1989 VFLR Season
This page displays the results for the 1989 season of the Victorian Football League Reserves (currently known as the Australian Football League Reserves).
It featured twenty-two rounds. Each team received two byes. The Carlton Reserves were the minor premiers.
The premiership ended with a finals series following the McIntyre Final Five system. The Fitzroy Reserves were the premiers, with Robert Shaw as the premiership coach.
Premiership Details
Name:
1989 Victorian Football League Reserves Season
Known As:
1989 VFLR Season
Teams:
13
Rounds:
22
Finals System:
McIntyre Final Five System
Matches:
136
Team Details
| Team | Home Ground | Coach (Appointed) | Coach (Caretaker) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brisbane Bears (R) | Carrara Stadium | Mark MacLure | |
| Carlton (R) | Princes Park | Rod Ashman | |
| Collingwood (R) | Victoria Park | Michael Taylor | |
| Essendon (R) | Windy Hill | Merv Keane | |
| Fitzroy (R) | Princes Park | Robert Shaw | |
| Footscray (R) | Western Oval | ||
| Geelong (R) | Kardinia Park | ||
| Hawthorn (R) | Princes Park | ||
| Melbourne (R) | MCG | Mark Cross | |
| North Melbourne (R) | MCG | Laurie Dwyer | |
| Richmond (R) | MCG | Emmett Dunne | |
| St Kilda (R) | Moorabbin Oval | Gary Colling | |
| Sydney (R) | SCG |
Premiership Results
Premiers:
Fitzroy Reserves
Runners-Up:
Geelong Reserves
Minor Premiers:
Carlton Reserves
Team Results
Minor Premiership Results
| Team | Ladder (W-D-L, PP & P%) | PF | PA | GF | BF | GA | BA | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carlton (R) | 1st | 16 | -0- | 4 | 64 | 129.8% | 2,312 | 1,781 | 345 | 242 | 255 | 251 |
| Geelong (R) | 2nd | 15 | -0- | 5 | 60 | 153.7% | 2,721 | 1,770 | 402 | 309 | 255 | 240 |
| Essendon (R) | 3rd | 15 | -0- | 5 | 60 | 125.0% | 2,057 | 1,645 | 297 | 275 | 230 | 265 |
| Footscray (R) | 4th | 13 | -0- | 7 | 52 | 136.0% | 2,096 | 1,541 | 305 | 266 | 223 | 203 |
| Fitzroy (R) | 5th | 13 | -0- | 7 | 52 | 123.8% | 2,119 | 1,711 | 300 | 319 | 244 | 247 |
| North Melbourne (R) | 6th | 12 | -0- | 8 | 48 | 119.1% | 2,062 | 1,731 | 297 | 280 | 245 | 261 |
| Collingwood (R) | 7th | 11 | -0- | 9 | 44 | 115.8% | 1,989 | 1,718 | 291 | 243 | 246 | 242 |
| Hawthorn (R) | 8th | 9 | -1- | 10 | 38 | 93.0% | 1,987 | 2,136 | 286 | 271 | 308 | 288 |
| Sydney (R) | 9th | 9 | -0- | 11 | 36 | 92.3% | 1,652 | 1,790 | 232 | 260 | 253 | 272 |
| Richmond (R) | 10th | 7 | -0- | 13 | 28 | 65.9% | 1,561 | 2,370 | 225 | 211 | 348 | 282 |
| Melbourne (R) | 11th | 4 | -0- | 16 | 16 | 68.5% | 1,581 | 2,307 | 222 | 249 | 340 | 267 |
| Brisbane Bears (R) | 12th | 3 | -1- | 16 | 12 | 76.2% | 1,779 | 2,336 | 254 | 255 | 346 | 260 |
| St Kilda (R) | 13th | 1 | -2- | 17 | 6 | 61.3% | 1,708 | 2,788 | 242 | 256 | 405 | 358 |
Overall Premiership Results
| Team | Position (Outcome) | |
|---|---|---|
| Fitzroy (R) | 1st | Premiers |
| Geelong (R) | 2nd | Runners-Up |
| Carlton (R) | 3rd | Defeated by Fitzroy (R) (Preliminary Final) |
| Essendon (R) | 4th | Defeated by Fitzroy (R) (Semi Final) |
| Footscray (R) | 5th | Defeated by Fitzroy (R) (Elimination Final) |
| North Melbourne (R) | 6th | Did not qualify for finals |
| Collingwood (R) | 7th | Did not qualify for finals |
| Hawthorn (R) | 8th | Did not qualify for finals |
| Sydney (R) | 9th | Did not qualify for finals |
| Richmond (R) | 10th | Did not qualify for finals |
| Melbourne (R) | 11th | Did not qualify for finals |
| Brisbane Bears (R) | 12th | Did not qualify for finals |
| St Kilda (R) | 13th | Did not qualify for finals |
Premiership Fixture
Regular Season
Round 1
| Date | Match | Venue | Result | Attendance | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SAT | 01/04/1989 | 11:10 AM | Carlton (R) v Footscray (R) | Princes Park | 104 | - | 91 | |
| SAT | 01/04/1989 | 11:10 AM | Collingwood (R) v Hawthorn (R) | VFL Park | 97 | - | 126 | |
| SAT | 01/04/1989 | 11:10 AM | Melbourne (R) v Fitzroy (R) | MCG | 68 | - | 138 | |
| SAT | 01/04/1989 | 11:10 AM | St Kilda (R) v Brisbane Bears (R) | Moorabbin Oval | 149 | - | 94 | |
| SUN | 02/04/1989 | 11:10 AM | North Melbourne (R) v Geelong (R) | MCG | 84 | - | 137 | |
| SUN | 02/04/1989 | 11:10 AM | Sydney (R) v Richmond (R) | SCG | 58 | - | 65 | |
Round 1 Bye: Essendon (R)
Round 1 Ladder
| Team | Ladder (W-D-L, PP & P%) | PF | PA | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fitzroy (R) | 1st | 1 | -0- | 0 | 4 | 202.9% | 138 | 68 |
| Geelong (R) | 2nd | 1 | -0- | 0 | 4 | 163.1% | 137 | 84 |
| Hawthorn (R) | 3rd | 1 | -0- | 0 | 4 | 129.9% | 126 | 97 |
| Carlton (R) | 4th | 1 | -0- | 0 | 4 | 114.3% | 104 | 91 |
| Richmond (R) | 5th | 1 | -0- | 0 | 4 | 112.1% | 65 | 58 |
| St Kilda (R) | 6th | 0 | -1- | 0 | 0 | 158.5% | 149 | 94 |
| Essendon (R) | 7th | 0 | -0- | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Sydney (R) | 8th | 0 | -0- | 1 | 0 | 89.2% | 58 | 65 |
| Footscray (R) | 9th | 0 | -0- | 1 | 0 | 87.5% | 91 | 104 |
| Collingwood (R) | 10th | 0 | -0- | 1 | 0 | 77.0% | 97 | 126 |
| Brisbane Bears (R) | 11th | 0 | -1- | 0 | 0 | 63.1% | 94 | 149 |
| North Melbourne (R) | 12th | 0 | -0- | 1 | 0 | 61.3% | 84 | 137 |
| Melbourne (R) | 13th | 0 | -0- | 1 | 0 | 49.3% | 68 | 138 |
Round 2
| Date | Match | Venue | Result | Attendance | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SAT | 08/04/1989 | 11:10 AM | Collingwood (R) v Fitzroy (R) | Princes Park | 117 | - | 169 | |
