Australian Rules Football rankings are usually read from a league ladder, where teams are ordered by premiership points and then percentage. But “rankings” can also mean player ratings, Brownlow Medal votes or statistical leaderboards—and each uses a different method.
If you are following an AFL season, the ladder is the clearest guide to which clubs are leading and who is in the finals race. Here’s how it works, how percentage can change a team’s position, and why player rankings don’t all measure the same thing.
How the AFL ladder is calculated
In the AFL, clubs earn premiership points from each home-and-away match. A win is worth four points, a draw is worth two points for each team, and a loss earns none. Clubs are ranked first by their total premiership points.
That means a side with more wins will normally sit above one with fewer wins. If clubs finish level on premiership points, the ladder uses percentage to separate them. Percentage compares the points a team has scored with the points it has conceded.
The percentage formula
Percentage = points scored ÷ points conceded × 100
For example, imagine two clubs are level on premiership points. Club A has scored 1,800 points and conceded 1,440, giving it a percentage of 125.00. Club B has scored 1,700 and conceded 1,500, giving it 113.33. Club A ranks higher because it has scored more points relative to the points against it.
| Club | Points for | Points against | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Club A | 1,800 | 1,440 | 125.00 |
| Club B | 1,700 | 1,500 | 113.33 |
In Australian football, the scoreboard total includes goals and behinds: a goal is worth six points and a behind is worth one. Percentage is calculated from those scoreboard points, not from the number of goals alone.
Why percentage matters
Percentage can decide which team finishes higher when premiership points are tied. That can have a real effect late in the season, when clubs are fighting for a finals place or a better position in the top eight. A strong win can lift a team’s percentage, while a heavy loss can pull it down.
It is not simply a measure of the average winning margin. It reflects a club’s total points scored and conceded across its matches. A team that wins several close games may have fewer premiership points than a rival with more wins, but if they are level, percentage becomes important.
This is why teams keep competing even when a match is nearly decided. Kicking another goal or limiting the damage at the other end may help their percentage. It is never a guarantee of a ladder jump, though: a club still needs the right premiership-point total, and other results can change the standings too.
What the ladder tells you—and what it doesn’t
The ladder ranks teams during the home-and-away season. It does not award extra premiership points for beating a higher-ranked opponent, winning away from home or scoring more goals than behinds. The result determines the points; the final scoreboard contributes to percentage.
At the end of the regular season, the AFL’s top eight qualify for the finals. Their ladder positions help determine the finals match-ups and the path through the series. A team’s ladder rank is therefore about its season record, not a fresh ranking calculated from its finals performances.
Other Australian Rules competitions may use different formats or rules, so check that league’s regulations if you are following a state, regional or community competition. The AFL system is a useful guide, but not every competition has the same number of teams, matches or finals places.
How player rankings are calculated
There is no single official player ranking that answers every question about performance. Some lists count a specific statistic, while rating systems combine many actions. A player can lead the league in one category without being considered the best overall performer.
| Type of ranking | What it measures | What to keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Statistical leaderboard | A total or average, such as goals, disposals, marks or tackles | It measures one category, not a player’s full contribution |
| Brownlow Medal votes | Umpires award 3, 2 and 1 vote after each match to the players they judge best | Votes reflect match-by-match assessments; they are not a complete statistical rating |
| AFL Coaches Association votes | Coaches allocate votes to players after matches, with a maximum of 10 votes per game | This is another expert voting system, separate from the Brownlow |
| Player-rating systems | Combine different actions and their assessed value or impact | Methods vary, and some detailed formulas are proprietary |
Raw stats need context. A midfielder with 30 disposals has had plenty of the ball, but the number alone does not show whether those possessions moved the team forward, came under pressure or helped create a scoring chance. A key defender may have fewer disposals but influence the game through spoils, intercept marks and contests.
That is why rating systems may consider more than volume. They can account for different types of actions and how those actions affect play, but the exact formula depends on the provider. Fantasy-football scores are another separate measure: they are designed for fantasy competitions, not as an official verdict on who is the best player.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many points does an AFL team get for a win?
An AFL team earns four premiership points for a win. Each team receives two points for a draw, while a loss earns no premiership points.
How do you calculate AFL percentage?
Divide a team’s points scored by its points conceded, then multiply by 100. For example, 1,800 points for and 1,440 against gives a percentage of 125.00.
Does percentage decide the ladder before wins?
No. Teams are ranked by premiership points first. Percentage is used to separate teams that are level on premiership points.
Are Brownlow votes the same as player rankings?
No. Brownlow votes are awarded by umpires after each match, with three votes for the player judged best, two for the next and one for the third. Statistical leaderboards and rating systems use different methods.
Final Thoughts
For AFL teams, rankings start with premiership points: four for a win, two for a draw and none for a loss. If clubs are level, percentage—points scored compared with points conceded—can decide who sits higher. Player rankings are a separate matter, and the answer depends on whether you are looking at statistics, awards votes or a broader rating system.
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.
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