There are a few notable differences between AFL and AFLW, inlcuding 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 (totaling approximately 90 minutes).

Team Composition

  • AFL: 18 players on the field, four interchange players and one tactical substitute.

  • AFLW: 16 players on the field, five interchange players and no substitute.

The Fremantle Dockers line up for the prematch ceremony and national anthem during the 2024 AFLW First Semi Final match between the Adelaide Crows and the Fremantle Dockers at Norwood Oval

Season Length & Fixture

  • AFL: 23 rounds over approximately six months, followed by a four-week finals series.

  • AFLW: Expanded to 12 rounds over 12 weeks in 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: Standard rules with center bounces and larger field dimensions.

  • AFLW: Notable differences include:

- Center bounces replaced with ball-ups due to the smaller ball size.

- In 2025, for stoppages within 10 meters of the boundary between the 50m arcs, the ball-up will occur 10 meters inside the boundary.

- Umpires will enforce stricter penalties on players who dive on or drag the ball in and do not immediately release it when legally tackled.

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 in 2025, replacing the previous Supplementary Selection Period.