| AFC Escort Championships | |
|---|---|
| Tournament details | |
| Dates | 7 March – 14 July 1981 |
| Teams | 34 |
| Venue(s) | 8 (in 6 host cities) |
| Final positions | |
| Champions | Essendon (1st title) |
| Runners-up | Carlton |
| Tournament statistics | |
| Matches played | 35 |
| Attendance | 223,959 (6,399 per match) |
← 1980 1982 → | |
The 1981 Australian Football Championships Night Series was the 3rd edition of the AFC Night Series, a VFL-organised national club Australian rules football tournament between the leading clubs from the VFL, the SANFL, the WAFL and State Representative Teams.[1]
A total of 34 teams from across Australia played 35 matches over five months, with the qualifying rounds held during the pre-season and the main draw held midweek throughout the premiership season.