Leading goalkicker Tony Modra (Adelaide) Teams 16 Matches played 185 | Start date 1997 Attendance 6,402,997 | |
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Premiers Adelaide
(1st premiership) Minor premiers St Kilda
(2nd minor premiership) Pre-season cup Carlton
(1st pre-season cup win) Highest attendance 99,645 (Grand Final, St Kilda v Adelaide) Brownlow Medallist Robert Harvey (St Kilda) Similar 1998 AFL season, 1999 AFL season, 1995 AFL season, 1993 AFL season, 1992 AFL season |
The 1997 Australian Football League season was the 101st season of the elite Australian rules football competition.
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This season is notable for the admission of the Port Adelaide Football Club, and the merger of the Brisbane Bears and Fitzroy to form the Brisbane Lions. Before the start of the 1997 season, Footscray changed its name to the Western Bulldogs Football Club.
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 Geelong (11 wins) and 13th placed Hawthorn (8 wins). St Kilda won the Minor Premiership with 15 wins and 7 losses; however, the competition was won by Adelaide 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.