2022 AFL season

126th season of the Australian Football League (AFL)

Australian rules football season

The 2022 AFL season was the 126th season of the Australian Football League (AFL), the highest-level senior men's Australian rules football competition in Australia, which was known as the Victorian Football League until 1989. The season featured eighteen clubs and ran from 16 March until 24 September, comprising a 22-game home-and-away season followed by a finals series featuring the top eight clubs.

The premiership was won by the Geelong Football Club for the tenth time, after defeating Sydney by 81 points in the 2022 AFL Grand Final.

Background

The 2022 season was played during the third year of the COVID-19 pandemic. At the start of the season, the roll-out of Australia's vaccination program was almost complete with 95% of adults vaccinated to a two-dose standard and about 50% having received a booster;^[1] and across all states except for Western Australia, practically all social and interstate travel restrictions which had been in place through the latter half of 2021 had been lifted;^[2] Western Australia maintained some restrictions into the start of the season.^[3] Cases of the virus, particularly the Omicron variant which became dominant in December 2021, were widespread in the community for the first time in the pandemic; and confirmed cases and their close contacts were still required to test and isolate, although for shorter periods than earlier in the pandemic.^[4]

The main impacts of the pandemic to the AFL season were:

• The league implemented a vaccination policy requiring all players and football department staff to be vaccinated against COVID-19;^[5] equivalent requirements were implemented by some state governments.^[6] Two players – Liam Jones (Carlton) and Cam Ellis-Yolmen (Brisbane Lions) – resigned as a result of the mandate.^[7] The AFL's mandate was lifted in July, on a similar timeline to those of the state governments.^[8]
• A player top-up list and policy was put in place to cover the event of a substantial portion of a team being forced into isolation. Each club could nominate twenty top-up players from their affiliated state league and reserves systems; those players would become eligible to play if fewer than 28 main list players were available due for COVID-19 reasons, but would not otherwise be contracted to the club.^[9] The Western Australian government's tighter restrictions on isolation for close contacts early in the season meant that state's clubs saw greater COVID-19 impacts, and West Coast was the only club to draw on its top-up list, doing so twice.^[10]

Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs opened the season in a rematch of the previous season's grand final.^[11] Accor Stadium hosted its first premiership match since the 2016 Qualifying Final, with a Sydney Derby between Greater Western Sydney and Sydney fixtured for the ground in round one.^[12] The remainder of the fixture was released on 9 December, with only the first nine rounds released with dates and times for each match. The remainder of the fixture from round 10 was left as a floating fixture so as to prioritize the best matches for each round in prime-time slots, and dates were released progressively through the year.^[13] For the first time since 2001, some Friday nights had two scheduled games, with each double-header to take games away from a less-favourable or an otherwise occupied timeslot later in the weekend; the broadcast times of the two matches overlapped partially.^[14]

Club leadership

Pre-season

The pre-season series of games returned as the 2022 AAMI Community Series, with teams playing one game each. The games were stand-alone, with no overall winner of the series. All games were televised live on Fox Footy.^[33]

Home-and-away 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

Round 23

Ladder

Source: afl.com.au
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) percentage; 3) number of points for.
(P) Premiers

Progression by round

• Numbers highlighted in green indicates the team finished the round inside the top 8.
• Numbers highlighted in blue indicates the team finished in first place on the ladder in that round.
• Numbers highlighted in red indicates the team finished in last place on the ladder in that round.
• Underlined numbers indicates the team did not play during that round, either due to a bye or a postponed game.
• Subscript numbers indicate ladder position at round's end.

Source: AFL Tables^[56]

Finals series

Finals week 1

Finals week 2

Finals week 3

Grand final

Win/loss table

Season notes

• Port Adelaide recorded its longest winless start to an AFL season, its record standing at 0–5 after five rounds; its previous worst start had been 0–4.^[57]
• Carlton became the first team since 1977 to place in finals standings in every week except for the last round and miss the finals completely.^[58]
• Through the home-and-away season, Collingwood won a record eleven games by margins less than two goals; no club had previously won more than eight games by such narrow margins in a year.^[59]

Player milestones

Coach changes

Home attendances and membership

The following table excludes finals matches.

Source: AFL Tables

Awards

Coleman Medal

• Numbers highlighted in blue indicates the player led the Coleman Medal at the end of that round.
• Numbers underlined indicates the player did not play in that round.

