# 2011 AFL season

The 2011 AFL season was the 115th 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 seventeen clubs, with the newly established Gold Coast Suns, based in Gold Coast, Queensland, playing its inaugural season. The season ran from 24 March until 1 October, 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 Geelong Football Club for the ninth time, after it defeated Collingwood by 38 points in the 2011 AFL Grand Final.

## Pre-season
### Draft

The 2010 National Draft was held on 18 November 2010 at the Gold Coast Convention Centre. 107 players were drafted, including 28 promoted rookies. New club Gold Coast received the first three selections as part of its draft concessions, and selected David Swallow with the number one draft pick.
The 2011 Pre-season and Rookie Drafts were held on 7 December 2010, with another 80 players being selected. Greater Western Sydney, set to join the AFL as a senior club in 2012, had the first eight selections in the Rookie Draft as part of its draft concessions.

### NAB Cup

The 2011 NAB Cup featured all seventeen senior clubs, as well as Greater Western Sydney which would not join the AFL as a senior club until 2012. The first round of matches featured lightning football matches played among six pools of three teams; standard matches were played for the rest of the competition. Collingwood defeated Essendon in the Grand Final at Etihad Stadium on Friday, 11 March.
| | 2011 NAB Cup Grand Final | 2011 NAB Cup Grand Final | 2011 NAB Cup Grand Final | | |
| Friday, 11 March 7:45 pm | Essendon | def. by | Collingwood | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 45,304) | Report |
| | 0.2.2 (14) 0.3.4 (22) 0.9.5 (59) 0.13.8 (86) | Q1 Q2 Q3 Final | 0.3.4 (22) 0.7.6 (48) 1.11.7 (82) 1.15.9 (108) | Umpires: Rosebury, Stevic, Nicholls, Jennings Michael Tuck Medal: Heath Shaw Television broadcast: Seven Network | Umpires: Rosebury, Stevic, Nicholls, Jennings Michael Tuck Medal: Heath Shaw Television broadcast: Seven Network |
| | | Super Goals | 1 Buckley | 1 Buckley |
| Hurley, Monfries 3 Ryder, Watson, Zaharakis 2 Hocking 1 | Hurley, Monfries 3 Ryder, Watson, Zaharakis 2 Hocking 1 | Goals | 3 Krakouer, Dawes 2 Cloke 1 Ball, Beams, McCarthy, Pendlebury, Swan, Thomas, Wellingham | 3 Krakouer, Dawes 2 Cloke 1 Ball, Beams, McCarthy, Pendlebury, Swan, Thomas, Wellingham |
| Hardingham (groin) | Hardingham (groin) | Injuries | Nil | Nil |

## Premiership season

The fixture was announced on 29 October. Some of the highlights included:
* Gold Coast had a bye for the first round and played its first home match in the second round against Carlton at the Gabba. Its first match at its permanent home ground, the renovated Metricon Stadium, was against Geelong on 28 May.
* The season had 24 rounds; 19 rounds featured eight matches with one team having a bye, and five rounds featured seven matches with three teams having a bye. There were eleven additional matches compared with 2010, giving a total of 196 games including finals, up from 185.
* Two venues hosted their first AFL matches during the season: Cazaly's Stadium in Cairns hosted the Richmond vs Gold Coast match in round 17, and the Adelaide Oval in Adelaide hosted the Port Adelaide vs Melbourne match in round 24; the latter was not part of the original fixture, and the game was moved there from AAMI Stadium during the season.

### Round 1

| | Round 1 | Round 1 | Round 1 | | |
| Thursday, 24 March (7:40 pm) | Carlton 14.20 (104) | def. | Richmond 13.6 (84) | MCG (crowd: 60,654) | Report |
| Friday, 25 March (7:40 pm) | Geelong 6.12 (48) | def. | St Kilda 6.11 (47) | MCG (crowd: 42,869) | Report |
| Saturday, 26 March (2:10 pm) | Collingwood 24.11 (155) | def. | Port Adelaide 12.8 (80) | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 35,773) | Report |
| Saturday, 26 March (7:10 pm) | Adelaide 16.9 (105) | def. | Hawthorn 12.13 (85) | AAMI Stadium (crowd: 42,536) | Report |
| Saturday, 26 March (7:10 pm) | Brisbane Lions 14.8 (92) | def. by | Fremantle 13.16 (94) | The Gabba (crowd: 23,373) | Report |
| Sunday, 27 March (1:10 pm) | Essendon 16.17 (113) | def. | Western Bulldogs 8.10 (58) | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 42,617) | Report |
| Sunday, 27 March (2:10 pm) | Melbourne 11.18 (84) | drew with | Sydney 11.18 (84) | MCG (crowd: 33,951) | Report |
| Sunday, 27 March (4:10 pm) | West Coast 13.14 (92) | def. | North Melbourne 13.10 (88) | Patersons Stadium (crowd: 35,878) | Report |
| | Bye Gold Coast | Bye Gold Coast | Bye Gold Coast | | |
| Adelaide commemorated 20 years since joining the AFL with a rematch against Hawthorn, its opponent in round 1 of its inaugural 1991 season. ||||||

### Round 2

| | Round 2 | Round 2 | Round 2 | | |
| Friday, 1 April (7:40 pm) | St Kilda 13.17 (95) | drew with | Richmond 14.11 (95) | MCG (crowd: 41,465) | Report |
| Saturday, 2 April (2:10 pm) | North Melbourne 7.14 (56) | def. by | Collingwood 21.17 (143) | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 40,578) | Report |
| Saturday, 2 April (2:40 pm) | Port Adelaide 15.8 (98) | def. by | West Coast 16.20 (116) | AAMI Stadium (crowd: 23,214) | Report |
| Saturday, 2 April (6:40 pm) | Gold Coast 7.10 (52) | def. by | Carlton 26.15 (171) | The Gabba (crowd: 27,914) | Report |
| Saturday, 2 April (5:40 pm) | Fremantle 10.18 (78) | def. by | Geelong 13.11 (89) | Patersons Stadium (crowd: 37,004) | Report |
| Sunday, 3 April (1:10 pm) | Western Bulldogs 19.9 (123) | def. | Brisbane Lions 6.9 (45) | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 22,331) | Report |
| Sunday, 3 April (2:10 pm) | Sydney 14.14 (98) | def. | Essendon 13.15 (93) | ANZ Stadium (crowd: 28,082) | Report |
| Sunday, 3 April (4:40 pm) | Hawthorn 16.26 (122) | def. | Melbourne 12.5 (77) | MCG (crowd: 49,905) | Report |
| | Bye Adelaide | Bye Adelaide | Bye Adelaide | | |
| The new club, Gold Coast, made its AFL Premiership debut against Carlton at The Gabba. Carlton's score of 26.15 (171) was its highest in a match since 2000; and the winning margin, 119 points, was its greatest since 2001. Richmond drew with St Kilda, ending the club's 13-game losing streak against the Saints, but extending the winless streak against the same opponent to 14 games. Richmond had not beaten St Kilda since round 4, 2003. ||||||

### Round 3

| | Round 3 | Round 3 | Round 3 | | |
| Friday, 8 April (7:40 pm) | Collingwood 15.12 (102) | def. | Carlton 11.8 (74) | MCG (crowd: 88,181) | Report |
| Saturday, 9 April (2:10 pm) | Western Bulldogs 18.14 (122) | def. | Gold Coast 7.9 (51) | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 21,373) | Report |
| Saturday, 9 April (2:40 pm) | Adelaide 7.12 (54) | def. by | Fremantle 11.13 (79) | AAMI Stadium (crowd: 33,414) | Report |
| Saturday, 9 April (7:10 pm) | Richmond 6.16 (52) | def. by | Hawthorn 17.13 (115) | MCG (crowd: 46,368) | Report |
| Saturday, 9 April (5:40 pm) | West Coast 13.10 (88) | def. by | Sydney 15.11 (101) | Patersons Stadium (crowd: 37,288) | Report |
| Sunday, 10 April (1:10 pm) | Melbourne 12.10 (82) | def. | Brisbane Lions 11.5 (71) | MCG (crowd: 24,380) | Report |
| Sunday, 10 April (2:10 pm) | Geelong 17.20 (122) | def. | Port Adelaide 6.7 (43) | Skilled Stadium (crowd: 22,420) | Report |
| Sunday, 10 April (4:40 pm) | St Kilda 12.12 (84) | def. by | Essendon 21.10 (136) | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 47,762) | Report |
| | Bye North Melbourne | Bye North Melbourne | Bye North Melbourne | | |
| Matthew Pavlich became Fremantle's club game record holder, breaking former Docker Shane Parker's 238-game record. ||||||

