Jump to content

Australian Football League

From Alfawiki
Australian Football League
Company typeProfessional sports league
IndustrySports
PredecessorVictorian Football League (VFL)
Founded1896
Headquarters
Melbourne
,
Australia
Area served
Australia (including international matches in New Zealand and China)
ProductsAustralian rules football competition and official Laws of Australian football publication
Websitewww.afl.com.au

The Australian Football League (AFL) stands as the foremost professional league for Australian rules football. Originally established in 1896 under the name Victorian Football League (VFL), it emerged as a breakaway faction from the Victorian Football Association and commenced its first season in 1897. The league adopted the AFL title in 1990 to reflect its expansion beyond Victoria’s borders. Additionally, the AFL is responsible for publishing the official Laws of Australian football, which serve as the national standard for the sport.

At present, the competition includes 18 clubs distributed across Australia's five mainland states, with a 19th team scheduled to enter in 2028. Matches have been hosted not only throughout Australia but also internationally in countries such as New Zealand and China, aiming to broaden the sport’s global reach.

The AFL season spans from March through September, comprising a 23-round regular season. The highest-ranked eight teams proceed to a four-stage finals series, which concludes with the prestigious AFL Grand Final held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The team finishing atop the ladder after the regular rounds receives the minor premiership, while the grand final victor claims both the premiership cup and flag. , , and share the record for most premierships, each holding 16 titles. The reigning premiers are the Brisbane Lions, who secured victory in the 2024 AFL Grand Final.

Origins and formation

Several of today’s AFL clubs trace their roots back to Australian football’s earliest days and played crucial roles in popularizing the game. Among these are Melbourne Football Club, credited with drafting the original rules, and Geelong, founded in 1858 and 1859 respectively. Another early participant was Melbourne University, established in 1859 and later competing in the league.

The Victorian Football Association (VFA), created in 1877, served as Victoria’s primary football competition. During the 1890s, tensions grew between stronger and weaker clubs regarding governance and revenue distribution. In 1896, a proposal for equal gate receipt sharing—which disadvantaged financially stronger clubs—prompted six leading clubs—, , , Geelong, Melbourne, and —to break away from the VFA. They invited and to join them in founding the Victorian Football League (VFL). The remaining VFA clubs—Footscray, North Melbourne, Port Melbourne, Richmond, and Williamstown—opted not to accept a subordinate role beneath the VFL and continued competing within the VFA during the 1897 VFA season.

Early years: 1897–1900s

The VFL launched its first season in 1897, introducing key changes such as an annual finals series to decide the premiership instead of relying solely on regular season standings, alongside formalizing today’s scoring system awarding six points per goal and one point per behind.

While vying with the VFA for fan support, the VFL rapidly established itself as Victoria’s elite competition. In 1908, it expanded to ten teams by incorporating Richmond from the VFA and University from the Metropolitan Junior Football Association. The league embraced professionalism in 1911 by permitting clubs to compensate players beyond mere expenses. However, University struggled due to its amateur status and academic commitments, finishing last every year from 1911 through 1914 with a prolonged losing streak before withdrawing after the 1914 season.

Starting from 1888, premiers of both the Victorian Football League and South Australian Football League competed in Championship of Australia playoffs. Initially a three-match series featuring South Melbourne (VFL) against Norwood (SAFA), these contests became an annual fixture between 1907 and 1914 (excluding 1912), predominantly held at Adelaide Oval. South Australian teams claimed eight out of eleven titles during this period; was notably successful with four championships. The series was suspended during World War I and only recommenced in 1968.

1915–1945: Integration of Three VFA Clubs into the VFL

District football zoning was implemented in 1916, assigning metropolitan Melbourne players to clubs according to their residential location. The VFL expanded its roster from nine to twelve teams in 1925 by incorporating Footscray, Hawthorn, and North Melbourne from the VFA. While Hawthorn and North Melbourne faced early challenges, Footscray adapted swiftly and had climbed significantly from the bottom of the ladder by 1928. North Melbourne became the first of these expansion teams to contest a grand final, achieving this milestone in 1950.

Between 1927 and 1930, Collingwood established itself as the first—and as of 2025, remains the only—VFL/AFL club to secure four consecutive premiership titles.

1946–1975: The Post-War Era of Success

In 1952, the VFL organized a national day featuring six matches held outside Melbourne, including venues such as the Sydney Cricket Ground and Brisbane Exhibition Ground.

Footscray claimed its inaugural premiership in 1954, marking the first premiership win among the trio of clubs admitted in 1925.

During the 1950s and early 1960s, Melbourne Football Club dominated under coach Norm Smith and star player Ron Barassi, reaching seven straight grand finals from 1954 to 1960 and securing five premierships. This included a remarkable run of three consecutive titles between 1955 and 1957. In addition, the club achieved six successive minor premierships throughout this era.

Television broadcasts commenced in 1957 with live coverage of final quarters. However, after witnessing a decline in match attendance, the VFL prohibited television coverage in 1960 but reinstated limited replays by 1961. Live telecasts remained infrequent compared to other Australian states.

The VFL initiated plans for its first dedicated large-scale stadium in 1959—VFL Park—aimed at reducing dependence on the Melbourne Cricket Club-controlled MCG. Originally designed to accommodate up to 155,000 spectators, it was ultimately constructed with a capacity of 78,000 on farmland located in Mulgrave, near Melbourne’s population center.

Introduced alongside the pennant flag in 1959, the VFL premiership trophy’s design has remained largely consistent since its inception.

Throughout the 1960s, television's influence grew as former players transitioned into commentary roles and football-themed variety shows emerged, though these programs achieved limited success beyond core football audiences.

To enhance its national visibility, the VFL began hosting exhibition matches starting in 1962. In 1967, district zoning was extended across Victoria, incorporating country zones alongside metropolitan districts for club recruitment.

VFL Park officially opened on April 18, 1970, with a match between Geelong and Fitzroy. Construction continued throughout the decade, culminating in the heritage-listed Sir Kenneth Luke Stand. The stadium was formally inaugurated by Queen Elizabeth II. The legendary 1970 grand final between Carlton and Collingwood featured Carlton overcoming a 44-point halftime deficit to triumph by ten points; this match is renowned for Alex Jesaulenko’s iconic mark and attracted a record crowd of 121,696 spectators.

