AFL Beginner's Guide: Australian Rules Football Explained

Whether you like sports or not, you should experience the Australian Rules Football match. It allows you to spend time with friends and experience Australia's local sporting culture.

The Australian Football League (AFL), or football or footy, is a famous Aussie tradition. Thousands of fans gather to watch AFL yearly, making it the most loved sport in Australia.

AFL has been a male-dominated sport for a long time. Still, it is becoming increasingly popular after including females in the game.

If you are new to Australia and are intrigued by the sport, keep reading this post to learn more about Australia Rules Football.

This blog will teach you about the Australian Football League, the AFL rules, how to play the game, the different teams, and more.

1. A Brief History of The Australian Football

Formerly known as the VFA (Victorian Football Association), AFL was created by Tom Wills in 1958 to keep cricketers fit in the winter months. 

The VFA was established in May 1877 and played between several clubs, including Melbourne, Carlton, Essendon, Geelong, Collingwood, South Melbourne, Fitzroy, and St. Kilda. In 1990, the VFA renamed the Australian Football League, giving it national recognition. 

Compared to other sports in Australia, the AFL attracts the highest number of spectators — an average of around 33,460 fans per game. In Victoria, the game is so popular that the day before the Grand Finale is celebrated with a public holiday. 

2. Participating Countries

Apart from Australia, the sport is played in other countries as well. The AFL has an official agreement with the governing bodies of 13 different countries, including the following:

USA FL, AFL Japan, AFL Britain, Danish Australian Football League, ARFL Ireland, New Zealand AFL, AFL Middle East, AFL Canada, AFL Germany, AFL South Africa, Tonga Australian Football Association, Nauru Australian Football Association, AFL Samoa, and AFL PNG (Papua New Guinea). 

3. The Objective of The Australian Rules Football

The two teams with 18 players each compete against each other. Their main objective is to kick an oval-shaped ball between four goalposts. The team's total points depend on which goalpost the ball goes between. 

Players can pass the ball between teammates by punching it off their palm or kicking it, but they are not allowed to throw it. The team with the highest points wins the match unless a tie-break or a draw is declared. 

4. The Basic AFL Rules Explained

You can find below a summary of the basic AFL rules:
 

• The game is played on an oval-shaped field with goalposts at each end.

• Each team has 22 players, but only 18 out of them play on the field.

• The Australian Football League (AFL) consists of four quarters of 20 minutes each. Also, extra time is awarded when the referee announces a time-out.

• Points are scored by kicking the football between the behind goalposts (worth one point) or between the opposing posts (worth six points).

• The umpire signals for all the decisions, and his call is final.

• When the game starts, the ruckman throws the ball into the air. And then, one of the players from each team tries to tap the ball on their team's side. After a goal, the match restarts the same way at the beginning of the game.

• A player can 'mark' the ball, but this only happens when the player catches the ball in the air, the ball has travelled over 15 metres and is caught successfully.

• Once the ball is marked, the player who caught the ball cannot be tackled. He gets the space to make the next play without any pressure. If an opponent steps over the mark or a tackle occurs, it's a foul, and the team with the ball gets to move 15 metres down the field.

• Players can tackle the opponent team to take back the ball, but a tackle can only occur from shoulder height and downwards.

• If the player refuses to let go of the ball while being tackled, the umpire will call out, and the ball will be turned over.

• Players cannot push their opponents from the back, especially when in a tackle or running.

• Shepherding the players (bumping, pushing, or blocking) is permitted to keep the opponent away from the ball. This is only allowed within five metres of the ball. 

5. Australian Rules Football Teams

So now that you have an idea of the game's basic rules, it's time to know about the teams and choose your favourite one. 

You can pick a team either based on the colours you like the most or the one that is your closest local team. You can also support your friend's team or their rival team.

However, choosing a team with a great chance of winning the game is always better. And also, remember being passionate about a football team and talking about their performance is a great way to build connections with new friends and start a conversation with locals.

6. Teams In Different States of Australia

Victoria (VIC)

The AFL is very popular in Victoria, and the Victorians are obsessed with the game. Let us have a look at the professional teams that represent different cities of Victoria:

• Melbourne - The Demons 

• Collingwood - The Magpies or the Pies

• Geelong - The Cats

• Hawthorn - The Hawks

• St. Kilda - The Saints 

• Essendon - The Bombers 

• North Melbourne - The Kangaroos or the Shinboners

• Western Bulldogs - The Bulldogs

• Richmond - The Tigers

• Carlton - The Blues

Queensland (QLD)

The two teams from Queensland are: 

• Gold Coast - The Suns

• Brisbane - The Lions

New South Wales (NSW)

Both teams from NSW brand themselves by their nicknames. Here are the two teams from NSW:

• Sydney - Sydney Swans

• Greater Western Sydney - Greater Western Sydney Giants (often use "Giants" as part of their team's brand)

Western Australia (WA)

The two West Australian Football League teams are as follows:

• West Coast - West Coast Eagles

• Fremantle - The Dockers

South Australia (SA)

The South Australian National Football League teams are: 

• Port Adelaide - The Power 

• Adelaide - The Crows

7. Going To The AFL Match

Once you have decided on the team you will support, you are ready to watch the game. You can find out on the AFL website which team plays when and where during the AFL season. 

Footy season lasts from March to September, so keep yourself warm and support the match wearing your team's jumper, beanie, and scarf while watching the game in the stadium. 

The AFL match brings people of all generations together like no other sport in Australia. It enables you to engage with new people and blend in with the Australian sports culture. You will find everyone shouting and cheering for their favourite teams at the game. 

The overall atmosphere is inspiring and contagious!

Useful Links to Explore:  

• English Language Requirements for Australia
• Cultural differences you may experience in Australia
• How to find Part-Time work as a Student in Australia
• Seven Tips for Students on a Budget in Australia
• How to get a Scholarship to Study in Australia
• Driving in Australia as an International Student
• How to change your Course or Institute in Australia
• The Benefits of a Professional Year Program (PYP)
• A Complete Guide to Study in Australia
• Types of Education in Australia 
• What to Study in Australia?