The focal point of this section of our guide is Australian Rules football, also known as Australian football or Aussie Rules. In Australia, it might be known simply as football or footy.
The history of Aussie Rules football goes back to the mid-19th century. The first recorded match was between Melbourne Grammar School and Scotch College in 1858. Its origins are attributed to Tom Wills, who sought to create a sport to keep cricketers fit during the off-season. Over time, the sport evolved, incorporating elements from various football codes and Indigenous games, eventually leading to the sport now known as Australian Rules football.
The primary governing body for Australian Rules football is the Australian Football League (AFL), which oversees the professional men's competition. The AFL also plays a significant role in promoting the sport at grassroots levels and internationally. For women's football, the AFL Women's (AFLW) league was established in 2017, providing a professional platform for female athletes to participate in the sport. Additionally, state and regional leagues contribute to the sport's development and governance across Australia.
Australian Rules football is played on an oval-shaped field, typically larger than those used in other football codes. Each team consists of eighteen players on the field, with four interchange players. The objective is to score points by kicking the ball between the opponent's goalposts. A goal, worth six points, is scored when the ball is kicked between the two taller central posts without being touched. A behind, worth one point, is scored if the ball passes between a central and an outer post or is touched before crossing the goal line.
The game is divided into four quarters, each lasting twenty minutes of playtime. Players can move the ball by kicking, handballing (punching the ball from one hand with the other fist), or running with it, provided they bounce it every fifteen meters. Physical contact is allowed, but there are strict rules against dangerous tackles and high contact.
Australian Rules football differs significantly from American football. As noted, the game is played on an oval field, whereas American football is played on a rectangular field. In Aussie Rules, goals and behinds are scored by kicking the ball through goalposts, while American football involves touchdowns, field goals, and extra points. Aussie Rules allows continuous play with fewer stoppages, and players can move the ball in any direction. American football has more structured plays and frequent stoppages. Aussie Rules teams have eighteen players on the field, while American football allows eleven.
Australian Rules football is often referred to as Australia's national sport. The game enjoys a passionate fan base and strong community ties. Major events like the AFL Grand Final attract millions of viewers.
While Australian Rules football is most popular in Australia, its global reach is expanding. The AFL has made a strong effort to promote the sport internationally, with exhibition matches and development programs in countries like China, the United States, and Ireland. International competitions, such as the AFL International Cup, provide a platform for teams from around the world to compete.
Online resources for Australian Rules football leagues and teams are appropriate for this category, along with any other websites relating to the sport.
Recommended Resources
This is an attempt to create a comprehensive online resource for the history, culture, and statistics of Australian Rules football, the great Australian game, also known as "footy." The site features footy-related content, including profiles of significant players, clubs, matches, previously published newspaper and magazine pieces, current and historical match reports, specially-commissioned articles on key topics, lists, stats, and other content related to the sport.
https://australianfootball.com/
The AFL is the chief professional league for Australian Rules football. Originally known as the Victorian Football League, the AFL was founded in 1896 as a breakaway competition from the Victorian Football Association and took its current name in 1990 after expanding its competition to other Australian States in the 1980s. Its teams, matches, statistics, on-demand viewing, ticket options and sales, and an online shopping area are featured, offering branded apparel and other merchandise.
https://www.afl.com.au/
The State Library of Victoria in Melbourne, Victoria, features Australian Rules football, a guide to researching the sport's history, players, matches, and clubs. Its history, from the Victorian Football Association to the Victorian Football League, the rebranding of the VFL to the Australian Football League, and the AFL Women's League, are set forth. Its leagues, competitions, games, players, clubs, statistics, venues and grounds, and photos are included, along with a timeline of the sport.
https://guides.slv.vic.gov.au/australianfootball
Australian Rules Football Women
The AFLW is Australia's national semi-professional Australian Rules football league for female players and the second most attended women's football competition in Australia, behind A-League Women. The league is operated by the Australian Football League (AFL) and is contested by each club from that competition. Each of its teams is featured on the site, along with the latest news, matches, and statistics. Players, awards, and drafts are included, along with an online fan shopping area.
https://www.afl.com.au/aflw
Reading Australian Rules Football
Published in 2017, "Reading Australian Rules Football" is a definitive guide to the game, heralded as the most comprehensive survey of the subject ever attempted, with over 2,000 citations, including 1,500 annotated entries written by experts. Also known as "Aussie Rules" or simply "footy," this fast-paced game has been around since the mid-1800s. The print edition is available for purchase, and new releases are announced. An informational blog is included.
https://www.readingaustralianrulesfootball.org/