1976–1981: VFL's Departure from Australian National Football Council

In 1976, the National Football League (NFL), then Australia’s leading governing body for Australian rules football, introduced the NFL Night Series as a successor to the Championship of Australia. This competition ran concurrently with the premiership season and included twelve clubs drawn from the VFL, SANFL, and WAFL based on their previous season rankings. Matches were primarily scheduled on Tuesday evenings at venues such as Norwood Oval in Adelaide and broadcast live in color on Channel 9, generating substantial revenue through television rights and sponsorship agreements. The NFL intended to expand this series to encompass additional clubs and state representatives.

Later that year in November, the VFL withdrew from the NFL's tournament after securing more profitable television and sponsorship contracts for its own rival night competition commencing in 1977. This Melbourne-based event featured exclusively VFL clubs and saw new lighting installations added at VFL Park. By 1978, the VFL established Australian Football Championships Pty Ltd to oversee its night series and invited other state leagues to acquire shares to encourage broader participation.

Between 1977 and 1979, both NFL and VFL operated competing night competitions. Tasmania participated in both during this period; however, SANFL and WAFL clubs initially remained aligned with the NFL. By 1979, WAFL clubs along with teams from New South Wales and A.C.T. had shifted allegiance to the VFL night series, leaving NFL Night Series predominantly featuring SANFL clubs. The NFL Night Series concluded after the 1979 season as SANFL clubs joined the VFL’s competition. Although administratively continuing into the early 1990s, this transition marked a significant milestone in the VFL’s interstate expansion and eventual supremacy over Australian football nationwide.

The peak of participation for the VFL night competition occurred during 1980–1981 when it included all clubs from the VFL, WAFL, SANFL plus four minor states’ teams selected through residential qualifications—a total of thirty-four teams. From 1982 onwards invitations were restricted to leading SANFL and WAFL teams alongside winners of minor states’ carnivals.

By 1987, this night competition reverted exclusively to VFL clubs and was scheduled earlier in the calendar year with finals completed by late April. In the following season it evolved into a dedicated pre-season tournament without overlap with regular-season fixtures. This night series is widely regarded as equivalent in stature to earlier pre-season tournaments such as the VFL Night Series (1956–1971), with historical records often combined.

During this era, financially stronger VFL clubs gained recruitment advantages from country leagues despite zoning rules and salary caps like the Coulter law aimed at maintaining competitive balance. The introduction of country zoning in the late 1960s shifted power dynamics but also fostered inequality throughout the 1970s and ’80s; between 1972 and 1987 only six out of twelve clubs—Carlton, Collingwood, Essendon, Hawthorn, North Melbourne, and Richmond—appeared in grand finals.

1982–1989: Professionalism, club insolvency, and league growth

Competition development overview
Year Regions Salary cap Mean salary Annual TV rights Draft system Zoning rules
1980 · Victoria none $11,100 $601,000 no yes
1991 · Victoria
· South Australia
· West Australia
· New South Wales
· Queensland 		$1,600,000 $46,430 $7,000,000 yes

During the 1980s, Australian football underwent considerable organizational transformation. The Victorian Football League (VFL) led in attendance figures, fan engagement, and financial earnings while actively pursuing expansion beyond Victoria. Its substantial financial resources allowed it to attract elite interstate talent, which increased expenditure and placed financially weaker clubs under pressure. In 1982, the South Melbourne Football Club moved to Sydney, becoming the Sydney Swans under VFL management due to significant debts. Ownership by Dr Geoffrey Edelsten in the mid-1980s brought improved on-field results. This relocation shifted Melbourne-based club liabilities onto Sydney’s football landscape and redirected funding and fan interest toward the Swans, although it affected existing Sydney teams. Despite multiple changes in ownership and periods of supporter-led management, the Swans remain indebted to the AFL and operate under its oversight—establishing a precedent for league governance of clubs.

Throughout this decade, SANFL and WAFL clubs made several attempts to join the VFL. Noteworthy proposals included East Perth in 1980, Norwood in 1986 and 1988, along with a proposed merger between East Fremantle and South Fremantle in 1987; however, none were successful despite further bids by Norwood in 1990 and 1994.

In 1986, the West Australian Football League and Queensland Australian Football League obtained licenses for expansion teams—the West Coast Eagles and Brisbane Bears respectively—both entering the competition in 1987. These expansion franchises were required to pay multimillion-dollar entry fees not demanded of existing teams. Financial difficulties nearly resulted in a merger between Footscray and Fitzroy in 1989; however, the fees collected from Brisbane and West Coast helped stabilize these struggling clubs.

The decade also saw the introduction of new regular match scheduling: Sunday afternoon fixtures for games hosted in Sydney and Friday night matches initiated by North Melbourne—now standard across the league.

Significant milestones included launching the inaugural national draft in 1986 and implementing a salary cap in 1987. Around this period, district zoning within Victoria was abolished.

AFL era (1990–present)

Reflecting its broadened national footprint, the league was renamed the Australian Football League (AFL) in 1990.

1990–2010: A fully professional national competition

In 1990, the AFL Players Association (AFLPA) negotiated its first Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), establishing formalized player salaries and working conditions as football transitioned into a full-time profession. By late 1991, the AFL had relinquished control over Victorian lower-tier competitions; reserves were overseen by the Victorian State Football League while under-19 competitions were replaced by an independent recruitment framework.

Port Adelaide’s pursuit of an AFL licence in 1990 prompted the SANFL to create the Adelaide Crows—a composite South Australian team—which joined the league in 1991 as the fourth non-Victorian club. The West Coast Eagles became the first team outside Victoria to compete in a grand final that same year and subsequently won premierships in 1992 and 1994. Fremantle entered as Western Australia’s second team and fifth non-Victorian club in 1995.

In 1996, the Victorian Football Association rebranded itself as the Victorian Football League. Financial instability affected several Victorian clubs during this period; a proposed merger between Hawthorn and Melbourne was unsuccessful, while Fitzroy merged with Brisbane to form the Brisbane Lions after failing to continue independently. This merger cleared a path for Port Adelaide’s AFL entry in 1997 as the sixth club from outside Victoria.

Throughout the 1990s, Melbourne-based clubs progressively shifted their home fixtures from smaller suburban grounds to larger venues such as the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) and VFL Park. By 2005, this transition was complete with Carlton departing Princes Park. In 1999, VFL Park was sold with proceeds invested into co-developing a new stadium at Melbourne’s Docklands precinct. That year also marked the conclusion of representative state football with the final State of Origin game played.

