# 2016 VFL season

The 2016 VFL season was the 135th season of the Victorian Football League (VFL), a second-tier Australian rules football competition played in the state of Victoria.
There were 15 teams competing in the league. The season started on Saturday 9 April and concluded Sunday 25 September with the VFL Grand Final, won by the Footscray reserves, who defeated the Casey Scorpions by 31 points at Etihad Stadium. It was the Footscray reserves' second VFL premiership, won in just its third season in the competition.

## League membership and affiliations

At the end of the 2015 season, North Melbourne ended its ten-year partial reserves affiliation with North Ballarat. The move was in part motivated by a burgeoning partnership between the City of Ballarat and North Melbourne's AFL rivals Western Bulldogs, with North Melbourne not wishing to continue its investment in the Ballarat area if the rewards were to be reaped by another club. North Melbourne's existing partial affiliation with Werribee was upgraded to a full affiliation, and North Ballarat continued to contest the VFL as a stand-alone senior club.
Beginning in the 2016 season, a new statewide women's football league known as VFL Women's was established by AFL Victoria. The competition was formed from clubs previously established in the Victorian Women's Football League, and was aligned and co-branded with the VFL to improve market penetration.

## Premiership season
### Round 1

| | Round 1 | Round 1 | Round 1 | | |
| Saturday, 9 April (12:00pm) | Essendon 12.12 (84) | def. by | Werribee 16.6 (102) | Windy Hill | Report |
| Saturday, 9 April (2:00pm) | Box Hill 18.10 (118) | def. | Sandringham 12.9 (81) | Box Hill City Oval | Report |
| Saturday, 9 April (2:00pm) | Coburg 11.9 (75) | def. by | North Ballarat 12.9 (81) | Piranha Park | Report |
| Saturday, 9 April (7:00pm) | Casey 27.17 (179) | def. | Frankston 5.5 (35) | Casey Fields | Report |
| Sunday, 10 April (11:00am) | Footscray 15.14 (104) | def. | Northern Blues 8.7 (55) | VU Whitten Oval | Report |
| Sunday, 10 April (11:40am) | Port Melbourne 10.13 (73) | def. by | Collingwood 14.13 (97) | North Port Oval | Report |
| Sunday, 10 April (2:00pm) | Williamstown 16.13 (109) | def. | Richmond 9.10 (64) | Burbank Oval | Report |
| | Bye Geelong | Bye Geelong | Bye Geelong | | |

### Round 2

| | Round 2 | Round 2 | Round 2 | | |
| Friday, 15 April (7:00pm) | Geelong 14.6 (90) | def. by | Northern Blues 16.8 (104) | Simonds Stadium | Report |
| Friday, 15 April (7:30pm) | Essendon 18.16 (124) | def. | North Ballarat 5.9 (39) | Queen Elizabeth Oval | Report |
| Saturday, 16 April (12:00pm) | Richmond 17.10 (112) | def. | Footscray 7.18 (60) | Punt Road Oval | Report |
| Saturday, 16 April (2:00pm) | Port Melbourne 12.12 (84) | def. | Coburg 11.8 (74) | North Port Oval | Report |
| Sunday, 17 April (11:40am) | Williamstown 14.13 (97) | def. by | Box Hill 17.10 (112) | Burbank Oval | Report |
| Sunday, 17 April (11:45am) | Collingwood 10.5 (65) | def. by | Casey 18.13 (121) | Holden Centre | Report |
| Sunday, 17 April (2:00pm) | Frankston 10.3 (63) | def. by | Werribee 15.11 (101) | Frankston Park | Report |
| | Bye Sandringham | Bye Sandringham | Bye Sandringham | | |

### Round 3

| | Round 3 | Round 3 | Round 3 | | |
| Friday, 22 April (7:00pm) | North Ballarat 5.7 (37) | def. by | Geelong 16.15 (111) | Eureka Stadium | Report |
| Saturday, 23 April (2:00pm) | Frankston 14.15 (99) | def. | Richmond 13.8 (86) | Frankston Park | Report |
| Saturday, 23 April (2:00pm) | Coburg 11.12 (78) | def. by | Box Hill 13.8 (86) | Piranha Park | |
| Saturday, 23 April (2:00pm) | Northern Blues 8.8 (56) | def. by | Port Melbourne 10.15 (75) | Preston City Oval | |
| Saturday, 23 April (2:00pm) | Sandringham 18.9 (117) | def. | Footscray 12.17 (89) | Trevor Barker Oval | Report |
| Saturday, 23 April (7:00pm) | Casey 11.4 (70) | def. by | Williamstown 17.12 (114) | Casey Fields | Report |
| Sunday, 24 April (2:10pm) | Collingwood 7.8 (48) | def. by | Essendon 20.13 (133) | Victoria Park | Report |
| | Bye Werribee | Bye Werribee | Bye Werribee | | |
| Frankston recorded its first win since Round 16, 2014, to break a 24-game losing streak. ||||||

