1981 VFL season Round 1 Round 1

| Home_team | Home_team_score | Away_team | Away_team_score | Venue | Crowd | Date_ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Melbourne | 21.19 (145) | South Melbourne | 12.25 (97) | Arden Street Oval | 19437 | 28 March 1981 |
| Footscray | 16.12 (108) | St Kilda | 23.19 (157) | Western Oval | 19101 | 28 March 1981 |
| Melbourne | 16.16 (112) | Hawthorn | 23.15 (153) | MCG | 32202 | 28 March 1981 |
| Geelong | 10.17 (77) | Essendon | 10.11 (71) | Kardinia Park | 37303 | 28 March 1981 |
| Fitzroy | 20.13 (133) | Collingwood | 22.27 (159) | Junction Oval | 27200 | 28 March 1981 |
| Carlton | 22.12 (144) | Richmond | 12.10 (82) | VFL Park | 56372 | 28 March 1981 |