 42,760) |
| Saturday, 6 May (2:10 pm) | Fremantle 12.16 (88) | def. | West Coast 12.11 (83) | Subiaco Oval (crowd: 42,213) |
| Saturday, 6 May (7:10 pm) | Adelaide 15.13 (103) | def. | Port Adelaide 8.5 (53) | AAMI Stadium (crowd: 42,723) |
| Saturday, 6 May (7:10 pm) | Essendon 13.17 (95) | def. by | Richmond 13.19 (97) | MCG (crowd: 58,439) |
| Sunday, 7 May (1:10 pm) | Brisbane Lions 10.10 (70) | def. by | Sydney 15.12 (102) | The Gabba (crowd: 29,872) |
| Sunday, 7 May (2:10 pm) | Carlton 9.12 (66) | def. by | Collingwood 21.12 (138) | MCG (crowd: 59,695) |
| Sunday, 7 May (2:10 pm) | Kangaroos 15.12 (102) | def. | Hawthorn 11.14 (80) | Telstra Dome (crowd: 28,047) |

### Round 7

| | Round 7 | Round 7 | Round 7 | |
| Friday, 12 May (7:40 pm) | St Kilda 9.10 (64) | def. by | Geelong 12.10 (82) | Telstra Dome (crowd: 48,313) |
| Saturday, 13 May (2:10 pm) | Richmond 9.8 (62) | def. by | Sydney 28.12 (180) | Telstra Dome (crowd: 36,477) |
| Saturday, 13 May (2:10 pm) | Melbourne 17.15 (117) | def. | Fremantle 8.10 (58) | MCG (crowd: 23,368) |
| Saturday, 13 May (5:40 pm) | West Coast 16.16 (112) | def. | Collingwood 15.8 (98) | Subiaco Oval (crowd: 42,033) |
| Saturday, 13 May (7:10 pm) | Hawthorn 9.12 (66) | def. by | Brisbane Lions 16.10 (106) | Carrara Stadium (crowd: 12,315) |
| Sunday, 14 May (12:40 pm) | Port Adelaide 13.12 (90) | def. by | Western Bulldogs 25.16 (166) | AAMI Stadium (crowd: 20,233) |
| Sunday, 14 May (2:10 pm) | Carlton 17.9 (111) | def. | Essendon 11.12 (78) | MCG (crowd: 32,976) |
| Sunday, 14 May (2:10 pm) | Kangaroos 9.6 (60) | def. by | Adelaide 18.8 (116) | Telstra Dome (crowd: 16,064) |

### Round 8

| | Round 8 | Round 8 | Round 8 | |
| Friday, 19 May (7:40 pm) | Hawthorn 9.7 (61) | def. by | Melbourne 20.16 (136) | MCG (crowd: 42,985) |
| Saturday, 20 May (2:10 pm) | Richmond 10.9 (69) | def. | Adelaide 9.12 (66) | Telstra Dome (crowd: 24,461) |
| Saturday, 20 May (2:10 pm) | Fremantle 13.6 (84) | def. | Kangaroos 6.13 (49) | Subiaco Oval (crowd: 34,072) |
| Saturday, 20 May (7:10 pm) | Collingwood 22.14 (146) | def. | Geelong 6.8 (44) | MCG (crowd: 69,819) |
| Saturday, 20 May (7:10 pm) | Western Bulldogs 14.6 (90) | def. by | Sydney 17.14 (116) | SCG (crowd: 31,756) |
| Sunday, 21 May (12:40 pm) | Port Adelaide 10.18 (78) | def. by | Brisbane Lions 22.15 (147) | AAMI Stadium (crowd: 21,970) |
| Sunday, 21 May (2:10 pm) | Carlton 4.10 (34) | def. by | St Kilda 18.18 (126) | MCG (crowd: 39,908) |
| Sunday, 21 May (2:10 pm) | Essendon 14.8 (92) | def. by | West Coast 16.17 (113) | Telstra Dome (crowd: 31,434) |

### Round 9

| | Round 9 (Green Round) | Round 9 (Green Round) | Round 9 (Green Round) | |
| Friday, 26 May (7:40 pm) | Collingwood 21.13 (139) | def. | Western Bulldogs 16.9 (105) | MCG (crowd: 67,920) |
| Saturday, 27 May (2:10 pm) | Geelong 12.18 (90) | def. by | Richmond 17.8 (110) | Skilled Stadium (crowd: 23,386) |
| Saturday, 27 May (1:40 pm) | Adelaide 18.16 (124) | def. | Carlton 9.6 (60) | AAMI Stadium (crowd: 41,157) |
| Saturday, 27 May (7:10 pm) | Essendon 9.15 (69) | def. by | Port Adelaide 20.9 (129) | Telstra Dome (crowd: 29,232) |
| Saturday, 27 May (7:10 pm) | Hawthorn 7.12 (54) | def. by | Sydney 19.5 (119) | MCG (crowd: 28,387) |
| Sunday, 28 May (1:10 pm) | Brisbane Lions 21.15 (141) | def. | Fremantle 10.13 (73) | The Gabba (crowd: 27,999) |
| Sunday, 28 May (2:10 pm) | St Kilda 10.14 (74) | def. | Kangaroos 8.9 (57) | Telstra Dome (crowd: 30,904) |
| Sunday, 28 May (2:40 pm) | West Coast 13.19 (97) | def. | Melbourne 11.9 (75) | Subiaco Oval (crowd: 41,032) |
| This round was marketed as Green Shirt Round, to acknowledge the contribution of new and inexperienced umpires in junior competitions. ||||||