### Round 4

| | Round 4 | Round 4 | Round 4 | | |
| Friday, 15 April (7:40 pm) | Richmond 13.12 (90) | def. by | Collingwood 24.17 (161) | MCG (crowd: 58,050) | Report |
| Saturday, 16 April (2:10 pm) | Hawthorn 10.12 (72) | def. | West Coast 9.11 (65) | Aurora Stadium (crowd: 15,063) | Report |
| Saturday, 16 April (2:10 pm) | Carlton 11.13 (79) | drew with | Essendon 11.13 (79) | MCG (crowd: 78,605) | Report |
| Saturday, 16 April (7:10 pm) | Sydney 7.12 (54) | def. by | Geelong 11.15 (81) | SCG (crowd: 25,300) | Report |
| Saturday, 16 April (7:10 pm) | Port Adelaide 14.14 (98) | def. | Adelaide 9.12 (66) | AAMI Stadium (crowd: 33,143) | Report |
| Sunday, 17 April (2:10 pm) | Gold Coast 9.15 (69) | def. by | Melbourne 23.21 (159) | The Gabba (crowd: 12,111) | Report |
| Sunday, 17 April (2:40 pm) | Fremantle 18.19 (127) | def. | North Melbourne 14.14 (98) | Patersons Stadium (crowd: 34,779) | Report |
| | Bye Brisbane Lions, St Kilda, Western Bulldogs | Bye Brisbane Lions, St Kilda, Western Bulldogs | Bye Brisbane Lions, St Kilda, Western Bulldogs | | |
| The longest and second longest active streaks of consecutive games played were both broken this weekend: Kane Cornes of Port Adelaide was omitted after 174 consecutive games, and Collingwood's Darren Jolly was out injured after 142 consecutive matches. ||||||

### Round 5

| | Round 5 (Easter and ANZAC Day) | Round 5 (Easter and ANZAC Day) | Round 5 (Easter and ANZAC Day) | | |
| Thursday, 21 April (7:40 pm) | Brisbane Lions 11.10 (76) | def. by | St Kilda 13.11 (89) | The Gabba (crowd: 22,520) | Report |
| Saturday, 23 April (2:40 pm) | Port Adelaide 15.11 (101) | def. by | Gold Coast 15.14 (104) | AAMI Stadium (crowd: 21,287) | Report |
| Saturday, 23 April (7:10 pm) | Carlton 11.19 (85) | def. | Adelaide 12.7 (79) | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 37,607) | Report |
| Sunday, 24 April (4:40 pm) | North Melbourne 14.19 (103) | def. by | Richmond 17.10 (112) | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 36,461) | Report |
| Monday, 25 April (2:40 pm) | Essendon 11.11 (77) | def. by | Collingwood 16.11 (107) | MCG (crowd: 89,626) | Report |
| Monday, 25 April (6:40 pm) | Fremantle 12.13 (85) | def. | Western Bulldogs 11.12 (78) | Patersons Stadium (crowd: 37,551) | Report |
| Tuesday, 26 April (2:40 pm) | Hawthorn 15.8 (98) | def. by | Geelong 17.15 (117) | MCG (crowd: 78,579) | Report |
| | Bye Melbourne, Sydney, West Coast | Bye Melbourne, Sydney, West Coast | Bye Melbourne, Sydney, West Coast | | |
| Gold Coast recorded its first victory at AFL premiership level, defeating Port Adelaide by three points. Gold Coast trailed by 40 points late in the third quarter, before recovering to win the match; Port Adelaide's Justin Westhoff missed a 45m set shot after the siren which would have won the game for Port Adelaide. ||||||

### Round 6

| | Round 6 | Round 6 | Round 6 | | |
| Thursday, 28 April (6:40 pm) | West Coast 15.16 (106) | def. | Melbourne 6.16 (52) | Patersons Stadium (crowd: 36,298) | Report |
| Friday, 29 April (7:40 pm) | Sydney 10.11 (71) | def. by | Carlton 12.15 (87) | SCG (crowd: 28,081) | Report |
| Saturday, 30 April (2:10 pm) | North Melbourne 18.25 (133) | def. | Port Adelaide 10.13 (73) | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 16,014) | Report |
| Saturday, 30 April (7:10 pm) | Richmond 18.16 (124) | def. | Brisbane Lions 14.14 (98) | MCG (crowd: 37,438) | Report |
| Saturday, 30 April (7:10 pm) | Adelaide 13.12 (90) | def. | St Kilda 9.17 (71) | AAMI Stadium (crowd: 33,854) | Report |
| Sunday, 1 May (1:10 pm) | Essendon 31.11 (197) | def. | Gold Coast 8.10 (58) | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 33,710) | Report |
| Sunday, 1 May (4:40 pm) | Collingwood 15.15 (105) | def. | Western Bulldogs 8.9 (57) | MCG (crowd: 53,776) | Report |
| | Bye Fremantle, Geelong, Hawthorn | Bye Fremantle, Geelong, Hawthorn | Bye Fremantle, Geelong, Hawthorn | | |
| Essendon's scored 15.4 (94) in the first quarter against Gold Coast. It was the second highest score by any club in a quarter of football and as of 2022 stands as the highest-scoring first quarter of all time. Essendon's final score of 31.11 (197) was its highest since 2000, and its final winning margin of 139 points was its highest since 1989. ||||||

### Round 7

| | Round 7 | Round 7 | Round 7 | | |
| Friday, 6 May (8:10 pm) | Port Adelaide 10.12 (72) | def. by | Hawthorn 15.14 (104) | AAMI Stadium (crowd: 21,819) | Report |
| Saturday, 7 May (1:10 pm) | Western Bulldogs 10.5 (65) | def. by | Sydney 10.13 (73) | Manuka Oval (crowd: 10,184) | Report |
| Saturday, 7 May (2:10 pm) | Geelong 19.13 (127) | def. | North Melbourne 9.7 (61) | Skilled Stadium (crowd: 23,669) | Report |
| Saturday, 7 May (4:10 pm) | Richmond 23.10 (148) | def. | Fremantle 14.15 (99) | MCG (crowd: 34,090) | Report |
| Saturday, 7 May (7:10 pm) | Gold Coast 18.16 (124) | def. | Brisbane Lions 17.14 (116) | The Gabba (crowd: 25,501) | Report |
| Sunday, 8 May (1:10 pm) | Essendon 16.10 (106) | def. | West Coast 12.18 (90) | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 33,631) | Report |
| Sunday, 8 May (2:10 pm) | Melbourne 22.17 (149) | def. | Adelaide 8.5 (53) | MCG (crowd: 19,987) | Report |
| Monday, 9 May (7:20 pm) | St Kilda 12.9 (81) | def. by | Carlton 11.18 (84) | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 41,576) | Report |
| | Bye Collingwood | Bye Collingwood | Bye Collingwood | | |
| In a VFL/AFL first, twin brothers Chris Scott (Geelong) and Brad Scott (North Melbourne) faced each other as coaches. It was the first of many matches the pair coached against each other over the following nine seasons. Geelong recorded its 25th consecutive victory at Kardinia Park, breaking the VFL/AFL record for most successive wins at one venue. The record was previously held jointly by Richmond at Punt Road Oval (1932–1935) and South Melbourne at Lake Oval (1934–1936). Geelong would ultimately extend the streak to 29 wins before losing to Sydney in round 23. The two Queensland teams, Gold Coast and the Brisbane Lions, played their first ever regular-season game against each other, known as the QClash. ||||||

### Round 8

| | Round 8 | Round 8 | Round 8 | | |
| Friday, 13 May (7:40 pm) | Geelong 8.17 (65) | def. | Collingwood 9.8 (62) | MCG (crowd: 81,691) | Report |
| Saturday, 14 May (2:10 pm) | North Melbourne 19.10 (124) | def. | Melbourne 12.11 (83) | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 23,536) | Report |
| Saturday, 14 May (2:40 pm) | Adelaide 20.10 (130) | def. | Gold Coast 9.19 (73) | AAMI Stadium (crowd: 36,056) | Report |
| Saturday, 14 May (7:10 pm) | Brisbane Lions 9.12 (66) | def. by | Essendon 15.12 (102) | The Gabba (crowd: 24,921) | Report |
| Saturday, 14 May (7:10 pm) | Sydney 18.13 (121) | def. | Port Adelaide 9.5 (59) | SCG (crowd: 20,719) | Report |
| Sunday, 15 May (1:10 pm) | Hawthorn 14.15 (99) | def. | St Kilda 10.9 (69) | MCG (crowd: 42,453) | Report |
| Sunday, 15 May (2:10 pm) | Western Bulldogs 23.15 (153) | def. | Richmond 18.10 (118) | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 39,141) | Report |
| Sunday, 15 May (2:40 pm) | West Coast 14.12 (96) | def. | Fremantle 9.9 (63) | Patersons Stadium (crowd: 40,567) | Report |
| | Bye Carlton | Bye Carlton | Bye Carlton | | |
| West Coast won its first Western Derby since round 3, 2007, ending Fremantle's seven-derby winning streak. ||||||

### Round 9

| | Round 9 (Indigenous Round) | Round 9 (Indigenous Round) | Round 9 (Indigenous Round) | | |
| Friday, 20 May (7:40 pm) | Carlton 14.16 (100) | def. by | Geelong 15.12 (102) | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 48,429) | Report |
| Saturday, 21 May (2:10 pm) | St Kilda 16.10 (106) | def. | Melbourne 13.8 (86) | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 28,863) | Report |
| Saturday, 21 May (2:40 pm) | Port Adelaide 14.6 (90) | def. by | Fremantle 21.16 (142) | AAMI Stadium (crowd: 16,274) | Report |
| Saturday, 21 May (7:10 pm) | Brisbane Lions 10.13 (73) | def. | North Melbourne 8.11 (59) | The Gabba (crowd: 18,404) | Report |
| Saturday, 21 May (7:40 pm) | Richmond 16.9 (105) | def. | Essendon 13.11 (89) | MCG (crowd: 83,563) | Report |
| Sunday, 22 May (1:10 pm) | Collingwood 20.15 (135) | def. | Adelaide 14.8 (92) | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 38,849) | Report |
| Sunday, 22 May (2:10 pm) | Sydney 8.12 (60) | def. by | Hawthorn 15.16 (106) | SCG (crowd: 33,136) | Report |
| Sunday, 22 May (2:40 pm) | West Coast 26.19 (175) | def. | Western Bulldogs 8.4 (52) | Patersons Stadium (crowd: 37,308) | Report |
| | Bye Gold Coast | Bye Gold Coast | Bye Gold Coast | | |
| West Coast set new records for the club's highest score, 26.19 (175), and greatest winning margin, 123 points, in matches against the Western Bulldogs. It was the Bulldogs' worst defeat since round 2, 1996. ||||||

