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The 1980 season was a strange one at both ends of the ladder.  Richmond were clearly the best side all year and easily won the premiership but these odd little lapses during the season saw the Tigers finished third.  Carlton were second but the Blues went out in straight sets, as did minor premiers Geelong.  Collingwood got into the GF from 5th but were clobbered by Richmond on Grand Final day. 

At the bottom end of the ladder, eventual last placed Fitzroy had a higher points for than top team Geelong, had a percentage way higher than any of the other bottom three teams and boasted impressive wins over some of the better sides in the league, but things were so tight between Melbourne, Footscray, St Kilda and Fitzroy that any one of their many tight results going the other way could have put them last.  For example, if a thriller between the Bulldogs and Melbourne earlier in the season had gone the way of the Dogs rather than the Dees, this would have put Melbourne last.  If North had managed to beat St Kilda instead of the final round draw, the Saints would have been last.  Footscray, which was 0-11 at the halfway point of the season and seemingly having last place wrapped up, would have wound up back in 12th if the drawn Kangaroos match had gone the way of the Saints and the Lions had caught the Blues.