### Round 10

| | Round 10 | Round 10 | Round 10 | |
| Friday, 2 June (8:10 pm) | Adelaide 30.8 (188) | def. | Essendon 6.14 (50) | AAMI Stadium (crowd: 42,025) |
| Saturday, 3 June (2:10 pm) | Geelong 15.8 (98) | def. by | West Coast 16.5 (101) | Skilled Stadium (crowd: 24,028) |
| Saturday, 3 June (2:10 pm) | Western Bulldogs 16.13 (109) | def. | Hawthorn 13.10 (88) | Telstra Dome (crowd: 29,960) |
| Saturday, 3 June (7:10 pm) | Collingwood 16.13 (109) | def. | Brisbane Lions 12.11 (83) | MCG (crowd: 54,820) |
| Saturday, 3 June (5:40 pm) | Fremantle 15.10 (100) | def. | Richmond 13.11 (89) | Subiaco Oval (crowd: 36,032) |
| Sunday, 4 June (1:10 pm) | Kangaroos 14.14 (98) | def. by | Sydney 16.9 (105) | Manuka Oval (crowd: 14,922) |
| Sunday, 4 June (2:10 pm) | Carlton 12.12 (84) | def. by | Port Adelaide 17.16 (118) | Telstra Dome (crowd: 18,665) |
| Sunday, 4 June (2:10 pm) | Melbourne 15.13 (103) | def. | St Kilda 13.12 (90) | MCG (crowd: 41,665) |
| West Coast came back from 54 points down during the third quarter of its game vs Geelong to win by three, it is the biggest comeback to win a game in the Eagles history. ||||||

### Round 11

| | Round 11 | Round 11 | Round 11 | |
| Friday, 9 June (7:40 pm) | Geelong 20.10 (130) | def. | Essendon 13.10 (88) | Telstra Dome (crowd: 43,600) |
| Saturday, 10 June (2:10 pm) | Richmond 15.12 (102) | def. | Kangaroos 9.13 (67) | MCG (crowd: 42,841) |
| Saturday, 10 June (7:10 pm) | Brisbane Lions 8.12 (60) | def. by | Adelaide 10.15 (75) | The Gabba (crowd: 27,516) |
| Saturday, 10 June (7:10 pm) | Sydney 7.8 (50) | def. by | St Kilda 7.10 (52) | SCG (crowd: 31,146) |
| Sunday, 11 June (12:40 pm) | Port Adelaide 22.13 (145) | def. | Hawthorn 7.7 (49) | AAMI Stadium (crowd: 24,511) |
| Sunday, 11 June (2:10 pm) | Western Bulldogs 15.10 (100) | def. | Fremantle 12.14 (86) | Telstra Dome (crowd: 23,805) |
| Sunday, 11 June (2:40 pm) | West Coast 16.15 (111) | def. | Carlton 15.11 (101) | Subiaco Oval (crowd: 40,090) |
| Monday, 12 June (2:10 pm) | Melbourne 22.9 (141) | def. | Collingwood 14.10 (94) | MCG (crowd: 78,773) |

### Round 12

| | Round 12 | Round 12 | Round 12 | |
| Friday, 16 June (7:40 pm) | St Kilda 8.12 (60) | def. by | Adelaide 18.15 (123) | Telstra Dome (crowd: 34,170) |
| Saturday, 17 June (2:10 pm) | Fremantle 6.16 (52) | def. by | Geelong 18.10 (118) | Subiaco Oval (crowd: 34,236) |
| Saturday, 17 June (7:10 pm) | Brisbane Lions 14.19 (103) | def. by | Western Bulldogs 22.13 (145) | The Gabba (crowd: 27,745) |
| Saturday, 17 June (7:10 pm) | Port Adelaide 13.19 (97) | def. | West Coast 8.12 (60) | AAMI Stadium (crowd: 28,125) |
| Sunday, 18 June (1:10 pm) | Hawthorn 16.9 (105) | def. | Richmond 8.16 (64) | Aurora Stadium (crowd: 20,971) |
| Sunday, 18 June (2:10 pm) | Essendon 10.15 (75) | def. by | Melbourne 16.15 (111) | Telstra Dome (crowd: 35,019) |
| Friday, 23 June (7:40 pm) | Kangaroos 18.13 (121) | def. | Carlton 15.12 (102) | Telstra Dome (crowd: 34,110) |
| Saturday, 24 June (7:10 pm) | Sydney 11.16 (82) | def. by | Collingwood 14.11 (95) | Telstra Stadium (crowd: 60,307) |

### Round 13

| | Round 13 | Round 13 | Round 13 | |
| Friday, 30 June (7:40 pm) | Kangaroos 14.12 (96) | def. | Essendon 13.11 (89) | Telstra Dome (crowd: 33,747) |
| Saturday, 1 July (2:10 pm) | Melbourne 18.12 (120) | def. | Port Adelaide 12.10 (82) | MCG (crowd: 24,283) |
| Saturday, 1 July (2:10 pm) | St Kilda 18.17 (125) | def. | Hawthorn 8.7 (55) | Telstra Dome (crowd: 33,869) |
| Saturday, 1 July (7:10 pm) | Brisbane Lions 8.23 (71) | def. | Carlton 7.14 (56) | The Gabba (crowd: 29,516) |
| Saturday, 1 July (7:10 pm) | Sydney 12.19 (91) | def. | Fremantle 9.4 (58) | SCG (crowd: 24,114) |
| Sunday, 2 July (12:40 pm) | Adelaide 21.21 (147) | def. | Geelong 8.7 (55) | AAMI Stadium (crowd: 41,752) |
| Sunday, 2 July (2:10 pm) | Richmond 13.14 (92) | def. | Collingwood 6.9 (45) | MCG (crowd: 63,016) |
| Sunday, 2 July (2:40 pm) | West Coast 8.16 (64) | def. by | Western Bulldogs 10.13 (73) | Subiaco Oval (crowd: 40,375) |

