1896 VFA Season

These are the results for the 1896 season of the Victorian Football Association (currently known as the Victorian Football League).

It featured twenty rounds. Each team received two byes. It should be noted that teams did not necessarily play their matches following the same order as the nominal round numbers of those matches this season. Collingwood and South Melbourne were the minor premiers.

The season ended with a play-off due to the results of regular season. Collingwood were the premiers, with Billy Strickland as the premiership captain.

Season Details

Name: 1896 VFA Season
Teams: 13
Rounds: 20
Finals System: Play-Off Necessary
Matches: 118

Team Details

Team Home Ground Coach (Appointed) Coach (Caretaker)
Carlton University Oval
Collingwood Victoria Park
Essendon East Melbourne
Fitzroy Brunswick Street Oval
Footscray Western Oval
Geelong Corio Oval
Melbourne MCG
North Melbourne Arden Street Oval
Port Melbourne North Port Oval
Richmond Punt Road Oval
South Melbourne Lakeside Oval
St Kilda Junction Oval
Williamstown WCG

Season Results

Premiers: Collingwood
Runners-Up: South Melbourne
Minor Premiers: Collingwood, South Melbourne

Team Results

Minor Premiership Results

Team Ladder (W-D-L, PP & P%) PF PA GF BF GA BA
Collingwood 1st 14 -1- 3 58 147.7% 86 55 86 125 55 104
South Melbourne 1st 14 -1- 3 58 150.9% 85 55 85 127 55 92
Essendon 3rd 14 -0- 4 56 175.4% 121 64 121 135 64 107
Fitzroy 4th 12 -0- 6 48 140.1% 80 59 80 159 59 102
Melbourne 4th 12 -0- 6 48 160.6% 119 74 119 147 74 92
North Melbourne 6th 8 -1- 9 34 108.7% 92 80 92 113 80 132
Port Melbourne 6th 7 -3- 8 34 114.3% 70 63 70 124 63 98
Williamstown 6th 7 -3- 8 34 72.9% 64 93 64 105 93 113
Footscray 9th 5 -3- 10 26 74.3% 69 94 69 109 94 140
St Kilda 9th 6 -1- 11 26 83.4% 69 88 69 135 88 130
Geelong 11th 4 -3- 11 22 96.9% 87 93 87 135 93 120
Carlton 12th 2 -2- 14 12 52.2% 46 89 46 82 89 152
Richmond 12th 3 -0- 15 12 38.8% 50 131 50 81 131 195

Overall Premiership Results

Team Position (Outcome)
Collingwood 1st Premiers
South Melbourne 2nd Runners-Up
Essendon 3rd Did not qualify for finals
Fitzroy 4th Did not qualify for finals
Melbourne 4th Did not qualify for finals
North Melbourne 6th Did not qualify for finals
Port Melbourne 6th Did not qualify for finals
Williamstown 6th Did not qualify for finals
Footscray 9th Did not qualify for finals
St Kilda 9th Did not qualify for finals
Geelong 11th Did not qualify for finals
Carlton 12th Did not qualify for finals
Richmond 12th Did not qualify for finals

Ladder Chart

This chart is based on the nominal round, i.e. only one result (win, loss, draw, bye) per round, which may result in not being accurate from a chronological perspective. The positions during the finals series is determined via bespoke logic. You can click on the teams in the legend to add/remove their respective results.

Season Fixture

Regular Season

Round 1

Date Match Venue Result Attendance
SAT 02/05/1896 Fitzroy v Collingwood Brunswick Street Oval 2 - 6
SAT 02/05/1896 Footscray v South Melbourne Western Oval 3 - 5
SAT 02/05/1896 Geelong v Port Melbourne Corio Oval 5 - 4
SAT 02/05/1896 Melbourne v Essendon MCG 5 - 9
SAT 02/05/1896 North Melbourne v Williamstown Arden Street Oval 6 - 2
SAT 02/05/1896 Richmond v St Kilda Punt Road Oval 6 - 5

Round 1 Bye: Carlton

Round 1 Ladder

Team Ladder (W-D-L, PP & P%) PF PA
Collingwood 1st 1 -0- 0 4 300.0% 6 2
Essendon 1 -0- 0 4 180.0% 9 5
Geelong 1 -0- 0 4 125.0% 5 4
North Melbourne 1 -0- 0 4 300.0% 6 2
Richmond 1 -0- 0 4 120.0% 6 5
South Melbourne 1 -0- 0 4 166.7% 5 3
Carlton 7th 0 -0- 0 0 0 0
Fitzroy 0 -0- 1 0 33.3% 2 6
Footscray 0 -0- 1 0 60.0% 3 5
Melbourne 0 -0- 1 0 55.6% 5 9
Port Melbourne 0 -0- 1 0 80.0% 4 5
St Kilda 0 -0- 1 0 83.3% 5 6
Williamstown 0 -0- 1 0 33.3% 2 6

