| Denis Scanlon | |
| Fullname: | Denis Scanlon |
| Birth Date: | 5 April 1954 |
| Originalteam: | North Hobart |
| Height: | 188 cm |
| Weight: | 84 kg |
| Position: | Defender |
| Statsend: | 1981 |
| Years1: | 1976–81 |
| Club1: | Essendon |
| Games Goals1: | 66 (7) |
Denis Scanlon (born 5 April 1954) is a former Australian rules footballer who played for Essendon in the Victorian Football League (VFL).
Scanlon won North Hobart's 'best and fairest' award in 1973 and was a member of their 1974 premiership team. Although primarily a defender, Scanlon could also play as a ruckman and he was recruited to Essendon in 1976 for a record high transfer fee. From his debut mid-season, through the rest of the decade, he was a regular fixture in the side and made a finals appearance in 1979. He represented Tasmania at the 1975 Knockout Carnival and 1980 Adelaide State of Origin Carnival.
After completing a doctorate, Scanlon has worked as a medical researcher at the University of Melbourne.