Best and fairest

See also

• 2022 AFL Women's season 6
• 2022 AFL Women's season 7
• 2022 Australian football code crowds

References

1. "COVID-19 Vaccine Roll-out" (PDF). Australian Government. 10 March 2022. Retrieved 12 March 2022.
2. Ben Westcott and Caitlin McGee (15 December 2021). "Australia moves to lift Covid-19 restrictions amid surge in Omicron infections". CNN. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
3. "Public health and social measures in affected areas". Western Australian government. 6 March 2022. Retrieved 12 March 2022.
4. "Australia's Covid surge in four charts: NSW now has one of world's highest infection rates". the Guardian. 31 December 2021. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
5. Damian Barrett (21 October 2021). "NO JAB, NO PLAY: AFL releases vaccination policy". Australian Football League. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
6. "COVID-19 vaccinations: legislation and public health orders". Fair Work Ombudsman. 14 January 2022. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
7. Niall, Jake (24 January 2022). "Brisbane Lion becomes AFL's second anti-vax player to lose list spot". The Age. Retrieved 24 January 2022.
8. Josh Gabelich (14 July 2022). "Play on: Vaccine mandate lifted for players and staff". Australian Football League. Retrieved 23 July 2022.
9. Callum Twomey (9 March 2022). "Monster top-up lists are on: AFL reveals COVID contingency plan". Australian Football League. Retrieved 12 March 2022.
10. "West Coast and Fremantle tighten COVID-19 contingencies as East Coast cases rise". The West Australian. Perth, WA. 14 July 2022. Retrieved 28 August 2022.
11. Schmook, Nathan (4 December 2021). "R1 FIXTURE REVEAL: New opener, big Buddy plans, Pies in spotlight". AFL Media. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
12. Voss, Cameron (4 December 2021). "2022 AFL Fixture: Season to kick-off with Victorian footy festival". Austadiums. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
13. "2022 FIXTURE: New primetime kings, Tigers bumped, Friday night doubles". afl.com.au. 9 December 2021. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
14. "Why the AFL has three Friday night double-headers in 2022 explained". www.sen.com.au. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
15. "Crows unveil 2022 Leadership Group". Adelaide. Telstra. 11 February 2022.
16. "Introducing Our '22 Leaders". Brisbane Lions. Telstra. 15 March 2022.
17. "Cripps to captain, trio to lead". Carlton. Telstra. 29 January 2022.
18. "Pies confirm AFL leadership group". Collignwood. Telstra. 16 February 2022.
19. Twomey, Callum (22 February 2022). "Bombers lock in leaders in streamlined three-man group". Australian Football League. Telstra.
20. "Fremantle announce 2022 leadership group". Fremantle. Telstra. 16 February 2022.
21. Daniel, Troy (10 March 2022). "Cats Announce 2022 Player Leadership Group". Geelong. Telstra. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
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23. "Trio to Lead GIANTS into Future". Greater Western Sydney. Telstra. 10 December 2021.
24. Pierik, Jon (29 April 2022). "Sicily to embrace captaincy against COVID-hit Demons". The Age.
25. Gibson, Ben (7 March 2022). "Leaders locked in: Gawn, Viney to continue in 2022". Melbourne. Telstra.
26. "Ziebell to lead Roos in 2022". North Melbourne. Telstra. 16 February 2022.
27. Founten, Loukas (16 February 2022). "Tom Jonas to captain Port Adelaide in 2022". Port Adelaide. Telstra.
28. "Tigers announce historic co-captains". Richmond. Telstra. 14 February 2022.
29. "Skipper Steele takes the reins, five-man leadership group for 2022 confirmed". St Kilda. Telstra. 28 January 2022.
30. "Mills joins Parker and Rampe as Sydney co-captains". Sydney. Telstra. 2 February 2022.
31. Stocks, Gary (2 February 2022). "Shuey to lead West Coast for third season". West Coast. Telstra.
32. "Bontempelli to continue lead role in 2022". Western Bulldogs. Telstra. 6 February 2022.
33. "2022 AAMI Community Series Fixture Release". 20 December 2021.
34. "AFL Tables - Carlton All Games - By Team". afltables.com. Retrieved 27 March 2022.
35. Rugari, Vince (25 March 2022). "'Surreal': Buddy-mania at the SCG as Franklin kicks his 1000th goal". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 27 March 2022.
36. Waterworth, Ben (27 March 2022). "Mid-interview moment Eagles coach discovered he'd have to make FOURTEENTH change". Fox Sports. Archived from the original on 27 March 2022. Retrieved 27 March 2022.