Round 2

Date Match Venue Result Attendance
SAT 09/05/1896 Collingwood v Richmond Victoria Park 3 - 0
SAT 09/05/1896 Essendon v Carlton East Melbourne 10 - 0
SAT 09/05/1896 Footscray v Melbourne Western Oval 2 - 6
SAT 09/05/1896 Port Melbourne v Williamstown North Port Oval 3 - 3
SAT 09/05/1896 South Melbourne v North Melbourne Lakeside Oval 5 - 4
SAT 09/05/1896 St Kilda v Fitzroy Junction Oval 5 - 2

Round 2 Bye: Geelong

Round 2 Ladder

Team Ladder (W-D-L, PP & P%) PF PA
Collingwood 1st 2 -0- 0 8 450.0% 9 2
Essendon 2 -0- 0 8 380.0% 19 5
South Melbourne 2 -0- 0 8 142.9% 10 7
Geelong 4th 1 -0- 0 4 125.0% 5 4
Melbourne 1 -0- 1 4 100.0% 11 11
North Melbourne 1 -0- 1 4 142.9% 10 7
Richmond 1 -0- 1 4 75.0% 6 8
St Kilda 1 -0- 1 4 125.0% 10 8
Port Melbourne 9th 0 -1- 1 2 87.5% 7 8
Williamstown 0 -1- 1 2 55.6% 5 9
Carlton 11th 0 -0- 1 0 0.0% 0 10
Fitzroy 0 -0- 2 0 36.4% 4 11
Footscray 0 -0- 2 0 45.5% 5 11

Round 3

Date Match Venue Result Attendance
SAT 16/05/1896 Carlton v North Melbourne University Oval 2 - 6
SAT 16/05/1896 Collingwood v South Melbourne Victoria Park 4 - 3
SAT 16/05/1896 Fitzroy v Essendon Brunswick Street Oval 4 - 5
SAT 16/05/1896 Melbourne v Geelong MCG 11 - 9
SAT 16/05/1896 Port Melbourne v Footscray North Port Oval 2 - 1
SAT 16/05/1896 Williamstown v Richmond WCG 6 - 2

Round 3 Bye: St Kilda

Round 3 Ladder

Team Ladder (W-D-L, PP & P%) PF PA
Collingwood 1st 3 -0- 0 12 260.0% 13 5
Essendon 3 -0- 0 12 266.7% 24 9
Melbourne 3rd 2 -0- 1 8 110.0% 22 20
North Melbourne 2 -0- 1 8 177.8% 16 9
South Melbourne 2 -0- 1 8 118.2% 13 11
Port Melbourne 6th 1 -1- 1 6 100.0% 9 9
Williamstown 1 -1- 1 6 100.0% 11 11
Geelong 8th 1 -0- 1 4 93.3% 14 15
Richmond 1 -0- 2 4 57.1% 8 14
St Kilda 1 -0- 1 4 125.0% 10 8
Carlton 11th 0 -0- 2 0 12.5% 2 16
Fitzroy 0 -0- 3 0 50.0% 8 16
Footscray 0 -0- 3 0 46.2% 6 13

Round 4

Date Match Venue Result Attendance
SAT 23/05/1896 North Melbourne v Footscray Arden Street Oval 2 - 4
SAT 23/05/1896 Richmond v Carlton Punt Road Oval 3 - 6
SAT 23/05/1896 South Melbourne v Geelong Lakeside Oval 8 - 2
MON 25/05/1896 Essendon v Collingwood East Melbourne 4 - 2
MON 25/05/1896 Melbourne v Fitzroy MCG 5 - 6
MON 25/05/1896 St Kilda v Williamstown Junction Oval 3 - 3

Round 4 Bye: Port Melbourne

Round 4 Ladder

Team Ladder (W-D-L, PP & P%) PF PA
Essendon 1st 4 -0- 0 16 254.5% 28 11
Collingwood 2nd 3 -0- 1 12 166.7% 15 9
South Melbourne 3 -0- 1 12 161.5% 21 13
Melbourne 4th 2 -0- 2 8 103.8% 27 26
North Melbourne 2 -0- 2 8 138.5% 18 13
Williamstown 1 -2- 1 8 100.0% 14 14
Port Melbourne 7th 1 -1- 1 6 100.0% 9 9
St Kilda 1 -1- 1 6 118.2% 13 11
Carlton 9th 1 -0- 2 4 42.1% 8 19
Fitzroy 1 -0- 3 4 66.7% 14 21
Footscray 1 -0- 3 4 66.7% 10 15
Geelong 1 -0- 2 4 69.6% 16 23
Richmond 1 -0- 3 4 55.0% 11 20