### Round 14

| | Round 14 | Round 14 | Round 14 | |
| Friday, 7 July (6:40 pm) | Fremantle 19.11 (125) | def. | Essendon 12.16 (88) | Subiaco Oval (crowd: 34,608) |
| Saturday, 8 July (2:10 pm) | Carlton 11.11 (77) | def. by | Geelong 23.4 (142) | Telstra Dome (crowd: 32,096) |
| Saturday, 8 July (2:10 pm) | Hawthorn 16.8 (104) | def. by | West Coast 17.12 (114) | MCG (crowd: 21,989) |
| Saturday, 8 July (7:10 pm) | Melbourne 14.14 (98) | def. | Brisbane Lions 13.12 (90) | The Gabba (crowd: 25,541) |
| Saturday, 8 July (7:10 pm) | Port Adelaide 6.18 (54) | def. by | Richmond 14.8 (92) | AAMI Stadium (crowd: 25,067) |
| Sunday, 9 July (12:40 pm) | Sydney 8.14 (62) | def. by | Adelaide 15.11 (101) | SCG (crowd: 36,104) |
| Sunday, 9 July (2:10 pm) | St Kilda 19.8 (122) | def. | Collingwood 9.9 (63) | Telstra Dome (crowd: 48,564) |
| Sunday, 9 July (2:10 pm) | Western Bulldogs 12.10 (82) | def. by | Kangaroos 13.16 (94) | MCG (crowd: 28,173) |

### Round 15

| | Round 15 | Round 15 | Round 15 | |
| Friday, 14 July (7:40 pm) | Richmond 7.10 (52) | def. by | Melbourne 9.16 (70) | MCG (crowd: 60,086) |
| Saturday, 15 July (2:10 pm) | Essendon 10.11 (71) | def. by | St Kilda 11.8 (74) | MCG (crowd: 33,082) |
| Saturday, 15 July (2:40 pm) | Adelaide 16.13 (109) | def. | Hawthorn 11.7 (73) | AAMI Stadium (crowd: 37,446) |
| Saturday, 15 July (7:10 pm) | Kangaroos 11.18 (84) | def. by | Brisbane Lions 12.13 (85) | Telstra Dome (crowd: 22,947) |
| Saturday, 15 July (5:40 pm) | West Coast 9.13 (67) | def. | Sydney 9.11 (65) | Subiaco Oval (crowd: 40,688) |
| Sunday, 16 July (1:10 pm) | Geelong 9.14 (68) | def. | Port Adelaide 8.10 (58) | Skilled Stadium (crowd: 19,149) |
| Sunday, 16 July (2:10 pm) | Carlton 11.14 (80) | def. by | Western Bulldogs 16.14 (110) | Telstra Dome (crowd: 26,418) |
| Sunday, 16 July (2:10 pm) | Collingwood 15.14 (104) | def. by | Fremantle 18.11 (119) | MCG (crowd: 30,373) |

### Round 16

| | Round 16 (Heritage Round) | Round 16 (Heritage Round) | Round 16 (Heritage Round) | |
| Friday, 21 July (8:10 ) | Adelaide 19.10 (124) | def. | Kangaroos 7.10 (52) | AAMI Stadium (crowd: 47,487) |
| Saturday, 22 July (2:10 pm) | Collingwood 19.13 (127) | def. | West Coast 13.12 (90) | Telstra Dome (crowd: 38,777) |
| Saturday, 22 July (2:10 pm) | Essendon 16.9 (105) | drew with | Carlton 15.15 (105) | MCG (crowd: 49,181) |
| Saturday, 22 July (7:10 pm) | Brisbane Lions 11.18 (88) | def. | Hawthorn 11.8 (74) | The Gabba (crowd: 26,738) |
| Saturday, 22 July (7:10 pm) | Sydney 14.17 (107) | def. | Richmond 7.11 (53) | SCG (crowd: 28,371) |
| Sunday, 23 July (1:10 pm) | St Kilda 8.16 (64) | def. | Port Adelaide 8.12 (60) | Aurora Stadium (crowd: 16,588) |
| Sunday, 23 July (2:10 pm) | Geelong 13.12 (90) | def. | Western Bulldogs 13.11 (89) | Telstra Dome (crowd: 39,417) |
| Sunday, 23 July (2:40 pm) | Fremantle 15.6 (96) | def. | Melbourne 9.13 (67) | Subiaco Oval (crowd: 36,244) |
| This round was marketed as Heritage Round with clubs wearing heritage style jumpers. Port Adelaide were the only club that didn't wear a Heritage Round jumper due to not being able to wear their "Prison bar" SANFL jumper. The match between Essendon and Carlton was in the lead dubbed the "Bryce Gibbs Cup" with both teams in the lead up with Gibbs the favourite (and ending up being) to be the number 1 pick of that years draft. Ultimately the match ended as a draw. Daniel Motlop missed a goal after the siren to win the game for Port Adelaide against St Kilda at Aurora Stadium. ||||||