37. Sullivan, Matthew (1 April 2022). "'What the hell': Adelaide defeat Port Adelaide after the siren in absolute thriller". news.com.au.
38. Hope, Shayne (30 March 2022). "Love of game drives Selwood to AFL record". Seven News.
39. Healey, Catherine (2 April 2022). "'Ruthless' Lions put Kangaroos to the sword, as 'genuine contender' sends warning to rivals: 3-2-1". Fox Sports. Brisbane put their foot down in the last term to kick nine goals to one and record their first 100-point plus victory since 2007.
40. "Port Adelaide smashed by Melbourne by 32 points after failing to kick a goal before half-time". Retrieved 8 April 2022.
41. "Record crowds flock to round 15 footy". Australian Football League. 27 June 2022. Retrieved 28 June 2022.
42. "Tigers tear Eagles to shreds in 109-point shellacking". Retrieved 2 May 2022.
43. "Welcoming Narrm Football Club". Retrieved 22 May 2022.
44. McMurty, Andrew (28 May 2022). "Fremantle end Melbourne Demons' 17-game winning streak, stun AFL". news.com.au.
45. Nissen, Edan (22 August 2022). "WEST COAST EAGLES 2022 SEASON REVIEW". Sports Obsessive. Retrieved 10 September 2022.
46. Savage, Nic (10 June 2022). "'It looks horrible': MCG attendance sinks to 12-year low as AFL crisis deepens". news.com.au.
47. Waterworth, Ben (2 July 2022). "Cats THUMP helpless Roos in 41-year first amid Danger's record goal; 'training drill' piles pressure on coach: 3-2-1". Fox Sports Australia. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 3 July 2022.
48. Zita, David (9 July 2022). "'Going through my head': Suns hero reveals after-the-siren demons before fairytale finish". Fox Sports.
49. Somerford, Ben (16 July 2022). "Magpies fly late to down fast-finishing Crows in thriller". Australian Football League. Telstra. Rory Laird was Adelaide's best with an AFL-record 20 tackles along with 31 disposals.
50. Zita, David; Waterworth, Ben (16 July 2022). "'Absolutely CRAZY!' - 'Electric' Roos snap 14-game losing streak; Tigers 'blow it': 3-2-1". Fox Sports.
51. Ryan, Peter (22 July 2022). "Richmond and Fremantle draw after Tiger lapse". The Age.
52. "Collingwood do it again as Jamie Elliott kicks goal after the siren to beat Essendon at the MCG". ABC News. 24 July 2022.
53. "Crows spoil Kennedy farewell despite star's eight goals". 7 August 2022.
54. Conn, Malcolm (14 August 2022). "Swans break Collingwood streak to surge into top two". The Age. The magnitude of the match was highlighted by the crowd of 44,659, the second-highest for a home and away match in the Swans' history
55. "S.C.G. - Attendances (1952-2022)". afltables.com. Retrieved 14 August 2022.
56. "2022 Season Scores and Results". AFL Tables. Retrieved 2 May 2022.
57. Healey, Catherine (17 April 2022). "Power surge falls JUST short in Easter epic; Blues 'monsters' get job done: 3-2-1". Fox Sports. Charlie Curnow kicked Carlton's only goal in the final term to seal the win and resign Port Adelaide to their worst start to an AFL season in club history, with a fifth straight loss.
58. "'Butchering of highest order': Blues lose 'unlosable' game AGAIN as 45-year first confirmed". Fox Sports. 21 August 2022. Retrieved 21 August 2022.
59. Josh Gabelich (24 August 2022). "Don't ever write 'em off! Pies smash record for close wins". AFL. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
60. "AFL Tables - 2022 Season Records". afltables.com.
61. Quayle, Emma (27 March 2022). "Family, Leadership and 250 Games for Ward". Greater Western Sydney Giants. Telstra.
62. Hytner, Mike (28 March 2022). "Fan returns Buddy Franklin's 1,000th AFL goal ball at the SCG". The Guardian.
63. Monteverde, Marco (5 April 2022). "Brisbane milestone man Daniel Rich grateful to 'father figure' Chris Fagan". news.com.au.
64. Monteverde, Marco (12 April 2022). "A premiership desire and club loyalty continue to motivate Lions milestone man Lachie Neale". news.com.au.
65. "News, analysis and match report as Jeremy Howe plays 200th". The Australian. 13 April 2022.
66. Wenzel, Murray (15 April 2022). "Lions withstand Magpies late for AFL win". Australian Associated Press. Archived from the original on 15 April 2022. Retrieved 17 April 2022. Jeremy Howe 14 in his 200th game
67. "Jamie Cripps' 200th game ends in disaster as Sydney smash West Coast by 63 points". Geraldton Guardian. 19 April 2022.
68. "From basketball to the MCG: The journey to 200 for Stef Martin". Western Bulldogs. Telstra. 22 April 2022.
69. Greenberg, Tony (28 April 2022). "Double ton for Tiger Tom". Richmond. Telstra.
70. Cotton, Ben (1 May 2022). "'Disappointing': How champion's milestone moment uncovered the Eagles are a 'broken club'". Fox Sports. champion forward Josh Kennedy stood tall with four goals to bring up his milestone 700th career major
