There are a few notable differences between AFL and AFLW, including the length of games, how many players are on the field and the length of the season overall.

Here are a few important things to know;

Game Duration & Structure

  • AFL: Four 20-minute quarters plus time-on (matches often exceed 120 minutes).

  • AFLW: Four 17-minute quarters with limited time-on (totalling approximately 90 minutes).

Team Composition

  • AFL: 18 players on the field, five interchange players.

  • AFLW: 16 players on the field, five interchange players.

Season Length & Fixture

  • AFL: 25 rounds over approximately six months, followed by a five-week finals series.

  • AFLW: Expanded to 12 rounds over 12 weeks as of 2025, followed by a four-week finals series. The season starts in mid-August, overlapping with the latter part of the AFL season. 

Rule Adjustments & Gameplay

  • AFL: Following changes introduced for the 2026 season, centre bounces have been replaced with an umpire throw-up at the start of quarters and after goals, bringing the men's game in line with a format AFLW has used since 2017.
  • AFLW: For 2026, four umpiring and law interpretation changes have been introduced, aligning with updates made to the AFL Premiership Season:

- At centre ball ups, a competing ruck can no longer cross the centre circle line and engage with their opponent before contesting the football.

- The "reasonable time" allowed for a kick in (from a behind) has been reduced from 12 seconds to eight seconds, aligning it with the time allowed for a set kick around the ground.

- A shrug while being tackled is now interpreted as prior opportunity, treated the same as a fend or attempt to evade a tackle.

- Players within five metres of a mark or free kick (the protected area) must now stand, and can no longer step back to "outside five."

Mim Strom wins a ruck contest during the AFLW Elimination Final match between Fremantle Dockers and Essendon

Finals Format

  • AFL: The league manages all finals matches, typically held at major stadiums.

  • AFLW: Clubs host finals matches during the first three weeks, with the AFL overseeing the Grand Final.

Fixture & Venue Strategy

  • AFL: Fixed fixtures with matches primarily at large stadiums.

  • AFLW: Adopts a floating fixture model to accommodate overlaps with the AFL season. Matches are often played at suburban or "heartland" venues to foster community engagement.

Player Movement & Drafting

  • AFL: Established systems for player trades and drafts.

  • AFLW: Introduced future pick trading and a Pre-Season Draft as of 2025, replacing the previous Supplementary Selection Period.