Australian Rules Football does not have one ranking system that answers every question. The AFL ladder ranks clubs by their home-and-away results, while player lists and power rankings use different mixes of votes, statistics and expert judgment. Knowing which system you are looking at makes it easier to understand what a ranking actually says—and what it leaves out.
For clubs, wins and draws are the starting point. Percentage can separate teams that finish level on premiership points. For players, there is no single official ranking that covers every role and purpose: an award vote, a statistical rating and a media list may judge performance in very different ways.
How the AFL club ladder is ranked
The AFL home-and-away ladder is based first on premiership points. A club receives four points for a win, two for a draw and none for a loss. After the scheduled home-and-away games, clubs are ordered by their total.
If clubs have the same number of premiership points, percentage is used to separate them. It compares the points a team scores with the points it concedes:
Percentage = points scored ÷ points conceded × 100
For example, a club that scores 1,000 points and concedes 800 has a percentage of 125.0. If another club has the same premiership points but a percentage of 116.7, the first club ranks higher on the ladder.
That can make a late-season match matter even when a team is unlikely to change its win-loss record. Kicking accurately and limiting the damage on the scoreboard can improve percentage, which may help decide a close ladder position.
What the ladder does—and does not—show
The ladder is a record of results, not a full measure of how well a team has played. It does not directly adjust for injuries, the difficulty of opponents, venue, or how close a loss was. A narrow defeat still earns no premiership points, just as a big win earns the same four points as a one-point win.
It is also different from a power ranking. A power ranking is usually an analyst’s or publication’s view of current team strength. It may consider recent form, the quality of opponents, injuries and expected performance, so it can place a team differently from the official ladder.
How finals affect team rankings
The home-and-away ladder determines the clubs’ positions heading into the finals and helps set the finals match-ups. Finals then decide the premiership. A team that finishes lower on the ladder can win the flag by performing well in September, but that does not change its home-and-away results or percentage.
This is why it helps to ask what a ranking refers to: the regular-season ladder, a finals result, or an estimate of which team is strongest right now. Each answers a different question.
How Australian rules football players are ranked
Unlike the club ladder, there is no single official AFL ranking that orders every player using one universal formula. Player rankings may come from awards, coaches, statisticians, broadcasters or sports publications. Each uses its own method and may value different parts of the game.
Awards and votes
- Brownlow Medal: Umpires award three, two and one vote after each match to the players they judge best and next-best. The medal recognises the player with the most votes who is eligible under the award rules.
- Coaches’ votes: The AFL Coaches Association’s voting system gives coaches a way to recognise influential performances. Its voting scale and approach differ from the Brownlow’s, so the results can produce a different order.
- Media and fan awards: These may use votes from journalists, commentators or supporters. The ranking reflects the voters’ judgments and the award’s criteria, rather than a single league-wide standard.
Votes reward a performance as it is seen in the match, not simply the player with the biggest statistical total. A midfielder who wins clearances and helps drive a comeback may attract votes even if a teammate records more disposals.
Statistics and player-rating systems
Statistical rankings often look at actions such as disposals, contested possessions, clearances, tackles, marks, goals and score involvements. Some ratings also account for the type and impact of an action rather than treating every touch as equal. A contested possession under pressure, for example, may tell a different story from an uncontested mark in space.
Role matters, too. A key defender may be judged on spoils, intercept marks and shutting down a dangerous forward. A ruckman can influence the contest through hit-outs and follow-up work, while a forward may be assessed on goals, pressure and creating scoring chances. Comparing all three on disposals alone would miss much of their value.
| Ranking approach | What it commonly considers | What to keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Club ladder | Premiership points, then percentage when points are level | Records results; it is not a full measure of team strength |
| Award votes | Voters’ judgments of match performances | Different awards use different voters and criteria |
| Statistical ratings | Recorded actions and, in some systems, their impact | Role and context matter; no single stat captures a whole performance |
| Power rankings | Recent form, opponent strength and other expert-selected factors | Method varies by publisher and may be partly subjective |
Why rankings can disagree
Two ranking lists can place the same player or club differently without either being a mistake. A vote-based award may favour a standout match, while a season-long rating may reward steady performances across many rounds. A power ranking might also react quickly to a team’s recent form, while the ladder continues to reflect every home-and-away result.
Rankings also depend on what is being measured. High disposal numbers do not automatically mean a player had the greatest influence, and a strong percentage does not guarantee a club will win its next match. Use the ranking that fits your question, then check the underlying results and performance details.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main factor in an AFL ladder ranking?
Premiership points come first: four for a win, two for a draw and none for a loss. If clubs are level on points, percentage is used to separate them.
How is AFL percentage calculated?
Divide a team’s points scored by its points conceded, then multiply by 100. Scoring 1,000 points and conceding 800 gives a percentage of 125.0.
Is there an official ranking of all AFL players?
No single ranking covers every player and purpose. Award votes, statistical ratings and media lists use different methods, so their results can vary.
Do finals change a club’s home-and-away ladder position?
No. The ladder records home-and-away results. Finals decide the premiership, but they do not alter those regular-season results.
Final Thoughts
Club rankings in Australian Rules Football are easiest to read once you separate the ladder from power rankings and finals results. The ladder rewards wins and draws, with percentage helping break ties. Player rankings are less uniform: votes, statistics and expert opinions each highlight different parts of the game. Always check how a list was made before treating it as the final word on who is best.
Aiden Cross is a sports writer and editor at BeliveSports, covering a broad range of sports with a focus on clear, accurate, and practical information. His work covers rules, techniques, player roles, competitions, equipment, statistics, and the details that help readers better understand how different sports are played. Aiden takes a research-driven approach to sports writing, using reliable sources and established sporting information to provide context rather than simply repeating surface-level facts. His goal is to make complex topics accessible while maintaining the accuracy and depth expected by knowledgeable sports fans. At BeliveSports, Aiden contributes to the site’s editorial standards by focusing on accuracy, clarity, useful context, and reader-first explanations.