The premiership was won by the Sydney Swans for the fifth time, after it defeated Hawthorn by ten points in the 2012 AFL Grand Final.

[1] Adelaide won the 2012 pre-season competition following a 34-point win over the West Coast Eagles at AAMI Stadium.

In typical rounds, where nine matches were played between Friday and Sunday, the changes were: Following two high profile goal umpiring errors in the previous three years' grand finals, in which goals were awarded to Tom Hawkins (Geelong, 2009) and Sharrod Wellingham (Collingwood, 2011) for shots which hit the post, video score reviews were introduced to AFL games for the first time.

A score review could be initiated by the field umpire, at his own discretion or on request by the goal umpire, and television broadcast footage would be reviewed for visual evidence to overturn an on-field goal umpiring decision.

[3] Bold – Home game X – Bye Opponent for round listed above margin