Lexi Webster
Australian Rules Football, also known as Aussie Rules or Footy, is a physical contact sport with roots traceable to early forms of rugby and Gaelic football. It is played on cricket ovals, with no standard dimensions for a football field. The rules of the game were codified in 1858, and the sport is governed by the AFL Commission with the advice of the AFL's Laws of the Game Committee. The AFL, or Australian Football League, is the pre-eminent professional competition of Australian rules football, with 18 teams spread over Australia's five mainland states. The AFL publishes its Laws of Australian Football, which are used, with variations, by other Australian rules football organisations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Governing body | Australian Football League (AFL) |
| National governing body | Australian National Football Council (ANFC) |
| State/territory-based organisations | 7 |
| World governing body | AFL |
| Rules | Governed by the AFL Commission with the advice of the AFL's Laws of the Game Committee |
| Number of teams | 18 |
| Number of matches per season | 23 |
| Length of each match | 4 quarters of approximately 20 minutes |
| Most successful clubs | Carlton, Collingwood and Essendon (16 premierships each) |
| Current reigning premiers | Brisbane Lions |
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What You'll Learn
- The Australian Football League (AFL) is the governing body
- The AFL Commission advises the AFL's Laws of the Game Committee
- The AFL became the de facto world governing body in 2002
- The Australian National Football Council (ANFC) governed the game at a national level
- The South Australian Football Association (SAFA) was the first governing body
The Australian Football League (AFL) is the governing body
The AFL's rules are governed by the AFL Commission with the advice of the AFL's Laws of the Game Committee. The AFL publishes its Laws of Australian Football, which are used, with variations, by other Australian rules football organisations. The rules include the number of players per team, the method of scoring, and the various ways of moving the ball. For example, a goal is scored when a player kicks the ball between the middle, taller goalposts, or through the outer posts. Scoring between the middle posts earns the team six points, while an outer goalpost score earns them one point. Players can pass the ball by hand, kicking or tapping, but holding the ball is not allowed.
The AFL premiership season currently consists of a 23-match regular (or home-and-away) season, which runs from March to September. The team with the best record at the end of the home-and-away season is awarded the minor premiership, and the top eight teams then play off in a four-round finals series, culminating in the AFL Grand Final. The Grand Final is normally held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground each year, and the winners are termed the premiers. The Grand Final is the highest-attended club championship event of any football code in Australia, and millions of viewers tune in to watch it annually.
In addition to the AFL, there are also seven state/territory-based organisations in Australia, all of which are affiliated with the AFL. These state leagues hold annual semi-professional club competitions, with some also overseeing more than one league. Local semi-professional or amateur organisations and competitions are often affiliated with their state organisations.
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The AFL Commission advises the AFL's Laws of the Game Committee
The Australian Football League (AFL) is the governing body for Australian football. It was originally named the Victorian Football League (VFL) and was founded in 1896 as a breakaway competition from the Victorian Football Association (VFA). The AFL is recognised by the Australian Sports Commission as the National Sporting Organisation for Australian football.
The AFL Commission governs the rules of Australian football with the advice of the AFL's Laws of the Game Committee. The AFL publishes its Laws of Australian Football, which are used, with variations, by other Australian rules football organisations. The rules of Australian football were codified in 1858 or 1859 in Melbourne, and they have been modified and improved over time.
The AFL's Laws of the Game Committee advises the AFL Commission on the rules of the game, ensuring fair play and healthy competition. The rules include the following:
- A goal is scored when a player kicks the ball between the middle, taller goalposts, or through the outer posts. Scoring between the middle posts earns the team six points, while an outer goalpost score earns them one point.
- A team also earns one point if the opposing team forces the ball over the scoring line.
- Players can pass the ball by hand, kicking, tapping, or handballing (punching the ball off the hand or hitting with a clenched fist).
- Holding the ball is not allowed.
- There is no offside rule, and players can score from anywhere on the pitch.
- Players may impede the movement of an opposition player within 5 metres of the ball, through shepherding (placing the body between the opposition and the ball).
- Free kicks may be given against players with or without the ball, generally taken at the spot where the infringement occurred.
The AFL competition currently consists of 18 teams spread over Australia's five mainland states, with Tasmania to join as the 19th team in 2028. The AFL Grand Final, held annually at the 100,000-capacity Melbourne Cricket Ground, is the highest-attended club championship event of any football code.