| SAT | 08/04/1989 | 11:10 AM | Essendon (R) v Melbourne (R) | Windy Hill | 136 | - | 82 | |
| SAT | 08/04/1989 | 11:10 AM | Footscray (R) v Richmond (R) | MCG | 115 | - | 108 | |
| SAT | 08/04/1989 | 11:10 AM | Hawthorn (R) v North Melbourne (R) | VFL Park | 82 | - | 130 | |
| SAT | 08/04/1989 | 11:10 AM | St Kilda (R) v Carlton (R) | Moorabbin Oval | 82 | - | 104 | |
| SUN | 09/04/1989 | 11:10 AM | Brisbane Bears (R) v Sydney (R) | Carrara Stadium | 118 | - | 72 | |
Round 2 Bye: Geelong (R)
Round 2 Ladder
| Team | Ladder (W-D-L, PP & P%) | PF | PA | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fitzroy (R) | 1st | 2 | -0- | 0 | 8 | 165.9% | 307 | 185 |
| Carlton (R) | 2nd | 2 | -0- | 0 | 8 | 120.2% | 208 | 173 |
| Essendon (R) | 3rd | 1 | -0- | 0 | 4 | 165.9% | 136 | 82 |
| Geelong (R) | 4th | 1 | -0- | 0 | 4 | 163.1% | 137 | 84 |
| Richmond (R) | 5th | 1 | -0- | 1 | 4 | 100.0% | 173 | 173 |
| North Melbourne (R) | 6th | 1 | -0- | 1 | 4 | 97.7% | 214 | 219 |
| Footscray (R) | 7th | 1 | -0- | 1 | 4 | 97.2% | 206 | 212 |
| Brisbane Bears (R) | 8th | 1 | -1- | 0 | 4 | 95.9% | 212 | 221 |
| Hawthorn (R) | 9th | 1 | -0- | 1 | 4 | 91.6% | 208 | 227 |
| St Kilda (R) | 10th | 0 | -1- | 1 | 0 | 116.7% | 231 | 198 |
| Collingwood (R) | 11th | 0 | -0- | 2 | 0 | 72.5% | 214 | 295 |
| Sydney (R) | 12th | 0 | -0- | 2 | 0 | 71.0% | 130 | 183 |
| Melbourne (R) | 13th | 0 | -0- | 2 | 0 | 54.7% | 150 | 274 |
Round 3
| Date | Match | Venue | Result | Attendance | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SAT | 15/04/1989 | 11:10 AM | Collingwood (R) v Brisbane Bears (R) | Victoria Park | 103 | - | 59 | |
| SAT | 15/04/1989 | 11:10 AM | Essendon (R) v Hawthorn (R) | Princes Park | 88 | - | 101 | |
| SAT | 15/04/1989 | 11:10 AM | Fitzroy (R) v St Kilda (R) | VFL Park | 144 | - | 97 | |
| SAT | 15/04/1989 | 11:10 AM | Footscray (R) v North Melbourne (R) | Western Oval | 133 | - | 104 | |
| SAT | 15/04/1989 | 11:10 AM | Melbourne (R) v Richmond (R) | MCG | 61 | - | 94 | |
| SUN | 16/04/1989 | 11:10 AM | Geelong (R) v Carlton (R) | Kardinia Park | 107 | - | 88 | |
Round 3 Bye: Sydney (R)
Round 3 Ladder
| Team | Ladder (W-D-L, PP & P%) | PF | PA | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fitzroy (R) | 1st | 3 | -0- | 0 | 12 | 159.9% | 451 | 282 |
| Geelong (R) | 2nd | 2 | -0- | 0 | 8 | 141.9% | 244 | 172 |
| Richmond (R) | 3rd | 2 | -0- | 1 | 8 | 114.1% | 267 | 234 |
| Footscray (R) | 4th | 2 | -0- | 1 | 8 | 107.3% | 339 | 316 |
| Carlton (R) | 5th | 2 | -0- | 1 | 8 | 105.7% | 296 | 280 |
| Hawthorn (R) | 6th | 2 | -0- | 1 | 8 | 98.1% | 309 | 315 |
| Essendon (R) | 7th | 1 | -0- | 1 | 4 | 122.4% | 224 | 183 |
| North Melbourne (R) | 8th | 1 | -0- | 2 | 4 | 90.3% | 318 | 352 |
| Collingwood (R) | 9th | 1 | -0- | 2 | 4 | 89.5% | 317 | 354 |
| Brisbane Bears (R) | 10th | 1 | -1- | 1 | 4 | 83.6% | 271 | 324 |
| St Kilda (R) | 11th | 0 | -1- | 2 | 0 | 95.9% | 328 | 342 |
| Sydney (R) | 12th | 0 | -0- | 2 | 0 | 71.0% | 130 | 183 |
| Melbourne (R) | 13th | 0 | -0- | 3 | 0 | 57.3% | 211 | 368 |
Round 4
| Date | Match | Venue | Result | Attendance | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FRI | 21/04/1989 | 4:45 PM | Melbourne (R) v Brisbane Bears (R) | MCG | 72 | - | 128 | |
| SAT | 22/04/1989 | 11:10 AM | Collingwood (R) v St Kilda (R) | Victoria Park | 127 | - | 65 | |
| SAT | 22/04/1989 | 11:10 AM | Fitzroy (R) v Sydney (R) | Princes Park | 125 | - | 86 | |
| SAT | 22/04/1989 | 11:10 AM | Hawthorn (R) v Richmond (R) | Junction Oval | 147 | - | 132 | |
| SUN | 23/04/1989 | 11:10 AM | Footscray (R) v Geelong (R) | Western Oval | 97 | - | 101 | |
| TUE | 25/04/1989 | 11:10 AM | Carlton (R) v Essendon (R) | Princes Park | 131 | - | 83 | |
Round 4 Bye: North Melbourne (R)
Round 4 Ladder
| Team | Ladder (W-D-L, PP & P%) | PF | PA | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fitzroy (R) | 1st | 4 | -0- | 0 | 16 | 156.5% | 576 | 368 |
| Geelong (R) | 2nd | 3 | -0- | 0 | 12 | 128.3% | 345 | 269 |
| Carlton (R) | 3rd | 3 | -0- | 1 | 12 | 117.6% | 427 | 363 |
| Hawthorn (R) | 4th | 3 | -0- | 1 | 12 | 102.0% | 456 | 447 |
| Collingwood (R) | 5th | 2 | -0- | 2 | 8 | 106.0% | 444 | 419 |
| Richmond (R) | 6th | 2 | -0- | 2 | 8 | 104.7% | 399 | 381 |
| Footscray (R) | 7th | 2 | -0- | 2 | 8 | 104.6% | 436 | 417 |
| Brisbane Bears (R) | 8th | 2 | -1- | 1 | 8 | 100.8% | 399 | 396 |
| Essendon (R) | 9th | 1 | -0- | 2 | 4 | 97.8% | 307 | 314 |
| North Melbourne (R) | 10th | 1 | -0- | 2 | 4 | 90.3% | 318 | 352 |
| St Kilda (R) | 11th | 0 | -1- | 3 | 0 | 83.8% | 393 | 469 |
| Sydney (R) | 12th | 0 | -0- | 3 | 0 | 70.1% | 216 | 308 |
| Melbourne (R) | 13th | 0 | -0- | 4 | 0 | 57.1% | 283 | 496 |
Round 5
| Date | Match | Venue | Result | Attendance | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SAT | 29/04/1989 | 11:10 AM | Carlton (R) v Hawthorn (R) | VFL Park | 138 | - | 103 | |
| SAT | 29/04/1989 | 11:10 AM | Essendon (R) v St Kilda (R) | Windy Hill | 140 | - | 127 | |
| SAT | 29/04/1989 | 11:10 AM | Fitzroy (R) v Geelong (R) | Princes Park | 207 | - | 110 | |
| SAT | 29/04/1989 | 11:10 AM | Footscray (R) v Melbourne (R) | MCG | 134 | - | 47 | |
| SUN | 30/04/1989 | 11:10 AM | North Melbourne (R) v Richmond (R) | MCG | 107 | - | 142 | |
| SUN | 30/04/1989 | 11:10 AM | Sydney (R) v Collingwood (R) | SCG | 45 | - | 75 | |
Round 5 Bye: Brisbane Bears (R)
Round 5 Ladder