### Round 4

| | Round 4 | Round 4 | Round 4 | | |
| Saturday, 30 April (12:00pm) | Footscray 12.13 (85) | def. by | Werribee 19.13 (127) | VU Whitten Oval | Report |
| Saturday, 30 April (2:00pm) | Northern Blues 13.13 (91) | def. by | Collingwood 14.16 (100) | Preston City Oval | Report |
| Saturday, 30 April (4:30pm) | Richmond 7.12 (54) | def. by | Sandringham 16.15 (111) | Punt Road Oval | Report |
| Sunday, 1 May (11:40am) | Williamstown 8.4 (52) | def. | Port Melbourne 5.15 (45) | Burbank Oval | Report |
| Sunday, 1 May (12:00pm) | Essendon 7.12 (54) | def. by | Casey 10.11 (71) | Windy Hill | Report |
| Sunday, 1 May (1:00pm) | Geelong 15.12 (102) | def. | Coburg 10.7 (67) | Simonds Stadium | Report |
| Sunday, 1 May (2:00pm) | Box Hill 14.14 (98) | def. | Frankston 5.9 (39) | Box Hill City Oval | Report |
| | Bye North Ballarat | Bye North Ballarat | Bye North Ballarat | | |

### Round 5

| | Round 5 | Round 5 | Round 5 | | |
| Saturday, 7 May (12:00pm) | Essendon 16.9 (105) | def. | Geelong 12.12 (84) | Windy Hill | Report |
| Saturday, 7 May (2:00pm) | Port Melbourne 13.16 (94) | def. | Richmond 8.3 (51) | North Port Oval | Report |
| Saturday, 7 May (4:50pm) | Collingwood 7.5 (47) | def. by | Sandringham 16.18 (114) | Holden Centre | Report |
| Saturday, 7 May (7:00pm) | Werribee 9.9 (63) | def. by | Williamstown 20.17 (137) | Avalon Airport Oval | Report |
| Sunday, 8 May (11:40am) | Footscray 20.21 (141) | def. | North Ballarat 5.6 (36) | VU Whitten Oval | Report |
| Sunday, 8 May (2:00pm) | Casey 19.11 (125) | def. | Northern Blues 2.6 (18) | Casey Fields | Report |
| Sunday, 8 May (2:00pm) | Frankston 8.13 (61) | def. | Coburg 7.14 (56) | Frankston Park | Report |
| | Bye Box Hill | Bye Box Hill | Bye Box Hill | | |

### Round 6

| | Round 6 | Round 6 | Round 6 | | |
| Saturday, 14 May (1:00pm) | Geelong 6.8 (44) | def. by | Collingwood 8.16 (64) | Simonds Stadium | Report |
| Saturday, 14 May (2:00pm) | Williamstown 25.22 (172) | def. | Northern Blues 3.11 (29) | Burbank Oval | Report |
| Saturday, 14 May (2:00pm) | Port Melbourne 8.10 (58) | def. by | Footscray 11.11 (77) | North Port Oval | Report |
| Saturday, 14 May (2:00pm) | Sandringham 16.6 (102) | def. by | Casey 19.19 (133) | Trevor Barker Oval | Report |
| Saturday, 14 May (4:30pm) | Richmond 21.16 (142) | def. | North Ballarat 10.3 (63) | Punt Road Oval | Report |
| Sunday, 15 May (11:40am) | Werribee 10.10 (70) | def. | Box Hill 9.14 (68) | Avalon Airport Oval | Report |
| Sunday, 15 May (2:00pm) | Coburg 16.7 (103) | def. | Essendon 11.6 (72) | Piranha Park | Report |
| | Bye Frankston | Bye Frankston | Bye Frankston | | |

