The Expanded 1981 Finals Series: Elimination Final (Fitzroy defeats Essendon), Qualifying Final (Geelong defeats Collingwood), First Semi-Final (Collingwood defeats Fitzroy by 1 point), Second Semi-Final (Carlton defeats Geelong), the Preliminary Final (Collingwood defeats Geelong by 7 points), Grand Final (Carlton defeats Collingwood by 20 points), (6 items).This was Carlton's 13th Premiership. The Brownlow went to Bernie Quinlan (Fitzroy) and Barry Round (South Melbourne).