| Team | Ladder (W-D-L, PP & P%) | PF | PA | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fitzroy (R) | 1st | 5 | -0- | 0 | 20 | 163.8% | 783 | 478 |
| Carlton (R) | 2nd | 4 | -0- | 1 | 16 | 121.2% | 565 | 466 |
| Footscray (R) | 3rd | 3 | -0- | 2 | 12 | 122.8% | 570 | 464 |
| Collingwood (R) | 4th | 3 | -0- | 2 | 12 | 111.9% | 519 | 464 |
| Richmond (R) | 5th | 3 | -0- | 2 | 12 | 110.9% | 541 | 488 |
| Geelong (R) | 6th | 3 | -0- | 1 | 12 | 95.6% | 455 | 476 |
| Hawthorn (R) | 7th | 3 | -0- | 2 | 12 | 95.6% | 559 | 585 |
| Essendon (R) | 8th | 2 | -0- | 2 | 8 | 101.4% | 447 | 441 |
| Brisbane Bears (R) | 9th | 2 | -1- | 1 | 8 | 100.8% | 399 | 396 |
| North Melbourne (R) | 10th | 1 | -0- | 3 | 4 | 86.0% | 425 | 494 |
| St Kilda (R) | 11th | 0 | -1- | 4 | 0 | 85.4% | 520 | 609 |
| Sydney (R) | 12th | 0 | -0- | 4 | 0 | 68.1% | 261 | 383 |
| Melbourne (R) | 13th | 0 | -0- | 5 | 0 | 52.4% | 330 | 630 |
Round 6
| Date | Match | Venue | Result | Attendance | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SAT | 06/05/1989 | 11:10 AM | Carlton (R) v Richmond (R) | VFL Park | 137 | - | 81 | |
| SAT | 06/05/1989 | 11:10 AM | Geelong (R) v Hawthorn (R) | Princes Park | 118 | - | 121 | |
| SAT | 06/05/1989 | 11:10 AM | Melbourne (R) v Collingwood (R) | MCG | 113 | - | 68 | |
| SAT | 06/05/1989 | 11:10 AM | St Kilda (R) v Sydney (R) | Moorabbin Oval | 108 | - | 117 | |
| SUN | 07/05/1989 | 11:10 AM | Brisbane Bears (R) v Footscray (R) | Carrara Stadium | 79 | - | 110 | |
| SUN | 07/05/1989 | 11:10 AM | Essendon (R) v North Melbourne (R) | MCG | 82 | - | 94 | |
Round 6 Bye: Fitzroy (R)
Round 6 Ladder
| Team | Ladder (W-D-L, PP & P%) | PF | PA | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fitzroy (R) | 1st | 5 | -0- | 0 | 20 | 163.8% | 783 | 478 |
| Carlton (R) | 2nd | 5 | -0- | 1 | 20 | 128.3% | 702 | 547 |
| Footscray (R) | 3rd | 4 | -0- | 2 | 16 | 125.2% | 680 | 543 |
| Hawthorn (R) | 4th | 4 | -0- | 2 | 16 | 96.7% | 680 | 703 |
| Collingwood (R) | 5th | 3 | -0- | 3 | 12 | 101.7% | 587 | 577 |
| Richmond (R) | 6th | 3 | -0- | 3 | 12 | 99.5% | 622 | 625 |
| Geelong (R) | 7th | 3 | -0- | 2 | 12 | 96.0% | 573 | 597 |
| Essendon (R) | 8th | 2 | -0- | 3 | 8 | 98.9% | 529 | 535 |
| Brisbane Bears (R) | 9th | 2 | -1- | 2 | 8 | 94.5% | 478 | 506 |
| North Melbourne (R) | 10th | 2 | -0- | 3 | 8 | 90.1% | 519 | 576 |
| Sydney (R) | 11th | 1 | -0- | 4 | 4 | 77.0% | 378 | 491 |
| Melbourne (R) | 12th | 1 | -0- | 5 | 4 | 63.5% | 443 | 698 |
| St Kilda (R) | 13th | 0 | -1- | 5 | 0 | 86.5% | 628 | 726 |
Round 7
| Date | Match | Venue | Result | Attendance | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FRI | 12/05/1989 | 4:45 PM | Sydney (R) v North Melbourne (R) | SCG | 85 | - | 65 | |
| SAT | 13/05/1989 | 11:10 AM | Collingwood (R) v Footscray (R) | Victoria Park | 97 | - | 109 | |
| SAT | 13/05/1989 | 11:10 AM | Fitzroy (R) v Hawthorn (R) | Princes Park | 96 | - | 160 | |
| SAT | 13/05/1989 | 11:10 AM | Geelong (R) v St Kilda (R) | Kardinia Park | 172 | - | 73 | |
| SAT | 13/05/1989 | 11:10 AM | Melbourne (R) v Carlton (R) | MCG | 113 | - | 144 | |
| SUN | 14/05/1989 | 11:10 AM | Brisbane Bears (R) v Essendon (R) | Carrara Stadium | 102 | - | 123 | |
Round 7 Bye: Richmond (R)
Round 7 Ladder
| Team | Ladder (W-D-L, PP & P%) | PF | PA | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carlton (R) | 1st | 6 | -0- | 1 | 24 | 128.2% | 846 | 660 |
| Fitzroy (R) | 2nd | 5 | -0- | 1 | 20 | 137.8% | 879 | 638 |
| Footscray (R) | 3rd | 5 | -0- | 2 | 20 | 123.3% | 789 | 640 |
| Hawthorn (R) | 4th | 5 | -0- | 2 | 20 | 105.1% | 840 | 799 |
| Geelong (R) | 5th | 4 | -0- | 2 | 16 | 111.2% | 745 | 670 |
| Essendon (R) | 6th | 3 | -0- | 3 | 12 | 102.4% | 652 | 637 |
| Collingwood (R) | 7th | 3 | -0- | 4 | 12 | 99.7% | 684 | 686 |
| Richmond (R) | 8th | 3 | -0- | 3 | 12 | 99.5% | 622 | 625 |
| Brisbane Bears (R) | 9th | 2 | -1- | 3 | 8 | 92.2% | 580 | 629 |
| North Melbourne (R) | 10th | 2 | -0- | 4 | 8 | 88.4% | 584 | 661 |
| Sydney (R) | 11th | 2 | -0- | 4 | 8 | 83.3% | 463 | 556 |
| Melbourne (R) | 12th | 1 | -0- | 6 | 4 | 66.0% | 556 | 842 |
| St Kilda (R) | 13th | 0 | -1- | 6 | 0 | 78.1% | 701 | 898 |
Round 8
| Date | Match | Venue | Result | Attendance | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SAT | 20/05/1989 | 11:10 AM | Carlton (R) v Collingwood (R) | VFL Park | 86 | - | 75 | |
| SAT | 20/05/1989 | 11:10 AM | Essendon (R) v Richmond (R) | Windy Hill | 136 | - | 101 | |
| SAT | 20/05/1989 | 11:10 AM | Footscray (R) v Fitzroy (R) | Western Oval | 124 | - | 53 | |
| SAT | 20/05/1989 | 11:10 AM | Geelong (R) v Brisbane Bears (R) | Kardinia Park | 125 | - | 71 | |
| SAT | 20/05/1989 | 11:10 AM | Hawthorn (R) v Sydney (R) | Princes Park | 80 | - | 112 | |
| SAT | 20/05/1989 | 11:10 AM | St Kilda (R) v North Melbourne (R) | Moorabbin Oval | 61 | - | 174 | |
Round 8 Bye: Melbourne (R)
Round 8 Ladder
| Team | Ladder (W-D-L, PP & P%) | PF | PA | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carlton (R) | 1st | 7 | -0- | 1 | 28 | 126.8% | 932 | 735 |
| Footscray (R) | 2nd | 6 | -0- | 2 | 24 | 131.7% | 913 | 693 |
| Fitzroy (R) | 3rd | 5 | -0- | 2 | 20 | 122.3% | 932 | 762 |
| Geelong (R) | 4th | 5 | -0- | 2 | 20 | 117.4% | 870 | 741 |
| Hawthorn (R) | 5th | 5 | -0- | 3 | 20 | 101.0% | 920 | 911 |
| Essendon (R) | 6th | 4 | -0- | 3 | 16 | 106.8% | 788 | 738 |
| North Melbourne (R) | 7th | 3 | -0- | 4 | 12 | 105.0% | 758 | 722 |