Round 5

Date Match Venue Result Attendance
SAT 30/05/1896 Carlton v Collingwood University Oval 3 - 4
SAT 30/05/1896 Essendon v St Kilda East Melbourne 11 - 3
SAT 30/05/1896 Fitzroy v North Melbourne Brunswick Street Oval 3 - 2
SAT 30/05/1896 Geelong v Footscray Corio Oval 2 - 2
SAT 30/05/1896 Melbourne v Williamstown MCG 15 - 4
SAT 30/05/1896 Port Melbourne v Richmond North Port Oval 9 - 3

Round 5 Bye: South Melbourne

Round 5 Ladder

Team Ladder (W-D-L, PP & P%) PF PA
Essendon 1st 5 -0- 0 20 278.6% 39 14
Collingwood 2nd 4 -0- 1 16 158.3% 19 12
Melbourne 3rd 3 -0- 2 12 140.0% 42 30
South Melbourne 3 -0- 1 12 161.5% 21 13
Port Melbourne 5th 2 -1- 1 10 150.0% 18 12
Fitzroy 6th 2 -0- 3 8 73.9% 17 23
North Melbourne 2 -0- 3 8 125.0% 20 16
Williamstown 1 -2- 2 8 62.1% 18 29
Footscray 9th 1 -1- 3 6 70.6% 12 17
Geelong 1 -1- 2 6 72.0% 18 25
St Kilda 1 -1- 2 6 72.7% 16 22
Carlton 12th 1 -0- 3 4 47.8% 11 23
Richmond 1 -0- 4 4 48.3% 14 29

Round 6

Date Match Venue Result Attendance
SAT 13/06/1896 Collingwood v Melbourne Victoria Park 4 - 2
SAT 13/06/1896 Essendon v South Melbourne East Melbourne 6 - 4
SAT 13/06/1896 Footscray v Richmond Western Oval 10 - 4
SAT 13/06/1896 Geelong v Fitzroy Corio Oval 3 - 4
SAT 13/06/1896 North Melbourne v Port Melbourne Arden Street Oval 5 - 3
SAT 13/06/1896 St Kilda v Carlton Junction Oval 5 - 3

Round 6 Bye: Williamstown

Round 6 Ladder

Team Ladder (W-D-L, PP & P%) PF PA
Essendon 1st 6 -0- 0 24 250.0% 45 18
Collingwood 2nd 5 -0- 1 20 164.3% 23 14
Fitzroy 3rd 3 -0- 3 12 80.8% 21 26
Melbourne 3 -0- 3 12 129.4% 44 34
North Melbourne 3 -0- 3 12 131.6% 25 19
South Melbourne 3 -0- 2 12 131.6% 25 19
Footscray 7th 2 -1- 3 10 104.8% 22 21
Port Melbourne 2 -1- 2 10 123.5% 21 17
St Kilda 2 -1- 2 10 84.0% 21 25
Williamstown 10th 1 -2- 2 8 62.1% 18 29
Geelong 11th 1 -1- 3 6 72.4% 21 29
Carlton 12th 1 -0- 4 4 50.0% 14 28
Richmond 1 -0- 5 4 46.2% 18 39

Round 7

Date Match Venue Result Attendance
SAT 20/06/1896 Carlton v Geelong MCG 1 - 1
SAT 20/06/1896 Essendon v Port Melbourne East Melbourne 4 - 2
SAT 20/06/1896 Fitzroy v Footscray Brunswick Street Oval 4 - 1
SAT 20/06/1896 South Melbourne v Richmond Lakeside Oval 9 - 2
SAT 20/06/1896 St Kilda v Melbourne Junction Oval 1 - 7
SAT 20/06/1896 Williamstown v Collingwood WCG 3 - 4