### Round 10

| | Round 10 | Round 10 | Round 10 | | |
| Friday, 27 May (7:40 pm) | Melbourne 6.10 (46) | def. by | Carlton 13.15 (93) | MCG (crowd: 47,464) | Report |
| Saturday, 28 May (2:10 pm) | North Melbourne 9.17 (71) | def. by | Sydney 10.12 (72) | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 24,267) | Report |
| Saturday, 28 May (1:10 pm) | Fremantle 7.14 (56) | def. by | St Kilda 15.12 (102) | Patersons Stadium (crowd: 35,483) | Report |
| Saturday, 28 May (7:20 pm) | Gold Coast 10.13 (73) | def. by | Geelong 21.13 (139) | Metricon Stadium (crowd: 21,485) | Report |
| Saturday, 28 May (8:10 pm) | Richmond 10.14 (74) | def. by | Port Adelaide 13.11 (89) | TIO Stadium (crowd: 11,506) | Report |
| Sunday, 29 May (12:40 pm) | Adelaide 8.13 (61) | def. by | Brisbane Lions 15.11 (101) | AAMI Stadium (crowd: 34,583) | Report |
| Sunday, 29 May (2:10 pm) | Collingwood 16.9 (105) | def. | West Coast 7.11 (53) | MCG (crowd: 52,560) | Report |
| Sunday, 29 May (4:40 pm) | Western Bulldogs 9.8 (62) | def. by | Hawthorn 13.13 (91) | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 30,747) | Report |
| | Bye Essendon | Bye Essendon | Bye Essendon | | |

### Round 11

| | Round 11 | Round 11 | Round 11 | | |
| Friday, 3 June (7:40 pm) | Essendon 10.8 (68) | def. by | Melbourne 15.11 (101) | MCG (crowd: 53,077) | Report |
| Saturday, 4 June (1:10 pm) | West Coast 13.7 (85) | def. | Gold Coast 10.7 (67) | Patersons Stadium (crowd: 36,815) | Report |
| Saturday, 4 June (2:10 pm) | Geelong 23.10 (148) | def. | Western Bulldogs 13.9 (87) | Skilled Stadium (crowd: 25,078) | Report |
| Saturday, 4 June (7:10 pm) | Collingwood 16.12 (108) | def. | St Kilda 7.9 (51) | MCG (crowd: 62,991) | Report |
| Saturday, 4 June (7:10 pm) | Brisbane Lions 7.9 (51) | def. by | Sydney 17.14 (116) | The Gabba (crowd: 22,150) | Report |
| Sunday, 5 June (1:10 pm) | Hawthorn 17.9 (111) | def. | Fremantle 13.11 (89) | MCG (crowd: 31,925) | Report |
| Sunday, 5 June (2:10 pm) | North Melbourne 18.7 (115) | def. | Adelaide 10.8 (68) | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 18,185) | Report |
| Sunday, 5 June (4:10 pm) | Port Adelaide 7.7 (49) | def. by | Carlton 16.15 (111) | AAMI Stadium (crowd: 23,192) | Report |
| | Bye Richmond | Bye Richmond | Bye Richmond | | |

### Round 12

| | Round 12 (Women's Round & Queen's Birthday) | Round 12 (Women's Round & Queen's Birthday) | Round 12 (Women's Round & Queen's Birthday) | | |
| Friday, 10 June (7:40 pm) | St Kilda 12.9 (81) | def. | Western Bulldogs 8.9 (57) | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 31,237) | Report |
| Saturday, 11 June (2:40 pm) | Adelaide 10.7 (67) | def. by | West Coast 15.16 (106) | AAMI Stadium (crowd: 31,412) | Report |
| Saturday, 11 June (7:10 pm) | Gold Coast 9.9 (63) | def. by | North Melbourne 18.14 (122) | Metricon Stadium (crowd: 14,945) | Report |
| Saturday, 11 June (7:10 pm) | Geelong 13.10 (88) | def. | Hawthorn 13.5 (83) | MCG (crowd: 63,476) | Report |
| Sunday, 12 June (1:10 pm) | Carlton 19.10 (124) | def. | Brisbane Lions 9.9 (63) | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 43,617) | Report |
| Sunday, 12 June (2:10 pm) | Sydney 9.21 (75) | def. | Richmond 9.11 (65) | SCG (crowd: 23,782) | Report |
| Sunday, 12 June (2:40 pm) | Fremantle 15.8 (98) | def. | Essendon 9.10 (64) | Patersons Stadium (crowd: 35,824) | Report |
| Monday, 13 June (2:10 pm) | Melbourne 6.5 (41) | def. by | Collingwood 19.15 (129) | MCG (crowd: 75,998) | Report |
| | Bye Port Adelaide | Bye Port Adelaide | Bye Port Adelaide | | |
| Brent Harvey played his 312th game for North Melbourne, breaking the club games record previously held by Glenn Archer. ||||||

### Round 13

| | Round 13 | Round 13 | Round 13 | | |
| Friday, 17 June (7:40 pm) | Western Bulldogs 14.16 (100) | def. | Adelaide 10.10 (70) | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 19,363) | Report |
| Saturday, 18 June (2:10 pm) | Hawthorn 19.15 (129) | def. | Gold Coast 8.10 (58) | Aurora Stadium (crowd: 16,377) | Report |
| Saturday, 18 June (2:10 pm) | Essendon 12.18 (90) | def. by | North Melbourne 17.9 (111) | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 42,329) | Report |
| Saturday, 18 June (7:10 pm) | Brisbane Lions 14.10 (94) | def. by | Richmond 18.17 (125) | The Gabba (crowd: 21,510) | Report |
| Saturday, 18 June (7:10 pm) | St Kilda 11.6 (72) | def. by | Geelong 15.10 (100) | MCG (crowd: 39,539) | Report |
| Sunday, 19 June (1:10 pm) | Melbourne 22.17 (149) | def. | Fremantle 8.12 (60) | MCG (crowd: 19,092) | Report |
| Sunday, 19 June (2:10 pm) | Carlton 15.10 (100) | def. | Sydney 10.6 (66) | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 42,788) | Report |
| Sunday, 19 June (2:40 pm) | West Coast 15.20 (110) | def. | Port Adelaide 13.10 (88) | Patersons Stadium (crowd: 35,059) | Report |
| | Bye Collingwood | Bye Collingwood | Bye Collingwood | | |
| Melbourne recorded its biggest ever victory over Fremantle, winning by 89 points. ||||||

### Round 14

| | Round 14 | Round 14 | Round 14 | | |
| Friday, 24 June (7:40 pm) | Hawthorn 23.8 (146) | def. | Essendon 12.9 (81) | MCG (crowd: 64,537) | Report |
| Saturday, 25 June (2:10 pm) | Gold Coast 13.10 (88) | def. by | Western Bulldogs 17.8 (110) | Metricon Stadium (crowd: 16,149) | Report |
| Saturday, 25 June (2:10 pm) | Richmond 13.13 (91) | def. by | Melbourne 17.16 (118) | MCG (crowd: 61,900) | Report |
| Saturday, 25 June (7:10 pm) | Sydney 14.9 (93) | def. by | Collingwood 13.21 (99) | ANZ Stadium (crowd: 38,053) | Report |
| Saturday, 25 June (5:40 pm) | Fremantle 12.16 (88) | def. | Brisbane Lions 10.5 (65) | Patersons Stadium (crowd: 30,330) | Report |
| Sunday, 26 June (1:10 pm) | Geelong 19.11 (125) | def. | Adelaide 10.13 (73) | Skilled Stadium (crowd: 23,246) | Report |
| Sunday, 26 June (2:10 pm) | Carlton 10.7 (67) | def. by | West Coast 15.13 (103) | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 38,241) | Report |
| Sunday, 26 June (4:10 pm) | Port Adelaide 14.7 (91) | def. by | North Melbourne 21.10 (136) | AAMI Stadium (crowd: 17,275) | Report |
| | Bye St Kilda | Bye St Kilda | Bye St Kilda | | |

### Round 15

| | Round 15 | Round 15 | Round 15 | | |
| Friday, 1 July (7:40 pm) | Western Bulldogs 19.13 (127) | def. | Melbourne 8.15 (63) | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 29,516) | Report |
| Saturday, 2 July (1:10 pm) | Fremantle 17.10 (112) | def. | Gold Coast 9.8 (62) | Patersons Stadium (crowd: 28,646) | Report |
| Saturday, 2 July (2:10 pm) | Richmond 12.9 (81) | def. by | Carlton 28.16 (184) | MCG (crowd: 59,650) | Report |
| Saturday, 2 July (7:10 pm) | Essendon 18.7 (115) | def. | Geelong 16.15 (111) | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 43,806) | Report |
| Saturday, 2 July (7:10 pm) | Adelaide 8.9 (57) | def. | Sydney 6.14 (50) | AAMI Stadium (crowd: 23,063) | Report |
| Sunday, 3 July (1:10 pm) | Brisbane Lions 15.9 (99) | def. | Port Adelaide 13.10 (88) | The Gabba (crowd: 17,276) | Report |
| Sunday, 3 July (2:10 pm) | Collingwood 15.16 (106) | def. | Hawthorn 9.11 (65) | MCG (crowd: 83,985) | Report |
| Sunday, 3 July (4:40 pm) | North Melbourne 10.10 (70) | def. by | St Kilda 12.7 (79) | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 29,693) | Report |
| | Bye West Coast | Bye West Coast | Bye West Coast | | |
| Carlton recorded its highest ever score against Richmond, kicking 28.16 (184). Essendon defeated Geelong, ending Geelong's thirteen-game winning streak to start the season. ||||||