| Collingwood (R) | 8th | 3 | -0- | 5 | 12 | 98.3% | 759 | 772 |
| Richmond (R) | 9th | 3 | -0- | 4 | 12 | 95.0% | 723 | 761 |
| Sydney (R) | 10th | 3 | -0- | 4 | 12 | 90.4% | 575 | 636 |
| Brisbane Bears (R) | 11th | 2 | -1- | 4 | 8 | 86.3% | 651 | 754 |
| Melbourne (R) | 12th | 1 | -0- | 6 | 4 | 66.0% | 556 | 842 |
| St Kilda (R) | 13th | 0 | -1- | 7 | 0 | 71.1% | 762 | 1,072 |
Round 9
| Date | Match | Venue | Result | Attendance | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FRI | 26/05/1989 | 4:45 PM | North Melbourne (R) v Brisbane Bears (R) | MCG | 152 | - | 88 | |
| SAT | 27/05/1989 | 11:10 AM | Carlton (R) v Fitzroy (R) | Princes Park | 128 | - | 89 | |
| SAT | 27/05/1989 | 11:10 AM | Collingwood (R) v Essendon (R) | VFL Park | 85 | - | 100 | |
| SAT | 27/05/1989 | 11:10 AM | Richmond (R) v Geelong (R) | MCG | 72 | - | 234 | |
| SUN | 28/05/1989 | 11:10 AM | Footscray (R) v Hawthorn (R) | Western Oval | 124 | - | 65 | |
| SUN | 28/05/1989 | 11:10 AM | Sydney (R) v Melbourne (R) | SCG | 113 | - | 89 | |
Round 9 Bye: St Kilda (R)
Round 9 Ladder
| Team | Ladder (W-D-L, PP & P%) | PF | PA | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carlton (R) | 1st | 8 | -0- | 1 | 32 | 128.6% | 1,060 | 824 |
| Footscray (R) | 2nd | 7 | -0- | 2 | 28 | 136.8% | 1,037 | 758 |
| Geelong (R) | 3rd | 6 | -0- | 2 | 24 | 135.8% | 1,104 | 813 |
| Fitzroy (R) | 4th | 5 | -0- | 3 | 20 | 114.7% | 1,021 | 890 |
| Essendon (R) | 5th | 5 | -0- | 3 | 20 | 107.9% | 888 | 823 |
| Hawthorn (R) | 6th | 5 | -0- | 4 | 20 | 95.2% | 985 | 1,035 |
| North Melbourne (R) | 7th | 4 | -0- | 4 | 16 | 112.3% | 910 | 810 |
| Sydney (R) | 8th | 4 | -0- | 4 | 16 | 94.9% | 688 | 725 |
| Collingwood (R) | 9th | 3 | -0- | 6 | 12 | 96.8% | 844 | 872 |
| Richmond (R) | 10th | 3 | -0- | 5 | 12 | 79.9% | 795 | 995 |
| Brisbane Bears (R) | 11th | 2 | -1- | 5 | 8 | 81.6% | 739 | 906 |
| Melbourne (R) | 12th | 1 | -0- | 7 | 4 | 67.5% | 645 | 955 |
| St Kilda (R) | 13th | 0 | -1- | 7 | 0 | 71.1% | 762 | 1,072 |
Round 10
| Date | Match | Venue | Result | Attendance | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FRI | 02/06/1989 | 4:45 PM | Melbourne (R) v North Melbourne (R) | MCG | 85 | - | 166 | |
| SAT | 03/06/1989 | 11:10 AM | Carlton (R) v Brisbane Bears (R) | Princes Park | 188 | - | 114 | |
| SAT | 03/06/1989 | 11:10 AM | Collingwood (R) v Geelong (R) | MCG | 119 | - | 102 | |
| SAT | 03/06/1989 | 11:10 AM | Essendon (R) v Fitzroy (R) | Windy Hill | 119 | - | 105 | |
| SAT | 03/06/1989 | 11:10 AM | Footscray (R) v Sydney (R) | Western Oval | 117 | - | 24 | |
| SAT | 03/06/1989 | 11:10 AM | Richmond (R) v St Kilda (R) | VFL Park | 123 | - | 84 | |
Round 10 Bye: Hawthorn (R)
Round 10 Ladder
| Team | Ladder (W-D-L, PP & P%) | PF | PA | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carlton (R) | 1st | 9 | -0- | 1 | 36 | 133.0% | 1,248 | 938 |
| Footscray (R) | 2nd | 8 | -0- | 2 | 32 | 147.6% | 1,154 | 782 |
| Geelong (R) | 3rd | 6 | -0- | 3 | 24 | 129.4% | 1,206 | 932 |
| Essendon (R) | 4th | 6 | -0- | 3 | 24 | 108.5% | 1,007 | 928 |
| North Melbourne (R) | 5th | 5 | -0- | 4 | 20 | 120.2% | 1,076 | 895 |
| Fitzroy (R) | 6th | 5 | -0- | 4 | 20 | 111.6% | 1,126 | 1,009 |
| Hawthorn (R) | 7th | 5 | -0- | 4 | 20 | 95.2% | 985 | 1,035 |
| Collingwood (R) | 8th | 4 | -0- | 6 | 16 | 98.9% | 963 | 974 |
| Richmond (R) | 9th | 4 | -0- | 5 | 16 | 85.1% | 918 | 1,079 |
| Sydney (R) | 10th | 4 | -0- | 5 | 16 | 84.6% | 712 | 842 |
| Brisbane Bears (R) | 11th | 2 | -1- | 6 | 8 | 78.0% | 853 | 1,094 |
| Melbourne (R) | 12th | 1 | -0- | 8 | 4 | 65.1% | 730 | 1,121 |
| St Kilda (R) | 13th | 0 | -1- | 8 | 0 | 70.8% | 846 | 1,195 |
Round 11
| Date | Match | Venue | Result | Attendance | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FRI | 09/06/1989 | 4:45 PM | Sydney (R) v Carlton (R) | SCG | 73 | - | 82 | |
| SAT | 10/06/1989 | 11:10 AM | Fitzroy (R) v North Melbourne (R) | Princes Park | 71 | - | 54 | |
| SAT | 10/06/1989 | 11:10 AM | Footscray (R) v St Kilda (R) | Western Oval | 157 | - | 27 | |
| SAT | 10/06/1989 | 11:10 AM | Richmond (R) v Brisbane Bears (R) | MCG | 59 | - | 52 | |
| MON | 12/06/1989 | 11:10 AM | Essendon (R) v Geelong (R) | MCG | 20 | - | 103 | |
| MON | 12/06/1989 | 11:10 AM | Hawthorn (R) v Melbourne (R) | Princes Park | 55 | - | 67 | |
Round 11 Bye: Collingwood (R)
Round 11 Ladder
| Team | Ladder (W-D-L, PP & P%) | PF | PA | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carlton (R) | 1st | 10 | -0- | 1 | 40 | 131.6% | 1,330 | 1,011 |
| Footscray (R) | 2nd | 9 | -0- | 2 | 36 | 162.1% | 1,311 | 809 |
| Geelong (R) | 3rd | 7 | -0- | 3 | 28 | 137.5% | 1,309 | 952 |
| Fitzroy (R) | 4th | 6 | -0- | 4 | 24 | 112.6% | 1,197 | 1,063 |
| Essendon (R) | 5th | 6 | -0- | 4 | 24 | 99.6% | 1,027 | 1,031 |
| North Melbourne (R) | 6th | 5 | -0- | 5 | 20 | 117.0% | 1,130 | 966 |
| Hawthorn (R) | 7th | 5 | -0- | 5 | 20 | 94.4% | 1,040 | 1,102 |
| Richmond (R) | 8th | 5 | -0- | 5 | 20 | 86.4% | 977 | 1,131 |
| Collingwood (R) | 9th | 4 | -0- | 6 | 16 | 98.9% | 963 | 974 |
| Sydney (R) | 10th | 4 | -0- | 6 | 16 | 85.0% | 785 | 924 |
| Brisbane Bears (R) | 11th | 2 | -1- | 7 | 8 | 78.5% | 905 | 1,153 |
| Melbourne (R) | 12th | 2 | -0- | 8 | 8 | 67.8% | 797 | 1,176 |
| St Kilda (R) | 13th | 0 | -1- | 9 | 0 | 64.6% | 873 | 1,352 |
Round 12
| Date | Match | Venue | Result | Attendance | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SAT | 17/06/1989 | 11:10 AM | Collingwood (R) v Richmond (R) | VFL Park | 98 | - | 58 | |