### Round 17

| | Round 17 | Round 17 | Round 17 | |
| Friday, 28 July (7:40 pm) | Collingwood 16.17 (113) | def. | Hawthorn 11.2 (68) | MCG (crowd: 54,306) |
| Saturday, 29 July (2:10 pm) | St Kilda 27.12 (174) | def. | Richmond 10.11 (71) | MCG (crowd: 43,250) |
| Saturday, 29 July (2:10 pm) | West Coast 26.9 (165) | def. | Adelaide 12.11 (83) | Subiaco Oval (crowd: 40,380) |
| Saturday, 29 July (7:10 pm) | Essendon 25.10 (160) | def. | Brisbane Lions 18.15 (123) | Telstra Dome (crowd: 32,761) |
| Saturday, 29 July (7:10 pm) | Port Adelaide 7.8 (50) | def. by | Sydney 10.17 (77) | AAMI Stadium (crowd: 23,183) |
| Sunday, 30 July (1:10 pm) | Kangaroos 13.12 (90) | def. | Geelong 8.12 (60) | Manuka Oval (crowd: 9,561) |
| Sunday, 30 July (2:10 pm) | Carlton 13.11 (89) | def. by | Fremantle 15.17 (107) | Telstra Dome (crowd: 17,518) |
| Sunday, 30 July (2:10 pm) | Melbourne 18.11 (119) | def. | Western Bulldogs 9.14 (68) | MCG (crowd: 36,466) |

### Round 18

| | Round 18 | Round 18 | Round 18 | |
| Friday, 4 August (7:40 pm) | St Kilda 8.11 (59) | def. by | West Coast 14.14 (98) | Telstra Dome (crowd: 40,177) |
| Saturday, 5 August (2:10 pm) | Carlton 12.8 (80) | def. | Melbourne 10.13 (73) | Telstra Dome (crowd: 24,113) |
| Saturday, 5 August (2:10 pm) | Richmond 10.18 (78) | def. by | Western Bulldogs 15.10 (100) | MCG (crowd: 36,339) |
| Saturday, 5 August (7:10 pm) | Sydney 17.14 (116) | def. | Essendon 11.7 (73) | SCG (crowd: 25,465) |
| Saturday, 5 August (7:10 pm) | Adelaide 7.16 (58) | def. | Collingwood 7.12 (54) | AAMI Stadium (crowd: 45,658) |
| Sunday, 6 August (1:10 pm) | Brisbane Lions 13.9 (87) | def. by | Geelong 14.20 (104) | The Gabba (crowd: 28,055) |
| Sunday, 6 August (2:10 pm) | Kangaroos 12.12 (84) | def. | Port Adelaide 9.11 (65) | Telstra Dome (crowd: 14,815) |
| Sunday, 6 August (2:40 pm) | Fremantle 14.20 (104) | def. | Hawthorn 7.9 (51) | Subiaco Oval (crowd: 35,017) |

### Round 19

| | Round 19 | Round 19 | Round 19 | |
| Friday, 11 August (7:40 pm) | Essendon 10.14 (74) | def. | Collingwood 9.7 (61) | MCG (crowd: 62,940) |
| Saturday, 12 August (2:10 pm) | Melbourne 10.3 (63) | def. by | Sydney 14.11 (95) | MCG (crowd: 43,794) |
| Saturday, 12 August (2:10 pm) | West Coast 14.23 (107) | def. | Kangaroos 12.9 (81) | Subiaco Oval (crowd: 40,067) |
| Saturday, 12 August (7:10 pm) | Richmond 21.16 (142) | def. | Brisbane Lions 8.12 (60) | Telstra Dome (crowd: 27,211) |
| Saturday, 12 August (7:10 pm) | Western Bulldogs 13.13 (91) | def. by | Port Adelaide 14.21 (105) | Marrara Oval (crowd: 14,100) |
| Sunday, 13 August (12:40 pm) | Adelaide 10.20 (80) | def. by | Fremantle 13.17 (95) | AAMI Stadium (crowd: 43,127) |
| Sunday, 13 August (2:10 pm) | Geelong 11.14 (80) | def. by | St Kilda 15.13 (103) | Telstra Dome (crowd: 40,986) |
| Sunday, 13 August (2:10 pm) | Hawthorn 17.11 (113) | def. | Carlton 13.12 (90) | MCG (crowd: 36,817) |

### Round 20

| | Round 20 | Round 20 | Round 20 | |
| Friday, 18 August (8:10 pm) | Port Adelaide 12.15 (87) | def. by | Collingwood 12.17 (89) | AAMI Stadium (crowd: 30,281) |
| Saturday, 19 August (2:10 pm) | Geelong 14.6 (90) | def. | Sydney 9.9 (63) | Skilled Stadium (crowd: 21,175) |
| Saturday, 19 August (2:10 pm) | Western Bulldogs 16.9 (105) | def. | Adelaide 14.14 (98) | MCG (crowd: 29,988) |
| Saturday, 19 August (7:10 pm) | Essendon 15.16 (106) | def. by | Hawthorn 19.10 (124) | Telstra Dome (crowd: 44,275) |
| Saturday, 19 August (5:40 pm) | Fremantle 17.12 (114) | def. | St Kilda 7.14 (56) | Subiaco Oval (crowd: 39,069) |
| Sunday, 20 August (1:10 pm) | Brisbane Lions 7.10 (52) | def. by | West Coast 16.18 (114) | The Gabba (crowd: 23,764) |
| Sunday, 20 August (2:10 pm) | Carlton 14.11 (95) | def. by | Richmond 21.14 (140) | Telstra Dome (crowd: 37,094) |
| Sunday, 20 August (2:10 pm) | Kangaroos 12.10 (82) | def. by | Melbourne 20.12 (132) | MCG (crowd: 29,457) |