2011–present: Era of 18 Teams

During the late 2000s, the AFL sought to secure a lasting foothold in the rapidly expanding Gold Coast region of Queensland. Despite North Melbourne having played several home fixtures there, the club, facing financial difficulties, rejected substantial financial incentives to relocate. Consequently, the AFL shifted focus toward establishing a new expansion franchise based on the Gold Coast.

By early 2008, discussions within the AFL considered adding two new teams. In March of that year, all 16 club presidents unanimously endorsed expansion into both the Gold Coast and Western Sydney markets. The Gold Coast Suns officially joined as the league’s 17th team in 2011, with the Greater Western Sydney Giants entering as the 18th team in 2012, representing both Western Sydney and Canberra.

On 25 April 2013, Westpac Stadium in Wellington, New Zealand, became the venue for the inaugural AFL premiership match held outside Australia. The game featured St Kilda versus Sydney and attracted an audience of 22,183 on Anzac Day, underscoring the strong trans-Tasman connection.

The national women’s league commenced in 2017 with eight AFL clubs granted licences for its first season: Adelaide, Brisbane Lions, Carlton, Collingwood, Fremantle, Greater Western Sydney, Melbourne, and Western Bulldogs. Subsequent expansions saw Geelong and North Melbourne join in 2019; Gold Coast, Richmond, St Kilda, and West Coast debuted in 2020. The final quartet—Essendon, Hawthorn, Port Adelaide, and Sydney—were incorporated during the seventh season in 2022.

On 14 May 2017, Port Adelaide and Gold Coast contested the first AFL premiership game held in Shanghai, China, drawing a crowd of 10,114. Port Adelaide secured a commanding victory by 72 points.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused significant disruption to the 2020 AFL season. Initially played without spectators, matches were suspended on 22 March amid health concerns and travel restrictions. Following nearly two months of coordination with government and health authorities, competition resumed on 11 June with a shortened schedule of 17 games per club instead of the usual 22. The grand final was hosted at The Gabba in Brisbane—the first time it was held outside Victoria—due to outbreaks in that state. The pandemic resulted in revenue losses estimated at up to $400 million and led to a 20% decline in employment within the industry.

In 2021, Perth Stadium hosted the grand final during a COVID-19 lockdown that prevented fans from attending at Melbourne Cricket Ground. This marked Perth’s first grand final and represented the second consecutive final held outside Victoria. Despite no local teams participating and ongoing pandemic restrictions, it set a record attendance for Australian rules football in Western Australia.

Clubs

The AFL employs a unified ladder format without divisions or conferences and does not feature promotion or relegation.

Originating as the Victorian Football League (VFL) in 1897 with eight teams exclusively from Victoria, the competition expanded over more than a century through additions of new clubs, relocations, mergers, and withdrawals to reach its current total of 18 teams. Renamed the Australian Football League (AFL) in 1990 to reflect its nationwide reach, today’s clubs are spread across five Australian states. Ten clubs remain based in Victoria—nine within Melbourne itself—while New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, and Western Australia each host two teams. Tasmania is scheduled to join with an entry slated for 2028. Although no teams are based in the Australian Capital Territory or Northern Territory, these regions occasionally host matches under existing agreements.

Current clubs

"| colspan="12" style="font-size:8pt; text-align:center" ^ indicates club relocated interstate
+ founding member of the VFL
† seasons missed due to World War conflicts |
Club Colours Nickname State Home venue 2024
membership 		Est. Previous league VFL/AFL participation VFL/AFL championships
Debut Total seasons Total titles Latest title
Template:AFL Crows South Australia Adelaide Oval 75,477 1990 — 1991 34 2 1998
Template:AFL Lions Queensland The Gabba 63,268 1996 — 1997 28 4 2024
Template:AFL Blues Victoria Marvel Stadium 106,345 1864 VFA 1897+ 128 16 1995
Template:AFL Magpies Victoria Melbourne Cricket Ground 110,628 1892 VFA 1897+ 128 16 2023
Template:AFL Bombers Victoria Marvel Stadium 83,664 1872 VFA 1897+ 126† 16 2000
Template:AFL Dockers Western Australia Optus Stadium 62,237 1994 — 1995 30 0 —
Template:AFL Cats Victoria GMHBA Stadium 90,798 1859 VFA 1897+ 125† 10 2022
Template:AFL Suns Queensland People First Stadium 26,157 2009 — 2011 14 0 —
Template:AFL Giants New South Wales Engie Stadium 36,629 2010 — 2012 13 0 —
Template:AFL Hawks Victoria Melbourne Cricket Ground 83,823 1902 VFA 1925 100 13 2015
Template:AFL Demons Victoria Melbourne Cricket Ground 65,479 1858 VFA 1897+ 125† 13 2021
Template:AFL Kangaroos Victoria Marvel Stadium 50,628 1869 VFA 1925 100 4 1999
Template:AFL "Power" South Australia] Adelaide Oval] 66,015 1870 SANFL [[1997 AFL season]|1997]]] 28 1 [[2004 AFL Grand Final]|2004]]]|
"Template:AFL" "File:Richmondsymbol.png" "Tigers" "Template:Victoria (Australia)" "Template:Melbourne Cricket Ground" "98,489" "1885" "VFA" "Template:1908 VFL season" "117" "13" "Template:2020 AFL Grand Final"
"Template:AFL" "File:St Kilda Football Club colours.svg" "Saints" "Template:Victoria (Australia)" "Template:Docklands Stadium" "60,467" "1873" "VFA" "Template:1897 VFL season+" "126†" "1" "Template:1966 VFL Grand Final"
"Template:AFL" "File:AFL Sydney Icon.jpg" "Swans" "Template:New South Wales^" "Template:Sydney Cricket Ground" "73,757" "1874" "VFA" "Template:1897 VFL season+" "127†" "5" "Template:2012 AFL Grand Final"
"Template:AFL" "File:West Coast Eagles 2018 colours.png" "Eagles" "Template:Western Australia" "Template:Optus Stadium" "103,498" "1986" "—" "Template:1987 VFL season" "38" "4 "
  1. "Template:2018 AFL Grand Final "
" "Template:AFL " 
"|" "File:Western Bulldogs AFLW icon.png" "
"Bulldogs "
"Victoria "
"Marvel Stadium "
"62,328 "
"1877 "
"VFA "
"1925 "
"100 "
"2 "
"2016 "


Future clubs

Club Colours Nickname State Home venue Anticipated inaugural season
Template:AFL Devils Tasmania Macquarie Point Stadium 2028

Former clubs

Since the league's inception in 1897 as the VFL, just one team, , has exited the competition. Its final season was in 1914, withdrawing due to maintaining amateur status amid increasing player salaries; the club still participates in the Victorian Amateur Football Association (VAFA). Additionally, two other teams, and , combined forces in 1996 to create ; following a period of financial administration, Fitzroy recommenced competing in 2009 within the VAFA.