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The AFL became the de facto world governing body in 2002
Australian football, or Aussie Rules, is a physical contact sport with roots in early forms of rugby and Gaelic football. It is played on cricket ovals, so there is no standard field size. The rules of the game were codified in 1858 and probably predate all other modern forms of football.
The Australian Football League (AFL) is the pre-eminent professional competition in the sport. It was founded in 1896 as the Victorian Football League (VFL), changing its name to the AFL in 1990. The AFL is the sport's only fully professional competition and is the nation's wealthiest sporting body. The AFL Grand Final is the highest-attended club championship event of any football code in Australia.
The AFL is governed by the AFL Commission, which was established in 1985 and replaced the board of directors in 1993. The Commission is responsible for the Laws of Australian Football and controls the AFL competition.
In 2002, the AFL became the de facto world governing body for Australian football. It pushed for the closure of the International Australian Football Council, which it absorbed, and took over the international administration of the sport. The AFL also controls and delegates development funding for Australian state and international bodies and leagues. The AFL has a strong focus on developing the game outside Australia, with projects to develop junior-level football in other countries.
The AFL has a presence in over 20 countries, with numerous affiliated organisations governing amateur clubs and competitions worldwide. The AFL has also expanded its audience by hosting matches in New Zealand and China.
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The Australian National Football Council (ANFC) governed the game at a national level
Australian Rules Football, also known as Aussie Rules or Footy, is a physical contact sport with roots in early forms of rugby and Gaelic football. It is a uniquely Australian sport with rules that were codified in 1858, probably predating all other modern forms of football.
The ANFC's primary role was to oversee the game at a national level, ensuring uniformity in rules and regulations across the country. This was particularly important in the late 19th and early 20th centuries when the sport was still establishing itself and different variations of the rules were being played.
The ANFC worked closely with state and territory-based organisations to promote the sport and establish a consistent set of rules. This included collaborating with organisations like the South Australian Football Association (SAFA) and the Victorian Football Association (VFA), which were among the first governing bodies for the sport in their respective colonies.
The ANFC also facilitated interstate competitions and representative matches, helping to grow the sport beyond its local clubs and fostering a sense of national unity through football. This included organising intercolonial matches, such as the one between Victoria and South Australia in 1879, which was a significant milestone in the sport's history.
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The South Australian Football Association (SAFA) was the first governing body
Australian football, also known as Australian Rules Football, Aussie Rules, or footy, is a sport with a rich history and a dedicated fan following. The game was invented in Melbourne, Australia, in the early 19th century, and has since become the country's most popular sport in terms of attendance and television viewership.
The establishment of the SAFA was preceded by the formation of the Adelaide Football Club in 1860, which was the oldest football club in Australia outside Victoria. The Adelaide Football Club devised its own set of rules and played various codes until 1876 when they adopted most of the Victorian rules, which became the standard code for the colony with the formation of the SAFA.
The influence of the SAFA extended beyond South Australia, as it set a precedent for the organisation and governance of Australian football. It demonstrated the need for a governing body to oversee the sport, facilitate competitions, and establish a consistent set of rules. The SAFA's efforts laid the groundwork for the development of Australian football and contributed to its growth and expansion across the colonies.
Following the establishment of the SAFA, other governing bodies emerged, such as the Victorian Football Association (VFA) in 1877, and the Australian National Football Council (ANFC), which played a crucial role in governing the game at a national level and facilitating interstate competitions. Over time, the governance of Australian football evolved, with the Victorian Football League (VFL) expanding its influence and eventually becoming the Australian Football League (AFL), recognised as the National Sporting Organisation for Australian football by the Australian Sports Commission.
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Frequently asked questions
The Australian Football League (AFL) is the main governing body of Australian football. It was originally named the Victorian Football League (VFL) and was founded in 1896.
The AFL governs the rules of Australian football with the advice of the AFL's Laws of the Game Committee. It is also the National Sporting Organisation for Australian football, recognised by the Australian Sports Commission.
Yes, there are seven state/territory-based organisations in Australia, all of which are affiliated with the AFL. These organisations hold annual semi-professional club competitions. There are also a number of affiliated organisations governing amateur clubs and competitions around the world.