### Round 21

| | Round 21 | Round 21 | Round 21 | |
| Friday, 25 August (7:40 pm) | Western Bulldogs 13.14 (92) | def. by | St Kilda 22.10 (142) | Telstra Dome (crowd: 47,120) |
| Saturday, 26 August (2:10 pm) | Geelong 14.10 (94) | drew with | Melbourne 14.10 (94) | Skilled Stadium (crowd: 23,068) |
| Saturday, 26 August (2:10 pm) | Hawthorn 7.16 (58) | def. | Kangaroos 4.12 (36) | Aurora Stadium (crowd: 18,836) |
| Saturday, 26 August (7:10 pm) | Richmond 20.9 (129) | def. | Essendon 16.17 (113) | MCG (crowd: 48,710) |
| Saturday, 26 August (7:10 pm) | Sydney 14.13 (97) | def. | Brisbane Lions 6.4 (40) | Telstra Stadium (crowd: 37,659) |
| Sunday, 27 August (12:40 pm) | Port Adelaide 14.11 (95) | def. | Adelaide 11.15 (81) | AAMI Stadium (crowd: 41,549) |
| Sunday, 27 August (2:10 pm) | Collingwood 24.12 (156) | def. | Carlton 17.10 (112) | MCG (crowd: 57,719) |
| Sunday, 27 August (2:40 pm) | West Coast 8.13 (61) | def. by | Fremantle 18.10 (118) | Subiaco Oval (crowd: 43,527) |

### Round 22

| | Round 22 | Round 22 | Round 22 | |
| Friday, 1 September (7:40 pm) | Western Bulldogs 22.15 (147) | def. | Essendon 18.17 (125) | Telstra Dome (crowd: 42,956) |
| Saturday, 2 September (2:10 pm) | Richmond 12.13 (85) | def. by | West Coast 26.17 (173) | MCG (crowd: 35,106) |
| Saturday, 2 September (2:40 pm) | Adelaide 23.14 (152) | def. | Melbourne 14.10 (94) | AAMI Stadium (crowd: 41,364) |
| Saturday, 2 September (7:10 pm) | Brisbane Lions 7.15 (57) | def. by | St Kilda 16.12 (108) | The Gabba (crowd: 27,101) |
| Saturday, 2 September (5:40 pm) | Fremantle 23.13 (151) | def. | Port Adelaide 9.18 (72) | Subiaco Oval (crowd: 41,121) |
| Sunday, 3 September (1:10 pm) | Sydney 21.10 (136) | def. | Carlton 6.8 (44) | SCG (crowd: 33,943) |
| Sunday, 3 September (2:10 pm) | Collingwood 20.19 (139) | def. | Kangaroos 10.11 (71) | MCG (crowd: 49,040) |
| Sunday, 3 September (2:10 pm) | Hawthorn 21.7 (133) | def. | Geelong 10.12 (72) | Telstra Dome (crowd: 28,188) |
| The Collingwood v Kangaroos match was the last game that was broadcast on Nine Network. The following season the Seven Network would replace Nine as the AFL free-to-air rights with Network Ten. The game between Hawthorn and Geelong was ultimately the last game broadcast on the Fox Footy Channel. It was also meant to be the last on Foxtel, but early the following year it was announced it would retain the rights as subscription rights holder. However, the Fox Footy Channel did not return. ||||||

## Ladder

2006 AFL ladder :
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | D | PF | PA | PP | Pts | |
| 1 | West Coast (P) | 22 | 17 | 5 | 0 | 2257 | 1874 | 120.4 | 68 | Finals series |
| 2 | Adelaide | 22 | 16 | 6 | 0 | 2331 | 1640 | 142.1 | 64 | Finals series |
| 3 | Fremantle | 22 | 15 | 7 | 0 | 2079 | 1893 | 109.8 | 60 | Finals series |
| 4 | Sydney | 22 | 14 | 8 | 0 | 2098 | 1630 | 128.7 | 56 | Finals series |
| 5 | Collingwood | 22 | 14 | 8 | 0 | 2345 | 1965 | 119.3 | 56 | Finals series |
| 6 | St Kilda | 22 | 14 | 8 | 0 | 2074 | 1752 | 118.4 | 56 | Finals series |
| 7 | Melbourne | 22 | 13 | 8 | 1 | 2146 | 1957 | 109.7 | 54 | Finals series |
| 8 | Western Bulldogs | 22 | 13 | 9 | 0 | 2311 | 2173 | 106.4 | 52 | Finals series |
| 9 | Richmond | 22 | 11 | 11 | 0 | 1934 | 2245 | 86.1 | 44 | |
| 10 | Geelong | 22 | 10 | 11 | 1 | 1982 | 2002 | 99.0 | 42 | |
| 11 | Hawthorn | 22 | 9 | 13 | 0 | 1834 | 2140 | 85.7 | 36 | |
| 12 | Port Adelaide | 22 | 8 | 14 | 0 | 1911 | 2151 | 88.8 | 32 | |
| 13 | Brisbane Lions | 22 | 7 | 15 | 0 | 1844 | 2239 | 82.4 | 28 | |
| 14 | Kangaroos | 22 | 7 | 15 | 0 | 1754 | 2167 | 80.9 | 28 | |
| 15 | Essendon | 22 | 3 | 18 | 1 | 2021 | 2469 | 81.9 | 14 | |
| 16 | Carlton | 22 | 3 | 18 | 1 | 1791 | 2415 | 74.2 | 14 | |

