elim final essendon v fitzroy
lions end dons season by 15 meaning essendons 15 game winning streak earlier lead to nothing (can’t think of another team to win 15 straight in a season and not win one finals game). lions will play pies in minor semi.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Score | Date / Result | Ground | Crowd | ||
| Essendon | 0.5 | 4.8 | 11.11 | 13.16 | 94 | Sat 5-Sep-1981 2:30 pm | VFL Park | 58,598 | |
| Fitzroy | 3.4 | 7.7 | 12.11 | 16.13 | 109 | Fitzroy won by 15 points | |||
qual final collingwood v geelong
cats get revenge on pies by 14 will play blues in major semi. pies play lions in minor semi.
Qualifying Final
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Score | Date / Result | Ground | Crowd | ||
| Geelong | 2.5 | 8.11 | 14.11 | 16.16 | 112 | Sat 5-Sep-1981 2:30 pm | M.C.G. | 83,899 | |
| Collingwood | 5.5 | 6.9 | 9.15 | 13.20 | 98 | Geelong won by 14 points | |||
semi final
minor
collingwood v fitzroy
major
carlton v geelong