Club Colours Nickname State Home venue Est. Previous league VFL/AFL seasons VFL/AFL premierships
First Last Total Total Last
Template:AFL Bears Queensland Carrara Stadium 1986 — 1987 1996 10 0 —
Template:AFL Lions Victoria Brunswick Street Oval 1883 VFA 1897+ 1996 100 8 1944
Template:AFL Students Victoria Melbourne Cricket Ground 1859 MJFA 1908 1914 7 0 —
+ indicates founding member of the VFL

Timeline of clubs

<timeline> DateFormat = yyyy ImageSize = width:1000 height:auto barincrement:20 Period = from:1858 till:2040 TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal PlotArea = right:20 left:0 bottom:50 top:5 Colors = id:barcolor 

id:line value:pink
id:bg   value:white
id:AFL value:rgb(0.4,0.80,0.1)
id:VFA value:rgb(0.6,0.8,1)
id:VFL value:rgb(0.35,0.55,1)
id:SANFL value:rgb(0.996,0.4,0.4)
id:Interclub value:RGB(0.7,0.7,0.7)
id:Marker value:rgb(0,0,0)

PlotData = 

width:15 textcolor:black shift:(5,-5) anchor:from fontsize:s
bar:1  color:Marker from:1896 till:1897 text:  Formation of VFL (1897)
bar:1  color:Marker from:1989 till:1990 text:  Transition from VFL to AFL (1990)
bar:2  color:Interclub from:1858 till:1876 text:Melbourne (1858)
bar:2  color:VFA from:1877 till:1896 text:
bar:2  color:VFL from:1897 till:1990 text:
bar:2  color:AFL from:1990 till:2024 text:
bar:3  color:Interclub from:1859 till:1876 text:Geelong (1859)
bar:3  color:VFA from:1877 till:1896 text:
bar:3  color:VFL from:1897 till:1990 text:
bar:3  color:AFL from:1990 till:2024 text:
bar:4  color:Interclub from:1864 till:1876 text:Carlton (1864)
bar:4  color:VFA from:1877 till:1896 text:
bar:4  color:VFL from:1897 till:1990 text:
bar:4  color:AFL from:1990 till:2024 text:
bar:5  color:Interclub from:1871 till:1877 text:Essendon (1871)
bar:5  color:VFA from:1878 till:1896 text:
bar:5  color:VFL from:1897 till:1990 text:
bar:5  color:AFL from:1990 till:2024 text:
bar:6  color Interclub/VFA/VFL/AFL St Kilda (1873–present)
bar;7-24 various clubs with corresponding league affiliations and transitions depicted by timeline colors up to current year

ScaleMajor = gridcolor:line unit year increment 10 start 1860 TextData = 

fontsize:L
textcolor:black
pos:(0,30) tabs:(400-center)
text:

</timeline>





† Only a selection of teams are displayed. These leagues remain active.

Venues

As of the 2023 AFL season, the VFL/AFL has utilized a total of 50 different stadiums. The venue with the highest seating capacity is the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), which accommodates over 100,000 spectators and is the traditional site for the annual grand final. Six clubs designate the MCG as their home ground. Other stadiums shared by multiple teams include Docklands Stadium in Melbourne, home to five clubs, Adelaide Oval in Adelaide with two teams, and Perth Stadium in Perth, also hosting two teams. Since late 2016, the AFL has held ownership of Docklands Stadium, commercially branded as Marvel Stadium.

Prior to the league's expansion beyond Victoria, most matches were played at suburban Melbourne venues such as Princes Park, Victoria Park, the Junction Oval, Waverley Park, and Lake Oval, each having hosted more than 700 games. With the national development of the league, every Australian state and territory has staged AFL contests. A landmark event took place on 25 April 2013 (Anzac Day) when St Kilda faced Sydney at Wellington Regional Stadium in New Zealand, marking the first premiership game held outside Australia.

Current venues

The following table lists the stadiums scheduled to host AFL matches during the 2025 season.

Melbourne Cricket Ground Optus Stadium Marvel Stadium Adelaide Oval
Melbourne, Victoria Perth, Western Australia Melbourne, Victoria Adelaide, South Australia
Capacity: 100,024 Capacity: 61,266 Capacity: 56,347 Capacity: 53,500
Sydney Cricket Ground GMHBA Stadium The Gabba People First Stadium
Sydney, New South Wales Geelong, Victoria Brisbane, Queensland Gold Coast, Queensland
Capacity: 48,000 Capacity: 40,000 Capacity: 37,000 Capacity: 25,000
Engie Stadium Ninja Stadium University of Tasmania Stadium Manuka Oval
Sydney, New South Wales Hobart, Tasmania Launceston, Tasmania Canberra, Australian Capital Territory
Capacity: 23,500 Capacity: 19,500 Capacity: 15,000 Capacity: 15,000
TIO Stadium Mars Stadium Norwood Oval TIO Traeger Park
Darwin, Northern Territory Ballarat, Victoria Adelaide, South Australia Alice Springs, Northern Territory
Capacity: 12,215 Capacity: 11,000 Capacity: 9,700 Capacity: 7,200
Hands Oval Barossa Park
Bunbury, Western Australia Lyndoch, South Australia
Capacity: 8,000 Capacity: 5,000
Location map of AFL venues in Australia

{{location map+ | float=center | Australia | width=450 | places=

Players

The majority of AFL athletes enter the league through the annual AFL draft, which takes place at the conclusion of each season. Some players transition from different sports or are recruited from overseas. Prior to the introduction of a national draft system, a zoning system was in effect. Each year, the standout 22 players and coach are selected to form the All-Australian team.

