A beginner’s guide to the AFL

For those who are just discovering the joy of footy, welcome.

Football culture is huge in Australia. It's not just about the game, but it's also about the atmosphere and camaraderie, and it all comes together when watching the Australian Football League (AFL).

Everyone is different, so naturally, not everyone is in love with the game, and you might not know the first thing about the AFL. So, for those who are looking to familiarise themselves with the AFL, stick around as we cover the basics of the AFL. 

What is the history behind the AFL?

There are a few perspectives regarding the history of the AFL, but as far as we know, here is how the modern AFL came to be. Long ago, in a distant land… jokes. Australian Rules Football - which became the AFL - was created in Melbourne, Victoria in 1858. 

The game's rules were the brainchild of Tom Wills. Approximately a month after Tom had developed the rules, he umpired the first-ever football game between two Melbourne schools, and in 1959, Melbourne schools began competing regularly.

By the 1970s, Tom's game had amassed an audience of up to 10,000 spectators, and hence, it eventually became a national sport. While AFL might draw inspiration from other sports, its Aussie flavour is what made it such a hit. 

From its humble beginnings in schools, Australian Football is now played at national and provincial level. The AFL features 18 different teams from all across Australia, and it has roughly 90,000 viewers watching per game.

What you need to know

Whether you enjoy just watching the AFL or betting on it, you need to know what's going on during the game, right? Well, these are a few basic things about the AFL that will help you learn to love it as much as the 90,000 viewers who watch every game:

Basic Rules

AFL isn't an overly complex game, but to understand what's happening on the pitch, you'll need to know the basic rules. Here they are:

• AFL's aim is to outscore the opposing team by kicking the ball through the tall goalposts or between a tall goalpost and a shorter behind post.
• AFL is played on an oval field, typically 150-180 meters long and 135-155 meters wide.
• Each team has 18 players on the field, and games consist of four quarters lasting about 20 minutes each.
• Scoring involves kicking the ball through the tall goalposts for a goal (six points) or between the goalpost and a behind post for a behind (one point).
• Players can move the ball by kicking, handballing, or running, with a required bounce every 15 meters if running.
• A mark is awarded when a player catches the ball after it travels at least 15 meters without touching the ground or another player.
• Tackling is permitted between the knees and shoulders, allowing players to dispossess opponents.
• Substitutions can be made at any time via the interchange bench, following designated procedures.
• Multiple umpires enforce rules and award free kicks and penalties.
• When the ball goes out of bounds, it's returned via a boundary throw-in or a kick-in from the boundary line, depending on the circumstances.

The Positions

Understanding positions is also key to following the game well. Here are the AFL positions that you need to know. 

• Ruckman: The player who defends the goalposts
• Defenders: The next layer of defence. Their goal is to stop the ball from getting to the ruckman
• Midfielders: These are your playmakers. They function in the centre of the field, carrying the ball up to the forwards or receiving it from the defenders
• Forwards: The players with a keen eye for scoring. Responsible for putting the ball away and converting plays into goals

All the teams that compete

There are currently 18 teams competing in the AFL. All the teams involved in the AFL are clubs that are based across Australia's five states. Here's a list of all the teams according to their state:

Victoria

• Carlton Blues
• Collingwood Magpies
• Essendon Bombers
• Geelong Cats
• Hawthorn Hawks
• Melbourne Demons
• North Melbourne Kangaroos
• Richmond Tigers
• St Kilda Saints
• Western Bulldogs

Queensland

• Brisbane Lions
• Gold Coast Suns

South Australia

• Adelaide Crows
• Port Adelaide Power

Western Australia

• Fremantle Dockers
• West Coast Eagles

New South Wales

• Greater Western Sydney Giants
• Sydney Swans

Final Thoughts

Now, you're all set to join in on all the AFL festivities. There's always something new ticking in the AFL, but once you get the basics, you'll have a better idea of what's going on. When you're ready to join the fun and start placing bets, you can do it all through Ladbrokes, where you'll also find the latest AFL tips.