AFL Ladder

The most straightforward aspect of the standings is the points system. Teams earn “Premiership Points” based on the outcome of each match:

• Win: 4 points
• Draw: 2 points
• Loss: 0 points

In many global leagues, a tie on points is broken by “points difference” (scores for minus scores against). However, in Aussie Rules, we use Percentage. This is calculated by taking a team’s total “Points For,” dividing it by their “Points Against,” and multiplying by 100.

This system is designed to reward teams that not only win but do so convincingly, while also protecting teams that play in lower-scoring, defensive battles. A high percentage acts as an extra “half-win” on the ladder, often proving the difference between a home final and an early holiday.

The season marks a historic shift in the Aussie rules standings. For the first time, the league has expanded the post-season path, meaning the ladder now feeds into a “Final Ten” structure.

Finishing in the top six is the gold standard. These teams are guaranteed a spot in the traditional finals bracket. The top four, in particular, earn the coveted “double chance,” meaning a loss in the first week of finals doesn’t result in immediate elimination.

Positions seven through ten on the AFL ladder now enter a high-stakes “Wildcard Round.” If your team is sitting in 9th or 10th in the standings, they still have a heartbeat, but they must win an extra knockout game to join the final eight-team bracket.

Teams finishing 11th to 18th miss out on post-season action. For these clubs, the focus in the standings shifts toward securing a better draft pick and building for the following year.

When looking at the Aussie rules standings, seasoned fans look beyond just the “W” and “L” columns. To truly understand a team’s form, you need to dive into the secondary metrics:

1. Points For (PF): This indicates offensive potency. High PF usually belongs to teams with a fast-moving transition game and a dominant forward line.
2. Points Against (PA): The ultimate measure of a team’s defensive “wall.” Championship-winning teams almost always rank in the top four for the lowest PA.
3. Form (Last 5): Usually denoted by a string of Ws and Ls, this tells you if a team is peaking at the right time or sliding down the ladder as injuries take their toll.

Because of the percentage system, a “junk time” goal in the final minute of a 50-point blowout actually matters. In 2024 and 2025, we saw teams miss the finals by less than 1%. This creates a unique atmosphere in the AFL where teams are incentivised to keep scoring until the final siren, rather than simply “running out the clock.”

The standings also dictate where finals are played. The higher-ranked team on the AFL ladder typically earns the right to host the final in their home state. For non-Victorian teams like the West Coast Eagles, Fremantle, or the Brisbane Lions, securing a top-two spot is vital to avoid the “travel factor” of flying to Melbourne or Adelaide.

The team that finishes at the very top of the aussie rules standings at the end of the 22-round home-and-away season is crowned the Minor Premier. While the Minor Premiership doesn’t guarantee the Flag, it comes with the Dr. Wm. C. McClelland Trophy and the best possible path through the finals.

Historically, the Minor Premier has a significantly higher chance of reaching the Grand Final, thanks to home-state advantage and the week off earned by winning a Qualifying Final.

With matches spread across Thursday nights, Friday nights, and the traditional Saturday/Sunday slots, the AFL ladder is a living document. A team might start the weekend in 4th and find themselves in 7th by Sunday night if results don’t go their way.

• The Logjam: When multiple teams (often from 5th to 12th) are separated by only one win.
• The Eight: The traditional cut-off for finals (now expanded by the wildcard).
• The Spoon: Referring to the “Wooden Spoon,” the unofficial title for the team finishing last (18th) in the standings.

As we approach the business end of the season, keep a close eye on the “Points Against” column. It’s an old footy cliché that “offense wins games, but defense wins premierships,” and the Aussie rules standings usually back that up.

If your team is tied on points with a rival, every goal kicked this weekend is worth its weight in gold. Make sure to check the ladder updates immediately after the final siren of the Sunday twilight game to see exactly where your club stands heading into the next round.