Club player rosters are strictly governed by the AFL. Except for expansion teams granted special concessions, each club maintains a senior list comprising 38 to 40 players, alongside 4 to 6 rookies, resulting in a maximum of 44 players following the rookie list reduction implemented in 2012. Additionally, clubs can include up to three development rookies, which may consist of international recruits, alternative talent pathways, or New South Wales scholarship players. Player list adjustments occur exclusively during the off-season: clubs engage in player trades within a specified trade window and acquire new talent through three drafts—the national draft, pre-season draft, and rookie draft—conducted subsequent to trades. A mid-year draft was previously held between 1990 and 1993 but has since been discontinued.

The national draft, introduced in 1986, serves as the primary recruitment avenue, with selection order determined by reverse ladder position, although traded picks are permitted. Free agency was established during the 2012/13 off-season to facilitate increased player mobility; prior to this, it had been rejected by the AFL.

Salary cap

As part of its equalisation framework, the AFL enforces a salary cap known as Total Player Payments (TPP). In 2013, this cap was set at $9,130,000 with a salary floor of $8,673,500. Expansion teams Gold Coast and Greater Western Sydney had higher caps and floors—Gold Coast's cap was $9,630,000 with a floor of $9,171,500; Greater Western Sydney's cap reached $9,987,000 with a floor of $9,530,500. For the 2015 and 2016 seasons, the league increased the TPP by $150,000 per club: from $9.92 million to $10.07 million in 2015 and from $10.22 million to $10.37 million in 2016.

The salary cap initially started at $1.25 million between 1987 and 1989, with a salary floor set at 90% of that amount. This floor rose to 92.5% in 2001 and further increased to 95% by 2013, reflecting expanding league revenues following the AFL's rebranding in 1990.

Drafted players receive fixed salaries for two years. While individual senior player earnings are generally confidential, the average salary at the end of 2012 was approximately $251,559. Elite players may earn over $1 million annually; for instance, Lance Franklin secured a nine-year deal with the Sydney Swans in 2013 worth reportedly more than $10 million total—averaging about $1.8 million per season. Total Player Payments reached $173.7 million in 2012, marking a 13% increase compared to the previous year.

In June 2017, the AFL and AFL Players Association finalized a new six-year Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) effective through 2022. This agreement raised player salaries by 20%, increasing the average wage from $309,000 to $371,000 initially and boosting the salary cap from $10.37 million to $12.45 million. By 2022, projections estimate an average salary of $389,000 alongside a salary cap of $13.54 million.

Infractions against salary cap regulations include surpassing TPP limits, failing to meet the salary floor, undisclosed payments to players or agents, late or incorrect documentation submissions, and manipulation of draft processes. Sanctions can involve fines—up to three times the amount involved—as well as forfeiture of draft selections or premiership points. The most significant violation occurred with Carlton Football Club in the early 2000s.

Demographics

In 2011, AFL club rosters comprised 801 players representing every state and territory across Australia. By 2014, Indigenous Australians made up about 9% of these athletes, totaling 68 individuals on club lists.

That same year, twelve players were recruited internationally, including ten from Ireland—mostly athletes transitioning from Gaelic football as part of the Irish Experiment—alongside one player each from the United States and Canada. Additionally, five players born overseas who had migrated to Australia at a young age were listed.

Since 2006, the AFL has implemented an international rookie list permitting each club to include up to two non-Australian citizens aged between 15 and 23. These players can remain on this list for a maximum of three years before advancing to senior or rookie lists. Initially, salaries paid to international rookies were exempt from the salary cap. Furthermore, the international scholarship list allows clubs to recruit as many as eight players from outside Australia (excluding Ireland), while Irish recruits must be placed directly onto senior or rookie lists. At the beginning of 2011, there were 14 players on international scholarships.

Among the 121 multicultural players in the league, more than half have at least one parent originating from English-speaking countries, primarily the United Kingdom, Ireland, and New Zealand.

Pre-season

Between 1988 and 2013, the AFL conducted a pre-season competition that functioned both as preparation for the regular season and as an independent tournament. Typically structured as a four-week knockout event, its format evolved following league expansion beyond sixteen teams in 2011 and frequently served as a platform for testing rule modifications.

In 2014, this format was replaced by practice matches branded under the Marsh Community Series, involving all 18 clubs playing two games each during February and early March.

Premiership season

The AFL's home-and-away season currently consists of 24 rounds running from mid-March through late August. Starting with the 2025 AFL season, each team will contest 23 matches: consisting of 11 home games, 11 away games, one neutral venue match (Gather Round), along with a bye week. Teams receive four premiership points per victory and two points for a draw. Rankings on the ladder are determined first by premiership points, followed by "percentage" (ratio of points scored to points conceded) as the primary tiebreaker. Additional criteria include head-to-head points and percentage comparisons; if still tied, a random draw is used.

Themed rounds and special matches

Notable fixtures include the annual Anzac Day clash between Collingwood and Essendon held at the MCG, the King's Birthday match featuring Collingwood versus Melbourne, and the Easter Monday game between Geelong and Hawthorn.

As of November 2023, there are no plans for a Pride Round in the men's competition; however, the AFLW introduced their Pride Round in 2021.

Several matchups award dedicated trophies that highlight their commercial significance and fan appeal.

Sir Doug Nicholls Round

Originally known as the Indigenous Round, this event began in 2007 following the success of the Dreamtime at the 'G matches held in 2005 and 2006. It centers around the Dreamtime at the 'G Saturday night game, which regularly attracts crowds exceeding 80,000 spectators. The match's popularity led to a ten-year agreement between participating clubs in 2016.

That same year, the round was renamed Sir Doug Nicholls Round to honor Sir Doug Nicholls, who remains the only VFL player to have been knighted and served as Governor of South Australia. Each year during this round, all 18 clubs feature players wearing guernseys adorned with artwork created by Indigenous artists. Some clubs also adopt Indigenous names for this period to enhance cultural acknowledgment and engagement.

Finals series

Each September, the top eight teams following the AFL Premiership season participate in a four-week finals competition, culminating in the grand final which determines the season's premiers. This finals format operates under the AFL final eight system, with the grand final traditionally staged at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on the final Saturday afternoon of September.

The victorious club is awarded a silver premiership cup and a navy blue premiership flag, both newly crafted annually, and their name is inscribed on the enduring E. L. Wilson Shield. The premiership flag is ceremoniously raised at the team’s first home game in the subsequent season. The Wilson Shield, named after Edwin Lionel Wilson, has been presented since 1929. Introduced in 1959, the premiership cup is produced each year by Cash's International in Frankston, Victoria. Additionally, every player from the grand final-winning squad receives a premiership medallion.