### Round 7

| | Round 7 | Round 7 | Round 7 | | |
| Saturday, 21 May (4:50pm) | Collingwood 13.8 (86) | def. | Williamstown 12.9 (81) | Holden Centre | Report |
| Saturday, 21 May (7:00pm) | Casey 12.11 (83) | def. | Box Hill 11.10 (76) | Casey Fields | Report |
| Saturday, 21 May (7:00pm) | North Ballarat 14.4 (88) | def. by | Port Melbourne 15.7 (97) | Eureka Stadium | Report |
| Sunday, 22 May (11:40am) | Frankston 10.8 (68) | def. by | Geelong 16.9 (105) | Frankston Park | Report |
| Sunday, 22 May (12:00pm) | Essendon 12.9 (81) | def. by | Footscray 15.10 (100) | Windy Hill | Report |
| Sunday, 22 May (2:00pm) | Northern Blues 16.10 (106) | def. | Coburg 14.11 (95) | Preston City Oval | |
| Sunday, 22 May (2:00pm) | Sandringham 17.18 (120) | def. | Werribee 12.11 (83) | Trevor Barker Oval | |
| | Bye Richmond | Bye Richmond | Bye Richmond | | |

### Round 8

| | Round 8 | Round 8 | Round 8 | | |
| Saturday, 28 May (4:00pm) | Richmond 5.14 (44) | def. by | Essendon 9.13 (67) | Punt Road Oval | Report |
| | Bye Box Hill, Casey, Coburg, Collingwood, Footscray, Frankston, Geelong, North Ballarat, Northern Blues, Port Melbourne, Sandringham, Werribee, Williamstown | Bye Box Hill, Casey, Coburg, Collingwood, Footscray, Frankston, Geelong, North Ballarat, Northern Blues, Port Melbourne, Sandringham, Werribee, Williamstown | Bye Box Hill, Casey, Coburg, Collingwood, Footscray, Frankston, Geelong, North Ballarat, Northern Blues, Port Melbourne, Sandringham, Werribee, Williamstown | | |

### Round 9

| | Round 9 | Round 9 | Round 9 | | |
| Saturday, 4 June (2:00pm) | Werribee 9.5 (59) | def. by | Collingwood 13.10 (88) | Avalon Airport Oval | Report |
| Sunday, 5 June (11:00am) | Footscray 7.14 (56) | def. by | Williamstown 19.14 (128) | VU Whitten Oval | Report |
| Sunday, 5 June (11:40am) | Coburg 9.10 (64) | def. | Richmond 3.13 (31) | Piranha Park | Report |
| Sunday, 5 June (1:00pm) | Geelong 15.9 (99) | def. by | Sandringham 15.11 (101) | Simonds Stadium | Report |
| Sunday, 5 June (2:00pm) | Box Hill 12.18 (90) | def. | North Ballarat 9.9 (63) | Box Hill City Oval | Report |
| Sunday, 5 June (2:00pm) | Casey 12.14 (86) | def. | Port Melbourne 7.9 (51) | Casey Fields | Report |
| Sunday, 5 June (2:00pm) | Northern Blues 15.15 (105) | def. | Frankston 9.11 (65) | Ikon Park | |
| | Bye Essendon | Bye Essendon | Bye Essendon | | |

### Round 10

| | Round 10 | Round 10 | Round 10 | | |
| Saturday, 11 June (11:00am) | Footscray 9.13 (67) | def. | Geelong 8.12 (60) | VU Whitten Oval | Report |
| Saturday, 11 June (1:00pm) | North Ballarat 7.20 (62) | def. by | Coburg 14.8 (92) | Etihad Stadium | Report |
| Saturday, 11 June (2:00pm) | Box Hill 10.7 (67) | def. by | Northern Blues 15.13 (103) | Box Hill City Oval | Report |
| Saturday, 11 June (2:00pm) | Williamstown 10.17 (77) | def. | Frankston 6.11 (47) | Burbank Oval | Report |
| Saturday, 11 June (2:10pm) | Casey 2.7 (19) | def. by | Collingwood 8.11 (59) | Casey Fields | Report |
| Sunday, 12 June (11:40am) | Sandringham 15.13 (103) | def. | Essendon 9.21 (75) | Trevor Barker Oval | Report |
| Sunday, 12 June (2:00pm) | Richmond 11.15 (81) | def. | Werribee 6.14 (50) | Punt Road Oval | Report |
| | Bye Port Melbourne | Bye Port Melbourne | Bye Port Melbourne | | |