### Round 16

| | Round 16 | Round 16 | Round 16 | | |
| Friday, 8 July (6:40 pm) | West Coast 14.12 (96) | def. | Geelong 13.10 (88) | Patersons Stadium (crowd: 40,164) | Report |
| Saturday, 9 July (2:10 pm) | Hawthorn 16.9 (105) | def. | Brisbane Lions 9.9 (63) | Aurora Stadium (crowd: 14,604) | Report |
| Saturday, 9 July (7:10 pm) | Gold Coast 4.12 (36) | def. by | Sydney 15.16 (106) | Metricon Stadium (crowd: 16,488) | Report |
| Saturday, 9 July (7:10 pm) | Essendon 15.15 (105) | def. | Richmond 9.12 (66) | MCG (crowd: 55,442) | Report |
| Sunday, 10 July (1:10 pm) | Collingwood 22.15 (147) | def. | North Melbourne 3.12 (30) | MCG (crowd: 53,601) | Report |
| Sunday, 10 July (2:40 pm) | Port Adelaide 8.5 (53) | def. by | St Kilda 17.7 (109) | AAMI Stadium (crowd: 16,887) | Report |
| Sunday, 10 July (4:40 pm) | Western Bulldogs 14.12 (96) | def. | Carlton 9.15 (69) | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 38,582) | Report |
| | Bye Adelaide, Fremantle, Melbourne | Bye Adelaide, Fremantle, Melbourne | Bye Adelaide, Fremantle, Melbourne | | |
| Jonathan Brown became the Brisbane Lions' all-time leading goalkicker, surpassing Daniel Bradshaw's total of 496. Collingwood recorded its largest ever victory over North Melbourne, by a margin of 117 points. ||||||

### Round 17

| | Round 17 (Multicultural Round) | Round 17 (Multicultural Round) | Round 17 (Multicultural Round) | | |
| Friday, 15 July (8:10 pm) | Adelaide 10.13 (73) | def. by | Essendon 12.12 (84) | AAMI Stadium (crowd: 38,118) | Report |
| Saturday, 16 July (2:10 pm) | Richmond 9.16 (70) | def. by | Gold Coast 12.13 (85) | Cazaly's Stadium (crowd: 10,382) | Report |
| Saturday, 16 July (2:10 pm) | Carlton 11.13 (79) | def. by | Collingwood 13.20 (98) | MCG (crowd: 85,936) | Report |
| Saturday, 16 July (7:10 pm) | St Kilda 13.4 (82) | def. | West Coast 9.7 (61) | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 31,416) | Report |
| Saturday, 16 July (8:10 pm) | Melbourne 17.11 (113) | def. | Port Adelaide 14.8 (92) | TIO Stadium (crowd: 7,255) | Report |
| Sunday, 17 July (1:10 pm) | Sydney 13.9 (87) | def. by | Fremantle 15.8 (98) | SCG (crowd: 23,415) | Report |
| Sunday, 17 July (2:10 pm) | Brisbane Lions 15.14 (104) | def. by | Geelong 20.13 (133) | The Gabba (crowd: 19,906) | Report |
| Sunday, 17 July (4:40 pm) | North Melbourne 21.16 (142) | def. | Western Bulldogs 17.9 (111) | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 22,754) | Report |
| | Bye Hawthorn | Bye Hawthorn | Bye Hawthorn | | |

### Round 18

| | Round 18 | Round 18 | Round 18 | | |
| Friday, 22 July (7:40 pm) | St Kilda 19.13 (127) | def. | Adelaide 3.6 (24) | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 26,546) | Report |
| Saturday, 23 July (2:10 pm) | North Melbourne 17.20 (122) | def. | Brisbane Lions 11.11 (77) | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 20,809) | Report |
| Saturday, 23 July (2:10 pm) | Sydney 16.18 (114) | def. | Western Bulldogs 11.9 (75) | SCG (crowd: 19,449) | Report |
| Saturday, 23 July (7:10 pm) | Gold Coast 11.9 (75) | def. by | Collingwood 19.15 (129) | Metricon Stadium (crowd: 23,302) | Report |
| Saturday, 23 July (7:10 pm) | Essendon 12.7 (79) | def. by | Carlton 24.9 (153) | MCG (crowd: 74,123) | Report |
| Sunday, 24 July (1:10 pm) | Geelong 17.11 (113) | def. | Richmond 7.9 (51) | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 33,761) | Report |
| Sunday, 24 July (2:10 pm) | Melbourne 12.6 (78) | def. by | Hawthorn 20.12 (132) | MCG (crowd: 39,782) | Report |
| Sunday, 24 July (2:40 pm) | Fremantle 9.10 (64) | def. by | West Coast 8.17 (65) | Patersons Stadium (crowd: 41,055) | Report |
| | Bye Port Adelaide | Bye Port Adelaide | Bye Port Adelaide | | |
| Adelaide's score of 3.6 (24) set a new record as the lowest match score ever in club history, breaking the previous club record of 4.7 (31) set in round 7, 1991; and, it set a new record as the lowest match score ever at Etihad Stadium. It was the lowest score conceded in a match by St Kilda since round 12, 1971. Following the loss, Neil Craig stepped down as Adelaide head coach, effective immediately, and was replaced by Mark Bickley as caretaker. A new record crowd for any event at Metricon Stadium was set when 23,302 spectators watched Gold Coast play Collingwood. Reportedly, 7,000 of those spectators were Collingwood supporters who made the trip from Melbourne to watch the match. Fremantle forward Hayden Ballantyne hit the post from 50 metres out on the boundary line after the siren against West Coast. A goal would have won the game. ||||||

### Round 19

| | Round 19 | Round 19 | Round 19 | | |
| Friday, 29 July (7:40 pm) | North Melbourne 9.8 (62) | def. by | Carlton 11.14 (80) | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 41,332) | Report |
| Saturday, 30 July (2:10 pm) | Western Bulldogs 15.5 (95) | def. by | West Coast 15.13 (103) | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 28,883) | Report |
| Saturday, 30 July (2:10 pm) | Geelong 37.11 (233) | def. | Melbourne 7.5 (47) | Skilled Stadium (crowd: 22,716) | Report |
| Saturday, 30 July (7:10 pm) | Gold Coast 6.18 (54) | def. by | St Kilda 10.14 (74) | Metricon Stadium (crowd: 17,482) | Report |
| Saturday, 30 July (5:40 pm) | Fremantle 6.8 (44) | def. by | Hawthorn 13.17 (95) | Patersons Stadium (crowd: 30,937) | Report |
| Sunday, 31 July (2:10 pm) | Collingwood 25.16 (166) | def. | Essendon 14.8 (92) | MCG (crowd: 73,163) | Report |
| Sunday, 31 July (4:10 pm) | Adelaide 16.15 (111) | def. | Port Adelaide 11.13 (79) | AAMI Stadium (crowd: 40,586) | Report |
| | Bye Brisbane Lions, Richmond, Sydney | Bye Brisbane Lions, Richmond, Sydney | Bye Brisbane Lions, Richmond, Sydney | | |
| Geelong's final score of 37.11 (233) stands, as of 2023, as the second-highest ever scored by Geelong, the second-highest score ever conceded by Melbourne, the highest score ever at Skilled Stadium, the fourth-highest score of all-time, and the highest score by any team since quarters were shortened to 20 minutes in 1994. Geelong's final winning margin of 186 points stands, as of 2023, as Geelong's highest ever, the highest ever at Skilled Stadium, the second-highest ever conceded by Melbourne, the second-highest of all-time, and the largest since quarters were shortened to 20 minutes in 1994. Geelong's second quarter score of 12.1 (73) was the highest ever by Geelong, and the equal-highest ever conceded by Melbourne. Geelong recorded 510 disposals through the game, a new record. Melbourne coach Dean Bailey was sacked by the club at an emergency board meeting on the day after the 186-point loss, to be replaced immediately by Todd Viney as caretaker. ||||||