Awards

  • Brownlow Medal – honours the league’s fairest and best player as voted by umpires
  • Coleman Medal – awarded to the player who scores the most goals during the home-and-away season
  • All-Australian team – a 22-player lineup selected by an AFL panel recognizing the season’s top performers by position
  • Rising Star Award – given to the fairest and best young player (under 21 years old with fewer than ten games), selected by the All-Australian committee
  • Norm Smith Medal – presented to the standout player on ground in the grand final
  • Jock McHale Medal – awarded to the coach of the premiership-winning team
  • Mark of the Year – for the most impressive mark taken during the season
  • Goal of the Year – recognising the most exceptional goal scored throughout the season
  • Leigh Matthews Trophy – voted by players as the league’s best overall player via the AFL Players' Association
  • Ron Barassi Medal – established in 2024 to honour the captain of the winning Grand Final team, commemorating AFL icon Ron Barassi, who achieved ten premierships as both player and coach. AFL CEO Andrew Dillon highlighted its historical importance within AFL.

Various football organisations and media outlets also present independent best and fairest awards.

Team of the Century

To celebrate 100 years of VFL/AFL competition in 1996, an "AFL Team of the Century" was announced, showcasing the league’s most outstanding players and coaches.

Jack Elder earned recognition as Umpire of the Century. Following this selection, most AFL clubs named their own teams of the century. In 2005, an Indigenous Team of the Century was also chosen to honour elite Aboriginal players from both VFL/AFL and other state leagues.

State football

Although state representative football within the AFL concluded in 1999, it was briefly revived twice—in 2008 and again in 2020—when Victoria competed against all-star sides ("The Dream Team" in 2008 and "All Stars" in 2020). These fixtures were designed to rekindle enthusiasm for State of Origin-style contests under AFL auspices.

History of the VFL/AFL's involvement

VFL athletes began representing Victoria from 1897, with the Victoria Australian rules football team—commonly known as the "Big V"—comprising primarily VFL players who dominated interstate contests until the Australian Football Council introduced State of Origin eligibility rules in 1977, creating a more balanced interstate rivalry.

In 1993, the AFL assumed responsibility for interstate matches and established an annual State of Origin series during a mid-season break. Nevertheless, following the 1999 series, due to clubs' unwillingness to release key players and diminishing spectator interest, the AFL suspended interstate football. Notably, the 1999 clash between Victoria and South Australia drew only 26,063 attendees, a sharp decline from the 91,960 fans present ten years earlier.

Subsequently, the AFL shifted its focus to the International Rules Series, which delivered greater television revenue during the late 1990s. To commemorate the sport's 150th anniversary in 2008, a singular AFL Hall of Fame Tribute Match was staged, where Victoria triumphed over an interstate "Dream Team."

In response to the 2020 bushfires, the AFL organized a special State of Origin game at Marvel Stadium to raise funds for affected regions; Victoria emerged victorious with Dustin Martin honored as best on ground.

Since 1996, retired AFL players have championed the E. J. Whitten Legends Game; however, it has been on indefinite suspension since 2019.

Global market

Although professional Australian rules football leagues do not exist outside Australia, the AFL is actively working to broaden its international reach to enhance sponsor visibility in expanding markets such as North America. On 17 October 2010, an exhibition match featuring Melbourne Demons and Brisbane Lions attracted 7,000 spectators at Shanghai's Jiangwan Sports Center—the first professional AFL game held in China. Following this event, premiership fixtures have also been hosted in New Zealand and China. Interest in Australian football has notably increased in North America during the COVID-19 pandemic.

International Rules Series

The AFL has strengthened its international presence in Ireland through the International Rules Series, a hybrid competition blending elements of Australian football and Gaelic football. Since 1984, this series has featured an AFL-selected Australian team—composed exclusively of All-Australian players since 2004—competing against Ireland’s national squad. Co-organized by the AFL and the Gaelic Athletic Association, this event represents the sole international playing opportunity for AFL athletes. It has also encouraged young Irish Gaelic footballers to pursue careers in the AFL, attracted by its professional status and financial incentives compared to Gaelic football’s amateur framework. This crossover has expanded media coverage and broadcasting reach across both the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Coinciding with the series' launch, AFL icon Ron Barassi initiated what became known as the Irish experiment, recruiting promising Irish Gaelic footballers to transition into Australian rules football. This initiative produced notable successes such as Hall of Famer Jim Stynes.

Corporate governance

The governance of the AFL is overseen by the AFL Commission, formed in December 1985 and fully replacing the traditional club-elected board by 1993 to address parochialism among clubs that threatened fair competition. The current chairman is Richard Goyder, who took over from Mike Fitzpatrick in April 2017. The CEO role is held by Andrew Dillon.

In addition to managing the national league, the AFL dedicates resources to grassroots growth throughout Australia by funding local competitions and running initiatives such as Auskick aimed at encouraging youth participation. On an international scale, it supports junior development programs and affiliated leagues worldwide to promote Australian football’s expansion globally.

Representation for players is provided by the AFL Players Association, while coaches are represented by the AFL Coaches Association. Umpires have their own body—the AFL Umpires Association—and media professionals are represented through the Australian Football Media Association.

Audience

In 2012, the AFL ranked as Australia's most attended sports league and stood as the second most viewed sporting event after cricket. The broadcasting rights are shared among the Seven Network (free-to-air), Foxtel (subscription TV), and Kayo Sports (streaming platform). AFL club memberships hit an all-time high of 1,057,572 in 2019.

Throughout the 2022 season, cumulative television viewership reached 125.4 million, with an average of 537,000 spectators per game. The 2023 AFL Grand Final attracted 4.98 million TV viewers alongside 756,000 streaming through 7plus, bringing the total audience to 5.736 million. Stadium attendance matched the previous year at 100,024. Beyond the grand final—which is exclusively broadcast by Seven Network—in 2022, paid platforms Foxtel and Kayo accounted for 54% of viewers, while free-to-air broadcasts captured the remaining 46%.