Round 7 Bye: North Melbourne

Round 7 Ladder

Team Ladder (W-D-L, PP & P%) PF PA
Essendon 1st 7 -0- 0 28 245.0% 49 20
Collingwood 2nd 6 -0- 1 24 158.8% 27 17
Fitzroy 3rd 4 -0- 3 16 92.6% 25 27
Melbourne 4 -0- 3 16 145.7% 51 35
South Melbourne 4 -0- 2 16 161.9% 34 21
North Melbourne 6th 3 -0- 3 12 131.6% 25 19
Footscray 7th 2 -1- 4 10 92.0% 23 25
Port Melbourne 2 -1- 3 10 109.5% 23 21
St Kilda 2 -1- 3 10 68.8% 22 32
Geelong 10th 1 -2- 3 8 73.3% 22 30
Williamstown 1 -2- 3 8 63.6% 21 33
Carlton 12th 1 -1- 4 6 51.7% 15 29
Richmond 13th 1 -0- 6 4 41.7% 20 48

Round 8

Date Match Venue Result Attendance
SAT 27/06/1896 Carlton v Port Melbourne University Oval 3 - 3
SAT 27/06/1896 Footscray v St Kilda Western Oval 3 - 2
SAT 27/06/1896 Geelong v Collingwood Corio Oval 4 - 5
SAT 27/06/1896 Melbourne v South Melbourne MCG 5 - 6
SAT 27/06/1896 Richmond v North Melbourne Punt Road Oval 5 - 8
SAT 27/06/1896 Williamstown v Essendon WCG 3 - 7

Round 8 Bye: Fitzroy

Round 8 Ladder

Team Ladder (W-D-L, PP & P%) PF PA
Essendon 1st 8 -0- 0 32 243.5% 56 23
Collingwood 2nd 7 -0- 1 28 152.4% 32 21
South Melbourne 3rd 5 -0- 2 20 153.8% 40 26
Fitzroy 4th 4 -0- 3 16 92.6% 25 27
Melbourne 4 -0- 4 16 136.6% 56 41
North Melbourne 4 -0- 3 16 137.5% 33 24
Footscray 7th 3 -1- 4 14 96.3% 26 27
Port Melbourne 8th 2 -2- 3 12 108.3% 26 24
St Kilda 9th 2 -1- 4 10 68.6% 24 35
Carlton 10th 1 -2- 4 8 56.3% 18 32
Geelong 1 -2- 4 8 74.3% 26 35
Williamstown 1 -2- 4 8 60.0% 24 40
Richmond 13th 1 -0- 7 4 44.6% 25 56

Round 9

Date Match Venue Result Attendance
SAT 04/07/1896 Carlton v Fitzroy MCG 1 - 3
SAT 04/07/1896 Collingwood v St Kilda Victoria Park 3 - 0
SAT 04/07/1896 North Melbourne v Geelong Arden Street Oval 4 - 2
SAT 04/07/1896 Richmond v Essendon Punt Road Oval 1 - 9
SAT 04/07/1896 South Melbourne v Port Melbourne Lakeside Oval 4 - 3
SAT 04/07/1896 Williamstown v Footscray WCG 5 - 3

Round 9 Bye: Melbourne

Round 9 Ladder

Team Ladder (W-D-L, PP & P%) PF PA
Essendon 1st 9 -0- 0 36 270.8% 65 24
Collingwood 2nd 8 -0- 1 32 166.7% 35 21
South Melbourne 3rd 6 -0- 2 24 151.7% 44 29
Fitzroy 4th 5 -0- 3 20 100.0% 28 28
North Melbourne 5 -0- 3 20 142.3% 37 26
Melbourne 6th 4 -0- 4 16 136.6% 56 41
Footscray 7th 3 -1- 5 14 90.6% 29 32
Port Melbourne 8th 2 -2- 4 12 103.6% 29 28
Williamstown 2 -2- 4 12 67.4% 29 43
St Kilda 10th 2 -1- 5 10 63.2% 24 38
Carlton 11th 1 -2- 5 8 54.3% 19 35
Geelong 1 -2- 5 8 71.8% 28 39
Richmond 13th 1 -0- 8 4 40.0% 26 65

Round 10

Date Match Venue Result Attendance
SAT 11/07/1896 Carlton v Footscray University Oval 3 - 5
SAT 11/07/1896 Essendon v Geelong East Melbourne 2 - 4
SAT 11/07/1896 Port Melbourne v Melbourne North Port Oval 2 - 5
SAT 11/07/1896 South Melbourne v Fitzroy Lakeside Oval 3 - 2
SAT 11/07/1896 St Kilda v Richmond Junction Oval 6 - 1
SAT 11/07/1896 Williamstown v North Melbourne WCG 5 - 3