71. "A special day: McDonald's milestone win". Melbourne. Telstra. 9 May 2022.
72. Caffrey, Oliver (13 May 2022). "Hawk Wingard excited about 200th AFL game". Illawarra Mercury.
73. Twomey, Callum (16 May 2022). "Milestone misery: Heppell joins long list of unlucky Bombers". Australian Football League. Telstra.
74. Hughes, Matt (20 May 2022). "Keith's Jack Redden plays 250th AFL match in the West Coast Eagles' loss to the Melbourne Demons". The Border Chronicle.
75. Conn, Malcolm (16 May 2022). "Rampe lining up for 200th game as Swans face 'litmus test'". The Age.
76. Gould, Russell (18 May 2022). "Western Bulldogs star Adam Treloar opens up on journey to 200 AFL games". news.com.au.
77. Williams, Rebecca (20 May 2022). "Indigenous Sport Month: St Kilda star Bradley Hill on 200 games, overcoming criticism of his form and how becoming a father has shaped him". The Australian.
78. Gibson, Ben (27 May 2022). "Unforeseen success: Melksham's role in Demons' rise". Melbourne. Telstra.
79. McGowan, Marc (24 May 2022). "AFL: North Melbourne captain Jack Ziebell backs under-fire coach David Noble's style as he prepares for game 250". news.com.au.
80. McGowan, Marc (5 June 2022). "AFL: Hawthorn Hawks and best mates Luke Breust and Liam Shiels detail their extraordinary journey to game 250". news.com.au.
81. Black, Sarah (3 June 2022). "Milestone man Cameron propels Cats to down Dogs". Australian Football League. Telstra. Jeremy Cameron booted three – including his 500th
82. Greenberg, Tony (7 June 2022). "Grimes' great journey to 200-game milestone". Richmond. Telstra.
83. Bruce, Jasper (10 June 2022). "'It was the right move': Callan Ward has no regrets ahead of 200th Giants game". news.com.au.
84. Standish, Zac (22 June 2022). "AFL exports | Hawkins boots 700th goal, Marshall bags four in big Power win". Shepparton News.
85. McGowan, Marc (24 June 2022). "AFL: Carlton's Jack Newnes reflects on after-the-siren match-winning goal against Fremantle ahead of 200th game". news.com.au.
86. Daniel, Troy (23 June 2022). "Jez finds his happy place in Geelong". Geelong. Telstra.
87. "Macrae reaches double century". Western Bulldogs. Telstra. 29 June 2022.
88. Blucher, Peter (30 June 2022). "Pick #40 Luke Parker: 250 games on". Sydney Swans. Telstra.
89. Daniel, Troy (30 June 2022). "The Making of Mitch". Geelong. Telstra.
90. Buckland, Ryan (30 June 2022). "The numbers that place Jack Darling alongside the decade's greatest forwards". The West Australian.
91. Yap, Kieran (7 July 2022). "'Geelong celebrates an ex-Hawk's 250th game and prepares for Preliminary Final rematch". The Inner Sanctum.
92. Rogers, Samantha (10 July 2022). "West Coast champion Josh Kennedy notches 700th Eagles goal against old club Carlton". The Sunday Times.
93. Barrett, Steve (16 July 2022). "'Thrill of the chase': Another great escape for Pies to celebrate Pendlebury's 350th". The Age.
94. Phelan, Jason (29 July 2022). "AFL 2022: Port Adelaide captain Tom Jonas not writing off his team pulling off a finals miracle". News.com.au.
95. "AFL congratulates Joel Selwood on 350 games". Australian Football League. Telstra. 28 July 2022.
96. Schmook, Nathan (26 July 2022). "'Things can turn': 250-game Eagle has plenty to play for". Australian Football League. Telstra.
97. Vinall, Marnie (26 July 2022). "Milestone marvels: Tiger Edwards joins an exclusive club; Hawkins lauds legendary Selwood". The Age.
98. Schmook, Nathan (7 August 2022). "Match report: Crows fly over Eagles in Laird's milestone match". Australian Football League. Telstra.
99. "Leon Cameron quits after nine years as Greater Western Sydney Giants coach". The Guardian. 12 May 2022.
100. Gleeson, Michael (22 August 2022). "A Giant move: Adam Kingsley appointed the new GWS coach". The Age.
101. "North Melbourne part ways with coach David Noble". The Age. 12 July 2022.
102. "Roos get their man: Clarko to coach North on long-term deal". nmfc.com.au. 19 August 2022. Retrieved 19 August 2022.
103. "Club Statement". essendonfc.com.au. 21 August 2022. Retrieved 21 August 2022.
104. "Essendon announce Brad Scott as new senior coach on long-term deal". The Age. 29 September 2022.
105. "St Kilda Saints to part ways with ratten after review". afl.com.au. 13 October 2022. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
106. Pierik, Jon; Gleeson, Michael (24 October 2022). "'Time to climb Everest': Ross Lyon returns to St Kilda, promises a bold game style". The Age.

Sources

• Official website
• Season results