### Round 20

| | Round 20 | Round 20 | Round 20 | | |
| Friday, 5 August (7:40 pm) | St Kilda 16.17 (113) | def. | Fremantle 10.12 (72) | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 26,181) | Report |
| Saturday, 6 August (1:40 pm) | Geelong 29.14 (188) | def. | Gold Coast 6.2 (38) | Skilled Stadium (crowd: 24,588) | Report |
| Saturday, 6 August (2:10 pm) | Carlton 21.8 (134) | def. | Melbourne 7.16 (58) | MCG (crowd: 42,342) | Report |
| Saturday, 6 August (7:20 pm) | Essendon 15.10 (100) | def. | Sydney 14.15 (99) | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 38,722) | Report |
| Saturday, 6 August (7:10 pm) | Port Adelaide 3.3 (21) | def. by | Collingwood 23.21 (159) | AAMI Stadium (crowd: 21,863) | Report |
| Sunday, 7 August (1:10 pm) | Brisbane Lions 16.9 (105) | def. by | Adelaide 16.14 (110) | The Gabba (crowd: 17,930) | Report |
| Sunday, 7 August (2:10 pm) | Hawthorn 15.13 (103) | def. | North Melbourne 13.8 (86) | Aurora Stadium (crowd: 16,820) | Report |
| Sunday, 7 August (2:40 pm) | West Coast 22.15 (147) | def. | Richmond 14.6 (90) | Patersons Stadium (crowd: 38,106) | Report |
| | Bye Western Bulldogs | Bye Western Bulldogs | Bye Western Bulldogs | | |
| Gold Coast's defeat of 150 points stands, as of 2022, as the club's greatest losing margin. Adam Goodes (Sydney) missed a set shot after the siren from 50m, resulting in Sydney's one point loss to Essendon. Port Adelaide's final score of 3.3 (21) and its losing margin of 138 points against Collingwood were in both cases new records as the worst in club history; the new record-losing margin for the club lasted only until the following round. Port Adelaide's total of six scoring shots was the fewest in club history, and the fewest by any team since round 12, 1971. For Collingwood, the winning margin was its highest since round 4, 1979, and the third biggest win in its history. ||||||

### Round 21

| | Round 21 | Round 21 | Round 21 | | |
| Friday, 12 August (7:40 pm) | St Kilda 10.10 (70) | def. by | Collingwood 14.5 (89) | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 46,505) | Report |
| Saturday, 13 August (2:10 pm) | Hawthorn 31.11 (197) | def. | Port Adelaide 5.2 (32) | MCG (crowd: 27,532) | Report |
| Saturday, 13 August (1:10 pm) | Fremantle 12.13 (85) | def. by | Carlton 16.19 (115) | Patersons Stadium (crowd: 34,737) | Report |
| Saturday, 13 August (7:10 pm) | Western Bulldogs 15.11 (101) | def. by | Essendon 23.12 (150) | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 38,986) | Report |
| Saturday, 13 August (7:10 pm) | Brisbane Lions 18.15 (123) | def. | Gold Coast 8.13 (61) | The Gabba (crowd: 23,565) | Report |
| Sunday, 14 August (1:10 pm) | Melbourne 9.8 (62) | def. by | West Coast 16.14 (110) | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 15,740) | Report |
| Sunday, 14 August (2:10 pm) | Richmond 14.15 (99) | def. | Sydney 7.14 (56) | MCG (crowd: 34,337) | Report |
| Sunday, 14 August (4:10 pm) | Adelaide 12.13 (85) | def. by | Geelong 14.12 (96) | AAMI Stadium (crowd: 33,576) | Report |
| | Bye North Melbourne | Bye North Melbourne | Bye North Melbourne | | |
| Hawthorn's winning margin of 165 points against Port Adelaide was: the highest winning margin in Hawthorn's history,surpassing the previous record of 160 points set in 1992); the highest winning margin by any club at the MCG; and the highest losing margin in Port Adelaide's history (surpassing the record of 138 points set the previous week). This was the last round coached for the season by Western Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade. His contract was not renewed for 2012, and he elected to stand aside immediately rather than complete the season. Paul Williams replaced him as caretaker for the last three matches. ||||||

### Round 22

| | Round 22 | Round 22 | Round 22 | | |
| Friday, 19 August (7:40 pm) | Carlton 8.18 (66) | def. by | Hawthorn 10.18 (78) | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 52,052) | Report |
| Saturday, 20 August (2:10 pm) | Gold Coast 9.10 (64) | def. by | Adelaide 18.17 (125) | Metricon Stadium (crowd: 16,168) | Report |
| Saturday, 20 August (1:10 pm) | West Coast 20.14 (134) | def. | Essendon 11.11 (77) | Patersons Stadium (crowd: 38,253) | Report |
| Saturday, 20 August (7:10 pm) | North Melbourne 21.17 (143) | def. | Fremantle 6.9 (45) | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 17,581) | Report |
| Saturday, 20 August (7:10 pm) | Collingwood 14.18 (102) | def. | Brisbane Lions 13.6 (84) | MCG (crowd: 47,788) | Report |
| Sunday, 21 August (1:10 pm) | Sydney 10.23 (83) | def. | St Kilda 10.8 (68) | ANZ Stadium (crowd: 25,025) | Report |
| Sunday, 21 August (2:40 pm) | Port Adelaide 15.7 (97) | def. by | Western Bulldogs 24.13 (157) | AAMI Stadium (crowd: 14,169) | Report |
| Sunday, 21 August (4:40 pm) | Melbourne 17.8 (110) | def. by | Richmond 17.15 (117) | MCG (crowd: 36,321) | Report |
| | Bye Geelong | Bye Geelong | Bye Geelong | | |
| Scott Thompson (Adelaide) recorded 51 disposals against Gold Coast, which at the time was the most since Greg Williams' 53 disposals in 1989. ||||||

### Round 23

| | Round 23 | Round 23 | Round 23 | | |
| Friday, 26 August (6:40 pm) | Fremantle 8.4 (52) | def. by | Collingwood 20.12 (132) | Patersons Stadium (crowd: 31,985) | Report |
| Saturday, 27 August (2:10 pm) | Hawthorn 16.17 (113) | def. | Western Bulldogs 10.7 (67) | MCG (crowd: 42,198) | Report |
| Saturday, 27 August (2:10 pm) | Geelong 12.14 (86) | def. by | Sydney 15.9 (99) | Skilled Stadium (crowd: 25,900) | Report |
| Saturday, 27 August (7:10 pm) | St Kilda 19.21 (135) | def. | North Melbourne 10.10 (70) | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 35,848) | Report |
| Saturday, 27 August (7:10 pm) | Brisbane Lions 11.15 (81) | def. by | West Coast 13.11 (89) | The Gabba (crowd: 13,500) | Report |
| Sunday, 28 August (12:40 pm) | Adelaide 15.9 (99) | def. by | Richmond 17.19 (121) | AAMI Stadium (crowd: 38,023) | Report |
| Sunday, 28 August (2:10 pm) | Melbourne 17.10 (112) | def. | Gold Coast 12.10 (82) | MCG (crowd: 21,534) | Report |
| Sunday, 28 August (4:40 pm) | Essendon 17.18 (120) | def. | Port Adelaide 17.11 (113) | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 34,849) | Report |
| | Bye Carlton | Bye Carlton | Bye Carlton | | |
| Geelong lost its first match at Skilled Stadium since round 21, 2007, ending a streak of 29 consecutive victories at Skilled Stadium, the most by any club at any venue. ||||||

### Round 24

| | Round 24 | Round 24 | Round 24 | | |
| Friday, 2 September (7:40 pm) | Collingwood 8.5 (53) | def. by | Geelong 22.17 (149) | MCG (crowd: 85,705) | Report |
| Saturday, 3 September (1:10 pm) | Gold Coast 14.13 (97) | def. by | Hawthorn 16.10 (106) | Metricon Stadium (crowd: 19,314) | Report |
| Saturday, 3 September (2:10 pm) | Western Bulldogs 15.17 (107) | def. | Fremantle 8.13 (61) | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 18,128) | Report |
| Saturday, 3 September (4:10 pm) | Sydney 18.11 (119) | def. | Brisbane Lions 9.13 (67) | SCG (crowd: 27,721) | Report |
| Saturday, 3 September (5:10 pm) | West Coast 22.13 (145) | def. | Adelaide 7.8 (50) | Patersons Stadium (crowd: 36,062) | Report |
| Saturday, 3 September (7:10 pm) | Carlton 9.12 (66) | def. by | St Kilda 13.8 (86) | MCG (crowd: 55,606) | Report |
| Sunday, 4 September (2:40 pm) | Port Adelaide 17.10 (112) | def. | Melbourne 15.14 (104) | Adelaide Oval (crowd: 29,340) | Report |
| Sunday, 4 September (4:40 pm) | Richmond 13.13 (91) | def. by | North Melbourne 15.14 (104) | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 32,890) | Report |
| | Bye Essendon | Bye Essendon | Bye Essendon | | |
| Geelong recorded its greatest ever winning margin against Collingwood by 96 points. The Port Adelaide vs Melbourne match was originally scheduled to be played at AAMI Stadium. On 30 June 2011, the AFL announced the match would be moved to the Adelaide Oval. This was the first AFL match to be played at the venue. Port Adelaide's win over Melbourne ended a club record 11-match losing streak and lifted it off the bottom of the ladder. This ensured that Gold Coast finished its inaugural AFL season with the wooden spoon. ||||||