| SAT | 17/06/1989 | 11:10 AM | Essendon (R) v Sydney (R) | Windy Hill | 45 | - | 54 | |
| SAT | 17/06/1989 | 11:10 AM | Melbourne (R) v Geelong (R) | Junction Oval | 65 | - | 93 | |
| SAT | 17/06/1989 | 11:10 AM | North Melbourne (R) v Carlton (R) | Arden Street Oval | 42 | - | 50 | |
| SAT | 17/06/1989 | 11:10 AM | St Kilda (R) v Hawthorn (R) | Moorabbin Oval | 81 | - | 81 | |
| SUN | 18/06/1989 | 11:10 AM | Brisbane Bears (R) v Fitzroy (R) | Carrara Stadium | 92 | - | 111 | |
Round 12 Bye: Footscray (R)
Round 12 Ladder
| Team | Ladder (W-D-L, PP & P%) | PF | PA | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carlton (R) | 1st | 11 | -0- | 1 | 44 | 131.1% | 1,380 | 1,053 |
| Footscray (R) | 2nd | 9 | -0- | 2 | 36 | 162.1% | 1,311 | 809 |
| Geelong (R) | 3rd | 8 | -0- | 3 | 32 | 137.9% | 1,402 | 1,017 |
| Fitzroy (R) | 4th | 7 | -0- | 4 | 28 | 113.2% | 1,308 | 1,155 |
| Essendon (R) | 5th | 6 | -0- | 5 | 24 | 98.8% | 1,072 | 1,085 |
| Hawthorn (R) | 6th | 5 | -1- | 5 | 22 | 94.8% | 1,121 | 1,183 |
| North Melbourne (R) | 7th | 5 | -0- | 6 | 20 | 115.4% | 1,172 | 1,016 |
| Collingwood (R) | 8th | 5 | -0- | 6 | 20 | 102.8% | 1,061 | 1,032 |
| Sydney (R) | 9th | 5 | -0- | 6 | 20 | 86.6% | 839 | 969 |
| Richmond (R) | 10th | 5 | -0- | 6 | 20 | 84.2% | 1,035 | 1,229 |
| Brisbane Bears (R) | 11th | 2 | -1- | 8 | 8 | 78.9% | 997 | 1,264 |
| Melbourne (R) | 12th | 2 | -0- | 9 | 8 | 67.9% | 862 | 1,269 |
| St Kilda (R) | 13th | 0 | -2- | 9 | 2 | 66.6% | 954 | 1,433 |
Round 13
| Date | Match | Venue | Result | Attendance | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SAT | 24/06/1989 | 11:10 AM | Collingwood (R) v North Melbourne (R) | Victoria Park | 45 | - | 113 | |
| SAT | 24/06/1989 | 11:10 AM | Essendon (R) v Footscray (R) | Windy Hill | 43 | - | 36 | |
| SAT | 24/06/1989 | 11:10 AM | Fitzroy (R) v Richmond (R) | Junction Oval | 53 | - | 30 | |
| SAT | 24/06/1989 | 4:45 PM | Hawthorn (R) v Brisbane Bears (R) | VFL Park | 95 | - | 64 | |
| SUN | 25/06/1989 | 11:10 AM | Sydney (R) v Geelong (R) | SCG | 79 | - | 141 | |
Round 13 Byes: Carlton (R), Melbourne (R), St Kilda (R)
Round 13 Ladder
| Team | Ladder (W-D-L, PP & P%) | PF | PA | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carlton (R) | 1st | 11 | -0- | 1 | 44 | 131.1% | 1,380 | 1,053 |
| Footscray (R) | 2nd | 9 | -0- | 3 | 36 | 158.1% | 1,347 | 852 |
| Geelong (R) | 3rd | 9 | -0- | 3 | 36 | 140.8% | 1,543 | 1,096 |
| Fitzroy (R) | 4th | 8 | -0- | 4 | 32 | 114.9% | 1,361 | 1,185 |
| Essendon (R) | 5th | 7 | -0- | 5 | 28 | 99.5% | 1,115 | 1,121 |
| Hawthorn (R) | 6th | 6 | -1- | 5 | 26 | 97.5% | 1,216 | 1,247 |
| North Melbourne (R) | 7th | 6 | -0- | 6 | 24 | 121.1% | 1,285 | 1,061 |
| Collingwood (R) | 8th | 5 | -0- | 7 | 20 | 96.6% | 1,106 | 1,145 |
| Richmond (R) | 9th | 5 | -0- | 7 | 20 | 83.1% | 1,065 | 1,282 |
| Sydney (R) | 10th | 5 | -0- | 7 | 20 | 82.7% | 918 | 1,110 |
| Brisbane Bears (R) | 11th | 2 | -1- | 9 | 8 | 78.1% | 1,061 | 1,359 |
| Melbourne (R) | 12th | 2 | -0- | 9 | 8 | 67.9% | 862 | 1,269 |
| St Kilda (R) | 13th | 0 | -2- | 9 | 2 | 66.6% | 954 | 1,433 |
Round 14
| Date | Match | Venue | Result | Attendance | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SAT | 08/07/1989 | 11:10 AM | Carlton (R) v Essendon (R) | VFL Park | 53 | - | 93 | |
| SAT | 08/07/1989 | 11:10 AM | Geelong (R) v Fitzroy (R) | Kardinia Park | 82 | - | 52 | |
| SAT | 08/07/1989 | 11:10 AM | St Kilda (R) v North Melbourne (R) | Moorabbin Oval | 36 | - | 144 | |
| SAT | 08/07/1989 | 11:10 AM | Sydney (R) v Richmond (R) | Lakeside Oval | 68 | - | 70 | |
| SUN | 09/07/1989 | 11:10 AM | Brisbane Bears (R) v Melbourne (R) | Carrara Stadium | 92 | - | 124 | |
| SUN | 09/07/1989 | 11:10 AM | Footscray (R) v Collingwood (R) | Western Oval | 91 | - | 47 | |
Round 14 Bye: Hawthorn (R)
Round 14 Ladder
| Team | Ladder (W-D-L, PP & P%) | PF | PA | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carlton (R) | 1st | 11 | -0- | 2 | 44 | 125.0% | 1,433 | 1,146 |
| Footscray (R) | 2nd | 10 | -0- | 3 | 40 | 160.0% | 1,438 | 899 |
| Geelong (R) | 3rd | 10 | -0- | 3 | 40 | 141.6% | 1,625 | 1,148 |
| Fitzroy (R) | 4th | 8 | -0- | 5 | 32 | 111.5% | 1,413 | 1,267 |
| Essendon (R) | 5th | 8 | -0- | 5 | 32 | 102.9% | 1,208 | 1,174 |
| North Melbourne (R) | 6th | 7 | -0- | 6 | 28 | 130.3% | 1,429 | 1,097 |
| Hawthorn (R) | 7th | 6 | -1- | 5 | 26 | 97.5% | 1,216 | 1,247 |
| Richmond (R) | 8th | 6 | -0- | 7 | 24 | 84.1% | 1,135 | 1,350 |
| Collingwood (R) | 9th | 5 | -0- | 8 | 20 | 93.3% | 1,153 | 1,236 |
| Sydney (R) | 10th | 5 | -0- | 8 | 20 | 83.6% | 986 | 1,180 |
| Melbourne (R) | 11th | 3 | -0- | 9 | 12 | 72.4% | 986 | 1,361 |
| Brisbane Bears (R) | 12th | 2 | -1- | 10 | 8 | 77.7% | 1,153 | 1,483 |
| St Kilda (R) | 13th | 0 | -2- | 10 | 2 | 62.8% | 990 | 1,577 |
Round 15
| Date | Match | Venue | Result | Attendance | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SAT | 15/07/1989 | 11:10 AM | Carlton (R) v Collingwood (R) | VFL Park | 97 | - | 98 | |
| SAT | 15/07/1989 | 11:10 AM | Fitzroy (R) v St Kilda (R) | Lakeside Oval | 97 | - | 64 | |
| SAT | 15/07/1989 | 4:45 PM | Brisbane Bears (R) v Geelong (R) | Carrara Stadium | 155 | - | 141 | |
| SUN | 16/07/1989 | 11:10 AM | Melbourne (R) v North Melbourne (R) | Junction Oval | 58 | - | 116 | |