### Round 11

| | Round 11 | Round 11 | Round 11 | | |
| Saturday, 18 June (2:00pm) | North Ballarat 7.2 (44) | def. by | Casey 19.21 (135) | Eureka Stadium | Report |
| Saturday, 18 June (2:00pm) | Werribee 13.15 (93) | def. by | Essendon 16.10 (106) | Avalon Airport Oval | Report |
| Saturday, 18 June (2:00pm) | Coburg 11.11 (77) | def. by | Port Melbourne 16.12 (108) | Piranha Park | |
| Sunday, 19 June (2:00pm) | Frankston 13.3 (81) | def. by | Footscray 13.13 (91) | Frankston Park | Report |
| Sunday, 19 June (2:10pm) | Geelong 18.10 (118) | def. | Box Hill 10.9 (69) | Simonds Stadium | Report |
| | Bye Collingwood, Northern Blues, Richmond, Sandringham, Williamstown | Bye Collingwood, Northern Blues, Richmond, Sandringham, Williamstown | Bye Collingwood, Northern Blues, Richmond, Sandringham, Williamstown | | |

### Round 12

| | Round 12 | Round 12 | Round 12 | | |
| Saturday, 25 June (2:00pm) | Werribee 9.5 (59) | def. by | Coburg 9.19 (73) | Avalon Airport Oval | Report |
| Saturday, 25 June (2:00pm) | Frankston 10.8 (68) | def. by | North Ballarat 11.9 (75) | Frankston Park | |
| Saturday, 25 June (2:00pm) | Port Melbourne 10.11 (71) | def. | Box Hill 7.13 (55) | North Port Oval | |
| Saturday, 25 June (2:10pm) | Northern Blues 9.8 (62) | def. by | Sandringham 13.24 (102) | Ikon Park | |
| Sunday, 26 June (2:00pm) | Williamstown 5.17 (47) | def. by | Geelong 10.3 (63) | Burbank Oval | |
| Sunday, 26 June (2:10pm) | Collingwood 14.12 (96) | def. | Richmond 10.10 (70) | Holden Centre | Report |
| | Bye Casey, Essendon, Footscray | Bye Casey, Essendon, Footscray | Bye Casey, Essendon, Footscray | | |

### Round 13

| | Round 13 | Round 13 | Round 13 | | |
| Saturday, 2 July (1:00pm) | Coburg 13.7 (85) | def. | Footscray 9.19 (73) | Piranha Park | Report |
| Saturday, 2 July (2:10pm) | Essendon 10.13 (73) | def. by | Port Melbourne 12.8 (80) | Windy Hill | Report |
| Saturday, 2 July (4:00pm) | Collingwood 15.9 (99) | def. | Northern Blues 13.8 (86) | Holden Centre | Report |
| Sunday, 3 July (2:00pm) | Williamstown 14.19 (103) | def. | North Ballarat 11.9 (75) | Burbank Oval | Report |
| Sunday, 3 July (2:00pm) | Sandringham 16.20 (116) | def. | Frankston 9.2 (56) | Trevor Barker Oval | |
| Sunday, 3 July (2:10pm) | Richmond 11.10 (76) | def. by | Casey 11.12 (78) | Punt Road Oval | |
| | Bye Box Hill, Geelong, Werribee | Bye Box Hill, Geelong, Werribee | Bye Box Hill, Geelong, Werribee | | |

### Round 14

| | Round 14 | Round 14 | Round 14 | | |
| Saturday, 9 July (2:00pm) | Box Hill 12.8 (80) | def. by | Williamstown 13.12 (90) | Box Hill City Oval | Report |
| Saturday, 9 July (2:00pm) | Northern Blues 8.11 (59) | def. by | Geelong 19.11 (125) | Preston City Oval | |
| Saturday, 9 July (2:00pm) | Coburg 5.6 (36) | def. by | Sandringham 12.13 (85) | Piranha Park | Report |
| Saturday, 9 July (2:00pm) | Footscray 11.8 (74) | def. | Richmond 9.11 (65) | VU Whitten Oval | Report |
| Sunday, 10 July (11:40am) | Port Melbourne 9.20 (74) | def. | Werribee 10.7 (67) | North Port Oval | |
| Sunday, 10 July (1:00pm) | North Ballarat 2.7 (19) | def. by | Collingwood 13.12 (90) | Eureka Stadium | Report |
| Sunday, 10 July (2:00pm) | Frankston 12.12 (84) | def. by | Essendon 16.11 (107) | Frankston Park | |
| | Bye Casey | Bye Casey | Bye Casey | | |

