After the home-and-away season (which lasted for seventeen matches, including the "first round" of fourteen matches and a "second round" of three matches), Carlton was top of the ladder with a record of 14–3 and a percentage of 153.5; Fitzroy finished second with a record of 13–4 and a percentage of 153.3. The finals were contested using the variation of the
amended Argus system seen between 1902 and 1906. Fitzroy faced fourth-placed in the First Semi-Final, and won by 36 points, and Carlton faced third-placed in the Second Semi-Final and won by ten points. Carlton (now 15–3) and Fitzroy (now 14–4) then faced off in the final. By virtue of their records, neither club could lose the match and still finish with a better win–loss record than the other; and therefore under the first amended
Argus system, there was no chance for a challenge grand final and it was known from the opening bounce that this match would be decisive for the premiership. ==Teams==