| SUN | 16/07/1989 | 11:10 AM | Richmond (R) v Hawthorn (R) | MCG | 106 | - | 99 | |
| SUN | 16/07/1989 | 11:10 AM | Sydney (R) v Footscray (R) | SCG | 110 | - | 86 | |
Round 15 Bye: Essendon (R)
Round 15 Ladder
| Team | Ladder (W-D-L, PP & P%) | PF | PA | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carlton (R) | 1st | 11 | -0- | 3 | 44 | 123.0% | 1,530 | 1,244 |
| Footscray (R) | 2nd | 10 | -0- | 4 | 40 | 151.0% | 1,524 | 1,009 |
| Geelong (R) | 3rd | 10 | -0- | 4 | 40 | 135.5% | 1,766 | 1,303 |
| Fitzroy (R) | 4th | 9 | -0- | 5 | 36 | 113.4% | 1,510 | 1,331 |
| North Melbourne (R) | 5th | 8 | -0- | 6 | 32 | 133.8% | 1,545 | 1,155 |
| Essendon (R) | 6th | 8 | -0- | 5 | 32 | 102.9% | 1,208 | 1,174 |
| Richmond (R) | 7th | 7 | -0- | 7 | 28 | 85.6% | 1,241 | 1,449 |
| Hawthorn (R) | 8th | 6 | -1- | 6 | 26 | 97.2% | 1,315 | 1,353 |
| Collingwood (R) | 9th | 6 | -0- | 8 | 24 | 93.8% | 1,251 | 1,333 |
| Sydney (R) | 10th | 6 | -0- | 8 | 24 | 86.6% | 1,096 | 1,266 |
| Brisbane Bears (R) | 11th | 3 | -1- | 10 | 12 | 80.5% | 1,308 | 1,624 |
| Melbourne (R) | 12th | 3 | -0- | 10 | 12 | 70.7% | 1,044 | 1,477 |
| St Kilda (R) | 13th | 0 | -2- | 11 | 2 | 63.0% | 1,054 | 1,674 |
Round 16
| Date | Match | Venue | Result | Attendance | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SAT | 22/07/1989 | 11:10 AM | Brisbane Bears (R) v St Kilda (R) | Carrara Stadium | 100 | - | 117 | |
| SAT | 22/07/1989 | 11:10 AM | Collingwood (R) v Hawthorn (R) | Victoria Park | 118 | - | 58 | |
| SAT | 22/07/1989 | 11:10 AM | Essendon (R) v Richmond (R) | Windy Hill | 112 | - | 54 | |
| SAT | 22/07/1989 | 11:10 AM | Footscray (R) v Carlton (R) | Western Oval | 53 | - | 46 | |
| SAT | 22/07/1989 | 11:10 AM | Geelong (R) v Melbourne (R) | VFL Park | 193 | - | 65 | |
| SAT | 22/07/1989 | 11:10 AM | North Melbourne (R) v Fitzroy (R) | Arden Street Oval | 64 | - | 51 | |
Round 16 Bye: Sydney (R)
Round 16 Ladder
| Team | Ladder (W-D-L, PP & P%) | PF | PA | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Footscray (R) | 1st | 11 | -0- | 4 | 44 | 149.5% | 1,577 | 1,055 |
| Geelong (R) | 2nd | 11 | -0- | 4 | 44 | 143.2% | 1,959 | 1,368 |
| Carlton (R) | 3rd | 11 | -0- | 4 | 44 | 121.5% | 1,576 | 1,297 |
| North Melbourne (R) | 4th | 9 | -0- | 6 | 36 | 133.4% | 1,609 | 1,206 |
| Fitzroy (R) | 5th | 9 | -0- | 6 | 36 | 111.9% | 1,561 | 1,395 |
| Essendon (R) | 6th | 9 | -0- | 5 | 36 | 107.5% | 1,320 | 1,228 |
| Collingwood (R) | 7th | 7 | -0- | 8 | 28 | 98.4% | 1,369 | 1,391 |
| Richmond (R) | 8th | 7 | -0- | 8 | 28 | 83.0% | 1,295 | 1,561 |
| Hawthorn (R) | 9th | 6 | -1- | 7 | 26 | 93.3% | 1,373 | 1,471 |
| Sydney (R) | 10th | 6 | -0- | 8 | 24 | 86.6% | 1,096 | 1,266 |
| Brisbane Bears (R) | 11th | 3 | -1- | 11 | 12 | 80.9% | 1,408 | 1,741 |
| Melbourne (R) | 12th | 3 | -0- | 11 | 12 | 66.4% | 1,109 | 1,670 |
| St Kilda (R) | 13th | 1 | -2- | 11 | 6 | 66.0% | 1,171 | 1,774 |
Round 17
| Date | Match | Venue | Result | Attendance | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SAT | 29/07/1989 | 11:10 AM | Carlton (R) v Melbourne (R) | Princes Park | 149 | - | 100 | |
| SAT | 29/07/1989 | 11:10 AM | Collingwood (R) v Geelong (R) | Victoria Park | 141 | - | 66 | |
| SAT | 29/07/1989 | 11:10 AM | Fitzroy (R) v Richmond (R) | Lakeside Oval | 134 | - | 30 | |
| SAT | 29/07/1989 | 11:10 AM | North Melbourne (R) v Hawthorn (R) | VFL Park | 160 | - | 75 | |
| SAT | 29/07/1989 | 11:10 AM | St Kilda (R) v Essendon (R) | Moorabbin Oval | 96 | - | 168 | |
| SUN | 30/07/1989 | 11:10 AM | Sydney (R) v Brisbane Bears (R) | SCG | 97 | - | 81 | |
Round 17 Bye: Footscray (R)
Round 17 Ladder
| Team | Ladder (W-D-L, PP & P%) | PF | PA | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carlton (R) | 1st | 12 | -0- | 4 | 48 | 123.5% | 1,725 | 1,397 |
| Footscray (R) | 2nd | 11 | -0- | 4 | 44 | 149.5% | 1,577 | 1,055 |
| Geelong (R) | 3rd | 11 | -0- | 5 | 44 | 134.2% | 2,025 | 1,509 |
| North Melbourne (R) | 4th | 10 | -0- | 6 | 40 | 138.1% | 1,769 | 1,281 |
| Fitzroy (R) | 5th | 10 | -0- | 6 | 40 | 118.9% | 1,695 | 1,425 |
| Essendon (R) | 6th | 10 | -0- | 5 | 40 | 112.4% | 1,488 | 1,324 |
| Collingwood (R) | 7th | 8 | -0- | 8 | 32 | 103.6% | 1,510 | 1,457 |
| Sydney (R) | 8th | 7 | -0- | 8 | 28 | 88.6% | 1,193 | 1,347 |
| Richmond (R) | 9th | 7 | -0- | 9 | 28 | 78.2% | 1,325 | 1,695 |
| Hawthorn (R) | 10th | 6 | -1- | 8 | 26 | 88.8% | 1,448 | 1,631 |
| Brisbane Bears (R) | 11th | 3 | -1- | 12 | 12 | 81.0% | 1,489 | 1,838 |
| Melbourne (R) | 12th | 3 | -0- | 12 | 12 | 66.5% | 1,209 | 1,819 |
| St Kilda (R) | 13th | 1 | -2- | 12 | 6 | 65.2% | 1,267 | 1,942 |
Round 18
| Date | Match | Venue | Result | Attendance | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SAT | 05/08/1989 | 11:10 AM | Carlton (R) v Hawthorn (R) | VFL Park | 114 | - | 89 | |
| SAT | 05/08/1989 | 11:10 AM | Collingwood (R) v Sydney (R) | Victoria Park | 135 | - | 64 | |
| SAT | 05/08/1989 | 11:10 AM | Fitzroy (R) v Melbourne (R) | Lakeside Oval | 115 | - | 52 | |
| SAT | 05/08/1989 | 11:10 AM | St Kilda (R) v Geelong (R) | Moorabbin Oval | 67 | - | 135 | |
| SUN | 06/08/1989 | 11:10 AM | Footscray (R) v Essendon (R) | Western Oval | 67 | - | 77 | |
Round 18 Byes: Brisbane Bears (R), North Melbourne (R), Richmond (R)
Round 18 Ladder
| Team | Ladder (W-D-L, PP & P%) | PF | PA | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carlton (R) | 1st | 13 | -0- | 4 | 52 | 123.8% | 1,839 | 1,486 |