## Win/loss table

| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | F1 | F2 | F3 | GF | Ladder |
| Adelaide | Haw +20 | X | Frem -25 | PA -32 | Carl -6 | StK +19 | Melb -96 | GCS +57 | Coll -43 | BL -40 | NM -47 | WCE -39 | WB -30 | Geel -52 | Syd +7 | X | Ess -11 | StK -103 | PA +32 | BL +5 | Geel -11 | GCS +61 | Rich -22 | WCE -95 | X | X | X | X | 14 |
| Brisbane Lions | Frem -2 | WB -78 | Melb -11 | X | StK -13 | Rich -26 | GCS -8 | Ess -36 | NM +14 | Adel +40 | Syd -65 | Carl -61 | Rich -31 | Frem -23 | PA +11 | Haw -42 | Geel -29 | NM -45 | X | Adel -5 | GCS +62 | Coll -18 | WCE -8 | Syd -52 | X | X | X | X | 15 |
| Carlton | Rich +20 | GCS +119 | Coll -28 | Ess 0 | Adel +6 | Syd +16 | StK +3 | X | Geel -2 | Melb +47 | PA +62 | BL +61 | Syd +34 | WCE -36 | Rich +103 | WB -27 | Coll -19 | Ess +74 | NM +18 | Melb +76 | Frem +30 | Haw -12 | X | StK -20 | Ess +62 | WCE -3 | X | X | 5 |
| Collingwood | PA +75 | NM +87 | Carl +28 | Rich +71 | Ess +30 | WB +48 | X | Geel -3 | Adel +43 | WCE +52 | StK +57 | Melb +88 | X | Syd +6 | Haw +41 | NM +117 | Carl +19 | GCS +54 | Ess +74 | PA +138 | StK +19 | BL +18 | Frem +80 | Geel -96 | WCE +20 | X | Haw +3 | Geel -38 | 1 |
| Essendon | WB +55 | Syd -5 | StK +52 | Carl 0 | Coll -30 | GCS +139 | WCE +16 | BL +36 | Rich -16 | X | Melb -33 | Frem -34 | NM -21 | Haw -65 | Geel +4 | Rich +39 | Adel +11 | Carl -74 | Coll -74 | Syd +1 | WB +49 | WCE -57 | PA +7 | X | Carl -62 | X | X | X | 8 |
| Fremantle | BL +2 | Geel -11 | Adel +25 | NM +29 | WB +7 | X | Rich -49 | WCE -33 | PA +52 | StK -46 | Haw -22 | Ess +34 | Melb -89 | BL +23 | GCS +50 | X | Syd +11 | WCE -1 | Haw -51 | StK -41 | Carl -30 | NM -98 | Coll -80 | WB -46 | X | X | X | X | 11 |
| Gold Coast | X | Carl -119 | WB -71 | Melb -90 | PA +3 | Ess -139 | BL +8 | Adel -57 | X | Geel -66 | WCE -18 | NM -59 | Haw -71 | WB -22 | Frem -50 | Syd -70 | Rich +15 | Coll -54 | StK -20 | Geel -150 | BL -62 | Adel -61 | Melb -30 | Haw -9 | X | X | X | X | 17 |
| Geelong | StK +1 | Frem +11 | PA +79 | Syd +27 | Haw +19 | X | NM +66 | Coll +3 | Carl +2 | GCS +66 | WB +61 | Haw +5 | StK +28 | Adel +52 | Ess -4 | WCE -8 | BL +29 | Rich +62 | Melb +186 | GCS +150 | Adel +11 | X | Syd -13 | Coll +96 | Haw +31 | X | WCE +48 | Coll +38 | 2 |
| Hawthorn | Adel -20 | Melb +45 | Rich +63 | WCE +7 | Geel -19 | X | PA +32 | StK +30 | Syd +46 | WB +29 | Frem +22 | Geel -5 | GCS +71 | Ess +65 | Coll -41 | BL +42 | X | Melb +54 | Frem +51 | NM +17 | PA +165 | Carl +12 | WB +46 | GCS +9 | Geel -31 | Syd +36 | Coll -3 | X | 3 |
| Melbourne | Syd 0 | Haw -45 | BL +11 | GCS +90 | X | WCE -54 | Adel +96 | NM -41 | StK -20 | Carl -47 | Ess +33 | Coll -88 | Frem +89 | Rich +27 | WB -64 | X | PA +21 | Haw -54 | Geel -186 | Carl -76 | WCE -48 | Rich -7 | GCS +30 | PA -8 | X | X | X | X | 13 |
| North Melbourne | WCE -4 | Coll -87 | X | Frem -29 | Rich -9 | PA +60 | Geel -66 | Melb +41 | BL -14 | Syd -1 | Adel +47 | GCS +59 | Ess +21 | PA +45 | StK -9 | Coll -117 | WB +31 | BL +45 | Carl -18 | Haw -17 | X | Frem +98 | StK -65 | Rich +13 | X | X | X | X | 9 |
| Port Adelaide | Coll -75 | WCE -18 | Geel -79 | Adel +32 | GCS -3 | NM -60 | Haw -32 | Syd -62 | Frem -52 | Rich +15 | Carl -62 | X | WCE -22 | NM -45 | BL -11 | StK -56 | Melb -21 | X | Adel -32 | Coll -138 | Haw -165 | WB -60 | Ess -7 | Melb +8 | X | X | X | X | 16 |
| Richmond | Carl -20 | StK 0 | Haw -63 | Coll -71 | NM +9 | BL +26 | Frem +49 | WB -35 | Ess +16 | PA -15 | X | Syd -10 | BL +31 | Melb -27 | Carl -103 | Ess -39 | GCS -15 | Geel -62 | X | WCE -57 | Syd +43 | Melb +7 | Adel +22 | NM -13 | X | X | X | X | 12 |
| St Kilda | Geel -1 | Rich 0 | Ess -52 | X | BL +13 | Adel -19 | Carl -3 | Haw -30 | Melb +20 | Frem +46 | Coll -57 | WB +24 | Geel -28 | X | NM +9 | PA +56 | WCE +21 | Adel +103 | GCS +20 | Frem +41 | Coll -19 | Syd -15 | NM +65 | Carl +20 | Syd -25 | X | X | X | 6 |
| Sydney | Melb 0 | Ess +5 | WCE +13 | Geel -27 | X | Carl -16 | WB +8 | PA +62 | Haw -46 | NM +1 | BL +65 | Rich +10 | Carl -34 | Coll -6 | Adel -7 | GCS +70 | Frem -11 | WB +39 | X | Ess -1 | Rich -43 | StK +15 | Geel +13 | BL +52 | StK +25 | Haw -36 | X | X | 7 |
| West Coast | NM +4 | PA +18 | Syd -13 | Haw -7 | X | Melb +54 | Ess -16 | Frem +33 | WB +123 | Coll -52 | GCS +18 | Adel +39 | PA +22 | Carl +36 | X | Geel +8 | StK -21 | Frem +1 | WB +8 | Rich +57 | Melb +48 | Ess +57 | BL +8 | Adel +95 | Coll -20 | Carl +3 | Geel -48 | X | 4 |
| Western Bulldogs | Ess -55 | BL +78 | GCS +71 | X | Frem -7 | Coll -48 | Syd -8 | Rich +35 | WCE -123 | Haw -29 | Geel -61 | StK -24 | Adel +30 | GCS +22 | Melb +64 | Carl +27 | NM -31 | Syd -39 | WCE -8 | X | Ess -49 | PA +60 | Haw -46 | Frem +46 | X | X | X | X | 10 |
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | F1 | F2 | F3 | GF | Ladder |
| + | Win | | Qualified for finals |
| - | Loss | X | Bye |
| | Draw | | Eliminated |
Bold – Home game X – Bye Opponent for round listed above margin

## Ladder

2011 AFL ladder :
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | D | PF | PA | PP | Pts | |
| 1 | Collingwood | 22 | 20 | 2 | 0 | 2592 | 1546 | 167.7 | 80 | Finals series |
| 2 | Geelong (P) | 22 | 19 | 3 | 0 | 2548 | 1619 | 157.4 | 76 | Finals series |
| 3 | Hawthorn | 22 | 18 | 4 | 0 | 2355 | 1634 | 144.1 | 72 | Finals series |
| 4 | West Coast | 22 | 17 | 5 | 0 | 2235 | 1715 | 130.3 | 68 | Finals series |
| 5 | Carlton | 22 | 14 | 7 | 1 | 2225 | 1700 | 130.9 | 58 | Finals series |
| 6 | St Kilda | 22 | 12 | 9 | 1 | 1891 | 1677 | 112.8 | 50 | Finals series |
| 7 | Sydney | 22 | 12 | 9 | 1 | 1897 | 1735 | 109.3 | 50 | Finals series |
| 8 | Essendon | 22 | 11 | 10 | 1 | 2217 | 2217 | 100.0 | 46 | Finals series |
| 9 | North Melbourne | 22 | 10 | 12 | 0 | 2106 | 2082 | 101.2 | 40 | |
| 10 | Western Bulldogs | 22 | 9 | 13 | 0 | 2060 | 2155 | 95.6 | 36 | |
| 11 | Fremantle | 22 | 9 | 13 | 0 | 1791 | 2155 | 83.1 | 36 | |
| 12 | Richmond | 22 | 8 | 13 | 1 | 2069 | 2396 | 86.4 | 34 | |
| 13 | Melbourne | 22 | 8 | 13 | 1 | 1974 | 2315 | 85.3 | 34 | |
| 14 | Adelaide | 22 | 7 | 15 | 0 | 1742 | 2193 | 79.4 | 28 | |
| 15 | Brisbane Lions | 22 | 4 | 18 | 0 | 1814 | 2240 | 81.0 | 16 | |
| 16 | Port Adelaide | 22 | 3 | 19 | 0 | 1718 | 2663 | 64.5 | 12 | |
| 17 | Gold Coast | 22 | 3 | 19 | 0 | 1534 | 2726 | 56.3 | 12 | |