### Round 15

| | Round 15 | Round 15 | Round 15 | | |
| Saturday, 16 July (11:00am) | Essendon 15.5 (95) | def. | Box Hill 13.14 (92) | Windy Hill | Report |
| Saturday, 16 July (12:00pm) | Geelong 25.16 (166) | def. | Werribee 8.7 (55) | Simonds Stadium | Report |
| Saturday, 16 July (1:00pm) | North Ballarat 11.15 (81) | def. by | Northern Blues 17.10 (112) | Eureka Stadium | |
| Sunday, 17 July (11:40am) | Footscray 12.12 (84) | def. | Casey 13.5 (83) | VU Whitten Oval | Report |
| Sunday, 17 July (2:00pm) | Williamstown 11.19 (85) | def. | Coburg 7.5 (47) | Burbank Oval | Report |
| Sunday, 17 July (2:00pm) | Frankston 12.5 (77) | def. by | Collingwood 22.11 (143) | Frankston Park | Report |
| Sunday, 17 July (2:00pm) | Sandringham 9.6 (60) | def. by | Port Melbourne 11.16 (82) | Trevor Barker Oval | Report |
| | Bye Richmond | Bye Richmond | Bye Richmond | | |

### Round 16

| | Round 16 | Round 16 | Round 16 | | |
| Saturday, 23 July (2:00pm) | Werribee 10.11 (71) | def. | North Ballarat 8.12 (60) | Avalon Airport Oval | Report |
| Saturday, 23 July (2:00pm) | Port Melbourne 10.3 (63) | def. by | Williamstown 14.12 (96) | North Port Oval | Report |
| Sunday, 24 July (11:40am) | Casey 12.20 (92) | def. | Sandringham 7.4 (46) | Casey Fields | Report |
| Sunday, 24 July (12:30pm) | Richmond 13.7 (85) | def. | Box Hill 10.9 (69) | Punt Road Oval | Report |
| Sunday, 24 July (1:00pm) | Geelong 15.22 (112) | def. | Essendon 5.4 (34) | Simonds Stadium | Report |
| Sunday, 24 July (2:00pm) | Northern Blues 11.11 (77) | def. | Footscray 10.11 (71) | Ikon Park | Report |
| | Bye Coburg, Collingwood, Frankston | Bye Coburg, Collingwood, Frankston | Bye Coburg, Collingwood, Frankston | | |

### Round 17

| | Round 17 | Round 17 | Round 17 | | |
| Saturday, 30 July (11:00am) | Richmond 11.15 (81) | def. | Frankston 7.8 (50) | Punt Road Oval | |
| Saturday, 30 July (12:00pm) | Collingwood 13.14 (92) | def. | Geelong 5.12 (42) | Victoria Park | Report |
| Saturday, 30 July (12:00pm) | Footscray 10.13 (73) | def. | Box Hill 10.8 (68) | VU Whitten Oval | Report |
| Saturday, 30 July (2:00pm) | Port Melbourne 12.20 (92) | def. | North Ballarat 13.1 (79) | Frankston Park | |
| Saturday, 30 July (2:00pm) | Coburg 6.2 (38) | def. by | Casey 16.20 (116) | Piranha Park | Report |
| Sunday, 31 July (11:40am) | Werribee 25.15 (165) | def. | Northern Blues 15.12 (102) | Avalon Airport Oval | |
| Sunday, 31 July (2:00pm) | Sandringham 6.22 (58) | def. by | Williamstown 11.16 (82) | Trevor Barker Oval | |
| | Bye Essendon | Bye Essendon | Bye Essendon | | |

### Round 18

| | Round 18 | Round 18 | Round 18 | | |
| Saturday, 6 August (11:30am) | Geelong 23.8 (146) | def. | Frankston 7.3 (45) | Simonds Stadium | Report |
| Saturday, 6 August (1:00pm) | North Ballarat 11.8 (74) | def. by | Sandringham 19.13 (127) | Eureka Stadium | |
| Saturday, 6 August (1:00pm) | Collingwood 19.18 (132) | def. | Coburg 10.4 (64) | Victoria Park | Report |
| Saturday, 6 August (2:00pm) | Northern Blues 13.3 (81) | def. by | Richmond 19.11 (125) | Ikon Park | Report |
| Saturday, 6 August (7:00pm) | Casey 20.9 (129) | def. | Essendon 6.7 (43) | Casey Fields | Report |
| Sunday, 7 August (2:00pm) | Box Hill 13.20 (98) | def. | Werribee 9.7 (61) | Box Hill City Oval | Report |
| Sunday, 7 August (2:00pm) | Williamstown 11.11 (77) | def. by | Footscray 12.9 (81) | Burbank Oval | Report |
| | Bye Port Melbourne | Bye Port Melbourne | Bye Port Melbourne | | |