| Geelong (R) | 2nd | 12 | -0- | 5 | 48 | 137.1% | 2,160 | 1,576 |
| Footscray (R) | 3rd | 11 | -0- | 5 | 44 | 145.2% | 1,644 | 1,132 |
| Fitzroy (R) | 4th | 11 | -0- | 6 | 44 | 122.5% | 1,810 | 1,477 |
| Essendon (R) | 5th | 11 | -0- | 5 | 44 | 112.5% | 1,565 | 1,391 |
| North Melbourne (R) | 6th | 10 | -0- | 6 | 40 | 138.1% | 1,769 | 1,281 |
| Collingwood (R) | 7th | 9 | -0- | 8 | 36 | 108.2% | 1,645 | 1,521 |
| Sydney (R) | 8th | 7 | -0- | 9 | 28 | 84.8% | 1,257 | 1,482 |
| Richmond (R) | 9th | 7 | -0- | 9 | 28 | 78.2% | 1,325 | 1,695 |
| Hawthorn (R) | 10th | 6 | -1- | 9 | 26 | 88.1% | 1,537 | 1,745 |
| Brisbane Bears (R) | 11th | 3 | -1- | 12 | 12 | 81.0% | 1,489 | 1,838 |
| Melbourne (R) | 12th | 3 | -0- | 13 | 12 | 65.2% | 1,261 | 1,934 |
| St Kilda (R) | 13th | 1 | -2- | 13 | 6 | 64.2% | 1,334 | 2,077 |
Round 19
| Date | Match | Venue | Result | Attendance | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SAT | 12/08/1989 | 11:10 AM | Collingwood (R) v North Melbourne (R) | Victoria Park | 80 | - | 93 | |
| SAT | 12/08/1989 | 11:10 AM | Essendon (R) v Brisbane Bears (R) | Windy Hill | 174 | - | 21 | |
| SAT | 12/08/1989 | 11:10 AM | Geelong (R) v Footscray (R) | Kardinia Park | 107 | - | 95 | |
| SAT | 12/08/1989 | 11:10 AM | Hawthorn (R) v Melbourne (R) | Junction Oval | 73 | - | 41 | |
| SUN | 13/08/1989 | 11:10 AM | Carlton (R) v Richmond (R) | Lakeside Oval | 140 | - | 82 | |
| SUN | 13/08/1989 | 11:10 AM | Sydney (R) v St Kilda (R) | SCG | 156 | - | 83 | |
Round 19 Bye: Fitzroy (R)
Round 19 Ladder
| Team | Ladder (W-D-L, PP & P%) | PF | PA | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carlton (R) | 1st | 14 | -0- | 4 | 56 | 126.2% | 1,979 | 1,568 |
| Geelong (R) | 2nd | 13 | -0- | 5 | 52 | 135.7% | 2,267 | 1,671 |
| Essendon (R) | 3rd | 12 | -0- | 5 | 48 | 123.2% | 1,739 | 1,412 |
| Footscray (R) | 4th | 11 | -0- | 6 | 44 | 140.4% | 1,739 | 1,239 |
| North Melbourne (R) | 5th | 11 | -0- | 6 | 44 | 136.8% | 1,862 | 1,361 |
| Fitzroy (R) | 6th | 11 | -0- | 6 | 44 | 122.5% | 1,810 | 1,477 |
| Collingwood (R) | 7th | 9 | -0- | 9 | 36 | 106.9% | 1,725 | 1,614 |
| Sydney (R) | 8th | 8 | -0- | 9 | 32 | 90.3% | 1,413 | 1,565 |
| Hawthorn (R) | 9th | 7 | -1- | 9 | 30 | 90.1% | 1,610 | 1,786 |
| Richmond (R) | 10th | 7 | -0- | 10 | 28 | 76.7% | 1,407 | 1,835 |
| Brisbane Bears (R) | 11th | 3 | -1- | 13 | 12 | 75.0% | 1,510 | 2,012 |
| Melbourne (R) | 12th | 3 | -0- | 14 | 12 | 64.9% | 1,302 | 2,007 |
| St Kilda (R) | 13th | 1 | -2- | 14 | 6 | 63.5% | 1,417 | 2,233 |
Round 20
| Date | Match | Venue | Result | Attendance | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SAT | 19/08/1989 | 11:10 AM | Carlton (R) v St Kilda (R) | Princes Park | 203 | - | 105 | |
| SAT | 19/08/1989 | 11:10 AM | Collingwood (R) v Fitzroy (R) | VFL Park | 96 | - | 58 | |
| SAT | 19/08/1989 | 11:10 AM | Essendon (R) v North Melbourne (R) | Windy Hill | 127 | - | 91 | |
| SAT | 19/08/1989 | 11:10 AM | Footscray (R) v Richmond (R) | Western Oval | 122 | - | 60 | |
| SAT | 19/08/1989 | 11:10 AM | Melbourne (R) v Sydney (R) | Junction Oval | 54 | - | 128 | |
| SUN | 20/08/1989 | 11:10 AM | Brisbane Bears (R) v Hawthorn (R) | Carrara Stadium | 95 | - | 119 | |
Round 20 Bye: Geelong (R)
Round 20 Ladder
| Team | Ladder (W-D-L, PP & P%) | PF | PA | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carlton (R) | 1st | 15 | -0- | 4 | 60 | 130.4% | 2,182 | 1,673 |
| Geelong (R) | 2nd | 13 | -0- | 5 | 52 | 135.7% | 2,267 | 1,671 |
| Essendon (R) | 3rd | 13 | -0- | 5 | 52 | 124.2% | 1,866 | 1,503 |
| Footscray (R) | 4th | 12 | -0- | 6 | 48 | 143.3% | 1,861 | 1,299 |
| North Melbourne (R) | 5th | 11 | -0- | 7 | 44 | 131.3% | 1,953 | 1,488 |
| Fitzroy (R) | 6th | 11 | -0- | 7 | 44 | 118.8% | 1,868 | 1,573 |
| Collingwood (R) | 7th | 10 | -0- | 9 | 40 | 108.9% | 1,821 | 1,672 |
| Sydney (R) | 8th | 9 | -0- | 9 | 36 | 95.2% | 1,541 | 1,619 |
| Hawthorn (R) | 9th | 8 | -1- | 9 | 34 | 91.9% | 1,729 | 1,881 |
| Richmond (R) | 10th | 7 | -0- | 11 | 28 | 75.0% | 1,467 | 1,957 |
| Brisbane Bears (R) | 11th | 3 | -1- | 14 | 12 | 75.3% | 1,605 | 2,131 |
| Melbourne (R) | 12th | 3 | -0- | 15 | 12 | 63.5% | 1,356 | 2,135 |
| St Kilda (R) | 13th | 1 | -2- | 15 | 6 | 62.5% | 1,522 | 2,436 |
Round 21
| Date | Match | Venue | Result | Attendance | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FRI | 25/08/1989 | 4:45 PM | Sydney (R) v Essendon (R) | SCG | 77 | - | 113 | |
| SAT | 26/08/1989 | 11:10 AM | Collingwood (R) v Richmond (R) | Victoria Park | 168 | - | 46 | |
| SAT | 26/08/1989 | 11:10 AM | Fitzroy (R) v Brisbane Bears (R) | VFL Park | 75 | - | 66 | |
| SAT | 26/08/1989 | 11:10 AM | Footscray (R) v Hawthorn (R) | Western Oval | 163 | - | 66 | |
| SAT | 26/08/1989 | 11:10 AM | Geelong (R) v North Melbourne (R) | Kardinia Park | 209 | - | 51 | |
| SAT | 26/08/1989 | 11:10 AM | Melbourne (R) v St Kilda (R) | Junction Oval | 160 | - | 94 | |
Round 21 Bye: Carlton (R)
Round 21 Ladder
| Team | Ladder (W-D-L, PP & P%) | PF | PA | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carlton (R) | 1st | 15 | -0- | 4 | 60 | 130.4% | 2,182 | 1,673 |
| Geelong (R) | 2nd | 14 | -0- | 5 | 56 | 143.8% | 2,476 | 1,722 |
| Essendon (R) | 3rd | 14 | -0- | 5 | 56 | 125.3% | 1,979 | 1,580 |
| Footscray (R) | 4th | 13 | -0- | 6 | 52 | 148.3% | 2,024 | 1,365 |
| Fitzroy (R) | 5th | 12 | -0- | 7 | 48 | 118.5% | 1,943 | 1,639 |