### 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 | 23 | 24 |
| Collingwood | 4 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 20 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 28 | 32 | 36 | 40 | 40 | 44 | 48 | 52 | 56 | 60 | 64 | 68 | 72 | 76 | 80 | 80 |
| Geelong | 4 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 20 | 20 | 24 | 28 | 32 | 36 | 40 | 44 | 48 | 52 | 52 | 52 | 56 | 60 | 64 | 68 | 72 | 72 | 72 | 76 |
| Hawthorn | 0 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 16 | 20 | 24 | 28 | 32 | 32 | 36 | 40 | 40 | 44 | 44 | 48 | 52 | 56 | 60 | 64 | 68 | 72 |
| West Coast | 4 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 12 | 12 | 16 | 20 | 20 | 24 | 28 | 32 | 36 | 36 | 40 | 40 | 44 | 48 | 52 | 56 | 60 | 64 | 68 |
| Carlton | 4 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 14 | 18 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 26 | 30 | 34 | 38 | 38 | 42 | 42 | 42 | 46 | 50 | 54 | 58 | 58 | 58 | 58 |
| St Kilda | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 10 | 14 | 14 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 22 | 26 | 30 | 34 | 38 | 42 | 42 | 42 | 46 | 50 |
| Sydney | 2 | 6 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 14 | 18 | 18 | 22 | 26 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 34 | 34 | 38 | 38 | 38 | 38 | 42 | 46 | 50 |
| Essendon | 4 | 4 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 14 | 18 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 26 | 30 | 34 | 34 | 34 | 38 | 42 | 42 | 46 | 46 |
| North Melbourne | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 20 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 28 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 36 | 36 | 40 |
| Western Bulldogs | 0 | 4 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 16 | 20 | 24 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 32 | 32 | 36 |
| Fremantle | 4 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 24 | 24 | 28 | 32 | 32 | 36 | 36 | 36 | 36 | 36 | 36 | 36 | 36 |
| Richmond | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 10 | 14 | 14 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 26 | 30 | 34 | 34 |
| Melbourne | 2 | 2 | 6 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 18 | 18 | 22 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 34 | 34 |
| Adelaide | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 8 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 20 | 24 | 24 | 28 | 28 | 28 |
| Brisbane Lions | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 |
| Port Adelaide | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 12 |
| Gold Coast | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 |

## 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 |
| 10 Sep, MCG | 10 Sep, MCG | 10 Sep, MCG | | | | | | | | | |
| 1 | Collingwood | 12.10 (82) | | | | | | | | | |
| 4 | West Coast | 9.8 (62) | 17 Sep, Patersons | 17 Sep, Patersons | 17 Sep, Patersons | | | | |
| | | | West Coast | West Coast | 15.11 (101) | | | | |
| 11 Sep, MCG | 11 Sep, MCG | 11 Sep, MCG | Carlton | Carlton | 15.8 (98) | 23 Sep, MCG | 23 Sep, MCG | 23 Sep, MCG | | | |
| 5 | Carlton | 21.23 (149) | | | | Collingwood | Collingwood | 10.8 (68) | |
| 8 | Essendon | 13.9 (87) | | | | Hawthorn | Hawthorn | 9.11 (65) | 1 Oct, MCG | 1 Oct, MCG | 1 Oct, MCG |
| | | | | | | | | | Collingwood | Collingwood | 12.9 (81) |
| 10 Sep, Etihad Stadium | 10 Sep, Etihad Stadium | 10 Sep, Etihad Stadium | | | | 24 Sep, MCG | 24 Sep, MCG | 24 Sep, MCG | Geelong | Geelong | 18.11 (119) |
| 6 | St Kilda | 8.9 (57) | | | | Geelong | Geelong | 17.15 (117) | | |
| 7 | Sydney | 12.10 (82) | 16 Sep, MCG | 16 Sep, MCG | 16 Sep, MCG | West Coast | West Coast | 10.9 (69) | | |
| | | | Hawthorn | Hawthorn | 19.8 (122) | | | | | | |
| 9 Sep, MCG | 9 Sep, MCG | 9 Sep, MCG | Sydney | Sydney | 13.8 (86) | | | | | |
| 2 | Geelong | 14.14 (98) | | | | | | | | | |
| 3 | Hawthorn | 9.13 (67) | | | | | | | | |

### Week one

| | Qualifying finals | Qualifying finals | Qualifying finals | | |
| Saturday, 10 September (2:20 pm) | Collingwood 12.10 (82) | def. | West Coast 9.8 (62) | MCG (crowd: 67,379) | Report |
| Friday, 9 September (7:45 pm) | Geelong 14.14 (98) | def. | Hawthorn 9.13 (67) | MCG (crowd: 73,400) | Report |
| | Elimination finals | Elimination finals | Elimination finals | | |
| Sunday, 11 September (2:20 pm) | Carlton 21.23 (149) | def. | Essendon 13.9 (87) | MCG (crowd: 90,161) | Report |
| Saturday, 10 September (7:20 pm) | St Kilda 8.9 (57) | def. by | Sydney 12.10 (82) | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 39,205) | Report |
| The elimination final between Carlton and Essendon had an attendance of 90,161, the largest crowd for an elimination final in VFL/AFL history. This record stood until 2013. ||||||

### Week two

| | Semi finals | Semi finals | Semi finals | | |
| Friday, 16 September (7:45 pm) | Hawthorn 19.8 (122) | def. | Sydney 13.8 (86) | MCG (crowd: 55,198) | Report |
| Saturday, 17 September (5:50 pm) | West Coast 15.11 (101) | def. | Carlton 15.8 (98) | Patersons Stadium (crowd: 42,803) | Report |

### Week three

| | Preliminary finals | Preliminary finals | Preliminary finals | | |
| Friday, 23 September (7:45 pm) | Collingwood 10.8 (68) | def. | Hawthorn 9.11 (65) | MCG (crowd: 87,112) | Report |
| Saturday, 24 September (2:20 pm) | Geelong 17.15 (117) | def. | West Coast 10.9 (69) | MCG (crowd: 59,455) | Report |

### Week four

| | Grand Final | Grand Final | Grand Final | | |
| Saturday, 1 October (2:30 pm) | Collingwood | def. by | Geelong | MCG (crowd: 99,537) | Report |
| | 4.2 (26) 9.3 (57) 12.6 (78) 12.9 (81) | Q1 Q2 Q3 Final | 4.3 (27) 8.6 (54) 13.7 (85) 18.11 (119) | Umpires: C Donlon, B Rosebury, S Ryan Norm Smith Medal: Jimmy Bartel (Geelong) Television broadcast: Network Ten National anthem: Vanessa Amorosi | Umpires: C Donlon, B Rosebury, S Ryan Norm Smith Medal: Jimmy Bartel (Geelong) Television broadcast: Network Ten National anthem: Vanessa Amorosi |
| T Cloke, A Krakouer 3 S Sidebottom 2 L Ball, L Brown, B Johnson, S Wellingham 1 | T Cloke, A Krakouer 3 S Sidebottom 2 L Ball, L Brown, B Johnson, S Wellingham 1 | Goals | 4 S Johnson 3 J Bartel, T Hawkins, T Varcoe 2 J Selwood 1 M Duncan, C Ling, M Stokes | 4 S Johnson 3 J Bartel, T Hawkins, T Varcoe 2 J Selwood 1 M Duncan, C Ling, M Stokes |
| S Pendlebury, D Thomas, S Sidebottom, C Tarrant, L Ball, L Brown, T Cloke | S Pendlebury, D Thomas, S Sidebottom, C Tarrant, L Ball, L Brown, T Cloke | Best | J Bartel, J Selwood, T Hawkins, C Ling, S Johnson, P Chapman, B Ottens, T Varcoe | J Bartel, J Selwood, T Hawkins, C Ling, S Johnson, P Chapman, B Ottens, T Varcoe |
| Nil | Nil | Injuries | J Podsiadly (shoulder) | J Podsiadly (shoulder) |
| L Davis | L Davis | Reports | Nil | Nil |
| Collingwood finished its season with three losses, all of which were against Geelong. ||||||

## Awards

* The Brownlow Medal was awarded to Dane Swan of Collingwood, who received 34 votes.
* The Norm Smith Medal was awarded to Jimmy Bartel of Geelong.
* The AFL Rising Star was awarded to Dyson Heppell of Essendon, who received 44 votes.
* The Coleman Medal was awarded to Lance Franklin of Hawthorn, who kicked 71 goals during the home and away season.
* The McClelland Trophy was awarded to Collingwood.
* The Wooden Spoon was "awarded" to Gold Coast.
* The AFL Players Association Awards were as follows:
** The Leigh Matthews Trophy was awarded to Chris Judd of Carlton, for being the Most Valuable Player throughout the premiership season.
** The Robert Rose Award went to Jonathan Brown of Brisbane Lions, for being the Most Courageous Player throughout the premiership season.
** The Best Captain award went to Chris Judd of Carlton.
** The Best First-Year Player award was won by Dyson Heppell of Essendon.
* The AFL Coaches Association Awards were as follows:
** The Player of the Year Award was given to Marc Murphy of Carlton, who received 94 votes.
** The Allan Jeans Award was given to John Worsfold of West Coast.
** The Assistant Coach of the Year Award was given to Darren Crocker of North Melbourne.
** The Best Young Player Award was given to Nat Fyfe of Fremantle.