Attendance

The table below provides a summary of recent AFL season attendance figures, detailing home-and-away matches, finals series, and grand final crowds:

Year Home and Away Average Finals1 Average1 Grand final
2024 7,753,2512 37,4552 533,520 59,280 100,013
2023 7,474,684 36,110 664,780 73,864 100,0242
2022 6,112,431 30,871 639,980 71,109 100,0242
20216 3,976,228 19,209 272,746 30,305 61,118
20206 826,458 6,665 206,579 22,953 29,7077
2019 6,954,187 35,122 563,460 62,607 100,014
2018 6,894,772 34,822 700,3932 77,8212 100,022
2017 6,734,062 34,010 553,818 61,535 100,021
2016 6,311,656 31,877 558,343 62,038 99,981
2015 6,367,302 32,321 518,694 57,663 98,633
2014 6,403,941 32,343 570,568 63,396 99,454
2013 6,372,784 32,186 558,391 62,043 100,007
2012 6,238,876 31,509 538,934 59,882 99,683
2011 6,533,138 34,937 614,250 68,250 99,537
2010 6,494.564 36.901 651.764 65.176 100.0164,93.8535


1 Finals totals and averages incorporate grand final attendance.
2 Highest recorded attendance.
3 Reduced capacity due to MCG renovations.
4, 5 Attendance figures for drawn grand final and subsequent replay.
6, 7 Numbers affected by COVID-19 restrictions.
8 Grand Final hosted at Waverley Park during MCG upgrades.

Australian television

In Australia’s broadcast landscape for AFL games is shared between free-to-air Seven Network and subscription service Foxtel under an agreement announced in August of 2015 covering seasons from 2017 to 2022 and subsequently extended through to the end of the 2024 season. Seven Network televises approximately three-and-a-half games each round including prime slots such as Friday and Saturday evenings as well as Sunday afternoons; it also occasionally airs matches on Thursday or Monday nights along with coverage of the Finals Series and Grand Final. Foxtel provides live coverage of every match through its Fox Footy channels including simulcasts of Seven’s broadcasts except for the Grand Final which remains exclusive to Seven Network. Additionally streaming options are available via Foxtel Now and Kayo Sports platforms.

Telecast history

The inaugural season of televised VFL matches occurred in 1957, with several Melbourne broadcasters airing games primarily as delayed replays to safeguard stadium attendance. Between 1974 and 1986, exclusive broadcasting rights were held by the Seven Network and ABC, except in 1987 when Broadcom acquired the rights but subsequently sublicensed them to ABC in Victoria. Seven regained exclusive rights in 1988.

Subscription television introduced AFL coverage starting in 1996, with Optus Vision securing pay-TV rights through the Sports AFL channel until 2001. Financial difficulties led to its replacement by Seven's C7 Sport. Conflicts arose between Seven and Foxtel concerning C7's carriage, resulting in legal disputes involving major networks.

In 2001, a consortium formed by Nine Network, Network Ten, and Foxtel submitted a $500 million bid for the 2002–2006 broadcasting rights, dividing the matches among themselves. Foxtel launched the Fox Footy Channel, offering replays of every game alongside supplementary programming.

For the 2007–2011 period, Seven partnered with Ten to match Nine's $780 million offer, reclaiming broadcast rights in what was then Australia's largest sports telecast agreement. Foxtel became a broadcast partner, airing four live matches weekly without a dedicated AFL channel. Seven held Friday night and one Sunday game; Ten broadcast two Saturday games; Foxtel showed two Saturday and two Sunday matches.

The 2012–2016 rights deal, valued at $1.25 billion—the highest at that time—was secured by Seven, Foxtel, and Telstra. Foxtel provided live coverage of all home-and-away fixtures except the grand final; Telstra handled mobile broadcasts; Seven aired three live matches plus one delayed game each week.

Between 2017 and 2022, the agreement increased to $2.5 billion with similar terms: Seven televised at least three live games per round along with all Finals; Foxtel simulcast all nine matches except the grand final; Telstra maintained mobile streaming rights. This contract was extended in 2020 through to 2024.

In 2021, Telstra replaced its AFL Live Pass streaming platform with access to Kayo Sports, owned by Hubbl (formerly Streamotion), a Foxtel subsidiary.

The most recent rights deal for 2025–2031 was finalized at $4.5 billion—the highest-value Australian sports contract to date. Seven will average three-and-a-half games per week during the home-and-away season, including Thursday Night fixtures for the first fifteen rounds, all Finals coverage, and the Brownlow Medal ceremony, with streaming available via 7+. Fox Footy will broadcast every home-and-away match and final live (excluding the Grand Final) on Foxtel and Kayo, as well as select Binge matches. Commentary will be provided across platforms with exclusive Saturday Fox Footy coverage for the initial fifteen rounds except for marquee games. In Victoria, local team matches will be broadcast free-to-air live; outside Victoria, Saturday matches may initially be delayed.

International broadcast history

The AFL’s presence on international television has gradually developed over time.

In late 1979, ESPN secured the league’s first international TV contract, broadcasting matches during the 1980 season to approximately 2.5 million subscribers predominantly via tape delay. ESPN reportedly paid close to $100,000 to the VFL—a significant figure relative to the league’s $600,000 domestic TV rights deal at that time. The 1983 VFL Grand Final marked the first live airing of the event in the United States. ESPN continued coverage until 1986; thereafter, AFL disappeared from American screens for more than ten years.

New Zealand began receiving highlight packages and live Grand Final broadcasts starting in 1980.

During the early 1990s, Prime Sports—a regional American sports network—aired weekly highlights and the Grand Final. From 1998 through 2006, matches were shown in the US on Fox Sports World. Since 2008, additional international channels have commenced televising AFL games.

Following a record domestic TV rights deal in 2007, AFL expanded its international reach through a five-year partnership with Setanta Sports and other overseas pay-TV providers. This arrangement ended prematurely in early 2009 when Setanta ceased UK broadcasts; ESPN resumed coverage thereafter.

AFL matches are also available on request in Irish and sports bars located in Bangkok, while Thai broadcasting rights are held by ABC Asia.

