The premiership was won by the Collingwood Football Club for the 15th time, after it defeated St Kilda by 56 points in the 2010 AFL Grand Final Replay.

The AFL Rising Star is awarded to the best player who, as of the beginning of the season, is under the age of 21 and has played fewer than 10 games.

Lance 'Buddy' Franklin won the award for his running goal against Essendon in round 13.

Liam Jurrah, of the Melbourne Football Club, won the award for his mark over the top of Port Adelaide's Nick Salter, in round 21.

Minor adjustments to the tribunal rules were made, including adding a provision to report players for diving or staging.