### Round 19

| | Round 19 | Round 19 | Round 19 | | |
| Saturday, 13 August (1:00pm) | Collingwood 12.12 (84) | def. | Port Melbourne 10.8 (68) | Victoria Park | Report |
| Saturday, 13 August (2:00pm) | Coburg 13.13 (91) | def. | Frankston 11.13 (79) | Piranha Park | Report |
| Sunday, 14 August (12:00pm) | Essendon 18.11 (119) | def. | Williamstown 15.11 (101) | Windy Hill | Report |
| Sunday, 14 August (2:00pm) | Casey 21.25 (151) | def. | Werribee 7.4 (46) | Casey Fields | Report |
| Sunday, 14 August (2:00pm) | Sandringham 9.15 (69) | def. by | Box Hill 13.13 (91) | Trevor Barker Oval | Report |
| Sunday, 14 August (5:00pm) | Richmond 11.16 (82) | def. | Geelong 6.9 (45) | Punt Road Oval | Report |
| | Bye Footscray, North Ballarat, Northern Blues | Bye Footscray, North Ballarat, Northern Blues | Bye Footscray, North Ballarat, Northern Blues | | |

### Round 20

| | Round 20 | Round 20 | Round 20 | | |
| Saturday, 20 August (1:00pm) | Box Hill 7.15 (57) | def. by | Collingwood 12.6 (78) | Box Hill City Oval | Report |
| Saturday, 20 August (2:00pm) | Northern Blues 6.7 (43) | def. by | Williamstown 13.20 (98) | Ikon Park | Report |
| Saturday, 20 August (2:30pm) | North Ballarat 3.16 (34) | def. by | Essendon 15.10 (100) | Eureka Stadium | Report |
| Sunday, 21 August (11:00am) | Geelong 13.5 (83) | def. | Casey 10.12 (72) | Simonds Stadium | Report |
| Sunday, 21 August (12:00pm) | Werribee 9.10 (64) | def. by | Footscray 18.19 (127) | Avalon Airport Oval | Report |
| Sunday, 21 August (2:00pm) | Frankston 8.10 (58) | def. by | Port Melbourne 16.8 (104) | Frankston Park | Report |
| Sunday, 21 August (2:15pm) | Sandringham 12.17 (89) | def. by | Richmond 14.14 (98) | Trevor Barker Oval | Report |
| | Bye Coburg | Bye Coburg | Bye Coburg | | |

### Round 21

| | Round 21 | Round 21 | Round 21 | | |
| Saturday, 27 August (11:00am) | Essendon 19.18 (132) | def. | Northern Blues 8.10 (58) | Windy Hill | Report |
| Saturday, 27 August (12:00pm) | Richmond 20.15 (135) | def. | Coburg 6.8 (44) | Punt Road Oval | Report |
| Saturday, 27 August (12:00pm) | Footscray 16.9 (105) | def. | Collingwood 10.13 (73) | VU Whitten Oval | Report |
| Saturday, 27 August (1:00pm) | North Ballarat 8.18 (66) | def. | Frankston 8.8 (56) | Eureka Stadium | |
| Saturday, 27 August (2:00pm) | Box Hill 8.8 (56) | def. by | Casey 11.20 (86) | Box Hill City Oval | Report |
| Sunday, 28 August (11:40am) | Port Melbourne 9.10 (64) | def. by | Geelong 15.9 (99) | VU Whitten Oval | Report |
| Sunday, 28 August (2:00pm) | Werribee 14.10 (94) | def. | Sandringham 10.14 (74) | Avalon Airport Oval | Report |
| | Bye Williamstown | Bye Williamstown | Bye Williamstown | | |