International broadcast partners

The countries listed below are organized according to the approximate reach of their current television coverage, whether free-to-air or subscription-based:

Station/Channel Countries Free/Subscription Home & Away Finals Grand final Broadcasting since Notes
ESPN Africa Africa Subscription Three matches weekly (live or delayed) Live Refer also to Australian rules football in Africa
ABC Australia East Asia
Central Asia
South Asia
Southeast Asia
Pacific Islands		 Free (subscription may be required from some providers) Six matches per week Yes Live
TSN2 Canada Subscription Two matches weekly (live or replay) Live See also Australian rules football in Canada, AFANA
TSN5 Canada Subscription One match weekly (live or replay) Live See also Australian rules football in Canada, AFANA
Star Sports (China) China Subscription Three matches per week Live Live See also Australian rules football in China
Premier Sports Asia China Subscription Two matches each week Live Live
SportDigital1+ Germany
Austria
Switzerland		 Subscription Two matches weekly Live Live
Sky Sport 3 New Zealand Subscription One match per week Live Live
Sky Sport 7 New Zealand Subscription Five matches weekly Live Live
TNT Sports United Kingdom
Ireland		 Subscription Nine matches per week Live Live
Fox Sports 2 United States Subscription Three matches weekly, including some finals Yes Yes 2013
Fox Soccer Plus United States Subscription Six matches each week Yes Yes

Radio

The inaugural broadcast of a VFL match occurred on 3AR in 1923, featuring commentator Wallace (Jumbo) Shallard, who was formerly a player for Geelong. Since that time, the VFL/AFL has been annually covered by the ABC alongside various commercial radio stations. By the early 1960s, seven Melbourne-based stations regularly transmitted VFL games on a weekly basis.

Current radio partners for AFL coverage include:

  • National:
    • ABC Sport, broadcasting across major Australian metropolitan areas
    • Triple M networks located in Adelaide*, Brisbane*, Hobart, Melbourne, Perth*, and Sydney*
  • Community & Local:
    • SEN SA Radio and FIVEAA Radio serving Adelaide audiences
    • 98.9FM Radio in Brisbane
    • K-Rock Radio based in Geelong*
    • 3AW and 1116 SEN Radio broadcasting in Melbourne
    • 6PR Radio covering Perth

Stations marked with * focus exclusively on their local AFL teams and air rivalry fixtures such as the Showdown (Adelaide), QClash (Brisbane/Gold Coast), Western Derby (Fremantle/West Coast), and Battle of Sydney (Greater Western Sydney/Sydney).

Non-English radio

Although the majority of radio broadcasts are delivered in English, several ethnic stations provide AFL coverage in languages including Arabic, Chinese, Greek, Hindi, and Spanish. Many of these stations also transmit content in Indigenous languages, highlighting the sport’s strong following within Indigenous Australian communities.

Station Language State/territory
Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association (CAAMA) Arrernte Northern Territory
Top End Aboriginal Bush Broadcasting Association (TEABBA) Tiwi Northern Territory
Yolŋu Radio Yolŋu Northern Territory

Internet

Telstra serves as the AFL’s digital and mobile broadcast partner, also hosting official websites for all 18 AFL clubs. The AFL’s official site features exclusive broadband content, including live video streaming tailored for international audiences, though user reviews frequently mention its complicated layout and overly complex interface.

Since 2012, Telstra has offered live match streaming via its Next G mobile network through pay-per-view or seasonal subscriptions. Beginning in 2019, Kayo has streamed every game live except for the Grand Final. In February 2021, Telstra replaced the AFL Live Pass with discounted access to Kayo for its subscribers.

The international streaming rights for full match broadcasts are managed by the Watch AFL subscription service, operated by Fox Sports Australia.

Sponsorship

Throughout its history, the VFL/AFL competition naming sponsorships have included:

The AFL’s print media partnership is with News Corp Australia. The AFL Record match-day publication has a weekly readership of approximately 225,000.

Membership

AFL memberships provide priority entry and reserved seating at venues such as Docklands Stadium and the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Membership categories include bronze, silver, and full (gold), with only full members assured access to preliminary finals and the Grand Final. Bronze members have restricted access to matches at the MCG.

Merchandising

The AFL operates retail outlets that sell official club merchandise, which is also available through various other retail partners.

AFL World

Established in Melbourne in 2003, the Hall of Fame and Sensation museum celebrated AFL heritage and housed the prestigious Australian Football Hall of Fame. Originally intended to be located at the MCG but relocated to the QV shopping centre due to insufficient support. Despite initial financial challenges and high admission fees, it was rebranded as AFL World in 2006, featuring memorabilia alongside interactive exhibits. The museum ceased operations in 2008.

Video games

Prominent titles within the AFL video game franchise include:

Gambling

The AFL holds a significant place in footy tipping and betting activities throughout Australia, organized by various groups including private individuals, syndicates, workplaces, and professional bookmakers. In recent years, online national tipping competitions have increasingly taken the place of traditional contests held in offices or pubs.

Fantasy football contests, which rely on player performance metrics such as kicks, marks, and goals, enjoy widespread popularity both on digital platforms and in print media.

LGBTIQ policy

Since June 2017, the AFL has actively supported the LGBTIQ community by hosting pride-themed matches. During the Australian Marriage Law Postal Survey in September 2017, the AFL temporarily altered its logo at Docklands Stadium to advocate for same-sex marriage. Despite these efforts, no openly gay player has yet emerged in the league, a distinction that sets the AFL apart from other major professional sports leagues globally. AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan has recognized the considerable challenges players face in coming out and affirmed the league's commitment to backing any player who chooses to do so.

Former players and officials have drawn attention to an enduring culture of homophobia within the AFL. The use of homophobic language continues to be an issue at matches despite longstanding calls for change. The Sydney Swans launched an annual Pride Game at Drummoyne Oval starting in 2015, supported by their official LGBTQIA+ group known as Rainbow Swans.

In 2017, the AFL decided that transgender athlete Hannah Mouncey was not eligible for the 2018 AFLW draft, a ruling that attracted some criticism. Advocates have called on the men's league to embrace inclusivity measures similar to those of the AFLW.

Beginning in 2021, the AFLW Pride Round has become an official event celebrating gender diversity and inclusion for LGBTIQA+ players while addressing homophobia. This initiative enjoys support from all 18 AFLW clubs. However, as of , there are no plans to introduce a comparable Pride Round within the men's competition.

Voice to Parliament

Ahead of the 2023 Australian Indigenous Voice referendum, the AFL publicly endorsed the creation of an Indigenous Voice to Parliament.

Lawsuits

In 2023, a group of former players filed a class-action lawsuit against the league concerning concussion-related injuries sustained during their careers, reflecting similar legal actions seen in the NFL and NHL.

Also in 2023, former female umpire Libby Toovey lodged a complaint with the Fair Work Commission, alleging she was dismissed after revealing systemic mistreatment of female umpires within the league.

See also

Lists

External links

Statistical data and outcomes
Leading AFL news portals
Retrieved from "https://www.alfawiki.org/index.php?title=Australian_Football_League&oldid=63647"