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Frequently Asked Questions About Aussie Rules Football

Published by
Zero Hanger

Aussie rules, also known as Australian rules football, is a contact sport played between two teams. The teams are composed of eighteen players, and the sport is played on an oval pitch or field that's simply a modified cricket pitch.

Like any other sport, individuals ask different questions regarding Aussie Rules. This article discusses the most trending frequently asked questions and provides answers. 

Keep on reading to see the FAQs:

1. How many players should be on the field?

Australian football allows 18 players on the field. Players have their positions but are permitted to roam anywhere in the field. The sport allows a maximum of four bench players, and unlike other sports, Australian football has no offside rules and goalies. The teams cannot have more than 18 players on the field at any one time.

2. Is Australian Football like American football or rugby?

No, this sport is not linked to either rugby or American football. It is an entirely different sport. There's only one game somewhat close to Aussie rules called Gaelic, commonly known as Irish Football.

3. Does Australian football have rules? Is it a rules-free sport?

Footy has plenty of unique rules that take a new fan a bit of time to wrap their head around. The game has no time stoppages; therefore, players should play continuously throughout four quarters. The sport has no timeouts, players are not allowed to wear pads, and there is no goalkeeper or offside rule.

4. Why are the coaches not seen down at the field except between a match's quarters?

In Australian football, the majority of the coaches remain in the coach's box up in the stands. The coaches are not seen down at the field because it is challenging to follow the vastness of the playing field at ground level. Instead the coaches relay messages to the players via staff (runners) who sprint onto the oval.

5. Is Australian football a violent sport?

The sport may be physically intense, but it is not as violent as people believe it to be. Most opinions are a perception based on 30 second clips posted on social media. There are violent plays that occur like any sport but in truth it is just as entertaining and athletic.

Heath Chapman is tackled by Marlion Pickett during the 2022 AFL Round 19 match between Richmond and Fremantle (Photo by Cameron Grimes / Zero Digital Media)

6. Can you bet on Aussie Rules?

The short answer is yes! Even though this sport is mostly popular in Australia, you can bet on it worldwide. Online betting on Aussie rules is quite popular nowadays mostly because of competitive odds and rich betting markets this sport has to offer. You can bet on moneyline, winning margin, goal kickers, disposal, total points and so on. In fact, there are more than 200 betting markets available for Aussie rules. 

7. What are the names of 18 Australian football teams, and which cities are they from?

Aussie rules have 18 teams from different cities. They are as outlined:

8. What is Australian football season typically like?

The season comprises at least two to three preseason matches and 22 regular matches. There are mid-season bye matches for every team and four finals rounds. A bye week is installed between the regular season and the finals. The season begins in March and ends on the last Saturday of September. It is a sport played during the winter in Australia.

9. Does each team have its own home ground?

In the past, each team used to have its own stadium or home ground, but for the modern era that has changed whereby teams now share stadiums. For example, both teams from Perth share Optus Stadium. All Melbourne teams share stadiums with half playing their home matches at the Melbourne Cricket Ground and the other half at Marvel Stadium.

 

10. Is the sport big in Australia?

Yes, it is an illustrious sport in Australia. The sport is the fourth best-attended sport in the world. TV and radio stations in Australia air the sport every time there's a match. It takes over all other sports in Australia and is considered more dominant than other sports. The sport set an attendance record in 2019; that's how you know this sport is a big deal in Australia.

Conclusion

If you are still a new fan of the Australian football sport, you can learn a thing or two from these initial questions. The knowledge is boundless, but hopefully this article has laid the foundation and piqued your interest for the sport. Now you are ready to place your first bets on AFL.

Published by
Zero Hanger