| North Melbourne (R) | 6th | 11 | -0- | 8 | 44 | 118.1% | 2,004 | 1,697 |
| Collingwood (R) | 7th | 11 | -0- | 9 | 44 | 115.8% | 1,989 | 1,718 |
| Sydney (R) | 8th | 9 | -0- | 10 | 36 | 93.4% | 1,618 | 1,732 |
| Hawthorn (R) | 9th | 8 | -1- | 10 | 34 | 87.8% | 1,795 | 2,044 |
| Richmond (R) | 10th | 7 | -0- | 12 | 28 | 71.2% | 1,513 | 2,125 |
| Melbourne (R) | 11th | 4 | -0- | 15 | 16 | 68.0% | 1,516 | 2,229 |
| Brisbane Bears (R) | 12th | 3 | -1- | 15 | 12 | 75.7% | 1,671 | 2,206 |
| St Kilda (R) | 13th | 1 | -2- | 16 | 6 | 62.2% | 1,616 | 2,596 |
Round 22
| Date | Match | Venue | Result | Attendance | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FRI | 01/09/1989 | 4:45 PM | North Melbourne (R) v Sydney (R) | Arden Street Oval | 58 | - | 34 | |
| SAT | 02/09/1989 | 11:10 AM | Essendon (R) v Melbourne (R) | Junction Oval | 78 | - | 65 | |
| SAT | 02/09/1989 | 11:10 AM | Fitzroy (R) v Footscray (R) | Princes Park | 176 | - | 72 | |
| SAT | 02/09/1989 | 11:10 AM | Geelong (R) v Richmond (R) | Kardinia Park | 245 | - | 48 | |
| SAT | 02/09/1989 | 11:10 AM | Hawthorn (R) v St Kilda (R) | VFL Park | 192 | - | 92 | |
| SUN | 03/09/1989 | 11:10 AM | Brisbane Bears (R) v Carlton (R) | Carrara Stadium | 108 | - | 130 | |
Round 22 Bye: Collingwood (R)
Round 22 Ladder
| Team | Ladder (W-D-L, PP & P%) | PF | PA | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carlton (R) | 1st | 16 | -0- | 4 | 64 | 129.8% | 2,312 | 1,781 |
| Geelong (R) | 2nd | 15 | -0- | 5 | 60 | 153.7% | 2,721 | 1,770 |
| Essendon (R) | 3rd | 15 | -0- | 5 | 60 | 125.0% | 2,057 | 1,645 |
| Footscray (R) | 4th | 13 | -0- | 7 | 52 | 136.0% | 2,096 | 1,541 |
| Fitzroy (R) | 5th | 13 | -0- | 7 | 52 | 123.8% | 2,119 | 1,711 |
| North Melbourne (R) | 6th | 12 | -0- | 8 | 48 | 119.1% | 2,062 | 1,731 |
| Collingwood (R) | 7th | 11 | -0- | 9 | 44 | 115.8% | 1,989 | 1,718 |
| Hawthorn (R) | 8th | 9 | -1- | 10 | 38 | 93.0% | 1,987 | 2,136 |
| Sydney (R) | 9th | 9 | -0- | 11 | 36 | 92.3% | 1,652 | 1,790 |
| Richmond (R) | 10th | 7 | -0- | 13 | 28 | 65.9% | 1,561 | 2,370 |
| Melbourne (R) | 11th | 4 | -0- | 16 | 16 | 68.5% | 1,581 | 2,307 |
| Brisbane Bears (R) | 12th | 3 | -1- | 16 | 12 | 76.2% | 1,779 | 2,336 |
| St Kilda (R) | 13th | 1 | -2- | 17 | 6 | 61.3% | 1,708 | 2,788 |
Finals Series
The positions of teams going into the finals:
| Team | Ladder (W-D-L, PP & P%) | PF | PA | GF | BF | GA | BA | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carlton (R) | 1st | 16 | -0- | 4 | 64 | 129.8% | 2,312 | 1,781 | 345 | 242 | 255 | 251 |
| Geelong (R) | 2nd | 15 | -0- | 5 | 60 | 153.7% | 2,721 | 1,770 | 402 | 309 | 255 | 240 |
| Essendon (R) | 3rd | 15 | -0- | 5 | 60 | 125.0% | 2,057 | 1,645 | 297 | 275 | 230 | 265 |
| Footscray (R) | 4th | 13 | -0- | 7 | 52 | 136.0% | 2,096 | 1,541 | 305 | 266 | 223 | 203 |
| Fitzroy (R) | 5th | 13 | -0- | 7 | 52 | 123.8% | 2,119 | 1,711 | 300 | 319 | 244 | 247 |
| North Melbourne (R) | 6th | 12 | -0- | 8 | 48 | 119.1% | 2,062 | 1,731 | 297 | 280 | 245 | 261 |
| Collingwood (R) | 7th | 11 | -0- | 9 | 44 | 115.8% | 1,989 | 1,718 | 291 | 243 | 246 | 242 |
| Hawthorn (R) | 8th | 9 | -1- | 10 | 38 | 93.0% | 1,987 | 2,136 | 286 | 271 | 308 | 288 |
| Sydney (R) | 9th | 9 | -0- | 11 | 36 | 92.3% | 1,652 | 1,790 | 232 | 260 | 253 | 272 |
| Richmond (R) | 10th | 7 | -0- | 13 | 28 | 65.9% | 1,561 | 2,370 | 225 | 211 | 348 | 282 |
| Melbourne (R) | 11th | 4 | -0- | 16 | 16 | 68.5% | 1,581 | 2,307 | 222 | 249 | 340 | 267 |
| Brisbane Bears (R) | 12th | 3 | -1- | 16 | 12 | 76.2% | 1,779 | 2,336 | 254 | 255 | 346 | 260 |
| St Kilda (R) | 13th | 1 | -2- | 17 | 6 | 61.3% | 1,708 | 2,788 | 242 | 256 | 405 | 358 |
Final Round 1
Elimination Final
| Date | Match | Venue | Result | Attendance | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SAT | 09/09/1989 | 11:10 AM | Footscray (R) v Fitzroy (R) | VFL Park | 46 | - | 104 | |
Qualifying Final
| Date | Match | Venue | Result | Attendance | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUN | 10/09/1989 | 11:10 AM | Geelong (R) v Essendon (R) | MCG | 106 | - | 80 | |
Final Round 1 Ladder
| Team | Pos. |
|---|---|
| Carlton (R) | 1st |
| Geelong (R) | 2nd |
| Essendon (R) | 3rd |
| Fitzroy (R) | 4th |
| Footscray (R) | 5th |
Final Round 2
Semi Final
| Date | Match | Venue | Result | Attendance | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SAT | 16/09/1989 | 11:10 AM | Essendon (R) v Fitzroy (R) | VFL Park | 59 | - | 66 | |
| SUN | 17/09/1989 | 11:10 AM | Carlton (R) v Geelong (R) | MCG | 88 | - | 115 | |
Final Round 2 Ladder
| Team | Pos. |
|---|---|
| Geelong (R) | 1st |
| Carlton (R) | 2nd |
| Fitzroy (R) | 3rd |
| Essendon (R) | 4th |
| Footscray (R) | 5th |
Final Round 3
Preliminary Final
| Date | Match | Venue | Result | Attendance | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SAT | 23/09/1989 | 11:10 AM | Carlton (R) v Fitzroy (R) | VFL Park | 81 | - | 112 | |
Final Round 3 Ladder
| Team | Pos. |
|---|---|
| Geelong (R) | 1st |
| Fitzroy (R) | 2nd |
| Carlton (R) | 3rd |
| Essendon (R) | 4th |
| Footscray (R) | 5th |
Final Round 4
Grand Final
| Date | Match | Venue | Result | Attendance | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SAT | 30/09/1989 | 11:10 AM | Geelong (R) v Fitzroy (R) | MCG | 112 | - | 114 | |
Final Round 4 Ladder
| Team | Pos. |
|---|---|
| Fitzroy (R) | 1st |
| Geelong (R) | 2nd |
| Carlton (R) | 3rd |
| Essendon (R) | 4th |
| Footscray (R) | 5th |