Who holds the record for most goals in one VFL/AFL match?

Fred Fanning holds the VFL/AFL record for most goals in one match, kicking 18 for Melbourne against St Kilda in 1947.

Fanning achieved the record on 28 June 1947 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. His 18 goals remain the highest individual total in a VFL or AFL match, despite later generations benefiting from changes in tactics, fitness and professional preparation.

The performance came during Fanning’s final VFL season. He was a powerful full-forward and had already established himself as one of Melbourne’s major scoring threats. He finished his league career with 411 goals from 104 games.

The record is sometimes confused with the career goal-scoring record, which belongs to Tony Lockett, or with the highest total by a team. Those are separate statistical categories. Fanning’s mark concerns one player’s goals in one senior VFL/AFL match and has stood since 1947.