1981 VFL season Round 17 Round 17

| Home_team | Home_team_score | Away_team | Away_team_score | Venue | Crowd | Date_ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geelong | 10.11 (71) | Hawthorn | 8.9 (57) | Kardinia Park | 24750 | 25 July 1981 |
| Footscray | 18.8 (116) | North Melbourne | 19.11 (125) | Western Oval | 14755 | 25 July 1981 |
| Carlton | 23.15 (153) | Melbourne | 15.10 (100) | Princes Park | 15198 | 25 July 1981 |
| Richmond | 16.19 (115) | Fitzroy | 17.14 (116) | MCG | 37589 | 25 July 1981 |
| St Kilda | 12.4 (76) | Essendon | 12.21 (93) | Moorabbin Oval | 23126 | 25 July 1981 |
| South Melbourne | 18.13 (121) | Collingwood | 15.13 (103) | SCG | 22238 | 26 July 1981 |