## Ladder

| Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | D | PF | PA | PP | Pts | Qualification |
| 1 | Casey Scorpions | 18 | 14 | 4 | 0 | 1829 | 1090 | 167.8 | 56 | Finals |
| 2 | Collingwood | 18 | 14 | 4 | 0 | 1541 | 1323 | 116.5 | 56 | Finals |
| 3 | Williamstown | 18 | 13 | 5 | 0 | 1746 | 1201 | 145.4 | 52 | Finals |
| 4 | Footscray (P) | 18 | 12 | 6 | 0 | 1558 | 1447 | 107.7 | 48 | Finals |
| 5 | Geelong | 18 | 11 | 7 | 0 | 1694 | 1232 | 137.5 | 44 | Finals |
| 6 | Port Melbourne | 18 | 11 | 7 | 0 | 1383 | 1329 | 104.1 | 44 | Finals |
| 7 | Sandringham | 18 | 10 | 8 | 0 | 1675 | 1465 | 114.3 | 40 | Finals |
| 8 | Essendon | 18 | 10 | 8 | 0 | 1603 | 1477 | 108.5 | 40 | Finals |
| 9 | Richmond | 18 | 9 | 9 | 0 | 1482 | 1343 | 110.3 | 36 | |
| 10 | Box Hill Hawks | 18 | 7 | 11 | 0 | 1450 | 1440 | 100.7 | 28 | |
| 11 | Werribee | 18 | 7 | 11 | 0 | 1430 | 1757 | 81.4 | 28 | |
| 12 | Coburg | 18 | 6 | 12 | 0 | 1259 | 1557 | 80.9 | 24 | |
| 13 | Northern Blues | 18 | 6 | 12 | 0 | 1347 | 1890 | 71.3 | 24 | |
| 14 | North Ballarat | 18 | 3 | 15 | 0 | 1076 | 1826 | 58.9 | 12 | |
| 15 | Frankston | 18 | 2 | 16 | 0 | 1131 | 1827 | 61.9 | 8 | |

## Finals series

| Qualifying and elimination finals | Qualifying and elimination finals | Qualifying and elimination finals | Semi-finals | Semi-finals | Semi-finals | Preliminary finals | Preliminary finals | Preliminary finals | Grand final | Grand final | Grand final |
| 3 Sep, Casey Fields | 3 Sep, Casey Fields | 3 Sep, Casey Fields | | | | | | | | | |
| 1 | Casey | 20.8 (128) | | | | | | | | | |
| 4 | Footscray | 8.10 (58) | 11 Sep, North Port Oval | 11 Sep, North Port Oval | 11 Sep, North Port Oval | | | | |
| | | | Footscray | Footscray | 13.16 (94) | | | | |
| 3 Sep, North Port Oval | 3 Sep, North Port Oval | 3 Sep, North Port Oval | Essendon | Essendon | 10.15 (75) | 18 Sep, North Port Oval | 18 Sep, North Port Oval | 18 Sep, North Port Oval | | | |
| 5 | Geelong | 17.8 (110) | | | | Casey | Casey | 12.13 (85) | |
| 8 | Essendon | 21.6 (132) | | | | Williamstown | Williamstown | 5.13 (43) | 25 Sep, Etihad Stadium | 25 Sep, Etihad Stadium | 25 Sep, Etihad Stadium |
| | | | | | | | | | Casey | Casey | 10.6 (66) |
| 4 Sep, North Port Oval | 4 Sep, North Port Oval | 4 Sep, North Port Oval | | | | 17 Sep, North Port Oval | 17 Sep, North Port Oval | 17 Sep, North Port Oval | Footscray | Footscray | 13.19 (97) |
| 6 | Port Melbourne | 15.10 (100) | | | | Collingwood | Collingwood | 9.8 (62) | | |
| 7 | Sandringham | 22.13 (145) | 10 Sep, North Port Oval | 10 Sep, North Port Oval | 10 Sep, North Port Oval | Footscray | Footscray | 27.19 (181) | | |
| | | | Williamstown | Williamstown | 14.11 (95) | | | | | | |
| 3 Sep, Ikon Park | 3 Sep, Ikon Park | 3 Sep, Ikon Park | Sandringham | Sandringham | 7.7 (49) | | | | | |
| 2 | Collingwood | 16.6 (102) | | | | | | | | | |
| 3 | Williamstown | 7.14 (56) | | | | | | | | |

### Qualifying and Elimination Finals

| | Qualifying Finals | Qualifying Finals | Qualifying Finals | | |
| Saturday 3 September (2:00 pm) | Casey 20.8 (128) | def. | Footscray 8.10 (58) | Casey Fields | Report |
| Saturday 3 September (2:00 pm) | Collingwood 16.6 (102) | def. | Williamstown 7.14 (56) | Ikon Park | Report |
| | Elimination Finals | Elimination Finals | Elimination Finals | | |
| Saturday 3 September (2:40 pm) | Geelong 17.8 (110) | def. by | Essendon 21.6 (132) | North Port Oval | Report |
| Sunday 4 September (2:40 pm) | Port Melbourne 15.10 (100) | def. by | Sandringham 22.13 (145) | North Port Oval | Report |

