A season of triumphs, scandals, and a landmark shift in Australian football
In short: The 2013 AFL season was far more than a quest for premiership glory. While Hawthorn claimed their eleventh title, the league was simultaneously grappling with intense investigations into illegal payments, supplements programs, and allegations of intentional match losses.
The 117th season of the Australian Football League, running from 22 March to 28 September, was defined by a heavy shadow of off-field controversy. Three major clubs faced significant penalties for infractions occurring in previous years. Essendon was investigated by the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority regarding its supplements program, while Melbourne faced scrutiny over allegations that the club intentionally lost matches during the 2009 season. Adelaide was also embroiled in a scandal involving Kurt Tippett’s 2009 contract extension, which led to eleven charges including draft tampering and breaches of total player payments.
The Adelaide investigation revealed a complex web of illegal financial arrangements. During negotiations, it was uncovered that Tippett had received $100,000 in direct payments outside the salary cap in both 2011 and 2012, alongside illegal third-party deals. In an act of goodwill before the final hearing on 30 November, Adelaide voluntarily relinquished its No. 20 and No. 54 draft picks. Ultimately, the club was fined $300,000 and stripped of its first and second-round picks in the 2013 National Draft. Tippett himself faced a $50,000 fine and a suspension of 11 premiership matches.
On the field, the season saw Hawthorn secure the premiership by defeating Fremantle by 15 points in the Grand Final, earning the Norm Smith Medal through Brian Lake's performance. Individual brilliance was also on display: Gary Ablett Jr. of Gold Coast claimed the Brownlow Medal with 28 votes and a record fifth Leigh Matthews Trophy, while Jaeger O'meara took home the AFL Rising Star award with 44 votes. The season also marked a transition in venues, as it was the final year of football at AAMI Stadium before Adelaide and Port Adelaide moved to the redeveloped Adelaide Oval.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: 2013 AFL season
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