The year the Australian Football League moved its entire calendar
In short: In 2000, the AFL didn't just change its rules; it shifted its entire timeline. To accommodate the Sydney Summer Olympics, the league compressed its schedule, creating a season defined by unprecedented dominance and historic records that still stand today.
The 2000 AFL season was defined by a logistical pivot. To avoid clashing with the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, which began on September 15, the league moved its schedule forward by four weeks. This unusual timing meant the season ran from March 8 until September 2, with the Grand Final occurring on the first Saturday of September. This structural shift also saw the introduction of the current finals format used by the league today.
Amidst this compressed timeline, the Essendon Football Club produced a campaign of statistical anomaly. By achieving a 21–1 home-and-away tally, they clinched the minor premiership, marking a first for any VFL/AFL side to reach 21 victories during one regular season. By winning the Grand Final against Melbourne by 60 points, they reached an overall record of 24–1, setting a new league record for the most wins in a single season and the highest average winning margin of 51 points.
The season was also marked by individual milestones and geographic shifts. Melbourne's Shane Woewodin was named the league's best and fairest winner of the Brownlow Medal, while Essendon's Matthew Lloyd took the Coleman Medal for leading goalkicker. Notably, the Brisbane Lions were forced to play their first four regular season games away from home due to a major upgrade of the Gabba stadium. That year, they stood alone as the sole representative from outside Victoria to reach the finals.
The pre-season also broke ground, beginning on December 31, 1999, with a 'Match of the Millennium' between Carlton and Collingwood. This match saw Brendan Fevola kick twelve goals, a pre-season record that signaled the high-scoring nature of the year ahead.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: 2000 AFL season
- Also: 2000 AFL season
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