### Semi-finals

| | Semi-finals | Semi-finals | Semi-finals | | |
| Saturday 10 September (11:40 am) | Williamstown 14.11 (95) | def. | Sandringham 7.7 (49) | North Port Oval | Report |
| Sunday 11 September (2:40 pm) | Footscray 13.16 (94) | def. | Essendon 10.15 (75) | North Port Oval | Report |

### Preliminary Finals

| | Preliminary Finals | Preliminary Finals | Preliminary Finals | | |
| Saturday 17 September (2:40 pm) | Collingwood 9.8 (62) | def. by | Footscray 27.19 (181) | North Port Oval | Report |
| Sunday 18 September (2:40 pm) | Casey 12.13 (85) | def. | Williamstown 5.13 (43) | North Port Oval | Report |
| The Casey Scorpions qualified for their first grand final since 1999. ||||||

### Grand Final

| | 2016 VFL Grand Final | 2016 VFL Grand Final | 2016 VFL Grand Final | | |
| Sunday 25 September (3:00 pm) | Casey | def. by | Footscray | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 17,348) | Report |
| | 2.1 (13) 6.3 (39) 6.3 (39) 10.6 (66) | Q1 Q2 Q3 Final | 2.7 (19) 4.9 (33) 12.13 (85) 13.19 (97) | Umpires: D. Butcher, H. Gavine, H. Ryan Norm Goss Memorial Medal: Lin Jong (Footscray) Television broadcast: Seven Network | Umpires: D. Butcher, H. Gavine, H. Ryan Norm Goss Memorial Medal: Lin Jong (Footscray) Television broadcast: Seven Network |
| 3: T. Smith 2: Weideman 1: Hulett, Newton, Scott, Trengove, White | 3: T. Smith 2: Weideman 1: Hulett, Newton, Scott, Trengove, White | Goals | 3: Jamieson 2: Jong, Campbell 1: Dale, Nash, Lynch, Williams, Hannan, Tashevski-Beckwith | 3: Jamieson 2: Jong, Campbell 1: Dale, Nash, Lynch, Williams, Hannan, Tashevski-Beckwith |
| Oliver, T. Smith, Dunn, J. Smith, Kennedy, Newton | Oliver, T. Smith, Dunn, J. Smith, Kennedy, Newton | Best | | |

## Awards

* The Frosty Miller Medal was won by Ahmed Saad (Coburg), who kicked 49 goals during the home-and-away season.
* The J. J. Liston Trophy was won by Michael Gibbons (Williamstown), who polled 17 votes. George Horlin-Smith (Geelong reserves) finished second with 15 votes, and Ben Jolley (Williamstown) and Toby Pinwill (Port Melbourne) were equal third with 14 votes.
* The Fothergill–Round Medal was won by Luke Ryan (Coburg).
* The Development League premiership was won by Box Hill. Box Hill 26.16 (172) defeated Casey 10.7 (67) in the Grand Final, played at North Port Oval on 18 September as a curtain-raiser to the seniors first preliminary final.
2016 VFL Team of the Year :
| B: | Luke Ryan (Coburg) | Jack Hutchins (Port Melbourne) | Aaron Heppell (Essendon) |
| HB: | Jordan Russell (Footscray) | Tom Stewart (Geelong) | Jordan Kelly (Collingwood) |
| C: | Nick Rippon (North Ballarat) | Michael Gibbons (Williamstown) | Robbie Fox (Coburg) |
| HF: | Ben Cavarra (Frankston) | Tim Smith (Casey) | Matt Hanson (Werribee) |
| F: | Sam Dunell (Williamstown) | Ahmed Saad (Coburg) | Tom Atkins (Geelong) |
| Foll: | Nick Meese (Williamstown) | Tom O'Sullivan (Port Melbourne) | Willie Wheeler (Williamstown) |
| Int: | Khan Haretuku (Port Melbourne) | Ben Jolley (Williamstown) | Tom Wilson (Northern Blues) |
| Int: | Damian Mascitti (Port Melbourne) | Sam Darley (Richmond) | Declan Keilty (Casey) |
| Coach: | Dale Tapping (Collingwood) | Dale Tapping (Collingwood) | Dale Tapping (Collingwood) |

## Notable events

* In August, the Frankston Football Club, struggling with debts in excess of $1,000,000 and a downturn in the profitability of its poker machine licence, went into voluntary administration. The club's VFL licence was terminated the following month, in the week after the VFL Grand Final, resulting in the club missing the 2017 season before being readmitted in 2018 after resolving its financial issues.