Round 10 Bye: Collingwood

Round 10 Ladder

Team Ladder (W-D-L, PP & P%) PF PA
Essendon 1st 9 -0- 1 36 239.3% 67 28
Collingwood 2nd 8 -0- 1 32 166.7% 35 21
South Melbourne 3rd 7 -0- 2 28 151.6% 47 31
Fitzroy 4th 5 -0- 4 20 96.8% 30 31
Melbourne 5 -0- 4 20 141.9% 61 43
North Melbourne 5 -0- 4 20 129.0% 40 31
Footscray 7th 4 -1- 5 18 97.1% 34 35
Williamstown 8th 3 -2- 4 16 73.9% 34 46
St Kilda 9th 3 -1- 5 14 76.9% 30 39
Geelong 10th 2 -2- 5 12 78.0% 32 41
Port Melbourne 2 -2- 5 12 93.9% 31 33
Carlton 12th 1 -2- 6 8 55.0% 22 40
Richmond 13th 1 -0- 9 4 38.0% 27 71

Round 11

Date Match Venue Result Attendance
SAT 18/07/1896 Footscray v Collingwood Western Oval 4 - 7
SAT 18/07/1896 Geelong v Williamstown Corio Oval 12 - 0
SAT 18/07/1896 Melbourne v North Melbourne MCG 12 - 5
SAT 18/07/1896 Port Melbourne v St Kilda North Port Oval 6 - 3
SAT 18/07/1896 Richmond v Fitzroy Punt Road Oval 2 - 10
SAT 18/07/1896 South Melbourne v Carlton Lakeside Oval 3 - 1

Round 11 Bye: Essendon

Round 11 Ladder

Team Ladder (W-D-L, PP & P%) PF PA
Collingwood 1st 9 -0- 1 36 168.0% 42 25
Essendon 9 -0- 1 36 239.3% 67 28
South Melbourne 3rd 8 -0- 2 32 156.3% 50 32
Fitzroy 4th 6 -0- 4 24 121.2% 40 33
Melbourne 6 -0- 4 24 152.1% 73 48
North Melbourne 6th 5 -0- 5 20 104.7% 45 43
Footscray 7th 4 -1- 6 18 90.5% 38 42
Geelong 8th 3 -2- 5 16 107.3% 44 41
Port Melbourne 3 -2- 5 16 102.8% 37 36
Williamstown 3 -2- 5 16 58.6% 34 58
St Kilda 11th 3 -1- 6 14 73.3% 33 45
Carlton 12th 1 -2- 7 8 53.5% 23 43
Richmond 13th 1 -0- 10 4 35.8% 29 81

Round 12

Date Match Venue Result Attendance
SAT 25/07/1896 Essendon v Footscray East Melbourne 10 - 3
SAT 25/07/1896 Fitzroy v Port Melbourne Brunswick Street Oval 4 - 2
SAT 25/07/1896 Melbourne v Carlton MCG 7 - 3
SAT 25/07/1896 North Melbourne v Collingwood Arden Street Oval 4 - 5
SAT 25/07/1896 St Kilda v Geelong Junction Oval 8 - 5
SAT 25/07/1896 Williamstown v South Melbourne WCG 3 - 5

Round 12 Bye: Richmond

Round 12 Ladder

Team Ladder (W-D-L, PP & P%) PF PA
Collingwood 1st 10 -0- 1 40 162.1% 47 29
Essendon 10 -0- 1 40 248.4% 77 31
South Melbourne 3rd 9 -0- 2 36 157.1% 55 35
Fitzroy 4th 7 -0- 4 28 125.7% 44 35
Melbourne 7 -0- 4 28 156.9% 80 51
North Melbourne 6th 5 -0- 6 20 102.1% 49 48
Footscray 7th 4 -1- 7 18 78.8% 41 52
St Kilda 4 -1- 6 18 82.0% 41 50
Geelong 9th 3 -2- 6 16 100.0% 49 49
Port Melbourne 3 -2- 6 16 97.5% 39 40
Williamstown 3 -2- 6 16 58.7% 37 63
Carlton 12th 1 -2- 8 8 52.0% 26 50
Richmond 13th 1 -0- 10 4 35.8% 29 81

Round 13

Date Match Venue Result Attendance
SAT 01/08/1896 Carlton v Williamstown University Oval 2 - 3
SAT 01/08/1896 Collingwood v Geelong Victoria Park 8 - 5
SAT 01/08/1896 Essendon v Fitzroy East Melbourne 5 - 2
SAT 01/08/1896 Richmond v Port Melbourne Punt Road Oval 0 - 6
SAT 01/08/1896 South Melbourne v Melbourne Lakeside Oval 2 - 0
SAT 01/08/1896 St Kilda v North Melbourne Junction Oval 4 - 2

