1997 AFL season


The 1997 Australian Football League season was the 101st season of the elite Australian rules football competition and the 8th under the name 'Australian Football League', having switched from 'Victorian Football League' after 1989.
This season is notable for the admission of the Port Adelaide Football Club, and the merger of the and to form the Brisbane Lions. Before the start of the 1997 season, changed its name to the Western Bulldogs.
1997 is also notable for being one of the most evenly contested seasons in the AFL's recent history. With five rounds remaining, only three wins separated first placed and 13th placed . won the minor premiership with 15 wins and 7 losses; however, the competition was won by who had come fourth after the minor round with 13 wins and 9 losses. This was the first instance of a side winning four consecutive finals matches to claim the Premiership. The Western Bulldogs would also accomplish this feat in 2016.

Premiership season

Round 1

Round 2

Round 3

Round 4

Round 5

Round 6

Round 7

Round 8

Round 9

Round 10

Round 11

Round 12

Round 13

Round 14

Round 15

Round 16

Round 17

Round 18

Round 19

Round 20

Round 21

Round 22

Ladder

Ladder progression

Finals

Qualifying Finals

Semi Finals

Preliminary Finals

Grand Final

Attendance

VenueHostedAverageHighestLowestTotalLast Season+/-
MCG5343,48883,27113,3922,304,86546,114- 2626
Football Park2238,00147,25631,757836,02039,428- 1427
SCG1135,81846,16823,598393,99924,574+ 11,244
Waverley Park2233,80654,69915,939743,73225,545+ 8261
Subiaco Oval1728,37139,71114,721482,31028,289+ 82
Whitten Oval126,70426,70426,70426,70410,482+ 16,222
Victoria Park324,47325,32323,43373,41923,581+ 892
WACA523,57829,83818,198117,89225,253- 1675
Kardinia Park921,26924,09916,467191,41722,670- 1401
Optus Oval2220,78134,9228664457,18215,641+ 5140
Gabba1119,55021,34817,123215,05118,088+ 1462
Totals17633,19783,27186645842,59129,637+ 3560

Notable events