### 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 |
| West Coast | 4 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 20 | 20 | 24 | 28 | 32 | 36 | 40 | 40 | 40 | 44 | 48 | 48 | 52 | 56 | 60 | 64 | 64 | 68 |
| Adelaide | 4 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 20 | 24 | 24 | 28 | 32 | 36 | 40 | 44 | 48 | 52 | 56 | 56 | 60 | 60 | 60 | 60 | 64 |
| Fremantle | 0 | 4 | 8 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 16 | 20 | 20 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 28 | 32 | 36 | 40 | 44 | 48 | 52 | 56 | 60 |
| Sydney | 0 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 20 | 24 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 36 | 40 | 44 | 48 | 48 | 52 | 56 |
| Collingwood | 0 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 20 | 20 | 24 | 28 | 32 | 32 | 36 | 36 | 36 | 36 | 40 | 44 | 44 | 44 | 48 | 52 | 56 |
| St Kilda | 0 | 4 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 12 | 12 | 16 | 20 | 20 | 24 | 24 | 28 | 32 | 36 | 40 | 44 | 44 | 48 | 48 | 52 | 56 |
| Melbourne | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 20 | 20 | 24 | 28 | 32 | 36 | 40 | 44 | 44 | 48 | 48 | 48 | 52 | 54 | 54 |
| Western Bulldogs | 4 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 24 | 28 | 32 | 36 | 36 | 40 | 40 | 40 | 44 | 44 | 48 | 48 | 52 |
| Richmond | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 12 | 16 | 20 | 20 | 24 | 24 | 28 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 36 | 40 | 44 | 44 |
| Geelong | 4 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 16 | 20 | 20 | 24 | 28 | 32 | 32 | 36 | 36 | 40 | 42 | 42 |
| Hawthorn | 4 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 24 | 28 | 32 | 36 |
| Port Adelaide | 0 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 20 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 28 | 28 | 32 | 32 |
| Brisbane Lions | 0 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 20 | 20 | 24 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 |
| Kangaroos | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 24 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 |
| Essendon | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 10 | 10 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 |
| Carlton | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 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 |
| 9 Sep, Subiaco Oval | 9 Sep, Subiaco Oval | 9 Sep, Subiaco Oval | | | | | | | | | |
| 1 | West Coast | 12.12 (84) | | | | | | | | | |
| 4 | Sydney | 13.7 (85) | 16 Sep, Subiaco Oval | 16 Sep, Subiaco Oval | 16 Sep, Subiaco Oval | | | | |
| | | | West Coast | West Coast | 16.17 (113) | | | | |
| 10 Sep, MCG | 10 Sep, MCG | 10 Sep, MCG | Western Bulldogs | Western Bulldogs | 5.9 (39) | 22 Sep, Telstra Stadium | 22 Sep, Telstra Stadium | 22 Sep, Telstra Stadium | | | |
| 5 | Collingwood | 11.14 (80) | | | | Sydney | Sydney | 19.13 (127) | |
| 8 | Western Bulldogs | 18.13 (121) | | | | Fremantle | Fremantle | 14.8 (92) | 30 Sep, MCG | 30 Sep, MCG | 30 Sep, MCG |
| | | | | | | | | | Sydney | Sydney | 12.12 (84) |
| 8 Sep, MCG | 8 Sep, MCG | 8 Sep, MCG | | | | 23 Sep, AAMI Stadium | 23 Sep, AAMI Stadium | 23 Sep, AAMI Stadium | West Coast | West Coast | 12.13 (85) |
| 6 | St Kilda | 10.12 (72) | | | | Adelaide | Adelaide | 11.9 (75) | | |
| 7 | Melbourne | 13.12 (90) | 15 Sep, Subiaco Oval | 15 Sep, Subiaco Oval | 15 Sep, Subiaco Oval | West Coast | West Coast | 11.19 (85) | | |
| | | | Fremantle | Fremantle | 14.18 (102) | | | | | | |
| 9 Sep, AAMI Stadium | 9 Sep, AAMI Stadium | 9 Sep, AAMI Stadium | Melbourne | Melbourne | 11.8 (74) | | | | | |
| 2 | Adelaide | 10.16 (76) | | | | | | | | | |
| 3 | Fremantle | 7.4 (46) | | | | | | | | |

### Week one

| | Qualifying finals | Qualifying finals | Qualifying finals | |
| QF1: Saturday, 9 September (5:30 pm) | West Coast 12.12 (84) | def. by | Sydney 13.7 (85) | Subiaco Oval (crowd: 43,116) |
| QF2: Saturday, 9 September (2:30 pm) | Adelaide 10.16 (76) | def. | Fremantle 7.4 (46) | AAMI Stadium (crowd: 42,208) |
| | Elimination finals | Elimination finals | Elimination finals | |
| EF2: Friday, 8 September (7:30 pm) | St Kilda 10.12 (72) | def. by | Melbourne 13.12 (90) | MCG (crowd: 67,528) |
| EF1: Sunday, 10 September (2:30 pm) | Collingwood 11.14 (80) | def. by | Western Bulldogs 18.13 (121) | MCG (crowd: 84,284) |

