Overview
The Australian Football League (AFL) is the highest-level professional competition for Australian rules football. Operated as a national league, it brings together clubs from across Australia in an annual season that culminates in a finals series and the Grand Final, traditionally held in Melbourne. The AFL is widely regarded as the country's most popular sporting competition by attendance and broadcast reach; for example, more than 7.2 million spectators attended matches in 2017.
Characteristics of the game
Australian rules football is played on an oval field with two teams of 18 players on the field at any time. A match is divided into four quarters. Scoring is by kicking the ball between tall goal posts: a goal (between the central posts) is worth six points and a behind (between a central and outer post) is worth one. The sport emphasizes kicking, marking (catching), running and physical contest, with unique elements such as the mark and the ruck contest.
Season format and finals
The AFL regular season typically runs from late March to August, followed by a finals series in September. Sixteen teams qualify for the finals (current formats vary over time), and the Grand Final deciding the premiership is usually played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, attracting large stadium crowds and national television audiences.
History and development
Modern Australian rules football traces its roots to mid-19th century Victoria, where rules were codified in the 1850s. The Victorian Football League (VFL) was founded in 1896 and began competition in 1897; as clubs from other states joined and the competition expanded beyond Victoria, the VFL was rebranded as the AFL in 1990 to reflect its national scope. Since that time, the league has added interstate teams and developed a national recruitment and draft system.
Clubs, pathways and notable aspects
There are 18 AFL clubs representing metropolitan and regional centres. Well-known teams include Collingwood, Carlton, Essendon, Richmond, West Coast, Sydney and Brisbane. The AFL operates talent pathways, junior leagues and a draft to distribute new players. The competition is governed centrally and also works with state leagues and community clubs to promote participation.
Importance and cultural impact
The AFL plays a major role in Australia's sporting culture, shaping local identities and community life in many regions. Its matches draw strong stadium attendances and large television audiences, and its Grand Final is one of the country's most-watched annual sporting events. For official information about the league, its rules and statistics, see the league pages and resources: AFL official site, about Australian rules football and attendance and broadcast statistics.