Round 13 Bye: Footscray

Round 13 Ladder

Team Ladder (W-D-L, PP & P%) PF PA
Collingwood 1st 11 -0- 1 44 161.8% 55 34
Essendon 11 -0- 1 44 248.5% 82 33
South Melbourne 3rd 10 -0- 2 40 162.9% 57 35
Fitzroy 4th 7 -0- 5 28 115.0% 46 40
Melbourne 7 -0- 5 28 150.9% 80 53
St Kilda 6th 5 -1- 6 22 86.5% 45 52
North Melbourne 7th 5 -0- 7 20 98.1% 51 52
Port Melbourne 4 -2- 6 20 112.5% 45 40
Williamstown 4 -2- 6 20 61.5% 40 65
Footscray 10th 4 -1- 7 18 78.8% 41 52
Geelong 11th 3 -2- 7 16 94.7% 54 57
Carlton 12th 1 -2- 9 8 52.8% 28 53
Richmond 13th 1 -0- 11 4 33.3% 29 87

Round 14

Date Match Venue Result Attendance
SAT 08/08/1896 Collingwood v Port Melbourne Victoria Park 6 - 4
SAT 08/08/1896 Fitzroy v Williamstown Brunswick Street Oval 10 - 3
SAT 08/08/1896 Geelong v Richmond Corio Oval 10 - 2
SAT 08/08/1896 Melbourne v Footscray MCG 14 - 2
SAT 08/08/1896 North Melbourne v Essendon Arden Street Oval 4 - 11
SAT 08/08/1896 St Kilda v South Melbourne Junction Oval 4 - 8

Round 14 Bye: Carlton

Round 14 Ladder

Team Ladder (W-D-L, PP & P%) PF PA
Collingwood 1st 12 -0- 1 48 160.5% 61 38
Essendon 12 -0- 1 48 251.4% 93 37
South Melbourne 3rd 11 -0- 2 44 166.7% 65 39
Fitzroy 4th 8 -0- 5 32 130.2% 56 43
Melbourne 8 -0- 5 32 170.9% 94 55
St Kilda 6th 5 -1- 7 22 81.7% 49 60
Geelong 7th 4 -2- 7 20 108.5% 64 59
North Melbourne 5 -0- 8 20 87.3% 55 63
Port Melbourne 4 -2- 7 20 106.5% 49 46
Williamstown 4 -2- 7 20 57.3% 43 75
Footscray 11th 4 -1- 8 18 65.2% 43 66
Carlton 12th 1 -2- 9 8 52.8% 28 53
Richmond 13th 1 -0- 12 4 32.0% 31 97

Round 15

Date Match Venue Result Attendance
SAT 15/08/1896 Fitzroy v Geelong Brunswick Street Oval 10 - 5
SAT 15/08/1896 Footscray v Carlton Western Oval 7 - 4
SAT 15/08/1896 Melbourne v Collingwood MCG 6 - 4
SAT 15/08/1896 North Melbourne v Richmond Arden Street Oval 19 - 4
SAT 15/08/1896 South Melbourne v Essendon Lakeside Oval 5 - 3
SAT 15/08/1896 Williamstown v Port Melbourne WCG 2 - 5

Round 15 Bye: St Kilda

Round 15 Ladder

Team Ladder (W-D-L, PP & P%) PF PA
Collingwood 1st 12 -0- 2 48 147.7% 65 44
Essendon 12 -0- 2 48 228.6% 96 42
South Melbourne 12 -0- 2 48 166.7% 70 42
Fitzroy 4th 9 -0- 5 36 137.5% 66 48
Melbourne 9 -0- 5 36 169.5% 100 59
North Melbourne 6th 6 -0- 8 24 110.4% 74 67
Port Melbourne 5 -2- 7 24 112.5% 54 48
Footscray 8th 5 -1- 8 22 71.4% 50 70
St Kilda 5 -1- 7 22 81.7% 49 60
Geelong 10th 4 -2- 8 20 100.0% 69 69
Williamstown 4 -2- 8 20 56.3% 45 80
Carlton 12th 1 -2- 10 8 53.3% 32 60
Richmond 13th 1 -0- 13 4 30.2% 35 116