### Week two

| | Semi-finals | Semi-finals | Semi-finals | |
| SF2: Friday, 15 September (6:30 pm) | Fremantle 14.18 (102) | def. | Melbourne 11.8 (74) | Subiaco Oval (crowd: 42,505) |
| SF1: Saturday, 16 September (5:30 pm) | West Coast 16.17 (113) | def. | Western Bulldogs 5.9 (39) | Subiaco Oval (crowd: 43,219) |

### Week three

| | Preliminary Finals | Preliminary Finals | Preliminary Finals | | |
| PF1: Friday, 22 September (8:00 pm) | Sydney 19.13 (127) | def. | Fremantle 14.8 (92) | Telstra Stadium (crowd: 61,373) | Report |
| PF2: Saturday, 23 September (3:00 pm) | Adelaide 11.9 (75) | def. by | West Coast 11.19 (85) | AAMI Stadium (crowd: 50,514) | Report |
| This was the first time a Victorian team failed to reach the preliminary finals, with all four preliminary finalists teams from other states. ||||||

### Week four

| | Grand final | Grand final | Grand final | | |
| 30 September (2:30 pm) | Sydney | def. by | West Coast | MCG (crowd: 97,431) | Report |
| | 1.4 (10) 4.6 (30) 8.11 (59) 12.12 (84) | Q1 Q2 Q3 Final | 4.2 (26) 8.7 (55) 10.10 (70) 12.13 (85) | Umpires: M Vozzo, B Allen, D Goldspink Norm Smith Medal: Andrew Embley (West Coast) Television broadcast: Network Ten National anthem: Brian Mannix, John Paul Young, Daryl Braithwaite and Shane Howard | Umpires: M Vozzo, B Allen, D Goldspink Norm Smith Medal: Andrew Embley (West Coast) Television broadcast: Network Ten National anthem: Brian Mannix, John Paul Young, Daryl Braithwaite and Shane Howard |
| M O'Loughlin, N Davis 3 B Matthews, L Roberts-Thomson, A Goodes, A Schneider, R O'Keefe, N Malceski 1 | M O'Loughlin, N Davis 3 B Matthews, L Roberts-Thomson, A Goodes, A Schneider, R O'Keefe, N Malceski 1 | Goals | Q Lynch 3 A Embley, A Hansen, B Cousins 2 C Judd, S Armstrong, A Hunter 1 | Q Lynch 3 A Embley, A Hansen, B Cousins 2 C Judd, S Armstrong, A Hunter 1 |
| N Fosdike, T Richards T Kennelly, M O'Loughlin, J McVeigh, B Kirk, A Goodes | N Fosdike, T Richards T Kennelly, M O'Loughlin, J McVeigh, B Kirk, A Goodes | Best | A Embley, D Chick, C Judd, D Glass, Q Lynch, A Selwood, M Braun, D Cox, D Kerr | A Embley, D Chick, C Judd, D Glass, Q Lynch, A Selwood, M Braun, D Cox, D Kerr |
| L Ablett | L Ablett | Injuries | Nil | Nil |
| Nil | Nil | Reports | Nil | Nil |
| The final margin was the closest winning margin in a grand final since 1966 ||||||

## Awards

* The Brownlow Medal was awarded 25 September 2006 to Adam Goodes from Sydney, for the AFL's best and fairest player.
* The Leigh Matthews Trophy was awarded to Chris Judd from West Coast as the AFL Players Association's most valuable player.
* The Coleman Medal was awarded to Brendan Fevola from Carlton. It was the first time since 1965 that the season's leading goalkicker came from the wooden spoon side, and the fourth (and, as of 2022, most recent) time overall.
* The Norm Smith Medal was awarded to Andrew Embley from West Coast as the player best afield in the 2006 AFL Grand Final.
* The AFL Rising Star award goes to Danyle Pearce from Port Adelaide.
* The McClelland Trophy was awarded to West Coast for finishing on top of the ladder after the regular season.
* The Wooden Spoon was "awarded" to Carlton for finishing 16th on the AFL ladder for the second straight year under Denis Pagan.
* The 2006 All-Australian Team has been announced, with 10 debutants and Brad Johnson named as captain.
* The AFL Mark of the Year was awarded to Brad Ottens from Geelong for his mark in round 5.
* The AFL Goal of the Year was awarded to Eddie Betts from Carlton for his goal in round 21.