### Best and fairest

| Club | Award name | Player |
| Adelaide | Malcolm Blight Medal | Scott Thompson |
| Brisbane Lions | Merrett–Murray Medal | Tom Rockliff |
| Carlton | John Nicholls Medal | Marc Murphy |
| Collingwood | Copeland Trophy | Scott Pendlebury |
| Essendon | Crichton Medal | David Zaharakis |
| Fremantle | Doig Medal | Matthew Pavlich |
| Geelong | Carji Greeves Medal | Corey Enright |
| Gold Coast | Club Champion | Gary Ablett, Jr. |
| Hawthorn | Peter Crimmins Medal | Sam Mitchell |
| Melbourne | Keith 'Bluey' Truscott Medal | Brent Moloney |
| North Melbourne | Syd Barker Medal | Daniel Wells Andrew Swallow |
| Port Adelaide | John Cahill Medal | Travis Boak Jackson Trengove |
| Richmond | Jack Dyer Medal | Trent Cotchin |
| St Kilda | Trevor Barker Award | Sam Fisher |
| Sydney | Bob Skilton Medal | Adam Goodes |
| West Coast | Club Champion Award | Darren Glass |
| Western Bulldogs | Charles Sutton Medal | Matthew Boyd |

## Notable events and controversies
### Betting scandals

The issue of betting became prominent during the 2011 season. The previous few years had seen other sports compromised by major spot-fixing scandals – most notably the Pakistan cricket spot-fixing controversy – so the issue was already well publicised at the time. The AFL had in place a strict policy prohibiting anyone involved in the AFL from placing any bet on any AFL outcome.
Early in the season, it emerged that there were several suspicious plunges on players who were usually defenders to kick the first goal of a match; in each case, the player unexpectedly started in the forward-line, indicating that the plunges may have been caused by team information somehow leaking to punters. Five suspicious plunges on defenders for the first goal were identified during the season:
* Round 7, Port Adelaide vs Hawthorn – Hawthorn midfielder/defender Brent Guerra
* Round 7, Gold Coast vs Brisbane Lions – Brisbane defender Daniel Merrett
* Round 8, Brisbane Lions vs Essendon – Brisbane defender Matt Maguire
* Round 9, Adelaide vs Collingwood – Collingwood defender Nick Maxwell
* Round 24, Gold Coast vs Hawthorn – Gold Coast defender Nathan Bock
Nathan Bock was the only of the five players to kick the first goal of his respective match. The cases all raised concerns about "exotic bets" and the risk of spot-fixing, although in no case was a deliberate attempt at spot-fixing ever implicated.
The controversy deepened prior to round 17, when the investigation into the Maxwell plunge revealed that Heath Shaw was implicated in bets placed on Maxwell's first goal. Shaw and a friend from outside the Collingwood Football Club were found to have placed a shared $20 bet on Maxwell for first goal at a TAB venue, using Shaw's knowledge from team meetings that Maxwell would be starting forward; that friend had later placed two more bets on Maxwell worth $15, shared with another friend. Shaw was penalised by the league under the anti-gambling code, receiving a suspension of eight matches, with a further suspended sentence of six matches, and was fined $20,000.
In their respective investigations, it was found that both Nick Maxwell and Nathan Bock had informed family members and friends that they would be starting in the forward-line before their respective plunges, and, unbeknownst to the players, those family members and friends then placed bets. Maxwell was fined $5,000, with a further suspended fine of $5,000, and Bock was fined $10,000 and suspended for two matches.
Following round 24, Essendon assistant coach Dean Wallis was found to have placed three separate FootyQuad bets worth a total of $400 during the latter half of the season, one of which included a leg which involved an Essendon match. Wallis was fined $7,500, and suspended for fourteen matches (the suspension prevents him from participating on match-day, and from interacting directly with his players during training, until the suspension is complete).

## Club leadership

| Club | Coach | Captain(s) | Vice-captain(s) and/or "leadership group" |
| Adelaide | Neil Craig (Rds 1–18); Mark Bickley (Rds 19–24) | Nathan van Berlo | Scott Stevens, Ben Rutten, Michael Doughty and Scott Thompson. |
| Brisbane Lions | Michael Voss | Jonathan Brown | Daniel Merrett, Jed Adcock, Tom Rockliff |
| Carlton | Brett Ratten | Chris Judd | Kade Simpson (vc), Andrew Carrazzo, Bryce Gibbs, Michael Jamison, Marc Murphy, Jordan Russell |
| Collingwood | Mick Malthouse | Nick Maxwell | Scott Pendlebury (vc), Dane Swan (deputy vc), Luke Ball, Darren Jolly, Harry O'Brien, Heath Shaw |
| Essendon | James Hird | Jobe Watson | Dustin Fletcher, Heath Hocking, Mark McVeigh, Brent Stanton, Andrew Welsh (vc) |
| Fremantle | Mark Harvey | Matthew Pavlich | Aaron Sandilands, David Mundy, Paul Duffield, Luke McPharlin, Garrick Ibbotson, Chris Mayne and Matt de Boer |
| Gold Coast | Guy McKenna | Gary Ablett, Jr. | Nathan Bock (vc), Campbell Brown (deputy vc), Michael Rischitelli, Daniel Harris, Maverick Weller, Zac Smith and Marc Lock |
| Geelong | Chris Scott | Cameron Ling | Joel Selwood(vc), Jimmy Bartel, Joel Corey, Corey Enright, James Kelly, Harry Taylor |
| Hawthorn | Alastair Clarkson | Luke Hodge | Jarryd Roughead, Jordan Lewis |
| Melbourne | Dean Bailey (Rds 1–19); Todd Viney (Rds 20–24) | Brad Green | Aaron Davey, Jack Grimes, Nathan Jones, Brent Moloney and Jared Rivers |
| North Melbourne | Brad Scott | Brent Harvey | Brady Rawlings (vc) and Drew Petrie (vc) |
| Port Adelaide | Matthew Primus | Domenic Cassisi | |
| Richmond | Damien Hardwick | Chris Newman | |
| St Kilda | Ross Lyon | Nick Riewoldt | Lenny Hayes |
| Sydney | John Longmire | Adam Goodes, Jarrad McVeigh | |
| West Coast | John Worsfold | Darren Glass | Beau Waters (vc) Scott Selwood, Andrew Embley, Mark LeCras, Dean Cox, Adam Selwood, Matt Priddis, Josh Kennedy and Shannon Hurn |
| Western Bulldogs | Rodney Eade (Rds 1–21); Paul Williams (Rds 22–24) | Matthew Boyd | Daniel Giansiracusa (vc) and Adam Cooney (vc) |

## Umpiring and rule changes

* The AFL introduced a new interchange rule. The standard interchange system was reduced from four players to three players. A fourth player is named as a substitute, and begins the game wearing a green vest. The substitute can be brought on at any point in the game, permanently replacing any player on the bench or the field. The player being replaced must wear a red vest when leaving the ground. This rule was predominantly introduced to keep the number of players able to participate in the game for each team equal, even if a severe injury occurs.
* The rules for calling "advantage" after a free kick were amended, to allow the players, rather than the umpires, make the decision on whether or not they see an advantage in continuous play.

## Club membership

2011 AFL membership figures :
| Club | Members | Change from 2010 | % Change from 2010 |
| Adelaide | 44,719 | 826 | 1.81% |
| Brisbane Lions | 20,792 | 5,987 | 22.36% |
| Carlton | 43,791 | 3,311 | 8.18% |
| Collingwood | 71,271 | 13,863 | 24.15% |
| Essendon | 42,559 | 1,970 | 4.85% |
| Fremantle | 42,762 | 2,908 | 7.30% |
| Geelong | 39,343 | 983 | 2.44% |
| Gold Coast | 11,141 | — | — |
| Hawthorn | 56,224 | 2,246 | 4.16% |
| Melbourne | 36,937 | 3,579 | 10.73% |
| North Melbourne | 28,761 | 1,808 | 6.71% |
| Port Adelaide | 32,581 | 3,489 | 11.99% |
| Richmond | 40,184 | 4,224 | 11.75% |
| St Kilda | 39,276 | 255 | 0.65% |
| Sydney | 27,106 | 1,565 | 5.46% |
| West Coast | 43,216 | 944 | 2.14% |
| Western Bulldogs | 29,710 | 2,367 | 7.38% |
| Total | 650,373 | 36,122 | 5.88% |

## Coach changes

| Coach | Club | Date | Notes | Caretaker | New coach |
| Neil Craig | Adelaide | 25 July 2011 | Stepped down following the round 18 loss to St Kilda. | Mark Bickley | Brenton Sanderson |
| Dean Bailey | Melbourne | 31 July 2011 | Sacked following the round 19 loss to Geelong. | Todd Viney | Mark Neeld |
| Rodney Eade | Western Bulldogs | 17 August 2011 | Will not have contract renewed at end of season. | Paul Williams | Brendan McCartney |
| Mark Harvey | Fremantle | 15 September 2011 | Sacked at end of season. | N/A | Ross Lyon |
| Ross Lyon | St Kilda | 15 September 2011 | Left to coach Fremantle. | Robert Harvey (interim) | Scott Watters |
| Mick Malthouse | Collingwood | 1 October 2011 | Succession plan established in 2009, Malthouse quits Collingwood after Grand Final. | N/A | Nathan Buckley |

## Club overviews

* 2011 Adelaide Football Club season
* 2011 Brisbane Lions season
* 2011 Carlton Football Club season
* 2011 Collingwood Football Club season
* 2011 Essendon Football Club season
* 2011 Fremantle Football Club season
* 2011 Geelong Football Club season
* 2011 Gold Coast Football Club season
* 2011 Hawthorn Football Club season
* 2011 Melbourne Football Club season
* 2011 Port Adelaide Football Club season
* 2011 Richmond Football Club season
* 2011 St Kilda Football Club season
* 2011 West Coast Eagles season
* 2011 Western Bulldogs season