Round 16

Date Match Venue Result Attendance
SAT 22/08/1896 Carlton v St Kilda University Oval 5 - 3
SAT 22/08/1896 Port Melbourne v Fitzroy North Port Oval 5 - 3
SAT 22/08/1896 South Melbourne v Collingwood Lakeside Oval 3 - 3
SAT 12/09/1896 Richmond v Melbourne Punt Road Oval 1 - 4
SAT 26/09/1896 Geelong v Essendon Corio Oval 4 - 8
SAT 22/08/1896 Footscray v Williamstown Western Oval 4 - 4

Round 16 Bye: North Melbourne

Round 16 Ladder

Team Ladder (W-D-L, PP & P%) PF PA
Essendon 1st 13 -0- 2 52 226.1% 104 46
Collingwood 2nd 12 -1- 2 50 144.7% 68 47
South Melbourne 12 -1- 2 50 162.2% 73 45
Melbourne 4th 10 -0- 5 40 173.3% 104 60
Fitzroy 5th 9 -0- 6 36 130.2% 69 53
Port Melbourne 6th 6 -2- 7 28 115.7% 59 51
Footscray 7th 5 -2- 8 24 73.0% 54 74
North Melbourne 6 -0- 8 24 110.4% 74 67
St Kilda 9th 5 -1- 8 22 80.0% 52 65
Williamstown 4 -3- 8 22 58.3% 49 84
Geelong 11th 4 -2- 9 20 94.8% 73 77
Carlton 12th 2 -2- 10 12 58.7% 37 63
Richmond 13th 1 -0- 14 4 30.0% 36 120

Round 17

Date Match Venue Result Attendance
SAT 05/09/1896 Collingwood v Essendon Victoria Park 6 - 3
SAT 05/09/1896 Fitzroy v Melbourne Brunswick Street Oval 5 - 3
SAT 05/09/1896 Geelong v South Melbourne Corio Oval 5 - 6
SAT 05/09/1896 North Melbourne v Carlton Arden Street Oval 6 - 1
SAT 05/09/1896 Richmond v Williamstown Punt Road Oval 2 - 4
SAT 05/09/1896 St Kilda v Footscray Junction Oval 6 - 5

Round 17 Bye: Port Melbourne

Round 17 Ladder

Team Ladder (W-D-L, PP & P%) PF PA
Collingwood 1st 13 -1- 2 54 148.0% 74 50
South Melbourne 13 -1- 2 54 158.0% 79 50
Essendon 3rd 13 -0- 3 52 205.8% 107 52
Fitzroy 4th 10 -0- 6 40 132.1% 74 56
Melbourne 10 -0- 6 40 164.6% 107 65
North Melbourne 6th 7 -0- 8 28 117.6% 80 68
Port Melbourne 6 -2- 7 28 115.7% 59 51
St Kilda 8th 6 -1- 8 26 82.9% 58 70
Williamstown 5 -3- 8 26 61.6% 53 86
Footscray 10th 5 -2- 9 24 73.8% 59 80
Geelong 11th 4 -2- 10 20 94.0% 78 83
Carlton 12th 2 -2- 11 12 55.1% 38 69
Richmond 13th 1 -0- 15 4 30.6% 38 124

Round 18

Date Match Venue Result Attendance
SAT 22/08/1896 Essendon v Melbourne East Melbourne 5 - 7
SAT 12/09/1896 Collingwood v Carlton Victoria Park 9 - 1
SAT 12/09/1896 Fitzroy v South Melbourne Brunswick Street Oval 2 - 0
SAT 12/09/1896 Footscray v North Melbourne Western Oval 5 - 5
SAT 12/09/1896 Port Melbourne v Geelong North Port Oval 5 - 5
SAT 12/09/1896 Williamstown v St Kilda WCG 5 - 2

Round 18 Bye: Richmond

Round 18 Ladder

Team Ladder (W-D-L, PP & P%) PF PA
Collingwood 1st 14 -1- 2 58 162.7% 83 51
South Melbourne 2nd 13 -1- 3 54 151.9% 79 52
Essendon 3rd 13 -0- 4 52 189.8% 112 59
Fitzroy 4th 11 -0- 6 44 135.7% 76 56
Melbourne 11 -0- 6 44 162.9% 114 70
North Melbourne 6th 7 -1- 8 30 116.4% 85 73
Port Melbourne 6 -3- 7 30 114.3% 64 56
Williamstown 6 -3- 8 30 65.9% 58 88
Footscray 9th 5 -3- 9 26 75.3% 64 85
St Kilda 6 -1- 9 26 80.0% 60 75
Geelong 11th 4 -3- 10 22 94.3% 83 88
Carlton 12th 2 -2- 12 12 50.0% 39 78
Richmond 13th 1 -0- 15 4 30.6% 38 124