### Best and fairests
## Notable events

* The Melbourne Cricket Ground was unavailable until round 4, due to its use as the main athletics stadium at the 2006 Commonwealth Games, which concluded just four days prior to the season starting.
* Matthew Lloyd, in only his third game as Essendon captain, injured his hamstring against the Western Bulldogs, ending his season. This marked the Bulldogs' first victory over Essendon since inflicting their only defeat of the 2000 season. Despite a first round thrashing of reigning premiers Sydney, in which Lloyd kicked eight goals on Leo Barry, Essendon would suffer its worst season since 1933, winning only two further matches and drawing one against Carlton, and just avoiding the wooden spoon to the Blues on percentage.
* In Round 5, Fremantle and St Kilda's game ended in controversy after the final siren was not heard by umpires, with the extra time allowing St Kilda to level the scores – the result was changed by the AFL commission later in the week on the basis that the timekeeper had failed to perform his duties.
** The amended result proved crucial to the end-of-season ladder standings, because had the draw stood, St Kilda would have finished in the top four at the expense of reigning premiers Sydney, which would've finished fifth and therefore missed out on the double chance in the finals.
* Richmond suffered three 100-point losses in season 2006, against the Western Bulldogs in round 1 (115 points), Sydney in round 7 (118 points) and St Kilda in round 17 (103 points).
* A struggling Richmond team defeated league-leaders Adelaide in round 8 in an often-discussed game. To counteract Adelaide's strong flood, Richmond slowly built up a lead by patiently controlling the football without ever kicking to a contest, a move described as both boring and brilliant. In the final quarter, Adelaide were forced to switch to man-on-man tactics, almost erasing the deficit, but falling three points short. In executing this plan, Richmond took 181 marks, which is the highest amount ever (recorded since 1987).
* In round 8, Brendan Fevola became the first player to kick all of his team's goals in a game since Mark Arceri in 1991 (also while playing for Carlton, kicking their only goal). Of Carlton's 4.10 (34), Fevola contributed 4.5 (29), Simon Wiggins scored two behinds, and three behinds were rushed. He also became the first player in 41 years to win a Coleman Medal from the wooden spoon winning side.
* St Kilda broke two long winning droughts at the SCG and the Gabba by beating Sydney and Brisbane in rounds 11 and 22 respectively. The latter match was Michael Voss' final game for the Lions.
* For the first time in VFL/AFL history, four non-Victorian teams filled the top four with West Coast, Adelaide, Fremantle and Sydney all earning the double chance. The remainder of the top eight were filled by teams based in Victoria.
* Bottom teams Essendon and Carlton had a draw in round 16, 2006. Carlton's Eddie Betts scored the match-tying goal with under one minute remaining to deny Essendon what would have been just their second win for the season. Essendon would eventually achieve that the following week. This match was dubbed the "Bryce Gibbs Cup", named after the young Glenelg midfielder who was expected to be, and ultimately was, drafted with the first pick at the end of the year, by the media as both teams were firmly rooted to the bottom of the ladder leading into their match.
* In the second Qualifying Final, Sydney beat minor premiers West Coast by a solitary point, the final scores reading 85 to 84. When the teams met again in the grand final, the final scores were also 85 to 84, but it was West Coast that claimed the victory.
* Rohan Smith and Scott West each played their 300th games for the Western Bulldogs in the club's 74-point defeat to West Coast in the semi-final. For Smith, this was his final AFL game.
* A major flaw of the fixture was that the previous season's Grand Finalists, West Coast and Sydney, did not meet until round 15 of the regular season. The 294-day wait between the 2005 Grand Final and their round 15 rematch on July 15 set a record for the longest wait between a Grand Final and the rematch, until this was surpassed in 2020 (a 300-day wait for Richmond and Greater Western Sydney between their meeting in the 2019 Grand Final and their rematch in Round 8 of the COVID-19-affected 2020 season).

## Player changes
### Retirements

| Name | Date of Birth | Club | Round Retired | Career Games | Career Goals | Reason |
| Justin Leppitsch | 10 October 1975 | Brisbane Lions | Round 10 | 227 | 194 | Back-related calf injury |
| Gavin Wanganeen | 18 June 1973 | Port Adelaide | Round 10 | 300 | 202 | Injured knee |
| Paul Williams | 3 April 1973 | Sydney | Round 14 | 306 | 307 | Fractured shoulder |
| Blake Caracella | 15 March 1977 | Collingwood | Round 17 | 187 | 218 | Fractured spinal cord/vertebrae |
| Peter Riccardi | 17 December 1972 | Geelong | Round 19 | 288 | 286 | Hamstring injury |
| Josh Francou | 7 August 1974 | Port Adelaide | Round 20 | 156 | 72 | Long-term knee injury |
| Jade Rawlings | 9 October 1977 | Kangaroos | Round 21 | 148 | 96 | Long-term knee injury |
| Dean Rioli | 20 May 1978 | Essendon | Round 20 | 100 | 91 | Hamstring, wrist and knee injuries |

#### End of season
## Club captains

| Club | Captain(s) | Vice Captain(s)/Leadership Group |
| Adelaide | Mark Ricciuto | Simon Goodwin, Tyson Edwards, Nathan Bassett and Brett Burton |
| Brisbane Lions | Simon Black, Jonathan Brown, Chris Johnson, Nigel Lappin and Luke Power |
| Carlton | Lance Whitnall | Nick Stevens, Kade Simpson (interim) |
| Collingwood | Nathan Buckley | James Clement (vc), Josh Fraser (deputy vc) and Ben Johnson (deputy vc) |
| Essendon | Matthew Lloyd and David Hille (acting) | Mark McVeigh (vc), Andrew Welsh, Scott Lucas and Dustin Fletcher |
| Fremantle | Peter Bell | Matthew Pavlich |
| Geelong | Tom Harley | Cameron Ling and Cameron Mooney (deputy) |
| Hawthorn | Richard Vandenberg | Luke Hodge and Sam Mitchell |
| Kangaroos | Adam Simpson | Brent Harvey |
| Melbourne | David Neitz | Cameron Bruce, Brad Green, Brock McLean and James McDonald |
| Port Adelaide | Warren Tredrea | Shaun Burgoyne, Brendon Lade, Michael Wilson and Chad Cornes |
| Richmond | Kane Johnson | Nathan Brown and Joel Bowden (deputy) |
| St Kilda | Luke Ball | |
| Sydney | Leo Barry, Barry Hall and Brett Kirk | |
| West Coast | Chris Judd | Andrew Embley, Darren Glass and Dean Cox |
| Western Bulldogs | Brad Johnson | Scott West, Robert Murphy, Daniel Cross and Daniel Giansiracusa |