Round 19

Date Match Venue Result Attendance
SAT 19/09/1896 Carlton v Richmond Richmond City Reserve 2 - 5
SAT 19/09/1896 Collingwood v Fitzroy Victoria Park 3 - 4
SAT 19/09/1896 Footscray v Essendon Western Oval 5 - 9
SAT 19/09/1896 Geelong v Melbourne Corio Oval 4 - 5
SAT 19/09/1896 North Melbourne v St Kilda Arden Street Oval 6 - 4
SAT 19/09/1896 Port Melbourne v South Melbourne North Port Oval 3 - 6

Round 19 Bye: Williamstown

Round 19 Ladder

Team Ladder (W-D-L, PP & P%) PF PA
Collingwood 1st 14 -1- 3 58 156.4% 86 55
South Melbourne 14 -1- 3 58 154.5% 85 55
Essendon 3rd 14 -0- 4 56 189.1% 121 64
Fitzroy 4th 12 -0- 6 48 135.6% 80 59
Melbourne 12 -0- 6 48 160.8% 119 74
North Melbourne 6th 8 -1- 8 34 118.2% 91 77
Port Melbourne 7th 6 -3- 8 30 108.1% 67 62
Williamstown 6 -3- 8 30 65.9% 58 88
Footscray 9th 5 -3- 10 26 73.4% 69 94
St Kilda 6 -1- 10 26 79.0% 64 81
Geelong 11th 4 -3- 11 22 93.5% 87 93
Carlton 12th 2 -2- 13 12 49.4% 41 83
Richmond 13th 2 -0- 15 8 34.1% 43 126

Round 20

Date Match Venue Result Attendance
SAT 26/09/1896 Port Melbourne v North Melbourne North Port Oval 3 - 1
SAT 26/09/1896 Richmond v St Kilda Richmond City Reserve 7 - 5
SAT 26/09/1896 Williamstown v Carlton WCG 6 - 5

Round 20 Byes: Collingwood, Essendon, Fitzroy, Footscray, Geelong, Melbourne, South Melbourne

Round 20 Ladder

Team Ladder (W-D-L, PP & P%) PF PA
Collingwood 1st 14 -1- 3 58 156.4% 86 55
South Melbourne 14 -1- 3 58 154.5% 85 55
Essendon 3rd 14 -0- 4 56 189.1% 121 64
Fitzroy 4th 12 -0- 6 48 135.6% 80 59
Melbourne 12 -0- 6 48 160.8% 119 74
North Melbourne 6th 8 -1- 9 34 115.0% 92 80
Port Melbourne 7 -3- 8 34 111.1% 70 63
Williamstown 7 -3- 8 34 68.8% 64 93
Footscray 9th 5 -3- 10 26 73.4% 69 94
St Kilda 6 -1- 11 26 78.4% 69 88
Geelong 11th 4 -3- 11 22 93.5% 87 93
Carlton 12th 2 -2- 14 12 51.7% 46 89
Richmond 3 -0- 15 12 38.2% 50 131

Finals Series

The positions of teams going into the finals:

Team Ladder (W-D-L, PP & P%) PF PA GF BF GA BA
Collingwood 1st 14 -1- 3 58 147.7% 86 55 86 125 55 104
South Melbourne 1st 14 -1- 3 58 150.9% 85 55 85 127 55 92
Essendon 3rd 14 -0- 4 56 175.4% 121 64 121 135 64 107
Fitzroy 4th 12 -0- 6 48 140.1% 80 59 80 159 59 102
Melbourne 4th 12 -0- 6 48 160.6% 119 74 119 147 74 92
North Melbourne 6th 8 -1- 9 34 108.7% 92 80 92 113 80 132
Port Melbourne 6th 7 -3- 8 34 114.3% 70 63 70 124 63 98
Williamstown 6th 7 -3- 8 34 72.9% 64 93 64 105 93 113
Footscray 9th 5 -3- 10 26 74.3% 69 94 69 109 94 140
St Kilda 9th 6 -1- 11 26 83.4% 69 88 69 135 88 130
Geelong 11th 4 -3- 11 22 96.9% 87 93 87 135 93 120
Carlton 12th 2 -2- 14 12 52.2% 46 89 46 82 89 152
Richmond 12th 3 -0- 15 12 38.8% 50 131 50 81 131 195

Final Round 1

Grand Final

Date Match Venue Result Attendance
SAT 03/10/1896 Collingwood v South Melbourne East Melbourne 6 - 5

Final Round 1 Ladder

Team Pos.
Collingwood 1st
South Melbourne 2nd